Pro Football History.com Blog

4 underrated NFL players in 2024

May 10th, 2024

With 53 players on each NFL roster, it can be hard to recognize every great talent the league offers. Inevitably, some players aren’t going to get the recognition they deserve each season. However, their stellar performances have helped their teams succeed by changing the odds, to the joy of fans and sports betting sites alike. For those interested in following these underrated NFL players and wanting to easily place bets online, many sports betting sites offer different online payment methods, ensuring a secure and responsible betting experience.

Let’s take a look at four of the most underrated NFL players last season and why they should be on your radar next season.

Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams QB

Coming off an injury-riddled 2022 season at the age of 34, it would be fair to think that Matthew Stafford's time as one of the better-starting quarterbacks in the league was coming to a close. Instead, he led a stunning revival in LA that, like most things he does, went under the radar.

The Rams bounced back from a woeful 5-12 campaign to make the playoffs, in large part thanks to Staffords' effort as signal caller. He made the Pro Bowl for only the second time in his career while finishing top ten in MVP voting.

Jadeveon Clowney - Baltimore Ravens DE

Jadeveon Clowney is one of those players who hovers in between the liminal space of bust and good NFL player. Yes, coming out of college he was supposed to be a game-breaking defensive force and he never quite lived up to that expectation at the professional level but the former South Carolina Gamecock is still a multi-time Pro Bowler who played important roles on some pretty good defenses.

2023 was more of the same for Clowney, who joined the Baltimore Ravens and made an immediate impact, tying his career-high with 9.5 sacks while posting the highest PFF pass-rushing grade of his career.

James Conner - Arizona Cardinals RB

A former cancer survivor and Pittsburgh area legend, it feels like people just sort of stopped talking about James Conner outside of the fantasy football space once he left for Arizona. So, it’s no wonder that very few seemed to notice just how good he was on a pretty bad Cardinals team that was missing Kyler Murray for most of the year.

While he wasn’t able to crack his 2018 season in terms of yards from scrimmage, Conner set career-highs in yards per carry (5.0) and rushing yards per game (80) while breaking the 1000-yard mark for the first time. Now with Murray back and incoming phenom Marvin Harrison Jr, Conner should have even more space to operate.

Rashid Shaheed - New Orleans Saints WR/PR

Young wide receivers seem to be getting a ton of attention around the league these days, and yet somehow Rashid Shaheed seems to have slipped through the cracks. Maybe it's because he plays for a mediocre Saints team without an elite QB to catch passes from, but either way, Shaheed deserves your attention.

An undrafted free agent out of Weber State in 2022, Shaheed impressed as a rookie before breaking out in his second year with an incredible campaign. Not only did he integrate himself into the Saints passing game with 46 catches and 719 yards, but he also staked his claim as the league's best punt returner, averaging nearly 14 yards per return and taking one to the house.

Unforgettable Moments in NFL History

May, 8th, 2024

As the Queen of England said, "recollections may vary", and that too applies to the best and most unforgettable moments in NFL history. While people may have different opinions and takes on what went down, let's sum up the most memorable times that an NFL play had viewers not on the edge of their seats, but falling off completely.

The Catch

What makes a play or pass special is not only the execution and outcome, but the foundation that it lays for the game of football for the future. Nicknamed 'the catch' because of the unbelievable ability of Dwight Clark to actually catch the ball thrown by Joe Montana in 1982, the result was a touchdown and a victory by the San Francisco 49ers over the Dallas Cowboys. If you had gone to a bookkeeper and bet on that happening, the odds would have been slim to none, and today one could even wager online, for example via casinoluke.net.

The Music City Miracle

American football is enjoyed by millions because of its appeal and the fortitude of the team. However, what makes it fantastic, is the absolute unpredictability of it all. This was the case in 2000 when a last-minute lateral play by the Tennessee Titans against the Buffalo Bills had Kevin Dyson score a touchdown for his time. The play was a combination of strategy, foresight and sheer luck—the trifecta.

The Helmet Catch

One of those moments that football fans will never ever forget: in 2008, David Tyree made a leaping grab by pressing the ball that he had caught against his helmet while New England's Rodney Harrison aggressively tried knocking it loose. Regardless of what Harrison did and how much effort he put in to get the ball away from Tyree's helmet and into his own hands or onto the ground, Tyree didn't budge an inch, showcasing the determination and tenacity of NFL players.

The Miracle in Miami

When the end of the game is nearing and a team is behind in points, they sometimes attempt and opt for a lateral pass out of desperation. However, in the history of the NFL, only once in the 21st century has a team successfully converted a lateral pass for a touchdown at the end of a game; that was in 2003. That's why people refer to the play that happened in 2018 as the Miami Miracle. The Miami Dolphins managed not one, but a series of laterals to score a last-second touchdown against the New England Patriots. It was the first and only walk-off game-winning touchdown in NFL history that involved multiple lateral passes.

The NFL is extraordinary, both in terms of the players' strength and will, and also because of the unpredictable and nail-biting nature of the game. There's only thing that could make it even more exciting: betting on a game and having your own personal stake in it.

Andy Reid: Charting the Course for NFL History

By Stephen Juza

April 29th, 2024

Last week, Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid signed a new contract extension, which ranks among the wealthiest in US sports history. The new contract will keep him tied to the Chiefs through the 2029 season, along with general manager Brett Veach. Having been paired together for many years, spanning both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chiefs, they will continue their efforts to lead the Chiefs in a historic fashion.

In the midst of an incredible run of four Super Bowl appearances, and three wins, in five seasons, the Chiefs are poised to make a run for the first-ever three-peat in the modern era of the NFL. While competition is always steep in the NFL, coming out of the draft, the NFL betting lines favor a repeat of the Chiefs vs. 49ers Super Bowl at the end of the upcoming season.

While the Chiefs are working for one type of history in 2024, the contract extension lines Reid up for another type of history -- the career wins record. Sitting at 258 regular season wins, he is 70 wins behind Don Shula's record. Although the record is within reach, it will take a continuation of the historic run to reach the record. In today’s article, let’s examine how Reid got within striking distance of history, and what the Chiefs need to go their way in the several years.

Reid's Career

One potential roadblock that will prevent Reid from achieving the wins record is his age. He is already 66 years old, and will need to be coaching into his 70s to top Shula. However, many of his fellow coaches in the Top-10 on the career wins chart stopped coaching long before their 70th birthday.

Only two coaches in the top ten coached into their 70s, George Halas and Bill Belichick. If Reid maintains his current pace, he would break the record when he’s 71. Does he want to coach that long? He’s clearly enjoying life at the top of the NFL mountain, but even so much as one underperforming season would mean that he needs to coach another season, until he’s 72.

What’s unusual about Reid’s career trajectory is that he got his start much later than his coaching rivals. His first head coaching job was at the age of 41, later in life than all but one other top coach (Marty Schottenheimer, who was also 41). During a very different NFL era, Curly Lambeau got his start at the young age of 23, shortly followed by Halas at 25. While Reid benefits from more games a season, many others benefited from having more seasons to rack up wins.

Chiefs Front Office

At the same time as the franchise extended Reid, they also extended two other key members of the franchise: general manager Brett Veach and team president Mark Donovan. While Reid has had the team excelling on the field, Veach has been key at constructing the roster that has enabled them to successfully replace top players like Tyreek Hill.

The team traded Hill to the Dolphins following the 2021 season when he wanted a new contract. Since the trade, Hill has been arguably the top wide receiver in the league, but the Dolphins have not been able to achieve much team success. Contrast this with the Chiefs, that while they may have struggled to replace Hill’s production, they won back-to-back Super Bowls.

The Chiefs also hope to have found the replacement to the speedy Hill in this month’s NFL draft, taking Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy in the first round. He will be paired with new free agent wide receiver, and fellow speedster, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. Both new players will hopefully help take the stress off of Travis Kelce in the passing game, and hopefully limit any loss from a potential suspension for wide receiver Rashee Rice.

Chiefs Immediate Future

While Reid has had remarkable consistency as the Chiefs’ coach, the team will have some big shoes to replace in the very near future if Reid is to maintain the necessary pace of twelve or more wins a season. One of the biggest challenges will be replacing tight end Kelce. At 34, Kelce’s days as a top weapon in the NFL are numbered.

While he is still the safety blanket for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, his days as a number one receiving option may be behind him. 2023 saw his fewest receiving yards since 2015 and his fewest touchdowns since 2019. However, he’s still Mr. Reliable in the postseason where he averaged eight catches a game in the latest Super Bowl run.

The Chiefs addressed one of the top concerns of the offseason last month when they signed defensive tackle Chris Jones to a new five year contract. Jones has been a vital part of the Chiefs defense for many years, and last year the defense finished second overall in both yards and points allowed. The stout defense allowed the offense to work through various issues throughout the season without losing ground in the AFC West, and having Jones for many more years will give opponents headaches for years to come.

Likelihood of the Record

Ultimately, I think it comes down to if Reid wants to coach into his 70s. There’s no sure thing in the NFL, and two or three years ago, it looked like Belichick had the record within his grasp. However, the inability to replace Tom Brady at quarterback led to the team sputtering, and ultimately led to his firing. With Mahomes at quarterback for likely the remainder of Reid’s career, the team will likely always be in line for ten or more wins a season.

If the Veach can continue to find successful players in the draft, look for Reid to break the wins record toward the end of the 2029 season.

2024’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductees: A Defensive Dream

April 28th, 2024

The NFL Hall of Fame inductees have been decided ahead of the ceremony in August and it looks like there are a whole raft of top defensive players in the selection. With the excitement of the Super Bowl out of the way (huge well done Kansas City Chiefs) and the whispers surrounding the Coach of the Year starting to grow louder, it's the perfect time to take a look at some of the people that are rightly going to be celebrated this year.

If you're on our site, then - chances are - you've heard all these names already, but it's always fun to take a trip down memory lane! Why not remind us of exactly why they're getting their spot in the hallowed hall?

Dwight Freeney

It seems wild that it’s been six years since Freeney announced his retirement from the NFL! But, while it might seem like an awfully long time - don't forget, you must have been retired for five years to even be considered! His last games were played with the Detroit Lions and, obviously, at the ripe old age of 37, he wasn't playing quite the level of football he was known for. But he still provided incredible technical skills and knowledge to the team. His pass-rushing ability was still second to none and if he still remained on the Lions' team even now, we'd probably check out the upcoming NFL lines to see if there was any value to be found. Indeed, Freeney remained an asset right up until the last game of his career.

While it’s electrifying to see a player performing at the top of his game right into his late thirties, it was Freeney's time with the Indianapolis Colts that has earned him his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After a successful college football career at Syracuse, he was (understandably) snapped up by the Colts. Freeney was picked 11th overall, in the very first round of the draft. He stayed with the Colts for what would be a truly incredible decade of football. He had formidable speed and strength, but what he became known for was his devastating spin move. Combining power, agility, and enormous strength, Freeney was able to grab the ball and spin away from the defense. This move was poetry in motion and exceptionally difficult for the opposition to counter.

Julius Peppers

It takes a pretty special sportsman to make it in the NFL, but it's just wild that Julius Peppers could also have turned his hand to basketball! During his time at the University of North Carolina, he played for the team in both sports. We might be a little bit biased, but we're delighted he made it to the big-time playing football. Peppers remains one of the top defensive players of recent years, earning his place among the all-time sacks leaders throughout his career.

Alongside Freeney's famous spin move, there is no single 'trick' that Peppers became known for. Instead, he was widely respected as a formidable all-rounder, using speed rushes and bull rushes to overpower his opponents, and become a quarterback's nightmare. When it comes to defensive players, this year's selection really puts the spotlight on the champions. Five of the seven nominees held a defensive role on the field.

Steve McMichael

Another great defensive player that we're delighted to see added to the list is Steve McMichael. Having started his NFL career back in 1980, he's one of the eldest players to be inducted this year. It was with the Chicago Bears that McMichael had the glory days of his career. He stayed with the Bears for more than a decade, strengthening a defense so imposing that they became known as the Monsters of the Midway.

Of course, his career-defining game was in the 1985 Super Bowl, where those very 'monsters' took the Bears all the way to the top. Fans of an impenetrable defense (that haven't seen this game) should devote an evening to checking it out. This iteration of the Chicago Bears was truly the most impressive defense at the time, maybe one that hasn't quite been matched or bettered since.

Devin Hester

Bears fans will likely remember this name too! Devin Hester spent the best part of his NFL career with the Chicago Bears - and who wouldn't after such an electrifying start? During his rookie season he didn't just play in the Super Bowl, he returned the opening kickoff - and scored a touchdown. He was the first person, ever, to achieve this. It ought to come as no surprise that Hester's return kick is what he became the most famous for.

Hester is something of a record hog too! He holds the record for the most returns in NFL history (20, if you're interested). Of these returns, 14 were punt return touchdowns, showing just how powerful Hester was. He used this power not just for fantastic offense, but to help that imposing defense too.

Watching these veritable powerhouses over the years has been a pleasure. It's wonderful to see some of the NFL's most exciting defensive names getting the recognition that they deserve. After all, many times the scorers get the glory, but an impenetrable defense ensures you can't lose.

The 5 Top Wide Receivers in the Upcoming 2024 NFL Season

April 27th, 2024

As the 2024 NFL season approaches in the latter half of the year, several wide receivers have made a significant impact on the field and should be watched carefully once the season starts, thanks to their speed, agility, and catching ability. These athletes are not just key players for their teams; they are also altering the landscape of fantasy football and setting new standards for receiver performance in the league. In this analysis, we will delve into the potential top wide receivers of the 2024 season, examining their statistics, play styles, and contributions to their respective teams.

Tyreek Hill - Miami Dolphins Tyreek Hill, known for his breathtaking speed and agility, continues to dominate as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. In 2024, Hill will be a pivotal player for the Dolphins, using his exceptional ability to turn short passes into long gains. His acceleration after the catch is arguably unmatched, and his ability to track deep balls over his shoulder makes him a constant fan favorite for sports bettors at Kansas online casinos. Hill's stats so far include leading the league in receiving yards, which is a testament to his deep play ability and consistency.

Justin Jefferson - Minnesota Vikings

Justin Jefferson has been a standout performer for the Vikings, known for his precise route-running and reliable hands. Jefferson has an uncanny ability to create separation from defenders, making him a favorite target in crucial situations. His performance in 2023 has been stellar, with multiple 100-yard games and several touchdowns that have turned the tide in close contests. Jefferson’s impact goes beyond mere numbers; his presence opens up the field for his teammates, making the entire offense more effective.

Ja'Marr Chase - Cincinnati Bengals

Ja'Marr Chase has continued to impress in his young NFL career with the Bengals. Known for his strong hands and physical play, Chase can outmuscle defenders to make critical catches. In 2023, he has shown remarkable chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow, making them one of the most feared duos in the league. Chase's ability to gain yards after the catch and his knack for finding the end zone has made him a key component of the Bengals' offensive strategy.

Davante Adams - Las Vegas Raiders

Davante Adams remains one of the most technically proficient receivers in the league. His route running is textbook, and his ability to make catches in tight coverage is exceptional. In the 2024 season, Adams will continue to be a reliable target, especially in the red zone. His connection with the Raiders' quarterback has been evident, as he consistently manages to pull down contested catches and convert critical third downs.

Cooper Kupp - Los Angeles Rams

After a historic 2023 season, Cooper Kupp continues to be a key player for the Rams. His 2024 campaign will be marked by his crisp route-running and exceptional catch radius. Kupp's understanding of defenses and his ability to adjust his routes mid-play make him a difficult matchup for any defender. Despite facing double coverage frequently, Kupp’s productivity has not diminished, and he remains a top scorer for the Rams.

The Impact of These Receivers on Their Teams

The presence of these elite wide receivers on their respective teams elevates the entire offensive unit. Defenses have to plan specifically for them, often allocating multiple defenders to their coverage. This strategic focus opens up opportunities for other offensive players, whether it’s running backs finding more room to maneuver or second and third receivers facing less formidable coverage. The ability to draw such attention and still produce high numbers is what makes these receivers so valuable.

Challenges They Face

Despite their skills and statistics, top wide receivers often face significant challenges. They deal with physical games from defenders trying to disrupt their rhythm without drawing penalties. Additionally, the physical demand of the position, coupled with the high expectations, puts immense pressure on these athletes to perform consistently at a high level.

Their Role in Shaping the Future of the NFL

As the NFL continues to evolve into a more pass-heavy league, the role of the wide receiver becomes increasingly crucial. The players listed here are not only stars of their current teams but are also shaping how the wide receiver position is viewed and valued in the NFL. Their ability to make game-changing plays and their contribution to their teams' successes make them pivotal figures in the league.

Closing Thoughts

The 2023 NFL season has highlighted the extraordinary talent and impact of wide receivers like Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, Davante Adams, and Cooper Kupp. These athletes are redefining what it means to be an elite wide receiver in the NFL. Their performances are not just about spectacular catches and touchdowns; they influence game strategies, defensive alignments, and the outcomes of their games. As the 2024 season approaches, it will be fascinating to see how these top talents continue to push the boundaries of the wide receiver position and set new standards for excellence in the NFL.