The 2024 NFL season is nearing the end of the regular season, so the playoffs are just around the corner. So far, only one team, the Detroit Lions (an NFL-best 12-1), has stood out from the crowd but there are a host of contenders gunning for the Lombardi.
In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) are looking to make history by securing their third straight Super Bowl victory. However, with several lackluster wins against the likes of the lowly Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers, things aren’t as clear as they seem.
The Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers are seen as challenges to the Chiefs’ reign, while the Baltimore Ravens also have Super Bowl aspirations. In the NFC, the Lions are the frontrunners but the Philadelphia Eagles are right behind them and appear to be on a collision for the conference title and a trip to the Super Bowl.
Soaring Popularity
The NFL’s continued popularity has created many options for online betting companies, such as futures bets or spread betting on each game. In recent times, however, the league’s popularity has reached new heights, shattering viewership records, as seen during this year’s Thanksgiving Day games.
This soaring popularity has paved the way for alternative media outlets to cash in on the league’s influence with NFL-themed merchandise and services. Online casinos, for instance, have developed popular NFL-themed gambling games like Gridiron Glory, blending sports fandom with gambling entertainment. These digital innovations reflect how football culture extends far beyond Sunday afternoons, entrenching itself deeper into American lifestyles.
Much of the sport’s popularity comes from the underdogs, and this year a pair of underdog quarterbacks have stolen the spotlight.
Jameis Winston
There was plenty of hope surrounding the Cleveland Browns this season, especially after they reached the playoffs last year with Joe Flacco under center. Unfortunately, Deshaun Watson’s poor performance derailed the hopes of the team and its fans.
But then he was injured once again and in stepped Jameis Winston.
After becoming just the 8th man in history to have a 5,000-yard passing season back in 2019, the former Florida State Heisman winner has been a perennial NFL backup. This season, he has been thrust into the starting role in Cleveland due to Watson’s injury, and to say that he has been entertaining is an understatement.
In his first start in Week 8, Winston led the Browns to an upset win over the Ravens, snapping the team’s five-game losing streak. The 30-year-old did the rounds on social media after the victory, with his relentless “Unwavering faith, ultimate belief, dependent on the lord” speech going viral.
In Week 12, Winston masterminded another AFC North victory, this time the Browns’ hated rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in a snow fest. Afterward, he stole the show on the microphone again, this time thanking the lord for allowing him to “play in some snow.”
But it was perhaps the Week 13 clash against the Denver Broncos that was the ultimate Jameis Winston experience as he threw for a franchise-record 497 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, he also threw two crushing pick-sixes, ultimately costing the Browns the game with a 41-32 loss. While he might not be the most reliable man to lead a franchise, he has certainly been the most entertaining and has become the quarterback on everyone’s lips in the last few weeks.
Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold quietly transformed into one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the NFL this year, steering the Minnesota Vikings to a stellar season. Many thought that the team would struggle in 2024 after losing Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons via free agency and losing rookie J.J. McCarthy to an early season injury.
They were replaced with perennial backup Darnold, who was known for his struggles during his stints with the Jets and Panthers.
With questions hanging over whether he could lead a franchise to a winning season, the former USC Trojan stood up to be counted. He immediately found his footing in Kevin O’Connell’s system, tying the Vikings’ record for most games in a single season with a 100+ passer rating with ten in his first 12 games- a mark previously achieved by franchise legends like Daunte Culpepper and Brett Favre.
The most remarkable part of his season has been his ability to thrive in clutch moments. Whether rallying back for a tight 23-22 victory over the Cardinals or managing high-pressure situations without turnovers, Darnold’s maturity has been evident all year long. Now, with the playoffs looming, he will be aiming to continue in a similar vein to lead the Vikings to a deep postseason run.
