NFL Analysis
10/10/24
5 min read
2024 NFL Season's Most Shocking Storylines Through 5 Weeks
The NFL is always unpredictable, and the 2024 season is no different. Teams expected to take the league by storm haven't, and others have risen from the depths of their division into first place.
Today, we're looking at some of the league's most shocking storylines through five weeks of action. From struggling sophomore quarterbacks to breakout cornerbacks, here's our look at some early-season surprises.
Shocking NFL Storylines
Washington's Dominant Offense
No NFL team has been a bigger pleasant surprise than the Washington Commanders. As most expected, their defense has remained one of the NFL's worst units. Noah Igbignoghene and Dorance Armstrong are solid additions, but they’re still in the process of rebuilding their edge rushers and defensive backs.
However, Washington’s offense has been so dominant that its talent deficiency on defense has not mattered. Through Week 5, the Commanders lead the NFL in rushing and passing EPA per play and are the only team with more touchdowns (17) than combined punts and turnovers (11).
Jayden Daniels, who would probably be the first quarterback selected in a re-draft, is the driving force behind this offensive resurgence. Daniels’ deep accuracy has translated from his final season at LSU, and he’s flashed the ability to create with his arm out of structure.
— James Foster (@JamesFosterNFL) October 8, 2024
Kliff Kingsbury has designed an efficient passing offense that surgically attacks underneath zone coverage and takes well-timed shots down the sideline.
Terry McLaurin and Brian Robinson have been effective playmakers, and the offensive line has improved significantly from last year. Matchups with Cincinnati and Arizona have helped the pass protection, but it still needs to be upgraded this offseason.
CB2 Breakouts
Denver and Tampa Bay entered the season with major unknowns at CB2, but Riley Moss and Zyon McCollum have emerged as two of the NFL's best young corners.
One of eight cornerbacks with a perfect RAS score, McCollum has improved his technique to match his elite athleticism. He has unreal closing burst from off coverage and is disruptive when re-routing at the line.
Zyon McCollumn looks like a legit CB1. 3 straight weeks of outstanding tape pic.twitter.com/yB6iBHmJMF
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) September 30, 2024
Moss barely played as a rookie and allowed a few tough plays in tight coverage early in the season, but his tape in the last few weeks has been outstanding.
In Week 5, he had a textbook interception in press-man down the sideline and showed great discipline to maintain vertical leverage on a double move.
He forced a fumble in Week 3 and has been an active run defender. With Surtain, Moss, and McMillian it’s a tight race between the Denver Broncos and New York Jets for the best cornerback trio in the NFL.
Riley Moss jersey is gonna go triple platinum at frat parties pic.twitter.com/P4KujTVfo6
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) October 7, 2024
YEAR 2 Quarterbacks Struggling
Aside from C.J. Stroud, the quarterbacks from the 2023 class have been massive disappointments in their sophomore seasons.
Bryce Young had a disappointing rookie year but at least showed flashes of being a serviceable game manager. In Year 2, he became the worst quarterback in the NFL and was benched for Andy Dalton, who immediately injected life into Carolina’s offense. Criticizing the supporting cast was valid in 2023, but the Panthers upgraded their receivers and offensive line, and those improvements are apparent with Dalton under center.
I was optimistic about Anthony Richardson and Will Levis, but neither has taken the necessary steps to reach their upside. Richardson’s short/intermediate accuracy is still untenable, and he’s struggled to stay on the field. According to TruMedia, Richardson has nine incompletions due to overthrows.
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) October 8, 2024
Levis’ reckless decision-making was masked by an unusually high number of dropped interceptions last year, but defenders have started punishing him for his poor ball security.
Levis, along with Richardson and Patrick Mahomes, leads the NFL in interceptions.
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) October 8, 2024
Levis and Richardson will both likely have the full season to prove themselves, and Richardson will be given more time as a younger player, but they need to show signs of development.
— James Foster (@JamesFosterNFL) October 8, 2024
Super Bowl Hangovers
Super Bowl hangovers are to be expected, especially for the runner-up, but I didn’t expect this level of dropoff from the Kansas City Chiefs or San Francisco 49ers.
Despite being undefeated, Kansas City has yet to play a complete game. Patrick Mahomes looks as close to average as ever, and the defense hasn’t been as potent as last year. I’m less concerned about Kansas City, as we’ve seen them stumble to the finish line before, only to put everything together for the playoffs.
However, San Francisco could be in serious trouble. The loss of Christian McCaffrey and slow starts from Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk have resulted in average offensive output.
They’ve struggled to convert scoring opportunities, with the fourth-lowest red zone touchdown rate (40.9%) in the NFL. Brock Purdy has taken another step in his third year, and the offensive line has improved. There’s reason to think this offense can get back on track, but it needs to happen quickly.
The 49ers’ defensive regression is concerning. Despite a DPOY-caliber season from Fred Warner, this unit is nowhere near as dominant as last year. Charvarius Ward has disappointed after a career year in 2023, and they clearly miss Dre Greenlaw.
If San Francisco misses the playoffs, the defense could be the limiting factor.
