How did we get here so fast? We’re 10 weeks into the 2024 NFL season, just over halfway, and we have a good share of surprises. Of course, some things remain the same: the Kansas City Chiefs are dominating again, standing undefeated at 9-0. Their latest win came down to the wire against the Denver Broncos, with the Chiefs blocking a last-second field goal attempt to seal a gritty 16-14 victory. Even with offensive hiccups, they look like a team of destiny.
What was shocking—but didn’t quite make our top surprises list—are the Dallas Cowboys. Despite being “all in” for the season, their struggles have been hard to ignore. With Dak Prescott now out for the year, the team has struggled to stay competitive, and even Cowboys die-hards are wondering what went wrong.
Speaking of the NFC East, the G-Men are one of the season’s biggest surprises, but not for the right reasons. Their year has been a rollercoaster, with Brian Daboll operating as a lame-duck head coach and the quarterback position plagued by inconsistency. While Giants’ ownership has publicly stated there won’t be any coaching changes, the team is reportedly considering benching Daniel Jones. With a season full of struggles, the Giants are now in the race for the No. 1 overall pick.
But the surprises aren’t limited to these heavyweights. There’s a team in the AFC East, expected to be a contender, whose season has unraveled in unexpected ways. Let’s dive into the biggest surprises through these first 10 weeks of the NFL season.
1. Aaron Rodgers couldn’t save the New York Jets
The New York Jets’ 2024 season was supposed to be the year of Aaron Rodgers, the long-awaited savior for a franchise desperate for a turnaround. But fast-forward to Week 10, and what fans have instead is a full-blown Jets soap opera. With a disappointing 3-7 record, the Jets have now fired head coach Robert Saleh, only to hand the reins to defensive coordinator-turned-interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, hoping he can somehow stop the bleeding. Spoiler: It’s not working.
Despite reuniting Rodgers with Davante Adams in a blockbuster trade, the offense has sputtered, managing just 19 points per game (good for a lowly 25th in the league). Even a splashy midseason signing of pass rusher Haason Reddick didn’t do much to rescue a defense that’s been nothing special, giving up 20.3 points a game and missing that spark fans expected.
And if the coaching drama isn’t enough, there’s still the question of general manager Joe Douglas, whose contract runs out after this season. With the future of the front office and coaching staff up in the air, the Jets are left with a lot of high expectations, big moves, and—well—not much to show for it. Let’s just say that, as usual, being a Jets fan isn’t for the faint of heart.
2. Mike Tomlin’s bold decision
The Pittsburgh Steelers are easily one of the most surprising teams of the 2024 season. After a hot 4-0 start with Justin Fields at quarterback, head coach Mike Tomlin made a gutsy call—some called it crazy, when he pulled Fields and put Russell Wilson under center, betting that the veteran’s experience could take them to the next level. And, wow, has it worked.
Since taking over, Wilson has looked revitalized, hitting on deep passes that Fields just wasn’t connecting with. He’s been putting the ball right on the money, and George Pickens is absolutely thriving because of it. Pickens is averaging 15.7 yards per catch and already has over 500 receiving yards in eight games. That deep-ball connection has given the Steelers’ offense the spark it needed.
Wilson’s stats back up the success: in just his first three starts, he’s thrown for 542 yards and three touchdowns with a solid passer rating of 99.6. And it’s not just the offense pulling its weight—the Steelers’ defense has been dominant, holding opponents to an average of 10 points per game, the second-best in the league.
With this balanced attack, the Steelers are sitting pretty as a playoff lock and look ready to challenge the undefeated defending Super Bowl champs. Tomlin’s bold move to bring in Wilson has Steelers fans thinking big.
3. Jayden Daniels has the Commanders on fire
The Washington Commanders have been one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season, and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is right at the heart of it. After dropping to 7-3 with a tough loss to the Steelers, the Commanders are still very much in control of their destiny in the NFC East—and have shown they’re a serious threat every time they take the field.
Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick, has Washington fans buzzing with performances that bring back memories of RGIII’s electric rookie season. Under the guidance of head coach Dan Quinn, the Commanders are making the most of Daniels’ playmaking ability, and he’s already a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year.
One of Daniels’ most jaw-dropping moments? His Hail Mary pass against the Bears in Week 8. With the Commanders down 15-12 and just seconds left on the clock, Daniels launched a 52-yard bomb that, after being tipped by a Bears defender, landed in Noah Brown’s hands for the win. That’s the kind of heart-stopping play Washington fans can’t get enough of—and Daniels is delivering.
Beyond the highlight reels, his stats tell the story. In a big Week 3 matchup against the Bengals, Daniels threw for 326 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 38-33 win, proving he can lead the charge in high-stakes games. In Week 1, he torched the Buccaneers on the ground, rushing for 88 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat ability. And even in last week’s game against the Giants, he kept the Commanders competitive with 209 passing yards and two touchdowns, leading to a solid 27-22 victory.
Even after a loss to the Steelers, the Commanders sit at 7-3 and remain strong playoff contenders. With Daniels’ showing he’s clutch and the steady hand of Dan Quinn leading the way, Washington is far from a fluke.
4. Downfall of Trevor Lawrence
The Jacksonville Jaguars entered the 2024 NFL season with high hopes under head coach Doug Pederson, aiming to build on the previous year’s progress. However, the team has stumbled to a 2-8 record through the first ten weeks, currently enduring a three-game losing streak.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, expected to elevate his performance in his third season, has delivered 11 touchdowns against six interceptions, reflecting inconsistency in his play. Running back Travis Etienne, once a dynamic force, has struggled to replicate his past success, contributing to the team’s offensive woes.
Defensively, the Jaguars have been porous, allowing an average of 27.8 points per game, ranking them 31st in the league. They’ve surrendered 389.3 yards per game, with opponents averaging 264.3 passing yards and 125 rushing yards per contest. The defense has managed only 20 sacks and two interceptions, highlighting a lack of playmaking ability.
The AFC South was considered wide open this season, presenting a prime opportunity for the Jaguars to assert themselves. Instead, they’ve faltered, with the Houston Texans leading the division at 6-3. The Jaguars’ disappointing performance has us all asking the question… Would there be a potential coaching change? Could we actually see Lawrence working with his third head coach in as many years?
5. Jonathan Gannon is looking like Coach of the Year
The Arizona Cardinals are the real surprise story of the 2024 season, grabbing control of the NFC West with a 6-4 record under rookie head coach Jonathan Gannon. Few saw this coming, but here we are, and it’s safe to say Arizona has been impressively handling business.
Leading the charge is Kyler Murray, who’s not just looking good – he’s looking franchise quarterback good. He’s always shown flashes, but this season feels different. Just last week against the Jets, he set a franchise record with 17 straight completions, finishing the day with 266 yards, a passing touchdown, and two rushing scores. The guy’s out there playing like he’s in a video game, and it’s paying off big time.
On offense, the Cards are putting up 23.8 points per game, right in the top half of the league. Not crazy high, but balanced by a defense that’s allowing just 22 points per game. They’re winning with solid plays on both sides, keeping them in the game week after week.
Oh, and we can't forget about that four-game win streak, knocking off the Chargers, Dolphins, Bears, and Jets. If you’re looking for a team with real playoff potential, Arizona’s making a case – strong enough that they’re now the NFC West team to watch heading into the back half of the season.
6. Joe Burrows elite numbers aren't equating to wins
The Cincinnati Bengals' 2024 season has been a rollercoaster, and their 4-6 record reflects just how rocky it’s been. Despite Joe Burrow’s standout numbers—2,800 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and a 66% completion rate—these stats feel more like "empty calories," as they haven't led to enough wins. Burrow has done his part, but even his best efforts, like a 350-yard, three-touchdown game against the Ravens in Week 9, weren't enough to secure a victory.
Ja’Marr Chase has also been putting up jaw-dropping numbers. In that same game, he posted 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns, reminding fans why he’s one of the league’s top receivers. However, Cincinnati's issues extend beyond the offense. The defense has allowed 26 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the league, and they’ve given up over 400 total yards in three of their last four games.
Here is the thing, the Bengals are in the daunting AFC North, where the Steelers lead at 7-2 and the Ravens trail close behind at 7-3. Needless to say, the Bengals are in for an uphill battle. With the season approaching the playoff push, Cincinnati has little room for error. A playoff berth is still possible, but only if they can tighten up on defense and convert Burrow's numbers into wins. Is it likely though?
7. The Chicago Bears are looking worse off with Caleb Williams
The Bears' season has become one of the NFL's biggest surprises, but not in a good way. At 4-6, Chicago was expected to be an emerging force with top draft pick Caleb Williams at the helm, but the offense has struggled, and Williams' development looks stunted. Through the first ten weeks, Williams has put up 1,975 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions—numbers that fall short of expectations for a No. 1 pick. A big issue? He’s holding onto the ball too long, a habit that’s carried over from college and one that NFL defenses are punishing him for weekly.
Williams’ tendency to wait for the big play instead of taking what defenses give him has led to sack after sack—18 in the last three games alone. While he needs to adjust to the pro pace, the Bears aren’t exactly helping his growth, especially with the recent firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
Head coach Matt Eberflus is looking more like a lame duck by the week, which could mean Williams may face a second head coach in just two seasons—a shaky setup for any young quarterback. Just ask Bryce Young in Carolina how that’s working out. Chicago needs to stabilize fast, or risk losing their franchise QB to the chaos.