This marked the first NFL season of this century that did not include Tom Brady, the start of a new era of the National Football League with plenty to be excited about. While Brady is out of the picture, another budding legend added another major chapter to his book, with Patrick Mahomes leading the Chiefs to a second consecutive Super Bowl win, marking the first back-to-back champions since Brady's first two in 2004 and 2005. It's now three Super Bowl rings for Mahomes as his legendary start continues, and like the first two, this wasn't easy. They fell behind 10-0 early but recovered to get back in, with Mahomes engineering a game-tying drive in the final minutes of regulation and leading a game-winning drive in OT, hitting Mecole Hardman for the Super Bowl winning touchdown with just three seconds to go in overtime in an incredible win. Mahomes took out MVP Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen in the rounds prior to Super Bowl LIV, with Lamar and the offense falling flat on the big stage and a late missed Tyler Bass field goal dooming the Bills. Quarterback injuries were a major story throughout the year, highlighted by Aaron Rodgers' devastating torn Achilles just four snaps into his long-awaited Jets debut, and other big names like Joe Burrow, Kirk Cousins, Deshaun Watson, Daniel Jones, and rookie Anthony Richardson were all victims to season-ending injuries. The Jets looked like the same old Jets after the injury, limping through another tough season with Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian, and Tim Boyle all making starts at one point or another. Miami cooled down just as the weather did after a hot start, a start so hot it included a 70-point outburst in Week 3 in the most points scored since 1966. A pair of first-year quarterbacks hit the scene hard, with rookie C.J. Stroud and first-year quarterback Jordan Love each emerging as stars and leading their team to the a division title and a postseason win, with the latter earning the biggest contract in league history as a result. The Packers believe they've found a third consecutive generational QB as this incredible string of fortunes at that position may have continued, while their division rival Lions took their latest step forward with a breakthrough season and trip to the NFC Championship Game where they came oh so close to knocking off the 49ers on the road. They did still win two playoff games, their first two since 1991, starting with a win over their longtime QB Matthew Stafford at home as Goff got the best of Stafford in a battle of the two traded for one another back in 2021, and they took down Baker Mayfield and a surprisingly good Buccaneers team in the Divisional Round. The reigning NFC champion Eagles suffered a brutal collapse down the stretch going from the best team in football through the first three months to facing a prove-it year next season with Nick Sirianni's seat on the verge of being red hot. And the same goes for Mike McCarthy and Dallas, who had a very on brand 2023-24 with a strong regular season and a big letdown in the postseason, this time seeing their normally stout defense torn up in a blowout loss at home to Jordan Love and Green Bay. Luckily for Dallas, they aren't losing production the way Philly is, losing an anchor on each side of the ball with Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox each announcing their retirement. Joe Flacco came out of nowhere to lead the Browns to the postseason after Deshaun Watson went down for the year, while Trevor Lawrence and the Jags fell apart down the stretch and missed the playoffs in just about the exact inverse of what they did last season. They lost to the already eliminated Titans needing just a win to get in, while the Texans, Steelers, and Packers all slipped into the postseason with Week 18 victories. Houston's win came on the road in a win-and-you're-in finale with the Colts, while Pittsburgh and Green Bay's wins came against teams resting their starters and eliminated respectively. That ended up being Justin Fields' last game in Chicago, with the Bears earning the No. 1 pick via the Panthers and the rights to select generational prospect Caleb Williams. There's no denying the changing of the guard that was always going to occur once Tom Brady called it a career, and Mahomes has taken the throne for himself with three rings by the age of 28 and no signs of slowing down. It was another fun season to add to the history books and setting up with plenty of fun storylines and a ton of big surprises, capped off by a Super Bowl thriller that wasn't decided until the waning seconds of overtime.
Best Games
1. Chiefs 25, 49ers 22 OT - Super Bowl LIV
An instant classic Super Bowl, this one became just the second in NFL history to go to overtime in an exciting rematch of Mahomes' first Super Bowl back in 2019-20. Kansas City fell behind 10-0 but predictably made that back up, and the game stayed close throughout regulation with neither team able to separate themselves much at all down the stretch. Harrison Butker knocked in the game-tying field goal with 5:46 to go and the Niners took the lead on a gutsy 53-yard field goal from rookie Jake Moody with under two minutes to go, but Mahomes moved the Chiefs down and into position for Butker to tie he game and sent it to OT as time expired. San Francisco elected to receive the opening kickoff, a bit of a controversial move given the new OT rules that allow both teams a guaranteed possession, and they got into field goal range and took a 22-19 lead off the leg of Jake Moody. But the moment they fell short of the end zone, Mahomes felt inevitable. Not many guys in sports history give you that decisive feeling that they're going to go in and get the job done quite like Mahomes, and that's exactly what he did. He led a methodical game-winning drive for Kansas City, getting all the way down to the 3-yard line before hitting Mecole Hardman for the game-winning touchdown with three seconds to go in OT, capturing his third Super Bowl ring and second in a row in one of the best finales the sport has ever seen.
2. Bills 34, Eagles 37 OT - Week 12
This was one of the more highly anticipated games of the whole regular season, and it's safe to say this showdown lived up to the hype. A pair of Eagles touchdowns just 2:30 apart early in the 4th turned a double-digit deficit into a 28-24 lead, but a Gabe Davis touchdown with 1:52 gave Buffalo the lead back. Philly just barely got into field goal range on their final drive to give Jake Elliott a shot from 59 yards out, and he narrowly made the kick to send the game to overtime and give the Eagles new life. Buffalo was held to a field goal on the first possession of OT and Philadelphia marched right down and scored, winning the game on a 12-yard Jalen Hurts rushing touchdown with 2:37 to go in the extra session. The win sent Philly to 10-1 and Buffalo to 6-6, and it interestingly enough marked the final game before the Eagles' big collapse and the Bills' big turnaround.
3. Rams 31, Ravens 37 OT - Week 14
These two teams don't play often, but they gave us a fantastic game in rainy conditions between two playoff hopefuls. The Rams were in it the whole way, and a Demarcus Robinson touchdown gave them a 28-23 lead with under five to go on a TD drive aided by one of the best grabs of the season made by Puka Nacua. Baltimore responded with an 8-point possession to go ahead 31-28, but Los Angeles worked it into field goal range and sent the game to overtime with just seven seconds left. The Ravens went three-and-out on the first possession of OT but got a stop of their own after giving the ball to LA, and Tylan Wallace returned the ensuing punt 76 yards for the game-winning touchdown. It was a phenomenal finish to a really well-played game albeit harsh conditions, marking the second walk-off punt return TD of the season after it hadn't been done prior since 2011, and only three other times in league history.
4. Buccaneers 37, Texans 39 - Week 9
This one in many ways marked the arrival of C.J. Stroud, the first huge game of his young career leading the Texans to a last-second victory in one of the most thrilling games of the year. Both offenses moved the ball at will, but Tampa Bay looked to have gotten the last laugh on a Cade Otton touchdown to make it 37-33 with 46 seconds left. Needing a touchdown and under a minute left to work with, rookie C.J. Stroud had the moment of his rookie season, leading Houston down the field 75 yards in just 40 seconds, orchestrating a game-winning drive that ended in a Tank Dell game-winning touchdown with just six seconds remaining. It was a thrilling last-second victory for Houston in a memorable day for Stroud, with the sixth and final lead change of the day doing the trick in the Texans' big win.
5. Bills 16, Jets 22 OT - Week 1
It would've been so easy for the Jets to have fallen flat after the devastating Aaron Rodgers injury - it's a bit of a miracle they didn't - as they instead delivered maybe their best all-around performance of the season and upset the Bills to open their season with a bang even amidst such brutal circumstances. New York's offense was predictably slow with Zach Wilson leading the way, but a fantastic Garrett Wilson TD catch gave them heir first touchdown of the season and tied the game at 13. The two teams exchanged field goals in the final two minutes to reach overtime, with Tyler Bass' buzzer-beating 50-yard field goal hitting off the upright and in to tie the game for the Bills. The Jets forced a Bills punt on the force possession of overtime and the rest was history, with Xavier Gipson returning the punt 65 yards to the house for the win. The Jets may have lost their stat quarterback, but it was still a season-opening win to remember and what they hoped was a sign they could still compete even with Rodgers out of the picture.
Player Rankings
1. Christian McCaffrey (RB - 49ers)
Finally fully acquainted in San Fran and able to get through a season fully healthy, CMC reminded us what the hype was about with one of the best years of his seven-year career. McCaffrey totaled a league-best 2,023 scrimmage yards and 21 TDs, with the Niners' high-powered offense operating through him with his unmatched impact on the ground and through the air causing all sorts of problems as opposing defenses simply had no answer. Despite the heavy workload McCaffrey was still the most efficient running back in football lat 5.4 yards/carry, with his explosiveness, athleticism, and versatility making him just about the perfect running back finally in a system that can exploit his maximum potential in San Francisco. It all came together for McCaffrey this season, and his 3rd place MVP finish marked the highest a running back has come since McCaffrey again back in 2019.
2. Myles Garrett (DE - Browns)
Garrett has been in the Defensive Player of the Year running for years now, but he finally got over the hump delivering another huge season for Cleveland and bringing home the honor. He was without question the best defensive player in football this season, totaling 14 sacks, 30 QB hits, and four forced fumbles, all while drawing more attention than any other pass rusher in football. It felt like his physical dominance may have apexed here in 2023-24, with his speed and athleticism to complement his menacing frame continuing to make him as scary as ever and a matchup opponents can't hope to contain, but only limit. There wasn't too much debate over Garrett's DPOY honor this season, and right in the thick of the prime of his career should have many more years to go tearing up opposing lines.
3. Tyreek Hill (WR - Dolphins)
Hill was a seamless fit a year ago in his first season in Miami, and he put together an even better campaign this season in a year good enough to earn him his first spot in the top-5 rankings. There was legitimate buzz surrounding Hill's chances at a 2,000-yard season early on, and even having missed a game and slowing down just a bit down the stretch he still finished with 1,799 YDS. His 15 touchdown catches were a career high, and he tied his career best mark of 119 receptions that he recorded the season prior. Hill remains the fastest player the league has seen in some time and still possesses underrated hands and route running skills, giving him the whole package as a wide receiver that only seems to be getting better with age. Hill's spot on this list is well-deserved - this season he became the only player with multiple 1,700-yard seasons and has been the best wide receiver in football since joining the Dolphins prior to last year, with his 1,7999 yards in 2023-24 ranking 7th all-time in a single season.
4. Lamar Jackson (QB - Ravens)
For the second time in five years, Lamar Jackson had one of those regular seasons where he felt like the most dynamic player in football and nothing was going to stop him. He'd lost the end of his last two seasons to injury, so seeing him back and healthy over a full season was a sight to see as he was rewarded with the second MVP of his young career. He finished the year, his first since signing a new contract, with 29 TDs 924 passing, 5 rushing) and 7 INTs, completing 67.2% of his passes for 3,768 YDS while leading the Ravens to the AFC's top seed with a 13-3 mark as a starter. No player in football is as elusive and dynamic as Jackson, as he made it work even without many big names to complement him on the offensive end with an MVP campaign so undeniable it left no reason to even debate a runner-up. While the postseason performances haven't quite been where Baltimore would like them to be, Lamar was one of the very best in football last season and should continue to be as long as his health permits.
5. Patrick Mahomes (QB - Chiefs)
Mahomes didn't have the best regular season, and especially not for his standards, but never for a moment did anyone dare doubt what he's capable of. He completed a career-high 67.2% of his passes for 4,183 YDS, 27 TDs, and 14 INTs, not great numbers by any means but still enough to get to the postseason with ease, but there was a sense of inevitability with him as he moved through the playoffs, taking out giant after giant and making the winning plays to do so. Poor receiver play was a big story for Kansas City all year, and Mahomes overcame that time and time again down the stretch, winning three playoff games away from home and putting together iconic game-tying and game-winning drives in their Super Bowl victory. With three Super Bowl MVPs to his name with his three rings, all still while only 28 years old, Mahomes is the next quarterback that will have a legitimate case to be compared to the all-time greats. Nobody is topping him anytime soon, and the sky remains the limit for what he can accomplish before it's all said and done.
Best Performances
1. C.J. Stroud, Week 9 - 30/42, 470 YDS, 5 TDs, game-winning drive + TD vs. Buccaneers
Up to this point it had been a really solid start to C.J. Stroud's rookie year, but not quite something to write home about and coming off a bad loss to the winless Panthers. This game flipped a switch, as Stroud looked like a quarterback who belonged, tearing up the Buccaneers all afternoon long finishing with 470 passing yards and 5 touchdowns and breaking the rookie record for passing yards in the process. Stroud only had one first half TD, but he tossed two in each of the final two quarters including the game-winner to Tank Dell with just 6 seconds left to cap off a flawless 75-yard drive engineered in just six plays and 40 seconds. This was the start of a special run for Stroud, with that game-winning drive very possibly the defining moment of his rookie year to complete one of the very best QB performances of the season and set the stage for a terrific second half of the year.
2. De'Von Achane, Week 3 - 233 total yards, 4 TDs in 70-point explosion vs. Broncos
Someone was bound to get a spot on this list from the Dolphins' 70-point explosion against the Broncos, and it's Miami's No. 2 running back De'Von Achane whose performance was most worthy. Achane scored the Dolphins' second and third touchdowns of the game back before things got completely out of hand, and by the time his next two trips to the end zone came Miami had completely blown it open. Achane caught another one from Tua to make it 56-13 early in the 4th, and he broke off a 67-yard TD to put the icing on the cake of the Dolphins reaching 70 in his final touch of the game. Achane finished with 203 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 18 carries, good for an outstanding 11.3 yards/carry, and he added 4 catches for 30 yards and two more scores through the air in his career day. Miami's entire offense deserves a spot on this list for their performance in this one, but it's Achane who stuck out to me the most in what without question goes down as the game of his rookie year.
3. Khalil Mack, Week 4 - 6 sacks, 10 tackles, 2 forced fumbles vs. Raiders
This explosion was at the time a bit of a blast from the past from Mack, who six-sack afternoon marked the highest single-game sack total of any player in the 2020s. Mack was expected to be slowing down as he entered his 10th NFL season, but this game but those ideas to rest as Mack was everywhere, finishing with 10 tackles, 5 for loss, and an forcing two fumbles that were recovered as well in a true ball-hawking performance for the veteran. Mack had just eight sacks over his first 20 games with the Chargers before this six-sack outburst against his former team, and this showing got the party started in a resurgent season from Mack to finish third in the league in sacks.
4. Lamar Jackson, Week 17 - 18/21, 321 YDS, 5 TDs, perfect QBR in rout of Dolphins
Maybe the best individual performance of his MVP campaign, Lamar Jackson could do no wrong in this embarrassment of the Dolphins here in Week 17, throwing more touchdowns than incompletions and finishing with a perfect 158.3 QBR in their 56-19 rout of Miami. Jackson's first TD came through the air to Justice Hill, and he added two more on a 75-yard bomb to Zay Flowers and another to Isaiah Likely, both in the final three minutes of the first half. He tossed another to Likely and one more to Patrick Ricard in the 4th quarter, with Baltimore finding the end zone in five of their first six drives before handing the keys to the reserves for the final drive. This was probably the most flawless showing Jackson had all year, just making the Dolphins' defense look silly while getting anything he wanted in a blowout win that would end up being the final game of his tremendous regular season.
5. Amari Cooper, Week 16 - 15 catches, 265 yards, 2 touchdowns in win vs. Texans
What a day this was for Cooper, who absolutely exploded with Joe Flacco under center in a critical game aginst the Texans, hauling in 15 receptions for 265 yards and 2 TDs, the most yards in a game the entire season and the third most of any player in the entire 2020s. Houston simply had no answer for Cooper, who set the tone with a 53-yard catch on the first play of the game but only had one more reception the rest of the quarter, only to explode for a 75-yard TD less than three minutes into the 2nd. Cooper added a big 4th down conversion and one more score late in the 3rd, and continued to be a terrific weapon for Joe Flacco all game long while breaking the franchise record in receiving in the process. The chemistry with Flacco was unmatched in this one, consistently turning nothing into something and slowly and methodically carving up this Houston secondary in a career day for Cooper.
Best Moment - Mecole Hardman Walk-Off Touchdown to Win Super Bowl LIV
It's a gift for the moment of the season come from the Super Bowl, and there was no doubting it here as one of the best Super Bowls in recent memory came down to the final seconds of overtime before Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs were finally crowned champions. When the Chiefs had to settle for a field goal on the first possession of overtime, there was a feeling in the air that you knew what was coming. Mahomes effortlessly led Kansas City down the field, strategically taking his time the whole way, and after getting all the way to the 3-yard line with time winding down in overtime, he dumped it to a wide open Mecole Hardman for the Super Bowl winning touchdown with only three seconds to go in OT. It was the first walk-off Super Bowl touchdown since the 2016-17 season and only the second in NFL history, making for the most iconic moment of Mahomes' young career and the biggest catch Mecole Hardman will ever make.
