Oct 25,2024
Michael McQuaid of Pro Football Ireland looks at some of the key storylines ahead of the eighth week of the 2024 NFL season, which gets underway tonight (1.15am Irish time) with the visit of the Minnesota Vikings to the Los Angeles Rams.
Kansas City are fully loaded
While the Chiefs have not played their best football offensively through seven weeks, they are the only undefeated team in the NFL. Looking to cement their place in the history books by becoming the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls, they have started in the best possible fashion. The offence has not played well - Patrick Mahomes is statistically having the worst season of his career, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. Travis Kelce is not getting any younger. How do they fix that?
Enter DeAndre Hopkins. The Titans wide receiver was traded to Kansas City on Wednesday in a move that shocked the league. The Chiefs are not only getting an offensive weapon, but a player with considerable experience in the NFL. Throughout his time in the league, Hopkins has played both out wide and in the slot (closer to the offensive line in centre of the field), which means he can offer versatility for Andy Reid and the Chiefs offence. With many teams double marking Travis Kelce and trying to stop him, Hopkins could find himself open on various occasions during a game.
It’s much more than that, however. For the Chiefs, it’s a chance to return to normality under Mahomes, who has yet to score 30 points in a game this season. For Hopkins, it’s the opportunity to do what other great receivers such as Julio Jones could not - get over the hump and win a Super Bowl. It almost feels inevitable now that the Chiefs will be in New Orleans for the big game in February. AFC rivals like the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills will have something to say on that over the next two months.
Whelan in Pro Bowl form
Enniskerry’s Dan Whelan is putting the NFL on notice through seven weeks. The Wicklow man is performing at an extremely high level for the Green Bay Packers. Last week against the Houston Texans, Whelan (below) punted five times for a total of 284 yards, with an average of 56.8 yards. That statistic is the second best in Packers history - and the best in nearly 80 years.
Through seven weeks, it is hard to not consider the Irishman for a Pro Bowl appearance at the end of the season. Whelan’s head coach Matt LaFleur has been impressed with his performance, giving him a game ball after his performance last week. "Not only is he an outstanding punter but he’s a hell of a holder as well", he said.
"He is definitely the best I've ever been around."
Whelan and the Packers will face the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday.
Bashed up Niners welcome hesitant Cowboys
This Sunday’s matchup in Santa Clara between the 49ers and Cowboys is one of the most intriguing matchups of the week. Both teams need a win, with the 49ers sitting on a 3-4 record through seven weeks and the Cowboys coming off a bye at 3-3.
Dallas have been inconsistent through the first few weeks of the season, while the 49ers have struggled without talismanic running back Christian McCaffrey. It is still unknown when he will return, which poses a real issue for the team down the stretch - however he may practice next week.
One thing that the Cowboys have really struggled with through seven weeks is the running game, which is ranked 28th in the league out of 32 teams. This is something that needs to be improved on after the bye week, going up against a 49ers team that are 22nd in the league in EPA (Expected Points Added) per play against the run on early downs. The pressure is on runnign backs Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott this weekend as Dallas really need to take a step up to the next level - it can’t all be on quarterback Dak Prescott.
The Niners have a lot of injury issues at present. Brandon Aiyuk has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL), while wide receiver Deebo Samuel (above), was released from the hospital on Tuesday after he found out there was fluid in his lungs. It is unclear if Samuel will be able to play, which would mean Ricky Pearsall would be the main receiver for the team on Sunday at present, with George Kittle limited in practice. Pearsall made his debut for the Niners last weekend, mere weeks after he was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery. If anyone needed DeAndre Hopkins, it was the Niners.
This is a huge game for both teams. Both need a win badly at such an early stage.
Mayo controversy
The Patriots return home this weekend as they face the New York Jets. One of the biggest storylines is off the field - head coach Jerod Mayo called the team 'soft’ after their loss in London last weekend to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Former Patriots supremo Bill Belichick is not happy with that comment and there seems to be a growing unease in New England.
"It's a lot of the same players from last year," said Belichick. "I'm kinda hurt for those guys because to call them soft, they are not soft. They were the best team in the league last year against the run. I feel bad for the defensive players on that one."
The Patriots offence struggled last weekend in London, bar one drive, and the pressure is now on Mayo. Quarterback Drake Maye and the Pats face a New York Jets team who have lost four games in a row. With Hassan Reddick back, Davante Adams on the offence and Rodgers needing a win, this promises to be an interesting result - could we see a different type of Mayo curse?
Welcome back, Tua
Tua Tagovailoa could return to the field this weekend as the Miami Dolphins take on the Arizona Cardinals. Given the quarterback's history with concussions, his potential return is making headlines, with many questioning the wisdom of the decision. Statements from the Dolphins organisation seem to suggest that it is safe for him to play and Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is clear on the former Alabama quarterback's leadership.
"He needs to be the captain, he needs to be the leader of this team", he said. "He needs to feel complete ownership of his game - you're trying to build on what the team is doing right now and then utilise his strengths."
Tua will not wear the guardian cap when he returns to the field, saying that it is a personal decision. The cap is designed to protect players from head injuries such as concussions.
"I appreciate your concern, I really do", he said.
"I love this game and I love it to the death of me, that's it."
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This is one of the best weeks of the season for Irish fans. With the clocks changing in North America this weekend, the games start one hour earlier. For fans watching primetime games, this will mean an extra hour in bed.
Bring it on!
