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As the NFL wraps up its first month of the 2024 season, several teams have emerged as front-runners, while others have surprised or disappointed fans. The race to the playoffs is already shaping up to be an exciting one, with Super Bowl favorites, under-the-radar contenders and teams struggling to meet expectations.
Let’s look closer at the AFC and NFC after the first four weeks of action.
The Kansas City Chiefs are the only AFC team to finish September undefeated at 4-0, but their path has not been easy. Each of their wins came by seven points or fewer, with dramatic finishes keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Week 3 saw a game-saving defensive stand as they stuffed the Falcons on fourth and inches deep in the Chiefs’ red zone. In Week 2, a late defensive penalty by the Bengals allowed the Chiefs to escape with a win, and in Week 1, a Ravens touchdown was overturned by mere inches. Kansas City continues to show its championship grit, but their narrow margins of victory, and now key injuries to Isiah Pacheco and Rashee Rice, suggest vulnerabilities moving forward.
The Buffalo Bills had a strong September, finishing with a 3-1 record despite a crushing 35-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4. The Bills boast the AFC’s best point differential (+39), showcasing both an efficient offense and a stingy pass defense. Although they stumbled to close the month, Buffalo remains a top contender in the AFC East and a Super Bowl favorite.
In the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been the most surprising team. Mike Tomlin’s squad, always known for grinding out tough wins, finished September 3-1 and sit atop the division. Despite a narrow loss to the Colts in Week 4, the Steelers are proving doubters wrong, though it remains to be seen how legitimate their success is. On the other hand, the Ravens started 0-2 but bounced back to an even 2-2 after a critical victory over the Bills on Sunday Night Football.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals, expected to compete for the division title, are 1-3 after a disappointing start, finally notching their first win against the Carolina Panthers. Injuries and inconsistent play have derailed their early season hopes.
Perhaps the most disappointing team in the AFC has been the Jacksonville Jaguars. Two seasons removed from a playoff berth, the Jaguars find themselves at 0-4, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence struggling and the defense allowing an AFC-worst -49 point differential. Jacksonville has not found any rhythm, and they’ll need to turn things around quickly if they hope to salvage their season.
In one of the biggest surprises of the young season, the Minnesota Vikings are the only undefeated team in the NFC, sitting at 4-0. Led by the breakout play of QB Sam Darnold and a stout defense masterminded by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the Vikings have outperformed all expectations. The team entered the season with a projected win total of 7.5, but they already look like strong contenders for the NFC North title, thanks to a league-best +57 point differential.
Right behind the Vikings are the Detroit Lions, who finished September 3-1. The Lions boast the league’s best run defense and an offense that runs like a well-oiled machine under head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Quarterback Jared Goff has been precise and efficient, breaking the record for most pass attempts without an incompletion in their Week 4 victory over Seattle.
Speaking of the Seahawks, they lead the NFC West despite a challenging schedule. New head coach Mike MacDonald has brought stability to the defense, and Seattle has capitalized on their opportunities, finishing the month 3-1. However, injuries to star players on the 49ers and Rams have helped the Seahawks maintain their lead.
The San Francisco 49ers, pegged as Super Bowl favorites entering the season, have been derailed by injuries, specifically to star running back Christian McCaffrey. The Los Angeles Rams, meanwhile, have struggled with a porous secondary and inconsistent offensive line play. Injuries to wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp have further hampered their progress, leaving them at 1-3 and searching for answers.
The Washington Commanders have been the surprise team in the NFC East, starting 3-1 thanks to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ dual-threat abilities. Under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Daniels has led the Commanders to victories over formidable opponents, keeping Washington in the playoff conversation.
On the other side of the spectrum, the Philadelphia Eagles, expected to contend for the NFC crown, have stumbled out of the gate. Injuries to key players like Lane Johnson, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have contributed to their 2-2 record, though they remain a dangerous team when healthy.
Currently, the Chiefs, Ravens and Bills remain the favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, while the 49ers, Lions and Eagles lead the NFC race. As for the MVP conversation, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, C.J. Stroud and Sam Darnold headline the mix heading into October.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.