Michael McQuaid of Pro Football Ireland looks at some of the key storylines ahead of the 11th week of the 2024 NFL season, which begins tonight (1.15am Irish time) with the visit of the Washington Commanders to the Philadelphia Eagles.
AFC big guns face off
This clash in Buffalo has the potential to be one of the best of the season to date.
Through ten weeks, the Kansas City Chiefs are unbeaten, winning with a blocked field-goal last weekend against the Denver Broncos to extend their run.
Could the Chiefs finish the season undefeated? After this weekend, notable opponents include the Chargers, Texans and Broncos, with a visit to Pittsburgh on Christmas Day.
The last team to go undefeated in a NFL regular season was the New England Patriots in 2007. They finished the regular season with a record of 16-0, but undefeated streak ended at Super Bowl XLII when they lost to the New York Giants.
In their head-to-head matchups, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has managed three victories while Patrick Mahomes has four wins. In his last six games against the Chiefs, Allen has managed a passer rating of 101.2, thrown for 1,679 yards and has a touchdown to interception ratio of 14:2.
But though Allen has the lead in regular-season matchups, the Chiefs quarterback has won all of their playoff encounters.
While the Chiefs have had their best start to the season in franchise history, the Bills 8-2 start is their best since 1993. Allen is having a fantastic year and is front-runner for the MVP race.
While Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is back at practice this week, he is unlikely to play. Last week, Kareem Hunt managed 35 yards rushing against the Broncos.
The Bills have struggled against the run – so far this season they have allowed 38 runs of ten or more yards – but they have also shown their ability to stop runs at or behind the line of scrimmage, with a ‘stuff rate’ of 23.7%, which is the second highest in the NFL.
Sunday will be box office.
Ireland on the cusp
The final international game of the season took place last weekend in Munich, where NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned the prospect of potentially playing in Dublin in 2025. This was his second statement on the Irish capital in a matter of weeks.
“We will certainly be back in the UK,” Goodell told NFL Network. “And we’re also looking at the potential of another game.. in Ireland, possibly. That’s a possibility.”
“We’re looking at another game, in Ireland” 👀
EIGHT international NFL games potentially coming up next season 🏈 pic.twitter.com/Jo0ZzHUsEG
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) November 10, 2024
A potential first regular-season NFL game in Dublin would put the city alongside the likes of London, Madrid and São Paulo, who have or will have hosted matches by the end of 2025.
European cities are enthusiastic about the potential financial benefits. Just this week, Berlin launched a bid to bring NFL games to the German capital in the 2025, 2027 and 2029 seasons, the city’s government saying it would contribute around €12.5 million to the events, and that “The investment should more than pay for itself through the many visitors from Germany and abroad and provide a lasting boost for tourism”.
The 2023 Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Notre Dame and Navy was estimated to have provided the Irish economy with a €180 million boost. This year’s game between Georgia Tech and Navy was estimated to have contributed €115 Million.
It would not just be Irish NFL fans who would descend on Dublin, but tens of thousands of Americans, UK and European fans.
With an estimated 9.5% of Americans having Irish heritage and deep business links between Ireland and the United States, a game seems like the natural next step.
If used, Croke Park would offer a capacity just short of the NFL’s biggest venue, the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey that hosts the New York Giants and New York Jets.
AFC North showdown
The visit of the Baltimore Ravens to the Pittsburgh Steelers is right up there in terms of appeal on Sunday.
Control of the AFC North is on the line, with the Steelers boasting a 7-2 record and Baltimore on 7-3.
The Ravens have been one of the most high-performing offenses in the league, leading in total offence and rushing. With Lamar Jackson in the MVP conversation again, their scoring ability is significant, while they have elevated their run game this season with the addition of Derrick Henry, who leads the NFL with 1,120 rushing yards.
However, the Steelers boast a defence that’s among the top 10, and particularly effective against the run.
Last weekend, the Pittsburgh got a statement win on the road against the high-flying Washington Commanders, with Mike Williams getting his first touchdown since being traded by the Jets.
Russell Wilson did not have the most efficient day of his career, but the team got the job done under pressure. Baltimore this weekend will be the real test of the Steelers hopes for the season.
FIRST TD AS A STEELER!!!!!!!!
📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/qaxvtHNvcM
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 10, 2024
Whelan watch
After a bye week for the Green Bay Packers, Wicklow’s Daniel Whelan is back in action this weekend as his team travels to take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. It has been a disappointing few weeks for the Bears, who made the decision to fire offensive coordinator Shane Waldron on Tuesday.
Enniskerry’s Whelan has had a season to remember so far, placing himself firmly in the conversation for a Pro Bowl nod at the end of the year. His punts have been significant in providing the Packers with one of the best special teams units in the league.
Whelan averaged 56.8 yards per punt in a game against the Houston Texans three weeks ago. If he can continue to maintain this form through the final stretch of the season, it will be interesting to see where the Packers end up in the race for the NFC Playoff spots, but also for Whelan in terms of personal accolades.
This is a huge game for Green Bay this weekend as they look to keep up with the Lions and the Vikings in their division.
CMC is back
Another matchup to keep a close eye on is the Seattle Seahawks’ visit to Levi’s Stadium.
Last weekend, in his first game back from injury, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey made a significant impact, rushing 13 times and catching six passes, for 107 total yards.
How quickly can he can get back to his best as they look to make a November run at the division?
Their opponents need a win, that is for sure. Geno Smith has not won against the 49ers as starting quarterback for the Seahawks. He has thrown for four touchdowns and five interceptions, with his team averaging 16 points per game, resulting in five losses. With Seattle bottom of the NFC West, two games out, and Smith entering a contract year, the pressure is on.
It is one of the most tightest, most difficult divisions to predict this season, with the Cardinals on top with a record of 6-4 but the Seahawks are only 4-5.
This is not only a key rivalry, but a huge game for both.