EAST LANSING: Following an anxiety-inducing Week eight slate, the NFL season is now two months in the books and is rapidly approaching its midway mark. Across October, the Lions have looked stellar, but can anyone in the NFC keep up? Meanwhile, turmoil has been the game’s name in the Big Apple and contenders and pretenders have been truly unveiled in both the AFC and NFC. Let’s not waste any more time and dive into the league-wide action.

Big Apple, Big Problems

When the New York Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers in March of 2023, general manager Joe Douglas’ pie-in-the-sky intention was to return the Lombardi Trophy to New York for the first time since 1969.

Rodgers, a future hall-of-famer, missed all but four snaps of his inaugural season with the Jets due to a torn Achilles, shattering the hopes and dreams of Jets fans everywhere. Year two of the 40-year-old Rodgers with Gang Green has fallen short of expectations in every aspect. 

The Jets lost five straight games, including all four of their October clashes, dropping their record to 2-6. Midway through the skid, New York fired head coach Robert Saleh and stripped offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of play-calling duties, as defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich took the reins in the interim. 

Ulbrich is 0-3 at the helm as the Jet’s defense is allowing a measly 28.3 points per game in three games in the wake of Saleh’s firing. 

Rodgers has thrown seven interceptions and been sacked 18 times on the season with an uber-talented Jets roster plagued by their lack of offensive cohesiveness and their long-standing woes on the offensive line. 

Offensive tackle Tyron Smith was as consistent as they came in Dallas, but has not encountered the same success in his first season with Gang Green. According to Pro Football Focus, the 33-year-old has allowed five sacks for the first time since 2015 and 22 pressures in eight games. 

The lack of protection has not just plagued Rodgers this season. With blooming star running back Breece Hall joined by fourth-round pick Braelon Allen in the backfield, the expectation was that the Jets would have one of the best rushing attacks in football. 

The Jets are 30th in rushing yards per game (86.1) in 2024 despite possessing one of the most talented running back rooms in the league. 

Even acquiring six-time Pro Bowler wide receiver  Davante Adams would not save the Jets from their comeuppance. The 31-year-old has a strong rapport with Rodgers from their days in Green Bay but has only caught seven passes for 84 yards upon his arrival in the Big Apple on Oct. 15. 

Coming into the season, the Jets were home to one of the most promising young rosters headlined by Hall, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, cornerback Sauce Gardner, and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, but the high hopes were quickly dashed behind creative differences between Rodgers and the front office. 

The Jets have an uphill battle to get back on track as the hope is fading for Gang Green’s faithful.

One Loss For One Pride

After decades upon decades without a Super Bowl appearance, the Detroit Lions found themselves knocking on the doorstep with an appearance in the NFC Championship last season. 

The Lions have capitalized on their newfound Super Bowl window, with an NFC-leading 6-1 record in 2024. Motown’s finest have prevailed in five games in a row, including all three of their October outings while averaging a staggering 43 points per game across their last four contests. 

With an uber-talented group of weapons at offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s disposal, 30-year-old signal-caller Goff has only extracted more from this tantalizing offensive unit by tallying a league-leading 33.4 points per game. 

Budding superstar Amon-Ra St Brown is 12th in the league with 41 receptions, while Jameson Williams, his running mate in the passing game, is second only to Alec Pierce in yards per catch to form a dynamic duo in this Lion offense. 

Second-year tight end Sam LaPorta has been predominantly a nonfactor in the Lions’ potent offense this season, which is a testament to the effectiveness of the offense.

On the ground, the tandem of running back David Montgomery and running back Jahmyr Gibbs have reached paydirt a combined 13 times. At the same time, Gibbs has taken the step forward toward becoming one of the NFL’s brightest young rushers with the Alabama product being seventh in rush yards. 

It has not been just the offense that has been at their best in recent weeks. Just a season removed from being one of the worst defenses in football, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has done a masterful job revamping the unit before his job security could come into question. 

The Lions are now 11th in total defense and eighth in points allowed per game despite losing perennial Pro Bowler edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson for the season in Week Six. Seeing no issues on the defense in Hutchinson’s absence, the Lions’ 15 takeaways are tied for second among all teams behind sizzling seasons from Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph.

Motown has been home to the league’s most impressive performance week in and week out, but facing the Packers at Lambeau Field this weekend cannot be underestimated. If the Lions can add some pass-rushers and fend off the stacked NFC North (which has all four teams above .500), there should be no surprise if head coach Dan Campbell finally brings that coveted Lombardi home to the Motor City.

Quick Hits:

• In week eight, the Washington Commanders improved their record to 6-2 in miraculous fashion. No. 2 overall pick QB Jayden Daniels connected with receiver Noah Brown on a 52-yard game-winning hail mary which was tipped by Chicago’s cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. With 326 passing yards on the day, Daniels only strengthened his Offensive Rookie of the Year Campaign by outdueling QB  Caleb Williams, April’s No. 1 selection. 
• Last week, the Los Angeles Rams saw their star wide receiver duo of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp return from injured reserve. The Rams handed the Vikings their second loss in as many weeks, as head coach Sean McVay aspires to return to the playoffs with his roster back at full strength.
• Colt’s QB Anthony Richardson has experienced an up-and-down season in his first full season as a starter following an AC joint sprain. The 22-year-old physical specimen showed glimpses of his immense potential but quickly reminded Colts fans that he is a project, getting benched in favor of backup and longtime journeyman QB Joe Flacco. 
• While Ravens QB Lamar Jackson looks to pad his MVP resume, 30-year-old star running back Derrick Henry is doing the same in a tight Offensive Player of the Year race. In his inaugural season in Baltimore, Henry leads the league with 946 rushing yards, almost 200 yards ahead of Saquon Barkley (who is second). The Ravens also acquired Diontae Johnson from the Panthers, so expect the already-dazzling numbers of both former Heisman Winners (Jackson and Henry) to skyrocket even further.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting at 6-2 and hold sole possession of the AFC North throne (cheers to you, Jack David). While QB Justin Fields was performing well as the starter in the Steel City, Russell Wilson turned back the clock upon his return to the starting lineup. Wilson torched both New York teams, throwing for 264 yards and three total scores in a 37-15 victory over the Jets, and throwing for nearly 300 yards in a Monday Night victory over the Giants. The Wilson-to-receiver George Pickens connection has looked unstoppable since Wilson’s return, and the Steelers look primed to return to the playoffs with head coach Mike Tomlin this season.