Love in Green Bay, angst in New York – 5 NFL storylines

Michael McQuaid of Pro Football Ireland looks at some of the key storylines ahead of the third week of the 2024 NFL season, which gets underway tonight (1.15am Irish time) with the visit of the New England Patriots to the New York Jets.

The return of Aaron Rodgers

Yes, it’s been two weeks of Rodgers under centre for the New York Jets at quarterback, but Thursday night will see the return of the prodigal son, in what should be Rodgers’ full home debut, after missing the entire season after just four offensive snaps last year. The game itself, which kicks off the week’s action, is intriguing with both teams sitting at 1-1.

Last week, the Jets offense kicked into gear a little in the second half against the Tennessee Titans. In the first week of action, the New England Patriots pulled off a huge win in Cincinnati, but last week they gave up a lot on the defensive side of the ball. It feels like this could be the fairytale home re-debut that Aaron Rodgers needs – if things go the Jets’ way.

Something’s gotta give

Next weekend the Pittsburgh Steelers will send a group of legendary players to Ireland for a sold out watch party at Croke Park, with the missionaries including former Super Bowl Champions Willie Parker and James Farrior. Will they enter the Hogan Suite in Croke Park with the team still unbeaten?

The Steelers have one of the most interesting match-ups of the weekend, hosting the Los Angeles Chargers in their home debut for the season. The Steelers’ defence has been superb so far through the first two weeks, with linebacker TJ Watt the standout performer in his position around the league. While it is taking time for the Steelers attack to click, they are getting points on the board, through efficient defensive play and their special teams unit, headlined by kicker Chris Boswell.

It has been a different season so far for the Los Angeles Chargers. Jim Harbaugh has made a James Horan-style return to the league and through two weeks, the team have been impressive, taking pressure off highly-rated young quarterback Justin Herbert (Offensive Rookie of the Year in his first season) with a reliance on a defined run game. This will be a fascinating game to watch in Pittsburgh this weekend.

A little Love

In the first week of the season in Brazil, the Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love suffered an MCL sprain towards the end of the Packers loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. At the time it was thought that Love could miss anywhere up to eight weeks.

Love returned to practice on Wednesday. Could we see him make a quick recovery this week as the team prepares to face the Tennessee Titans this weekend?

“I’m hopeful that I can get to that point where I can get in there, but we’re just going to take it day by day,” Love said. “The trainers are doing a good job of monitoring me and seeing how I’m doing and how I’m reacting to every play. They’ll be the ones to clear me when the time comes.”

If Love is not ready former Titans quarterback Malik Willis will step in for Green Bay, having been part of the team which won their home opener last weekend.

Surprises galore

There are two really interesting games this weekend where all the teams have been intriguing and fun to watch so far this year.

Firstly, the Texans face the Vikings in Minneapolis this weekend. Both teams are undefeated so far and the San Francisco 49ers felt the wrath of quarterback Sam Darnold last weekend for Minnesota. The emergence of the Vikings after they lost rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy to a season-ending injury is a surprise – but on the other side of the ball, the Vikings defence has performed at a high level through the first two weeks.

Mr. Stroud! Seriously?!

📺: #CHIvsHOU on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/aY3fin98Q6

— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2024

They host a Texans team which many expect to take the next step this season and push for a Super Bowl appearance. The Texans offence is lethal. CJ Stroud is unplayable at times and makes the hardest passes look easy. Expect this to be a close, entertaining game on Sunday.

Also, the New Orleans Saints are the surprise package. Through two weeks, the Saints have scored 91 points on offence, while pulling off some impressive results, no less than defeating the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington last weekend. With a rejuvenated Derek Carr at quarterback and a running back in Alvin Kamara that can run for days, this Saints team could make a real statement with a win this weekend over the Eagles.

Philadelphia had a very disappointing end to their game on Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons and defensively they need to improve – immediately. Their head coach Nick Sirianni’s decision making cost them the game on Monday and all eyes will be on the Superdome in Louisiana.

In a season when the Super Bowl is in the Big Easy, the Saints are making a marker for themselves.

Trouble in the land of the Giants

It’s been a difficult start to the season for the New York Giants. Head Coach Brian Daboll has come under pressure and criticism for the way the team has performed in the opening two games. Last week he chose not to elevate Derry’s Jude McAtamney to the starting roster, even when there was a spare place available for the Swatragh man. Moments into the game, their starting kicker Graham Gano was injured and is set to miss a few weeks. It seems Daboll and the Giants will not give McAtamney an opportunity this week, instead opting to sign former Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph. McAtamney remains on the practice squad.

A loss this week against the Cleveland Browns would put Daboll and the team under even more pressure. After losing against the Washington Commanders in the second week of action, the New York outfit are going up against a stout Cleveland defence on the road. This will be difficult – expect the pressure cooker to go up a notch if they can’t get something from this game.