The 2023-24 NFL Season: The Most Shocking and Unpredictable Season Ever
The 2023-24 NFL season was one of the most shocking and unpredictable seasons in the history of the league. From stunning upsets to record-breaking performances, this season had it all. Here are some of the highlights and lowlights of the season that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Jaguars Win the Super Bowl
The biggest surprise of the season was the Jacksonville Jaguars winning the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. The Jaguars, who had finished last in their division in the previous season, made a remarkable turnaround under rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who was the first overall pick in the 2023 draft. Lawrence led the Jaguars to a 10-6 record and the AFC South title, and then guided them through a tough playoff run that included wins over the Baltimore Ravens, the Miami Dolphins, and the Kansas City Chiefs. In the Super Bowl, the Jaguars faced the Green Bay Packers, who had the best record in the league and the reigning MVP in Aaron Rodgers. The game was a nail-biter, with both teams exchanging leads and big plays. The Jaguars trailed by four points with less than two minutes left, but Lawrence engineered a clutch drive that ended with a touchdown pass to DJ Chark with 12 seconds remaining. The Jaguars won 31-28, and Lawrence was named the Super Bowl MVP.
The Patriots Miss the Playoffs Again
The New England Patriots, who had dominated the NFL for two decades, missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year, despite signing veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the offseason. Rodgers, who had requested a trade from the Packers after a bitter dispute with the team’s management, was expected to revive the Patriots’ offense and lead them back to glory. However, things did not go as planned, as Rodgers struggled with injuries and chemistry issues with his new teammates and coaches. The Patriots finished with a disappointing 7-9 record, and Rodgers threw 18 interceptions, the most in his career. The Patriots also had to deal with the emergence of their division rivals, the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins, who both made the playoffs and challenged the Patriots’ supremacy in the AFC East.
The Browns End Their Playoff Drought
The Cleveland Browns, who had been one of the worst teams in the NFL for years, ended their 19-year playoff drought, clinching the AFC North division title with a 12-4 record. The Browns, who had a talented roster led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, running back Nick Chubb, and defensive end Myles Garrett, finally put it all together under new head coach Kevin Stefanski, who instilled a winning culture and a balanced offense. The Browns also beat the Pittsburgh Steelers twice in the regular season and once in the wild card round, avenging their long-time rivals and ending their 17-game losing streak at Heinz Field. The Browns’ playoff run ended in the divisional round, where they lost to the Chiefs in a close game, but they proved that they were a force to be reckoned with in the AFC.
The Rams Break the Scoring Record
The Los Angeles Rams broke the single-season scoring record, averaging 35.6 points per game. Their explosive offense was led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, who threw for 5,084 yards and 51 touchdowns, both career-highs. Stafford, who had spent his entire career with the Detroit Lions, was traded to the Rams in exchange for Jared Goff and draft picks. The trade paid off for the Rams, who also had a stellar receiving corps featuring Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Odell Beckham Jr., who joined the team midseason after being released by the Browns. The Rams also had a formidable defense, anchored by defensive tackle Aaron Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The Rams won the NFC West with a 13-3 record, and advanced to the NFC Championship game, where they beat the Buccaneers to reach the Super Bowl. However, they fell short of the ultimate prize, losing to the Jaguars in a heartbreaker.
The Giants Fire Joe Judge
The New York Giants fired head coach Joe Judge after a dismal 3-13 season, the worst in franchise history. Judge’s tenure was marred by controversy, poor decisions, and locker room turmoil. Judge, who had been hired in 2020 as a special teams coordinator from the Patriots, failed to establish a winning culture or a coherent identity for the Giants. He also clashed with several players, including star running back Saquon Barkley, who missed most of the season with a torn ACL. He also made questionable calls on the field, such as running a quarterback sneak on third-and-nine from his own four-yard line in the final game of the season against the Washington Football Team. He was replaced by former Giants legend Eli Manning, who became the youngest head coach in NFL history at 42. Manning, who had retired in 2020 after leading the Giants to two Super Bowl titles, was welcomed back by the fans and the players, who hoped that he could restore the Giants’ glory.
The Seahawks Trade Russell Wilson
The Seattle Seahawks traded star quarterback Russell Wilson to the Chicago Bears for three first-round picks and two second-round picks. Wilson, who had expressed his frustration with the Seahawks’ management and play-calling, found a new home in Chicago, where he led the Bears to the NFC Championship game. Wilson, who had been with the Seahawks since 2012 and had won a Super Bowl and an MVP award with them, had a falling out with head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider over the direction of the team and the protection of the offensive line. Wilson also had a list of preferred destinations, which included the Bears, the Saints, the Raiders, and the Cowboys. The Bears, who had been searching for a franchise quarterback for years, jumped at the opportunity to acquire Wilson, and gave up a hefty package of draft picks to get him. Wilson had a stellar season with the Bears, throwing for 4,312 yards and 38 touchdowns, and leading them to a 12-4 record and the NFC North title. He also had a strong chemistry with his new receivers, especially Allen Robinson, who had a career-year with 1,312 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Bears’ playoff run ended in the NFC Championship game, where they lost to the Rams, but they showed that they were a legitimate contender in the NFC.
The Dolphins Upset the Chiefs
The Miami Dolphins upset the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round, winning 24-21. The Dolphins, who had sneaked into the playoffs as the seventh seed, stunned the defending champions with a late touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle. The Dolphins, who had a young and talented team coached by Brian Flores, had a rollercoaster season, starting 1-4, then winning seven straight games, then losing three of their last four games. They made the playoffs thanks to a tiebreaker over the Indianapolis Colts, and faced the Chiefs, who had the best record in the AFC and the reigning Super Bowl MVP in Patrick Mahomes. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading leads and big plays. The Chiefs led by four points with less than three minutes left, but the Dolphins forced a fumble on Mahomes, and recovered the ball at the Chiefs’ 25-yard line. Tagovailoa, who had thrown for 273 yards and two touchdowns, then found Waddle, his former college teammate at Alabama, for the game-winning score with 18 seconds left. The Dolphins celebrated their biggest win in franchise history, while the Chiefs suffered their first playoff loss since 2018.
The Raiders Have an Openly Gay Player
The Las Vegas Raiders made history by becoming the first NFL team to have an openly gay player on their roster. Defensive end Carl Nassib, who came out as gay in June 2023, received widespread support from his teammates, coaches, fans, and the league. Nassib, who had been with the Raiders since 2020, said that he wanted to live his truth and inspire others to do the same. He also donated $100,000 to The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth. Nassib also had a breakout season, recording 12 sacks and four forced fumbles, and helping the Raiders reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Month in October, and was nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which honors a player’s excellence on and off the field.
The Buccaneers Fail to Repeat
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers failed to repeat as Super Bowl champions, losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game. Tom Brady, who had announced that this would be his final season, threw three interceptions and was sacked five times by the Rams’ dominant defense. Brady, who had led the Buccaneers to their second Super Bowl title in 2020, had another remarkable season at age 45, throwing for 4,821 yards and 40 touchdowns, and breaking several records along the way. He also had a stacked roster around him, featuring receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown, tight end Rob Gronkowski, and running back Leonard Fournette. The Buccaneers went 11-5 and won the NFC South, and then beat the Eagles and the 49ers in the playoffs. However, they met their match in the Rams, who had a more balanced and explosive team. The Buccaneers trailed by 17 points in the fourth quarter, but Brady led a furious comeback that cut the deficit to three points with less than two minutes left. However, the Rams recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock, ending the Buccaneers’ hopes of a repeat. Brady, who had won seven.