5 best games of the first half and 5 best matches still to come

What will we remember from the 2024 NFL regular season? If the Kansas City Chiefs strive to have an undefeated season, this is the answer. But this is unlikely.

That leaves Jayden Daniels.

Daniels is having a truly special rookie year for the Washington Commanders, the type of rookie season we’ll be able to remember 25 years from now. His direct influence changed the minds of commanders after decades of suffering, and he had already achieved one special winning game it will be make NFL history. It’s rare to see a rookie dictate the course of an entire season, but for half of this season, that appears to be the case.

With that in mind, let’s take a look back at the best games from the first half of the season and the best matches still to come.

5 Best NFL Games Right Now

Week 3: Commanders 38, Bengals 33

In this Monday night game, Jayden Daniels announced himself as the star. Daniels was 21 of 23 for 254 yards and two touchdowns, added 39 yards and a touchdown on the ground, and the Commanders scored on every possession except when they knelt to end the half. Daniels’ 27-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin to put the game away looked like it would be the signature moment of his rookie season. He will take over this game in October.

Week 5: Falcons 36, Buccaneers 30

It was a strange game on Thursday night, with a lot of twists and turns and a Falcons touchdown in overtime. It took a wild rally for the Falcons just to force overtime on Youngho Koo’s field goal as time expired. Cousins ​​rushed for a career-high 509 yards in the win, changing the power of the NFC South.

Week 5: Ravens 41, Bengals 38

Joe Burrow threw for 392 yards and five touchdowns and was the losing quarterback. That’s how much fun this game was. Lamar Jackson totaled 403 yards and four touchdowns. The Bengals lined up for the game-winning field goal in overtime, but a bad snap resulted in a miss. Derrick Henry then broke the long run to set up the Ravens’ game-winner. You don’t see many games with a higher level quarterback.

Week 8: Commanders 18, Bears 15

Disclaimer: This was a terrible game for all 60 minutes. It doesn’t matter. This game from the first half of the season will be remembered 25 years later, and this is the last game. Jayden Daniels scrambled around (while Bears cornerback Tyreek Stevenson taunted fans from the field) and bought just enough time to throw a 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown to Noah Brown for the win. It was that rare moment when everyone immediately understood they just saw something historic.

Week 9: Rams 26, Seahawks 20

This game was wild. Geno Smith threw two interceptions inside the Rams’ 10-yard line in the fourth quarter, including one returned more than 100 yards for a touchdown, but rallied for the game-tying touchdown with less than a minute left. In overtime, the Seahawks were within field goal range but made it on fourth-and-1 and the Rams made a great stop. Matthew Stafford then completed several excellent passes, including the game-winning 39-yard pass that DeMarcus Robinson intercepted with one hand. Very entertaining.

Top 5 NFL games left

Week 11: Washington – Philadelphia

The Commanders take first place in the NFC East, which was not expected. To stay there, they’ll have to hold off the Eagles. It seemed like an odd choice for Thursday night’s game when the schedule was released, but now it could go a long way in determining whether the new Commanders team can win the NFC East. By the way, the rematch in Washington will take place in week 16.

Week 11: Kansas City vs. Buffalo

This challenge will bring back bad memories for Bills fans. The Bills have suffered several tough losses to Kansas City in the playoffs, including last postseason when the Chiefs came to Buffalo and stunned the Bills. Buffalo is good again, so are the Chiefs, and if the Bills have any hope of getting home field advantage again in a playoff showdown, this is a must-win for them.

Week 15: Buffalo at Detroit

We might see this matchup again in the Super Bowl. Both teams are on the shortlist for mid-season contenders. Josh Allen is having an MVP-caliber season and the Lions offense appears unstoppable. Regardless of whether there is a rematch in February, this is a fun game between two great teams.

Week 17 (tie): Kansas City vs. Pittsburgh, Baltimore vs. Houston

The NFL seemed to do a good job with its Christmas games. If the season ended today, all four teams playing on Dec. 25 would be in the playoffs, including the surprise Steelers. It’s possible the Steelers will still be in contention for first place when they host Kansas City. It’s also not unreasonable to wonder if the Chiefs are still chasing the 1972 Dolphins and 2007 Patriots without losing by Week 17. Baltimore vs. Houston will next feature Lamar Jackson vs. C.J. Stroud. Not a bad Christmas doubleheader.

Week 17: Detroit – San Francisco

San Francisco isn’t very good yet, but we all know the 49ers can still run. The Lions were perhaps the most impressive team of the first half, and they remember what happened last season when they lost in the NFC Championship Game in San Francisco. It’s possible that this game will determine whether the Lions get a No. 1 seed, which would be huge for their Super Bowl hopes.