Folks, we find ourselves in an all too familiar situation through four weeks of the NFL season. There is a lot of talk about who is legit, who isn’t legit, and people continue to circle through the same old talking points; “What’s going on with Mahomes”, “Are the Bengals cooked?”, “Can Lamar get it done?”, blah blah blah blah blah.. Here’s my take.

Ladies and Gentlemen I can safely say we are going to have more of the same in 2024. The same old happenings will most likely come to fruition. We have a tendency as NFL fans to create headlines and scenarios for ourselves to keep our brains entertained, and our dopamine on edge. It’s a lot like the stock market see; we all know in a few years it’s going to be higher than it is today, (barring some unforeseen financial crisis) but in the meantime it’s going to go up, down, sideways, inside out, and so will our minds. Sports tend to work the same. Pure anarchy in the regular season and then smooth waters, for the most part, in the postseason. When I say this, here is what I mean. Take a look back through the last 20 years and ask yourself how many times have you been dumbfounded by the results of the Super Bowl? Very often, the winning team has the best quarterback at the helm. There has definitely been a few exceptions, the Eagles in 2017, the Giants in 2011 and 2007, the Saints in 2009 (the stretch after this was amazing, we will get to that later), but aside from those few years, our results in hindsight are 20/20.

Let’s look at the last 5 years first.

• 2019 – Patrick Mahomes
• 2020 – Tom Brady
• 2021 – Matthew Stafford
• 2022 – Patrick Mahomes
• 2023 – Patrick Mahomes

Thank God for Matthew Stafford is all I can say. Lets go back an extra five years.

• 2014 – Tom Brady
• 2015 – Peyton Manning
• 2016 – Tom Brady
• 2017 – Nick Foles
• 2018 – Tom Brady

I’d say thank God for Nick Foles, and I do love the guy, but I’m New England born and raised, son! Before you start, no, we cannot count Peyton Manning as a diverse champion because it’s Peyton Manning and nobody ever thought The Sheriff couldn’t grab himself another ring. Not to mention, that roster was star studded on both sides. Now I know I said “the last 20 years” but I’m only going back another five and then I can try to put a bow on this thing.

• 2009 – Drew Brees
• 2010 – Aaron Rodgers
• 2011 – Eli Manning
• 2012 – Joe Flacco
• 2013 – Russell Wilson

Here we arrive at the last golden age. The five years prior to this weren’t terrible either, but lets focus on this 2009-2013 stretch. A different team every year are you kidding me?! Now again, as a Patriots fan, I remember this “drought” very well, but i’m over it now I think. As a pure fan of the NFL product, you can’t beat this five year stretch! What does this stretch say to me? How about opportunity! Guess what, if your team was good, you had a shot! Of course, the same names were nestled deep in the playoffs, but the underdog prevailed! Now I know what your thinking; what is this guy yapping about, drive it home! Okay, fine, full circle here we come.

In the last decade, the best quarterback and more or less the best team won the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, as a fan of the NFL this is not fun to watch so where does this leave us in 2024? To be unfortunately blunt with you, we are probably going to have the exact same result. The best quarterback is Patrick Mahomes and the best team is the Kansas City Chiefs. As much as it pains me to say this I’d say it’s a safe bet is that they’re going to three peat this year. But! We do have a chance for an underdog to make a splash. Maybe a team like the Bills, maybe a team like the Ravens, hopefully a team like the Lions; can get it done for us this postseason. So, in a very convoluted nutshell, just calm down this regular season. Know that most likely, the Kansas City Chiefs will win, and the postseason will most likely contain the same names and the same story lines as it has in the past few years. However, though, as an NFL fan, I am hoping and praying for the start of another golden age. Turn your pajams inside out, put a spoon under your pillow, cross your fingers but also curb your enthusiasm. Let’s hope for some fireworks this winter.

– Tyler S @twoandahalfvirgins