Where to start? The 2018 NFL season has been peppered with stories, rookies, and downright shocks. From Fitzmagic to Bakermania to Armadillo, this season has had its fair share of excitement—and it’s not even three weeks old. We’ve seen breakout players, fantastic games, off the field drama, and one very memorable outfit. We count down the things that has given this season such an amazing start.
10. Ties
Not one. TWO TIES in the first two weeks of the NFL season. First, the Steelers visited the Browns in an incredibly sloppy game that featured two missed field goals in overtime, and ended in a 21-21 deadlock. Minnesota and Green bay also failed to win due to missed field goals. There weren’t even any ties in the 2017 season, let alone two weeks.
9. The Jaguars
How? How did the Jaguars beat the defending AFC champion Patriots, and then lay an egg against Tennessee in a 9-6 home loss? Not to mention their almost-loss to the pathetic Giants. It has been a crazy three weeks in Sacksonville, but this team can handle anything that happens to them.
8. The Steelers
Where did it go wrong? Was it Le’Veon Bell’s absence? Ben Roethlisberger’s 3 picks in Cleveland? Pittsburgh’s incompetence on special teams? Whatever made the Steelers have such an atrocious start, it needs to stop now. They have the hardest game of Week 3, a Monday Night showdown with Tampa Bay. This contest is a must-win for the Steelers—or their season could be in jeopardy.
7. The Hollywood Story of the Rams
Hollywood has just announced a new show. It will have sixteen episodes at least, more may come if the show is successful. Starring Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, Brandin Cooks, Aqib Talib, and Sean McVay. Episodes 1-3 have looked great. What is in store for this thriving new TV series down the road?
6. Adrian Peterson
Future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson was not looking like his former self. After being let go by Minnesota, he bounced around the league, playing short stints with New Orleans and Arizona. This offseason, he found a home in Washington. Since then, he has run for 236 yards and helped Washington to two wins, both in which he ran for 100 yards.
5. Saquon Barkley
This rookie out of Penn State has made a name for himself, totaling 216 yards in the first three games. He also had 14 receptions against the Cowboys. Barkley even led the Giants to a win, a rare occurrence. What can the number two overall pick really do? We may have only seen a glimpse of what he is capable of.
4. Rule changes
Poor Jesse James. The Steelers tight end will only ever be remembered from being a major part in one of the most controversial calls ever. He got redemption, however, in Week 2 against Kansas City, when the ball came out shortly after he scored a touchdown. This time he got the score. Also, we saw a ridiculous increase in roughing the passer penalties. These adjustments have already had a big impact on the 2018 season.
3. Patrick Mahomes II
284 yards. 0 TDs. 1 INT. Patrick Mahomes has already crushed those 2017 stats, with 896 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Mahomes’ father was a baseball player. The Chiefs are lucky Patrick II plays football. There is no way Kansas City would be 3-0 without him.
2. Rookie Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold. Baker Mayfield. Josh Allen. This year’s draft saw four QBs taken in the top 10. Three of them have led their teams to great wins. Interestingly enough, the only unsuccessful quarterback, Josh Rosen, was the most brash (“there were nine mistakes ahead of me”). Goodness knows what these young signal-callers can do.
1. Fitzmagic
Ryan Fitzpatrick. 14-year veteran in the National Football League. Season leader in passing yards. After two staggering wins on the road against two of the NFLs best teams, this man is ready for everything, even dressing like Connor McGregor to a press conference. Jameis Winston may not even get his job back. And in Tampa Bay’s home opener against a week Steelers secondary, he could light up the scoreboard. Fitzmagic is undoubtably the biggest story so far of the 2018 NFL season.
