The NFL’s 2024 Draft ended on August 6, marking the start of the preseason kickoff weekend. Just a month later, the season was in full swing with fall just around the corner. 

This year has gotten off to an exciting start and already has some unexpected upsets. Although, one consistency going into the fourth week of the regular season has been the defending Super Bowl Champions’, the Kansas City Chiefs’, dominance. Holding first place in the power rankings and starting the season off strong with a three game win streak, quarterback Patrick Mahomes once again leads his team to victory right from the start. Coming off a strong 22-17 win against the Atlanta Falcons, they prepare for their next game against a close competitor, the LA Chargers, who are just below them taking second in the AFC West division.

Our local team, the New England Patriots, are also off to a strong start with a surprising early win against the Bengals. Shortly after, they barely lost in a very close game against the Seahawks in week two. In the following week’s game against the Jets, the Patriots’ number one draft pick, quarterback Drake Maye, got his debut and a taste of regular season NFL football. He came in for the Patriots’ final plays of the game and completed four of eight passes for twenty-two yards and two carries for twelve yards. While almost throwing an interception on his first pass, Maye redeemed himself by showing potential after comfortably being able to navigate the pocket and find outlets when options were taken away. Another name to keep an eye out for, who has contributed to thePatriots early success, is wide receiver Pop Douglas. The Patriots’ 2023 sixth round draft pick has been an unanticipated hero in recent games and even caught seven passes for sixty-nine yards in Thursday night’s game against the Jets. Despite greatly benefiting the Patriots’ offense in recent games, Douglas cannot carry the unit and offensive coordinator, Alex Van Pelt, is going to need to find a way to get things going with current starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

Going into Week four of the regular season there are some competitive matchups bound to be exciting games. Junior Alexa Harris stated, “I am looking forward to the Patriots playing the 49ers. It’s going to be a good game.” The 49ers are a good team and will put up a fight. They even made it all the way to the super bowl last year, but lost, so they have something to prove. Sophomore Graeme Baker shares his enthusiasm for the upcoming season, “The 2024 NFL season is finally here, and it is an incredibly riveting year. With all the crazy trades, new draft picks, and some well known players switching to a different jersey, many teams have a shot to prove themselves. Whether it’s veterans or the rookies trying to make a name for themselves, everyone is waiting in anticipation for who will make it to the Super Bowl.”