Newsday's 2024 NFL season preview

September 5, 2024 12:00 am

Aaron Rodgers is back. Daniel Jones, too. And so is the NFL.

Two hundred and seven days after Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City repeated as Super Bowl champions, the NFL kicks off its 2024 season Thursday night with Andy Reid's crew hosting Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. Then there's Packers vs. Eagles in Brazil on Friday night.

As usual, there are storylines galore. Can Kansas City complete the league's first Super Bowl three-peat? Will No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and the hyped-up Chicago Bears of "Hard Knocks" live up to their billing? How will the new rules affect kickoff returns?

And then, of course, there are the Jets and the Giants — and after a forgettable 2023 season for both teams, there's reason for hope this year.

Rodgers, fully recovered from his Achilles injury on the fourth play of last season, is part of a talented Jets team determined to reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 season.

On the other side of MetLife Stadium, Jones has a new No. 1 weapon in rookie receiver Malik Nabers, an improved offensive line and a new pass rusher in Brian Burns that should wreak havoc alongside Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux in the Giants' front seven.

So buckle up and enjoy the ride. Only 157 days until Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

—Joe Manniello, Newsday's NFL Preview Section Editor

NEW YORK JETS

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Credit: AP/Jacob Kupferman

With Aaron Rodgers back to lead an all-in roster, the Jets are looking to get back into the playoffs — and make a deep run once they're there. Newsday's Al Iannazzone previews the Jets' 2024 season, and the lofty expectations surrounding them.

We also sat down with All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner for a 10-minute Q&A on topics ranging from his desire to win with the Jets to his hopes of spending his entire career with the team.

Aaron Rodgers' Achilles heal

We spoke with several local orthopedists, who all shared their outlook for the 40-year-old quarterback after last year’s Achilles injury, surgery and recovery.

Three reasons why the Jets can contend

Tyron Smith. Credit: Ed Murray

AARON RODGERS IS HEALTHY AND HUNGRY: Fueled by his doubters and detractors, Rodgers wants to take the Jets where so many quarterbacks couldn’t.
A GREATER SENSE OF URGENCY: The Jets are in win-right-now mode. Rodgers, Tyron Smith, Morgan Moses and even C.J. Mosley are playing for one thing only. It’s a must-win, playoffs-or-else season for general manager Joe Douglas, coach Robert Saleh and his staff.
IMPROVED OFFENSIVE LINE AND MORE WEAPONS: They added three new starters up front and drafted tackle Olu Fashanu, fortified the receiver and running back rooms and should be more diverse offensively. Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall could have huge seasons playing with Rodgers.

Three reasons why it may not work out

AGE AND INJURIES: The Jets are deeper, but they’re praying that the NFL’s oldest player (Rodgers) and the injury-prone Smith stay healthy. Moses, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Mike Williams are returning from major injuries, too.
DEFENSIVE LINE DROP-OFF: The Jets lost 19 1/2 sacks and leadership with the departures of Bryce Huff, John Franklin-Myers and Quinton Jefferson. Haason Reddick’s holdout set a bad tone. They’re banking on Will McDonald, Micheal Clemons and Takk McKinley stepping up big time. It’s risky.
THE COACHING QUESTION: Robert Saleh is a great defensive coach, but he has yet to show he can win as a head coach. Back-to-back 7-10 seasons — after starting 7-4 and 4-3 respectively — has the heat on Saleh. It’s prove-it time for Saleh.

Beat writer's prediction

Record: 11-6, 1st place in AFC East

Playoffs: Beat Buffalo, lose to Kansas City in divisional

The Jets are built to win now. They have Aaron Rodgers, an improved offensive line, multiple playmakers on offense and an established and hungry defense. Things will have to unravel badly if the Jets miss the playoffs for the 14th consecutive year. At least 10 AFC teams figure to have a shot at seven playoff spots. The Jets’ best route to a postseason berth is to win the wide-open AFC East. Buffalo and Miami lost important players. The Jets added talent and upgraded areas of need. This is their time.

This is Al Iannazzone's seventh season covering the Jets for Newsday.

Watch Jets videos

NFL Week 1 on TV: Jets vs. 49ers

Time: Monday, 8:15 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPN, ABC (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters)
Radio: WAXQ 104.3 FM (Bob Wischusen, Anthony Becht)

NEW YORK GIANTS

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, left, and wide receiver Malik Nabers. Credit: Ed Murray

After a surprise playoff run in Year 1 of the Joe Schoen-Brian Daboll regime, the Giants took a big step back in Year 2. Now what? There are lots of question marks but some pieces that can be the building blocks. Newsday's Kimberly Jones previews the Giants' 2024 season, one with plenty of uncertainty but also a good amount of hope.

We've also got a 10-minute Q&A with edge rusher Brian Burns, one of the newest (and most important) members of the Giants defense, covering everything from football to binge-watching Marvel movies.

Ranking the 100 most influential Giants ever

The Giants are celebrating their 100th season. A lot of people have been a part of the franchise since its inception, but who has had the greatest impact on Big Blue? Newsday's Tom Rock ranks the 100 most influential figures in Giants history.

We also asked our readers to submit their fondest Giants memories. Among the submissions: a "Three Generation Boys" Super Bowl road trip, a matchup of two legends at Yankee Stadium and more.

Three reasons why the Giants can contend

Jalin Hyatt. Credit: Noah K. Murray

DOMINANT DEFENSIVE LINE: Opposing offensive lines will have to deal with Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux and now Brian Burns. Thibodeaux had 11.5 sacks last season. The Giants might be able to ride the defense to a wild-card berth.
RECEIVERS, GO DEEP! If wide receivers Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt make meaningful contributions, it will go a long way. Rookie Malik Nabers can’t do it all, and shouldn’t have to, if the depth at receiver produces.
ANOTHER ROOKIE WEAPON: If tight end Theo Johnson stays healthy, look out. The rookie has impressed so far. He’s a big target and potential matchup nightmare.

Three reasons why it may not work out

IF DANIEL JONES ISN’T HEALTHY: The Giants’ backup quarterbacks are Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito. But don’t the football gods owe Jones a season of good health?
IF THE OFFENSIVE LINE ISN’T FIXED: That was an absolute priority this offseason, and they addressed it by adding Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor, as well as a new O-line coach in Carmen Bricillo. This has to be the year that the line does not hold them back — or yield an NFL-high 85 sacks again.
IF THE SECONDARY DOESN’T HAVE THINGS COVERED: A lot has been asked of Deonte Banks, now in his second season, and he has been up for the challenge. Who starts opposite him? And how many plays can Jason Pinnock make? All of this likely shakes out in the initial games of the season.

Beat writer's prediction

Record: 7-10, third place in the NFC East

The Giants again will struggle against the Eagles and Cowboys. Jones has to stay healthy. Lock (hip) missed most of training camp. It seems likely that DeVito will play meaningful snaps again. The defense, especially up front with Lawrence, Thibodeaux and Burns, should be formidable. But is that enough? And does the secondary have enough playmakers besides Banks and Pinnock?

This is Kimberly Jones' third season covering the Giants for Newsday and 24th year overall.

Giants highlights

NFL Week 1: Giants vs. Vikings

Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. Eastern
TV: Fox (Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Megan Olivi)
Radio: WFAN, 101.9 FM (Bob Papa, Carl Banks, Howard Cross)

LONG ISLAND IN THE NFL

Several NFL rosters have some Long Island flavor. Meet those players and how Long Island factored into their journey to the NFL.

NEW NFL KICKOFF RULES

Tune into an NFL game this season, and you'll notice a drastic change almost immediately.

The league has overhauled kickoffs, scrapping the traditional format and using a modified version that debuted in the XFL. Gone are the long, running head-starts that sent players hurtling into one another as the ball is booted into the air. Instead, kickoffs now resemble more traditional scrimmage plays, with players lined up in new "zones" much closer to one another — and they aren't allowed to move until a particular time.

The league's hope: Fewer touchbacks, more excitement and fewer injuries.

It's a small sample size — 49 preseason games — but so far, the NFL's new kickoff rules have achieved what the league intended.

AROUND THE GRIDIRON

10 things to watch for this season

Should we call them Kansas Cit-3? The NFL has had plenty of dynasties in the Super Bowl era, but it’s never had a team win three Lombardi Trophies in a row. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid have a chance to do just that and add new first paragraphs to their arguments for being the best ever.
The Comeback QBs: So many quarterbacks missed significant time to injuries last year: Aaron Rodgers, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Daniel Jones, Kirk Cousins, Deshaun Watson, Anthony Richardson. Now they’re all relatively healthy and ready to vie for arguably the hottest Comeback Player of the Year race ever.
Who wins the Saquon Staredown? We already know Saquon Barkley got (close to) the money he thought he deserved from the Giants in a contract from the Eagles, but which side will wind up feeling better about his departure? Barkley and the Eagles visit MetLife Stadium on Oct. 20, by the way.
Will Caleb Williams be as advertised? The first overall pick by the Bears has a team that seems to have the pieces for him to succeed, but the pressure is on him to make it all work and end nearly a century of relative quarterback ineptitude in Chicago.
C.J. Stroud encore? The Texans hit the QB lottery when they took Stroud second overall a year ago and he transformed them into an instant playoff team. Houston has added more talent, but needs its star to continue to grow.
Can Kyle Shanahan & 49ers win the big one? They’ve had the most talent the last two seasons and come away from it with nothing to show. Much of that falls on their hard-luck coach and his costly decisions (see: OT in last year’s Super Bowl). Time is running out to keep enjoying the benefit of Brock Purdy’s ridiculously cheap rookie contract, though.
Which long-suffering fan base might celebrate? The Jets (1968), Browns (1964) and Lions (1957) have gone a combined 180 seasons since their last NFL championships. And the Bills? They’ve never won anything since their AFL titles in 1964 and 1965. But all four have enough talent to think this could finally be their year.
Can the kid QBs play? Not only was there a record-tying six QBs taken in the first round, it was the first 12 picks of the draft! Who will be the biggest star?
Leading the Charge? From a national title at Michigan to back in the NFL coaching the L.A. Chargers, Jim Harbaugh will see if he still has the magic touch.
Last rodeo in Dallas? Mike McCarthy and Dak Prescott are both heading into a do-or-dump final year of their contracts with the Cowboys. “You could easily say: ‘If you haven’t seen it by now you haven’t seen it,’” owner Jerry Jones said, a pretty clear sign that his two most high-profile employees need to show “it” or they’ll be shown the door.

Faces in new places, on the field...

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, takes the hand off... — Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, takes the hand off from Jalen Hurts during training camp on July 25 in Philadelphia. Credit: AP/Chris Szagola

Among the big names that'll be donning new jerseys this season: Eagles RB Saquon Barkley, Bears WR Keenan Allen, Dolphins WR Odell Beckham Jr., Falcons QB Kirk Cousins, Texans WR Stefon Diggs, Commanders RB Austin Ekeler, Ravens RB Derrick Henry, Eagles edge rusher Bryce Huff, Packers RB Josh Jacobs and S Xavier McKinney, Raiders QB Gardner Minshew, Titans WR Calvin Ridley, Raiders DL Christian Wilkins and Steelers QB Russell Wilson.

...and in the booth

After 23 seasons as the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady is a rookie once again — but this time, lots of eyes will be on him. After retiring in 2022 and taking a year to recharge, the seven-time Super Bowl champion heads to the Fox broadcast booth as an analyst alongside veteran play-by-play man Kevin Burkhardt, beginning with Sunday's Browns-Cowboys game. Newsday's Neil Best looks at Brady's long-awaited TV debut, as well as several other media storylines this season.