Photo by Meghan L. Hall

Patrick Mahomes throws the game winning touchdown to Mecole Hardman to win Super Bowl 58 on February 11.

As another thrilling NFL season comes to a close, fans and analysts alike are reflecting on the highs and lows of the 2023-2024 NFL season. There were many surprises and disappointments this past season. From standout rookie performances, veteran players, heart dropping playoff games, NFL Honors, and of course, Taylor Swift. This NFL season is one to remember.
In the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams have drafted one of the top performing wide receivers of the year, Puka Nacua. Nacua was unstoppable this season, yet only being a rookie. He broke the rookie receiving record, previously held by Bill Groman. Nacua had 1,486 receiving yards while Bill had 1,473 in 1960. That was not the only record that Nacua set this season. He also beat the single season rookie receptions with a total of 105. Overall Pucua Nacua is a promising rookie, with great seasons ahead of him.
Another breakout rookie performance this year was quarterback of the Houston Texans, CJ. Stroud. Stroud was the second pick of the NFL draft, coming in with high expectations to save a struggling Texans team. He brought the Texans back to the playoffs after a couple of horrible seasons. CJ had a terrific starting season throwing for 4,108 yards, and passing for 23 touchdowns. CJ Stroud has placed himself to be a great quarterback in the future. The Houston Texans drafted more than just CJ, they also drafted Will Anderson Jr. The two players were back to back picks in the draft. Will Anderson Jr. was a dominant rookie this season leading all rookies in sacks with 7. The Houston Texans are a set football program, with their new rookies.
Some of the top veteran players of this year include Christian McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill, Daron Bland, and Myles Garret. These players were threats this year, all having breakouts in their careers.
Running-back Christian McCaffrey, lead the league in all purpose yards, and number of total touchdowns. McCaffrey totaled 1,459 rushing yards, and 21 touchdowns. CMC played a huge role in the 49ers team this season, without him they would not have been in the Super Bowl. He made plays in every game he played this year. Whether it was running, receiving, and even blocking, CMC was a dominant player.
The next player plays for the Miami Dolphins, and that is Tyreek Hill. He was so close to breaking the single season receiving yards record. Calvin Johnson held the record with 1,964 yards, Hill was 165 yards short. But he could not because of his injury he had during the season which was a high ankle sprain. Hill had the most receiving yards in the NFL this season, with a large amount of 1,799. On top of that he also had 13 touchdowns. Tyreek Hill was electric this season, and was close to winning OPOY.
The top defensive player this year is cornerback Daron Bland. He played for the Dallas Cowboys, and was a defensive player of the year nominee for a reason. Bland broke the record for the most pick-sixes in a NFL season with 5. He was great this season and was a nominee for the Defensive Player of the Year.
Arguably the best defensive player in the NFL, Myles Garrett, had another great season. Garrett played for the Cleveland Browns and was a crucial piece for their winning season. Finishing top five in sacks with 14, he also forced four fumbles and had 42 total tackles.
This year’s playoffs was one to remember with teams playing their first playoff game in a long time, and the top teams getting upset. In the NFC the seven seed Green Bay Packers destroyed the second seeded Dallas Cowboys, 48-32. Cowboys fans were devastated by another choke in the playoffs. The Cowboys are used to losing the first round in the playoffs, after having another stunning year.
But the most surprising team this year, the Detroit Lions can say differently, after having the most successful season of the teams history. They won the NFC North for the first time since 1993, with a record of 12-5. Despite the great season from the Lions their run ended in the NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers. The Lions were highly praised for the way they turned around their franchise from previous years.
One of the final heartbreaking losses this season took place in Buffalo. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills played Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs. Buffalo was looking forward to beating Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs for the first time ever. The Bills did not win, Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed the game winning field goal as time expired. Bills Mafia was crushed, as they lost in the playoffs to Patrick Mahomes, once again.
With the season ending, the NFL Honors took place on February 8. The NFL Honors is where they award the best players from the season. The biggest award is the NFL MVP (Most Valuable Player). This year that award went to quarterback Lamar Jackson, winning his second MVP of his career. He is the first player in NFL history to win 2 MVP’s and a Heisman. The NFL also awards the best defensive and offensive player of the year. The winner of defensive player of the year was defensive end Myles Garrett while the offensive player of the year was running back Christian McCaffrey. These awards are well deserved for the athletes. Next is the defensive and offensive rookie of the year awards. Both of the players are from the Houston Texans, Will Anderson Jr. and CJ. Stroud. These players were electric this season helping the Texans make the playoffs. The last award of the season is the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. This award is all about helping the community, and what the athletes do outside of football. Representing the best of the NFL’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact, 32 players are selected as their team’s Man of the Year and become eligible to win the national award. And the winner of this year’s award was Cameron Heyward, defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The award is given to a player who goes above and beyond serving his community. Heyward does just that and more through his foundation, The Heyward House.
The biggest star of this year’s NFL season is, of course, Taylor Swift. Swift has been the name of the NFL. She is dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Her name has been everywhere this season, since the beginning of the season to the Superbowl. Taylor Swift has brought more attention to the NFL than ever before.
The 2023-2024 NFL season came to an end with the Chiefs on top. On February 11, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 to win the Super Bowl. They came back after being down by ten in the first quarter. It was a slow start, but things picked up by both teams in the second half. The game went into overtime, the first playoff game with the new rules. Each team gets a chance to score with the new rules. The 49ers started off with the ball in OT and drove down the field and kicked a field goal. The Chiefs answered right back with a touchdown to Mecole Hardman to win them their second straight Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs remain top of the league with back to back Super Bowls, and seeking their third in next year’s season.