SPORT NEWS: One Reason Why Every NFL Team Should Still Hold Out Hope for a Successful 2024 Season, Highlighting Opportunities for Redemption and Growth .giang

Remember August?

There were leaves on all the trees, it didn’t get dark until at least 8 p.m. and every NFL fanbase had reason to feel optimistic because nobody had an L yet.

Less than six weeks later, much has changed. Seven teams are around multiple games below .500, and all but two have lost at least one game.

Regardless, let’s keep 32 glasses at least half full with one reason why every franchise should still hold out hope for a successful 2024 campaign.

Buffalo Bills: Their two losses have come on the road against fellow Super Bowl contenders, and they still lead the AFC with a plus-36 scoring margin.

Miami Dolphins: They’re still just a game back of the top spot in the division, and Tua Tagovailoa could return in a couple weeks.

New England Patriots: There’s always a chance Drake Maye jumps into the starting role and pulls a Jayden Daniels or C.J. Stroud.

New York Jets: The talented defense has given up a league-low 4.3 yards per play, and Aaron Rodgers is still Aaron Rodgers.

Baltimore Ravens: On this three-game winning streak, Lamar Jackson has a 128.0 passer rating along with nine total passing/rushing touchdowns and zero interceptions. The Ravens could easily be 5-0 rather than 3-2.

Cincinnati Bengals: Despite all of the tumult thus far, Joe Burrow leads everyone but Joe Flacco with a 113.6 passer rating, and only Josh Allen and Andy Dalton have been under less pressure. It’s not over yet if that keeps up.

Cleveland Browns: The schedule gives them one last chance to rebound with the Bengals and Ravens coming to Cleveland later in October. We know the talent is there.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Technically, they still lead the division following back-to-back losses, and you know head coach Mike Tomlin and that defense will keep them in the picture.

Houston Texans: They’re already 4-0 in one-score games, which says a lot about their mental strength as a team.

Indianapolis Colts: Despite unsatisfying results and now an injury to his oblique, Anthony Richardson leads the AFC in air yards per attempt and the Colts remain in the mix at 2-3.

Jacksonville Jaguars: They won a game on Sunday.

Tennessee Titans: They won a game last Monday.

Denver Broncos: This might be a top-three defense, and the ceiling remains high for Bo Nix. The playoffs are a very realistic goal.

Kansas City Chiefs: Despite sloppy play and a multitude of killer injuries, they’re 5-0 and riding an 11-game winning streak. The Chiefs know how to win and are always alive.

Las Vegas Raiders: They’ve yet to lose consecutive games, and we might soon see Aidan O’Connell get a crack at the quarterback job.

Los Angeles Chargers: They avoided embarrassment in Pittsburgh and then against the Chiefs, and they are now well-rested ahead of a fairly soft stretch in the schedule. So at 2-2, they should stick around.

Dallas Cowboys: Despite some crushing injuries, the defense has given up 17 or fewer points in all three of the Cowboys’ wins. They’re not going anywhere, especially if they get healthy.

New York Giants: Not only have they won two of three while learning they can succeed even without Malik Nabers, but they’ve also got just five road games left on the 2024 schedule.

Philadelphia Eagles: Their next two games come against the Browns and Giants, and none of the other NFC heavyweights have shined brightly thus far.

Washington Commanders: In support of Jayden Daniels, the new-look defense has hit a groove with just 27 points allowed the last two weeks. That could give the rookie QB room to make the odd first-year mistake.

Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams’ numbers have improved dramatically every week since Week 2, and his defense has yet to surrender more than 21 points in a game.

Detroit Lions: Despite the fact that the Lions have now had their bye, Aidan Hutchinson leads the NFL with 6.5 sacks and 14 quarterback hits. He is quickly becoming a megastar.

Green Bay Packers: They survived the Jordan Love injury, and it looks like they have a true top receiver in Jayden Reed.

Minnesota Vikings: Their success so far has little to do with one particular strength, as they’ve been dominant in most key aspects of the game and on both sides of the ball.

Atlanta Falcons: As they surge, Kirk Cousins has been on target on a NFL-high (by a mile) 86.2 percent of his passes. There’s a chance it’s all coming together after a bumpy start.

Carolina Panthers: Andy Dalton has been at least average, and anything could happen in this division.

New Orleans Saints: When they’re rolling on all cylinders, we’ve seen that they can be one of the best teams in this league. And at least Derek Carr is expected to be back eventually? I’m trying here…

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Check out the season Chase McLaughlin is having for a team facing a lot less pressure than the Falcons in what is shaping up to be a two-horse race in the South.

Arizona Cardinals: The consistency might not be there just yet, but Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. do appear to have a stellar connection for a team that is in the mix at 2-3.

Los Angeles Rams: They rebounded from a 3-6 start last year in order to make the playoffs, so it’s possible this veteran team does the same following a 1-4 start to 2024.

San Francisco 49ers: Despite all of their injuries, they rank first in the NFC with 6.3 yards per offensive play. And if they beat the Seahawks Thursday night, they’re back in first place in the division.

Seattle Seahawks: Tariq Woolen’s injury doesn’t appear to be major, which is huge because the cornerback has a 1.7 passer rating on throws into his coverage. That is not a typo.