2024 NFL Season Progress: Midseason Update
From New York to Los Angeles, there’s one thing football fans can all agree on: the 2024 NFL season has been a lot of fun! (Okay, maybe Jets fans won’t agree with that.) As the NFL season hits its midseason stride, surprises, storylines, and standout moments have reshaped preseason expectations. From unexpected contenders rising to preseason favorites falling short, the 2024-25 campaign has delivered drama at every turn.
Teams like the Washington Commanders are rewriting their narratives with breakout performances, while the New York Jets face questions after a disappointing skid. On the field, the resurgence of the running game and fascinating betting trends are capturing attention. With critical matchups looming and playoff races heating up, the second half of the season promises even more excitement. Here’s a look at the season’s biggest surprises and what lies ahead.
2024 NFL Midseason Surprises
The Diving Jets
After all the off-season hype, the star-studded Jets started with a decent 2-1 record, the only loss (at the time) to the defending NFC champion 49ers. Then five losses in a row put the Jets in a tailspin. They’ve now lost seven of eight outings and hold a dismal 3-8 record. There have been close losses and blowout losses, but the result is the same: the Jets remain the biggest disappointment of the 2024 campaign.
The Rising Commanders
In the District of Columbia (more accurately, in Landover, Maryland) things are going much better. The Washington Commanders have become the surprise darling of the NFL, with phenom quarterback Jayden Daniels leading the team to a 7-5 record and a close 2nd place in the NFC East. The offense has been overhauled, the play calls have been creative, and skill players surround an immensely talented, smart, and hardworking quarterback.
Emerging Trends this Season
Return of the Running Back?
One of the most interesting trends since the start of NFL season has been the return of the old-fashioned running back. Today’s RBs are a little more athletic than Franco Harris, but running the ball seems to be on the upswing. With stars like Saquon Barkley stealing the highlight show, rushing production started strong and has continued to flourish.
In a league dominated by quarterbacks and receivers, running backs used to be a dime a dozen. But many of the best teams in 2024 (Baltimore, Philadelphia, Detroit, Buffalo, etc.) also feature the best running backs.
Away Teams Have a Slight ATS Advantage
From a betting perspective, one of the most interesting trends is the success of away teams against the spread. According to Covers, away teams have a winning percentage of 48.6% overall. But against the spread, away teams have a success rate of 53.4%.
If you want a betting advantage, you could simply take away teams to beat the spread across the board. If current trends hold, you’d win over half the time. For an even stronger advantage, take away favorites against the spread; their success rate in 2024 is currently 58.6%!
Pivotal Upcoming 2024-25 NFL Games
The final months of the NFL will be endlessly fascinating. What will the holidays hold for the NFL? Will the Chiefs make it a three-peat? Can the Vikings, Bills, Texans, or Lions finally win a championship game? Who will lock up the top pick in the NFL draft? Every game impacts the future, but here are the pivotal games to mark on your DVR:
Chargers at Chiefs
Sunday, December 8th
Despite being tied for the best record in the NFL, the Chiefs are not running away with the AFC West. The Chargers (and the Broncos as well) have a legitimate chance at the division title, but someone needs to hand the Chiefs a few losses. The Chargers have a chance on December 8th, although winning at Arrowhead is a tough task.
Steelers at Ravens
Saturday, December 21st
Hines Ward and Ray Lewis may be retired, but the Pittsburgh-Baltimore rivalry is as intense as ever. The Steelers beat the Ravens by two points in Pittsburgh on November 17th, but Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry could return the favor on December 21st in Maryland. Don’t expect a lot of goodwill toward men in this pre-Christmas showdown.
Jaguars at Raiders
Sunday, December 22nd
Not every “pivotal game” features a showdown for the division. Heck, some don’t even feature good teams. Take the Jaguars versus the Raiders in Las Vegas on December 22nd. These two bottom-feeding teams are now competing (sort of) for a different goal: the #1 pick in the 2024 draft. This game features two of the five teams with only two wins. (Browns, Giants, and Titans are also on the list.) Unfortunately for both teams, someone has to win this game.
Cardinals at Rams
Sunday, December 29th
It’s a duel for the division, but what makes this game so interesting is not that they are top teams but that they are mediocre teams in a bad division. The only (probable) way either of these teams make the playoffs is by winning the NFC West, making this game immensely important.
Vikings at Lions
Sunday, January 5th
Two of the best teams in the NFL face off at the end of the season. There’s still about a month and a half of the NFL 2024 schedule, but this season finale could be for the NFC North title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Progress in Circa Pro Football Contests
Throughout the season, there has been notable progress in the Circa Sports pro football contests. In the Circa Million pro football contest, which has a total payout of $6 million for the 2024-25 season, BAWSROSS-1 has a record of 42-16-2-0 for 50 total points, the best in the contest. In Circa Survivor, 54 out of 14,266 entries have made it past Week 12. Both of these contests are poised for an exciting finish!
No matter what happens in December and January for the rest of the NFL season, Circa Sports is your place for higher betting limits, new markets, and an off-the-charts menu!
How to Bet on Football in Vegas
Now that the 2024-25 NFL season is in the second half, it’s time to place your bets. Circa Sports is the ultimate sportsbook in Las Vegas for professional football sports betting. Stop by Circa Resort, the D, or one of the other Circa Sports locations in Las Vegas to place your bets in person. Can’t make it into the sportsbook? Download the Circa Sports app on iOS or Android to have your bookie right in your pocket.
Whether in person or on the app, join Circa Sports for your premier place to bet on football in Vegas.
