The NFL isn’t just a football league—it’s a global powerhouse that pulls in millions of fans every year. With an amazing $20 billion in revenue in 2023, it outpaces other major sports leagues like MLB, NBA, and NHL. It continues to break records, with an average of 17.9 million viewers per game last season.
As we dive into the 2024 season, there’s no shortage of excitement, drama, and great football. Whether it’s teams with rich histories or rising stars, let’s take a look at the top performers this year and what makes them stand out.
The Buffalo Bills, founded in 1960, are an iconic NFL team with a passionate fan base from western New York and southern Ontario. While they've faced ups and downs over the years, including a painful 17-year playoff drought, their '90s glory days stand out, especially with four straight Super Bowl appearances, though they came up short each time. After the passing of the original owner in 2014, the team is now owned by Terry Pegula and private equity investors.
In recent years, the Bills have been a force to reckon with, largely thanks to the arrival of star quarterback Josh Allen in 2018. With Allen, Stefon Diggs, and a strong roster, the team has been a regular playoff contender and even made it to the AFC Championship in 2020. The future looks bright, especially with a new stadium on the horizon for 2026. For Bills fans and sports bettors alike, the team is one to watch as they aim for that long-awaited Super Bowl win. If you want to bet make sure you check the best Las Vegas NFL odds.
The Kansas City Chiefs, originally called the Dallas Texans when they started in 1960, became the Chiefs when they moved to Kansas City in 1963. Over the years, they've built an impressive legacy, winning four Super Bowls, with big victories in Super Bowls IV, LIV, LVII, and LVIII.
Key figures like head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and tight end Travis Kelce have been crucial to their success. The team plays at Arrowhead Stadium, famous for its loud fans and intimidating atmosphere. The Chiefs have been dominant recently, winning five AFC championships since 2019, and their fierce rivalry with the Las Vegas Raiders has lasted for decades.
The Detroit Lions are an NFL team based in Detroit, originally starting as the Portsmouth Spartans in 1928 before moving to Detroit in 1934. The team has had some success in the past, winning four NFL Championships, but hasn’t been to a Super Bowl and had a long playoff drought until 2023.
The Lions are known for their iconic blue and silver uniforms, with minor changes over the years. They’ve had various alternate jerseys, including a black one that made a comeback in 2023. In 2024, they introduced new uniforms with updated colors and a cool black jersey called "Motor City Muscle." The Lions like to celebrate their history with throwback jerseys, often worn for special games.
The Philadelphia Eagles are a legendary NFL team, founded in 1933, known for their passionate fan base and heated rivalries with teams like the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys. They’ve had major successes, including winning Super Bowl LII in 2017, but their fans have often been criticized for their bad behavior, like the infamous incident in 1968 where fans threw snowballs at Santa Claus. Despite this, the Eagles have been a consistent contender, selling out every home game since 1999.
The team had a strong 2022 season, finishing with a 14–3 record, but lost in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the 2023 season didn’t go as planned, with struggles in defense and close wins. After a playoff exit, the Eagles saw some big retirements, including key players like Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox. Still, with a new focus on rebuilding, the Eagles remain a team to keep an eye on in the NFL.
The Minnesota Vikings are a well-known NFL team based in Minneapolis, competing in the NFC North division. Established in 1960, the team’s name pays tribute to the Vikings of Scandinavian history, reflecting the strong Scandinavian-American influence in the state. The Vikings play at U.S. Bank Stadium, located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. While the team has never won a Super Bowl, they've maintained a strong record and are recognized for their consistent playoff appearances.
Despite lacking a Super Bowl title, the Vikings boast the best winning percentage among teams without one. They also hold the record for the most conference championship appearances of teams that haven’t won the big game. Vikings fans are also famous for their distinctive "Helga hats," purple hats adorned with white horns and blonde braids, inspired by Viking warrior helmets. These unique hats are still hand-made in the Twin Cities area.
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football team based in Baltimore. They’ve been around since 1996, after the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore. The Ravens play at M&T Bank Stadium and have become one of the most successful teams in the NFL over the years.
Their name comes from Edgar Allan Poe’s poem The Raven, honoring his connection to the city. The team is known for having a tough defense and has won two Super Bowls (in 2000 and 2012). With standout players like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, the Ravens have made their mark in the NFL, consistently making the playoffs and winning many division titles. Fans love their purple and black colors, and the team is a huge part of Baltimore's sports culture.
The Washington Commanders are an NFL team based in the D.C. area, originally founded as the Boston Braves in 1932. They became the Redskins, but due to controversy over the name, they rebranded in 2020 as the Washington Football Team, and later as the Commanders in 2022.
The team has had some great moments, winning two NFL championships in the 1930s and 1940s, and three Super Bowls in the 1980s and early 1990s. However, they’ve also had many tough years, especially between the 1950s and 1970s. Today, they play at FedExField in Maryland and were bought by Josh Harris in 2023 for $6 billion.
The Los Angeles Rams are an NFL team based in LA, playing in the NFC West division. They share SoFi Stadium with the Chargers. Founded in 1936, the Rams have moved cities a few times, winning the NFL Championship in 1945, then heading to LA, St. Louis, where they won Super Bowl XXXIV, and finally returning to LA in 2016. Their latest Super Bowl win was in 2021 against the Bengals.
In 2024, the Rams made some big moves, signing players like Kamren Curl and backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo. The season started rough with injuries, but they turned things around, winning their division. They beat the Vikings 27-9 in a Wild Card game after wildfires forced a change in location.
The Rams’ value shot up after returning to LA, now worth $4.8 billion. They have big rivalries, especially with the Vikings and Chiefs.
The 2024 NFL season has been full of excitement with teams like the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Detroit Lions standing out. The Bills are aiming for their first Super Bowl, while the Chiefs continue to dominate with Patrick Mahomes. The Lions are showing new energy, and the Eagles and Vikings are still strong contenders. Teams like the Ravens and Rams are holding onto their legacies, while the Commanders are rebuilding for the future. With so much talent and competition, the season is shaping up to be unforgettable. With so much talent and competition, this season promises to deliver plenty of thrilling moments!
