Well folks, we are one week away from history.
Next weekend, the NFL will touch down in Dublin for the first time - but before that, one more full weekend of action awaits.
It's been a really intriguing start to the season through two weeks, with some big storylines as we enter the weekend.
NFC East on tap
You can forgive Chicago Bears fans for having more optimism than any going into the season. When general manager Ryan Poles boldly stated that they were going to "take the north and never give it back" when he first took the role, many saw the appointment of Ben Johnson, former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, in January as the potential piece that would fill the jigsaw in Soldier Field.
Through two weeks, there are no real signs of this happening. A close loss against the Minnesota Vikings in the first game of the year was one thing, but last week, things got ugly when Johnson returned to Detroit, where the Bears were blown out 52-21.
Crucially, the Bears defence is not performing at an optimum level. In two games, they are allowing the most passing yards per play in the league and they are one of the worst teams statistically in terms of pressures. On the other side of the ball, with a struggling Caleb Williams at quarterback, it's hard to see how Chicago are going to improve anytime soon.
Sunday's opponents are divisional rival the Dallas Cowboys. They have been competitive in the first two games of the season, narrowly losing to the Philadelphia Eagles and then defeating the New York Giants 40-37 in a classic last weekend. While Dak Prescott looks refined and energised in the quarterback position, they are giving up too many points on the defensive side of the ball, meaning this game could be a really interesting affair.
Have no doubts about it, we are only three weeks in this weekend, but the result of this game is crucial down the stretch for both teams.
Sunday Night
The New York Giants open at home for the season in the early hours of Monday morning when they welcome a 0-2 (yes, that’s right) Kansas City Chiefs team to the Meadowlands. If you think there is pressure in Chicago, it’s no different in the Big Apple. Both Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen are under significant scrutiny as they enter this season, with fans expecting to see results.
While they have started 0-2, the Giants have improved immensely on the offensive side of the ball in their first two games, showing subtle signs of the great teams that have gone before them.
Wan'Dale Robinson was a joy to watch when they faced the Cowboys last weekend, with 142 yards on the day for a touchdown, which at the time gave the G-Men the lead.
That being said, this league is all about results. New York will have to find another level of performance when they welcome Patrick Mahomes to Metlife - a quarterback that is starting 0-2 for the first time in his career in the NFL.
If anyone needs a win this weekend to bring back the positivity and championship track, it is the Chiefs.
Last weekend, they could not get it done against the Eagles in a championship matchup, struggling in the key moments, with Mahomes overthrowing on their final drive. This week is a must-win, with one team leaving the stadium after questioning their direction this season when they fall to 0-3.
The unthinkable couldn’t happen, could it?
Whelan Watch
The Green Bay Packers played earlier in the second week of action, meaning that they have had a few more days off than the rest. Daniel Whelan’s (above) Packers secured a 27-18 victory over the Washington Commanders last Thursday night.
The Enniskerry man has had an impressive start to the year. In his first game of the season, he had three punts, with one going a huge 65 yards.
That’s literally game changing. The more effective the punter can be, the better the defensive players can perform on the next drive when they go up against the opposing team.
He has followed this up with a long of almost 54 yards against the Commanders and the perception of the Irishman has significantly grown.
Whelan is in the Pro Bowl conversation, with the addition of a Packers team that is legitimately in a Super Bowl window with the signing of Micah Parsons. This weekend, they travel to Cleveland to face the Browns - a game that many will expect Whelan and company to secure victory in.
Indiana Jones
You could not write it, could you?
Daniel Jones has excelled in his first two weeks with the Indianapolis Colts, turning back the clock for fans and letting them reminisce of their glory days in the early 2000s. They are now 2-0, the first time they have started with this record since 2009.
There are always one or two teams who defy the odds and start well each season - the New Orleans Saints started 2-0 last year but finished 5-12 - but there is a real feel of change in the air in Indy.
Does Jones match the Colts system? Is he the man to take them to the next level?
Nobody saw this coming.
Through two games, Jones has over 600 total yards passing, with five touchdowns. He looks confident under pressure and is easily moving the ball down the field - and I’ll say it - he is fun to watch.
Now, the Colts travel to face the 0-2 Tennessee Titans in a crucial AFC South clash this weekend. If they can get over the hump and move to 3-0, the Jones hype train will get even louder than before.
Vrabel looking at the Steel Curtain
The Pittsburgh Steelers have one final game before they head to Dublin later next week.
This week, they stay on the east coast and travel to face the New England Patriots.
It was a disappointing performance for the Steelers in the second week of the season, with a loss to the Seattle Seahawks at home. In truth, the game was over at the start of the fourth quarter. Aaron Rodgers showed some signs of magic at the no-so-tender age of 41, but they just could not get it done on both sides of the ball last Sunday.
As many are aware, it is a new era in New England, with Mike Vrabel taking over the reigns of the Patriots. They bounced back from a week one loss last weekend with a 33-27 win against a struggling Miami Dolphins team, who nearly mounted a total comeback towards the end of the game.
As they return home this weekend, many eyes will be on Rhamondre Stevenson, who had an impressive outing last weekend in Florida. If Drake Maye is going to bring the Patriots to 2-1 on the year, he will have to rely on Stevenson and a veteran cohort which includes Stefon Diggs and Austin Hooper.
That being said, the Steelers will be reeling after last weekend. Expect a tough, unforgiving game with each defence.
There is that much going on in the league at the moment, it is very difficult to limit this to five storylines. Considerable injuries are dominating the news, with Brock Purdy and Joe Burrow out for some time, Burrow potentially being out for the season with turf toe.
One real point of note is the Minnesota Vikings. It looks unlikely at this stage that quarterback JJ McCarthy will play in Dublin next weekend with an ankle injury, with the Vikings also placing running back Aaron Jones on IR, which means he will definitely miss the historic game.
There is never a dull moment in this league - that is guaranteed.
