McAtamney still in the Big Apple
It has been an eventful week for Jude McAtamney.
After missing two extra-point attempts in a late defeat to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, the Swatragh man was released from the Giants on Tuesday, with head coach Brian Daboll more than likely opting to bring Graham Gano back from injured reserve to start on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
But the journey is not over. McAtamney was re-signed to the Giants practice squad as their designated international player less than 24 hours later, allowing the Irishman to continue to develop in a setting he is familiar with.
However, the last few days have been brutal for the former Derry Under-20 footballer. After Sunday’s game, McAtamney received a considerable amount of abuse on social media - with tens of thousands of people commenting on his personal accounts.
That is not easy for any athlete. And while he held his hands up over his performance last weekend, there is no position in the NFL more precarious than that of a kicker.
McAtamney remains in good spirits. He has been with the Giants over a year and will get the chance to regroup and find his feet in a sport that not many have succeeded in internationally - McAtamney was the first Irish kicker on an active roster since Clondalkin’s Neil O’Donoghue in 1985.
Amazingly, O’Donoghue also missed two extra point attempts in a game in 1979. But he went on to have another five years in the league.
It's not over for McAtamney and how he places himself over this next period will be crucial.
Cowboys in Mile High
The Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys are two teams who are close to the final step in the challenge for a Lombardi trophy.
The Cowboys have had a really interesting campaign so far. On the eve of the season, fans were up in arms at the trading of superstar defender Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. But over the first seven weeks, they sit 3-3-1 - and look like a genuinely good team, with efficient defensive play and an offensive unit that is putting points up on the board, including 44 on the Commanders last weekend.
The Broncos are a really interesting possibility at 5-2. Their defence is playing at an incredible standard through the first weeks of the season. Players such as Nik Bonitto are making fans reminisce about the legendary Super Bowl 50 defence.
We saw a superb comeback in the fourth quarter last week from Bo Nix and this Denver side. And while it seems that the offence is taking a little time to warm up in comparison to last season's efforts (with a then rookie quarterback), the Broncos are very good value for their 5-2 start.
They could easily have won both the games they lost; neither the Colts nor Chargers were more than a score better.
They are arguably the team to look out for in an AFC West that is getting red-hot as we enter the second half of the regular season next week. A win here could be the start of a very special run.
Rodgers reunion with Green Bay
Aaron Rodgers will finally go up against his old team the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.
Admittedly, the game is not in Wisconsin, but any kind of rematch looked highly unlikely when the former Super Bowl champion and MVP ruptured his Achilles only four plays into his New York Jets career.
The game itself is a rematch of the 2010 Super Bowl when Rodgers and the Packers came out on top. For the Steelers, they are reeling from a close defeat to Joe Flacco and the Cincinnati Bengals last Thursday night on the road, when their usually potent defence gave up 33 points.
Also keep an eye out for Ireland’s Daniel Whelan. While we wait for an Irish kicker to break through and make a more long-term impact on the league in the regular season, Whelan is quietly having a career year and is a candidate for a Pro Bowl (All-Star) berth, which would be a first for an Irish player.
He has the ability to punt the ball deep and, even more importantly, place it where Rodgers and his Steelers offence could be uncomfortable.
Both defensive units have the ability to make game-changing plays.
If you’re going to stay up for any game this season, this is it.
Changes in the Windy City?
Whisper it, but it looks like the Chicago Bears are reaching the next level.
Yes, it has been a generation - think back to the days of Myles Dungan and Dickie Rock covering the Super Bowl for RTÈ - but Caleb Williams (pictured) may be the man to take them to the next level.
Only one NFL quarterback has had a better touchdown to interception ratio over their first two seasons than the former USC QB.
That man? Patrick Mahomes.
Williams looks better and more comfortable in his second season. He has a poise about his play that many have not seen in Chicago for a long time.
Their four-game streak has seen a great defensive front as well, with the unit recording ten sacks and an average of only 19 points per game given up.
If they can win at the Baltimore Ravens - who may well have Lamar Jackson back from injury - the narrative around this team could totally flip.
Perhaps Chicagoan Robert Francis Prevost being elected Pope Leo XIV was the luck that this franchise needed.
Irish Bears fans, do you believe in miracles?
Super Colts
Outside of a loss to the Los Angeles Rams - who looked impressive in London last week - the Indianapolis Colts are at the top of their game, and have a 6-1 record through the first seven weeks of the season.
Looking at composite data, which focuses on quarterback ratings along with drop-backs and other elements, Daniel Jones (pictured above) leads the NFL at the position.
The man the Giants released midway through last season looks reborn.
He has found a new ability to limit sacks when he is pressured and the Colts offence is clicking in a way that we have not seen in a long time.
The race to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara is heating up and the Colts are going to be right in the mix.
