Mid-Season Report

We have arrived at the halfway point of the NFL season. Here’s a brief rundown of who are contenders, outsiders and are planning for next season.

Contenders

Buffalo Bills (6-1)

One of the best offenses to go along with one of the best defenses in the NFL. QB Josh Allen has been an early MVP candidate and they will be getting back their top corner in Tre’Davious White shortly.

Miami Dolphins (5-3)

They haven’t lost a game this season when QB Tua Tagovailoa finishes a game. The defense hasn’t played well at times, but the offense is amongst the most prolific in the league this season.

Cincinnati Bengals (4-4)

QB Joe Burrow is beginning to heat up, but will have to do so without WR Ja’Marr Chase for a bit. Their defense has been getting better as well, but will RB Joe Mixon have more scoring opportunities down the stretch?

Tennessee Titans (5-2)

This team rides and dies with RB Derrick Henry. The defense plays better when Henry is dominating the line of scrimmage. The passing game has been very inconsistent all season.

Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)

They are deep in the receiving and running back category and the defense has been playing very well for most of the season. QB Patrick Mahomes is keeping pace in the MVP conversation.

Philadelphia Eagles (8-0)

Head and shoulders above everyone else in the NFC as the best team right now. They have a prolific pass rush that lightens the load for everyone else on defense and they can beat you running the ball all day or throwing it against any given opponent.

Dallas Cowboys (6-2)

Their defense is playing at an elite level this season. If QB Dak Prescott can stay healthy, Dallas could be a balanced team that can beat you on offense or defense.

New York Giants (6-2)

The surprise of this season so far has been the way the Giants have been playing. They are not a great team on offense, but RB Saquon Barkley is healthy and is the main cog. Their defense has an influx of young players that have this unit playing as contenders.

Minnesota Vikings (6-1)

They are learning how to close out games this season and QB Kirk Cousins is having a solid season. The defense has looked better than advertised after expectations were lowered for this season under a new coaching staff.

San Francisco 49ers (4-4)

Now that they have RB Christian McCaffrey at their disposal, the offense has more options and the defense is continuing to play at a high level.

Outside Looking In

Seattle Seahawks (5-3)

QB Geno Smith has been exceeding all expectations, but the defense has been the one glaring weakness for them and that could haunt them down the stretch this season.

Los Angeles Rams (3-4)

I’d be hard pressed to count them out of the playoffs this year, but it’s not looking good at the moment. The offense could get hot and the defense is far too talented to continue this downward trend.

Atlanta Falcons (4-4)

They’re currently in first place, but there are too many question marks on defense and the rushing attack has been their only reliable scoring option on offense.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)

When QB Tom Brady is on his game he’s tough to beat. Health is becoming a huge factor for this team and the defense has got to play to their potential.

Green Bay Packers (3-5)

It’s quickly becoming apparent that QB Aaron Rodgers is trending toward potential retirement this season and head coach Matt LaFleur hasn’t a clue what to do with the offensive scheme.

Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)

This is a frustrating team to watch, but if they don’t turn the ball over on offense they are among the best teams in the AFC.

Baltimore Ravens (5-3)

Other than blown leads this season it has been a good start for them. QB Lamar Jackson’s strengths are when the running game is clicking and offense begins to open up in the passing game.

New York Jets (5-3)

The way they have been playing they could sneak into the AFC Wild Card conversation, but a lot needs to go right with the way QB Zach Wilson has been playing.

Start Planning For Next Year

New England Patriots (4-4)

While I don’t think there is a quarterback controversy brewing here, the fact that they had one during one game this season doesn’t bode well for them the rest of the way.

Cleveland Browns (3-5)

The way they’ve played they actually should have a winning record this season without QB Deshaun Watson. When he does return they won’t have a winning record and this season will probably be a lost cause.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6)

There were going to be growing pains this year, but not to the point that once T.J. Watt went down that the entire defense would play like they were the worst team in the league.

Indianapolis Colts (3-4-1)

The Matt Ryan experience is over before they even got to the halfway point of the season. The offensive line has become a glaring weakness. And RB Jonathan Taylor has not been what was expected of him.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)

They were in a good position to turn some heads in the weak AFC South, but have fallen flat on their faces and come back down to earth.

Houston Texans (1-6-1)

It’s another rough go round for this franchise that needs to get a franchise quarterback asap.

Denver Broncos (3-5)

The lone bright spot for this team has been their defense. On the offensive side it has been a completely different story.

Las Vegas Raiders (2-5)

They have probably been the most disappointing team of the season.

Washington Commanders (4-4)

QB Taylor Heinicke has done wonders for this team of late, but it might be too little too late with the way the defense has been letting them down.

Chicago Bears (3-5)

QB Justin Fields has looked good at times, but Chicago has been far too inconsistent to be considered a playoff team.

Detroit Lions (1-6)

It could have been a year of improvement, but it has become another sad story in Detroit.

New Orleans Saints (3-5)

For their sake they are fortunate to be playing in a terrible NFC South. That doesn’t mean that they will get into the playoffs.

Carolina Panthers (2-6)

They’ve already cut ties with their head coach and will need to be looking for a franchise quarterback in the offseason.

Arizona Cardinals (3-5)

Simply put this team is a disaster waiting to happen. The offense has looked lost at times and the defense has played better, but were awful to start the season.