Mid-Season Report

We have arrived at the halfway point (sort of thanks to a 17-game schedule) of the NFL season. Here’s a brief rundown of who are contenders, outsiders and are planning for next season.

Contenders

Miami Dolphins (6-3)

QB Tua Tagovailoa is healthy and the offense is rolling. WR Tyreek Hill is on pace for 2,000 yards receiving. Yet, they just can’t win against the best of the best in the league. You got to beat the best if you want to be the best.

Buffalo Bills (5-4)

Even with all their struggles, injuries and frustrating moments, they are still a contender until proven otherwise. QB Josh Allen must tamp down the turnovers and the defense even with all of their injuries have to be better.

Baltimore Ravens (7-2)

Their defense is becoming a mainstay once again. QB Lamar Jackson is having a good season and they are one of the best rushing teams in the league once again with a multitude of backs at their disposal.

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)

They are in this slot for the simple fact that LB T.J. Watt is almost single handedly keeping them in games with his stellar play on defense. There is a lot to be desired on offense, but they are winning games late which could help when December comes around.

Cleveland Browns (5-3)

DE Myles Garrett is a favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award. QB Deshaun Watson appears to be healthy and that should help the offense considering their options at the backup quarterback spot for them.

Cincinnati Bengals (5-3)

QB Joe Burrow clearly is healthy now and the way the offense is playing it shows on Sundays. The defense is becoming a mainstay that the rest of the league must account for.

Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2)

They are the class of their division and the AFC South is theirs to lose. QB Trevor Lawrence and RB Travis Etienne are showing the league why they were a dynamic duo at Clemson.

Kansas City Chiefs (7-2)

The defending Super Bowl champions are getting the job done week in and week out. Even with a disappointing loss at Denver recently, as long as QB Patrick Mahomes is on the field, they’ll be the favorites to win most games.

Philadelphia Eagles (8-1)

For an 8-1 team, they haven’t looked as impressive as their record shows. Even with their struggles, they are still the favorites to win the NFC until someone knocks them off that podium.

Dallas Cowboys (5-3)

Like every team has their weaknesses, Dallas’ are the elephants in the room. It’s just a matter of if their opponents are able to expose them on gameday. Their defense can only carry them so far.

Detroit Lions (6-2)

With the benefit of a weak division and a favorable schedule down the stretch, Detroit is in a prime position for a top-3 seed. For once, on Thanksgiving you’ll be clamoring to watch the Lions game.

New Orleans Saints (5-4)

They are only here because someone has to win the worst division in football. Their overall roster is better than everyone else’s in the NFC South. Can they finish above .500 though?

San Francisco 49ers (5-3)

The bye week came at the perfect time for them. They boast one of the most talented rosters in the league and are still the favorites to win the NFC West. They’ll need to defeat Seattle to do that.

Seattle Seahawks (5-3)

Their most recent game was a dud at Baltimore. They’re fortunate they play in a weak NFC, but if they play like that they won’t be winning the division.

Outside Looking In

Atlanta Falcons (4-5)

They’ve been toying with first place in the NFC South. QB Desmond Ridder has been frustrating to watch. His backup Taylor Heinicke should be the guy going forward if they want to be in the playoffs in January.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)

QB Baker Mayfield has played very well. The defense has been better than last season. They just keep finding ways to lose games though, but playing in the NFC South will keep you alive for a playoff spot.

Minnesota Vikings (5-4)

Losing QB Kirk Cousins to an achilles tear might come back to haunt them. Their trade for QB Josh Dobbs at the trade deadline payed off with their comeback victory at Atlanta. With the way the defense has been playing there could be a playoff berth coming down the road.

Los Angeles Chargers (4-4)

They have a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way. They have a solid pass rush and the offense can put up points in a hurry. The only down side is their head coach Brandon Staley and his suspect decisions late in games.

Houston Texans (4-4)

QB C.J. Stroud is quickly becoming a good quarterback in his rookie season. The defense is playing well and if they can get a running game going they could make some noise down the stretch.

New York Jets (4-4)

If (and it’s a big if), QB Aaron Rodgers makes a return from a torn achilles, it will only be because the Jets are in position for a playoff spot. If there is no chance for one, Rodgers will wait until next year.

Start Planning For Next Year

New England Patriots (2-7)

We’ve never seen the Patriots in this position with Bill Belichick as their head coach since his first season in the year 2000. The overall play by the team has been laughable. How do they have two wins?

Indianapolis Colts (4-5)

Their rookie QB Anthony Richardson is out for the year. The defense looks good one week and just awful the next. They paid RB Jonathan Taylor, but seem to forget that they have him. QB Gardner Minshew is one of the better backups in the league, but who does he have to throw it to?

Tennessee Titans (3-5)

It’s going to be the Will Levis show at quarterback going forward. RB Derrick Henry is having a down year by his standards. The defense has been a mixed bag. Why did they trade WR A.J. Brown again?

Las Vegas Raiders (4-5)

Sure, they looked like a completely different team with interim head coach Antonio Pierce when they played the New York Giants at home. But that was against the New York Giants. This roster doesn’t exude confidence compared with most of the league.

Denver Broncos (3-5)

QB Russell Wilson has played better this season compared to last. RB Javonte Williams is starting to heat up and the defense played their best game at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. It was too little too late though in the stacked AFC.

Washington Commanders (4-5)

I’ve had my doubts about QB Sam Howell, but he has played well when he’s not being the most sacked quarterback in the league. The franchise just about threw in the towel trading away their two defensive ends in Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the trade deadline. Could head coach Ron Rivera’s time be ticking away?

New York Giants (2-7)

Somehow this team won two games so far. They paid QB Daniel Jones and are getting what they paid for. RB Saquon Barkley is the lone threat on offense and the defense has been on cold streaks far too often.

Green Bay Packers (3-5)

The offense has looked awful all season in almost every aspect. The defense hasn’t been any better. The jury is still out on QB Jordan Love’s long term future, but he’ll need to do better to finish this season.

Chicago Bears (2-7)

QB Justin Fields has been hurt most of the season now. When he was playing the offense was mired in inconsistencies. It will be interesting to see if that changes when Fields does return to end the year.

Carolina Panthers (1-7)

The worst part about this season is that they will not have their first round pick, as it will belong to Chicago having traded it to them for the number one pick in last years draft.

Los Angeles Rams (3-6)

QB Matthew Stafford has to be healthy if the Rams want to be competitive. It’s been a carousel at running back once again and the defense has been exposed with their weaknesses in the secondary.

Arizona Cardinals (1-8)

Even with the return of QB Kyler Murray does that mean the offense will look any better than it has? Their defense doesn’t have the talent to stop opponents.