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

Buffalo Bills (7-2)

They are in position to wrap up the AFC East by the end of November. QB Josh Allen isn’t turning the ball over and the defense is staying relatively healthy and refreshed from not having to get back out after an Allen turnover. They need the Chiefs to start losing games if they want home field advantage.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)

LB T.J. Watt is easily the defensive player of the year right now. And the offense seems to have new life with QB Russell Wilson taking over. If Wilson does start to falter, they still have Justin Fields who wasn’t terrible, but Wilson’s ability to throw a deep pass for a completion is just too tempting for them not to deploy.

Baltimore Ravens (6-3)

It’s a simple strategy for them. RB Derrick Henry should be touching the ball at a minimum of 15-20 times a game. When he doesn’t, this team falters badly. QB Lamar Jackson is having another MVP like season, but this team succeeds when Henry gets the ball early and often.

Houston Texans (6-3)

Injuries are starting to mount for them, especially in the receiving corps. QB C.J. Stroud isn’t having nearly the success of last year’s rookie campaign. The defense has struggled to defend opponents passing offenses. If they can keep RB Joe Mixon healthy, they should still wrap up the AFC South with all of their struggles currently.

Kansas City Chiefs (8-0)

They will lose a few games at some point I believe. For now though with the recent addition of WR DeAndre Hopkins via trade the offense is getting better. Once they get RB Isiah Pacheco back, this will be a balanced unit. The defense is carrying them once again and that should surprise no one.

Washington Commanders (7-2)

They are the top team of the NFC East and the surprise of the entire NFL. QB Jayden Daniels is the offensive rookie of the year right now and the defense is playing with a new found energy that is giving opponents fits. Now you add CB Marshon Lattimore to the fold and when he’s healthy he can take away the opponents top receiver.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)

It’s been a frustrating year for them because their record is deceptive. They should have at least two more losses if it wasn’t for luck and the fact that RB Saquon Barkley is their best offensive player. The defense has looked better, but they need to be kept refreshed and that can only happen when Barkley is heavily involved in the offense.

Detroit Lions (7-1)

An about face has taken place with the Lions not throwing the ball 30+ times with QB Jared Goff. That’s not an indictment of Goff, but the offense’s strength is in the play-action game with Gibbs and Montgomery as their running backs. Losing DE Aidan Hutchinson is gonna hurt, but for now they are the top team in the NFC.

Minnesota Vikings (6-2)

There are some bumps in the road, but QB Sam Darnold is the favorite for comeback player of the year. He might get some MVP votes if things go well the rest of the way. The defense is among the best in the league and is a large reason why they are contenders right now.

Green Bay Packers (6-3)

Not gonna lie, the offense looked better with QB Malik Willis when QB Jordan Love missed a few games earlier in the season. Love is still banged up, but he does have plenty of options to get the ball to. RB Josh Jacobs was brought in to be the workhorse on the ground and he must get the ball often if they are to succeed.

Atlanta Falcons (6-3)

All they needed was the quarterback. Kirk Cousins is looking better and better with each passing week. Atlanta’s defense is also getting better and better and they are positioning themselves to be a problem when January comes.

Outside Looking In

Arizona Cardinals (5-4)

I certainly didn’t have them at this spot at any point in the season. QB Kyler Murray is doing well, but there are times when the offense just stalls. Their defense isn’t a star-studded one, but they are developing and getting better with each passing week.

Los Angeles Rams (4-4)

QB Matthew Stafford is still making throws and has the pocket awareness that the Rams need right now. RB Kyren Williams is a touchdown machine for them and the defense is playing like Aaron Donald didn’t retire.

San Francisco 49ers (4-4)

Once RB Christian McCaffrey returns, things should get back to normal for them. RB Jordan Mason has been good at times, but he isn’t McCaffrey. Injuries have affected the defense as well, but the offense hasn’t been doing them any favors especially late in games.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)

As of now the division is a bit out of reach, but they can certainly contend for a Wild Card spot. QB Baker Mayfield doesn’t have a lot of reliable targets due to injuries. WR Mike Evans will return soon and TE Cade Otton is emerging as top tier tight end. The defense has been wildly inconsistent, but injuries have been taking their on them as well.

Los Angeles Chargers (5-3)

Head coach Jim Harbaugh is doing exactly what he said they were going to do. They are winning at the line of scrimmage on both sides. QB Justin Herbert is still taking too many shots, but they are running the ball effectively with Herbert developing chemistry with his receivers. The defense has been the pleasant surprise and is why they are winning games.

Denver Broncos (5-4)

They are the most flawed 5-4 team. Yes, the defense has played up to and beyond their potential. Rookie QB Bo Nix has looked good at times, but when they play a superior opponent his flaws are exacerbated. If they ever get the running game going, maybe they can salvage this promising start.

Cincinnati Bengals (4-5)

They shouldn’t have this kind of a record. Their defense is their biggest linch pin, but as long as QB Joe Burrow remains upright the offense will continue to score points. RB Chase Brown could give them a spark going forward and bring balance to the offense.

Start Planning For Next Year

New York Jets (3-6)

I will be willing to admit that I was wrong if the Jets somehow get a playoff spot. However, I don’t see it happening with how terribly inconsistent they have been. The defense is getting worse and the big acquisition of WR Davante Adams that was supposed to immediately have the offense humming, didn’t have that effect on the dreadful offensive line.

Miami Dolphins (2-6)

Even if QB Tua Tagovailoa was completely healthy, he wasn’t going to fix that defense. While the offense faltered without Tua, that defense is embarrassing. Tua’s recent return didn’t have the necessary effect as they are still losing crucial games.

New England Patriots (2-7)

There are signs that they could turn the corner, but rookie QB Drake Maye has no one to reliable throw the ball to. The defense is beginning to show signs of improving, but this is a lost season that shows they need to rebuild that offense.

Cleveland Browns (2-7)

You thought QB Jameis Winston was gonna get this thing turned around after that Baltimore game? This is what the Browns get. Even with RB Nick Chubb back and healthy, he isn’t effective, but who can be with that battered offensive line? The defense can only do so much and the problems start with the quarterback position.

Indianapolis Colts (4-5)

With the rules that placate to the quarterback in this era, if you can’t have at least a 65% completion percentage you are gonna have a bad time. See QB Anthony Richardson who was recently benched with a 44% completion percentage. QB Joe Flacco has been given the job, but his prime time performance this past Sunday night shows that this isn’t going to get much better for the Colts.

Tennessee Titans (2-6)

While there is more competency in the offense with QB Mason Rudolph as opposed to QB Will Levis, this Titans team isn’t good. RB Tony Pollard is doing his part, but the quarterback play has been dreadful. The defense has played well, but they can’t finish games far too often.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-7)

It’s a tale as old as time; the Jaguars being a frustrating mess of a franchise. The power structure in place of Trent Baalke and Doug Pederson has to be dismantled at this point. You aren’t gonna get rid of QB Trevor Lawrence after you just paid him, but I don’t know that anyone can get him back on track at this point.

Las Vegas Raiders (2-7)

The dysfunction will continue with this franchise with Mark Davis as the owner. In the latter years of his late father Al, it didn’t look any different than it does now. Will they find another new head coach after this season is over? Who the hell is gonna be their next quarterback of the future? The problems start at the top and it ain’t gonna change anytime soon.

Dallas Cowboys (3-5)

Of course QB Dak Prescott gets hurt and will miss multiple games. This joke of a season for them needs to be studied for many years of what not to do with a premier franchise like the Cowboys. Time is up for Jerry Jones.

New York Giants (2-7)

Even with the very few bright spots, there is still a lot that has gone wrong once again for the Giants. The offensive line has regressed and QB Daniel Jones hasn’t shown anymore progress from his career year in 2022. This continuing trend will likely mean there will be a lot of house cleaning once the season is over.

Chicago Bears (4-4)

There were glimpses of hope when the season started. However, they are heading into a downward spiral after that Hail Mary play in Washington. QB Caleb Williams has shown flashes of why he was the number one pick, but he is playing ‘hero ball’ way too much when it isn’t necessary. Why don’t they run the ball more to take pressure off of Williams?

Carolina Panthers (2-7)

They’ve essentially given up on QB Bryce Young and other than RB Chuba Hubbard and rookie WR Xavier Legette the offense needs a complete overhaul again. It’ll be interesting to see if owner David Tepper once again changes head coaches, but for now they can at least look forward to having their first round pick in the upcoming draft.

New Orleans Saints (2-7)

Losing seven straight games finally forced their hand and they fired head coach Dennis Allen. They should go further after the season and say thanks, but no more to general manager Mickey Loomis as well. They are still gonna be in ‘cap hell’ and this aging roster should have been overhauled many years ago.

Seattle Seahawks (4-5)

For their sake they are fortunate that they didn’t give QB Geno Smith more than a 3-year extension when his contract was up before last season. In the meantime they are throwing the ball way too much with the inconsistent offensive line and they should be running it more with RB Kenneth Walker. The defense hasn’t improved and head coach Mike McDonald isn’t adapting and making in-game adjustments when they warrant them.