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

New England Patriots (7-2)

It turns out all QB Drake Maye needed was a competent coaching staff to realize his potential. The defense has played well too as the Patriots are quickly becoming contenders again.

Buffalo Bills (6-2)

They are playing much better after their bye week. QB Josh Allen is still playing at a MVP level and RB James Cook is back on track as well. Their defense is a gigantic weak spot though.

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)

They’re only here for the simple fact that they are atop the AFC North. The defense has been hit or miss this season and the offense is all over the place. They should be running away with the division, but that loss to Cincinnati is gonna hurt them.

Indianapolis Colts (7-2)

Their recent acquisition of CB Sauce Gardner shows they are serious about winning right now. RB Jonathan Taylor is having a MVP season and if QB Daniel Jones can keep the ship steady they could be hosting a playoff game or two.

Denver Broncos (7-2)

The offense has looked dreadful at times, but this team is winning thanks in large part to their defense. Even having CB Patrick Surtain go down to injury, they haven’t skipped a beat. This could change when they start playing Kansas City.

Los Angeles Chargers (6-3)

They’ve already got wins against Denver and Kansas City. If they win again they will be in a prime position to win the division. QB Justin Herbert in the meantime has been fleeing for his life with the injuries mounting on the offensive line.

Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)

QB Patrick Mahomes is playing at the level we were accustomed to seeing him play when he entered the league. The defense has been a let down this season, but they usually button it up at this point of the season.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)

Even with all of the turmoil that surrounds this franchise they play in a winnable division and as long as the offense continues to outscore their opponents they’ll be in the playoffs once again.

Green Bay Packers (5-2-1)

For the most part this team has played well, but they have had far too many games in which they have huge letdowns. They remain atop the division, but it probably won’t be for long if they continue this way.

Detroit Lions (5-3)

This team is dependent on running the ball and if they don’t do that effectively the result is what you see currently. Yet, when they are running the ball effectively everything clicks on offense. The defense has played well to the surprise of many.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)

They’ve played in many close contests this season and come out on top in most of them. QB Baker Mayfield has cooled down a bit, but he remains the glue for this franchise to succeed.

Seattle Seahawks (6-2)

The defense is clicking and QB Sam Darnold is proving that last season’s success in Minnesota was no fluke. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is quickly becoming one of the best receivers in the league.

Los Angeles Rams (6-2)

QB Matthew Stafford should be considered by more to be a MVP candidate. Their defense has played well and they should be vying for a top spot atop the NFC.

San Francisco 49ers (6-3)

It’s amazing that they are in the position they are with the amount of injuries that have plagued the roster, especially on defense. A healthy RB Christian McCaffrey has made all the difference on offense.

Outside Looking In

Carolina Panthers (5-4)

If RB Rico Dowdle wasn’t racking up the yards that he has been this team wouldn’t be in this position. With how wide open the NFC is they might actually be in contention for a Wild Card spot.

Chicago Bears (5-3)

The offense is functioning and there seems to be a balance between running the ball and passing it. The defense has had a lot of miscues and that doesn’t bode well for them down the stretch.

Minnesota Vikings (4-4)

If QB JJ McCarthy can remain healthy for the rest of the season they might have a shot at a playoff spot. The defense is keeping them afloat and having WRs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is a welcome combination.

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)

It’s been a Jekyll and Hyde kind of season for them. One week they look like legitimate contenders, the next they are the worst team in the league. The defense has been good, but QB Trevor Lawrence still has too many moments that make you scratch your head.

Baltimore Ravens (3-5)

They are in this position for the fact that they are starting to get healthier, mainly their QB Lamar Jackson. Also their schedule is incredibly easy for the remainder of the season.

Start Planning For Next Year

Miami Dolphins (2-7)

They’ve already let go of their general manager, but decided to hang on to head coach Mike McDaniel for the rest of the season, go figure. The rot is deep here, but it must be uprooted to make this right.

New York Jets (1-7)

Trading away CB Sauce Gardner and DT Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline did get a nice return, but this is the New York Jets we’re talking about. There are no guarantees that they will get this next rebuild right compared to the other dozens of times.

Cincinnati Bengals (3-6)

The glimmer of hope that they had is now gone. When you lose a game like they did against the Chicago Bears that door is now shut. Why they didn’t trade DE Trey Hendrickson at the trade deadline is beyond me.

Cleveland Browns (2-6)

It’s the Browns. Why would there be any other category to put them than the ‘Start Planning For Next Year’ one?

Houston Texans (3-5)

It’s a bit of a surprise, but if you’ve watched them play this season this is par for the course. The defense has been the lone bright spot, but that offensive line and running back position has been a dud.

Tennessee Titans (1-8)

They’ve already admitted to making a mistake by firing their head coach a few weeks ago. Things really haven’t gotten any better and that surprises no one.

Las Vegas Raiders (2-6)

Why did Pete Carroll give QB Geno Smith a sizable extension after acquiring him from the Seattle Seahawks? Did he forget how inconsistent he was in Seattle when he was there?

Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1)

The Super Bowl drought is going to pass the 30-year mark now. Even with the acquisition of DT Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets it won’t fix the rest of the problems with the defense.

Washington Commanders (3-6)

The season ending injury to RB Austin Ekeler is becoming more daunting as the season goes on. No one is really taking the reins in the backfield and now QB Jayden Daniels will miss some time with his dislocated elbow.

New York Giants (2-7)

When RB Cam Skattebo was lost for the season, that seems to have sucked the life out of the rest of the team. They have looked good at times, but QB Jaxson Dart doesn’t have the reliable targets to throw to which would have been WR Malik Nabers if he didn’t go down before Dart took over.

Atlanta Falcons (3-5)

Just when you think they’ve turned the corner to contention, they go right back to a familiar spot. Having WR Drake London and RB Bijan Robinson isn’t enough as the offense is falling well short of expectations.

New Orleans Saints (1-8)

We all figured they were going to punt on the 2025 season. The results say that is 1,000 percent true. They will ride their second round QB Tyler Shough the rest of the way, but the jury is still out on whether he is the answer going forward.

Arizona Cardinals (3-5)

It would seem that the Kyler Murray experiment is going to be coming to an end after this season. His foot injury has opened an opportunity for backup QB Jacoby Brissett and the offense actually looks cohesive with him. It’s going to be too late for this underwhelming franchise.