October has been designated as Nationwide Constructive Angle Month. Whereas individuals across the nation discover themselves coping with various challenges, stresses and alternatives of their on a regular basis lives, the thought behind Nationwide Constructive Angle Month is to encourage individuals to view issues with a “glass half full” perspective.
The NFL season has wrapped up its first quarter of the season, and a number of other storylines have already begun to emerge throughout the league. This week, Yardbarker’s NFL writers assembled to establish one optimistic growth from every workforce because the league heads into October.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Photos
DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2-1) | Greatest optimistic: Dak Prescott’s high-level play | The Cowboys could be 0-4 if it weren’t for his or her No. 1 quarterback maintaining them in video games late. Dallas leads the league in offense with 404.3 yards per recreation and ranks final within the league in protection, permitting 420.5 yards per recreation. Prescott leads the NFL in passing yards (1,119) and, in Week 4, led the offense to 40 factors simply to get a tie and keep away from a loss.
NEW YORK GIANTS (1-3) | Greatest optimistic: Rookies offering hope | The rookie trio of quarterback Jaxson Dart, operating again Cam Skattebo and outdoors linebacker Abdul Carter isn’t simply giving hope for the longer term, however hope for the remainder of the season. All three began their first recreation collectively in Week 4 and contributed to the Giants’ first win. Carter has the eleventh most quarterback pressures (19) up to now this season, and if the trio continues to progress in the precise course, the Giants might even see themselves within the win column extra typically than they anticipated.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-0) | Greatest optimistic: Particular groups wins video games |
In 2024, the Eagles didn’t block a discipline purpose, however in 2025, they’ve already blocked two and returned one for a landing. In Week 4, the Eagles’ particular groups got here up huge once more with a blocked punt returned for a landing, making Philadelphia the first team since they did it themselves in 2014 to have consecutive video games with a blocked kick/punt returned for a landing. Whereas particular groups is commonly ignored, for the Eagles, it has helped preserve them unbeaten via 4 weeks.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-2) | Greatest optimistic: Roster depth | With No. 1 operating again Austin Ekler out for the yr attributable to an Achilles harm, No. 2 operating again Jacory Croskey-Merritt has carried out a strong job, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Maybe extra impressively is that backup quarterback Marcus Mariota saved the workforce afloat whereas Jayden Daniels heals from a knee harm, going 1-1 in his two begins. The standard of their depth typically distinguishes good groups and dangerous groups, and the Commanders have demonstrated that their bench gamers can step up when known as upon.
— Conor Killmurray
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers center linebacker Fred Warner.
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Photos
ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-2) | Greatest optimistic: Line of defense | If not for back-to-back losses through walk-off discipline targets, the Cardinals could possibly be 4-0. On the brilliant aspect, the rebuilt defensive position has appeared flawless with veteran Calais Campbell main the league in sacks from an inside defender (three), whereas free agent signing Josh Sweat ranks third within the league amongst edge defenders in cross rush with a 30% win fee. Arizona’s protection has been a problem for opposing groups up to now, and that ought to proceed with a positive Week 5 matchup at house in opposition to the 0-4 Tennessee Titans.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-1) | Greatest optimistic: Puka Nacua’s historic tempo | The third-year wideout has merely been sensational via 4 video games. With 170 yards in Sunday’s win over the beforehand unbeaten Indianapolis Colts, Nacua has an NFL-best 503 receiving yards and 42 receptions, that are tied together with his former teammate Cooper Kupp (2022) and Michael Thomas (2018) for the most in the first four games of the season in NFL historical past, per NFL.com.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-1) | Greatest optimistic: Fred Warner’s affect | Though the 49ers protection has but to document an interception this season, it has been top-of-the-line models within the NFL. Spearheading that protection is the veteran Warner, who has a team-high 38 complete tackles to associate with two tackles for loss, three passes defended, two pressured fumbles and one fumble restoration. His 17 profession pressured fumbles are the most in franchise history, surpassing Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Patrick Willis, leaving little doubt of the affect he continues to make on an elite protection.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-1) | Greatest optimistic: Secondary | Along with some highlights from its particular workforce unit, the Seattle protection has appeared a lot better than final season below second-year head coach Mike MacDonald, particularly within the secondary. The seven interceptions are tied with the Chicago Bears for the second-most, and the 76.4 opponent common passer ranking is fourth. Aside from a slim Week 1 loss to the 49ers, the Seahawks are flying excessive after 4 weeks of play.
— Colby Colwell
NFC North
Chicago Bears vast receiver Rome Odunze.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Photos
CHICAGO BEARS (2-2) | Greatest optimistic: Rome Odunze’s breakout | Nobody is happier to have head coach Ben Johnson on the town than Odunze, who’s already thriving in Chicago’s new offensive system. Via 4 video games, the second-year vast receiver has 20 catches, 296 yards and 5 touchdowns. Caleb Williams formally has his No. 1 goal for years to come back.
DETROIT LIONS (3-1) | Greatest optimistic: Offense with out Ben Johnson | Talking of Johnson, Lions followers have been begging for him to come back again after the offense managed simply 13 factors and three.8 yards per play in opposition to the Packers in Week 1. Since then, although, Detroit scored 52 factors in opposition to the Bears, 38 in opposition to the Ravens and 34 in opposition to the Browns, mixing in a ton of artistic play calls alongside the best way. The Lions, which now lead the NFL in factors per recreation (34.3), appear like they’ll be simply fantastic with out Johnson calling the photographs.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1-1) | Greatest optimistic: Passing recreation | Inexperienced Bay’s passing offense, which ranks fourth within the NFL in yards per try (8.3), has been some of the environment friendly within the league this season. Jordan Love leads the NFL in adjusted EPA per play (0.356) and ranks second in completion proportion (76.4 %) and fifth in success fee (53.0 %). This passing assault is a nightmare for opponents to arrange for as a result of Love spreads the ball round so successfully.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-2) | Greatest optimistic: Secondary | The Vikings aren’t getting the quarterback play they should attain their targets, however the cross protection will preserve them aggressive in most video games. Minnesota’s protection ranks first within the NFL in dropback EPA (-0.272) and third in passing yards allowed per recreation (151.5) via 4 weeks. Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers has been top-of-the-line within the enterprise this yr, as he’s already recorded two pressured fumbles, one fumble restoration, one interception and two defensive touchdowns.
— Jack Dougherty
NFC South
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photos
ATLANTA FALCONS (2-2) | Greatest optimistic: Operating again Bijan Robinson | The third-year again has been among the many league’s most dynamic gamers via 4 weeks and is on tempo for two,482 yards from scrimmage. Based mostly on his present manufacturing, Robinson is on observe to turn into the fourth participant in NFL historical past with 1,000 speeding yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the identical season, becoming a member of Roger Craig (1985), Marshall Faulk (1999) and Christian McCaffrey (2019). (h/t Stathead)
CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-3) | Greatest optimistic: Run blocking | The floor numbers say in any other case — the Panthers are averaging 3.9 yards per carry, No. 23 within the NFL — however Carolina’s run–blocking has been a energy via 4 video games, coming into Week 5 No. 7 in ESPN’s run-block win rate rankings. Amongst 43 qualifying backs, offseason free-agent acquisition operating again Rico Dowdle ranks final in rush yards over anticipated (RYOE) per try (-1.5), according to NFL Pro data, additional illustrating the Panthers’ unimpressive speeding numbers aren’t a results of struggles up entrance.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-4) | Greatest optimistic: Quarterback growth |
Whereas New Orleans is the final winless NFC workforce, the season hasn’t been an entire dumpster hearth, with quarterback Spencer Rattler taking significant steps in the precise course, rising his completion proportion from final season 10.1 proportion factors, throwing extra touchdowns and fewer interceptions and trusting his legs extra as a runner. The Saints may be out there for a quarterback with extra upside within the 2026 NFL Draft, and Rattler’s progress is a optimistic signal that head coach Kellen Moore will be capable to develop whoever his franchise quarterback is.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-1) | Greatest optimistic: Run protection | Tampa Bay is the only team in the NFL to carry its first 4 opponents below 100 speeding yards, and it additionally ranks second within the league in yards allowed per rush try (3.3), which is a exceptional accomplishment contemplating it’s confronted two of the league’s finest operating backs, Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson. The staunch Bucs run protection is nothing new, with the unit holding its final 13 opponents (together with playoffs) below 100 speeding yards, the league’s longest active streak.
— Eric Smithling
AFC East
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
Brian Fluharty-Imagn Photos
BUFFALO BILLS (4-0) | Greatest optimistic: A robust begin | With 30 or extra factors scored in every of the workforce’s first 4 video games, the undefeated Payments are off to their finest begin since 1992, after they represented the AFC in Tremendous Bowl XXVI. After opening the season with a one-point victory over the Baltimore Ravens, the Payments have outscored opponents 92-50 whereas posting the second-most yards per recreation (404.0) of any workforce.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-3) | Greatest optimistic: Put up-Tyreek Hill plans |
Hill’s season-ending knee harm was hard to watch , however with no assured cash past 2025, Miami has no cause to maintain the 31-year-old receiver and may save $28M in opposition to subsequent yr’s cap by letting him go. Regardless of the workforce’s 27-21 victory over the New York Jets on “Monday Evening Soccer,” the Dolphins are clearly not prepared for primetime and may put Hill’s cash to good use as they appear to rebuild in 2026.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-2) | Greatest optimistic: Drake Maye is OK | New England’s 42 factors scored in opposition to Carolina have been a career-high for Maye and probably the most for the reason that workforce beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 50-10 in 2021. The second-year quarterback went 14-17 for 203 yards and two scores in opposition to the Panthers on Sunday, ending with a career-best 155.6 quarterback ranking, and is at the moment the NFL’s sixth-leading passer with 988 yards.
NEW YORK JETS (0-4) | Justin Fields’ legs |
Solely the Payments (654) and Commanders (619) have run for extra yards than the Jets (578), who common 5.2 yards per carry with out a top-10 rusher. Operating again Breece Corridor ranks nineteenth with 238 yards, however amongst quarterbacks, solely Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts has extra yards (179) than Fields, who ran for 81 yards and a rating in opposition to the Dolphins and led the workforce in speeding in two of his first three begins.
— Bruce Ewing
AFC West
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Photos
DENVER BRONCOS (2-2) | Greatest optimistic: Move-rushing duo |
Per the team’s Instagram page, Jonathon Cooper has stated he and fellow LB Nik Bonitto are “all the time in a race to the quarterback.” Bonitto holds a slight lead within the contest with 4.5 sacks in 4 video games, however Cooper isn’t far behind with 2.5. The pleasant competitors has benefited Denver, which leads the league in sacks (15).
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-2) | Greatest optimistic: WR Xavier Worthy is again | With Worthy again within the lineup, the Chiefs’ Twelfth-ranked passing assault (221.8 YPG) ought to regain its footing. After lacking two video games due to a dislocated tight shoulder, Worthy had 5 receptions for 83 yards in a 37-20 Week 4 win over the Baltimore Ravens. In his postgame news conference, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes stated Worthy confirmed he’s a do-everything WR and expects him to stay in that function for the remainder of the season.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-3) | Greatest optimistic: Rookie RB Ashton Jeanty’s returning to his pre-snap stance at Boise State | On Monday, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll stated he “beloved” Jeanty going again to his faculty pre-snap stance in Week 4 in opposition to the Chicago Bears. In contrast to most RBs who stand like a basketball participant enjoying protection, the Boise State product stood together with his fingers at his sides. It clearly made a distinction, as he rushed for a season-high 138 yards and one TD on 21 carries within the 25-24 loss to Chicago.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (3-1) | Greatest optimistic: Third-year WR Quentin Johnston’s breakout | Johnston was thought-about a possible bust after struggling with drops in his first two seasons. Now, the 2023 first-rounder is changing into one of many league’s extra productive receivers. Via 4 video games, the TCU product ranks third within the league in receiving yards (337) and is tied for third in TD catches (4).
— Clark Dalton
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos
BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-3) | Greatest optimistic: The offense remains to be dynamic | Even with the 1-3 document, you possibly can’t actually put a lot blame on quarterback Lamar Jackson and the offense. They’ve scored no less than 20 factors in each recreation, 30 factors in three video games and 40 factors in two video games. That may endure a bit if Jackson misses a while, however the offense has performed nicely sufficient to be no less than 3-1 as a substitute of 1-3 at this level.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-2) | Greatest optimistic: Ja’Marr Chase remains to be nice |
There was nothing overly spectacular in regards to the Bengals’ 2-2 begin, particularly after the final two video games with out quarterback Joe Burrow. Positives are few and much between right here, however Chase remains to be having an important season with 26 catches and 264 yards, placing him on a tempo for 110 catches and 1,122 yards over 17 video games.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-3) | Greatest optimistic: The rookie class appears to be like sturdy |
This was all the time going to be an extended yr for the Browns and one other rebuilding yr, and that’s why it’s so necessary that their rookie class has already made a huge impact. Defensive lineman Mason Graham, linebacker Carson Schwesinger and operating backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson have all already made impacts, and now quarterback Dillon Gabriel is getting his alternative.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (3-1) | Greatest optimistic: Aaron Rodgers nonetheless has one thing left |
Rodgers will not be the MVP-level participant he was at his peak for the Green Bay Packers, however there’s no less than one thing left in his arm and he’s giving the Steelers the perfect quarterback play they’ve had in no less than 5 – 6 years. They don’t want him to be MVP Aaron Rodgers; they only want him to be an excellent, succesful NFL quarterback. That’s what they’re getting.
— Adam Gretz
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones.
Steve Roberts-Imagn Photos
HOUSTON TEXANS (1-3) | Greatest optimistic: An elite cross rush | Houston has arguably the perfect pass-rush duo within the NFL with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. The 2 have mixed for seven sacks on the season and helped Houston shut out the Titans 26-0 in Week 4. The Texans lead the NFL with simply 12.8 factors allowed per recreation, and their capability to get after the quarterback has overwhelmed opposing offenses.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-1) | | Greatest optimistic: The rebirth of QB Daniel Jones | Jones threw his first two interceptions of the season in a Week 4 loss to the Rams, however he has been excellent total with the Colts. The previous first-round choose has accomplished 71.9 % of his passes for 1,078 yards, which ranks third within the NFL. Jones has additionally accounted for seven touchdowns and has Indy wanting like one of many shock groups of 2025.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-1) | | Greatest optimistic: Having a nostril for the soccer | The Jaguars lead the NFL via 4 video games with a plus-nine turnover margin. They’ve a whopping 13 takeaways, together with 9 interceptions. LB Devin Lloyd had three picks and cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who signed a $30M take care of Jacksonville in free company, has two. New HC Liam Coen’s workforce is off to a sizzling begin primarily as a result of it has pressured opposing groups into errors.
TENNESSEE TITANS (0-4) | | Greatest optimistic: LB Cedric Grey’s growth | Following an injury-plagued rookie season in 2024, Grey has emerged as a possible anchor of Tennessee’s protection. He had a career-high 17 complete tackles (10 solo) in Week 4 and ranks 12th in the NFL in complete tackles via 4 video games. Grey, a former fourth-round select of North Carolina, appears to be like like he might become top-of-the-line linebackers in soccer.
— Steve DelVecchio
