Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray will be wonderful when he desires to be.
If Kyler Murray began video games with a fireplace beneath his ass, the Cardinals is perhaps 4-0 proper now. He has been at his worst in the course of the first quarter of video games this season. Regardless of averaging 222.5 complete yards per recreation, he’s being held to 32.3 complete yards within the first quarter. Then, he turns it on within the second half, the place his quarterback ranking jumps from an 83.6 by the primary two quarters to a 92.5. He wants to determine the way to come out of the gates with the pedal to the steel.
Atlanta Falcons
That’s what it appears to be like like when the offense lives as much as the hype.
Each current first-round draft decide on the offensive aspect of the ball performed a significant position of their win this weekend. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had his finest recreation of the season, throwing for 313 yards and two TDs on the way in which to a 126 quarterback ranking. Vast receiver Drake London and tight finish Kyle Pitts had season-highs in receiving yards whereas every catching a landing. And naturally, operating again Bijan Robinson had 181 scrimmage yards and a TD. This has the potential to be the most effective offensive crew within the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens
This season is perhaps a wash.
Of their three losses, they’re giving up 38.7 factors per recreation whereas permitting 435 yards on common, which might simply be the worst mark within the NFL. They only misplaced their finest defensive sort out for the season and are coping with accidents to a number of key starters, together with two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. The Ravens have a stretch of winnable video games after the bye week, however they’re 1-3 proper now and are so banged up that they won’t even be in rivalry for a playoff spot by the point they get to Week Eight. There’s a very actual chance that they’re 1-6 coming off the bye, particularly if Lamar Jackson has to overlook time.
Buffalo Payments
That is the most effective crew within the AFC, even when they haven’t performed anyone good.
The groups they’ve gone up towards are a mixed 2-14 on the season, however they’ve nonetheless managed to appear like the most effective squad of their convention. Josh Allen continues to play at an MVP stage whereas the protection has managed to climate a slew of accidents and suspensions, permitting simply 22.5 factors per recreation with out essential gamers like Ed Oliver, Matt Milano, Maxwell Hairston, Larry Ogunjobi, and Michael Hoecht. Proper now, they’re enjoying higher than the Chargers, Steelers, Jaguars, and Colts. If they’ll beat the Chiefs in Week 9, then they’ll be positioned to earn the number-one seed within the AFC.
Carolina Panthers
There’s no clear course ahead for this franchise.
There isn’t a fast repair for this crew as a result of they’re so unhealthy in so many alternative areas. Bryce Younger is a bust, and taking him with the primary decide within the 2023 NFL Draft set this group again a number of years. You don’t know if Dave Canales is an efficient coach as a result of he’s working with a horrible roster. The crew doesn’t care for the soccer and is twenty sixth in scoring, even after placing up 30 on the Falcons. It seems like the one method ahead is to search out one other quarterback, however they must hope that they lose sufficient video games to safe a prime draft decide. It could be silly to proceed to behave like Bryce Younger is the way forward for this crew.
Chicago Bears
The winds of change are blowing in Chicago.
That was a great recreation for altering the tradition of this franchise. Final yr, the Bears would lose that recreation 9 occasions out of ten. They couldn’t cease Raiders operating again Ashton Jeanty, Maxx Crosby appeared dominant, and Caleb Williams had an interception and virtually two misplaced fumbles. Regardless of all of this stuff working towards them, the Bears nonetheless held on for a win over a crew that they have been clearly higher than. That has not been a typical incidence within the Windy Metropolis. Perhaps head coach Ben Johnson actually is making a successful ambiance in Chicago.
Cincinnati Bengals
They should discover one other quarterback to exchange Jake Browning.
The Jake Browning experiment ought to come to an finish after two disastrous offensive performances. He shouldn’t be blamed for the entire Bengals’ misfortunes, however since changing into the full-time starter in reduction of an injured Joe Burrow, Cincy has been outscored 76-13. On the similar time, he’s solely averaging 132.5 passing yards per recreation throughout that stretch, which might be the bottom mark within the league for a beginning QB. After seeing the dissatisfaction on the faces of Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase final night time, it’s evident that the Bengals have to make a transfer for a quarterback who can get these guys the soccer.
Cleveland Browns
They need to not nonetheless be beginning Joe Flacco.
He ranks thirty second out of 33 quarterbacks in QBR and thirty third in passer ranking. The Browns have one win beneath their belt, however that had extra to do with their protection and particular groups than Joe Flacco, who had a season-low 142 yards in that recreation. They’ve two rookie quarterbacks sitting on the bench. They should discover out if both a kind of guys is price something as a result of Cleveland will as soon as once more have a excessive draft decide and can have the ability to take a quarterback this April in the event that they’re so inclined. Earlier than that, they have to decide if Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders will be starters on this league.
Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott has been a top-five QB this season.
You’re allowed to have your points with Dak Prescott and name him a playoff choker, however he has been undeniably good by the primary 4 video games of the yr. He’s third in completion proportion (72.9%), first in passing yards, and fourth in QBR. Plus, he’s doing this whereas his finest vast receiver is coping with an damage. Prescott has additionally helped Dallas lead the league in yards per recreation whereas rating fifth in factors. Some individuals are going to reject this concept, however Dak ought to be checked out as an MVP candidate. Joe Burrow can get that remedy in 2024, so why can’t Dak be seen the identical method in 2025?
Denver Broncos
This squad doesn’t play right down to its competitors.
Because the begin of final season, Denver is 10-0 towards groups with dropping data. Admittedly, they’ve points beating the higher groups within the league, however they’re not going to fumble away straightforward victories towards the NFL’s bottom-feeders. Exterior of the opening drive final night time, the place the Bengals scored a discipline objective, at no level did the sport really feel all that shut. There have been possibly some issues after the Broncos punted on their opening drive, however then Denver scored 4 unanswered touchdowns on their solution to demolishing Cincinnati. Now, they should begin placing collectively wins towards the NFL’s good groups in the event that they need to impress folks.
Detroit Lions
They’re the favorites to win the NFC North.
Keep in mind when there have been worries concerning the Lions regressing this yr after their disappointing Week One efficiency towards the Packers? That seems like one million years in the past. Detroit at present leads the league in scoring whereas having the fourth-best turnover differential within the NFL. Plus, Aidan Hutchinson appears to be like just like the participant he was earlier than his devastating leg damage. The Packers, Vikings, and Bears all have main flaws, whether or not or not it’s teaching, protection, quarterback play, or one thing else. That isn’t the case for the Lions, who at present stand alone in first place within the NFC North.
Inexperienced Bay Packers
The Packers misplaced that tie.
When followers of your divisional rivals are dunking in your crew for tying, that’s not a great factor! Inexperienced Bay had each alternative to win that recreation on Sunday, but they one way or the other wound up with a tie. You get the ball to Dallas’ 25 with 1:15 left within the recreation and a timeout, but you don’t discover the top zone after scoring in your earlier 4 consecutive drives? That’s teaching malpractice and a waste of a wonderful efficiency by quarterback Jordan Love. The particular groups unit clearly didn’t be taught something from its Week Three failures after giving up a two-point defensive conversion on a blocked further level that modified the sport dramatically.
Houston Texans
That recreation was desperately wanted.
Each recreation Houston has been on this season, main as much as Week 4, has been an absolute dogfight. So it was good to see H-City draw back within the fourth quarter and soundly beat the pitiful Tennessee Titans. C.J. Stroud had an ideal recreation, finishing 78% of his passes for a season-high 223 yards and two touchdowns. The Texans additionally managed to get rookies Jayden Higgins and Woody Marks concerned within the win, which was a welcome change. If they’ll beat a reeling Ravens crew subsequent week, they’ll be proper again within the playoff hunt.
Indianapolis Colts
As disappointing because the loss was, no person ought to be down on the Colts.
It didn’t really feel just like the Rams received that recreation, however fairly, the Colts misplaced it. Adonai Mitchell had that all-time boneheaded fumble after which was referred to as for holding on what would’ve been a go-ahead 53-yard landing run. Both method, the Indy confirmed out on the street towards among the best groups in soccer and is a misplaced fumble away from doubtlessly being 4-0. The excellent news is that the Colts ought to have the ability to flip issues round towards the spiraling Raiders this weekend.
Jacksonville Jaguars
This crew is a official contender.
This protection is frightening good and extremely opportunistic, which might clarify why they lead the league in takeaways with 13 (three greater than the subsequent closest crew). They’ve a balanced offensive assault that ranks tenth in complete yards per recreation. Additionally they care for the soccer as one in every of simply seven groups with out a misplaced fumble this season. Their greatest take a look at comes this coming Monday towards the Chiefs. Ought to they win that recreation, we’d have to begin mentioning them in Tremendous Bowl discussions.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
The offense is just going to proceed to get higher from right here.
Perhaps the Chiefs’ dynasty wasn’t over? Perhaps they simply didn’t have their full set of offensive weapons? They could’ve been enjoying the down-and-out Ravens, however the crew we noticed on Sunday appeared method higher than the squad we noticed within the first three weeks of the season. Xavier Worthy is a big a part of this offense, and he may have much more alternatives to make performs when fellow vast receiver Rashee Rice returns to the sector in Week Seven. His presence will make the passing assault higher, which will even make the operating recreation higher.
Las Vegas Raiders
Vegas wants to handle the QB place within the low season.
Geno Smith has been one of the disappointing gamers within the NFL this season. In a recreation the place he wasn’t sacked as soon as, he solely threw for 114 yards and turned the ball over 3 times. That’s unacceptable from a veteran QB who has the fifth most passing yards within the NFL because the begin of the 2023-24 season. The transfer to amass Geno Smith was all the time going to be a short-term answer to Vegas’ quarterback points. Now, although, with the way in which he’s enjoying, the Raiders might want to use a premium decide on a QB within the 2026 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles Chargers
The offensive line accidents are lastly taking a toll on this crew.
When Rashawn Slater went down within the coaching camp, it critically damage the Chargers’ offensive skills, however they’d sufficient time earlier than the season began to reconfigure the O-line. Then Savion Washington and Mekhi Becton suffered accidents, which LA managed to work by. Now, they’re coping with an damage to Joe Alt, which clearly affected their skill to neutralize the Giants’ go rush, main to 2 sacks and two interceptions. If Joe Alt has to overlook a number of video games, the Chargers may find yourself falling out of first within the AFC West.
Los Angeles Rams
A response like that’s the reason the Rams are a Tremendous Bowl contender.
Final week, I dubbed Los Angeles’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles as the worst loss of the Sean McVay era. After gifting away a recreation that they have been alleged to win, the Rams needed to flip round and host an undefeated Colts crew. They responded with a large come-from-behind win regardless of trailing within the fourth quarter. Following a fumble by operating again Kyren Williams that allowed Indy to go forward 20-13, the Rams answered with two touchdowns and an interception to safe the win. Moments like that outline Tremendous Bowl contenders, which is what the Rams are.
Miami Dolphins
That felt like a Jets loss and never a Dolphins win.
Miami received that recreation as a result of the New York Jets mainly handed them the victory. They misplaced three fumbles, which resulted in two touchdowns. Additionally, they have been penalized 13 occasions for 101 yards and had a landing taken off the board due to an offensive go interference penalty. The Dolphins have been merely the much less sh*tty crew on Monday. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was first rate, and operating again De’Von Achane had a great recreation, however Miami was nonetheless pummeled for 197 speeding yards. In the event that they have been dealing with a reliable crew, the ‘Phins would doubtless be 0-4.
Minnesota Vikings
The way in which they dealt with the quarterback place within the low season is hurting the crew’s prospects this yr.
Minnesota did all the pieces it might to make quarterback J.J. McCarthy really feel snug, to the purpose the place they handicapped themselves if he didn’t work out, which is why the Vikes are 2-2 proper now as an alternative of 3-1. Minnesota knew that if it introduced in a good backup QB, it could put further pointless stress on J.J. McCarthy. So as an alternative of signing Marcus Mariota, Daniel Jones, Mac Jones, or Sam Darnold – who all have wins this season – they introduced in Carson Wentz, who hadn’t received a recreation he began since January of 2024. If the Vikings had a great backup, they’d be tied for first place within the NFC North. As a substitute, they determined to make J.J. McCarthy really feel snug, and at the moment are in third place of their division.
New England Patriots
Drake Maye is the true deal.
The Pats have some evident points, however second-year quarterback Drake Maye isn’t one in every of them. He has the best completion proportion within the NFL and is ninth in passing yards per recreation, forward of men like Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield, and Lamar Jackson. He additionally has the fifth-best quarterback ranking within the league behind solely Lamar Jackson, Jared Goff, Jordan Love, and Josh Allen. If the Patriots had a greater offensive line, we is perhaps speaking about Drake Maye as an MVP candidate, contemplating he’s taken for the third-most sacks within the NFL this season.
New Orleans Saints
They’re who we thought they have been.
It was enjoyable and cute once they have been enjoying middle-of-the-road groups shut the primary two weeks of the season, however the Saints confirmed their true colours towards two of the higher groups within the league. During the last two weeks, they’ve been outscored 75 to 32. They battle with scoring on each side of the ball (twenty eighth in scoring offense and thirtieth in scoring protection). In a best-case situation, the Saints end the season 5-12, and that’s provided that they beat the worst groups within the league. In actuality, although, they received’t win all of these video games, so their report might be even worse than that.
New York Giants
It wasn’t fairly, nevertheless it was a rattling win!
Do you know that the Giants have solely 4 wins of their final 21 video games? Clearly, victories have been laborious to return by within the Massive Apple, however this previous weekend, the G-Males defeated among the best groups within the NFL with a rookie quarterback on the helm. Even on a day when he took 5 sacks, Jaxson Dart didn’t flip the ball over and scored two touchdowns. That’s the form of efficiency you need to see from a 22-year-old enjoying towards a probable playoff crew. That units the tone for the remainder of the yr and really creates a sense of hope in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
New York Jets
Aaron Glenn hasn’t modified something relating to the tradition of this franchise.
Gang Inexperienced introduced in Aaron Glenn to be a no-nonsense coach who eliminates errors and psychological errors. Nicely, guess what, the Jets nonetheless make a ton of errors and psychological errors. Their 32 penalties are the tenth-most within the league this season. On prime of that, they lead the NFL in misplaced fumbles, which speaks extra to the carelessness of gamers versus precise expertise points. Perhaps there are too many gamers from the outdated regime for Aaron Glenn to make any efficient modifications to the Jets’ tradition, however issues don’t look good in New York.
Philadelphia Eagles
They’re the most effective crew within the NFC.
This group simply does so many issues properly. They’re seventh in scoring offense and solely have one turnover on the yr. They clearly have an elite offensive line, which is why they’re tied for second in speeding touchdowns this season. To not point out, they’re tied for fifth in opponent passer ranking allowed and solely let opponents convert 37% of their third downs, which might be good for tenth within the league final season. They’re particular groups unit has two touchdowns and has additionally made each discipline objective and additional level try they’ve tried. It doesn’t matter the place they’re or who they’re enjoying; the Eagles are the most effective crew within the NFC.
Pittsburgh Steelers
If that’s how the protection appears to be like, this group will make some noise within the postseason.
They’re second within the league in turnover differential as a result of they’ll report takeaways whereas Aaron Rodgers manages to restrict interceptions. They is perhaps in direction of the underside of the league in scoring protection at present, however they’ve held opponents to 17.5 factors per recreation of their final two contests. Extra importantly, they’re tied for second in sacks, thanks partially to accidents alongside the Vikings’ offense line. They don’t must register six sacks per recreation like they did towards the Vikes, however producing stress on opposing quarterbacks offers this crew all the pieces it must make a significant playoff run for the primary time in years.
San Francisco 49ers
That was an enormous wasted alternative.
San Fran had an opportunity to enter Week 5 undefeated with a small cushion for once they play the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Evening Soccer. As a substitute, there’s an opportunity they are going to fall to second place within the NFC West after they gave the ball away 4 occasions to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The worst half concerning the loss is that it got here with Brock Purdy beginning, so Niners followers can’t even use the excuse that they’d’ve received if Mac Jones wasn’t enjoying. They want their vast receiving corps to get wholesome; in any other case, this crew is not going to come wherever near sniffing the Tremendous Bowl.
Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold appears to be like just like the man within the Pacific Northwest.
Sam Darnold is a top-ten passer, and he has the stats to again up that declare. He’s tenth in QBR (65.9) and sixth in passer ranking (106.5). He has additionally displayed wonderful pocket consciousness, as confirmed by the truth that he has solely taken six sacks this season. He did have that awkward fumble in his first recreation of the season, however since then, he has not value his crew any video games with turnovers. Courting again to the beginning of final season, he’s sixth in quarterback ranking behind Lamar Jackson, Jared Goff, Joe Burrow, Baker Mayfield, and Jalen Hurts. He has actually come into his personal during the last two years and given Seattle a quarterback that they’ll construct round.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There are many positives and negatives from this weekend.
That recreation was an actual combined bag of feelings for Buccaneers followers. They went down early, and the vibes plummeted once they have been dealing with a 24-3 deficit within the second quarter. Then, issues started to shift slightly bit after they made a ridiculous 65-yard discipline objective. They didn’t present any stop within the face of adversity and even made it a one-score recreation at one level within the fourth quarter, which speaks to the resilience that they’ve proven all yr lengthy. Do they win that recreation if Mike Evans performs? We don’t know. However they are going to doubtless must face the Eagles once more sooner or later in the event that they need to win a Tremendous Bowl. Perhaps subsequent time, they received’t spot Philly a 21-point lead.
Tennessee Titans
That is the worst crew within the NFL.
They’ve their franchise quarterback and an elite defensive lineman, however that doesn’t negate the truth that this group is “ass,” as Cam Ward put it. They rank within the backside 5 within the following classes: yards per recreation (thirty first), passing (thirty second), speeding (twenty ninth), factors per recreation (thirty second), speeding yards allowed (twenty eighth), factors allowed (twenty ninth), sacks given up (thirty first), and passer ranking (thirty first). There ought to be official issues that they are going to spoil Cam Ward earlier than he even has an opportunity to show he belongs within the league. One thing wants to alter in Tennessee ASAP.
Washington Commanders
There ought to be issues concerning the protection.
They stink at forcing turnovers and have a very robust time stopping opponents from passing the ball. The truth is, they’re twenty eighth in passer ranking allowed and one way or the other didn’t report an interception towards the Raiders’ Geno Smith, who’s virtually giving INTs away with a league-leading seven in simply 4 video games. They’ve ten sacks, however half of these got here in only one recreation. Jayden Daniels was in a position to masks among the crew’s deficiencies final yr, however this isn’t the kind of efficiency that we now have come to anticipate from a defensive-minded coach like Dan Quinn.
