Arizona Cardinals
That was the worst Cardinals loss because the flip of the millennium.
The Arizona Cardinals have by no means been all that good, although they’re the oldest franchise within the Nationwide Soccer League. Whereas they’ve 236 losses because the begin of the 2000 season, the loss they suffered by the hands of the beforehand winless Tennessee Titans might need been the worst. They might’ve put this recreation away within the fourth quarter with what would’ve been a 72-yard landing by Emari Demercado. As a substitute, they fumbled the ball away and fully collapsed, permitting 16 unanswered factors to provide the Titans their first win of the season. This crew isn’t going wherever this 12 months, and all people must be vulnerable to shedding their job. A loss like that’s unacceptable on the NFL stage.
Baltimore Ravens
John Harbaugh isn’t on the new seat, however he must be.
As one of many best-run organizations in skilled sports activities, the Baltimore Ravens would by no means contemplate parting methods with a Tremendous Bowl-winning head coach like John Harbaugh. Although his job might be protected for now, it shouldn’t be. He has been outcoached in principally each recreation the Ravens have performed this season. Extra importantly, he hasn’t been in a position to win a Tremendous Bowl with a Corridor of Fame-caliber quarterback at his disposal. The Ravens won’t ever hearth John Harbaugh, however they need to significantly contemplate making a training change if the season continues to unravel the way in which it has over the previous few weeks.
Buffalo Payments
This crew must play tougher.
It seems like Buffalo has been caught on cruise management ever since their Week One win over the Ravens as a result of they haven’t had that many shut video games. From Weeks Two via 4, they comfortably gained all of their matchups by not less than ten factors each time. That’s why it’s worrisome that this squad misplaced at residence to the New England Patriots after they received punched within the mouth for the primary time in weeks. Beforehand, Buffalo let different groups make errors and took care of the soccer to win video games. However on Sunday, they had been those taking pictures themselves within the foot and giving freely a win. They need to play with extra urgency and extra care as a result of the crew we noticed this weekend just isn’t a Tremendous Bowl contender. In the event that they’re going to proceed to commit penalties and switch the ball over, then Buffalo will go one other season with out a Lombardi Trophy.
Carolina Panthers
This crew remains to be dangerous, however the Dolphins are worse.
The Carolina Panthers could have overwhelmed the Miami Dolphins in spectacular style, however who cares? The ‘Phins are one of many worst groups within the Nationwide Soccer League. They’re so dangerous that they choked away a 17-point result in the Carolina Panthers, who’ve solely 9 wins of their final 39 video games. If the Cats had been dealing with a reliable or well-run group, they’d’ve been crushed like they had been in Week 4. Bryce Younger nonetheless made essential errors that put his crew in an early gap. As quickly as they face a great crew – just like the Payments in Week Eight, or perhaps even the Cowboys this weekend – they’ll come crashing again all the way down to Earth.
Cincinnati Bengals
Jake Browning is completed in Cincy.
With the information that Joe Flacco has been traded to the Bengals, we are able to shut the e book on Jake Browning’s time in Cincinnati. It’s apparent that the Week Two win over the Jacksonville Jaguars was an anomaly. As a beginning quarterback, Browning averaged 172 yards per recreation, with 4 landing passes and 5 interceptions. He additionally led an offense that put up simply 12.3 factors per recreation, which might rank useless final within the NFL. Together with his contract set to run out on the finish of this season, Jake Browning will nearly actually be taking part in elsewhere subsequent 12 months.
Cleveland Browns
Dillon Gabriel must be the starter for the rest of the season.
In a bizarre, neutral-site recreation at 9:30 a.m. EDT, Dillon Gabriel seemed good in his first NFL begin. He solely took two sacks, didn’t flip the ball over, threw two touchdowns, and accomplished 19 of 30 passes for 190 yards. You’ll be able to’t ask for far more from a rookie who wasn’t projected to be a first-round draft choose. It stays to be seen if he has the skillset to raise guys round him like the most effective QBs within the NFL, however he has earned the correct to be Cleveland’s beginning quarterback for the rest of the season, barring any accidents.
Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott is an MVP candidate.
This man has been incredible outdoors of a Week One defeat to the reigning Tremendous Bowl champs on the street, and you may’t even blame him for that loss. He has the third-highest QBR within the league and is tied for third in passing touchdowns with ten on the season. Plus, he’s doing this with a banged-up offensive line, an injured beginning wideout, and a protection that’s twenty ninth in factors allowed per recreation. He’s projected to throw for 4,610 yards and report 37 complete touchdowns on the season. These are MVP numbers. If a man like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Lamar Jackson completed this marketing campaign with these stats, they’d nearly undoubtedly be named MVP. Dak Prescott must be getting the identical therapy, contemplating the Cowboys are fairly aggressive.
Denver Broncos
Sean Payton lastly has a signature win with the Broncos.
Since arriving in Denver in 2023, head coach Sean Payton has been on the lookout for a standout win over a great crew. His first season was a wash with Russell Wilson main the membership to an 8-9 report. Then, they seemed actually good final 12 months with a rookie quarterback, however had been embarrassed within the playoffs. When the chips had been down on Sunday, Payton and the Broncos didn’t hand over. They fought again and confirmed great grit. In addition they executed an extremely ballsy two-point conversion to take a lead over the Eagles within the fourth quarter on the street. With this victory over the defending Tremendous Bowl champions, the narrative that the Broncos can’t beat good groups has been dispelled.
Detroit Lions
That is the most effective crew within the NFL.
There aren’t any extra undefeated squads left within the league, so anyone has to take the highest spot within the NFL. That seat on the desk is reserved for the Detroit Lions, at the moment. They lead the league offensively with 34.8 factors per recreation whereas rating third in turnover differential, which suggests they pressure turnovers however don’t give the ball away. Although their scoring protection isn’t nice on paper, they’re potential to blow out groups early after which take the foot off the fuel would clarify why they offer up 22.4 factors per recreation. Aidan Hutchinson seems to be absolutely healed from his leg damage, and he’s placing up incredible numbers although Detroit is lacking its finest defensive deal with. Each crew within the league has flaws, however the Lions have the fewest, which is why they’re the most effective within the NFL proper now.
Houston Texans
This squad can nonetheless attain the postseason.
After beginning 0-3, the Texans have gained two in a row to insert themselves again into the playoff dialog. Everyone knows about their elite protection, however let’s give a shoutout to quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has been phenomenal in Houston’s final two matchups. Because the begin of Week 4, he has accomplished 81.8% of his passes for 477 yards, six touchdowns, and nil interceptions whereas posting a quarterback ranking of 139.2. Granted, these numbers got here towards bottom-feeder defenses, however that efficiency will solely construct confidence in a 24-year-old quarterback. If their protection can keep the course and Stroud can proceed to play lights out, this can undoubtedly be a playoff crew.
Indianapolis Colts
Indy is a menace to go all the way in which.
We maintain ready for the clock to strike midnight and the Colts to show again right into a pumpkin, however that looks like a futile train at this level. Indy has proven that it may play with the large boys and beat the doorways off the NFL’s lower-tier squads. Quarterback Daniel Jones leads the league in QBR. Operating again Jonathan Taylor averages essentially the most speeding yards per recreation within the NFL. Hell, even their protection ranks third in factors allowed per recreation. Indianapolis has all of the instruments to make it to the Tremendous Bowl. If the Chiefs or Eagles had a top-five protection AND offense, each NFL fan on this planet could be dubbing them Tremendous Bowl favorites. Although the Colts is probably not favored, they’re an apparent menace to make it to and even win the large recreation.
Jacksonville Jaguars
This group has answered the decision time and time once more.
Had Jake Browning not performed arguably his finest recreation as a professional, the Jaguars could be 5-0 proper now. They manhandled the Panthers, however misplaced to the Bengals, which precipitated all people to query this crew’s potential. Then they beat Houston, however all people mentioned, “Nicely, Houston isn’t that good.” How did they reply? By defeating the 49ers in San Francisco, so all people mentioned, “Yeah, however the Niners had been taking part in with out their finest cross catchers.” Final evening, the Jaguars beat the Chiefs for the primary time in 16 years, which has precipitated followers to open their eyes and admit that there is likely to be one thing occurring in Jacksonville. I’m pleased with myself for recognizing how good the Jaguars are and selecting them to beat KC.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
KC has but to beat a profitable crew.
The Chiefs have solely two victories this season. A type of got here towards the Russell Wilson-led New York Giants, who had been winless after they confronted Kansas Metropolis. The second victory got here towards the Baltimore Ravens, who’ve been bottoming out over the previous few weeks. The Chiefs’ wins have come towards groups with a mixed 2-8 report. In the meantime, the groups they’ve misplaced to are 11-4. Clearly, they’ve performed three of the most effective squads within the NFL via the primary 5 weeks of the season, which is what you’ll count on Kansas Metropolis to do. Nevertheless, they should begin racking up wins towards groups with good data for them to be seen as a menace to win Tremendous Bowl LX.
Las Vegas Raiders
Geno Smith is yet one more dangerous recreation away from being benched.
We’re starting to succeed in a breaking level in Las Vegas. Actually, the Raiders most likely would’ve benched Geno in one in every of these video games if Aidan O’Connell wasn’t out for an prolonged time period with a damaged wrist. Smith’s six passing touchdowns are tied for the second-fewest by a quarterback who has began 5 video games this season. He’s third in sacks taken and leads the league in interceptions thrown with 9. Geno Smith is projected to throw 31 interceptions through the 2025-26 marketing campaign, which might be the sixth-most ever in a single season. Vegas will give the nod to backup Kenny Pickett if Geno Smith commits a number of turnovers towards the lowly Titans on Sunday. They should determine this out ASAP as a result of they’ve the oldest head coach in NFL historical past. The Raiders shouldn’t have time to waste on a quarterback who’s going to value them video games as a result of they should win RIGHT NOW!
Los Angeles Chargers
We topped this crew too early.
After the primary three weeks of the season, all people (myself included) was able to anoint the Chargers as the most effective crew within the Nationwide Soccer League. Since then, they’ve misplaced back-to-back matchups to the Giants and Commanders, whereas averaging 14 factors per recreation, which might be good for final within the NFL. One thing has to alter. They’ve 4 turnovers of their final two contests and have been penalized 24 instances for 192 yards. That isn’t the extent of self-discipline we have now come to count on from a crew coached by Jim Harbaugh. Perhaps beginning deal with Joe Alt returning to the lineup would be the spark this group wants to show issues round. Both means, they need to be capable of proper the ship with a cupcake recreation this weekend towards the Dolphins.
Los Angeles Rams
LA might need an NFC drawback.
The Rams are good towards opponents which can be unfamiliar with Sean McVay’s offensive teaching fashion. However towards NFC groups, they’ve fallen effectively in need of expectations this season. First, they blew a 19-point lead towards the Eagles. Then, final week, they misplaced in additional time to a 49ers squad that was lacking quite a few key gamers on the offensive and defensive aspect of the ball. On high of that, the play name Sean McVay got here up with on the 4th and 1 that ended the sport was one thing you’ll count on from a first-time Madden participant. They need to be capable of care for the hobbled Ravens, who can’t cease a nosebleed, not to mention an NFL offense. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be shocking in the event that they lose to the Jags or the 49ers once more.
Miami Dolphins
This squad might be very fortunate to win 5 video games.
This group had an opportunity to construct some momentum and win a second straight recreation. All they needed to do was beat the Carolina Panthers, who’ve the worst profitable share within the NFL because the Bryce Younger period started in 2023. However the ‘Phins couldn’t even do this. Now, head coach Mike McDaniel seems to be rambling as if he had been the President of america when speaking about accidents and placing collectively a profitable technique. That doesn’t instill confidence that issues will flip round in South Seaside. Outdoors of one other recreation towards the Jets, it’s unclear who the ‘Phins might be beating through the 2025-26 common season.
Minnesota Vikings
Carson Wentz has what Minnesota has wanted him to be.
The Vikes haven’t seemed horrible with Carson Wentz filling in because the beginning quarterback. They’re 2-1 over the past three weeks and nonetheless within the hunt for a playoff spot with a 3-2 report. At the moment, it’s unclear who might be Minnesota’s beginning QB this weekend. J.J. McCarthy is again at apply, and Carson Wentz is coping with a shoulder damage. Now appears pretty much as good a time as any to insert McCarthy again within the lineup because the Vikings’ subsequent three opponents are the Eagles, Chargers, and Lions. If the London recreation was the final we’ve seen of Carson Wentz, then he did a good job protecting Minnesota afloat whereas McCarthy was injured.
New England Patriots
The Pats look to be accomplished with their rebuild.
As a lot because it pains me to say it, the New England Patriots are again. No, they’re not the dominant, Tremendous Bowl-winning franchise they had been with Tom Brady and Invoice Belichick main the cost, however they’re adequate to make the playoffs and compete for a Lombardi Trophy. It’s loopy to consider, contemplating they principally solely had two down years earlier than changing into aggressive once more. Most groups want three to 5 years to tug off a profitable rebuild, however the Pats managed to do it in simply two. They stunk final 12 months and the 12 months earlier than that, however they’re now 3-2 and a menace to not simply make the playoffs, however overtake the Payments as kings of the AFC East.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints play with quite a lot of coronary heart.
A crew doesn’t finish 5 straight drives with a takeaway by chance. There should be some performs that the protection makes to pressure these turnovers. Defenders must dive on unfastened fumbles and catch interceptions after they’re thrown to them, and that’s what the Saints did this weekend. They bullied the Giants after happening 14-3, scoring 23 unanswered factors for the primary win of the Kellen Moore period. Although that victory got here towards the Giants, the win confirmed me that Moore is definitely constructing one thing within the Large Straightforward. Losers hand over when the chips are down, however the Saints didn’t, which says so much in regards to the character of this group and their coaches.
New York Giants
Brian Daboll might be out of a job when the season ends.
As a substitute of gaining momentum and constructing on the most effective win the Giants have had because the begin of the 2024-25 season, Large Blue did what it has accomplished the final three years and made numerous boneheaded errors on their technique to one more loss. They’re 10-29 over the past 39 video games and present no indicators of bettering, which is an indictment of New York’s teaching employees. That 2023 playoff win was so way back, and the Giants have been so dangerous since then that it seems like organizational malpractice to proceed to make use of this teaching employees when the season ends. Brian Daboll won’t be the pinnacle coach of the New York Giants on Tuesday, January sixth, 2026.
New York Jets
That is the worst crew within the league.
Positive, that is the one winless crew within the Nationwide Soccer League, however they’re even worse than their report signifies. The Jets are the primary crew in NFL historical past to start out a season 0-5 and never have a single takeaway, a transparent signal that the protection stinks. They solely common 10.2 factors per recreation from quarters one via three, whereas the protection permits 23.4 factors on common via the primary three quarters of their video games. Meaning the offense solely comes alive when the Jets are trailing by nearly two touchdowns. Who provides a crap if Justin Fields places up “good numbers?” His statistics are inflated by rubbish time throws when the sport is effectively out of attain. They gained’t go 0-17, however there’s no means this crew wins greater than 4 video games. They’re essentially the most undisciplined group of gamers within the NFL proper now.
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