The NFL season is now halfway finished. There are the usual contenders in the AFC (Chiefs, Bills, Ravens) and the NFC has plenty of teams that can challenge for the title.
AFC East
Bills 7-2
Jets 3-6
Dolphins 2-6
Patriots 2-6
The only thing the Bills will have to be worried about in the second half of the season is playoff positioning because they are easily winning this division. Buffalo fans won’t be pleased unless they finally get to the Super Bowl though, so there is still a lot to work for.
The Jets are the most desperate team in the NFL, they hoped Aaron Rodgers would have a similar effect that Tom Brady had on the Buccaneers. He isn’t the same quarterback anymore, and firing Robert Saleh after five games was a very poor decision and they have done nothing to rectify that decision since.
Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins have been strong early in the season in years past, then tend to fade as the end of the season hits. They aren’t even doing that this year, expect major changes for the franchise in the offseason, they have questions all over the team despite having talent to boast as well.
Nobody is surprised that the Patriots aren’t winning this season. Rookie first round quarterback Drake Maye is now starting, he isn’t lighting the world on fire but he isn’t necessarily expected to be with this team right now.
AFC South
Texans 6-3
Colts 4-5
Titans 2-6
Jaguars 2-7
The Texans are in control of this division. The big question is if they are good enough to make a run at the Super Bowl. Will Anderson is among the NFL sack leaders with 7.5, and there is talent all over the roster. These aren’t the same old poor Texan teams of years past, it would be disappointing for them not to make a deep playoff run.
The Colts are playing with Joe Flacco under center right now with second year first round quarterback Anthony Richardson playing poorly. The Colts may even give up on Richardson in the offseason and trade him. They are not out of playoff contention at 4-5, but it’s certainly not an ideal situation in Indianapolis.
Jacksonville was one of the brightest young teams in the league just two seasons ago with Trevor Lawrence under center. Now they are rendered irrelevant just like they have been for most of their history. Some franchises just don’t know how to win, and the Jaguars are in that club.
AFC North
Steelers 6-2
Ravens 6-3
Bengals 4-5
Browns 2-7
A lot of people didn’t have high hopes for Pittsburgh to be much better than average this season. The first half results have proven otherwise. Russell Wilson adds a boost to the offense that they haven’t had since Big Ben retired. They could be a sneaky Super Bowl contender if they play their cards right.
Baltimore is good and Lamar Jackson is putting up impressive performances. This isn’t very new though, the Ravens are consistently in the mix but haven’t reached the Super Bowl under Lamar. They will have to fight to win the division with Pittsburgh and who knows what they will look like come playoff time.
The Bengals were supposed to be right with the Chiefs as a consistent AFC powerhouse after they made the Super Bowl and AFC title game in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. With last year and so far this year it is fair to question if they will be that kind of team again. Trey Hendricksen leads the league in sacks while the Joe Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase connection has been on point. However, the Bengals can’t be satisfied with 4-5.
The Browns had the best defense in the NFL last season and were fine offensively. This year they are average on defense and are ranked second to last in yards per game offensively. Even with Deshaun Watson playing, they weren’t getting it done. Cleveland was hoping to be a playoff team again, instead they are one of the worst teams in the league as they have been for awhile.
AFC West
Chiefs 8-0
Chargers 5-3
Broncos 5-4
Raiders 2-7
The Chiefs are defending back-to-back Super Bowl champions and 8-0 this season. What more is there to say? They are the “team of the decade” of the 2020’s. They are firmly in position to win what will be their ninth straight division title. It’s still Super Bowl or bust for them though, 8-0 means nothing if you can’t carry that into the playoffs.
The Chargers are performing better under Jim Harbaugh than with Brandon Staley. They are a defensive team that wants to win by running the ball, very much how Harbaugh built his Michigan teams. It will be interesting to see how it works out in the long run.
The Broncos were supposed to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this year, and after an 0-2 start it looked like they were. However, they are 5-2 since and establishing themselves as a playoff contender. Even with the blowout loss to Baltimore on Sunday, Denver has a lot to be pleased about during Bo Nix’s rookie year.
Vegas hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2002 season when they lost in the Super Bowl. “Just win baby” is not the right motto for this franchise based on the results in the last 20 years. The Raiders need to rebuild and find a strong identity if they hope to compete in this division anytime soon.
NFC East
Commanders 7-2
Eagles 6-2
Cowboys 3-5
Giants 2-7
Washington is relevant for the first time since Robert Griffin III’s rookie season all the way back in 2012. The Commanders haven’t even finished better than 10-6 since their 1991 Super Bowl season. This year, another rookie first round quarterback is taking the team to new heights with Jayden Daniels proving to be a hit.
The Eagles are back in the mix as a contender in the NFC after a bad finish to last season. Saquon Barkley has found greener pastures with Philly after leaving the Giants. There is still a lot of work to do with having to compete with Washington for division supremacy. And another early playoff exit would be disappointing for a franchise that believes they can win the Super Bowl.
Dallas is used to regular season success but then they flounder come playoff time. They aren’t even doing well in the regular season right now. Mike McCarthy will probably lose his job unless things get turned around, and Dak Prescott isn’t necessarily the quarterback the Cowboys were hoping he would be. It will be interesting to see how “America’s Team” handles itself.
The Giants hoped they would develop into a consistent playoff team after Brian Daboll led them to the playoffs in his first season in 2022. However, they have gone backwards with no reason to think they would be better in the future. Daniel Jones probably won’t be around much longer, and neither will Daboll.
NFC South
Falcons 6-3
Buccaneers 4-5
Panthers 2-7
Saints 2-7
After struggling for awhile Atlanta should be pleased with where they are at. The Falcons lead what may be the weakest division in the NFL, and the Falcons have the talent to stay ahead in the division and make the playoffs, but will Kirk Cousins be able to lead a playoff run?
The Buccaneers almost gave the Chiefs their first loss on Monday night. However, they are still 1-4 in their last four games and now two games back in the division. Baker Mayfield and the offense are performing admirably, but the defense is one of the worst in the NFL. After winning the division last year Tampa Bay would be disappointed to miss the playoffs, if they do Todd Bowles may be gone.
The Panthers haven’t been relevant in a long time. Since 2018, Carolina has been one of the worst teams in the NFL, maybe the worst. Bryce Young hasn’t been a savior to the franchise by any means, and it is debatable how much blame should be put on him. Whatever the case is, the Panthers are nowhere close to competing.
The Saints have lost seven in a row after starting 2-0. Head Coach Dennis Allen just got fired after losing to the Panthers on Sunday. They just got Derek Carr back from injury this past week, but it didn’t get them the win. A lot of questions remain for New Orleans with the competitive part of their 2024 season basically over.
NFC North
Lions 7-1
Vikings 6-2
Packers 6-3
Bears 4-4
The Lions are looking like the best team in a very competitive NFC. Jared Goff is consistently putting up good performances and hasn’t thrown an interception since week 3. After huge road wins over the Vikings and the Packers there isn’t much to complain about for Detroit.
The Vikings are surprisingly 6-2 with Sam Darnold leading the way. Justin Jefferson is leading the NFL in receiving yards with 783 to go along with 5 touchdowns. Unfortunately for them they are in the toughest division in the league and they will need to keep on fighting to comfortably make the playoffs.
The Packers are doing well, but they suffered important losses recently to both the Vikings and Lions. With those losses it will be much harder to win the division. They should be encouraged though that they have a balanced team that can win without Jordan Love being the main reason why. It will be huge for them if Love can start playing better.
The Bears were hoping Caleb Williams could have the effect that Jayden Daniels is currently having in Washington. Both him and the team are doing okay, but the Bears shouldn’t expect to compete in this division right now with the competition around them. The future could be bright for the Bears if they make the right choices and Williams develops.
NFC West
Cardinals 5-4
Rams 4-4
49ers 4-4
Seahawks 4-5
The Cardinals weren’t supposed to be at the top of this division midway through the year, but they are 4-1 in their last five games and sit in first place. Kyler Murray is proving that he is a capable quarterback, and they are also top 10 in rushing. They are only 5-4 though, and it will take a lot for them to stay in first place at the end of the season.
The Rams are still hanging around in contention. They aren’t exactly special in any area, and Matthew Stafford isn’t what he was three years ago. LA won their Super Bowl a few years back, but I would be surprised if they compete for another in the near future.
The 49ers were supposed to be the best team in this division by far. They have too much talent and experience to be only 4-4. Brock Purdy is coming down to earth a little bit. There is still time to turn things around and be at their best come playoff time (if they make it), but they need to do it soon.
Seattle started 3-0, but they are 1-5 in their last six games. Geno Smith leads the NFL in passing yards, but he also leads the league in interceptions. The Seahawks are lucky enough to still be in the hunt if they can turn it around, but based on their recent play that looks unlikely.
