Arizona Cardinals
That was the worst Cardinals loss for the reason that flip of the millennium.
The Arizona Cardinals have by no means been all that good, though they’re the oldest franchise within the Nationwide Soccer League. Whereas they’ve 236 losses for the reason that begin of the 2000 season, the loss they suffered by the hands of the beforehand winless Tennessee Titans might need been the worst. They may’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 utterly collapsed, permitting 16 unanswered factors to offer the Titans their first win of the season. This crew isn’t going wherever this 12 months, and all people must be susceptible 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 think about 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 think about making a training change if the season continues to unravel the best way it has over the previous couple of 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 no less than ten factors each time. That’s why it’s worrisome that this squad misplaced at house to the New England Patriots once they obtained 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 have been those taking pictures themselves within the foot and making a gift of a win. They have to play with extra urgency and extra care as a result of the crew we noticed this weekend is just not 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 no Lombardi Trophy.
Carolina Panthers
This crew remains to be unhealthy, however the Dolphins are worse.
The Carolina Panthers might 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 unhealthy 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 have been dealing with a reliable or well-run group, they’d’ve been crushed like they have been in Week 4. Bryce Younger nonetheless made essential errors that put his crew in an early gap. As quickly as they face an excellent crew – just like the Payments in Week Eight, or possibly even the Cowboys this weekend – they’ll come crashing again all the way down to Earth.
Cincinnati Bengals
Jake Browning is finished in Cincy.
With the information that Joe Flacco has been traded to the Bengals, we are able to shut the ebook 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 lifeless final within the NFL. Together with his contract set to run out on the finish of this season, Jake Browning will virtually actually be enjoying 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 may’t ask for way 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 one of the best QBs within the NFL, however he has earned the appropriate 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’ll’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 document 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 virtually positively 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 in search of a standout win over an excellent crew. His first season was a wash with Russell Wilson main the membership to an 8-9 document. Then, they seemed actually good final 12 months with a rookie quarterback, however have been embarrassed within the playoffs. When the chips have been down on Sunday, Payton and the Broncos didn’t surrender. They fought again and confirmed great grit. Additionally 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 one of the best crew within the NFL.
There are not 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 implies 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 gasoline would clarify why they provide up 22.4 factors per recreation. Aidan Hutchinson seems to be totally healed from his leg damage, and he’s placing up incredible numbers though Detroit is lacking its greatest defensive deal with. Each crew within the league has flaws, however the Lions have the fewest, which is why they’re one of the best 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 score 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 may positively be a playoff crew.
Indianapolis Colts
Indy is a menace to go all the best way.
We hold ready for the clock to strike midnight and the Colts to show again right into a pumpkin, however that looks as if a futile train at this level. Indy has proven that it may possibly 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 the earth could be dubbing them Tremendous Bowl favorites. Although the Colts will not be 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 greatest recreation as a professional, the Jaguars could be 5-0 proper now. They manhandled the Panthers, however misplaced to the Bengals, which triggered 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 have been enjoying with out their greatest cross catchers.” Final night time, the Jaguars beat the Chiefs for the primary time in 16 years, which has triggered followers to open their eyes and admit that there could be one thing happening in Jacksonville. I’m happy with myself for recognizing how good the Jaguars are and choosing them to beat KC.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
KC has but to beat a successful crew.
The Chiefs have solely two victories this season. A kind of got here towards the Russell Wilson-led New York Giants, who have been winless once they confronted Kansas Metropolis. The second victory got here towards the Baltimore Ravens, who’ve been bottoming out over the previous couple of weeks. The Chiefs’ wins have come towards groups with a mixed 2-8 document. In the meantime, the groups they’ve misplaced to are 11-4. Clearly, they’ve performed three of one of the best squads within the NFL via the primary 5 weeks of the season, which is what you’d 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 another unhealthy recreation away from being benched.
We’re starting to succeed in a breaking level in Las Vegas. In reality, the Raiders in all probability would’ve benched Geno in certainly one 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 need to determine this out ASAP as a result of they’ve the oldest head coach in NFL historical past. The Raiders should not have time to waste on a quarterback who’s going to price 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 one of the best 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 occasions 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 downside.
The Rams are good towards opponents which might be unfamiliar with Sean McVay’s offensive teaching type. However towards NFC groups, they’ve fallen properly wanting 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 facet of the ball. On prime of that, the play name Sean McVay got here up with on the 4th and 1 that ended the sport was one thing you’d count on from a first-time Madden participant. They need to be capable of maintain the hobbled Ravens, who can’t cease a nosebleed, not to mention an NFL offense. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be stunning in the event that they lose to the Jags or the 49ers once more.
Miami Dolphins
This squad will probably 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 successful proportion within the NFL for the reason that Bryce Younger period started in 2023. However the ‘Phins couldn’t even try this. Now, head coach Mike McDaniel seems to be rambling as if he have been the President of the US when speaking about accidents and placing collectively a successful technique. That doesn’t instill confidence that issues will flip round in South Seashore. Exterior of one other recreation towards the Jets, it’s unclear who the ‘Phins will probably 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 document. At the moment, it’s unclear who will probably be Minnesota’s beginning QB this weekend. J.J. McCarthy is again at follow, 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 for the reason that 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 holding Minnesota afloat whereas McCarthy was injured.
New England Patriots
The Pats look to be completed 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 have been with Tom Brady and Invoice Belichick main the cost, however they’re ok 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 drag 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 a variety of coronary heart.
A crew doesn’t finish 5 straight drives with a takeaway by chance. There need to be some performs that the protection makes to pressure these turnovers. Defenders have to dive on free fumbles and catch interceptions once 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. Regardless that that victory got here towards the Giants, the win confirmed me that Moore is definitely constructing one thing within the Large Straightforward. Losers surrender when the chips are down, however the Saints didn’t, which says rather a lot in regards to the character of this group and their coaches.
New York Giants
Brian Daboll will probably be out of a job when the season ends.
As a substitute of gaining momentum and constructing on one of the best win the Giants have had for the reason that begin of the 2024-25 season, Large Blue did what it has completed the final three years and made numerous boneheaded errors on their strategy to one more loss. They’re 10-29 over the past 39 video games and present no indicators of enhancing, which is an indictment of New York’s teaching employees. That 2023 playoff win was so way back, and the Giants have been so unhealthy 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 top coach of the New York Giants on Tuesday, January sixth, 2026.
New York Jets
That is the worst crew within the league.
Certain, that is the one winless crew within the Nationwide Soccer League, however they’re even worse than their document signifies. The Jets are the primary crew in NFL historical past to begin 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 virtually two touchdowns. Who offers a crap if Justin Fields places up “good numbers?” His statistics are inflated by rubbish time throws when the sport is properly 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.
Philadelphia Eagles
This squad feels extra just like the 2023 crew vs. the 2024 group.
Bear in mind the 2023-24 Eagles who began the season 10-1 earlier than shedding six of their final seven video games? That’s what this 12 months’s crew jogs my memory of. They aren’t nice at something. With Saquon Barkley and presumably one of the best offensive line within the NFL, they’re twenty fifth in speeding yards per recreation. Final season, they have been second. The Eagles aren’t nice at forcing turnovers after ending sixth in takeaways final 12 months. Perhaps we’re all contemplating Tremendous Bowl LIX when evaluating this crew. If we take a look at simply the 2025-26 season to date, they’re good, however they don’t really feel wherever near what they have been final 12 months. This seems just like the crew Philly had two seasons in the past.
San Francisco 49ers
Mac Jones is ready for all times.
Many quarterbacks have made tens of millions upon tens of millions of {dollars} on the again of a single excellent efficiency. Tim Tebow had the playoff recreation towards the Broncos. Matt Flynn had the 480-yard, six-touchdown recreation towards the Lions. Now, Mac Jones has the Thursday night time recreation towards the Rams, the place he gutted it out and led a really injured offense to a win over a Tremendous Bowl-contending divisional opponent. For the remainder of his NFL profession, that recreation will probably be the very first thing individuals consider once they discuss signing or buying and selling for Mac Jones. All people who brings him in will suppose, “Perhaps we are able to get that model of Mac Jones after we want him.” That may result in quite a few one-year contracts and tens of millions of {dollars} as a backup who doesn’t need to play each recreation to have a profitable NFL profession.
Seattle Seahawks
It’s not the top of the world, however you actually would’ve liked to have that one again.
Sam Darnold has a near-perfect recreation, and your well-coached protection decides to let up 38+ factors for the primary time in over a 12 months? That seems like an enormous missed alternative. As a substitute of being 4-1 and the second-place crew within the NFC West, the Seahawks are 3-2 and have the Los Angeles Rams respiratory down their necks. Moderately than having a cushion going into a tricky matchup with the Jaguars, Seattle may very well be 3-3 subsequent weekend, whereas the Rams will in all probability be 4-2. There’s nonetheless an excellent likelihood that the Seahawks make the playoffs, however their path to the postseason is far tougher with that loss to the Bucs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield must be the favourite to win the MVP award.
In a 12 months the place there isn’t a clear favourite to be named the NFL’s Most Helpful Participant, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has leapfrogged all people and inserted his title into the dialog. He has 4 game-winning drives beneath his belt and the stats to assist an MVP marketing campaign. Baker Mayfield is sixth in passing yards per recreation, is tied for one of the best touchdown-to-interception ratio within the NFL (10:1), is eighth in QBR, and ninth in passer score. Extra importantly, his crew is 4-1 and is enjoying successful soccer. So long as Tampa continues to win video games, Baker Mayfield’s MVP candidacy will solely get stronger.
Tennessee Titans
The plan hasn’t modified: hearth Brian Callahan.
Hooray, the Titans gained a recreation! If we’re being sincere, although, they lucked into that victory. If Emari Demercado waited a fraction of a second longer earlier than celebrating a walk-in landing, the Titans could be 0-5 proper now. If a Cardinals defender doesn’t fumble an interception and the ball doesn’t get kicked round, who is aware of if Tennessee could be 1-4? It feels just like the Titans gained that recreation regardless of the entire poor teaching selections Brian Callahan made. Whatever the win, Tennessee is aware of it must let go of Callahan when the season is finished. That call will probably be justified for the reason that Titans seemed poised to win 4 video games or fewer this 12 months.
Washington Commanders
We are able to all cease worrying about Jayden Daniels’ sophomore droop.
After the Commanders’ loss to the Inexperienced Bay Packers in Week Two, members of the media and NFL followers started to whisper that Jayden Daniels could be taking a step again this 12 months after arguably the best rookie season a quarterback has ever had. Regardless of lacking two video games with a knee damage and being down ten factors towards an excellent Chargers squad, Daniels nonetheless managed to steer the offense to 27 unanswered factors on the best way to a formidable street win. He had 270 complete yards and threw a landing within the fourth quarter to principally put this recreation away. So long as Jayden Daniels stays wholesome, he will probably be the most effective and most dynamic quarterbacks within the Nationwide Soccer League.
Groups on a bye: Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Inexperienced Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers
