Two-thirds of the season is already behind in the NFL and it is difficult, so far, to name a completely convincing contender for the throne. Even the leading teams are not without question marks.
The Eagles have the best record with nine wins and one loss, but some cracks in the armor have been seen recently.
In the loss to the Commanders, they looked very bad. It can happen, but the uninspired performance last Sunday against the Colts was not reassuring. The defense granted at least 135 rushing yards in all games this season. The team was looking for RRobert Quinn, Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh to attack this glaring gap. This proactive attitude should pay dividends.
The Bills (8-3) remain, of course, prime candidates to take it all, but there have still been missteps lately and Von Miller’s injury hurts, even if he obviously won’t be absent. long-term.
The Dolphins (7-3) are explosive as hell, but do they have a championship defense? Another question: are they doomed to gain the advantage of the field so as not to move away from the palm trees?
The Vikings (9-2) win, but their defense could play tricks on them when the stakes rise.
Of the lot, the Chiefs (8-2) can be considered the team that is most in control.
Others
The Bengals (6-4) seem to be coming together, but their end to the schedule is absolutely brutal. The Ravens can surprise, but Lamar Jackson lacks quality receivers.
In the National, the Cowboys (8-3) and 49ers (6-4) seem like quality contenders. In the case of the Niners, it remains to be seen whether quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will end up limiting their explosive potential on offense, but he has experience with big moments and the defense is intimidating.
The Cowboys are also a solid team overall, although the run defense also leaves something to be desired and they lack a high-quality second receiver. Odell Beckham is listening?
Before you forget, you weren’t going to bury Tom Brady and the Bucs, though…
Do not panic
Be careful, however, before declaring that none of these suitors have any credibility because they are in varying degrees of trouble.
Last year’s champions, the Rams, lost three straight in November, committing seven turnovers in the process. Many wanted to stone Matthew Stafford.
A year earlier, the Buccaneers went 7-5 before heading for Super Bowl glory. Same for the Chiefs in 2019 before their triumph. They had lost four out of six games between October and November.
The moral of the story is that a football season is rarely a long calm river. Champions who haven’t known a period of adversity or doubts in their journey are rare.
The current season will be no exception.
5 things to watch out for
Big Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes will try to lead the Chiefs to a fifth straight win against the Rams. In his last five starts, he has gained at least 325 yards. If he does it again today, he’ll tie the mark of Rich Gannon, who had six straight games with at least 325 yards in 2002. Mahomes already has 37 games of 300 yards or more, a high with Dan Marino for a quarterback in his first seven seasons.
A first start?
Imagine being in the shoes of Bryce Perkins. Brice who? Perkins is expected to be the Rams’ starting quarterback against the Chiefs. Quite an order for this former Arizona State, Arizona Western and finally Virginia universities. Two transfers to the NCAA, ignored in the draft in 2020 and no pass attempted in the NFL before the 10 small ones last week, in relief… If Perkins is the starter, he will be especially to watch with his legs (5 races for 39 yards last Sunday).
Your lordship
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is having a stellar season. Facing the Texans, he will try to become only the third center in NFL history with four straight games with an efficiency coefficient (rating) of 135 or more. Only Russell Wilson (with the Seahawks in 2015) and John Hadl (with the Rams in 1973) have achieved this feat. He could also become the sixth to complete at least 70% of his passes with three touchdown passes in four straight games.
Adams on a run up
Are the Raiders finally on the right track after their victory on Sunday? They will try to win two games in a row for the first time this season, against the Seahawks. One thing is certain, receiver Davante Adams has little to be ashamed of. In his last four games he has gained at least 125 yards and scored at least one touchdown.
TJ Watt, laugh monsters
Too bad TJ Watt missed so much action this season, because every game he plays is a show in itself. The Steelers’ star linebacker will face the Colts tomorrow night. He boasts 73.5 career sacks and with 1.5 sacks against the Colts, he would become the second fastest to reach the 75 mark. This will be his 81st game. The great Reggie White had gotten his first 75 sacks in 65 games.
