AFC East:

New England Patriots: Coming into the season, the Patriots had little to no expectations. They had fired legendary head coach Bill Belichick, and hired inside linebackers coach and former Patriot Jerod Mayo. They were expected to be bad. However, they shocked everyone by beating the Bengals 16-10 in Week 1, then going to OT with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, losing to a walk-off field goal by Jason Myers. However, in Week 3, the Jets blew them out during Thursday Night Football, losing 24-3 and getting dominated in every major statistical category. In Week 4, they lost 30-13 to the 49ers, with QB Jacoby Brissett once again struggling. The biggest surprise of the season has been second-year player Keion White, the 2nd round pick from Georgia Tech with a team-best- 4 sacks in 4 weeks so far. With guys like him, Christian Barmore, and Christian Gonzales, this defense could be really dangerous in the future. They also drafted UNC Quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the draft. He performed okay, getting some snaps against the Jets in Week 3. If this team develops and makes improvements to the offensive line, they can be a solid team in the future.

Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins came into the season without many familiar faces from last season. They lost important players like Guard Robert Hunt and Pro Bowler defensive lineman Christian Wilkins. Coming into the season there were some doubts, but also some people thought they could continue their form from the 1st half of last season. They had a comeback win over the Jaguars in Week 1, overcoming a 17-point deficit to win 20-17 with a game-winning field goal, but that wasn’t the biggest headline. 5x All-Pro and league cornerstone Tyreek “Cheetah” Hill was detained and handcuffed by police around 3 hours before the game kicked off. He would go on to play in that game and record an 80-yard touchdown that sparked a comeback for Miami. In Week 2, something horrible happened. Franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa got his 4th concussion since the start of the 2022-23 season, putting him on IR, with many saying he should retire from football. They ended up losing 31-10 to the Bills in Week 2, lost 24-3 to the Seattle Seahawks, and lost to the winless Titans 31-12 in Week 4. As of right now, the Dolphins have never held a lead with time in the game so far this season. With Tua being out for a while, it begs the question of what is next for the Dolphins, but more importantly, Tua’s health and career.

Buffalo Bills: Before the season, the Bills traded their star receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans amidst controversy surrounding the player. Many expected Buffalo to have a down season without Diggs, but so far, that has not been the case. They are 3-0 with wins over the Cardinals in Week 1 34-28, a dominant performance over the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 for Thursday Night Football, winning 31-10, and absolutely dogging the Jaguars in Week 3 for their Monday night game, winning 47-10. However, they were humbled by the Ravens on SNF, losing 35-10. Despite the loss of Diggs, star quarterback Josh Allen has been having his best season so far, being the favorite for MVP. As of right now, the Bills should be the joint favorite to come out of the AFC, alongside the Chiefs. They should have a great season and continue their dominance of the AFC East.

New York Jets: In the 2023 offseason, the Jets traded for star quarterback and 4x MVP Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers. However, in 4 plays, both Rodgers and the Jets season were over when Rodgers tore his Achilles, leaving him out for the season. However, the offensive line did get some new additions, most notably 5x All-Pro Tyron Smith and 1st-round pick Olu Fashanu from Penn State. The Jets looked to be new and improved. However, in Week 1, they played the Super Bowl runner-up, the San Francisco 49ers. They were dominated by them, losing 32-19. In Weeks 2 and 3, there was a change. The Jets beat the Titans 24-17 and the Patriots 24-3 on Thursday night. The biggest change was the rushing attack. Through Weeks 2 and 3, the Jets gave the ball to star running back Breece Hall and rookie running back Braelon Allen a combined 48 times on the ground. For some reason, they went away from the rushing attack against the Broncos, with both Hall and Allen only getting 18 carries total. They ended up losing to the Broncos 10-9 in Week 4. While they have looked solid at times, fans have some serious questions about head coach Robert Salah and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, as both need to be held accountable for the fact that this Jets team, which has the best roster they have had in years, is struggling.

AFC North:

Pittsburgh Steelers: Last offseason, the Steelers moved on from 2022 1st-round QB Kenny Pickett, trading him to the Eagles. They signed Russell Wilson, who was cut by the Denver Broncos 2 years after that infamous trade and traded for 2021 1st-round QB Justin Fields. Heading into the season, Head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear that Wilson would be the starter. However, Wilson suffered a lingering injury in camp, leaving him sidelined for some time, meaning Fields would start for Week 1 and maybe Week 2. Fields ended up beating the Falcons 18-10 in Week 1, beat the Broncos 13-6 in Week 2, and beat the Chargers 20-10 in Week 3. Fields suffered his first loss in Week 4 against the Colts, losing 27-24. However, the question on everyone’s minds is, do you continue to start Fields, who has been good in his role and is currently 3-1 as the starter, or do you go back to the more experienced Russell Wilson? Regardless, the Steelers are still at the top of the division, and with stars on defense like TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, this team should be good regardless of who runs the show at quarterback. 

 Baltimore Ravens: The Baltimore Ravens won 13 games last season, made it to the AFC Championship, and then in the offseason, added Derrick Henry. Sounds like a recipe for success, right? Well, that doesn’t paint the whole picture because they lost important pieces on the offense, defense, and coaching staff. On offense, they lost important members on the offensive line, such as John Simpson and Morgan Moses, and lost depth at RB, losing J.K Dobbins and Gus Edwards. On defense, they lost Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen, but the most important may have been defensive coordinator and mastermind Mike McDonald, who was hired by the Seahawks. Even though they lost these pieces, they were still expected by many to contend. That was evident in Week 1, as they played last season’s Super Bowl champion, the Kansas City Chiefs. They ended up losing 27-20 by a literal toe when tight end Isaiah Likely caught a touchdown with zeros on the clock that put the game in reach of tying or even winning but was called back because his toe was out of bounds. However, despite being massive favorites, the Ravens lost to the Raiders 26-23, as they blew a 10-point lead in the 4th Quarter in Week 2. In Week 3, they ended up bouncing back against the Cowboys, beating them 28-25, the game wasn’t as close as the score indicates, as the Ravens led by 22 at one point in the game. In Week 4, they crushed the Bills 35-10 on SNF, making a statement to all teams in the AFC. The Ravens have had a slow start, but ultimately should still be a contender in the AFC.

Cincinnati Bengals: Last season, both the Cincinnati Bengals and Joe Burrow’s season ended when he went down with a wrist injury in Week 10. Despite being a consistent contender in the AFC, the Bengals have had some drama in the front office. Most notably superstar receiver Ja’marr Chase’s holdout despite having 2 years left on his rookie contract, even with the holdout, he is still playing games, but not looking focused. The whole situation is very bizarre and confusing. Even with all the drama, the Bengals were expected to do well. However, in Week 1, the Patriots upset the Bengals 16-10, despite what should have been an easy game for them, they still ended up losing. In Week 2, they faced their conference rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, at Arrowhead. They wound up losing on a last-second field goal 26-25, with a controversial defensive pass interference on a 4th down that would have ended the game had the flag not been thrown. In Week 3, they lost once again in an upset, this time to the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football, losing 38-33 in a game where the Commanders didn’t punt or turn the ball over once. In Week 4, Cincinnati finally got their first win, beating the Panthers 34-24, with wide receiver Ja’marr Chase looking back to normal, scoring a 63-yard touchdown. The Bengals are currently 1-3, and unless they can go on a run of games, it doesn’t look like they can contend this year.

Cleveland Browns: The Browns were a very weird team to predict going into the season. With last season’s hero Joe Flacco signing with the Colts in the offseason. There were a lot of questions surrounding the team, specifically about QB Deshaun Watson’s play and star RB Nick Chubb’s injury. In Week 1, despite it being a pretty equal match-up on paper, the Cowboys dominated the Browns 33-17, with Deshaun Watson and the offensive line being the major weak points of the team. They won ugly in Week 2 against the Jaguars 18-13. But were upset by the Giants in Week 3, losing 21-15. They once again lost in Week 4, losing 20-16 to the Raiders. The biggest concerns are Deshaun Watson and the offensive line, as even more sexual assault allegations have come out against Watson, stemming from his days with the Texans. This team is in a very bad spot, as they don’t have a run game without Nick Chubb, Watson looks nothing like how he looked in Houston, and the offensive line is decimated by injury.

AFC South:

Houston Texans: Until last season, the Texans were dead. Until a certain quarterback from Ohio State was drafted and a defensive coordinator from the 49ers was hired, it was unclear if they would get it together. The Houston Texans went 10-7, won a playoff game, and with guys like CJ Stroud, Tank Dell, Nico Collins, Will Anderson Jr., Derek Stingley, and many other young stars. The Texans quickly rose to contention, and they only improved in the offseason. They signed Danielle Hunter to pair with Will Anderson on the edge, traded for RB Joe Mixon from the Bengals, and most notably, traded for star wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Coming into the season, expectations were sky-high. However, they haven’t really lived up to it so far. While they are 2-1, the wins haven’t been so convincing, and the 1 loss was a major wake-up call. In Week 1, they beat the Colts in a shootout, with the final score being 29-27. New addition Stefon Diggs scored 2 touchdowns, and Joe Mixon had a solid game on the ground. In Week 2, they beat the Chicago Bears 19-13, the offense struggled, but the defense played great. However, in Week 3, they were blown out 34-7 by the Minnesota Vikings, with all sides of the ball struggling tremendously. They managed to eke out a win against the Jaguars 24-20 in Week 4, with CJ Stroud throwing the go-ahead touchdown to RB Dare Ogunbowale with under 20 seconds to go. While this team is a contender, there is almost no way they get it done this year. However, 5-10 years from now, do not be surprised if 1 or 2 Lombardi’s are residing at NRG Stadium.

Tennessee Titans: The Titans have struggled a lot so far. From losing to the Quarterback they traded 4 weeks prior, to their own starting quarterback becoming a meme. Tennessee has struggled mightily. Quarterback Will Levis has not played well, the run game is bad, the offensive line has struggled, and the pass defense is awful. In Week 1, up 17-0, they somehow blew a 17-point lead to the Chicago Bears. The only touchdowns the Bears scored was a pick 6 and a blocked punt, the pick 6 being a careless mistake by Levis. In Week 2, they lost to the Jets 24-17, with another idiotic turnover by Will Levis. In Week 3, they played the Green Bay Packers, who had lost starting quarterback Jordan Love for a couple of weeks due to an MCL sprain. The Packers starting quarterback was Malik Willis, who they traded to Green Bay for a 7th-round pick. Willis massively outperformed Levis, the offense was turning the ball over, and they wound up losing 30-14 to the quarterback they traded. They finally managed to get a win on MNF against the Dolphins, 31-12. The most notable things about the team this season are the constant jokes and memes made out of second-year quarterback Will Levis. This team has some pieces, but don’t expect them to be good anytime soon.

Indianapolis Colts: The Colts are currently 2-2. With 2023 4th overall pick Anthony Richardson coming back from a season-ending injury, expected to show improvement and flashes,  and in Week 1 he did just that. Despite the loss, Richardson threw a 60-yard dime to receiver Alec Pierce for a touchdown after stumbling and almost falling. In Week 2, they lost 16-10 to a Green Bay Packers team without star quarterback Jordan Love. Richardson struggled massively, throwing 3 interceptions, and the defense was run on all game, giving up 261 rushing yards on the day. In Week 3, they managed to get their first win, beating the Chicago Bears 21-16. The defense intercepted 1st overall pick Caleb Williams twice, and the offense had a good day on the ground. In Week 4, they managed to beat the Steelers 27-24. However, Anthony Richardson got hurt with a hip injury, although it is expected to be day-to-day. If QB Anthony Richardson manages to develop and stay healthy, this Colts team will be dangerous. However, it is a massive if. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: At one point last season, the Jaguars were the 1 seed in the AFC in the 2nd half of the regular season. They ended up losing 5 of their last 6 games to miss the playoffs, and it has been downhill ever since. Going into this season, they were expected to be an average to slightly above-average team, but that has not been the case so far. They are the only team to start 0-4, and they haven’t looked good. In Week 1, they were up 17-0 at one point in the game. However, they ended up blowing that lead and lost 20-17, as the Dolphins scored a field goal as time expired. In Week 2, they ended up losing to the Cleveland Browns 18-13, in which the Jaguars offense looked ugly. Week 3 however was by far the worst, as they got dogged on by the Bills 47-10. In Week 4, they almost managed to upset the Texans, but questionable play calling and the defense not being able to get a stop in the clutch stopped them and they ended up losing 24-20. As of now, there are questions with former 1st overall pick Trevor Lawrence, head coach Doug Pederson, and the whole organization. This team has struggled massively, and there is a good chance that Pederson & Co. will be gone in January.

AFC West:

Kansas City Chiefs: The back-to-back Super Bowl Champions have aspirations of getting the first ever 3-peat in NFL history, led by Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, Travis Kelce, and the media coverage of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship. They are surely playing like they want it. However, controversial calls and no calls have defined the Chiefs’ season so far, despite being 4-0. In Week 1, in a rematch of last year’s AFC championship, the Chiefs beat the Ravens 27-20 by literal inches. In Week 2, it was another rematch of an AFC championship. Against the Bengals, it looked certain that the Bengals would pull an upset and win, but, the refs struck again, throwing a flag for pass interference on a 4th and 16 that put the Chiefs into field goal range. Kicker Harrison Butker drilled the 51-yard walk-off field goal, winning the game 26-25. In Week 3, against the new-looking Atlanta Falcons, the Chiefs ended up winning 22-17. However, there were still controversial no-calls favoring the Chiefs. Especially controversial was the no-call on Chiefs’ safety Bryan Cook for interfering with Atlanta tight end Kyle Pitts in the end zone. If a flag was thrown, it would have put Atlanta at the 1-yard line on 1st and Goal, which pretty much would have been a guaranteed TD. No flag was thrown, however, and it changed the outcome of the game massively. In Week 4, they managed to beat the Chargers 17-10. However, the biggest story was wide receiver Rashee Rice tearing his ACL. This happened when Mahomes threw an interception to Chargers DB Kristian Fulton. Mahomes was trying to cut-stick Fulton as he was running the ball back, however, instead of hitting Fulton, Mahomes unfortunately collided with Rice’s kneecap, absolutely blowing his ACL out as a result. There is a good chance Kansas City wins its 3rd straight Lombardi and makes history in the process. (Post Update: Rice may not have torn his ACL, as further MRIs and tests will be held to determine the severity of the injury.)

Las Vegas Raiders: In the offseason, the Raiders hired interim head coach Antonio Pierce, as he created a distinct culture around the team last year. They also added journeyman QB Gardner Minshew and drafted Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. With these additions, the Raiders had some expectations, but nothing too crazy. So far they have been fairly average. They lost 22-10 in Week 1 to the Chargers, with the most notable event being that a fight broke out mid-game, with Raiders DB Jack Jones getting ejected alongside Chargers receiver Joshua Palmer. In Week 2, they somehow managed to upset the Ravens 26-23 after being down 23-13 in the 4th. In Week 3, they got dogged on by the Carolina Panthers, losing 36-22. Head coach Antonio Pierce made a comment about “business decisions” referring to quarterback Gardner Minshew that sparked controversy. However, they bounced back beating the Browns 20-16 in Week 4. This Raiders team has some studs, like Maxx Crosby, Davante Adams, and Kolton Miller, but this is an average team at best. (Post Update: On October 1st, All-pro wide receiver Davante Adams requested a trade from the Raiders, with the Raiders saying they would accept a package centered around a second-round pick. Adams preferred destinations are the New York Jets or the New Orleans Saints.)

Denver Broncos: After the disastrous Russell Wilson experiment, in which they gave up a plethora of picks and players, and then proceeded to give him 50 million a year, all just to cut him two years in after poor performance and few wins. Denver decided to head in a new direction, taking Oregon quarterback Bo Nix in the 1st round. Nix won the job over journeyman Jarrett Stidham, and 2021 2nd overall pick and former Jet Zach Wilson. Nix struggled in his first 2 weeks, losing to the Seahawks and Steelers, with scores of 26-20 and 13-6 respectively. Nix threw 4 picks to 0 touchdowns in the first 2 games. However, in Week 3 against the 2-0 Buccaneers, Nix had a solid game, throwing for 216 yards, and adding a TD on the Ground in a 26-7 win. In Week 4, despite Nix throwing for only 60 yards in the game, and -7 yards in the 1st half. The Broncos somehow beat the Jets 10-9. If Nix pans out, this team has a bright future, as of right now, this team has no chance of winning now.

Los Angeles Chargers: In the offseason, the Chargers hired coach Jim Harbaugh from Michigan, and he made a significant change in the culture immediately. The Chargers went from a team that made bold, risky, explosive plays, to a team that controls the game and plays it safe. In the draft, the Chargers took tackle Joe Alt from Notre Dame with the 5th overall pick. Securing the right side of franchise QB Justin Herbert. In Week 1, the Chargers controlled the game with the run, with new addition J.K. Dobbins rushing for 135 yards and a TD on 10 carries. Rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey also scored en route to a 22-10 win. In Week 2, the Chargers blew out the Carolina Panthers 26-3, as Dobbins had another day on the ground, rushing for 131 yards and a TD on 17 carries. 2nd-year wide receiver Quentin Johnston caught two touchdown passes. In Week 3, Justin Herbert got injured, and as of now, we don’t know the significance of the injury. They ended up losing 20-10 to the Steelers, with Herbert exiting the game with a finger injury. In Week 4, they played the Chiefs, and they ended up losing 17-10, despite forcing 2 turnovers early in the game. This Chargers team could be a playoff team as long as Herbert is healthy. If not, then it could be a repeat of last season.

NFC East:

Dallas Cowboys: So far, America’s Team looks bad. With the loss of important stars and rotational players, the Cowboys have regressed massively. While they managed to extend all-pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and “franchise” quarterback Dak Prescott. They lost important pieces such as RB Tony Pollard, All-Pro tackle Tyron Smith, Cornerback and 2019 Defensive Player of The Year Stephon Gilmore, rotational pass rusher Dorance Armstrong, and former Assistant Coach of The Year and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. However, in Week 1, they looked very good. The Cowboys absolutely dismantled the Browns #1 defense from last season and ended up winning 33-17. In Week 2 however, things got ugly. They got curb stomped by the Saints 44-19, in which Dak struggled massively on offense, and the defense did not get a stop on the Saints. These speculations were further enhanced after they lost to the Baltimore Ravens 28-26 in Week 3, as the score did not depict how the game went. Once again, both the offense and defense struggled, and star QB-WR duo Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb got into a heated exchange on the sideline late in the game, with Lamb saying he regretted the comments he made in a post-game press conference. In Week 4, on TNF, the Cowboys barely eked out a win against the Giants 20-15. While both sides played solid, star Defensive player Micah Parsons was carted off late in the game with a high ankle sprain, further tests are scheduled at some point in the near future. This team doesn’t look like they can make the playoffs this season, let alone contend for a title.

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles crumbled last season, finishing 1-6 in their last 7 and getting knocked out early by the Buccaneers. To improve in the offseason, they brought in star RB Saquon Barkley and edge rusher Bryce Huff. However, they lost one of the greatest centers of all time, Jason Kelce, who retired and traded Pro Bowler Hasaan Reddick to the Jets. Going into this season, the Eagles were expected to once again contend in the NFC. In Week 1, they played the Packers in Brazil winning 34-29. However, neither team was able to really prove anything, as there was almost no energy in the stadium, players didn’t go outside of their hotel due to safety concerns, and the field was slippery. In Week 2, they played the Atlanta Falcons on MNF, and they were pretty much leading the whole game, but Kirk Cousins threw a touchdown pass to Drake London to give the Falcons the lead with under a minute to go. They ended up losing 22-21, and the Eagles dropped to 1-1. In Week 3, they barely beat the Saints 15-12, with star receiver DeVonta Smith taking a blindside shot to the head being the highlight of the game. In Week 4, The Eagles got blown out by the Buccaneers 33-16. If head coach Nick Sirianni wasn’t in the hot seat before, he definitely is now. QB Jalen Hurts has been okay at best, as he has been reckless with the ball and looks like a shell of the MVP runner-up he was two years ago. This team has the talent, but it isn’t leading to results.

New York Giants: The Giants lost star RB Saquon Barkley in the offseason to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles and were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. In Week 1, they got blown out by the Vikings 28-6. In which quarterback Daniel Jones struggled, and the defense was dismantled by Sam Darnold and co. In Week 2, 1st round rookie WR Malik Nabers had his breakout game but dropped a crucial pass late in the game. They lost by a last-second field goal to the Commanders 21-18 that led to Washington driving down the field, and winning the game. In Week 3, despite an awful start, they managed to beat the Cleveland Browns 21-15; Nabers continued his breakout campaign, catching 2 touchdowns. In Week 4, they lost to the Cowboys 20-15. The worst part was that rookie sensation Malik Nabers got a concussion and will be out for an extended period of time. Hopefully, this isn’t a trend for Nabers. The Giants have some good, young players, such as Malik Nabers and Kayvon Thibadeau, and some great vets such as Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, Bobby Okereke, and Andrew Thomas. While they will be in rebuild mode for a bit, they have a strong foundation and they could be solid soon.

Washington Commanders: The Commanders drafted Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels 2nd overall in the 2024 draft in an attempt to turn the franchise around. They were one of the most active teams in the offseason, bringing in many rotation players such as defensive end Dorance Armstrong, RB Austin Ekeler, WR Olamide Zaccheaus, linebacker Bobby Wagner, and many other depth pieces. They also brought in Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to be their new head coach. While they were expected to improve from the 4 wins they had last season, they weren’t expected to do what they were doing now. They played the Buccaneers in Week 1, losing 37-20. Even though they got blown out, quarterback Jayden Daniels recorded 2 touchdowns on the ground and had no turnovers, a solid debut for the 2nd overall pick. In Week 2, they played the Giants, winning 21-18. Daniels led a scoring drive every time he touched the field, despite all drives ending in a field goal. In Week 3, Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders put the league on notice when they beat the Cincinnati Bengals 38-33, with Daniels once again leading a scoring drive every time he touched the field (not including kneel-downs.) Daniels had his breakout game against the Bengals, throwing for 254 yards and 2 touchdowns, along with an unbelievable 91% completion rate, he also added a touchdown on the ground. In Week 4, the dominance continued, as they blew out the Arizona Cardinals 42-14. Daniels once again completed an unbelievable 85% of his passes and got 280 yards from scrimmage and 2 touchdowns, one on the ground, and the other through the air. If they keep up this momentum, they just might win the NFC East and Daniels looks to be the favorite for ROTY.

NFC North:

Green Bay Packers: The Packers are quietly one of the contenders in the NFC. After making quarterback Jordan Love the highest-paid player in NFL history, giving him $220 million over 4 years. The Packers have a few new signings, Xavier McKinney at safety, and RB Josh Jacobs as well as new defensive coordinator and former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley. The Packers looked to improve this upcoming season. However, they are 2-2 as of right now. In Week 1, the Packers played the Eagles in a bizarre game in Brazil. The Packers ended up losing 34-29. However, the biggest concern was Jordan Love suffering a knee injury after Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter rolled up on his ankle and lower leg towards the very end of the game. Many feared the worst, thankfully, it was only an MCL sprain that left him sidelined for just 2 weeks. Malik Willis, who the Packers traded for 2 weeks prior, stepped up and played great in the 2 games he started, beating the Colts 16-10 in Week 2, and the Titans 30-14 in Week 3. Love came back in Week 4 against the Vikings, and it was one of the worst first halves from any team this season, trailing 28-0 at one point in the game. Despite a surge in the second half, the Packers wound up losing to the Vikings 31-29. While Love threw for just under 400 yards and 4 TD’s in his return, he turned the ball over 3 times, on top of a fumble by tight end Tucker Kraft and rookie kicker Brayden Narverson missing 2 field goals from 37 and 49 yards. Despite starting 2-2, if Narverson (or another kicker) starts making their kicks, and Love limits the turnovers, this Packers team is a sneaky contender in the NFC.

Detroit Lions: Last season, the Lions were up 24-7 against the 49ers in the NFC Championship at one point in the game. However, they ended up blowing their lead and lost 34-31. Going into next season, after adding depth at cornerback in the offseason with veteran Carlton Davis III and rookies Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr., they were expected to once again contend in the NFC. In Week 1, they beat the Rams in OT on SNF 26-20, with RB David Montgomery scoring the game-winning touchdown. In Week 2, they struggled massively against the Buccaneers, losing 20-16. Quarterback Jared Goff struggled, throwing two picks on the day. In Week 3, they beat the Cardinals 20-13, with the most notable event being a hook-and-ladder touchdown. Jared Goff threw the pass to star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, and St. Brown lateralled it back to RB Jahmyr Gibbs for the touchdown. In Week 4, they beat the Seahawks 42-29, with Jared Goff having a 100% completion percentage. This team looks to be a contender again, and in a weak NFC, they could very well be playing in February.

Chicago Bears: The Bears moved on from former 1st round QB Justin Fields in the offseason, and decided to draft “generational” talent Caleb Williams from USC with the 1st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They also traded for WR Keenan Allen from the Chargers and drafted Washington WR Rome Odunze with the 9th overall pick in an effort to help Williams. With more talent on this Bears roster than seen in a while, there were some high expectations. In Week 1, they had a very ugly 24-17 win over the Titans, in which the Bears didn’t score a single offensive touchdown. Caleb Williams was the first quarterback that was drafted first overall to win on their debut since 2002, despite the fact that he didn’t even throw for 100 yards or any touchdowns. In Week 2, the Bears ended up losing to the Texans on SNF 19-13, in which Williams struggled massively, as he was under pressure all game and threw 2 picks. In Week 3, Williams finally threw his 1st touchdown pass of his career, as he threw for 363 yards, two touchdown passes, but also two interceptions in a 21-16 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. In Week 4, the Bears beat the Rams 24-18, in which Williams completed over 70% of his passes, and didn’t turn the ball over once. This team has a bright future on paper, but there needs to be serious questions about Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and newly hired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.

Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings lost QB Kirk Cousins in the offseason, who had been their quarterback since 2018 up to that point. They drafted National Champion QB JJ McCarthy in the 1st round, and they signed QB Sam Darnold in the offseason. Training camp was filled with tragedy, however, as 2024 draftee Khyree Jackson and 2 others passed away after they were hit by a drunk driver. In the preseason, McCarthy tore his meniscus, leaving him out for the season. Up stepped Sam Darnold, the 3rd overall pick in 2018 out of USC was considered as a bust up until he played for Minnesota, throwing for over 200 yards and 2 touchdowns. In Week 1 the Vikings blew out the Giants 28-6. In Week 2, Minnesota were heavy underdogs against the 49ers, but they still won 23-17, with Darnold once again performing great. In Week 3, they were underdogs against the Houston Texans, but it didn’t matter because they blew them out 34-7, and Darnold threw for 4 touchdowns. By now they’ve put the league on notice with Sam Darnold playing great and one of the best defenses in the league. In Week 4, they continued their winning streak, beating the Packers 31-29. With a stifling defense, Darnold playing like an MVP candidate, and one of two teams to remain undefeated, It begs the question; is it a lucky start, or are the Minnesota Vikings the real deal?

NFC South:

New Orleans Saints: Coming into the season, everyone expected the Saints to be average at best. However, in the first 2 weeks, the Saints had the entire league shook. They demolished the Panthers in Week 1, winning 47-10. In Week 2, they also demolished the Cowboys 44-19. This put the league on notice. The Saint’s offense is led by QB Derek Carr, RB Alvin Kamara, wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, and newly hired offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. NFL teams were scared, but that changed in Weeks 3 and 4, as the Saints lost to the Eagles 15-12 and the Falcons 26-24. The Saints had one of the best first 2 weeks in NFL history, with many saying they were the favorite to win the NFC. If the Saints fail to make the playoffs, there is a very good chance that head coach Dennis Allen is gone. However, don’t be surprised if Klint Kubiak is the head coach for the Cowboys, Eagles, Bears, or even the Saints next season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: After a season where the Buccaneers went 9-8 and made the Divisional Round, they extended their quarterback Baker Mayfield for $100 million over 3 years. They were expected to stay where they are, just above .500 contending for the division, however, they have exceeded expectations. In Week 1, they dominated the Commanders 37-20, with Mayfield throwing for 289 yards, 4 touchdowns, no turnovers, and an 80% completion percentage. In Week 2, Tampa Bay got their revenge from last year’s divisional, beating the Lions 20-16, with Mayfield rushing for an 11-yard touchdown, recording the longest of his career. In Week 3, despite being heavy favorites, they got dominated by the Broncos, losing 26-7, in which all sides of the ball struggled. However, they bounced back against the Philadelphia Eagles. In a rematch of one of the six wild card match-ups from last year, the Bucs beat the Eagles 33-16, with Mayfield throwing for just under 350 yards and 2 touchdowns. This Buccaneers team looks new and improved from last season, Mayfield looks great, reminiscent of his days with the Sooners, the defense has improved, and they could very well win the NFC South.

Atlanta Falcons: Last offseason, Atlanta may have made the move of the offseason, bringing in quarterback Kirk Cousins through free agency for 4 years and $180 million. They also hired Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to be their new Head Coach. However, they shocked everyone in the draft when they took Washington quarterback and Heisman runner-up Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th overall pick in the NFL Draft. Mind you, they signed Cousins for 4 years, $180 million, and drafted a 24-year-old quarterback who has had injury problems in college. Regardless, coming into the season, they were the favorites to win the NFC South. However, in Week 1, they were upset by the Steelers 18-10. Cousins did not look good in his Atlanta debut, as he threw for only 155 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 picks. In Week 2, despite trailing for most of the game against the Eagles on MNF, Cousins led a game-winning drive in the final 2 minutes of the game, as he threw the go-ahead touchdown to wide receiver Drake London with under a minute to go. They wound up winning 22-21. In Week 3, they lost 22-17 to the Chiefs on SNF, despite having multiple chances to make something happen, they couldn’t come through. In Week 4, in a back-and-forth game against the Saints, Atlanta came out on top 26-24, with Kicker Younghoe Koo drilling a 58-yarder to give Atlanta the lead with 0:02 on the clock. Through 4 weeks of the season, this Falcons team looks improved from last season, and if Kirk Cousins recovers 100% from his Achilles tear sooner rather than later, they could very well be a contender in the NFC.

Carolina Panthers: Last season, the Carolina Panthers had one of the worst seasons of all time. They went 2-15, fired their newly hired head coach Frank Reich after 11 games, put their 1st overall pick from 2023, quarterback Bryce Young, in a horrible situation after drafting him over ROTY CJ Stroud, and had the worst owner in the league, David Tepper. However, in the offseason, they made improvements to the offensive line and receiving core, adding Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt in the offseason to bolster the offensive line, trading for Steelers WR Diontae Johnson, and drafting South Carolina WR Xavier Legette in the 1st round. They also hired Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales to be their new head coach. So going into the season, the expectations were raised for not only the team but also specifically for 2nd year QB Bryce Young. In Week 1, they got clobbered by the Saints 47-10. Young struggled tremendously, throwing for 161 yards, and 2 picks. In Week 2, they got blown out 26-3 by the Chargers. Young once again struggled tremendously, throwing for a lowly 84 yards and an interception. However, the biggest storyline was Bryce Young getting benched after 1 season and 2 games; becoming the shortest starting stint for a QB that was drafted first overall. They benched him for veteran Andy Dalton. Dalton made an immediate impact, throwing for 319 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 36-22 win over the Raiders in Week 3. In Week 4, they lost to the Bengals 34-24. The Panthers just aren’t good, Bryce Young is unfortunately a bust, and this team probably won’t accomplish anything as long as David Tepper owns the team.

NFC West:

Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks’ long-time head coach Pete Carroll stepped down after the end of last season and was replaced by Ravens defensive coordinator Mike McDonald. They were expected to teeter around that 7-9 win mark this season. In Week 1, they ended up beating the Broncos 26-20. In Week 2, they beat the Patriots in overtime, 23-20. In Week 3, they ended up dominating the Dolphins 24-3. Despite starting the season 3-0, they hadn’t played a truly good team yet. In Week 4, on MNF, they lost to the Lions 42-29. While this team started strong, they look average at best. They will likely finish around .500.

Arizona Cardinals: Last offseason, the Cardinals drafted generational talent and son of NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, Marvin Harrison Jr. (MHJ) 4th overall in the draft. With a young core, quarterback Kyler Murray fully healthy after his ACL tear in 2022, and a new and improved team under 2nd year head coach Jonathan Gannon the Cardinals were expected to do better than the 4 wins they got last season. In Week 1, they lost to the Bills 34-28. The main headline was MHJ only recording 1 catch for 4 yards. In Week 2, Marvin Harrison Jr. silenced the doubters and went nuclear against the Rams, going for 130 yards and 2 TDs in a blowout 41-10 win over the Rams. In Week 3, they lost to the Lions 20-13. In Week 4, they got blown out by the Commanders 42-14. While this team has shown flashes of accomplishment, they’re a year or 2 away from real success.

Los Angeles Rams: In the offseason, the Rams lost one of the best defensive players in NFL history when Aaron Donald retired. However, with a rejuvenated D-line after drafting edge rusher Jared Verse and defensive tackle Braden Fiske (who are both from FSU) in the 1st and 2nd round and an offense with players like QB Matthew Stafford, RB Kyren Williams, receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, and one of the best offensive minds in Sean McVay, this team still had high expectations. In Week 1, they sort of lived up to expectations, as they fell just short on SNF, losing in OT to the Lions 26-20. They got blown out by the Cardinals 41-10 in Week 2.  Quickly this Rams team went from an NFL team to a hospital, as they lost Kupp, Nacua, four starters on the offensive line, and some players on the defense as well to injury. While they managed to come back against the 49ers after trailing 24-7 and winning 27-24 in Week 3, they lost to the Bears 24-18 in Week 4, falling to 1-3. This Rams team can be good if they are healthy. However, the odds that they’ll be healthy aren’t looking good.

San Francisco 49ers: After a heartbreaking, soul-crushing, overtime loss in the Super Bowl against the Chiefs. The 49ers knew that this was their final year of their Super Bowl window. The 49ers had a training camp filled with drama, with star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in a lengthy, controversial holdout and rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall getting shot (he had no major injuries). In Week 1, without former OPOY Christian McCaffery, they beat the Jets 32-19 on MNF. However, in Week 2, they got upset by the Vikings 23-17. The upsets continued, as they ended up losing 27-24 to the Rams in Week 3. Finally, they managed to get back on track with a 30-13 win over the Patriots in Week 4. While the 49ers have had a slow start for their standards, expect them to be contenders in the NFC once the team gets healthy again.

DeMunda’s SuperBowl Picks:

The NFL is one month underway, and although it’s early, it looks like the Kansas City Chiefs will play the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl. For the Chiefs, if you have Mahomes, you have a chance. Despite injuries to players like RB Isiah Pacheco and WR Rashee Rice, the Chiefs are still the best team in the AFC. They are 4-0, and Mahomes hasn’t been playing at his best; so imagine what will happen when he turns it up a notch. Not to mention, they have an elite defense led by players like DT Chris Jones, Cornerback Trent McDuffie, and LB Nick Bolton. So once Pacheco comes back and Mahomes starts playing like his normal self, this Chiefs team should win the AFC. 

As for the Packers, while they are 2-2, this team checks every box for a contender. They have a Franchise QB in Jordan Love, a solid o-line, depth in the trenches, and an amazing head coach in Matt LaFleur. Not only that, but the NFC is wide open right now. Most teams regressed from last season, but the Packers are one of the few to improve in the offseason. With a new-look defense that has forced the most turnovers in the league so far, and having a “Next Man Up” mentality, this Packers team could go far in an NFC that is at a low point right now. So with all that being said, let’s look forward to the next five months of football and enjoy the rest of this NFL season.