Most teams are a quarter of the way through their season now and it is time that we look back and see how each of the teams have ended up in their current position.
Four games are usually the length of the preseason, so teams are still rusty at this point, but over the upcoming weeks is when teams have to get in a groove. Some teams are already placed in bad positions due to the rust and some are in a good position even with the lack of preseason.
Things may look a whole lot different at the halfway point of the season, but since we are a quarter of the way through, let’s see what led every team to where they are.
Rank Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)
1 Prev. (1 ⏤)
There is so much that could be discussed when talking about the Chiefs, including
Patrick Mahomes, Clyde Edwards-Helaire or the offense in general. However, it seems time for a switch up and it is time to say the defense is the reason they are undefeated. On defense it doesn’t matter how many yards are allowed, what matters is points and they limit points via the pass better than every team but one. Not only do they limit points in the pass game, but they have also forced seven overall turnovers which ranks sixth most.
Rank Seattle Seahawks (4-0)
2 Prev. (2 ⏤)
Russell Wilson, that simple. Wilson did not have the best performance against the Dolphins, but he is the entire reason they remain undefeated. Wilson is an early MVP candidate and for good reason, the defense has not played well and due to that they rank as one of the worst in the league, if Wilson were not on a roll then they could have 0 wins.
Rank Green Bay Packers (4-0)
3 Prev. (3 ⏤)
Aaron Rodgers has always had a knack for being able to still look great even if he did not have the best weapons, things have not changed entering this season. Rodgers is great at involving everyone and he has needed too since Davante Adams has missed the previous two games. Rodgers is playing as good as any QB right now and while he may not have the best weapons, it is clear that he knows how to utilize his weapons to their full potential.
Rank Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
4 Prev. (4 ⏤)
The four-headed monster in the backfield of Ingram, Dobbins, Edwards, and Jackson. Having a QB that is a threat such as Jackson on the ground makes it, so you never know who is going to have the ball. What is a defenses job, tackle the ball carrier, it makes it tough when you don’t know who that is and that’s the Ravens game. Currently, the Ravens have 643 rushing yards which ranks third in the league and it doesn’t look like they have warmed up yet, watch out.
Rank Buffalo Bills (4-0)
5 Prev. (5 ⏤)
Josh Allen has taken a massive leap this season, the biggest area being his accuracy, and he has made the Bills an immediate contender. Allen is right up there when discussing early MVPs and the addition of Stefon Diggs has made it so Allen could elevate his game to another level. The defense still has room to grow, but if Allen keeps playing the way he is playing then the defense can get away with taking a dip in production from last season.
Rank Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0)
6 Prev. (7 ↑1)
You don’t run against this team, in three games they have allowed just over 50 yards per game on the ground and that was against Saquon Barkley, Melvin Gordon, and David Johnson. They still have some tough competition in their future, but the way they stop the run helps open up their pass rush which is deadly. Overall, the Steelers defensive stats don’t look amazing, but they are up there as one of the best in the league and that is because the front seven is so good.
Rank Tennessee Titans (3-0)
7 Prev. (8 ↑1)
It may not be pretty, but the Titans have been able to win all their games in large part to the effort of Derrick Henry. Henry averages over 100 yards per game and while his stats may not jump off the page, he is the guy that opens the entire offense up. If Henry is not on a roll then the job becomes tougher for Tannehill, but with what he has done, it opens up the field for Tannehill and Tannehill has been a great compliment so far.
Rank Los Angeles Rams (3-1)
8 Prev. (9 ↑1)
Losing Todd Gurley was a tough decision that had to be made over the offseason and well, it turns out they knew exactly what they were doing. So far this season, the Rams have the seventh best run game that has produced the second most touchdowns. Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson have been great in the backfield and they help add a brand-new layer to go along with Goff on the offensive end.
Rank Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)
9 Prev. (11 ↑2)
This run defense is excellent and in their past two games they have held opponents to under 50 yards on the ground. When the run gets taken out then an offense becomes one dimensional and that is currently the position this defense is in. They stop the run so well it forces teams to pass and that is where they force turnovers, currently they have eight forced turnovers on the season.
Rank Indianapolis Colts (3-1)
10 Prev. (15 ↑5)
The defense in general has been the best in the league and there is really no weak point. The pass game currently ranks best in the league and the rush defense ranks fourth, combine the two and you have the number one ranked defense in the league. Having a defense that can minimize points allowed makes everything easier for the offense and that is the spot that Phillip Rivers is lucky enough to be in.
Rank New England Patriots (2-2)
11 Prev. (10 ↓1)
It was going to be Cam Newton, but after the performance they put on last night, it is clear that the answer here is Bill Belichick. The question was always whether it was Brady or Belichick and while Brady is great, there has to be something for Belichick. Bringing Newton in was huge this season, but with Belichick at the helm this team is always going to be in the game.
Rank New Orleans Saints (2-2)
12 Prev. (12 ⏤)
Alvin Kamara. Kamara has been doing it all this season and without him they could easily be winless. Drew Brees has thrown for eight touchdowns this season and three of them have been to Kamara, add in his rushing touchdowns and Kamara has seven total touchdowns which is half of the team’s total. Maybe once Michael Thomas is healthy then the offense will open up again, but right now it’s the Kamara show.
Rank Cleveland Browns (3-1)
13 Prev. (18 ↑5)
The run game took a hit with an injury to Nick Chubb, but there is no doubt that the run game has led them to their current position. It is always great when you have a great back as your backup and that is exactly what Kareem Hunt is. Now Hunt will take over the duty of main back, he should have no problem, but once Chubb is back it will continue to be the run game that carries them.
Rank San Francisco 49ers (2-2)
14 Prev. (6 ↓8)
The 49ers suffered a lot of injuries on the defense, yet, they still rank as one of the best. The pass defense is the reason for that, they have the second least yards against the pass and the lowest TDs allowed through the air. They have some tough competition coming up though, but if the pass defense can hold up, they should be in every game even with the injuries.
Rank Chicago Bears (3-1)
15 Prev. (13 ↓2)
Timing. There really hasn’t been one true reason why the Bears currently sit at 3-1 except for the concept of timing. They have not played great football, but when the fourth quarter comes another gear is reached and they somehow find a way to win, timing. However, timing could also be seen as luck, so a turnaround is needed in the upcoming weeks if they want to remain over .500.
Rank Las Vegas Raiders (2-2)
16 Prev. (14 ↓2)
Las Vegas has had a chance to win every game so far this season, why haven’t they, the defense. They have not had a game with less than 20 points, but they have also not had a game where they allowed less than 20 points. Sure, the offense could be better, but they shouldn’t be the key factor if they score over 20, if the defense can get only a little better that, then being better than .500 is completely realistic.
Rank Arizona Cardinals (2-2)
17 Prev. (16 ↓1)
If DeAndre Hopkins was not on this team then where would they be right now. Well, we really don’t know because Hopkins has been the focal point of the offense. That is both a good thing and bad thing. Throwing to the potential best receiver in the game is great, but it takes away any flow the offense has and that is the issue. Open up the field while keeping Hopkins involved and better things could be in their future.
Rank Dallas Cowboys (1-3)
18 Prev. (17 ↓1)
This offense has been great, but the defense has been so bad that it makes it almost impossible to win. No part of the defense is good, the pass game has allowed 12 TDs with 1,000 yards and the run game has allowed 5 TDs with 690 yards. When a team that averages above 30 points per game only has one win then it is obvious there are issues. The issues on the defensive side is clear and something needs to change quick.
Rank Philadelphia Eagles (1-2-1)
19 Prev. (21 ↑2)
Injuries have hurt this team so far, but Carson Wentz has not been his normal self. Wentz barely has a 60% completion rate and seven interceptions compared to four TDs, that is not good. Wentz doesn’t even have the excuse that he played the best teams in the league, no, the only saving grace as of now is that the NFC East is dreadful so they sit atop the division with one win, but Wentz needs to play better.
Rank Minnesota Vikings (1-3)
20 Prev. (25 ↑5)
Kirk Cousins has been a turnover machine and 6% of his passes have ended up as interceptions this season. No matter what else happens in the game, that type of production is never going to cut it. Of course, the defense has room to grow, but Cousins is not making it any easier on them by giving the defense short fields it is bound points will be allowed. Bottom line is Cousins need to play better.
Rank Los Angeles Chargers (1-3)
21 Prev. (20 ↓1)
The Chargers have a great pass defense that has only allowed more than 250 yards one time this season. The pass d is what has been keeping them in games this season, now they need to find a way to close games out and get the victory. If Justin Herbert remains starter then he should grow, but right now the pass defense will keep the games close.
Rank Houston Texans (0-4)
22 Prev. (19 ↓3)
The schedule has not been favorable to the Texans at all so far this season. It seemed completely possible that the Texans started 0-4 and at best they would be 2-2. Sure, they have not played great so far this season, but now Bill O’Brien is gone, and it is a new era in Houston. On top of that, the schedule becomes a lot more favorable now so let’s see if anything changes.
Rank Carolina Panthers (2-2)
23 Prev. (26 ↑4)
As odd as it sounds, losing Christian McCaffrey may be the biggest reason why they currently have two wins. With McCaffrey the offense tended to get a little one dimensional, but with him injured it has opened the offense up and Teddy Bridgewater has stepped up. Once they get CMC back it could turn ugly if they resort back to old ways, keep the offense flowing once he returns and good things will happen.
Rank Miami Dolphins (1-3)
24 Prev. (22 ↓2)
This offense does not have the talent to score the points that are needed to win, luckily, the defense has been good enough to keep each game in reach. Only one of their three losses has been more than a one score game and if the offense had just a little more fire power consistently then they would be better.
Rank Detroit Lions (1-3)
25 Prev. (24 ↓1)
The offense is good, but not good enough to match with their bad defense. Their defense has allowed over 30 points per game and the offense just does not have the power to match their opponents. The Lions give up yards, maybe not as much as others, but they struggle at limiting the touchdowns. Limit the touchdowns and the games will be in reach, don’t and keep losing.
Rank Cincinnati Bengals (1-2-1)
26 Prev. (27 ↑1)
The run game is why they are where they are right now, for the most part the run game has been nonexistent and, in those games, they lost two and tied one. Last game the run had 205 yards and they won their first game, coincidence? The run game is needed to help out the rookie QB in Burrow and now that they have a win, let’s see if they stick to their guns and run the ball.
Rank Denver Broncos (1-3)
27 Prev. (30 ↑3)
The Broncos have dealt with a lot at the QB position, right now they are on their third one. Once Lock gets back, we will see if the offense will come together, but right now the lack of consistency at that position has led them to a sub .500 record. Things may not get any easier this season either, so they need the QB to be better sooner rather than later. We don’t know when Lock will be back so it could be a rough stretch.
Rank Washington Football Team (1-3)
28 Prev. (28 ⏤)
The defensive rush from the front four is excellent and if they had an offense that could take advantage of situations then they would be better than 1-3. They rank fourth in the league in the pass and that is because of the ferocious rush, even with one of the best rookies out they still have their all-time sack leader to fill in. If the offense can get its play together than along with the defense they could be much better.
Rank Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3)
29 Prev. (23 ↓6)
The Jaguars is more of a roster issue more than anything. They are not playing great right now, but what was expected with the current team they have. They had a fire sale this offseason and that made the roster one of the youngest in the league. With experience this team will only get better, but even with a sub .500 record, this team has been overperforming so far.
Rank Atlanta Falcons (0-4)
30 Prev. (29 ↓1)
The Falcons defense is not good, the offense can match with any other offense in the league, but the defense consistently loses them games. They are almost allowing 35 points per game, that is bad enough, but when you consider that the offense is averaging 25 points per game then it makes it even worse. The offense has been good enough to win and will continue to be, but unless a massive shakeup takes place on the D then nothing will happen.
Rank New York Giants (0-4)
31 Prev. (31 ⏤)
This team was not supposed to have mojo, but if they had any then it was all lost once Barkley was lost for the season. That placed pressure on Daniel Jones, and he has not been able to overcome adversity. It is not all on Jones, but if he truly wants to be considered the future of the team then they are going to need a leader to get more than 12 points per game.
Rank New York Jets (0-4)
32 Prev. (32 ⏤)
The Jets can score, maybe not to the likes of other teams, but the defense has not given them a chance to win any game this season. They are allowing nearly 33 points per game while only scoring around 17 per game, something needs to change. Yes, Sam Darnold can play better, but this is on the defense and if nothing changes soon then 0-16 could be in their future.