NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
Are we having fun yet, NFL fans? I know I am, as this is already one of the best seasons in a long time. What makes me say that? Where do we begin? We have had surprise wins from teams with low expectations, injuries, shocking upsets, and can honestly say without being corny that any given Sunday is alive and real.
Who Are These Guys?
Heading into the season, everyone, of course, had questions about their teams. That’s what makes the preseason so fun, all the questions, but if you ask around, most people knew 2 things. The Colts needed to find out what they have in Anthony Richardson, and that year 1 of Mike Vrabel in New England would most likely be a rebuilding year. Here we are heading into week 13, and we have the Patriots 10-2 first in the AFC North, and people are mentioning Drake Maye in MVP talks, as well as Vrabe, the coach of the year running.
With Stefon Diggs starting to really come back from that ACL injury and a hungry defense, they should cause some problems in the playoffs. Of course, with this being new for most of the roster, when things get tight, can they handle it? No one wants to play in New England in December or January; that place still has the spirit of Tom Brady floating around.
I figured that Anthony Richardson would fall into the deep bit of QBs ruined by a team with no real plan, and that Shane Steichen might be one of the first coaches to head to the chopping block. Well, I am SORRY the 2025 Colts are so much fun, with the leader in the MVP race, Johnthan Taylor leading the way, and Daniel Jones playing well enough.
With an 8-3 record and first place in the AFC South, we have to see how the injury to Jones affects them. We have all seen the video; he doesn’t look good. No defense I would rather not have my hobbled QB face than the Texans, so good luck. And in the games against the top teams, they have held their own, which is a strong sign heading into the playoffs. A home game would be great for them to start with.
With a number pick at QB and lots of high-priced free agents, a lot was expected of the Chicago Bears last season, and a fired coach later, they didn’t bring the goods at all. So in comes Ben Johnson to lead the team and fix Caleb Williams while also changing the culture. Well, I would say so far this season, mission accomplished, the Bears are in first place in a very tough NFC North. Williams will throw for over 3,000 yards, and he has become the leader the Bears wanted.
This team is fun and is just going out each week and fighting. Sticking with the culture change theme, I LOVE what I am seeing from the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are winning anyway they can. New head coach Liam Coen has that swag and passion I like in a head coach. Holding everyone accountable and switching the vibe in Duuuuuval. Can they hold off the Texans and sneak into the wild card spot?
Fresh off a career year, the question was how much the Vikings would give Sam Darnold? They put their faith in JJ McCarthy and let Darnold AND Daniel Jones WALK. A lot of us me included wondered if that was the REAL Sam Darnold or a KOC magical one-off, and who would put faith in him and pay him big dollars.
The answer was the Seattle Seahawks, 3 years, $100 million with $55 million guaranteed. Money well spent! The Seahawks are 8-3 and sitting behind the Super Bowl favorite Los Angeles Rams. Darnold and JSN have become a lethal duo, and minus a poor performance vs the Rams, he has played well, and a defense with 3-4 players you know by name, things look good for the 12th man.
Bo Nix and the Broncos are ROLLING. The defense is elite with a great pass rush without having to blitz every play, and Nix does enough to get the job done. The leap from year 1 to 2 is real, even with his bonehead moments from time to time. With a real home-field advantage and a defense that will travel, this could be a surprise team out of the AFC. Do YOU want to play in Denver in December/January?
Wait, What Happened?
Heading into this season, I had my “contenders” as Ravens, Rams, Bills, Eagles, Packers, Lions, Chiefs, and Vikings. Well, those teams are either fighting for their playoff lives or on the outside looking in. Let’s start with the AFC shockers:
The Bills have ZERO outside threats, so it is Josh Allen vs everybody, and injuries have hit them HARD, clinging to the last wildcard spot with the Texans hunting them. The matchup vs Pittsburgh is MAJOR. They can NOT lose.
Baltimore Ravens, where do I start? Lamar Jackson is a shell of himself. A HORRIBLE start to the season, they are left faced with a fight to even sniff the playoffs. I don’t think they make it.
Expect MAJOR moves this offseason, do they dump their current OC? Is John Harbaugh done? Stay tuned
The Kansas City Chiefs couldn’t stay on the heater forever, right? Even with Patrick Mahomes on the team, you knew the good times had to end at some point. Not having Rashee Rice to start the season since he was a dummy off the field, and Xavier Worthy’s injury shook up the offense. Add in injuries and just plain bad luck, and here we are. If anyone could pull this type of comeback and sneak into the dance, it’s number 15 in Kansas City.
Over in the NFC, whew, baby, so sad for some of these squads.The Minnesota Vikings are like when you buy that outfit and the whole drive back, you doubt the choice, and when you wear it, you confirm you picked wrong. That has to be how Vikings fans feel about this season with number 9 at QB1; this team was looked at as a Super Bowl contender, and like the Bears, a lot was expected from them.
A 4-7 record wasn’t on the bingo card, although I expected JJ to struggle at times, being a new starter. You can’t just toss someone the keys to the car for the first time and expect perfection. Some major choices will have to be made this offseason and get the purple back on the right side of these football deep dives.
With 5 weeks left in the season, this has been a great ride! Even with the horror show that has been my Washington Commanders. Who wins the MVP? Can Mahomes’ magic work? Do the Rams keep crushing any and all opponents? How long can the 49ers’ mash unit keep it going? Are the Panthers a playoff team? Pull up a chair and get with me, this season is giving us the GOODS! Enjoy it and catch Ashmere Prasad and me every Sunday at 11:30 am EST for Moving the Chains.
