The NFL is great because every game matters. In fact, we already have 4 games in the books, which is 25% of the season. Today, I will review my Team by Team predictions and make commentary on what we are seeing in the league so far.
LA Rams are unstoppable on offense.
Quarter Pole Report Cards
Overall, I have 10 of the 32 records correct so far (31.25%). For the most part, I am within one game. We only have 2 undefeated teams (LA Rams and Kansas City) and 1 winless team (Arizona). I’ve predicted 38 of the 63 games correctly so far for 60.32%. These predictions get worse and worse over the year, but I like the start.
Team – Actual Record (Prediction)
AFC East
Dolphins – 3-1 (2-2) – Miami has played very well, but got trounced at NE. Could be a playoff team with the improved defense, but let’s see.
Patriots – 2-2 (4-0) – NE was struggling before big win against MIA. Edelman is back, and if defense plays like Week 4, they will be back at the top of the division.
Bills – 1-3 (0-4) – Bills are not good. They shocked Minnesota, but they will be picking in Top 5 next year.
Jets – 1-3 (0-4) – Jets are going to struggle, too. They won Week 1, but have not looked good since. Darnold will improve, but likely another Top 5 pick next year.
AFC North
Bengals – 3-1 (0-4) – I gravely under-estimated the Bengals. They have been great offensively and mostly without Joe Mixon. I gotta think they come back to Earth, but with the Steelers reeling, maybe they will be a surprise playoff squad.
Ravens – 3-1 (3-1) – Ravens defense is #1, and the Flacco is slinging it. They are a playoff team, if they stay healthy.
Steelers – 1-2-1 (4-0) – Hugely disappointing Steelers look terrible. The defense is just bad and everyone is lighting them up. Offensively, the Bell holdout and AB crying is catching up to them. 2 losses in the next quarter means no playoffs to me, but we will see.
Browns – 1-2-1 (1-3) – I was on this one, but the Browns should have 3 wins, so they are getting closer to winning. I don’t think Hue Jackson is the guy for this job.
AFC South
Titans – 3-1 (2-2) – Titans looked bad early, but they have won 3 straight including against the Jags and in OT against Philly. Their schedule gets easier now, too.
Jags – 3-1 (3-1) – The Jags won a huge handily over NE, but turned around with a dud against the Titans. They are good, but need to keep scoring in today’s NFL. Let’s see at KC this week.
Texans – 1-3 (2-2) – Deshaun Watson looked more like himself in the OT win last week, but the defense is not playing nearly to its 2016 level. They were overrated this year so far.
Colts – 1-3 (1-3) – Colts could have won last week, but they are actually better on Defense this year. If they can get more from the running game, then they can make a push for the wild card.
AFC West
Chiefs – 4-0 (2-2) – QB Patrick Mahomes has been great so far to cover up for a terrible defense. He has played on the road for 3 of 4 to get those wins, too. Jags come to town Week 5.
Chargers – 2-2 (3-1) – The Chargers defense is not good without Joey Bosa. They are playing in track meets this year. They need to improve to make the playoffs.
Broncos – 2-2 (2-2) – The Broncos blew a 10 point 4th quarter last week against KC or they would be on top. The defense is good, offense is not. Keenum needs to stop turning the ball over.
Raiders – 1-3 (1-3) – The Raiders rebuild on the fly method is not working. They have blown 2nd half leads in all of their games, and it took a 45-42 shootout at home in OT to get their lone win. Could be a long year.
Current Playoffs:
Chiefs, Bengals, Dolphins, Titans, Jags and Ravens (no Pats, Chargers or Steelers)
NFC
NFC East
Redskins – 2-1 (2-1) – The Skins have been as expected, but leading the division. Softer schedule, but a win against the Pack was impressive. Let’s see if they have staying power.
Eagles – 2-2 (3-1) – A surprise win in Week 1 followed by a surprise loss at Tampa, but they are finally getting healthy. That OT loss and blown 14 point lead to Titans could hurt.
Cowboys – 2-2 (1-3) – The WRs are bad as expected, but they fed the beast in Zeke to get the win in Week 4. They need to do more of that, but someone has to step up at WR.
Giants – 1-3 (2-2) – I was off on the Giants. They aren’t good. Eli is not looking good, and the defense is just ok. They may fall off the map quickly.
NFC North
Bears – 3-1 (3-1) – The Bears look great on defense and the soft schedule gives them the top spot. They should be 4-0, but loss at GB. Mitchell took a step forward, but will that continue?
Packers – 2-1-1 (4-0) – The Rodgers injury in Week 1 has lingered. Some tough key calls against MIN and WAS cost them. They need to play better, Period.
Vikings – 1-2-1 (2-2) – Vikings got through their toughest part of the schedule, but their defense is not playing at the 2017 level. Offensively, they have put up points. Let’s see if they improve.
Lions – 1-3 (1-3) – Lions are mediocre at best. Lone win came on a total dud from New England. It’s going to be a long year.
NFC South
Saints – 3-1 (2-2) – Big win at ATL probably gets them the edge on the division going forward, but Saints defense has been awful. RB Ingram comes back so maybe they save the defense some on possession.
Panthers – 2-1 (2-1) – Carolina is a solid team. Not sure if the playoffs will happen, but there is room with SF and MIN step back.
Bucs – 2-2 (0-4) – FitzMagic carried this team to 2 unlikely wins at NO and against PHI. He crashed back to Earth and with Winston in, I don’t like this team – also terrible D.
Falcons – 1-3 (4-0) – Huge miss here, but injuries have crushed their secondary and LBs. They are playing a ton of shootouts and losing them all. QB Matt Ryan has been great, but they can’t stop anybody. Maybe they figure it out.
NFC West
Rams – 4-0 (4-0) – The Rams are delivering all over the field. Offense is unstoppable, and the defensive acquisitions have worked. However, injuries to Talib and a dinged up Peters have opened the door to shootouts (that they can win doing anyway). The NFL’s best team.
Seahawks – 2-2 (1-3) – Seattle is holding steady despite looking mediocre. With the loss of S Earl Thomas, we will see if the defense can hold up. Offense has not been great.
49ers – 1-3 (1-3) – I expected the slow start, but with the loss of Jimmy G at QB, they will struggle all year. Maybe they can scratch out 5 wins, but they may be back in Top 5 in Draft.
Cardinals – 0-4 (1-3) – AZ is the worst team in the NFL right now. Their defense is respectable, and they turned to rookie QB Josh Rosen now. I think it will be a long year.
NFC Playoffs
Rams, Bears, Saints, Redskins, Panthers and Packers (no Falcons, Vikings or Eagles)
In the 2nd Quarter of the season, the early flashes fade, like Tampa. As the weather turns colder, the offense should cool off and maybe the officials will not call as many bogus penalties. I see teams like New England, Philly, Minnesota and LA Chargers surging.
Who do you like in Q2?
Wegs