Well, here we are. We are officially one third of the way through the NFL season. If you are like me and you thrive on fall, football, pumpkin flavored everything, Fantasy Football stress, and Scott Hanson then this is a bitter pill to swallow. It’s hard not to feel like it is all flying by too quickly, but we must look on the bright side: we are in the midst of a wild and crazy football season. And this week only added to the madness.

For this check in on the state of the union in the NFL, I have assigned each team to one of five categories – linked below for ease of access – based on their performance thus far.

---

Top of the League

As of this past Sunday there are no more undefeated teams in the National Football League. This moment comes every year, though this year it was earlier than expected. Each year when the top teams drop a game, there is a mixture of disappointment and relief in the air. And the sweet smell of champagne popped by the only remaining undefeated team in NFL history, the 1972 Miami Dolphins.

While they wait for the fizz of champagne to settle, let’s look at who sits atop the league after week six.

Philadelphia Eagles: 5-1

The final team to lose a game this season – they played in the later window – were the boys in green. After an impressive season last year that included a trip to the Super Bowl and the now famous tush push, the Eagles were primed for another great year. What has happened thus far hasn’t quite been what was expected though, up until yesterday, did not yield any losses. The Eagles were winning, yes, but not like they did last year. There was something missing, something off. And it all caught up with them against the Jets on Sunday.

The hallmark of a good team is that they handily beat the mediocre and bad teams. The Eagles aren’t really doing that this year. Their largest margin of victory came against a Buccaneers team that is still living in Tom Brady’s shadow. The rest of their wins were much closer and against much worse teams – the Vikings, Patriots, and Commanders all gave them a run for their money. It’s not looking great for the Eagles, but I don’t want to throw out the word fraud…yet.

Their upcoming schedule is a doozy, featuring two other 5-1 teams, two contentious teams, and a team that already put up a fight against them. How they come out of this stretch will prove whether or not they are the real deal or not.

Upcoming Schedule: Dolphins, @Commanders, Cowboys, BYE, @Chiefs, and Bills.

San Francisco 49ers: 5-1

Up until their shocking week six loss, this Niners squad looked like they had all the pieces to go undefeated and achieve perfection. But perfect isn’t easy and neither is playing efficient offense against Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns defense.

Injuries have started to pile up in key areas for the Niners. Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and Trent Williams – three of the most notable offensive players in the league – all left the field on Sunday with injuries. This isn’t the first time an amazing San Francisco team has been thwarted by injuries, it seems to happen to them almost every year. With a bye coming up, one can only hope that the team gets some much needed rest and their injured teammates get extra time to heal.

At this point it looks like the only thing that can stop the 49ers is the 49ers health.

Upcoming schedule: @Vikings, Bengals, BYE, @Jaguars, Buccaneers, and @Seahawks.

Detroit Lions: 5-1

How exciting is this?!

With the exception of their fellow NFC North fanbases, I doubt there are many football fans who didn’t smile when they saw the Lions tied for the best record in football this week. Everybody loves an underdog and this Detroit squad perfectly fits the bill. After all, this is the same organization who lost every single one of their regular season games not that long ago. In contrast to that team, these Lions are scrappy and undeniably talented with a roster full of incredible young players and seasoned athletes who have been overlooked, but shine in the silver and blue.

It is so much fun to root for a team who hasn’t tasted glory in the same way that it’s fun to root against a team who swims in victory (*cough* Chiefs *cough*). Now one of the bottom teams is at the top and America is loving it – or at least I am. It’s almost as if they have done a Freaky Friday swap with the Patriots or Broncos who have been so successful in the past and now see a measly “one” in the win column. The tides are always changing in the NFL and, though it took a long time to swing in their direction, things are looking really good for the Lions right now.

Peeking ahead at what is to come, there is a really good chance the Lions will still be atop the league come late November. Wouldn’t that just be lovely?

Upcoming Schedule: @Ravens, Raiders, BYE, @Chargers, Bears, and Packers.

Miami Dolphins: 5-1

As a self-proclaimed representative of the AFC East, acknowledging the prowess of this Miami Dolphins team is a hard pill to swallow. So, though it pains me to say, the “Greatest Show on Surf” is an unparalleled phenomenon in the NFL this season. Don’t believe me? Lets look at the numbers.

• Tyreek Hill is leading the NFL in receiving yards with 814 over six weeks which is 142 more yards than the second receiver – AJ Brown of the Eagles. On top of that, he is on pace for 2,306 yards on the year which would shatter Calvin Johnson’s single season record of 1,964.
• Miami leads the league in rushing yards on the season with 191 more yards than the second best team. On top of that, they have two rushers in the top ten for yards this season. Rookie De’Von Achane – who has only started four games with the team – is fourth in the league and veteran Raheem Mostert is seventh.
• The Dolphins lead the league in touchdowns in both passing and rushing, yards per catch, and yards per carry.
• All of this offense wouldn’t be possible without Tua Tagovailoa leading the league in yards and passer rating.

The offensive is undeniably exceptional. What makes it even more impressive is knowing they have no defensive or special teams touchdowns on the year. All 30 of their scores have been offensive. So while they excel with the ball, will their mediocre defense and special teams hold them back from winning the big games? Their next six games may just shed some light on this.

Coming up they have two tough games against fellow 5-1 opponents and two seemingly easy divisional matchups. How the Dolphins come out of this stretch will be very telling about their chances to make a deep playoff run. In my opinion anyway.

Upcoming Schedule: @Eagles, Patriots, @Chiefs, BYE, Raiders, and @Jets

Kansas City Chiefs: 5-1

No one is surprised to see the Chiefs here. Since Patrick Mahomes took over as quarterback, the Chiefs have been regulars at the top of the NFL standings. And deservingly so. They have sometimes seemed on another level than every other team in the league with offensive and defensive stars that shine so bright, it’s maddening. This year is a little different though. The lights are still bright, but they aren’t blinding.

Similar to the Eagles, something is off with the Chiefs this year. They aren’t coming down on the bad teams they play like the hammer of Thor. They are squeaking by and adding to the win column, sure, but isn’t dumbfoundingly impressive in the way it has been in recent years. Arguably the most exciting part of the Chiefs season has been happening off the field and while she is the most powerful woman in pop culture right now, Taylor Swift does not win you football games.

Maybe it’s the lack of receiving talent, maybe Mahomes is plateauing, maybe Kelce is distracted (Lord knows I would be), or maybe the league is catching up to them. Whatever the reason or reasons is, the Chiefs need to step up their game if they want to continue being the most dominant team in the NFL.

Looking at their schedule for the next third of the season they have some serious tests and contentious divisional games…and they play the Broncos.

Upcoming Schedule: Chargers, @Broncos, Dolphins, BYE, Eagles, and Raiders.

Hanging in There

There are two types of teams who are hanging in there this year: the contenders and the pretenders. Let’s see who is who.

Baltimore Ravens: 4-2

Status: Unsure

This might be the one team that I am unsure about when it comes to their status as a pretender or contender.

The Ravens are a notoriously frustrating team. Not just to play, but to root for. They have an incredibly deep and talented roster, but are seemingly always injured or underperforming. Sure, they win games but they always manage to find the ugliest way to do it. This year is no exception. These are, in so many ways, the same old Ravens.

This year – on top of injuries – a big issue has been the receiving corps inability to catch passes from quarterback Lamar Jackson in the big moments. It doesn’t help that they added notorious butterfingers, Nelson Agholor, to the team. It’s not fun to watch. But is it ever really that fun to watch the Ravens?

Without a bye in the next six weeks, the fear of injuries stacking up is real for Ravens fans. And their upcoming schedule isn’t exactly easy either. Half the teams are above .500, but the other three are frisky. It will be very telling to see how this all unfolds.

Upcoming Schedule: Lions, @Cardinals, Seahawks, Browns, Bengals, and @Chargers.

Buffalo Bills: 4-2

Status: Contenders, for now

The Bills are contenders, injured contenders, but contenders nonetheless. It’s tough to maintain the place in the league that they have for the past few seasons without their defense fully healthy. This fact makes me feel more forgiving of their shortcomings thus far – read: an opening night loss to the Jets who lost their new QB on the first drive of the game.

But the NFL isn’t quite as forgiving as me. The team has a late bye week this year which means they have to push through this upcoming stretch in order to stay as healthy as they can for a playoff run. Luckily for them, their next six weeks are lighter than most. Lets see if they win the games they are supposed to win, because if they do they are surely bonafide contenders.

Upcoming Schedule: @Patriots, Buccaneers, @Bengals, Broncos, Jets, and @Eagles.

Cleveland Browns: 3-2

Status: A little bit of both

This is a fun one because the Browns defense is perhaps the best in the league – definite contenders – but their offense? A big old bunch of pretenders.

Similar to their divisional rivals in Baltimore, the Browns are a consistently frustrating team. What makes this offense particularly infuriating is the potential. I’m talking about the quarterback with the most guaranteed money in NFL history, a lot of promising receivers, and the “what could have been” in Nick Chubb. Unfortunately, injuries and poor performances have prevented them for getting anywhere close to their potential.

Thankfully, their defense has kept them above .500 and helped them take down the biggest juggernaut in the NFL this past week. This squad is the best in the league, they just don’t have the help from their offensive partners.

Classic Cleveland mess. We do love consistency.

Will it all even out? Will the offense catch up? Will the defense falter? Based on what’s coming up, their defense should be able to keep them in some games and allow them to continue to rise up?

Upcoming Schedule: @Colts, @Seahawks, Cardinals, @Ravens, Steelers, and @Broncos.

Dallas Cowboys: 4-2

Status: Contenders

This year the Cowboys are mid. They beat up on bad teams, but get smoked by good teams. But sometimes, that is all you need to be a contender in the NFL.

Let’s look at the numbers though, because it is important to recognize just how lopsided this season has been for “America’s team.” In games against teams with a record .500 or less, the Cowboys are 4-1 and outscore opponents 144-58. On the flip side, their singular game against a winning team saw them fall 42-10. Yikes.

If we are going by the numbers – and the numbers do not lie – the Cowboys are looking to come out of the next six week with a record of at least 7-4 if not 8-3. And though I may be extra harsh on them because of how good I know they can be, if they get smoked by the Eagles I might be ready to call it.

Upcoming Schedule: BYE, Rams, @Eagles, Giants, @Panthers, and Commanders.

Jacksonville Jaguars: 4-2

Status: Contenders

The Jaguars are one of the more fun teams to watch this year. I love tuning in to watch the new and improved Calvin Ridley or to see Trevor’s luscious locks and laser arm or even just to dazzle in the light of Travis Etienne. They are a good time and I can’t wait to see how they progress throughout the season. Based on their upcoming schedule signs are pointing towards success and a rapturous matchup against the Niners to boot!

Upcoming Schedule: Saints, @Steelers, BYE, 49ers, Titans, and @Texans.

Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-2

Status: Pretenders

I think even Steelers fans know that this team is classified as pretenders. The fact that they are even here, above .500 after six weeks is incredible. They are one of the more uninspiring teams to watch this year and I don’t see things continuing like this for them down the road. But then again, what do I know?

Upcoming Schedule: @Rams, Jaguars, Titans, Packers, @Browns, and @Bengals

Seattle Seahawks: 3-2

Status: Up in the air

Maybe I’m crazy or maybe I have way too many of their players on my fantasy teams, but I had very high hopes for the Seahawks this year. While it’s true that they have a winning record, they haven’t exactly faced the toughest of competitors. The Lions win in week two was very impressive, but they followed that up by beating perhaps the two worst teams in the NFL: the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants. Their losses came against teams at or below their level. it doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in this team to win many – if any – contentious matches.

The exciting spark of their season thus far is Kenneth Walker III’s emergence as a surefire RB1 that the team has desperately missed since Marshawn left the team. He is efficient, powerful, and consistent – three key ingredients to success in the current state of running backs. Not to mention he has a cool, old timey name that I just love.

Coming up the Seahawks have a chance to establish themselves as a contender in the NFC or plateau out into just another team. The choice is theirs.

Upcoming Schedule: Cardinals, Browns, @Ravens, Commanders, @Rams, and 49ers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 3-2

Status: Too soon to tell

Of all the quarterbacks on new teams this year, Baker Mayfield on the Buccaneers is the one I am having the hardest time adjusting to. After years in Cleveland, Carolina, and a brief stint in LA, the former Heisman winner has landed in central Florida where he has big shoes to fill. Replacing Tom Brady is no easy task, but thus far Baker has faired well.

Yet six weeks in, we still don’t really know where the Bucs stand in the grand scheme of things. Their wins have come against the bad teams and they have lost to two of the best teams in the league – the Eagles and Lions. The most interesting of these games, though, came against the Saints. Of all their opponents, this squad is seemingly the most similar in skillset and somehow this was the Bucs biggest margin of victory this season: 17 points.

More than maybe any other team that is hanging in there, the Buccaneers still have the opportunity to craft their identity in the post-Brady era.

Upcoming Schedule: Falcons, @Bills, @Texans, Titans, @49ers, and @Colts.

Middle of the Road

There are nine teams who currently have a record of 3-3 in the NFL. That is nearly one third of the league. For some of these teams it is a miracle for them to be at .500 and for others it is a disappointment. Let’s see who is living up to their potential and who is falling short.

Atlanta Falcons: 3-3

Diagnosis: Neutral

This Falcons team is not lacking in skills players, especially after picking up Bijan Robinson early in this year’s draft. Unfortunately for them, their QB is holding them back. Desmond Ridder had an amazing college career at the University of Cincinnati, no one is trying to take that away from him. But college and the pros are very different, not all successes in college translate well onto the pro field. Desmond struggles to keep up with the offensive scheme that Arthur Smith’s coaching staff is putting together while also struggling to read defenses. It’s a bad combination and the results are glaring on the field.

It is difficult not to fantasize about what a good quarterback could do for this offensive filled with weapons like Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London. But with the current situation, everything seems to be evening out.

The good news for Falcons fans is that coming up the team has a very winnable schedule. There is a chance they can pull forward and take the lead in their wide open division.

Upcoming Schedule: @Bucaneers, @Titans, Vikings, @Cardinals, BYE, and Saints.

Cincinnati Bengals: 3-3

Diagnosis: Miracle

It is hard to accurately diagnose the Bengals. For one, it would have been a SHOCK of the disappointing nature to see the result preseason. However, things changed and the Bengals have struggled thus far making it a miracle that they have climbed back up to 3-3 just in time to hit their stride.

It will be interesting to see if this lasts. Bengals fans are no doubt nervous about each step that superstar quarterback, Joe Burrow, takes out of fear that he will reinjure his calf. And it’s a scary thought after watching Burrow’s truly terrible start to the season. Like many other teams health is key for this Bengals squad, because with their upcoming schedule they will need to firing at all cylinders to come out with a winning record.

Upcoming Schedule: BYE, @49ers, Bills, Texans, @Ravens, and Steelers.

Houston Texans: 3-3

Diagnosis: Impressive

I am loving this Texans team.

After what feels like ten straight years of mediocrity, something exciting is in the works for this team. Much of the Texans recent history was filled with teams who were the best in a truly terrible division. They would squeeze into the playoffs at 9-8, host a 4:25pm playoff game, and lose to a wildcard team that would have no doubt won the AFC South. Talented skills players and defenders were stuck on a team whose quarterback situation was ever changing and never impressive.

But now, with a new coach and oodles of young talent, hope is on the horizon for this franchise. DeMeco Ryans has put together one of the most energized, surprising teams of the season thus far around his stellar rookie QB. CJ Stroud is defying expectations and putting together easily the most impressive rookie season of his draft class thus far. And with players like Nico Collins and Tank Dell to distribute the ball to, I expect the success to continue for many years.

This is the dawn of a new era in Houston and I am absolutely here for it.

Upcoming Schedule: BYE, @Panthers, Buccaneers, @Bengals, Cardinals, and Jaguars.

Indianapolis Colts: 3-3

Diagnosis: Neutral

Hand up, I completely wrote the Colts off before the season even started. To me, they had the lowest chances to be successful in today’s NFL. Things have been inconsistent in Indy since Andrew Luck ghosted the team back in the 2019 preseason. The quarterback position has been a revolving door of past their prime stars and players who would have been backups on nearly any other team. The bright spots – Jonathan Taylor and their defense – have not been enough to elevate this team out of mediocrity. At the end of the day they still might be mediocre, but now there is a glimmer of hope.

Anthony Richardson has given this team a jolt of much needed energy. The rookie quarterback out of Florida is incredibly fun to watch as he runs around the field. In the era of mobile quarterbacks it feels like we have seen it all, but in comes Richardson and something feels new.

This is all so great and exciting for the Colts, so why is their diagnosis just “neutral?” Injuries, that’s why. One injury after another piled up and eventually resulted in a shoulder injury to Richardson that requires surgery which will end his season early. The potential for the Colts screeches to a halt with this loss.

Garner Minshew is fine, but he isn’t what the Colts need to make the next step. It might be dramatic to say after only six weeks, but lets start getting excited for next year Colts fans.

Upcoming Schedule: Browns, Saints, @Panthers, Patriots, BYE, and Buccaneers.

Las Vegas Raiders: 3-3

Diagnosis: Predictable

I am pretty sure everyone saw a middle of the road performance from the Raiders coming from a mile away this year. Their strengths – players like Devante Adams and Maxx Crosby – are matched nearly equally by their weaknesses – coaching and quarterbacking.

I don’t expect much more to change out of the Raiders this yea in this sense. I imagine they will be frisky in nearly every game, but usually dance the line of beating the teams they are better than and losing to teams they are worse than. The definition, if you will, of mid.

Upcoming Schedule: @Bears, @Lions, Giants, Jets, @Dolphins, and Chiefs.

Los Angeles Rams: 3-3

Diagnosis: Impressive

It’s hard to accurately predict what the remainder of the Rams season will look like. Coming into the season, expectations were low – especially when star wide receiver, Cooper Kupp, was placed on injured reserve. Could the Rams have a coherent offense without him? Enter Puka Nacua, rookie out of BYU.

Turns out the Rams aren’t as one dimensional on offense as we expected. After six weeks, the connection between Matt Stafford and Nacua has resulted in the latter placing fourth in total recieving yards after six weeks. Even more impressive is that he is in a class with Tyreek Hill, AJ Brown, and Stefon Diggs…as a rookie. After years of trading away valuable draft picks to build their roster, the Rams prove that they can still find value in young talent.

Where the Rams will land in the grand scheme of things is difficult to say, but with Kupp back and looking like his usual self, it’s hard to imagine things going downhill from here.

Upcoming Schedule: Steelers, @Cowboys, @Packers, BYE, Seahawks, and @Cardinals.

New Orleans Saints: 3-3

Diagnosis: Disappointment

Bringing in Derek Carr this offseason was considerable step up for the Saints on offense. And while star running back Alvin Kamara would be missing games due to a suspension, the elusive Michael Thomas – who broke the completions record not too long ago – was finally back. In a weakened division, signs were pointing to a strong season for the Saints.

Unfortunately for them, the results just aren’t there. They have only managed to beat teams with losing records and don’t show up against their more impressive opponents. Heck, they couldn’t even score a touchdown against their divisional rival Buccaneers.

Other teams are showing up and the Saints just…aren’t.

Looking ahead the Saints have a chance to redeem themselves with three weak opponents. If they win these games, they are truly a middle of the road team. If they drop one of these games though, be ready to sound the alarm.

Upcoming Schedule: Jaguars, @Colts, Bears, @Vikings, BYE, and @Falcons.

New York Jets: 3-3

Diagnosis: Miracle

Holy cannoli this season has been a rollercoaster ride for the Jets. First, they march onto the field on September 11th with their new quarterback – Aaron Rodgers – carrying the American flag. The team had been the talk of the offseason since acquiring the future hall of famer and were even chosen as the subjects of HBO’s Hard Knocks. With excitement and prosperity in the air, the Jets got started against their divisional rival to start the season.

Then Aaron Rodgers snapped his Achilles tendon on the first offensive drive of the game. The most Jets thing to ever happen to the Jets happened less than five minutes into the first game of the season.

With this drama, the oft-ridiculed backup Zach Wilson comes in…and leads the team to victory over the Bills? Yes, that happened.

In the weeks following, the Jets managed to achieve the following:

• Give the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs a run for their money in primetime with Taylor Swift – and all of America – watching.
• Handed the truly despicable Patriots their first and only win of the season thus far, continuing the team’s losing streak to their divisional rival that dates back to 2015.
• Got their asses handed to them by the Cowboys.
• In the most shocking shockers of the season thus far, beat the undefeated Eagles.

The Jets are in the midst of one of the crazier starts to a season in recent memory. Thankfully they get a breather in the form of a bye week in week seven before jumping back into the ring. I can confidently say, I have no idea how the Jets will emerge from this upcoming stretch and that is truly terrifying.

Upcoming Schedule: BYE, @Giants, Chargers, @Raiders, @Bills, and Dolphins.

Washington Commanders: 3-3

Diagnosis: Neutral

The Commanders, as an organization, are in a weird place. The team’s performance – despite a new quarterback – is in the same place it has been for quite a few years now. They have the potential for greatness with players like Chase Young, Terry McLaurin, Brian Robinson Jr., and Jahon Dotson, but don’t have the results to show for it. Then they have new ownership who seems far more concerned with the team’s name than the results on the football field.

Nothing seems to surprise me about the Commanders anymore. Except maybe their game against the Eagles where they pushed the former super bowl team to overtime. But other than that? Nothing new to see here.

Upcoming Schedule: @Giants, Eagles, @Patriots, @Seahawks, Giants, and @Cowboys.

Nothing Special

Between the middle of road teams and the bottom of the barrel, four teams live in a space both forgetful and lacking promise. These are the teams that are not delivering this year, at least when it comes to winning games.

Green Bay Packers: 2-3

With Aaron Rodgers departure from Wisconsin, the division that previously belonged to the Packers has been passed along to the Lions. Laying in the rubble of what used to be is a group of young players led by a young coach who don’t seem to have a solid sense of direction.

While there is still excitement around this team and thrill when watching them play, the lack of experience is palpable. Not only did Rodgers leave, he took staples like Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb with him. He left his replacement, Jordan Love, with a big load on his shoulders and I’m not sure Love has what it takes to carry it.

The Packers upcoming schedule is filled with very winnable games. Games we would expect them to win in years past. But this is a new team and I can’t say I feel confident they will march through this slate with a record above .500.

Upcoming Schedule: @Broncos, Vikings, Rams, @Steelers, Chargers, and @Lions.

Los Angeles Chargers: 2-3

It’s a tale as old as time. A talented team suffering loss after loss to average teams due to a lack of the clutch gene. Keenan Allen has been nasty this year (in a good way), Herbert is ranked in the top ten of nearly every QB stat, and the defense is tied for the second highest number of sacks on the year – 21. Yet, they are still losing very winnable games.

I don’t expect much to change for the Chargers, but would love to see things turn around. The hopeless romantic in me loves to root for the doomed underdog and the Chargers fit that mold perfectly.

Upcoming Schedule: @Chiefs, Bears, @Jets, Lions, @Packers, and Ravens.

Minnesota Vikings: 2-4

After winning nearly every game last year by a touchdown or less, the tides have turned on the Vikings. so far this year, three of their four losses were one-score games. Oh and to make matters worse, their leading receiver is on the injured reserve. Without Justin Jefferson this team is heading in the wrong direction – AKA toward a top ten draft pick.

Upcoming Schedule: 49ers, @Packers, @Falcons, Saints, @Broncos, and Bears.

Tennessee Titans: 2-4

Even though these are six teams whose records are worse than theirs, I find the Titans to be the least inspiring team in the NFL this year. Ryan Tannehill? Boring. Derrick Henry? Losing steam. DeAndre Hopkins? Another year being a great talent on a bad team. Their Defense? The bright spot in a dark room, but still nothing to write home about.

I often forget the Titans when I run through NFL teams in my head. Say what you will about being a bad team, but at least you are memorable.

Upcoming Schedule: BYE, Falcons, @Steelers, @Buccaneers, @Jaguars, and Panthers.

Bottom of the Barrel

New England Patriots: 1-5

I won’t make any sort of attempt to sugar coat the very low morale in Patriots Nation. This season has been nothing short of an absolute disaster in every which way. Tuning in to watch this team play has become more of a chore than a weekly treat. I hate so much about the way the Patriots are right now and it is an unfamiliar feeling, for me at least. This is a feeling that nearly every NFL team has felt at some point or another over the past two decades. Unfortunately for us posh Patriots fans, this isn’t a feeling we are familiar with. It feels like putting on a pair of jeans that used to fit just right and now you can’t even squeeze them over your thighs. It’s gross and uncomfortable and depressing and infuriating all at once.

I truly do hate it here, but I guess after being spoiled rotten with the GOAT and six super bowls in my life time I can’t complain too much.

The gist of it is this: the Patriots are banged up on defense, incoherent on offense, and disappointing on special teams. All the promise that came after two close games during the first two weeks with teams that should have crushed us has fizzled out. Now fans are as thankful for a touchdown – we went two weeks without one – as they are a win. It’s a bummer, but it’s my life right now.

Upcoming Schedule: Bills, @Dolphins, Commanders, Colts, BYE, and @Giants.

Denver Broncos: 1-5

Lets call it what it is: the Denver Broncos are a flaming hot dumpster fire. After the catastrophe of last season, things were looking up. The Broncos were planning on making a coaching change that had the dramatic results seen in Jacksonville after Urban Meyer was ousted. Unfortunately, you can’t slap tape on something and expect it to work like new.

Sean Payton may have come in with high hopes of changing this team, but the results just haven’t been there. In fact, the team has been unsettlingly bad. Just take a look at the 70-20 loss they suffered against the Dolphins in week three. Yes, you read that right: seventy. It doesn’t really get much better from there considering their only win was against fellow 1-5 team, the Chicago Bears.

Vibes are very bad in Denver and based on what they have ahead of them, it doesn’t look like they will be good anytime soon.

Upcoming Schedule: Packers, Chiefs, BYE, @Bills, Vikings, and Browns.

New York Giants: 1-5

Yikes.

A lot went right for the Giants last year. Despite their relatively unknown receiving corps, Daniel Jones passed for over 3,000 yards. With a new coach and a healthy Saquon Barkley, the team made an unexpected playoff run by beating the 13-4 Vikings in the Wildcard round. Brian Daboll won coach of the year, Jones and Barkley got paid, and things were looking up.

People, myself included, were excited for their week one match up against their divisional heavyweights in Dallas. So when the Giants went down early it was surprising. But when the Giants kept lost 40-0 it was shocking. Jones threw for just over 100 yards and Barkley managed a measly 51 rushing yards. For all the money they were signed for, this was an alarming disappointment. After that devastating loss, the only upside has been a singular win against the Cardinals that required a franchise best comeback.

Things are looking very bad for this New York team and I don’t think they will be getting better anytime soon with Jones out for the foreseeable future. Say a prayer for your Giants fan friends if you believe in that sort of thing, they need all the support they can get.

Upcoming Schedule: Commanders, Jets, @Raiders, @Cowboys, @Commanders, and Patriots.

Chicago Bears: 1-5

The Bears are having a very weird season. They are losing in epic fashion to nearly every team they play and yet DJ Moore is a top five receiver this year. They allowed 41 against a less than exceptional Chiefs team, but put up 40 against a decent Commanders squad. They are a little all over the place and messy, but that is what we have come to expect from the Bears in recent years.

With the injury to quarterback Justin Fields, I anticipate a dip from the Bears in the coming weeks. I know what you are thinking, “how much further can they dip?” Well, to quote Mean Girls: “the limit does not exist.”

Upcoming Schedule: Raiders, @Chargers, @Saints, Panthers, @Lions, and @Vikings.

Arizona Cardinals: 1-5

This is where most experts would have likely expected Arizona to be at this point in the season. The Cardinals made headlines when it was announced that preseason they were not favored to win a single game this year. With starting QB Kyler Murray out and back up Josh Dobbs signed days before the season started, things were looking pretty bad in Arizona. Yet they pulled off one of the most impressive underdog performances this year, taking down the mighty Cowboys in week three.

Though they have struggled through the season thus far, I believe the Cardinals have the potential to be more than a bottom of the barrel NFL team, especially once injured running back James Connor returns. I might be a fool to see potential here, but when looking at the other one win teams, the Cardinals jump out as having the most promise.

Let’s see if they can deliver on this hunch of mine over the next six weeks.

Upcoming Schedule: @Seahawks, Ravens, @Browns, Falcons, @Texans, and Rams.

Carolina Panthers: 0-6

Rebuilds don’t happen overnight and the Panthers are living proof of this. After trading away star Christian McCaffrey last year and claiming the top pick in the draft, the Panthers are still at the very bottom without much hope for progress. Bryce Young has looked in over his head so far this season and has struggled to keep the offense looking competent – they have been outscored 186-112 so far this year. Though they have a wide open division this year, it is safe to rule the Panthers out already.

Upcoming Schedule: BYE, Texans, Colts, @Bears, Cowboys, and @Titans.