Category: Sports

Post-Week 7 Power Rankings

After a week where 14-of-15 favorites won their games, there’s not too much shakeup in this week’s rankings. But, a familiar face at the top spot and more shuffling in the middle highlight the changes.

Cover photo taken from Imagn Images.

1 – Chiefs (4-3) 7

Forget records. We all know Kansas City is the best team in the league.

Patrick Mahomes is playing at an incandescent level. Rashee Rice being back completes the offense. The defense is finding its groove. They’re back to looking like they’re simply bored out there, practicing for the playoffs as they plan for another trip to the Super Bowl.

Monday night isn’t going to be fun for me.

2 – Colts (6-1)

Best record in the NFL? Check. Quarterback playing at an MVP level? Check. Elite offensive line and running game? Double check.

The Colts have found a damn near foolproof winning formula that’s going to carry them to an easy division title. I think it remains to be seen how truly formidable they’ll be in the playoffs, especially as the defense continues to find itself, but this offense is playing at a level that’ll be hard to beat when the time comes. Shane Steichen is cooking with grease.

3 – Lions (5-2)

Arguably the most inspired performance of the young season belongs to the Lions defense on Monday night. Starting players I’ve never remotely heard of before, they played lights out against an elite — albeit shorthanded — offense and made MVP candidate Baker Mayfield look like his Browns self.

If that type of performance can be replicated, the Lions become frightening. Because the passing offense did nothing. It was old school, smash-mouth football: pounding run game and hounding defense. Good luck beating this iteration of Dan Campbell hoops.

4 – Rams (5-2)

No Puka Nacua and a weird travel plan to London? No problem. Ho-hum sleepwalking five-touchdown game from Matthew Stafford and the defense’s best performance of the season gets the job done.

We know what the Rams are by this point. Stafford is a dog, Nacua and Davante Adams are probably the best WR duo in football and the secondary is playing incredible hoops. If you want to argue that this is the best team in the NFC, I’ll allow it.

5 – Seahawks (5-2)

The great teams stay cooking. Sensing a trend?

The Seahawks are still the Seahawks. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is just a delight to watch and the best receiver in football right now. This defense is fast, athletic and suffocating. Sam Darnold should take better care of the ball, but it didn’t matter on Monday night. For a team that lacks relative “star power,” this is a real Super Bowl contender.

6 – Buccaneers (5-2) 5

Oof.

I can’t blame Tampa too much; the injuries have finally caught up to them and are now getting worse with Mike Evans out for the season. But Baker Mayfield playing like the worst version of himself and the run defense getting gashed are two things that are complete aberrations.

I’ll choose to believe that this was a bad game, not a bad sign. But I’m on alert now with the Bucs.

7 – Packers (4-1-1)

The most annoying, confusing and straight up “who cares?” good team in the league right now.

I feel like the only thing I can say with confidence about the Packers is that Josh Jacobs is a stud. That’s about it. Jordan Love is playing fine and protecting the ball, but the passing attack is just boring. The defense is still solid, but not exactly game-wrecking like they were earlier in the year. I feel like Green Bay was lucky to get out of Arizona with a win, because it seemed like they were largely outplayed.

They’re just boring. But still fine. And that’s good enough… for now.

8 – Bills (4-2) 2

Let’s see some life out of the bye week, particularly on defense. You should be able to do that against Andy Dalton, right?

9 – 49ers (5-2) 3

Kyle Shanahan continues to prove me wrong.

The 49ers keep on winning despite the injuries, tough schedule, apparent roster shortcomings and so on and so forth. They’re just a damn good team with elite coaching. Robert Saleh is getting blood from a stone with these young pieces on the defensive side (I do recognize that Michael Penix Jr. kind of stinks, but still) and it’s pretty cool to see. Mac Jones is doing his thing in keeping this ship afloat. Oh, and Christian McCaffrey is still Christian McCaffrey.

How long can they keep this going? I guess there’s no end in sight.

10 – Patriots (5-2) 1

Like so many other teams this week, the Patriots just kept on doing their thing. That was Drake Maye shredding a horrible team and the defense making some splash plays to notch another easy win as they continue to bank Ws and prepare for the postseason.

The 2025 Patriots are the 2024 Commanders. It’s that simple.

11 – Eagles (5-2) 5

The Eagles are the NFL’s greatest enigma.

They don’t want to air it out. But when they do, it’s explosive like it was on Sunday in Minnesota or a few weeks ago against the Rams. But sometimes that doesn’t happen, like last week against the Giants. And one week the defense is great. But the next week it sucks. But they can still make splash plays. But this, and that, and there, and this. What the hell is this team?!

If this is what the Birds are going to be on offense, then they can make another run despite their defensive shortcomings. But they’re far too inconsistent and simply weird to fully trust them.

12 – Broncos (5-2) 3

That was bats—t insane. And I have no idea what to make of it.

I love this defense, but they got shredded by Jaxson Dart. I don’t like the quarterback, but he made every play necessary to win. The run game stunk again, but then found a groove when they were down by a bunch. Nothing makes sense!

But, like many other teams that I don’t have a grasp on, the Broncos have done well to bank wins early in the year to get to a comfortable position where they should make the playoffs again. And that’s good enough.

13 – Steelers (4-2) 3

The NFL’s most obvious paper tiger just crumpled. Shocker!

I do have to admit: Unc still got it. Aaron Rodgers can still sling that pill against bad teams. That part is obvious. But man, this defense is hard to watch. They do the same thing over and over again and it gets beat and beat and beat. And that’s going to hold them back in the playoffs, assuming they get there.

14 – Chargers (4-3) 3

The Chargers somehow get moved up this week because the middle of the league is so… bad?

I guess Justin Herbert was slinging that thing, but he also threw a pair of picks. The run game is just invisible. The defense stinks. It just feels like it’s falling apart, doesn’t it?

LA has the talent and coaching to be a playoff team. But these problems feel close to insurmountable right now.

15 – Vikings (3-3) 3

Minnesota gets a bump this week for the same reason the Chargers did. It has nothing to do with their play on the field, although Sunday wasn’t all bad.

If the Vikings could finish drives with seven points instead of three, maybe they could’ve pulled out the upset win over the Eagles. But they looked completely inept in the redzone and refused to put the ball in the endzone. That’s a problem, especially when Carson Wentz has his moments and turns the ball over.

I honestly might be more concerned with the defense anyways, since it got shredded by Jalen Hurts. But this is a sound team. They’ll bounce back regardless of who’s playing quarterback (side note: is JJ McCarthy ever coming back? Or is he a figment of our imagination?).

16 – Bears (4-2) 4

Ben Johnson is doing a tremendous job of hiding Caleb Williams in plain sight. A playmaking defense and resurgent run game also helps with that.

The Bears are doing what they need to do: stacking wins against bad teams to stay afloat in the playoff race. The cupcakes are few and far between from here on out, so we’ll see how long they can keep up the winning ways.

17 – Panthers (4-3) 4

Fair enough, Carolina. Winning in the NFL is hard. Ripping off a few in a row to get above .500 for this franchise is something to hang your hat on. You’ve gotta feel good for them.

Losing Bryce Young for a week or two hurts, but Andy Dalton is a capable backup. And it might not matter with how elite this rushing offense has been. The defense has been a nice surprise, too, highlighted by Jaycee Horn having magnets in his gloves. The Panthers are squarely on frisky watch.

18 – Falcons (3-3) 7

Michael Penix Jr. is developing a penchant for following up some of the best games of his career with some of the worst. Because Sunday night was extremely hard to watch, to the point where putting Kirk Cousins in at any point in the weeks to come shouldn’t be out of the question.

That’s honestly the story for the Falcons right now. The defense is fine, as is the run game. Penix has to be the guy that guides them, and right now, they’re lost at sea with him any time they face a defense worth a damn. I understand it’s still early for him, but the dude is 25 and now dealing with even more injuries. The clock is ticking fast.

19 – Cowboys (3-3-1) 3

Defense is overrated when your offense is this explosive. Fairs.

The sheer talent between Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Javonte Williams and Jake Ferguson is biblically greedy. The only question remains: is it good enough to carry Dallas to the playoffs in a brutal NFC? I think we’re about to find out.

20 – Commanders (3-4) 7

I’m planning on releasing a column covering the current, dismal state of this team at some point this week, so be on the lookout for that.

In the meantime, we can just call the Commanders what they are: a bad football team. Can’t tackle, can’t cover, can’t force turnovers, can’t catch, can’t convert third downs, can’t run the ball, can’t get open, can’t stay on the field, can’t get off the field. It’s over.

21 – Bengals (3-4) 7

Joe Flacco buddy ball might be enough to keep this ship afloat. Turns out force feeding Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins is a winning formula. Who knew?

22 – Jaguars (4-3) 8

It might be over.

Trevor Lawrence is becoming unwatchable. The run game is getting worse by the week. The defense isn’t as good as we thought they were when they’re not forcing turnovers. It just feels like it’s falling apart at the seams in Jacksonville.

23 – Texans (2-4) 4

You know what the Texans are? The Browns with better PR.

The defense is elite and ballhawking, getting after the quarterback and forcing turnovers at will. The offense is unwatchable with an offensive line that couldn’t pass for 300-pound traffic cones and a quarterback that suffers because of it. And because of that, this team is going nowhere fast. And it’s a crying shame for one of my favorite young squads in football.

24 – Giants (2-5) 1

What a weird team. And what an unfathomable way to lose a football game.

I won’t dog the Giants for finding a historic way to blow a massive late lead because everyone else has done that for me by now. And I won’t sit here and praise them for finding their guy at QB with some other solid young pieces, because everyone has done that too.

I’ll just sit here and say that this team is fun and all, but that’s about it.

25 – Ravens (1-5) 1

Let’s see what life — if any — this team has on the plus side of the bye now that Lamar Jackson is back.

I won’t get my hopes up, but beating the Bears would be a good first step.

26 – Cardinals (2-5) 1

I guess I feel bad for the Cardinals, but again, being competitive is only worth so much in this league. Maybe you should actually win a game or two for once.

Five straight losses by a combined 13 points might be a tough pill to swallow, but winning close games is a skill and losing them is indicative of a larger problem. The Cardinals will get no grace from me.

27 – Browns (2-5) 2

I honestly think if we were in 1970, the Browns would be dominant. Quinshon Judkins is a legit bell cow back and this defense simply has a penchant for making plays.

But, the quarterback ain’t good, and that’s what will matter against the real football teams on their schedule.

28 – Saints (1-6) 1

Both competitive-slash-frisky and bad. The quarterback is both passable and terrible. The talent is both there in pieces and nonexistent.

At the end of the day, you are what your record says you are. And the Saints suck. They’re just a fun version of sucking unlike teams like Miami, Vegas, the Jets, etc.

29 – Dolphins (1-6) 3

Not worth talking about until Mike McDaniel gets fired (I still don’t think it’s his fault, I don’t know) or Tua Tagovailoa gets benched.

This is the NFL’s equivalent of a dead man walking. It’s a dead team playing.

30 – Raiders (2-5)

The Raiders had less offensive plays than the Chiefs had points on Sunday.

Read that again. Then go look at the rest of the box score. Then wash your eyes out.

31 – Titans (1-6)

Maybe Cam Ward just sucks.

I don’t know. The kid’s got a ton of talent, and we need to see him in a competent offense before I make any crazy judgements. But I feel less encouraged by the week with his complete lack of care when it comes to ball security.

32 – Jets (0-7)

Not worth talking about until Aaron Glenn gets fired.

But at least Justin Fields is being benched! That’s step one, right?

Post-Week 5 Power Rankings

The wackiest week in a wild NFL season has produced the weirdest set of rankings I’ve ever concocted.

Cover photo taken from The Washington Post.

1 – Lions (4-1) 2

In a league with no clear cut No. 1 team, the Lions stand out as the most consistent, in-form squad. Their four-game win streak is the longest in football, and they have straight up kicked ass ever since being handled by Green Bay in Week 1.

The bright spot has honestly been their defense, considering we know what to expect from the other side of the ball. But, when you’ve played Jake Browning and Joe Flacco in your last two games, that might be a little skewed.

Still, Detroit was the only team I was comfortable putting on top this week.

2 – Colts (4-1) 7

Why not? The Colts have been on a ridiculous tear since the season started, with their only loss coming in largely self-inflicted fashion. The offense is a machine and the defense wreaks havoc. Everything is working hand in hand in Indianapolis, and it’s resulting in wildly efficient and electric football.

Now that we can throw precedent out the window and judge teams simply based on what they’ve been through a month, I feel comfortable saying the Colts have been the best team in the AFC through five weeks.

3 – Buccaneers (4-1) 5

I was hesitant to put the Bucs this high considering all four of their wins have been by three points or less, which isn’t exactly sustainable. But, at least they won the damn games. That goes quite a long way!

I said in the preseason that Tampa was a sneaky 1-seed candidate because of how their schedule shaped up, especially down the stretch. Well, they’re 4-1 and about to wrap up the “hard part” of said schedule, all with injuries galore on offense and a Swiss cheese secondary.

Until that bites them, they’re going to keep winning because Baker Mayfield is a psychopath and Emeka Egbuka is already a superstar. This team is appointment television every week.

4 – Bills (4-1) 3

No team in the NFL goes undefeated. A loss was always going to show up for Buffalo, and I’m not surprised that it was to a divisional opponent with an up-and-coming quarterback and terrific coach.

I’m more surprised that the Bills were lifeless for about 50 minutes on Sunday night. That’s not what we’ve come to expect from this team. Maybe they were complacent because they’ve been sleepwalking to victories over the likes of the Jets and Saints. Maybe they simply underestimated their division rivals. Regardless, I didn’t like what I saw. They were outplayed and outcoached, they couldn’t establish any semblance of a run game and Josh Allen got his lunch money taken by Drake Maye.

But, the Bills aren’t the type of team to stay complacent for long. They’ll bounce back in a big way against the fluff they continue to be gifted in this schedule.

5 – Packers (2-1-1)

The Packers are one of several teams that I had no idea what to do with here. Didn’t help that they didn’t play this week. They should dispose of the Bengals easily this week, but I can’t imagine we’ll learn much about Green Bay until they go to Arizona in two weeks time.

6 – 49ers (4-1) 9

Putting the Niners this high seems a little… kneejerk to say the least. But damn, this is the coaching operation of the year. And that’s worth a hell of a lot in this league.

Kyle Shanahan is coaching his tail off, getting this team to continue grinding out close wins over quality opponents despite their Costco receipt of injuries. He’s getting Mac Jones to play lights out, for crying out loud. Christian McCaffrey has been the ultimate weapon that we know he can be, freaking Kendrick Bourne is turning into Justin Jefferson for some reason and that young defense is really starting to come into its own — Alfred Collins had an eye-popping performance on Thursday night.

Just imagine what it’ll look like when this team is as healthy as they can be.

7 – Rams (3-2) 3

The Rams only have themselves to blame for not being 5-0. Horrendous kicking operations, less-than-ideal fourth down decision-making and untimely turnovers have doomed them in their two losses.

But we all know this team is of an incredibly high quality. Matthew Stafford is playing at an MVP level, Puka Nacua is your OPOY through a month and that defense is all over the place. They just need to clean up the little things, because they’re snowballing into much, much bigger things. That can’t keep happening.

8 – Jaguars (4-1) 5

Hell yeah. This Jags team is absolutely electric. Monday night’s thrilling victory over the Chiefs was the epitome of that.

The story has to start with that defense, which continues to drop jaws. The takeaway total has reached 14, highlighted by Devin Lloyd — who would be the DPOY if the season ended today — taking a goal-line interception the distance for the game-flipping score. They make key plays in every key moment, which allows the offense to do the rest. And while I still don’t think that side of the ball is anything crazy, there’s no denying how good they’ve been in the clutch.

That win on Monday is the type of victory that can catalyze a strong regular season run. With plenty out there for the Jaguars to accomplish, who’s to say that they won’t?

9 – Seahawks (3-2) 1

I don’t know what the hell happened to this defense on Sunday, but it made for some excellent theater. Seeing Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba go band for band with Baker Mayfield and Emeka Egbuka was the most electrifying offensive football we’ve seen in 2025.

I do lean towards that defensive debacle being an aberration and not something that could become a trend. And while many could knock Darnold for his pair of interceptions, I’m not the type of guy to hate on a QB for throwing a pick on a tipped ball, or trying to make a play with the game on the line. He has still been wildly efficient behind a so-so offensive line with a so-so run game. If you’re looking for Darnold slander, it won’t come from me.

10 – Commanders (3-2) 2

I told you so. Turns out I was right all along about the impact that Jayden Daniels being in the lineup has. You guys should trust me on this stuff.

I will admit that this team looked completely lifeless for 20-or-so minutes on Sunday before Quan Martin’s forced fumble on Quentin Johnston completely turned the tide. Jayden, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and the Washington offense completely dominated from there on out while the defense tightened up and made every play they needed to. Yes, the Commanders were aided on penalties here and there, but they weren’t bad calls or anything like that. They took advantage of the Chargers’ mistakes.

I thought Daniels played a terrific second half, Bill clearly had the best game of his young career — and should be the clear every-down back from here on out — Deebo Samuel continued to be the best playmaker on the roster. And it all culminated in the closest feeling to 2024 that we’ve had in ’25. I like that feeling.

However! I still hate so much of the coverage schematics. That was the type of the game where the defensive line takes over, which is awesome to see. Javon Kinlaw and Daron Payne are playing out of their minds right now, and I loved to see the little sprinkling of Jordan Magee, who was a shot out of a cannon on several plays. But the countless third down conversions with wide open spots in the zone drove me nuts. Please, for the love of anything and everything that’s holy, clean that up.

11 – Broncos (3-2)

Thank you. Just… thank you. If I could move you into the top-10 on the principle of beating the Eagles alone, I would.

But honestly, I still have my qualms with the Broncos, particularly on offense. I just don’t understand why they still have Bo Nix playing with training wheels on, even with how solid the run game has been. They don’t want to throw over the middle — in fact, it feels like all they want to do is hit the sidelines with jump balls to Courtland Sutton or quick passes to the flat. And that works, but it won’t work consistently. In a strange way, I just feel like Sean Payton either doesn’t trust Nix right now, or they’re not on the same page.

But, if the offense can keep doing enough to match their defense’s ability to keep them in games, Denver can keep on winning. I just feel like Nix’s current level of play puts a low ceiling on how good they can be.

12 – Eagles (4-1) 10

Forget the 2024 Chiefs. These Eagles feel more like the 2020 Steelers.

No offensive identity. The players don’t like each other. The style of winning isn’t sustainable. The record doesn’t mean much when you throw on the tape.

Again, it has been a month. We can throw away precedent now. I don’t care that they won the Super Bowl eight months ago. This feels like a shell of the team that whooped the Chiefs in New Orleans. That dominant rushing team can no longer run the ball with Saquon freaking Barkley. AJ Brown continues to be alarmingly invisible. The once-lockdown secondary isn’t exactly fearsome. And teams can actually run on that front. At least the defense has been serviceable. The offense can’t say remotely the same.

I know I said that the Eagles will keep finding ways to win, but what happens if they can’t? Well, Sunday happens. And with a very tough schedule, that could continue to happen if this operation doesn’t tighten up. At least they get the Giants in two of their next three games.

It’s okay, Philadelphia. At least you have the Phillies! Oh wait.

13 – Chiefs (2-3) 7

I really did not want to bump the Chiefs this low, but I had nowhere else to put them. So, here you go. Just know that I don’t think you’re this low, Kansas City. It’s a matter of circumstance.

I’m just so perplexed at what this team is. When I watch them, I don’t get it. More than anything, I don’t understand why this defense is as underwhelming as it is. They have consistently given up major plays in the clutch to let down Patrick Mahomes and the offense. It feels like that side of the ball is starting to click, but it doesn’t matter because the D is failing them.

Let me be clear: I think the Chiefs are going to be fine despite a tough schedule, and I’d still easily pick them to win the AFC because they’re the Chiefs and Mahomes is still under center. But that doesn’t mean I can just put them in the top-5 or something. Because this isn’t a top-10 team in football right now, let alone a top-5 one.

14 – Patriots (3-2) 9

“Welcome to the f—ing show.” – Will Ferrell in The Campaign (2012).

The Patriots have arrived. I had my doubts about whether or not this would happen, but here we are. Drake Maye is here, folks. And he is really freaking good. His innate playmaking ability, his throwing prowess on the run and ever-improving decision-making has turned him into one of the league’s best-performing QBs thus far in 2025. The country got to see it in full, dazzling display on Sunday night.

Like I said with the Jaguars, that’s the type of win that can catalyze the run that determines the season. With the way Maye and Stefon Diggs are playing, with an improving defense, and with a TreVeyon Henderson that’s waiting to explode and with a Charmin-soft schedule, who knows what’s in the cards for the Patriots all of a sudden?

15 – Chargers (3-2) 8

You hear that? That’s the sound of the wheels falling off.

The offensive line situation has become untenable. The Chargers had to use two different right tackles and three separate right guards against the Commanders, and by the fourth quarter, they couldn’t keep the pocket clean if they had a full bottle of Windex.

Justin Herbert can only do so much — though, I’ve got to tell you, he’s not doing all that much anyways. There’s no semblance of a run game or a deep threat. It’s all dink and dunk, which is fine and dandy against the Raiders and all, but you can’t win every game like that. Now, Omarion Hampton is heading to IR, and the OL isn’t going to magically get healthier. This is a real make-or-break stretch coming up for LA.

16 – Steelers (3-1) 2

Bye weeks are fun when they mean I don’t have to watch the Steelers play football. Now I have to watch them play… Dillon Gabriel and the Browns? Great.

17 – Vikings (3-2) 2

Here’s what we know: this defense is still insane, and so is Justin Jefferson, and Kevin O’Connell is a remarkable coach. As long as those things remain true, the Vikings will continue to stay afloat.

Again, I’m interested to see what this operation looks like when JJ McCarthy returns, because I’m not so sure that they shouldn’t just stick with Carson Wentz as a steady hand to keep this thing upright. Only time will tell.

18 – Cowboys (2-2-1) 3

All it took to make this defense look good was playing the Jets. Seems legit.

In any case, this offense is still stupidly good. Javonte Williams has turned into Ladanian Tomlinson for whatever reason, Dak Prescott continues to play like an MVP, there are weapons everywhere and they are all making impacts. Ryan Flournoy is making plays for crying out loud.

I still think the Cowboys will have to win a shootout every week to stay out of the loss column when it comes to playing good teams. But shoot, maybe they can do it.

19 – Texans (2-3) 1

Hello, we’re back department? I’d like to file a claim.

I won’t get my hopes up because the Ravens are legitimately dreadful on both sides of the ball right now, but seeing CJ Stroud turn in a 2023-esque performance while the defense goes nuclear fills me with joy. That is the Texans team I feel like I’ve been waiting to see forever. If they can just keep consistently playing at or near that level, they can get right back in the thick of things.

Unfortunately, they’re going to stick around down here until I see that.

20 – Falcons (2-2) 4

I have no idea what this team is going to look like coming out of the bye, but I’m fascinated to find out. It’s a shame I’ll be missing that MNF matchup with the Bills due to being at the back-end of the ESPN/ABC doubleheader in Landover.

21 – Bears (2-2) 1

See you on Monday, my friends.

22 – Ravens (1-4) 8

It might legitimately be chalked in Baltimore. I don’t see how the Ravens turn this thing around in the immediate future, especially while Lamar Jackson is out.

This defense has now given up 41, 38, 37 and 41 points in their four losses this year. They cannot defend a scarecrow in an open field. The offense is lifeless without Lamar with absolutely zero rushing threat (any fellow Derrick Henry fantasy owners in shambles?). And the coaching doesn’t seem to be doing any favors.

The schedule will lighten up when Lamar is back, but will that matter if the Ravens are 1-5 or even 1-6? Because that’s a hell of a hole to dig out of.

23 – Cardinals (2-3) 6

You’re lucky I don’t put you at 32. That was one of the most embarrassing, inexplicable and laughable losses I’ve ever seen in nearly two decades of watching the NFL. And I don’t know that there’s any coming back from it.

Losing three games in a row on walkoff field goals with the latest being that absolute calamity can do irreparable damage to a locker room. We’re about to find out what this team is made of. My hopes aren’t very high.

24 – Panthers (2-3) 5

Oh look, another win! Shoutout Rico Dowdle.

This defense still stinks — though they’ve been better than anticipated — and I’m losing hope for Bryce Young by the quarter. But maybe, just maybe, the Panthers can find a little something on offense and keep it going into a favorable matchup against Dallas’ defense.

25 – Dolphins (1-4) 3

Ah, yes. The ol’ blown three-possession lead against the Panthers. Classic.

Miami has probably found something in Darren Waller. Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane are studs. But this offense still isn’t very good. And holy hell, that defense is abysmal. And that’s pretty much all there is to say about this team right now.

26 – Browns (1-4) 1

The nicest thing I can say about the Browns right now is that their defense is obviously great.

But offensively, it doesn’t feel like they’re trying to win. It feels like they play to not lose. I understand the limitations with that offensive line and an undersized and not-very-talented rookie quarterback, but come on guys. Let’s show some life.

27 – Saints (1-4) 4

You know what? Spencer Rattler has been good this season. I give the guy a ton of credit. The offense isn’t much to look at, but the sophomore quarterback has turned in some nice outings. None of the bad stuff happening in New Orleans is his fault.

The Saints defense is also playing at a solid level, and now we know what a turnover fest can look like for them. But, they’re not playing the Giants every week.

28 – Giants (1-4) 4

Jaxson Dart this, Cam Skattebo that. News flash: the Giants still suck! Who would’ve thought?!

Sunday’s game was necessary for Dart. He needs to make his rookie mistakes and learn that he’s not invincible. I’m just glad we can go back to pretending that New York is anything close to good or frisky. They’re bad.

29 – Titans (1-4) 3

No team in the NFL goes winless. Good for the Titans to get one, even if it took the looniest game I’ve ever watched to get it done.

I really think Cam Ward has it, man. He’s got the goods to make all the throws and the composure to be a franchise QB. Tennessee’s got one — they just have to surround him with the right pieces and infrastructure. I know you can see it too.

30 – Bengals (2-3) 4

The Jake Browning experiment ends… and the Joe Flacco experiment begins? A 40-year old QB behind that offensive line?

Good luck!

31 – Raiders (1-4) 6

It’s a pure, unmitigated disaster in the desert. Geno Smith has been one of the worst quarterbacks in football and Pete Carroll has no grip on anything in that locker room.

There is nothing remotely positive to say about the Raiders right now. It might be time to start over… again.

32 – Jets (0-5) 2

One is the loneliest number. The Jets sit alone as the NFL’s single winless squad.

When will that change? Not sure. When will Aaron Glenn look like a real head coach with any sort of grip on this organization? Also not sure.

New York might want to get comfy down here.

2025 NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl Predictions

It’s time to be wrong. We’ve previewed each of the league’s 32 teams; now it’s time to see how it’ll all play out in the postseason. Hopefully this isn’t the disaster that I’ve been known to produce in the past.

Cover photo taken from The SportsRush.

It’s time to be wrong. We’ve previewed each of the league’s 32 teams; now it’s time to see how it’ll all play out in the postseason. Last time I did this, I predicted the Super Bowl correctly (Chiefs over 49ers in 2023), so I’ve got a reputation to uphold here. Hopefully this isn’t the disaster that I’ve been known to produce in the past.

First, a look at the playoff picture:

NFC Standings

1 – Philadelphia Eagles (13-4)
2 – Green Bay Packers (12-5)
3 – Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
4 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-6)
5 – San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
6 – Washington Commanders (11-6)
7 – Detroit Lions (10-7)

AFC Standings

1 – Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)
2 – Buffalo Bills (14-3)
3 – Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
4 – Houston Texans (10-7)
5 – Los Angeles Chargers (12-5)
6 – Denver Broncos (11-6)
7 – Cincinnati Bengals (10-7)

And now, for the playoff prediction:

Wild Card Weekend

Buccaneers over 49ers

Better team wins a real toss-up. Home-field advantage and an offense with more playmakers puts the Bucs over the top in a shootout.

Packers over Lions

Lambeau finally holds its own as a fortress as Green Bay’s defense proves to be the difference-maker in a hard-fought divisional game.

Commanders over Rams

Jayden Daniels’ homecoming is an explosive one against an inexperienced Rams secondary with Washington winning an exciting road playoff game with plenty of burgundy and gold in the stands.

Texans over Chargers

See: last year’s playoff game.

Ravens over Broncos

Denver’s defense keeps Baltimore’s offense in check for a bit, but the Ravens’ overwhelming talent breaks through late for a close, hard-fought win.

Bills over Bengals

The wheels fall off Cincinnati’s defense as Josh Allen and the Bills get revenge for the 2022 Divisional.

Divisional Round

Eagles over Commanders

Sigh. We’ll see if the idea of revenge fires us up, but I still just don’t know if we have what it takes to keep up with the Birds right now. I’d love to be proven wrong.

Packers over Buccaneers

Tampa can’t keep up in the frozen tundra as the Packers offense explodes for a dominant win to get back to the NFC Championship for the first time since 2020.

Chiefs over Texans

See: last year’s playoff game.

Bills over Ravens

See: last year’s playoff game. I think Baltimore is the best team from top to bottom in the league, but until I see them win in January, I’ll trust what my eyes have seen repeatedly before picking them to finally win it all.

Championship Weekend

Packers over Eagles

Someone has to beat them, right? The Micah Parsons trade makes the Packers a bonafide Super Bowl contender, despite some of their shortcomings in the secondary. This feels like a year that it can all come together for them — from Jordan Love’s ascendancy to Micah’s game-wrecking ability off the edge, I think they’re able to go on the road and knock off the team that’s been the class of the NFC in recent years. Or so I hope.

Chiefs over Bills

Like I said with the Ravens, I actually have to see the Bills win this game to predict them to do so. I do think it’s a matter of when, not if, that Buffalo and/or Baltimore finally knocks off Kansas City. But it’s not for me to say that it’ll be now. I need to see it to believe it. If Buffalo winds up hosting this game, they’d almost have to win it — there would be no better way to send off the Ralph than finally getting the Mahomes monkey off their back and get back to the Super Bowl. And the thought of opening the new stadium with a banner dropping gives you chills. I genuinely hope that it happens. But I’ve seen this film before. We know how it ends.

Super Bowl LX Prediction

(you guys are gonna hate me for this)

Chiefs over Packers

I said it when I picked Patrick Mahomes to win MVP: this season screams 2022 for the Chiefs. That season, everyone wrote them off only for them to go on a run where Mahomes took home that award en route to another ring and Super Bowl MVP.

Well, here we are again. Everyone is discarding the Chiefs after they got crushed in Super Bowl LIX against the Eagles and once again pushing their chips towards the center of the table for Baltimore and Buffalo. Well, only one active quarterback has ever beaten Mahomes in the AFC playoffs, and his defense ain’t getting him to a position where he can do it again. So, to pick KC to get back to the big game feels simple enough.

This would be a very tough test against what’s going to be a vaunted defensive front, but we’ve seen the Chiefs get the job done in this spot time and time again. As I always say, it’s simply them until proven otherwise.

32 Teams in 32 Days: Denver Broncos

The Broncos have quietly vanquished financial demons and assembled one of the best rosters in the NFL, putting them in a position to genuinely contend for a Super Bowl in 2025.

Cover photo taken from PFF.

Welcome to 32 Teams in 32 Days, a daily series leading up to kickoff of the 2025 NFL season where I preview every team in the league as decided by a wheel spin and project what their season will look like. You can keep up with everything right here.

We’re sticking in the AFC West, where the Broncos have quietly vanquished financial demons and assembled one of the best rosters in the NFL, putting them in a position to genuinely contend for a Super Bowl in 2025.

No, I’m not exaggerating. And I’ll tell you why.

The Broncos have done everything right since moving on from Russell Wilson. While it felt like that trade and contract were going to bury them from years, they’ve risen from the hypothetical ashes as a literal phoenix to do everything they need to do to win football games.

In this league, you can get the QB right, then let the rest fall into place. This, however, is the alternative: a three-step equation that precedes getting a quarterback right.

Step one: hire the right coach. Denver knocked it out of the park by bringing in Sean Payton last season, who clearly had plenty of juice left after “retiring” several years ago. He just knows how to win, and he knows how to work with the quarterbacks of his choosing.

Step two: build the trenches. My God, have the Broncos done that. They were one of two teams to finish in the top-10 of pass block (1st) and rush (2nd) win rate as well as run block (1st) and stop (8th) win rate. The other was the Super Bowl champion Eagles.

Step three: Build a championship defense. I’d like to think that this unit that ranked 1st in EPA/play, 2nd in success rate, 1st in dropback EPA and 2nd in rush success rate fits the bill. That’s what happens when you have the defensive player of the year in Patrick Surtain II — who has clearly emerged as the league’s best DB. But it’s more than that. Edge rusher Zach Allen had the third-best pass rush win rate in the league last year while DT DJ Jones was second in the NFL among tackles in run stop win rate. Nik Bonitto has blossomed into one of the league’s brightest young talents at linebacker. Now, he has Dre Greenlaw alongside him with Talanoa Hufanga patrolling the defensive backfield and first-round pick Jahdae Barron locking down the opposite boundary of Surtain. I mean, good lord.

So, all of that elite roster-building by GM George Paton allowed them to tie it all together with the franchise QB of their choosing. And at first, I wasn’t sure about the choice. But Bo Nix has proven his worth after being picked 12th overall a year ago. That being said… I don’t think he’s that good yet.

Nix definitely finished the year way stronger than he started it, which goes a long way. In September, he clearly still had the training wheels on — a little odd for a five-year college starter — and the speed of the pros seemed to rattle him. But, by December, he was vastly improved, finishing the year with 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

What’s his ceiling? (h/t PFF)

I usually hesitate to call guys “system quarterbacks,” but it just felt like Nix was a small cog in a larger system than the one that drove the bus. He was just 19th in EPA+CPOE and 22nd in success rate while the offense ranked 16th in EPA/play. That’s a whole lotta mid. I don’t know if he has what it takes to elevate the guys around him, and I worry that what we saw last year was his ceiling as a pro; after all, he was only taken where he was because the Broncos had no other choice.

Here’s the good news: in the case that I’m right, Denver is still going to be fine. Nix and Payton have a perfect marriage and I think he’s good enough within the confines of this system (especially with that offensive line) to put them in a position to contend in the AFC. Him not being an elite quarterback is fine. Teams like the Jimmy Garoppolo 49ers prove that you don’t need crazy good QB play when the rest of the roster is as ridiculously talented as it is.

X-Factor: The Pass-Catchers

It would certainly help Bo Nix if this wide receiver and tight end corps develops into a better one. Yes, Courtland Sutton has been a great player for a long time and got a well-deserved extension this offseason. But after that, there’s some potential left to be reached considering no other player had more than 503 receiving yards — less than half of Sutton’s total — last year. I think guys like Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin could turn into truly elite deep threats in the slot, and this year’s third-rounder Pat Bryant has the frame and skillset to turn into a really nice complement to Sutton. Plus, Evan Engram could turn into a reliable security blanket at tight end considering how many targets he saw in Jacksonville. All of that would go a long way in helping Nix and elevating this offense to be better than the frankly mediocre one they were a year ago.

Team MVP: The Offensive Line
Best starting five in the league. (h/t Getty Images)

I could’ve gone a number of ways here. I really wanted to give it to Patrick Surtain, but sometimes, you gotta show love to the hog mollies.

The incredibly high level of play that this OL had a year ago is astounding. By the numbers, this might’ve been the best offensive line I’ve ever seen and was one of the biggest reasons why Bo Nix was such a success in his rookie season. Garrett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz and Mike McGlinchey are by far the best starting five in the league. I already mentioned how this OL was first in both pass block and run block win rate in 2024, so I’m just going to leave these here for you to look at:

Garrett Bolles: 7th in PBWR among OT, ranked 5th in pass blocking grade among OT by PFF

Ben Powers: 5th in PBWR among IOL, 1st in RBWR among IOL

Luke Wattenberg: 2nd in PBWR among IOL, ranked 2nd in pass blocking grade among centers by PFF

Quinn Meinerz: 3rd in PBWR among IOL, ranked 3rd-highest overall guard by PFF (6th in pass blocking, 3rd in run blocking), voted First Team All-Pro

Mike McGlinchey: 6th in PBWR among OT

I rest my case.

Breakout Candidate: RB R.J. Harvey

I held off talking about Harvey for this long, so let’s get into it. A solid and consistent run game is what was missing from this offense last year. Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime were a mediocre committee at best, hence why Williams and Estime are now gone. JK Dobbins was brought in to be a steady vet in the backfield, but the real guy to watch is the second-round pick from UCF.

Harvey was an absolute stud in college with nearly 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns on the ground in his final two seasons. Those are ridiculous numbers. He might be smaller in size, but he’s got the burst and quickness to make up for it. More than anything, I have a feeling that he’s going to emerge as a security blanket for Nix in the passing game, turning into a Bucky Irving of sorts by catching a ton of checkdowns and making his money after the catch. In any case, I think he’ll be the starting tailback in no time sheerly by having the highest upside of anyone in that backfield.

Record Prediction: 11-6

I have pretty high hopes for this team. I think they should be a playoff team fairly easily despite the rest of this division being a gauntlet and tough games against Washington, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Houston and Green Bay. The offensive infrastructure and defensive dominance will be enough to get to double digit wins and a Wild Card spot. I just think the lack of elite QB play will prevent them from winning the division. Plus, as I’ve been saying with these AFC West teams, I won’t believe that the Chiefs can be dethroned until I see it. But I’m a massive fan of this roster, and I’m excited to see if they can build off last year’s success and be better this fall.

Next up: Las Vegas Raiders

32 Teams in 32 Days: Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are once again among the favorites to win the Super Bowl after another year of falling short of expectations. But things will be different this time… right?

Cover photo taken from KGET.

Welcome to 32 Teams in 32 Days, a daily series leading up to kickoff of the 2025 NFL season where I preview every team in the league as decided by a wheel spin and project what their season will look like. You can keep up with everything right here.

The wheel is mercifully starting to heat up. We’re headed up I-95 to Baltimore, where the Ravens are once again among the favorites to win the Super Bowl after another year of falling short of expectations. But things will be different this time… right?

I, for one, will not be drinking the black, purple and gold Kool-Aid that so many others do year after year, but I can recognize that this Ravens team is set up to do some real damage and should — should!!! — contend for a title this winter. It’s fairly easy to see why.

Last year, this offense was simply a machine. Not only balanced, but remarkably effective in every aspect: first in EPA/play, second in success rate, first in dropback EPA, second in rush EPA, first in total yards, first in rushing, third in scoring. That’s just insane. With an offensive line that ranked third in both pass block and run block win rates, the floodgates were opened for this Ravens offense to be arguably the best in the league.

Obviously, there were two main catalysts that allowed that to happen: Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Lamar was simply brilliant last year and would’ve had my MVP vote if I possessed one, putting together what I considered to be his best season as a passer with 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns to just four interceptions, the fourth-highest single-season passer rating ever at 119.6, the top QBR the second-highest EPA+CPOE in the league. Oh, and he also rushed for 915 yards and four touchdowns. My God. He deserved MVP far more last year than he did in 2023, but at least he got that one to balance out last year.

Then there’s Derrick Henry, whose acquisition instantly turned this Baltimore offense from feared to nightmarish. Combining him with Lamar almost felt illegal, and the results showed: a monstrous 1,921-yard, 16-touchdown campaign. Any and all questions of the vet slowing down or facing a wall at the end of his career were swiftly vanquished. Now, my only question is how long he can keep it up for. Because at this rate, he’ll be going strong for several more years.

Seriously, who allowed this? (h/t WMAR)

The offense figures to be largely the same in 2025, though versatile lineman Patrick Mekari is now gone. Still, with Lamar and Henry in the backfield and reliable targets Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman out wide, this should once again be one of the league’s most feared and productive units this season.

Baltimore’s defense, however, is a bit of a different story — one that’s more Jekyll and Hyde. They were all over the place a year ago: 11th in EPA/play, third in success rate and rush EPA plus first in rushing yards, but 31st in passing yards. The secondary can be pointed towards as a clear weak spot, but really, I think it was the lack of pass rush that did the unit in. They were a drab 29th in pass rush win rate and lacked a clear blue-chip edge-rushing threat. The secondary’s shortcomings were just the cherry on top, even though there are studs back there like Nate Wiggins and Kyle Hamilton.

As such, the Ravens attacked that side of the ball quite hard this summer. First, through the draft: standout Georgia safety Malaki Starks was their first-round selection, then they chose to ignore some off-the-field concerns and draft Marshall’s star pass rusher Mike Green in the second, who’s undoubtedly a hell of a football player. Later selections like Teddye Buchanan and Aeneas Peebles figure to be solid depth pieces as well, and both have the athletic profile to make an impact when their numbers are called this year. Then, about two months later, they chose to scoop up free agent DB Jaire Alexander, hoping to squeeze some more juice out of him after the Packers deemed themselves done with the former All-Pro. His health will always be a concern, and I don’t know what to expect out of him when he’s on the field (sounds like another veteran corner I know about an hour south of Baltimore). But, if he can stay on the field and play up to a solid level, this secondary will be so much better because of it. Besides, anyone is an upgrade over Brandon Stephens, right Ravens fans?

X-Factor: Playoff Lamar
Not again. (h/t Syracuse.com)

There is no denying that Lamar Jackson is one of the greatest regular season performers we’ve ever seen. There is also no denying that he’s just a different and worse player in the postseason. I don’t know if it’s the pressure of the moment, the increased defensive intensity or even the gosh darn cold, but we’ve now seen two terrible performances in a row in massive playoff games where the Ravens were favored. And this obviously goes way back to 2019 when Baltimore went one-and-done as the 1-seed in his first MVP season.

In eight career playoff games, Lamar is 3-5 with 10 passing touchdowns to 13 turnovers (seven interceptions, six lost fumbles) and a passer rating south of 85. That’s over 17 points lower than his career regular season rating of 102.0. It’s honestly unfathomable.

People love to blame last year’s loss on Mark Andrews’ fumble and/or dropped two-point conversion, but it’s Jackson who had two horrendous first-half turnovers to put the Ravens in a hole to begin with. Despite his late-game heroics, he was to blame for the deficit. Again, if you take it back a year, people point fingers at Zay Flowers for the AFC title game loss to Kansas City when Lamar was straight up putrid with an awful interception into triple coverage and an overall scared and skiddish performance.

I’m not trying to audit Lamar’s whole playoff career here. I’m just saying that this is what needs to change for the Ravens to finally get over the hump and get to a Super Bowl with him under center. Quarterback play is the clear differentiator in today’s NFL, especially in the playoffs. You’ve got to play up to a standard to win games in January. Lamar is yet to reach that standard.

Team MVP: Lamar Jackson

For the sake of being brief, I won’t keep on keeping on about Lamar. But I do wanna take this space to say something. If you’re still doubting Lamar Jackson’s ability as a passer or as a “quarterback,” I’ve got no more words for you. The dude has proven time and time again that he can only get better and better, particularly from the pocket. Yes, so much of his heroics comes from extending plays for seemingly minutes on end before finding his receivers downfield. But from the pocket, he’s gotten substantially better as well. Just because it’s not flashy and showing up in your Twitter feed doesn’t mean it’s not happening. And as long as he continues to improve from the pocket while still being Lamar freaking Jackson from outside it, he’ll be a top-5 player in football for years to come.

Breakout Candidate: CB Nate Wiggins

I had mild concerns with Wiggins in last year’s draft because of his size; he’s long, but he’s wiry, and I still have Emmanuel Forbes PTSD. Well, it turns out Wiggins is actually just a stud. He’s always around the ball, using his length to be a PBU machine and always disrupt plays in the passing game. He’s also shockingly effective against the run for a DB of his size and frame. The Ravens don’t draft you in the first round for no reason, so I guess it’s not a huge shock that he’s developing into a stud. I fully expect Wiggins to turn into a top-10 corner in the league in the next couple of years, and the thought of that combined with the duo of Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks at safety is frankly terrifying.

Record Prediction: 12-5

This year’s schedule feels harder than last year’s. I think playing the 2025 NFC North will be tougher than the 2024 NFC East, I think the Steelers could pose more of a threat, and I think playing a one-off against the Rams is tougher than last year’s at Tampa Bay. Plus, having to go to Buffalo, Kansas City and Green Bay is just brutal — those are three of your five losses right there. Still, I have the Ravens winning the AFC North pretty comfortably and getting to the playoffs as the 3-seed behind the Chiefs and Bills, meaning they’ll once again have to go to Buffalo in the Divisional Round. I think I know how that’ll go.

Next up: Pittsburgh Steelers

32 Teams in 32 Days: Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are coming off a down year — most of it being without Dak Prescott — and seemingly facing an uphill climb to get back into the playoffs. But, with some interesting moves in the offseason, anything is possible.

Cover photo taken from ESPN.

Welcome to 32 Teams in 32 Days, a daily series leading up to kickoff of the 2025 NFL season where I preview every team in the league as decided by a wheel spin and project what their season will look like. You can keep up with everything right here.

Our second dip into the NFC East takes us to the heart of Texas where the Cowboys are coming off a down year — most of it being without Dak Prescott — and seemingly facing an uphill climb to get back into the playoffs. But, with some interesting moves in the offseason, anything is possible.

Despite entering 2024 with Super Bowl sights, the season was over practically before it even began with nothing going on either side of the ball before Dak suffered a season-ending hamstring injury halfway through the year. They were getting embarrassed every other week by teams like New Orleans, Baltimore and Detroit with nonexistent offense and an abysmal defense.

Prescott was on track to have the worst passer rating of his career at 86.0 with 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and finished 25th in EPA+CPOE (backup Cooper Rush was even worse, finishing 31st). The offense was 29th in EPA/play while the defense was 28th. It’s honestly surprising that Dallas managed to find seven wins amidst all that horrible football.

Thus, Jerry Jones decided it was time to make a change. Mike McCarthy was shown the door after five years at the helm and replaced by OC Brian Schottenheimer, who isn’t really fit for the job, but was the easy, in-house hire that wouldn’t take any attention away from Jerry. A classic Cowboys call. Parlay that with Zack Martin’s retirement and the departures of Demarcus Lawrence and Rico Dowdle, and it might be easy to say that the Cowboys got worse this offeseason.

I don’t want to diminish the additions, though. The biggest move was undoubtedly trading for WR George Pickens from Pittsburgh to pair alongside superstar CeeDee Lamb — bringing in a true deep threat to open up the middle of the field for No. 88 to go to work. But other solid gains were OG Tyler Booker in the first round and four running backs: Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency and Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah through the draft. I have a feeling that Blue will emerge as the lead back at some point, but more on that later.

In any case, this roster leaves a lot to be desired. The offensive line — which was 24th in pass block win rate a year ago — will likely feel the absence of Martin, and last year’s first-rounder Tyler Guyton is going to miss some time with a knee injury suffered in camp. There are no difference-making pass-catchers outside of Lamb, Pickens and tight end Jake Ferguson. The front seven can be solid if guys like Mazi Smith, Marshawn Kneeland and Donovan Ezeiruaku develop well; plus, vets like Dante Fowler, Soloman Thomas and Kenneth Murray can bring some oomph.

But those are some big ifs. Plus, the secondary is genuinely abysmal with Trevon Diggs constantly being hurt, Daron Bland falling off a cliff and guys like Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson just straight up not playing well. The only notable additions to that room are Kaiir Elam — who was awful in Buffalo — and rookie Shavon Revel Jr., who’s already dealing with injuries. Not great!

But honestly, none of that matters if Micah Parsons doesn’t get resigned. It’s baffling to me how Jerry Jones has let this nonsense get to this point. He is the best player on the team, one of the faces of the franchise, one of the league’s premier defensive players at an ultimate premium position. This deal should’ve been done months ago, if not last year. I understand they had to pay Dak and CeeDee, and both of those contracts were deserved. But so is this one. Especially when the rest of the defense is as bad as it is. I fully expect Parsons to resign in Dallas eventually, but if it comes to a trade, it’ll be an abject disaster for the Cowboys, who will be infinitely worse off for it.

Get it done. (h/t Imagn Images)
X-Factor: The Secondary

It’s bad. Really, really bad. I already talked about the personnel, which should be enough of an indication that things are likely going to be rough again. But if — and it’s a huge if — they can find a way to improve under new DC Matt Eberflus, it’ll pay dividends for the rest of the team at large.

I also wanted to put the offensive line here, considering last season did not live up to their standard, but I don’t think they were necessarily the problem. Even if they struggle a bit, it’s really Dak’s health that plays the biggest factor.

I even wanted to put Dak here, but that seemed like too much of a shoe-in. Of course he plays the biggest role of anyone, and he needs to stay healthy, but he’s genuinely the least of my worries right now. Last time we saw him in a full season, he could’ve won MVP. It’s a different set of circumstances now, but I think he’ll be fine.

Team MVP: CeeDee Lamb
Draft him in fantasy. (h/t ESPN)

If you’ve been reading my work since Cedarian’s rookie season — first of all, thank you — you know how much I love him. He’s right next to Ezekiel Elliott as my favorite players to suit up for a division rival, simply because he’s just too damn good to disrespect. Last year wasn’t as productive as his nuclear 2023 campaign, but that’s excused considering the awful QB play he had. Still, 101 catches for 1,194 and six touchdowns is nothing to scoff at. Plus, he was the only real receiver on the roster — now, Pickens will help spread things out a bit. I imagine Lamb will line up in the slot a little more often, creating for some interesting possibilities for Brian Schottenheimer to scheme up. In any case, this season should be another monster one for CeeDee, who is a bonafide top-5 receiver in football and will be a nightmare for defenses no matter who’s at quarterback.

Breakout Candidate: RB Jaydon Blue

The fifth-round rookie out of Texas will fit this offense like a glove. He’s not the craziest north-south runner, but he’s a threat out of the backfield in the passing game, which plays right into the hands of Dak Prescott. When he gets the ball in his hands, he’s shifty and quick with breakaway speed — something that’s thoroughly lacking on this offense, particularly in the RB room. Because of that, I think he’ll find his way into the starting lineup sooner rather than later. He just brings a level of athleticism to the backfield that you won’t find in Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders or Phil Mafah.

Record Prediction: 7-10

I don’t think the Cowboys got worse, but I also don’t think they got much better. I don’t believe in this coaching staff, I certainly don’t believe in the ownership, I worry about the offensive line, I have questions about the front seven and I know the secondary stinks. Not a recipe for a winning season. I think Dak is a wildly over-hated player who will still likely have a good year, and the combo of Lamb and Pickens will be fun to watch. But that’s about it. It’s a gauntlet of a schedule like each of the other NFC East teams have to face, and unlike Philadelphia and Washington, this team is not built to handle it.

Next up: Washington Commanders

(oh my gosh lock in y’all.)

32 Teams in 32 Days: Houston Texans

The Texans remain a shoe-in to win the AFC South. The question, however, remains the same: does the NFL’s brightest collection of young talent have enough to make serious noise in the playoffs?

Cover photo taken from Houston Chronicle.

Welcome to 32 Teams in 32 Days, a daily series leading up to kickoff of the 2025 NFL season where I preview every team in the league as decided by a wheel spin and project what their season will look like. You can keep up with everything right here.

We round out the AFC South with the two-time defending division champion Texans, who feel like a shoe-in to three-peat. The question, however, remains the same: does the NFL’s brightest collection of young talent have enough to make serious noise in the playoffs?

We can get the obvious out of the way early: the Texans have been one of the NFL’s best and most exciting turnaround stories in recent memory, going from the cellar in 2021 and 2022 to one of the best young teams in football after adding HC DeMeco Ryans, GM Nick Caserio and QB CJ Stroud in 2023 to guide the franchise to success. After a drab combined 7-26-1 record in the two years prior to their arrival, Houston has gone 10-7 with upset home playoff wins in back-to-back years. Pretty great story on the surface.

But, there’s more to the picture, particularly as it pertains to last season. It was a struggle bus, especially in the second half of the year, losing six of their final 11 games before being bounced in the Divisional Round again. Practically all fingers can be pointed at the offense, which finished a drab 31st in success rate. The offensive line allowed the fourth-most sacks in the league with 54, clocking in at 22nd in pass block win rate and 31st in run block win rate. OC Bobby Slowik, who was once heralded as a boy genius and future head coach elsewhere in the league, was sent packing after the season’s end.

As such, CJ Stroud suffered a falloff from his historic rookie season, finishing 28th in EPA+CPOE and 27th in success rate — he was 12th and 14th, respectively, in ’23. He threw for nearly 400 less yards, three less touchdowns and tossed seven more INTs, seeing his passer rating drop from 100.8 to 87.0. It wasn’t all his fault — the offensive line was a glaring weakness and he dealt with a number of injuries to his wideouts — but it’s still not what you want to see from your franchise quarterback after such a prolific rookie season.

Still, Stroud is an insanely talented player who will be an elite quarterback for years to come. While the line remains a problem, one thing Houston has in bunches is pass-catching talent, which they need after dealing with so many dings a year ago. Nico Collins has emerged as a top-10 receiver in football, coming off another brilliant season despite missing extended time. Christian Kirk was brought in to provide some juice in the slot. And the Texans spent two high draft picks on Iowa State WRs Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, who bring an added level of athleticism to a receiving corps already littered with freaks of nature. Plus, Dalton Schultz is a proven stud at tight end. If/when Tank Dell returns from his leg injury, Houston could boast one of the league’s best receiver rooms.

But I still don’t know how to feel about that side of the ball because of how the line is shaping up. I don’t know if the way to fix this OL was to trade away its best player in LT Laremy Tunsil, but the Texans did just that. Signing Cam Robinson as his replacement and bringing in Laken Tomlinson to plug and play at guard could help. Houston also spent a second-round pick on Minnesota tackle Aireontae Ersery, who should slot in immediately at RT. Between those additions and trading away former first-round bust Kenyon Green, it’s definitely possible that the OL sees more success this year. It simply remains to be seen.

In any case, the real story of this team is DeMeco’s dogs on defense. Houston has emerged as one of the most dominant defensive teams in football thanks to an embarrassment of riches across the board. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter — who combined for 23 sacks last year — form the best pass-rushing duo in the league, Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o have proven themselves to be a solid linebacking couple while Derek Stingley Jr. has finally blossomed into a top-five corner in the NFL. And we can’t forget about guys like Jalen Pitre, Kamari Lassiter and Calen Bullock, who have made this secondary a truly vaunted one.

Just to run through the numbers real quick: in 2024, Houston’s defense was fifth in total yards, sixth in EPA/play, fourth in success rate, first in pass rush win rate and second in run stop win rate. That’s just absurd.

DeMeco’s Dogs. (h/t Houston Chronicle)

If the offense can make up for last year’s shortcomings and catch up even slightly to the defense, Houston will not only win the AFC South again, but they could contend for a conference title. Winning Wild Card games in back-to-back years is great, but we all know that with this quarterback and with this team full of difference-makers on rookie deals, the window is only open for so long to make a Super Bowl. If any core is going to take the Texans to their first conference championship game, it’s this one.

X-Factor: The Offensive Line
Keep him upright. (h/t Imagn Images)

We all know how good CJ Stroud is. Even after last year’s “sophomore slump,” no one doubts his talent. But talent can only lead to production if it’s allowed to. Behind last year’s Texans offensive line, it wasn’t. This year has to be different. Even if this line is a middle-of-the-pack one, it’ll be good enough to let CJ and company do their thing. If it’s a redux of last year, then the ceiling remains as relatively low as it is. And with the rest of the division getting better, the Texans can’t afford to fall behind. In any case, you just don’t want your future-highest-paid-player-in-the-league franchise QB to get sacked 54 times in a season anyways. They need to be better, and if they are, it’ll pay so, so many dividends.

Team MVP: QB CJ Stroud

I honestly wanted to put Nico Collins or Derek Stingley Jr. here, but CJ is my favorite non-Washington player in the league, so it only felt right to give him the nod. Regardless, I think he’s due for a massive bounce-back 2025. The talent and infrastructure around him is better — especially new OC Nick Caley, who should open up the passing game more. And Stroud himself is a dog: one of the league’s best pocket passers with an innate feel for the game and underrated mobility who can make any and every throw on the field. CJ’s ceiling this season is an MVP. If the circumstances around him hold up and he lives up to his enormous potential, I can totally see that happening. And I would love to watch it.

Breakout Candidate: WR Jayden Higgins

I’m not overly fond of putting rookies as breakout candidates, because technically any rookie success story is a breakout, but this one feels different. Higgins is in a position where he could genuinely explode onto the scene and immediately become one of the league’s top WR2s. With Nico Collins demanding so much attention, this kid is going to get a ton of targets. The former Cyclone star is an athletic freak with ridiculous speed for someone at 6-foo4-4 and 217 pounds and a catch radius that pops off the screen. He’s big and strong with soft hands, and he’s a menace after the catch. People are going to learn his name very quickly. The same could be said about fellow rookies Jaylin Noel and Woody Marks, but Higgins is the one I have the highest hopes for.

Record Prediction: 10-7

A third straight 10-7 season would not surprise me at all for a number of reasons. One, like I said earlier, the rest of the division is getting better, and although I didn’t give any of the other three teams more than five wins, I think the divisional games will be split across the board. Two, Houston still has to play a first place schedule — that means the Chiefs, Bills and Ravens are back on the docket. Three, they have to play the rest of the AFC West, which could easily be three more losses. And lastly, two of their NFC opponents are the 49ers and Buccaneers. So, it ain’t exactly easy sledding this season. But, with their overwhelming talent and defensive prowess, a division title is almost a certainty. I just want to see more than that. A Texans Super Bowl run would be very, very pleasing.

Next up: Los Angeles Rams

32 Teams in 32 Days: Jacksonville Jaguars

The wheel insists on keeping us in the AFC South, where the Jaguars are beginning a new era with a first-time HC and GM, but still facing an uphill climb with some questions to be answered.

Cover photo taken from News Herald.

Welcome to 32 Teams in 32 Days, a daily series leading up to kickoff of the 2025 NFL season where I preview every team in the league as decided by a wheel spin and project what their season will look like. You can keep up with everything right here.

The wheel insists on keeping us in the AFC South with this trip taking us to Jacksonville, where the Jaguars are beginning a new era with a shiny new HC and GM, but still facing an uphill climb with some questions to be answered.

Something in the universe changed when the Jaguars got to 8-3 way back in 2023 and were in control of the 1-seed in the AFC. Jacksonville is 5-18 since then, highlighted by a 1-5 finish to that season and a 4-13 campaign last year. Losing QB Trevor Lawrence twice — first due to a shoulder injury, then to a gnarly concussion after a massive hit from Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair — certainly didn’t help. But the Jags were already doomed well before that with a 2-7 start to the year.

Even without Lawrence, the offense stayed afloat, clocking in at 19th in EPA/play despite Mac Jones being at the helm. It certainly helps when you have a WR1 like Brian Thomas Jr. — more on him later. It was the defense that unraveled completely, finishing second-to-last in EPA/play and dead last in dropback EPA, letting quarterback after quarterback rip them to shreds.

Once primed to lead a new AFC contender, HC Doug Pederson was canned as soon as the season was over, leading to one of the strangest hiring cycles I can remember. Former Buccaneers OC Liam Coen seemed to be the favorite to land the gig, but shockingly backed out of a second interview with Jacksonville to stay in Tampa, seemingly due to friction with GM Trent Baalke. So, plenty late into the offseason, the Jags fired Baalke as well — a move made several years too late, if you ask me — re-opening the door for Coen, who wound up snaking the Bucs and taking the job. Talk about a carousel.

Still, the Jags needed a general manager; in fact, by the time the Super Bowl ended, they still didn’t have one. Enter James Gladstone, who had spent the previous nine seasons with the Rams under Les Snead, primarily in scouting. At 34, he’s now the youngest GM in the league, inheriting a roster that’s kind of a jumbled mess, but has its bright spots.

For all his faults, Lawrence remains under center in Jacksonville, continuing to rake in a contract he got perhaps a little too early. He’s proven himself to be solid, but straight up bad more often than he is great. That’s not a recipe for success to remain a long-term starter in this league. He just hasn’t lived up to his 2022 success since that season ended, finishing 21st in EPA+CPOE and 29th in completion percentage a year ago. That’s not good enough to make up for the rest of this offense’s shortcomings.

I do think that side of the ball got better this offseason, though. Thomas Jr. is obviously a gem, coming off a ridiculous rookie season. Gladstone’s first major move as GM was to trade up from No. 5 to No. 2 for the unicorn Heisman-winning WR/DB Travis Hunter, giving up a first-rounder in the process (not a fan of that one). I expected Hunter to play more corner than receiver, but it appears Jacksonville will do the opposite; regardless, he’s a stud with the athleticism and playmaking ability to provide plenty of juice to either side of the ball. And I’ll get this out of the way: he’s obviously not playing both sides remotely close to full-time.

Unicorn? (h/t A To Z Sports)

Dyami Brown could be a solid WR2/3 after ending his tenure in Washington with a strong playoff run. Running back is a big question mark with Travis Etienne coming off a horrible 2024, potentially opening the door for second-year back Tank Bigsby or rookie Bhayshul Tuten. And the offensive line, which finished 19th in pass block win rate last year, has a couple new additions on the interior. There’s seemingly enough for Coen and new OC Grant Udinski to play with.

The defense remains a giant problem, though. The front seven was a massive disappointment a year ago, finishing dead last in pass rush win rate and 27th in run stop win rate despite having some solid talent. Former No. 1 pick Travon Walker has back-to-back double-digit sack seasons, Josh Hines-Allen has been pretty good for a number of years and Foye Oluokun and Devin Lloyd form one of the better on-ball linebacker duos in football. Maybe new DC Anthony Campanile can figure out what to do with that talent. In any case, the secondary will likely continue to be a giant weakness, seeing as it didn’t get better at all this offseason. I hate to break it to you Jacksonville, but Jourdan Lewis and Eric Murray aren’t going to solve your problems, especially if Travis Hunter is going to be a backup defender. That’s another reason why I think he should play more defense: the team needs it a hell of a lot more than they need a pass-catcher.

I think the Jags have made the right hires to kick off this new rebuild, but this thing will clearly take some time, especially without a first-round pick next year. They better hope Hunter turns into the stud he’s supposed to be. Regardless, this feels like a year to figure things out with a first-time head coach, general manager and coordinators. If all goes to plan, the Jaguars could be a surprising team with a must-see offense that makes a playoff push. But, I think it’s far more likely that we see a team that struggles to win games due to a lack of a clear offensive identity and a porous defense.

X-Factor: QB Trevor Lawrence

2025 is TLaw’s last straw. The Jags are in a position where they can’t really do anything with him due to his contract, but it’s a put up or shut up type of year for Lawrence, who hasn’t shown us anything close to his ceiling in over two years. In his last 25-or-so games, he’s been genuinely bad. People will blame Doug Pederson, but having a bad playcaller doesn’t make you a bad quarterback. The best can overcome that. So, with a seemingly great playcaller, a bonafide star WR1 and a potentially electrifying WR2, are we finally going to see the generational QB we were promised five years ago? I have my doubts. But if we do, this team’s ceiling rises exponentially.

Team MVP: WR Brian Thomas Jr.
Strap up. (h/t PFF)

I’ve only dropped some BTJ bread crumbs until now, but what else do you want me to say about the kid? He’s already a ridiculous receiver who took the league by storm in his first season despite being overshadowed by the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers in the draft process. A whopping 87 catches, 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first year dropped jaws across the league as Thomas Jr. utilized his unique blend of size and speed to become one of the league’s most daunting matchup nightmares out wide. And that was with Lawrence and Macaroni! Imagine what truly good quarterback play will do for his game. In any case, he’ll continue to be the star of the show in Jacksonville, and I expect another massive season out of him in year two.

Breakout Candidate: EDGE Travon Walker

As I mentioned earlier, Walker does have back-to-back seasons with 10-plus sacks. But, those figures are 10 in 2023 and 10.5 in 2024. It’s time to take the big boy jump. Walker needs to prove to us why the Jags spent the top overall pick on him in 2022. I understand that he’s very good in run defense, but that’s not necessarily what he was drafted to do. Jacksonville took him over Aidan Hutchinson for a reason. I think Walker has the skills to get to 15-plus sacks, it’s just a matter of putting it all together. We’ll see if this is the year.

Record Prediction: 4-13

The front half of this schedule is absurd with games against Cincinnati, Kansas City, San Francisco, Seattle and the Rams all before the Jaguars’ bye week. An 0-7 or worse start is genuinely on the table. While I don’t think that’s going to happen, I still think it’ll be slow off the blocks. And though the back half is a lot softer, I just struggle to find wins on this schedule for Jacksonville. I simply don’t know what kind of team we’re going to see out there under Liam Coen. The potential is high, but I need to see it to believe it.

Oh, and one last thing. At this point, I’m convinced the wheel is sentient, because…

Next up: Houston Texans

32 Teams in 32 Days: Indianapolis Colts

Indy plays host to the most riveting training camp quarterback battle across the NFL, but both paths probably lead to the same result: another mediocre Colts season.

Cover photo taken from DraftKings.

Welcome to 32 Teams in 32 Days, a daily series leading up to kickoff of the 2025 NFL season where I preview every team in the league as decided by a wheel spin and project what their season will look like. You can keep up with everything right here.

Because the wheel hates me and doesn’t want me to talk about a team that knows it wants to start the same QB for all 17 games, we head to Indianapolis, where the Colts are hosting arguably the most riveting quarterback battle of the summer.

Now two seasons removed from being drafted fourth overall, it’s make-or-break time for Anthony Richardson. With just 15 starts under his belt headlined by numerous injuries, laughable inaccuracy and tapping out of a game because he was tired, there is no more margin for error. He’s 8-7 in those games, which isn’t bad, but the 50.8% completion and 13 interceptions vs. 11 touchdowns tells the story. In 2024, Richardson ranked dead last in EPA+CPOE and completion percentage (he led the league by a solid margin in ADoT, though, which I find hilarious). Not great.

If you’ve been reading my stuff for a while, you’d know that I was pretty high on Richardson as a rookie. I liked what he flashed before being shut down for the year with a shoulder issue. And we all know the raw talent and ability is there. That’s why he’s the craziest rollercoaster in football; one second it’s a 70 air yard bomb for a touchdown, the next it’s the worst overthrow and interception you’ve ever seen. This was always a matter of whether or not he could have a Josh Allen-like development and turn into a superstar from a hypothetical.

Do you still believe? (h/t Draft Kings)

Head coach Shane Steichen is running out of patience. Moreover, he knows that consistent quarterback play is what’s holding the Colts back from being a playoff team. They damn near won the division in 2023 with Gardner Minshew, and they were in the hunt for all of 2024 with Richardson and Joe Flacco going back and forth — which is nuts considering they were 24th in offensive EPA/play and 27th in success rate. I don’t entirely love the idea of bringing in a guy who could supplant your rookie QB in a pivotal third season, but I was all for it if it’d light a fire under Richardson and accelerate that aforementioned development.

This, however, isn’t what I had in mind. When the Colts signed Daniel Jones — who had just been through the Kevin O’Connell washing machine — way back at the start of the offseason, we all thought, “Well, if AR can’t beat him out, then we have a problem.” Uh, guys. We have a problem. Between injury concerns and continued poor play, Jones appears to be on track to be Indy’s Week 1 starter.

It’s borderline unfathomable. When Jones was released from the Giants in the middle of last season, I thought we’d seen the last of him in the league — especially as a starter. He was 24th in EPA+CPOE, after all. I never could have seen this coming. And as much as I feel bad for Richardson because I really wanted this to pan out — a guy with his skills could’ve been the most dynamic QB in the league — I have to agree with Steichen here. Jones gives them the best chance to win now.

But then I ask, does that really matter? If the ceiling with Minshew and Flacco was eight or nine wins, that probably remains the ceiling with Jones. We know the Colts aren’t going to the Super Bowl with either of these guys, but shouldn’t that mean the tie goes to the young guy who could still develop into a franchise QB? I just don’t see what Indianapolis loses from continuing to trot out AR. If by Week 4 he’s still horrendous, then by all means, pull him. But you never know what could happen. It’s more than likely that he still can’t read a defense or throw with touch and/or timing, but showing some belief in him might help.

The illusion of choice. (h/t New York Times)

The rest of this passing attack is just alright anyways. Jonathan Taylor is a very, very good lead back, and this offensive line ranked fourth in the league in run block win rate a year ago. As such, this will remain a run-first offense, which has been pretty productive. A WR group of Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell and Anthony Gould doesn’t move the needle to change that. If anyone will, it’ll be first-round tight end Tyler Warren, who was an absolute force at Penn State and could turn into one of the league’s premier TEs. He can catch, he can run you over, he can block and apparently throw and run the ball, too. Regardless of who starts under center, building a rapport with Warren will certainly go a long way.

In any case, I still think Indy’s strength is the other side of the ball. Between some really solid draft picks and good work in free agency, defense has become a strength for the Colts, who ranked 14th in EPA/play last year and 10th in success rate — including fifth against the run. The front seven is pretty dang good; Kwity Paye has been quietly solid for them off the edge, DeForest Buckner is still an elite DT, Zaire Franklin has turned into a perennial tackles leader. Now, Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum are brought in to bolster a secondary that was a weakness for this unit a year ago.

This isn’t a team that’s going to win now. It doesn’t feel like they’re even trying to. Considering the QB mid-off of the century, it’s hard to feel like this team is going to be super competitive this year. That’s fine, considering they have the right head coach and the right pieces to be good in the future. This will simply be a nothing year because of the lack of direction under center. I think it’s safe to say that the Colts’ 2026 Week 1 starter isn’t currently in Indianapolis.

X-Factor: QB Anthony Richardson

Not going to beat a dead horse here. It’s make-or-break for AR this season; as much as I want it to all come together, it just feels like a pipe dream. I’d love to be proven wrong. But, in the likely event that I’m not, Richardson will be cut or traded after this season and either be somebody’s backup or the craziest quarterback the UFL has ever seen.

Team MVP: RB Jonathan Taylor

Taylor bounced back from an injury-plagued, down 2023 with an awesome year, going off for over 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground — by far his best season since breaking out in 2021. Somehow, he was the 47th-ranked RB out of 47 last year by PFF’s grading metrics; not sure how that happens, but chalk that up as another reason why I don’t like that system very much. The dude can clearly still play and has a lot left in the tank. As I mentioned earlier, this will still be a run-first team, and Taylor should have another very productive season.

Breakout Candidate: EDGE Laiatu Latu

Latu was the first defensive player off the board in last year’s draft, and though it wasn’t the flashiest rookie season ever, you could see why. He’s got crazy length and athleticism with some quick twitch and burst off the edge. That only resulted in four sacks last year, but you’ve gotta figure that more production will come with more reps. I think Latu could be in for a massive 2025 and emerge as the defensive anchor for this team’s future — which is what I’m sure the Colts had in mind when they selected him last April.

Record Prediction: 5-12

Tough schedule. Division is getting better. No good quarterback play. It’s all setting up for a subpar 2025 for the Colts. Steichen has faced some QB adversity before, but this one might be too difficult to overcome. Besides, it might behoove the Colts to be this bad and secure a top pick in April’s draft. Who knows, it might just be another QB.

Next up: Detroit Lions

32 Teams in 32 Days: Miami Dolphins

It’s a make-or-break season in South Beach as the Dolphins need to bounce back from a letdown season, or come face-to-face with a full-fledged implosion and rebuild.

Cover photo taken from FOX.

Welcome to 32 Teams in 32 Days, a daily series leading up to kickoff of the 2025 NFL season where I preview every team in the league as decided by a wheel spin and project what their season will look like. You can keep up with everything right here.

We remain in the AFC East and head on down to southern Florida where the Miami Dolphins sit as one of the more polarizing teams in the league in terms of how this season could go. The ceiling is a return to 2023 form, while the floor is as low as a complete overhaul of the roster and/or coaching staff.

A year removed from being a proper Super Bowl contender, Miami was an up and down mess in 2024, starting 2-6 thanks to countless injuries — including another scary concussion for QB Tua Tagovailoa — en route to an underwhelming 8-9 finish. Considering how many resources have been poured into this window, that’s not going to fly. Now, the Dolphins are in a position where another subpar season could lead to plenty of changes to a core they once thought could bring them great success.

Things were messy for a once high-flying offense as the Dolphins finished 22nd in EPA/play, including 31st in rush EPA/play. The offensive line was a disaster, clocking in at 28th in pass block win rate and 26th in run block win rate — can’t blame Tua for that, can you? Tagovailoa was actually pretty solid, going 6-5 in his starts while ranking 7th in EPA/play and EPA+CPOE, despite having the lowest ADOT in the league. I will always contend that Tua is one of the more needlessly overhated players in the league; I understand that a lot of what he does seems simple, but not anyone can be as decisive and accurate as he is, even in that system. He deserves some respect for being elite at what he does. I just wish he was able to stay on the field more consistently.

It was a down year for these two after a scintillating 2023. (h/t FOX)

There just wasn’t much that stood out on that side of the ball. Tyreek Hill had a quiet year with 81 catches, less than 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns. Jaylen Waddle caught just two scores. Jonnu Smith emerged as Tua’s go-to weapon, catching a whopping 88 balls and eight touchdowns, but he got shipped off to Pittsburgh, so Hill and Waddle figure to bounce back in ’25. De’Von Achane had another productive season behind a bad line, rushing for 907 yards and five touchdowns while hauling in 78 passes for 592 yards and six more scores. For reasons I can’t really explain, Miami traded for Darren Waller after he decided to come out of retirement, which feels like one of those stories we forget about when he re-retires after six weeks.

In a shocking turn of events, the defense was actually better than the offense, ranking in the top 10 in EPA/play. They didn’t play many offenses worth a damn, so that plays a role. Losing Jevon Holland hurts the secondary, but Miami has completely remade that unit, trading Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh to bring Minkah Fitzpatrick back in addition to signing Mike Hilton, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kendall Sheffield. There’s still plenty of talent up front as well with the likes of Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Jordyn Brooks, and first-round DT Kenneth Grant figures to bolster the interior.

The talent is still in Miami. So, what gives? Well, coaching still might be a weakness. I think Mike McDaniel is definitely an elite offensive innovator, but the ending to 2023 and most of last year proved that he might be in over his head on the big stage as a head coach. I like Anthony Weaver as DC, and last year’s defense proved that he’s going to be a good coordinator in this league. But, more than anything, I think it’s a matter of all the picks and money that has gone into building what’s supposed to be a contender resulting in… nothing. A couple of trips to the playoffs with no wins to show for it. It’s disappointment after disappointment. The next letdown from this regime could prove to be its last.

X-Factor: HC Mike McDaniel/QB Tua Tagovailoa

It’s make-or-break for this tandem. Tua needs to stay healthy for the whole season and deliver a season closer to what we saw in 2023, and McDaniel needs to prove that he can actually be an NFL head coach. If neither of those things happen, the Dolphins likely won’t hesitate to move off both of them. This is a franchise that’s starved and desperate to win, always looking to snap their NFL-leading playoff drought (hard to believe they’re the only team to not win a postseason game in my lifetime). Tua was paid handsomely and McDaniel has been given a long leash, but they’ll only so accept so much mediocrity. The good news for these two is that we’ve seen how successful they can be when they’re clicking. Yes, Hill, Waddle and Achane will each need to do their part as well, but the onus is on McDaniel and Tua to right this ship. Otherwise, they’ll be thrown overboard.

Team MVP: RB De’Von Achane
Lightning in a bottle. (h/t PFF)

Achane has proven himself as one of the league’s most dynamic tailbacks with his quick twitch and ridiculous speed. An absolute weapon on the ground and through the air, he’s shown that as long as he’s able to stay on the field, he’s going to make a difference. I think that’ll continue in a big way this season. And, for reasons I’ll get into shortly, I think he’s going to be the offensive cornerstone that this franchise continues to invest in while some others get sidelined and/or shipped away.

Breakout Candidate: WR Malik Washington

This might be the first time in the series where you’ve read this and gone, “Who the heck is that?” And that’s fair — Washington was a sixth-round pick a year ago who didn’t see a ton of action. But now, he’s the clear WR3 and should see a lot more targets now that Jonnu Smith is out of the picture. He was a catch machine at Virginia, setting the ACC single-season record for receptions in 2023 with 110. He feels like a perfect fit in this offense with its quick hitters. Though speed and quickness are often prioritized with guys like Hill and Achane, Washington can provide a level of technique and sharpness that otherwise might be lacking. And, again, if my vision comes to fruition where the Dolphins blow it up — almost getting there, I promise! — then his role could become much bigger as the season winds down.

Record Prediction: 5-12

Okay, here we go. Of all the teams on the playoff bubble, the Dolphins are my candidate to have the disaster 2025 and blow it up. This schedule isn’t easy, but more than that, I just see things falling apart in Miami this season. That means no one is safe — Tua, McDaniel, Hill and maybe even Waddle could all be elsewhere this time next year.

So, here’s the sitch. I think the Dolphins will enter their Week 12 bye on a four-game losing streak, which will cause all the turmoil. McDaniel gone, Tyreek probably traded, and Tua on the market. I know what you’re thinking: how can they make those last two moves considering the financials? Well, Hill has an out after this season, counting for about $15.5 million in dead money. Tua has one in 2027, which has a whopping $34.8 million in dead cap. It’s not impossible that they both get shipped. I think Hill makes a lot more sense for an in-season trade, whereas Tua would get moved off in the winter. I’m sure there would be a number of suitors for him despite what you might think. Maybe the Colts, Browns or Jaguars come knocking.

With a record like this and a late-season plunge, the Dolphins would be squarely in position to draft a new QB of the future — think LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier or Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, if not Arch Manning if he decides to not return to Texas. I think that’s the direction they’d choose to go in. Build around a new QB with Achane and Waddle, find a new head coach who’s capable of getting results, and start over.

I’m wary of this prediction, because the last time I predicted something of this magnitude was with the Rams in 2023. They wound up making the playoffs that season. So, we’ll see you in January, Miami!

Next up: New York Jets