- The Falcons are a dangerous team in the NFC
Coming into the season I felt as if Atlanta was a sleeper Super Bowl team as they had very good offensive personnel, a very talented QB, and potentially one of the premier defensive head coaches. Through five weeks I felt as if they were good but not special (minus an ugly loss vs the Panthers), but now after a double-digit win at home vs the Super Bowl contending Bills, I feel as if they can be a legitimate threat to contend to win the conference. Atlanta led by the defensive minded Raheem Morris has a defense that in my estimation is as good as any in the NFC if not the NFL. They held the high-flying Buccaneers offense to only 23 points, they held the Vikings led by the offensively brilliant Kevin O’Connell to only 6 points, and they have held the explosive Bills’ offense led by the reigning MVP in Josh Allen to only 14 points. The offense has not proven to be explosive as they have only scored 30+ points once all season and got shut out on the road vs the Panthers. But the offense is solid and respectable, and as starting QB Michael Penix Jr gains more experience in his first full season starting, it could be a dangerous above average offense that complements an elite defense. Atlanta if they continue to maintain and improve their play, could be a dangerous NFC playoff team.
- The Bills are good but nothing special
The Bills were my preseason pick to win the Super Bowl and after four weeks even though they were undefeated, I had my doubts that they could pull it off. As they were outplayed at home in week 1 vs the Ravens despite winning and they struggled to beat the Saints and Dolphins who currently have a 2-10 combined record. Buffalo has now proceeded to lose the next two games in a row with the usually explosive Bills’ offense stagnating, averaging a poor 17 points per game over that stretch. However, on the bright side, as a Bills fan I would rather see the offense struggle instead of the defense, because so long as Josh Allen is there, we know the offense can be as good as almost any in the league. Perhaps as the season now enters the midway point, Buffalo can start to turn a corner and emerge as a juggernaut like I expected them to be entering the year.
- Chicago and Washington have what it takes, but are average for now
Heading into the season the Bears and Commanders had two electric young QB talents who were the first and second overall picks in the previous year’s draft. Despite the fact that the Bears went 5-12 in 2024 and Washington went 12-5, the two teams were pretty even last season. The neck and neck nature of the two teams is evidenced by the team’s matchup last season when Washington needed a last second Hail Mary to win. The Bears stand at 3-2 with Washington now standing at 3-3 after the Bears narrowly beat the Commanders on Monday Night Football. The Bears have a talented defense, a proven defensive coordinator, and borderline elite offensive personnel to complement the electric talent that Williams is. Not to mention head coach Ben Johnson being regarded as perhaps the next great young offensive head coach. The Commanders have a decent roster and one of the smartest defensive head coaches to complement Daniels at the QB spot. Both teams have what it takes to be a legitimate contender, but as of now both teams are pretty average. Perhaps as the season continues, either or both teams can capture elite form and begin to emerge as a threat to make the Super Bowl. However, as of now both teams are struggling with consistency and look like one and dones in the postseason, or teams who narrowly miss the playoffs.
