Now heading into week 6 of the NFL season, NFL fans have gotten a good idea of what the league is set to look like this year. Some teams are doing exactly as expected, with the Chiefs at the top of the league and the Panthers at the bottom. Other teams have broken expectations, with the Vikings now 5-0 and the Bengals sitting at 1-4. While it is still early and much can happen, here is where I believe every team sits when it comes to playing in February next year.

Jaguars:

For the Jaguars, just because they paid Trevor Lawrence like a franchise quarterback does not mean he will play like one, and that is evident so far in 2024. 

Patriots:

The Patriots are definitely in rebuild mode, as they can just pray Drake Maye will be able to perform when his time comes, although I do not see any quarterback playing well behind that offensive line.

Panthers:

Carolina saw a spark with Andy Dalton two weeks ago, but it all looks to be futile as they followed it up with back-to-back losses. While he has not done awful, it is hard to win any games with your defense allowing 30 points a game.

Titans:

The Titans were likely optimistic going into this season under second-year quarterback Will Levis, however, they were quickly hit with a reality check early in the season. With Levis now questionable in health and performance, no big names to carry the offense, and a below-average defense, it’s best for Titans fans to look onto 2025.

Dolphins:

When Tua Tagovailoa went down again in Miami, it felt like the whole league gasped. Without their quarterback, the offense looks nothing like last year as big-name players such as Tyreek Hill, Devon Achane and Jaylen Waddle struggle to get involved. Should Tua return, which is controversial in its own right, their best outcome would be fighting for the No. 7 seed late in the season.

Giants:

Daniel Jones has picked it up a bit after that week one outing, but it’s simply not enough. Though their defense is solid and they just had a quality win over the Seahawks, I don’t believe the team has the talent to compete in January. At least they have the best rookie receiver in football, though, 

so maybe there is reason for optimism.

Broncos:

The Denver Broncos have somehow struggled their way to a 3-2 record, but nobody is impressed. Bo Nix is looking like a rookie, and there are not a whole lot of weapons on the offense to match the strength of Pat Surtain and their defense. Frankly, it is time to move on from Sean Payton and look to add some key offensive players for Nix this offseason.

Browns:

Deshaun Watson is not a good quarterback. Am I allowed to say that yet? Sure the Texans were a fun team to watch a few years ago but after the big contract and sexual assault allegations towards Watson, he has just not looked like his former self. 

Raiders:

Maxx Crosby cannot carry that defense, unfortunately. The Raiders have snuck away with two wins this year, but with controversy at quarterback and Davante Adams wanting out, there are simply too many things going wrong in Vegas to be hopeful about this year.

Rams:

I am not ready to close the book on Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay this season. The injuries on offense have hurt the team early, but it would just make too much sense for McVay to figure out a way to win without them in the next couple of weeks.

Colts:

Who doesn’t love Joe Flacco? When the former Super Bowl MVP is in at the helm, the Colts can beat average teams. When Anthony Richardson plays, this team can beat good teams and lose to bad ones. You hate that that statement makes sense.

Cardinals:

Kyler Murray is a solid NFL quarterback. He’s fast, can throw the ball well and is a playmaker. As Marvin Harrison Jr. develops, I think this team can contend in the NFC West, but only time will tell.

Jets:

Aaron Rodgers is washed, yes, but a washed Aaron Rodgers is still an above-average quarterback in the NFL. The defense is great; it’s only a matter of whether the offense will have the chemistry to perform later this season.

Bengals:

This Cincinnati team is not bad; they just have a poor box score showing. Burrow, Chase, Higgins, and Brown all look like elements of one of the best offenses in the league. Hopefully, the defense will help them move forward.

Bears:

Is Caleb Williams … good? After the last two outings, he has moved out of the potential “bust” category and looks capable of leading the Bears to have a solid season. The only issue is they are in the hardest division in football, the NFC North.

Chargers:

Jim Harbaugh is a step up from Brandon Staley, but I don’t think it’s enough. Herbert is a fine quarterback and that defense is playing decent, but a poor passing attack will not take this team far in the Chiefs-led AFC West. At least J.K. Dobbins is fun to watch!

Saints:

Derek Carr had a solid MVP run in weeks 1 and 2, but it unfortunately came to a grinding halt after week 3. In a hotly contested NFC South division, they’ll finish third in the division come January. 

Steelers:

The best defense in football can’t help the most inconsistent quarterback in the league. Defense wins championships, but offense wins games. Odds are Tomlin will keep his streak alive though, with the Steelers ending the regular season just over .500 once again.

Seahawks:

Being undefeated against an easy schedule for three weeks is not bad in the NFL, but back-to-back losses to follow, one being the Giants, does not look good for Geno Smith and the Seahawks. Though Smith has looked good, the defense has not, and that has shown in the last two weeks.

Eagles:

Without A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, this offense cannot get it done. Jalen Hurts will not take this team far by himself, and Nick Sirianni should be on his way out soon. 

Cowboys:

Essentially a lock for a first-round exit at this point, just like every year it seems. Beating the Steelers was a quality win, but the Cowboys look poised once again to fall short of expectations this season.

Packers:

I understand I am probably the first person to say this, but I hardly see the Packers making the playoffs this year. Letting the Vikings put up 28 unanswered points in the first half two weeks ago and having a contested matchup with a beat-up Rams team this week are just not convincing enough to be listed in the contenders category.  

Falcons: I appreciate Kirk Cousins giving us an electric Thursday Night game for the first time in what feels like forever. Putting up 500 yards against a good Bucs defense is legit, and this team could win the NFC South this season if they keep this play up.

Buccaneers:

Baker Mayfield is playing like an elite quarterback this year, and the team is overall just fun to watch. Although they will be duking it out with the Falcons for Kings of the NFC South this year, I expect at least a wild card berth for this team in 2024.

49ers:

Some tough losses early for this 49ers team should not be a cause for concern for Kyle Shanahan’s bunch. With some injuries hurting this team at the moment, I expect them to bounce back in their midseason stretch these next few weeks.

Commanders:

It looks like as of now the Commanders made the best pick of the NFL draft, as Jayden Daniels looks like a solid franchise QB for this team moving forward. As of now, I have them as my favorites to win the NFC East. 

Bills:

Josh Allen and friends look to be doing just fine after Stefon Diggs’ departure in the offseason. Despite some losses these past two weeks, I have full faith in this team to take the AFC East quite easily this year.

Ravens: The tandem of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry has proven to work so far this year, even after the 0-2 start. With the possible addition of Davante Adams soon and a stellar defense, this team looks like juggernauts and will be at the top of the AFC North the whole year.

Lions: Yet again, the MCDC-led Lions look like Super Bowl contenders this year. The electric combo of Gibbs and Montgomery is a dangerous rushing attack, and Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams is a deadly passing attack. Truthfully, I cannot find a weak point on this team.

Texans:

One bad loss is not enough to take this team out of the top five in the NFL. Nico Collins is looking like one of the best receivers in football, and the defense is playing phenomenal. C.J. Stroud could make a great case for MVP by the end of the year.

Chiefs:

A lot of ugly and controversial wins got the Chiefs to 5-0, but as long as Patrick Mahomes is QB1, this team can three-peat. I know the injuries to Rashee Rice and Pacheco sting, but Andy Reid will find his way to the AFC Championship game this year once again, at least.

Vikings:

Everyone had this team at the bottom of the NFC North this year, but here we are. When people are trying to find justification for why this team is not as good as their record, that’s when you know the team is legit. With the best play callers Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores calling both sides of the ball, they look like serious contenders.