The first half of the NFL’s 18-week regular season is behind us, and every fan is eager to see how the remaining weeks will shape up. After the trade deadline has passed, rosters are set and the anticipation mounts. This is the perfect moment to take stock of where teams stand, who’s performing above expectations, and which players should keep fans glued to their screens.
What can the league’s 32 teams expect as they push through the final nine weeks? Which players are likely to light up the scoreboard? Who will emerge as the champions of their divisions, and who might face coaching or front-office upheaval? Our NFL writers weighed in, making predictions for every team as we head toward the season’s dramatic conclusion.
The Arizona Cardinals have stirred things up after starting slowly. Following what many would call an embarrassing loss to the Green Bay Packers, their playoff hopes seemed dim, with just a 10 percent chance of winning the NFC West. Fast forward through three consecutive wins, and suddenly they boast the best chances at 37 percent. With the weakest schedule among their division, the Cardinals could be poised to shock their division rivals, especially with their chance to clinch the title against the San Francisco 49ers on the last day of the regular season.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons are rallying around quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is making headlines being the likely winner of the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. After suffering from a severe injury last season, Cousins has bounced back impressively, ranking high among NFL quarterbacks this year. His ability to lead the Falcons through the remainder of the season could be pivotal, especially as they aim to end their playoff drought.
On the other side of things, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is on track to win his third MVP award! His performance this season has been nothing short of extraordinary as he leads the league with remarkable statistics: he’s average over 260 passing yards per game, boasts incredible efficiency, and highlights his dual-threat capability, making it tough for defenses to contain him. The Ravens’ offense has entered new territory with Jackson at the helm, and fans can expect more excitement as the season progresses.
Switching gears to the Buffalo Bills, watch for Khalil Shakir as he is expected to achieve his first career 1,000-yard receiving season! After showing promise last season, he has quickly become one of Josh Allen's top targets, finding consistent success with impressive yards after catch. This should not only seal Shakir's reputation but could also be instrumental for the Bills as they seek playoff success.
The Carolina Panthers are shifting gears under the guidance of rookie coach Dave Canales and look set to achieve something not done since Christian McCaffrey left the team: Chuba Hubbard is expected to rush for over 1,100 yards this season! With remarkable persistence and improved running style, Hubbard has claimed the role of primary back and looks ready to become the team's future cornerstone.
From the windy city, the Chicago Bears are set on making their mark, especially with their matchup against the Detroit Lions. History shows they’ve been competitive against the Lions, previously giving them trouble. According to predictions, they may pull off another upset. All eyes are on how this rivalry will shape the NFC North standings moving toward the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals face what could be two make-or-break games against the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos. These games are pivotal for their playoff chances, needing at least two more wins to stay afloat. With their eyes on the postseason, every game counts more than ever.
Now let’s shine the spotlight on the NFL’s midseason awards, celebrating those outstanding performances we've witnessed so far:
The title for best free-agent signing goes hands-down to Derrick Henry. The Ravens signed him for just $5.1 million, and he's already projected to achieve historical heights with possibilities of landing over 1,900 rushing yards. His sheer explosive ability is turning heads.
When it’s all said and done, the best draft pick award goes to the Washington Commanders for selecting Jayden Daniels at No. 2. Such pivotal decisions are making all the difference as the rookie signals his deep-seated greatness.
The best rookie class to date? Les Snead’s Rams. With immediate impact players like DE Jared Verse and numerous other contributors, they have shown how transformative great recruitment can be.
For coaching, the duo of Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury firmly grip the award for best coaching hire. Their freshly minted culture of improvement is energizing their players and bringing back hope to the franchise.
The offensive accolades spotlight Lamar Jackson as the best quarterback at midseason. Not only is he soaring through career highs, but his game management has improved drastically, making him the most formidable presence on the field.
Speaking of thrilling plays, the title for best throw must belong to Jayden Daniels for his audacious Hail Mary, sparking drama when it was needed most.
Of course, accolades to Derrick Henry once more as he claims the best running back honor with his consistent production and eye-popping yards-per-carry stats.
Garrett Wilson snags the best catch, pulling off jaw-dropping one-handed efforts as he soared for touchdowns when his team needed it most.
Finally, the best receiving room belongs to the Seahawks, who flaunt staggering depth at the receiver position. With multiple players hitting 450-plus receiving yards, their collective talent is making waves.
The hustle continues as we head toward the latter half of the NFL's season, and predictions may turn back on those initially defined. This year has been unpredictable, and the stakes are higher than ever as aspirations for the playoffs intensify. Just keep your eyes glued to the screen; it's far from over.
