The NFL at midseason: Separating the good, bad and ugly for all 32 teams, with X factors, games to watch and more

With 9 weeks of games successful the books, we are officially astatine the midway constituent of the 18-week 2022 NFL season.

The Philadelphia Eagles (8-0) person the champion grounds successful the league and beryllium atop the NFC arsenic Week 10 commences, with the Minnesota Vikings (7-1) not acold down and the Dallas Cowboys (6-2) and New York Giants (6-2) among those reasoning large arsenic well.

The AFC representation is much muddled, with conscionable a crippled separating 7 teams astatine the apical of the conference: the Buffalo Bills (6-2), Kansas City Chiefs (6-2), Baltimore Ravens (6-3), Miami Dolphins (6-3), New York Jets (5-3), Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) and Tennessee Titans (5-3).

As we look up to the 2nd fractional of the season, ESPN asked NFL squad reporters for their thoughts connected what they cognize -- and don't cognize -- astir their teams astatine the midseason mark, portion besides offering readers and fans an further constituent to look retired for arsenic the 2nd fractional commences.

Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills (6-2)

What we know: The Bills person looked similar 1 of the NFL's champion teams but person immoderate issues to cleanable up successful a competitory AFC East. Overall, the antiaircraft enactment has improved from past season, but stopping the tally has developed into a occupation (170-plus rushing yards allowed successful each of the past 2 games). On the different side, erstwhile backmost Josh Allen is connected and supported by a spot of a tally game, this discourtesy has shown it tin beryllium unstoppable.

What we don't cognize yet: In his past six quarters, Allen has completed 47.9% of passes and thrown zero touchdowns to 4 interceptions. He threw a full of 4 interceptions anterior to that stretch. Much of the Bills' occurrence volition beryllium connected whether Allen tin marque bully decisions and enactment connected the aforesaid leafage with the offense. The different question surrounds the instrumentality of cornerback Tre'Davious White. With White's instrumentality imminent, however volition helium execute and what volition it bash for the defense?

Key wounded to watch: Allen is presently dealing with a close elbow injury, specifically to the ulnar collateral ligament and related nerves. The full discourtesy revolves astir him arsenic helium has accounted for 23 of the team's 25 violative touchdowns either by passing oregon running. Allen is besides the team's starring rusher (392 yards). If helium is to miss immoderate magnitude of clip and Case Keenum fills in, the discourtesy volition alteration significantly. -- Alaina Getzenberg

Miami Dolphins (6-3)

What we know: Tua Tagovailoa has lived up to each the offseason hype. The Dolphins person won each crippled helium has finished and has been the driving unit down astir of them -- including back-to-back games successful Week 8 and Week 9 with astatine slightest 300 passing yards, 3 touchdowns and nary interceptions. He's the NFL's person successful backmost standing and has thrived pushing the shot downfield, starring the league successful yards per effort portion ranking 3rd successful aerial yards per attempt.

What we don't cognize yet: While their discourtesy has been 1 of the champion units successful the league implicit the archetypal fractional of the season, the Dolphins' defence has teetered betwixt statistically mediocre and beneath average. They traded for pass-rusher Bradley Chubb astatine the deadline but truthful far, we don't cognize if this defence tin regain its signifier from a play ago. Miami ranks 29th successful antiaircraft expected points added, 25th successful scoring, 23rd successful yards allowed per crippled and 27th successful third-down defense.

Key wounded to watch: Cornerback Byron Jones hasn't participated successful immoderate shot enactment since past year's play finale. Offseason Achilles country landed him connected the physically incapable to execute database -- which helium is yet to instrumentality from. Undrafted rookie Kader Kohou has been the astonishment subordinate of the twelvemonth successful Jones' stead, but Jones' instrumentality would supply a boost to a depleted Dolphins secondary. Just don't expect it wrong the adjacent 2 oregon 3 weeks. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

New England Patriots (5-4)

What we know: Matthew Judon is simply a starring contender for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, with a league-high 11.5 sacks, and is motivated to debar the aforesaid late-season descent helium had successful 2021. Led by Judon's beardown play, the Patriots are a squad defined by defence and peculiar teams units, arsenic the Mac Jones-led discourtesy has yet to interruption out.

What we don't cognize yet: Is the violative coaching setup, with Matt Patricia arsenic the playcaller and Joe Judge arsenic the QBs coach, built to last? After an offseason of build-up astir Mac Jones taking a Year 2 leap and elevating into the speech of a being franchise quarterback, it hasn't happened to this point.

Circle this upcoming game: The Patriots travel retired of their Week 10 bye and play 3 games successful 12 days -- Nov. 20 against the New York Jets (6-3), past Thanksgiving nighttime Nov. 24 against the Minnesota Vikings (7-1) earlier different Thursday crippled connected Dec. 1 against the Buffalo Bills (6-2). We'll find retired a batch much astir the Patriots aft that three-game stretch. -- Mike Reiss

New York Jets (6-3)

What we know: The Jets are a precise bully antiaircraft team, and that volition let them to vie with the alleged elite teams. They person astatine slightest 1 takeaway successful each crippled and person held 4 of their past six opponents nether 200 passing yards. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and cornerback D.J. Reed are having vocation years, and Sauce Gardner is simply a campaigner for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. It's a resilient squad -- 3-3 erstwhile facing double-digit deficits, compared to 3-40 successful the erstwhile 4 seasons.

What we don't cognize yet: Quarterback Zach Wilson inactive isn't bully capable to transportation the discourtesy for 4 quarters, truthful it's just to wonderment however they'd fare successful a shootout-type game. They person capable playmakers, particularly with rookie wide receiver Garrett Wilson heating up, but helium needs to beryllium managed due to the fact that of his penchant for mistakes. He needs a crushed game; they're 6-0 erstwhile scoring rushing touchdowns.

Key wounded to watch: Wide receiver Corey Davis (knee), who missed 2 games, is expected to instrumentality successful Week 11. When helium does, who gets dropped from the receiver rotation? How volition it impact chemistry? Denzel Mims has played good capable to gain a imperishable role, according to manager Robert Saleh. Someone has to beryllium the unusual antheral out, and it could beryllium Elijah Moore, whose accumulation has disappeared. Curiously, helium hasn't caught a shot since his commercialized request. -- Rich Cimini

@espn.com>

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens (6-3)

What we know: Lamar Jackson and the Ravens person been astir unstoppable moving the ball. Baltimore has rushed for 150-plus yards successful 8 consecutive games, which is the longest single-season streak since the 1985 Chicago Bears. The violative enactment has been truthful ascendant that 5 players person totaled implicit 100 yards rushing this season. Jackson remains elusive, producing 26 runs of 10 oregon much yards (second astir successful the NFL).

What we don't cognize yet: Can Baltimore triumph if Jackson has to propulsion the ball? Jackson ranks 4th with 16 touchdown passes, but helium is 18th successful passing yards with 1,768. He has lacked consistency hitting his receivers this season. Over the past 5 games, Jackson has completed little than 60% of his passes 4 times and has averaged 175 yards passing. Some of the decreased accumulation is the effect of injuries to accomplishment presumption players. But Jackson besides hasn't been sharp. His 19.3% off-target complaint is the seventh worst successful the league.

Circle this upcoming game: The Ravens adjacent retired the regular play astatine the Cincinnati Bengals (5-4), and this looks similar the crippled that volition determine the AFC North. The Browns (3-5) person struggled with backmost Deshaun Watson connected suspension, and the Steelers (2-6) person sputtered without Ben Roethlisberger. This part is simply a two-team contention betwixt Baltimore and Cincinnati, which person combined for 3 of the past 4 AFC North titles. The Ravens, though, request to reverse past aft losing 7 of the past 10 games successful Cincinnati. -- Jamison Hensley

play

1:21

Marcus Spears breaks down wherefore helium sees the Ravens arsenic Super Bowl contenders.

Cincinnati Bengals (5-4)

What we know: The Bengals person been a precise up-and-down team. They started 0-2 earlier rallying to triumph 5 of their adjacent 7 games. That included 3 wins implicit a atrocious NFC South division. The things that made Cincinnati the AFC champs past twelvemonth -- timely discourtesy and a stout defence -- are the halfway of this year's team, too.

What we don't cognize yet: If the Bengals volition beryllium capable to withstand the upcoming absorption successful their playoff push. According to ESPN Analytics, the Bengals person the second-toughest remaining spot of schedule. With Cincinnati a crippled down Baltimore for the AFC North pb and the Ravens facing a overmuch softer docket (24th-toughest SOS), a wild-card berth could beryllium the Bengals' champion accidental of returning to the postseason.

Key wounded to watch: The timetable for wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase's instrumentality volition beryllium pivotal to Cincinnati's playoff chances. Chase has been 1 of the champion receivers successful the NFL since helium entered the league successful 2021. When he's connected the field, helium forces opposing defenses to set their schemes accordingly. Chase is simply a cardinal plus for backmost Joe Burrow and an discourtesy looking to stay 1 of the NFL's astir businesslike units. -- Ben Baby

Cleveland Browns (3-5)

What we know: The Browns boast 1 of the apical rushing offenses successful the NFL. Nick Chubb is 2nd successful the league successful rushing (841 yards), averaging a whopping 5.64 yards per transportation with a league-best 10 rushing touchdowns. Kareem Hunt, staying with the Browns past the commercialized deadline, remains 1 of the NFL's apical backup backs. And the violative line, led by Pro Bowl defender Joel Bitonio, continues to predominate the enactment of scrimmage.

What we don't cognize yet: How bully is this Browns defense? Thanks to a bid of unsmooth performances to statesman the season, the Browns fertile conscionable 27th successful antiaircraft efficiency. But Cleveland is besides coming disconnected its champion outing of the year, wholly shutting down Joe Burrow and the Bengals connected Monday Night Football. The endowment is there, headlined by All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett. If the Browns tin find consistency, particularly successful the 4th quarter, the defence could statesman to conscionable its lofty preseason expectations.

Stat that defined the archetypal half: The Browns' defence ranked 30th successful antiaircraft expected points allowed (-13.08) successful the 4th quarter. Late-game collapses against the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Chargers are the biggest crushed Cleveland is 3-5 contempt ranking 10th successful the league successful ESPN's Football Power Index. The analytics suggest the Browns should person a overmuch amended grounds astatine this point, and fourth-quarter defence is wherefore they don't. -- Jake Trotter

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6)

What we know: The Steelers aren't performing similar a playoff squad -- oregon thing adjacent to it. Though the extremity of Ben Roethlisberger's vocation wasn't smooth, the Steelers are inactive dealing with the ripple effects of beingness without a seasoned signal-caller and the modulation to a younger halfway connected some sides of the ball. The defense, playing without T.J. Watt for astir the full archetypal fractional of the season, struggled done the NFL's toughest schedule, incapable to get unit connected the backmost and halt large passing plays.

What we don't cognize yet: Not lone bash we not cognize the individuality of this offense, we don't cognize if they'll ever make one. The Steelers made the early-season power to Kenny Pickett, but the discourtesy inactive isn't producing points. The program is predictable, the tally crippled is stagnant (ranked 28th successful the NFL), and Pickett, portion having the demeanor and assurance to stay composed successful large moments, has 8 interceptions to conscionable 2 touchdown throws. Mike Tomlin is adamant helium won't marque immoderate midseason coaching changes, truthful volition the Steelers ever beryllium capable to fig retired the offense?

Non-quarterback X origin for the 2nd half: After sustaining a pectoral musculus teardrop successful Week 1 and undergoing an unrelated arthroscopic genu surgery, Watt is acceptable to instrumentality for the Steelers' Week 10 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Without Watt, the Steelers person recorded conscionable 8 sacks successful 7 games aft signaling 7 successful the Week 1 triumph against the Bengals. Not lone is Watt returning, but the Steelers are besides getting information Damontae Kazee disconnected wounded reserve and they traded for country William Jackson III astatine the deadline. At 2-6, the Steelers are solidly successful past spot successful the AFC North, but they could inactive salvage a .500 -- oregon adjacent winning -- season. -- Brooke Pryor

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans (1-6-1)

What we know: The Texans are 1-6-1 and according to ESPN's projected draught order, they person the champion accidental (30%) to onshore the No. 1 wide pick. The squad hasn't been arsenic atrocious arsenic its grounds would suggest -- each crippled has been a one-possession crippled successful the 4th quarter. But they haven't been capable to finish.

What we don't cognize yet: If backmost Davis Mills is the semipermanent reply astatine the position. Mills' 2nd twelvemonth has been inconsistent. His passer standing is 81, and his completion percent is 62%, some figures down from his rookie twelvemonth of a passer standing of 88 and completion percent of 66%. He's connected gait to propulsion 21 touchdowns and walk for 3,519 yards. But volition that beryllium capable to support the starting gig successful 2023?

Team inclination to watch: The Texans' tally defence is bottommost of the league. They've allowed 1,445 yards passing (most successful the NFL), 12 touchdowns (third most) and 5.5 yards per transportation (third highest). They've allowed the 2 highest rushing totals successful a crippled this play arsenic the Tennessee Titans rushed for 314 yards successful Week 8 and the Chicago Bears deed 284 successful Week 3. -- DJ Bien-Aime

Indianapolis Colts (3-5-1)

What we know: The firing of caput manager Frank Reich and installation of Jeff Saturday arsenic interim manager means the Colts are present successful an valuation mode for the remainder of the season. Already 3-5-1, the upheaval surely doesn't fig to boost their chances of turning the play around. So, the Colts are apt to attack the last 8 games with an oculus toward adjacent season, looking for indicators connected what signifier the squad should instrumentality successful 2023.

What we don't cognize yet: What benignant of absorption comes to the Saturday experiment. This is arsenic unconventional a prosecute arsenic you'll ever spot successful the NFL, truthful it volition beryllium fascinating to spot however the players and remaining unit members respond. Saturday volition beryllium watched intimately by his players, who volition easy beryllium capable to archer whether helium is up to the task contempt having ne'er coached beyond the precocious schoolhouse level. Add to this the world that Saturday is taking implicit a squad successful disarray, and it's intelligibly a gangly order.

Breakout subordinate truthful far: Rookie receiver Alec Pierce hasn't yet posted immense numbers (25 receptions, 396 yards), but if you consistently ticker him play, his imaginable is apparent. Pierce has already shown large strides successful 2 areas the Colts feared mightiness instrumentality him immoderate time: He is displaying awesome quality to bushed property coverage, which has enabled him to beryllium a downfield threat. He besides is proving helium tin enactment crossed the mediate and successful postulation against choky coverage, erasing concerns successful that country arsenic well. -- Stephen Holder

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6)

What we know: The Jaguars aren't the casual retired they've been the past respective seasons. Seven of their 9 games person been decided by 1 score, and the different 2 were blowout victories. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been up and down successful his 2nd season, but the Jaguars tin tally the shot good (seventh successful the NFL) and moving backmost Travis Etienne Jr. is simply a rising star.

What we don't cognize yet: The Jaguars did a batch of enactment connected the defence -- signing 4 escaped agents and drafting 3 players successful the archetypal 3 rounds -- but the walk unreserved is beneath mean (16 sacks), and they've forced lone 2 turnovers successful the past 5 games. They've besides failed to clasp fourth-quarter leads successful 4 of their losses. No 1 has emerged arsenic a accordant playmaker for first-time coordinator Mike Caldwell. The Jaguars request to find cohesiveness with the hardest portion of docket ahead.

Stat that defined the archetypal half: Lawrence has been atrocious successful the reddish zone: His QBR is 10.8 and ranks 31st (ahead of lone Russell Wilson), and helium has thrown a league-high 3 interceptions successful that area. Two of those were successful the extremity portion connected astir identical throws. If helium doesn't propulsion those picks, the Jaguars apt triumph some games (Denver, Houston) and could beryllium 5-4 and battling the Titans for the part lead. -- Mike DiRocco

Tennessee Titans (5-3)

What we know: Everything revolves astir Derrick Henry and the violative line. Henry leads the NFL with 870 rushing yards. The violative enactment has undergone immoderate shuffling owed to injuries but has precocious deed a stride paving the mode for Henry to unreserved for 100 oregon much yards successful six consecutive games. Henry is the Titans' biggest scoring threat. His 9 touchdowns (six rushing/three receiving) are much than everyone other connected the squad combined.

What we don't cognize yet: How bully tin this defence be? Tennessee's relentless beforehand is led by Jeffery Simmons and has a rotation that goes astatine slightest 7 deep. The Titans specialize successful getting unit with conscionable the beforehand four, allowing them to driblet 7 into coverage. Denico Autry is softly 1 of the astir disruptive players connected the defense. If the Titans tin find ways to adjacent games out, they could beryllium to beryllium 1 of the NFL's apical units.

Stat that defined the archetypal half: 99-33. That's however galore points the Titans person allowed successful the 2nd fractional arsenic compared to however galore points they've scored. The Titans get disconnected to large starts, astatine 1 constituent scoring a touchdown connected the archetypal 4 game-opening drives of the season. But they haven't carried that occurrence implicit to the 2nd half. Tennessee was outscored 21-7 successful its season-opening nonaccomplishment to the Giants and 11-3 successful its astir caller nonaccomplishment to the Chiefs, starring to a 5-3 record. -- Turron Davenport

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos (3-5)

What we know: We cognize without a uncertainty that the Broncos cannot vie astatine a playoff level if they people 1.4 touchdowns per game, adjacent with 1 of the champion defenses successful the league. The Broncos person 11 touchdowns successful 8 games and had conscionable 8 touchdowns successful the archetypal seven. Everyone, from manager Nathaniel Hackett (the playcaller) to backmost Russell Wilson, has excessively often pressed to effort to hole the discourtesy successful 1 play. They recovered astatine slightest a small composure with the travel to London conscionable earlier the bye and request to support it present that they are backmost successful the disapproval swirl of their hometown.

What we don't cognize yet: The Broncos simply request to bash what they should and not what they want, some successful attack and successful the moment. Over and implicit again, they've tried to beryllium thing they're not -- Wilson is moving plays retired of the shotgun and unfastened formations arsenic their walk extortion repeatedly fails them. Some of the decisions person been owed to injuries arsenic good arsenic perpetually trailing successful games. But erstwhile they play with much heft successful the unit groupings, with Wilson nether halfway much (especially successful the reddish zone) and conscionable a sliver of much patience, they execute acold better.

Key wounded to watch: Outside linebacker Randy Gregory suffered a meniscus wounded successful the Broncos' Week 4 nonaccomplishment to the Raiders and hasn't played since. The Broncos hoped Gregory, who signed a five-year, $70 cardinal woody successful the offseason, would substance their walk rush, particularly fixed the interaction helium showed aboriginal on. But with the commercialized of Bradley Chubb to the Dolphins, Gregory's quality to enactment connected the tract and execute astatine a precocious level is adjacent much important. He's inactive aggregate weeks distant from a return, but if the Broncos are truly going to marque thing of the season's 2nd half, they're going to request him to beryllium astatine his champion erstwhile helium does. -- Jeff Legwold

Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)

What we know: The Chiefs pb the league successful scoring and are getting a immense play from backmost Patrick Mahomes and large receiving contributions from Travis Kelce, JuJu Smith-Schuster and others connected occasion. Opponents that person slowed the Chiefs person kept blitzing to a minimum portion inactive generating immoderate pressure.

What we don't cognize yet: The Chiefs are inactive figuring who they are connected defense. Their walk unreserved is overmuch improved but inconsistent. Their unit tends to beryllium each down oregon nonexistent for agelong stretches. The Chiefs were playing large tally defence aboriginal successful the season, but that portion of their crippled has declined. Five rookies are either starters oregon person important playing clip connected defense, truthful the Chiefs person a tenable anticipation for improvement.

Circle this upcoming game: The Chiefs, who bushed the Chargers successful Week 2, caput to Los Angeles for the rematch successful Week 11. A triumph would springiness them the play expanse of the part rival closest to them successful the standings and a monolithic borderline successful their pursuit of a seventh consecutive AFC West championship. The past 3 games betwixt the Chiefs and Chargers were decided by six (with a late-deciding TD), six (in overtime) and 3 points. There conscionable hasn't been overmuch to abstracted these 2 teams erstwhile they get together. -- Adam Teicher

Las Vegas Raiders (2-6)

What we know: Josh Jacobs mightiness person taken immoderate discourtesy to not having his fifth-year enactment picked up by the Raiders' caller regime, arsenic the erstwhile Pro Bowl moving backmost has been the team's MVP done 8 games. Consider: The 2019 first-round prime is connected gait to acceptable vocation highs successful rushing yards (1,579) and rushing TDs (13) and had a three-game agelong successful which helium rushed for 144, 154 and 143 yards to pb the Raiders to 2 wins successful that agelong -- their lone 2 of the season. Jacobs has been a revelation for manager Josh McDaniels, who traditionally uses a moving back-by-committee approach.

What we don't cognize yet: When, oregon if, the Raiders volition play a coagulated 60 minutes of football. Blowing 3 games successful which they led by astatine slightest 17 points is simply a motion of a squad that doesn't cognize however to finish, a shocking improvement for a squad that was successful the playoffs a twelvemonth agone and supposedly took a measurement guardant with a seemingly elite playcaller successful McDaniels. Plus, the defence giving up 15 touchdowns successful 15 goal-to-go situations is much than mind-numbing.

Key wounded to watch: Tight extremity Darren Waller's latest malady is the hamstring helium injured successful Week 5, playing conscionable 8 snaps astatine Kansas City. He has not played since. Waller injured the different hamstring successful grooming camp, conscionable earlier signing a three-year, $51 cardinal extension. Throw successful the genu and backmost injuries helium suffered past Thanksgiving astatine Dallas, and Waller has missed 8 of the Raiders' past 14 regular-season games. As uneven and incomplete arsenic Las Vegas' discourtesy has been, Waller's steadfast beingness would person a settling effect. -- Paul Gutierrez

Los Angeles Chargers (5-3)

What we know: The Chargers built 1 of the champion rosters connected insubstantial implicit the offseason, featuring a league-high 8 players featured successful ESPN's NFL apical 100 rankings. However, the radical ne'er has played -- and ne'er volition play -- a azygous crippled unneurotic this play owed to a rash of injuries, which resulted successful wide receiver Keenan Allen missing 5 games due to the fact that of a hamstring contented and borderline rusher Joey Bosa, near tackle Rashawn Slater and cornerback J.C. Jackson each being placed connected injured reserve.

What we don't cognize yet: If, contempt the wounded situation, the Chargers are acceptable to go a playoff team. The Bolts haven't made the postseason since 2018, which counts arsenic their lone quality implicit the past 8 seasons. They appeared poised to vie successful the AFC successful a Week 2 showdown with the Chiefs contempt losing 27-24 astatine Arrowhead Stadium. However, they person yet to play a accordant -- fto unsocial ascendant -- crippled since and adjacent failed to amusement successful a Week 3 nonaccomplishment to the Jaguars and a Week 7 nonaccomplishment to the Seahawks.

Circle this upcoming game: Week 11, the Chargers big the Chiefs astatine SoFi Stadium. Even with respective important injuries, an discourtesy that has regressed from 2021 and a defence that has flashed but has yet to show accordant betterment from a twelvemonth ago, the Bolts stay successful 2nd spot successful the AFC West down the Chiefs. A triumph implicit backmost Patrick Mahomes & Co. could supply this radical a much-needed morale boost and assurance to marque a propulsion down the stretch. -- Lindsey Thiry

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys (6-2)

What we know: The Cowboys person a accidental to beryllium the NFC typical successful the Super Bowl. How bully of a chance? That remains to beryllium seen. They person a ascendant defence that tin impact the backmost (Micah Parsons & Co.) and instrumentality the shot distant (Trevon Diggs & Co.). They tin tally the shot efficaciously with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. They person a much than coagulated peculiar teams unit. The players are successful spot for the Cowboys to marque it to astatine slightest a league rubric crippled for the archetypal clip since 1995. Can they wide immoderate intelligence hurdle has clamped down connected this franchise since the mid-1990s?

What we don't cognize yet: Can the discourtesy consistently enactment up points? They cleared 25 points conscionable erstwhile successful the archetypal 8 games, and if you privation to springiness the crushed that their backup quarterback, Cooper Rush, started 5 times, that's fine. Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Dalton Schultz and whoever other volition person to consistently amusement they tin get it done successful the walk game. The 42 points scored connected discourtesy (of the 49) against the Chicago Bears was a positive, but it can't conscionable beryllium a one-off.

Circle this upcoming game: Dec. 24 vs. the Philadelphia Eagles. Since their nonaccomplishment to the Eagles successful October, the players were talking astir the rematch. They consciousness similar they fto a accidental gaffe distant astatine Lincoln Financial Field due to the fact that of a dilatory commencement and 3 interceptions, and Prescott did not play successful that game. It could beryllium for the NFC East rubric and perchance home-field advantage, but adjacent if it isn't, a triumph would springiness the Cowboys a immense boost heading into the postseason. -- Todd Archer

New York Giants (6-2)

What we know: The Giants are vastly improved from the past 5 years erstwhile they were tied for the worst grounds successful football. Start with the coaching and leadership. Coach Brian Daboll looks similar the existent woody and wide manager Joe Schoen has done a masterful occupation juggling a flawed roster with small wealth nether the wage headdress astatine his disposal. It appears the Giants yet person their manager and GM for galore years to come.

What we don't cognize yet: It's inactive to beryllium determined however the Giants grip the futures of backmost Daniel Jones and moving backmost Saquon Barkley. Both are impending escaped agents. Schoen has the franchise tag astatine his disposal, but does helium usage it connected either? The last 9 games volition spell a agelong mode successful determining whether the Giants privation to physique astir Jones and if they privation to put successful a moving back. Staying steadfast is paramount for some players.

Circle this upcoming game: Giants vs. Cowboys successful Dallas connected Thanksgiving. The adjacent 2 weeks, the Giants person the Texans and Lions astatine home, and it's wholly imaginable they're 8-2 entering that Cowboys game. It's their accidental to beryllium this squad is legit and isn't going distant successful beforehand of a nationalist audience, particularly aft Dallas handled them alternatively easy successful their archetypal matchup successful New Jersey. -- Jordan Raanan

Philadelphia Eagles (8-0)

What we know: The Eagles person the NFL's champion grounds and are 8-0 for the archetypal clip successful franchise history. That's mostly owed to the MVP-caliber play of backmost Jalen Hurts, who has won 11 consecutive starts, the longest progressive streak among quarterbacks. He has 18 full touchdowns and conscionable 2 interceptions. Turnover differential tells the communicative of a squad that is taking attraction of concern connected some sides of the ball. The Eagles person won the turnover conflict successful each 8 games played, posting an NFL-best plus-15 differential this season, and are the archetypal squad to bash truthful since the 1972 Steelers. 

What we don't cognize yet: Just however agelong this singular tally volition last. The Eagles are projected to beryllium favored successful each crippled remaining connected their docket with the objection of their Christmas Eve matchup astatine the Dallas Cowboys, according to ESPN's Football Power Index. It's hard to place holes connected either broadside of the ball. But the players are alert that, arsenic the NFL's lone undefeated team, they'll beryllium getting everyone's champion crippled from present connected out.

Key wounded to watch: Rookie antiaircraft tackle Jordan Davis is connected injured reserve with a precocious ankle sprain, but helium is expected to instrumentality astatine immoderate constituent this season. In the meantime, the Eagles' defence needs to stabilize against the run. It allowed Texans rookie Dameon Pierce to spell disconnected for 139 yards connected 27 carries successful Week 9. Entering that game, the Eagles allowed 3.9 yards per unreserved with Davis connected the tract (70 rushes) versus 6 yards per unreserved with him disconnected the tract (112 rushes). -- Tim McManus

Washington Commanders (4-5)

What we know: Their discourtesy lacks immoderate benignant of consistency oregon identity. They person bully accomplishment endowment with receivers Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson and versatile backmost Antonio Gibson. But the discourtesy has scored much than 17 points lone erstwhile successful the past 7 games. Meanwhile, the Commanders' defence has kept Washington successful each crippled since Week 2. Tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne person combined for 10 sacks and 26 tackles for a loss.

What we don't cognize yet: Who volition commencement astatine backmost for the 2nd half? Taylor Heinicke volition commencement his 4th crippled vs. the Philadelphia Eagles connected Monday and past Carson Wentz volition beryllium eligible to travel disconnected the injured reserve list. Wentz has the higher ceiling, but learning a caller discourtesy combined with playing down mediocre extortion has led to problems. Heinicke's mobility provides a spark to the offense, but his different carnal skills are limited. It's besides uncertain what boost antiaircraft extremity Chase Young volition supply erstwhile helium returns from a torn ACL.

Non-quarterback X origin for the 2nd half: The tally game. The Commanders don't person the backmost play, oregon protection, to go a pass-heavy team. However, they person not developed a accordant tally crippled successful Ron Rivera's 3 seasons. They fertile 21st successful rushing yards per crippled and 25th successful yards per carry. At times it's astir commitment; different times it's blocking oregon tally design. Regardless of the reason, if Washington doesn't make a much accordant tally game, it'll beryllium retired of contention for the 3rd wild-card spot successful mid-December. -- John Keim

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears (3-6)

What we know: Development for a franchise successful the archetypal twelvemonth of a rebuild provides anticipation for the aboriginal careless of what the win-loss file looks similar successful 2022. This discourtesy is unlocking Justin Fields' strengths arsenic a axenic runner (he acceptable the regular play single-game QB rushing grounds with 178 yards vs. Miami) and capitalizing disconnected his limb talent. His passing numbers aren't gaudy, but the mode he's throwing the shot (two of his passing touchdowns against the Dolphins came portion nether duress) has improved. In his past 5 games, Fields has thrown for 851 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions portion posting a 100.5 QB rating. He's doing his portion to beryllium he's the reply astatine quarterback.

What we don't cognize yet: Immediately aft completing his teardown astatine the commercialized deadline, Ryan Poles made a determination to enactment Fields by trading for wide receiver Chase Claypool. What's the adjacent measurement for the Bears' wide manager? Poles has upwards of $123 cardinal successful headdress abstraction and 8 draught picks to utilize successful the offseason. The violative and antiaircraft lines request work. Fields needs amended receivers. The Bears request to find whether they're comfy moving guardant with Khalil Herbert arsenic their pb backmost oregon springiness David Montgomery his adjacent contract. The adjacent 8 games are an valuation play for a roster comprised of players connected rookie contracts and veterans connected short-term deals. How galore of those players bash the Bears envision arsenic portion of their semipermanent plan?

Breakout subordinate truthful far: Eddie Jackson is the champion subordinate connected the Bears' defence and ranks 2nd successful the NFL successful interceptions (4) done 9 weeks. That's a invited turnaround for the seasoned information whose accumulation dipped the past 2 years contempt posting the highest tackle totals of his career. Rebuilding Chicago's secondary was the superior absorption of the draft, and the summation of rookie Jaquan Brisker has enactment Jackson successful a presumption to roam astatine escaped information and make large plays. Jackson has the seventh-highest headdress deed of each safeties astatine $13 cardinal successful 2023 ($9.6 cardinal successful dormant money). The Bears person had nary contented accumulating dormant headdress this season, but if they judge Jackson's level of accumulation is sustainable, helium should stay successful the fold. -- Courtney Cronin

Detroit Lions (2-6)

What we know: Rookie Aidan Hutchinson is legit. The No. 2 wide prime ranks archetypal for rookies successful sacks (4.5), backmost hits (9), and full pressures generated (24). He adjacent recorded an interception disconnected Green Bay Packers backmost Aaron Rodgers. Hutchinson is trying to assistance alteration the civilization successful Detroit, and helium has a instrumentality successful erstwhile Lions prima Ndamukong Suh. "Hopefully the GM and ownership are astute capable to physique astir him!" Suh precocious wrote connected Twitter erstwhile asked his sentiment of the rookie.

What we don't cognize yet: Can the Lions' defence crook it around? Entering Week 9 triumph versus Green Bay, the Lions were allowing a league-worst 32.1 points per crippled -- which led to the firing of antiaircraft backs manager Aubrey Pleasant. Against the Packers, they allowed conscionable 9 points which was their fewest successful a crippled this season. The antiaircraft portion held a players-only gathering the week of the Packers game, which whitethorn person helped animate that performance, but it remains to beryllium seen if this play is sustainable moving forward.

Key wounded to watch: The wellness of moving backmost D'Andre Swift. A enarthrosis and ankle wounded has constricted Swift to playing successful 5 of the archetypal 8 games of the season. He's averaging a career-best 7.3 yards per transportation but has conscionable 34 rushing attempts successful examination to Jamaal Williams' 126 carries. Even aft missing 3 games, Lions caput manager Dan Campbell and his unit proceed to show Swift moving guardant arsenic they hole to look the Chicago Bears connected the roadworthy this Sunday. "We consciousness similar determination wasn't a setback and we gave him capable plays to wherever we consciousness similar helium could grip it. And yet, we could usage the things that helium does well," Campbell said. "And so, we're hopeful we tin springiness him a small spot much this week." -- Eric Woodyard

Green Bay Packers (3-6)

What we know: The Packers are successful disarray. Their 3-1 commencement was a mirage. Their defence had sum breakdowns, and manager Matt LaFleur couldn't find a equilibrium betwixt the tally crippled and Aaron Rodgers. All of that has been exacerbated during a five-game losing streak, their longest since Rodgers' archetypal play arsenic a starter (2008). And considering their adjacent 3 opponents person a combined grounds of 19-5, it's hard to ideate this turning astir anytime soon.

What we don't cognize yet: If they volition springiness Jordan Love a look. LaFleur astir apt won't adjacent entertain the thought unless the Packers person been eliminated from playoff contention. At that point, however, it would service the enactment champion if they tin spot Love successful enactment to find whether he's made advancement from past twelvemonth and tin beryllium considered the heir evident -- particularly if either the squad oregon Rodgers are undecided astir moving guardant unneurotic successful 2023.

Stat that defined the archetypal half: The Packers person averaged 17.1 points per game, their fewest done 9 games since 1992 -- Brett Favre's archetypal play successful Green Bay. -- Rob Demovsky

play

2:03

Marcus Spears breaks down wherefore helium wouldn't seat Aaron Rodgers if the Packers autumn retired of contention.

Minnesota Vikings (7-1)

What we know: The Vikings each but locked up a playoff spot successful the top-heavy NFC earlier they reached the midpoint of their season. A 7-1 start, combined with disastrous openings successful Green Bay, Chicago and Detroit, springiness the Vikings a 99.3% accidental to scope the postseason, according to ESPN's Football Power Index. They could play astatine .500 the remainder of the mode and inactive easiness their mode into the playoffs.

What we don't cognize yet: At slightest portion of the Vikings' occurrence tin beryllium attributed to fantabulous wellness among a seasoned halfway that is getting the immense bulk of the team's playing time. Through 8 games, 2 starters missed a full of 2 games. Players similar Harrison Smith (33), Patrick Peterson (32) and Adam Thielen (32) are logging a batch of snaps. However, tin they prolong their wellness and effectiveness done a 17-game season?

Stat that defined the archetypal half: The Vikings won six consecutive games by 1 score, and 4 required the Vikings to flooded a fourth-quarter deficit. -- Kevin Seifert

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons (4-5)

What we know: Arthur Smith's squad has a wide individuality and program to triumph -- tally the shot connected discourtesy and beryllium OK with yardage but not points connected defense. On offense, it's working. Atlanta has tally for 1,466 yards this twelvemonth and has 4 players with 299 yards oregon much connected the ground. On defense, which is wherever the Falcons inactive request the astir improvement, they are allowing 25 points per game.

What we don't cognize yet: Well, a lot. This is simply a squad successful transition, truthful the aboriginal of the backmost presumption -- peculiarly successful the agelong word -- remains a question on with erstwhile the Falcons volition get Kyle Pitts (23 catches, 285 yards, 2 touchdowns) going with much consistency. So, too, does a semblance of a walk rush. The Falcons are amended determination than past twelvemonth -- Atlanta has 12 sacks done 9 games aft lone 18 successful each of 2021 -- but it's inactive coming excessively infrequently. Where that could amended is inactive a large question.

Non-quarterback X origin for the 2nd half: Pitts. If Atlanta is capable to get its prima choky extremity consistently progressive arsenic a receiver, past it tin unfastened up overmuch much of the offense. After a 1,000-yard play past year, Pitts has had lone 2 games of much than 30 yards receiving and conscionable 2 games with much than 3 catches this season. Last season, Pitts had 9 games with 4 catches oregon much and 13 games with much than 30 yards receiving. It's a antithetic discourtesy now, but considering Pitts' 30% people share, his 2022 numbers should beryllium overmuch better. -- Michael Rothstein

Carolina Panthers (2-7)

What we know: This squad is simply a dysfunctional mess. Head manager Matt Rhule was fired aft a 1-4 start, and Christian McCaffrey, the look of the franchise, was traded to the San Francisco 49ers a week later. And yet the biggest messiness remains the backmost presumption that has been the failing this franchise for the past three-plus seasons. The reply isn't Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold oregon PJ Walker, but idiosyncratic successful the 2023 draft.

What we don't cognize yet: Who volition beryllium the adjacent caput coach? Interim manager Steve Wilks had to bash an exceptional occupation to beryllium a factor. And portion his beardown enactment has been exceptional, it hasn't changed overmuch connected the field. He precise good mightiness beryllium the reply moving forward. He deserves a just changeable to beryllium a caput manager successful the league, but he'll request to enactment unneurotic a drawstring of wins and stay viable successful the anemic NFC South to get a look from proprietor David Tepper, who volition privation to marque a splash with his adjacent hire.

Stat that defined the archetypal half: Look nary further than a 26.7% third-down conversion complaint that's past successful the NFL. The offense's inability to support drives live defined the inconsistency of the backmost presumption and enactment mode excessively overmuch unit connected a young defence with talent. -- David Newton

New Orleans Saints (3-6)

What we know: The Saints don't person a semipermanent backmost situation. They're sticking with Andy Dalton implicit Jameis Winston for present aft Winston was injured aboriginal successful the season, which is the 2nd clip the Saints person chosen different backmost implicit Winston (the archetypal being erstwhile they tried to get Deshaun Watson successful the offseason). Dalton has been capable to determination the discourtesy but not consistently, and neither seems similar a surefire enactment successful 2023 oregon beyond. Considering the Saints bash not person a 2023 first-round pick, the aboriginal seems murky astatine that position.

What we don't cognize yet: What the Saints' existent imaginable tin be. The Saints played arsenic good arsenic they had each play against the Raiders earlier taking a immense measurement backmost against the Ravens. Their play has been defined by their inconsistency truthful far, and they've shown lone flashes of coagulated play. But the Saints stay successful it, contempt being 3-6, due to the fact that of a anemic division. They inactive person a accidental to marque a run, but lone if they tin drawstring unneurotic much than 1 bully crippled astatine a time.

Breakout subordinate truthful far: Wide receiver Chris Olave. Olave has been 1 of the agleam spots of the Saints' offense, catching 43 passes for 618 yards and 2 touchdowns. Olave's play has helped easiness the Saints' symptom of losing Michael Thomas for a 2nd consecutive season, and it has been needed considering Jarvis Landry has been retired for much than a month. The first-round prime seems similar a budding prima for the Saints agelong term. -- Katherine Terrell

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)

What we know: This isn't past year's team. They're averaging 17.2 points per crippled connected discourtesy -- 26th successful the league -- aft starring the NFL a twelvemonth ago. There is nary Rob Gronkowski. There is nary Antonio Brown. They're not scoring astatine volition -- obscurity adjacent to it. And halfway Ryan Jensen mightiness not instrumentality successful clip for the playoffs -- if they adjacent marque it that far.

What we don't cognize yet: Can the defence get steadfast and enactment that way? The Bucs looked similar a dramatically antithetic squad erstwhile antiaircraft tackle Akiem Hicks and cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Sean Murphy-Bunting led the mode to assistance drawback a three-game losing streak Sunday against the Rams. Until the discourtesy tin enactment up much points, they person to transportation the load.

Team inclination to watch: The Bucs presently pb the NFL with 19 drops. They had 30 each of past year. That fig needs to travel down if they privation to prolong drives and score. Interestingly, it's Mike Evans who's starring the squad with five, followed by Leonard Fournette with three. -- Jenna Laine

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals (3-6)

What we know: The Cardinals aren't a well-organized team. They've been plagued by intelligence errors and self-inflicted mistakes, a motion of a deficiency of discipline. Arizona's discourtesy besides can't find a rhythm, which, for a squad that has a slew of stars connected the violative broadside of the ball, doesn't bode good for the future. This is simply a squad that's presently successful a authorities of disarray.

What we don't cognize yet: How the Cardinals volition respond to the archetypal fractional of the season. Throughout the archetypal 2 months, manager Kliff Kingsbury has said clip and clip again that the Cardinals anticipation this play volition unfold arsenic the other of past year: a dilatory commencement followed by a beardown finish. The question present is: Is this squad susceptible of resurrecting this season?

Key wounded to watch: Center Rodney Hudson's genu mightiness clasp a cardinal -- not the cardinal -- to the remainder of the season. The much clip helium misses, the much the discourtesy volition apt look unorganized and beryllium unproductive. He was the glue that held it unneurotic -- not conscionable the violative line, the full offense. His quality to contiguous a consciousness of calm upfront and usher backmost Kyler Murray done checks and antiaircraft schemes was a large origin successful the Cardinals' occurrence the past mates of years. -- Josh Weinfuss

Los Angeles Rams (3-5)

What we know: This 2022 Rams squad doesn't look similar the roster that went 12-5 past play en way to a Super Bowl victory. The Los Angeles offense, having added Allen Robinson II and subtracted Robert Woods and Odell Beckham Jr., hasn't recovered immoderate consistency. The Rams person scored 131 points -- compared to 245 points astatine this constituent past season. The 131 points are tied for the 2nd fewest by a defending champion successful the Super Bowl era.

What we don't cognize yet: Whether Cooper Kupp tin single-handedly crook this play astir for the Rams' offense. It seems improbable done 8 games that this volition beryllium the case, arsenic Kupp has 72 catches for 813 yards and six receiving touchdowns, and the Rams are inactive 3-5. But if determination is simply a non-quarterback successful this league who could spearhead that change, it would astir apt beryllium Kupp, who has caught 75% of the team's passing touchdowns this season.

Team inclination to watch: Can the Rams find immoderate occurrence connected the ground? Despite getting moving backmost Cam Akers backmost Sunday against the Buccaneers, the Rams combined for 68 rushing yards connected 24 carries. Twenty-three of those yards came connected 1 play by Darrell Henderson Jr., which was the Rams' longest tally of the season. Los Angeles volition apt get rookie moving backmost Kyren Williams backmost adjacent week against the Arizona Cardinals, but volition that beryllium capable to jump-start a rushing discourtesy that came into the nonaccomplishment against the Buccaneers ranked 31st successful the NFL? -- Sarah Barshop

San Francisco 49ers (4-4)

What we know: When healthy, the 49ers person 1 of the astir ascendant defenses successful the league and an discourtesy that's trending upward. Despite a mates of hiccups, the defence inactive ranks adjacent the apical of the league successful galore cardinal categories and should get astir of its injured starters back. The discourtesy boasts elite endowment but seeks consistency. At 4-4 and 3-0 successful the NFC West, the Niners are successful the heavy of the playoff picture.

What we don't cognize yet: Two important questions that request answers: Can the Niners get and enactment (relatively) healthy, and tin backmost Jimmy Garoppolo debar large mistakes astatine important moments? Injuries are an contented each implicit the league but person been a bigger occupation successful the Bay than astir places for going connected 5 years. Garoppolo has his limitations, but if he's taking attraction of the shot and distributing it to his playmakers, the Niners tin bushed anyone.

Non-quarterback X origin for the 2nd half: RB Christian McCaffrey. Sometimes the evident prime is evident for a reason. McCaffrey hasn't had overmuch clip with his caller squad but has already proved susceptible of being the centerpiece of the discourtesy successful a meaningful game. With truthful overmuch endowment astatine the accomplishment positions, McCaffrey should not lone nutrient large numbers but make opportunities for his teammates to bash the same. If that happens, the Niners volition beryllium poised for different postseason run. -- Nick Wagoner

Seattle Seahawks (6-3)

What we know: Geno Smith and the Seahawks are for real. They've been 1 of the biggest surprises of the NFL season, Smith playing astatine a precocious level -- aft spending the past 7 seasons arsenic a backup -- and Seattle sitting astatine archetypal spot successful the NFC West aft fewer expected them to vie without Russell Wilson. And nary of it feels similar a fluke. Smith has the NFL's fourth-best QBR and has statistically been the league's astir close quarterback. The defence has gone from atrocious to excellent, allowing the fifth-fewest points since its turnaround began successful Week 6. And aft the Seahawks scored 3 consecutive touchdowns Sunday to bushed the Cardinals successful Glendale aft falling down connected a third-quarter Smith pick-six, we besides cognize they're a resilient team.

What we don't cognize yet: Where bash they fertile -- and wherever volition they decorativeness -- successful the NFC pecking order? Only 2 teams successful the league presently person much wins than the 6-3 Seahawks, and 1 of the 2 different teams that besides has six wins -- the Giants -- got handled by the Seahawks successful Week 8. The Giants haven't looked spectacular, nor person the 7-1 Vikings. Based connected extracurricular expectations, the Seahawks were much apt to extremity up with a top-10 prime than to vie for 1 of the NFC's apical 2 playoff spots, but that's an attainable goal. They person the NFC's toughest remaining schedule, according to ESPN's Football Power Index. But 5 of their remaining 8 games are astatine home, and they've inactive got their bye.

Non-quarterback X origin for the 2nd half: Can their stellar draught people debar the proverbial rookie wall? Six of the Seahawks' 9 draught picks are already important contributors, including a brace of rookie of the twelvemonth candidates successful cornerback Tariq Woolen and moving backmost Kenneth Walker III. Tackles Charles Cross and Abe Lucas, extracurricular linebacker Boye Mafe and nickelback Coby Bryant are besides playing well, giving the Seahawks their astir talented radical of young players since their Super Bowl teams of astir a decennary ago. But there's a information successful rookies slowing down precocious successful the twelvemonth due to the fact that the NFL play is overmuch longer than the assemblage slate, particularly present with a 17th game. In Walker's case, it mightiness assistance that helium has little mileage connected his legs due to the fact that helium didn't instrumentality implicit arsenic Seattle's RBI until Rashaad Penny went down successful Week 5. -- Brady Henderson