Last week:<\/b> 5<\/p>\n
Sunday:<\/b> Beat Saints 34-10<\/p>\n
Midseason grade:<\/b> A<\/p>\n
The Rams have survived a couple of Puka Nacua injuries, and Matthew Stafford is playing at an MVP level. Sean McVay has this team rolling once again, yet it\u2019s not the offense that\u2019s carrying the team. L.A. quietly ranks No. 1 in defensive expected points added per play.<\/p>\n
Up next:<\/b> at 49ers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET<\/p>\n Matthew Stafford threw 4 touchdowns against the blitz in Week 9 after throwing 5 in his last game. His 9 blitzed TDs are 3 more than any other player in a two-game span since 2016.<\/p>\n Stafford has thrown 16 TDs and 0 INTs against the blitz this season.#NOvsLAR<\/a> | #RamsHouse<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/1ALiPe5Sas<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 3. Buffalo Bills (6-2)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 10<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Beat Chiefs 28-21<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> A-<\/p>\n Their consecutive losses in October feel like ancient history after throttling the Panthers and dispatching Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. The defense still needs to be better against the run, but the Bills are rounding into form<\/a> as we head into the second half.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> at Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 7<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Bye<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> A-<\/p>\n The Bucs entered the season as a fun Super Bowl pick, and so far they\u2019ve backed it up in a tough NFC. The running game needs to improve \u2014 and probably will once Bucky Irving gets healthy (the team ranks 25th in rushing success rate and EPA) \u2014 but the defense is legit, and Baker Mayfield is playing well.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> vs. Patriots, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 5. Indianapolis Colts (7-2)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 1<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Lost to Steelers 27-20<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> A+<\/p>\n No team has improved its Super Bowl chances more this season than the Colts \u2014 and that\u2019s even after turning the ball over six times in a loss Sunday. Those kinds of games don\u2019t happen often. This team will be just fine.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> vs. Falcons, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET (in Germany)<\/p>\n 6. Seattle Seahawks (6-2)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 11<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Beat Commanders 38-14<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> A<\/p>\n Halfway through the season, Sam Darnold should be the MVP front-runner. He left a quarterback-friendly scheme (and roster) in Minnesota only to completely flip Seattle\u2019s offense. Darnold ranks first among quarterbacks in EPA per play, success rate and yards per attempt.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> vs. Cardinals, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET<\/p>\n Sam Darnold against the Commanders:<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd398\/10, 127 yards, 3 TD, INT against man coverage He becomes the only QB in any game this season with 10+ attempts and 12+ yards per attempt against both coverage types.<\/p>\n Powered by @awscloud<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LczAmHQzdw<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 7. Detroit Lions (5-3)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 2<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Lost to Vikings 27-24<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> B<\/p>\n Their running game was stuck in the mud Sunday against Brian Flores\u2019 Vikings defense, but this is still a really good football team. There won\u2019t be many more opponents who can bottle up Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery the way Minnesota did.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> at Commanders, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 8. Denver Broncos (7-2)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 8<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Beat Texans 18-15<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> A-<\/p>\n The Denver defense is again among the best in the NFL, but questions exist offensively. Bo Nix ranks 31st in success rate among 34 qualifying quarterbacks, ahead of only Dillon Gabriel, Cam Ward and Russell Wilson. There\u2019s a lot to like elsewhere, though.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> vs. Raiders, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET<\/p>\n \n Stefon Diggs leads a pre-rehearsed touchdown celebration during the Patriots\u2019 win over the Falcons on Sunday. (Maddie Meyer \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n 9. New England Patriots (7-2)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 9<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Beat Falcons 24-23<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> A+<\/p>\n Maybe the most shocking stat of the first half of the season is that the Patriots \u2014 a team that went 4-13 in each of the last two years \u2014 now have the best odds of any team in the league to make the playoffs (97 percent), per our playoff simulator<\/a>. Everything is breaking right in Mike Vrabel\u2019s first season.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> at Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n Halfway through the NFL season, there are only four teams that rank top-10 in EPA\/play both offensively and defensively:<\/p>\n Indianapolis Colts \u2014 Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) November 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 10. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 4<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Lost to Bills 28-21<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> B-<\/p>\n The underlying stats are still great and point to the Chiefs being just fine for the second half. Their offense ranks fifth in EPA per play and fourth in success rate. But your record matters, and a tough schedule leaves them barely above .500 entering their bye.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> Bye<\/p>\n The Bills pressured Patrick Mahomes on 52.6% of his dropbacks, +14.3% higher than their pressure rate in any of their other 9 matchups against the Chiefs since 2020.<\/p>\n Mahomes completed just 3 of 16 passes for 61 yards and an interception when pressured.<\/p>\n Powered by @awscloud<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/m3cWe3dkaV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 11. Green Bay Packers (5-2-1)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 6<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Lost to Panthers 16-13<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> B<\/p>\n Tucker Kraft\u2019s season-ending injury<\/a> is costly. The Packers offense under Matt LaFleur has looked terrific at times, but he has a lot on his plate now that his talented tight end is out. Quarterback Jordan Love ranks first in the league in EPA per dropback, but it\u2019ll be telling how that changes without Kraft.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> vs. Eagles, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 12. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 14<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Beat Colts 27-20<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> B+<\/p>\n The Aaron Rodgers experiment has worked out pretty well. The Steelers knew they needed more from their defense, and then they forced six takeaways against the Colts in one of the biggest upsets of Week 9. Our playoff predictor gives them a 47 percent chance of winning the AFC North.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> at Chargers, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 13. San Francisco 49ers (6-3)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 13<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Beat Giants 34-24<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> A-<\/p>\n Kyle Shanahan has turned Mac Jones into a solid quarterback, and the Niners deserve credit for keeping things afloat with Brock Purdy out and a slew of other injuries. Jones ranks 11th in the league in success rate. In 2023, his last year as a starter, he ranked 25th in that stat.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> vs. Rams, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 14. Los Angeles Chargers (6-3)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 12<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Beat Titans 27-20<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> B<\/p>\n The Joe Alt injury could change their outlook, especially with Rashawn Slater already out. But if there\u2019s a head coach who can get the most out of his offensive line, it\u2019s Jim Harbaugh.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> vs. Steelers, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 15. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 15<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Beat Raiders 30-29<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> B-<\/p>\n The Jags don\u2019t rank in the top half of the NFL in either offensive or defensive EPA per play. They needed a failed two-point attempt in overtime to beat a bad Raiders team. But the vibes do feel better in Jacksonville with Liam Coen in charge.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> at Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n \n Rico Dowdle had another big game \u2014 25 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns \u2014 as the Panthers shocked the Packers on Sunday in Green Bay. (John Fisher \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n 16. Carolina Panthers (5-4)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 18<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Beat Packers 16-13<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> A-<\/p>\n It was easy to discount their three-game winning streak in October as the result of an easy schedule (Dolphins, Cowboys, Jets). But Sunday\u2019s win over the Packers should get everyone\u2019s attention. Since Rico Dowdle took over at running back in Week 5, Carolina ranks fifth in the NFL in EPA per rush.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> vs. Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 17. Chicago Bears (5-3)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 16<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Beat Bengals 47-42<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> B<\/p>\n There are plenty of reasons for concern with the defense (40-year-old Joe Flacco just threw for 470 yards and four touchdowns against the unit). But Ben Johnson has the running game working, and Caleb Williams is coming off a good performance of 20-for-34 passing for 280 yards and three touchdowns (admittedly against a terrible defense).<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> vs. Giants, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 18. Minnesota Vikings (4-4)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 21<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Beat Lions 27-24<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> C+<\/p>\n On one hand, you could argue they deserve a better mark considering Carson Wentz started five games for them. On the other hand, this is a roster with Super Bowl aspirations, and you\u2019d think an offense with Justin Jefferson would rank higher than 27th in the league in EPA per play.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> vs. Ravens, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n Tom Brady names JJ McCarthy the LFG POTG \u303d\ufe0f #GoBlue<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/jyf3PZqTSD<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Michigan Football on UMGoBlue (@UMGoBlog) November 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 19. Baltimore Ravens (3-5)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 19<\/p>\n Thursday:<\/b> Beat Dolphins 28-6<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> Incomplete<\/p>\n Is this a cop-out? Probably. But how do you grade a team that\u2019s been as injured as Baltimore but is now finally getting healthy? The Ravens have lost three games with Lamar Jackson at quarterback, but they were against the Bills, Chiefs and Lions. Even with the slow start, our playoff predictor still gives them a 55 percent chance of reaching the postseason.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> at Vikings, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 20. Arizona Cardinals (3-5)<\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 25<\/p>\n Monday:<\/b> Beat Cowboys\u00a027-17<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> C+<\/p>\n Their five-game losing streak is over, and they\u2019re one of just two teams (the Texans are the other) that have a losing record despite a positive point differential. Jacoby Brissett played well Monday night with Kyler Murray out, and the defense shut down a high-powered Cowboys attack.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b>\u00a0at Seahawks, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET<\/p>\n Jacoby Brissett in the last 3 games:<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd3a 867 passing yards \u2014 PFF (@PFF) November 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 21. Houston Texans (3-5)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 17<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Lost to Broncos 18-15<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> C-<\/p>\n The Texans may have the best defense in the NFL and still can\u2019t get to .500, in part because of how bad their offensive line is. They have struggled to run the ball (29th in rushing EPA per play) and might be without C.J. Stroud (concussion) next week.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> vs. Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n 22. Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1)<\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 20<\/p>\n Monday:<\/b> Lost to Cardinals\u00a027-17<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> D+<\/p>\n The hard truth for the Cowboys is that they\u2019re wasting a really good season from the offense (Monday night notwithstanding) because of their poor defense. If only they had entered the season with arguably the best defensive player in the league.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b>\u00a0Bye<\/p>\n Jerry Jones asked about potential trades after the Cowboys fall to 3-5-1 pic.twitter.com\/sqS8wvBPaD<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 23. Atlanta Falcons (3-5)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 24<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Lost to Patriots 24-23<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> C-<\/p>\n The Falcons have been one of the most frustrating teams in the league for several years now. They have a roster with plenty of talent, they finally improved their pass rush and yet they\u2019re the same as always, finding ways to lose winnable games<\/a>.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> at Colts, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET (in Germany)<\/p>\n 24. Cincinnati Bengals (3-6)<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week:<\/b> 23<\/p>\n Sunday:<\/b> Lost to Bears 47-42<\/p>\n Midseason grade:<\/b> D<\/p>\n Last offseason, the Bengals hired a new defensive coordinator (Al Golden) and chose defensive players with three of their first four picks in the draft. Yet somehow their defense has gotten worse. It seems like the offensive players are fed up with it, with Chase Brown offering only a \u201cWTF\u201d<\/a> after putting up 42 points and losing.<\/p>\n Up next:<\/b> Bye<\/p>\n\n
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\ud83d\udd3913\/14, 203 yards, TD against zone coverage<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2244660980-scaled.jpg\")
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New England Patriots
Los Angeles Rams
Detroit Lions pic.twitter.com\/5B9klj5mTj<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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\ud83d\udd3a 7 total touchdowns
\ud83d\udd3a 76.0% adjusted completion rate pic.twitter.com\/xfHYjsH2sW<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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