We just finished Week 9 of the NFL season, meaning we are at the exact halfway point of the year. Just like any season, we've had some pleasant surprises and major disappointments. So let's go division by division for a look of where we are and what's coming down the stretch.
AFC EAST
THE GOOD: Bills. Buffalo has built up a four game lead already and is clearly the class of this division.
THE BAD: Jets. While both the Dolphins and Jets have underperformed, Miami was more about Tua Tagovailoa's missed games than whatever the deal is with the Jets.
THE FUTURE: The Bills run away with this thing and have it locked up by early December. Then the focus is on health and getting that No. 1 seed and making everyone come to Buffalo in January. Barring the Jets or Dolphins figuring it out, I doubt there will be another AFC East representative in the postseason.
AFC SOUTH
THE GOOD: Texans. Look, they haven't made the jump to elite status in the AFC, but they do hold a nice lead in the division.
THE BAD: Jaguars. I didn't expect it to get this bad in Jacksonville. Sure, they've been in some close games that ended in losses, but close doesn't matter.
THE FUTURE: When Nico Collins gets healthy, maybe the Texans get their offensive mojo back and make a run. I just don't see them being a danger this season -- we may be a year away. Aside from that, who knows? The Titans and Jags are bad and maybe the Colts can sneak into the playoffs if they can figure out their QB situation.
AFC NORTH
THE GOOD: Steelers. I have Mike Tomlin as the Coach of the Year. To be 6-2 with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson as your quarterbacks is rather amazing. That defense is ridiculous and Tomlin is hitting all the right buttons.
THE BAD: Browns. Most felt they were a QB away from being Super Bowl contenders. That's why they made the trade for Deshaun Watson. But not only hasn't that happened, but he's been awful. Their QB situation is bad and it has manifested itself to a 2-7 record this season.
THE FUTURE: The North could do some major damage. The Ravens just may be the biggest threat to the Chiefs getting to the Super Bowl and the Steelers could scare anyone. I'm big on the Bengals making the playoffs, but they are not a championship level team. Still, they could scare the hell out of the Chiefs if they happen to match up that wildcard round.
AFC WEST
THE GOOD: Chiefs. To be 8-0 after consecutive Super Bowl titles is unreal. This team is not dominant, but it knows how to win these close games.
THE BAD: Raiders. Las Vegas has issues in the important places. The quarterback situation is one of the worst in the NFL and Antonio Pierce is getting a lot of heat.
THE FUTURE: The Chiefs will make the playoffs, but watch out for both the Chargers and Broncos. Jim Harbaugh is doing wonders with the Bolts in what is supposed to be a transition year while Denver's defense has held up nicely as Bo Nix develops.
SPORTZ AFC PREDICTIONS: Bills, Texans, Ravens and Chiefs win their divisions. I have the Steelers, Bengals and Chargers as the three wildcard teams.
NFC EAST
THE GOOD: Commanders. Who knew this team would be 7-2 at this point? Jayden Daniels has been everything you could dream of a rookie QB and the entire franchise seems to have exorcised the Dan Snyder curse.
THE BAD: Cowboys. This hasn't been an outright disaster, but this is a flawed roster that has been hit by injuries and a lack of both running the football and stopping the run. With Dak Prescott out for at least a month, this thing may be over in Dallas.
THE FUTURE: The two Eagles-Commanders games should be great. I have Philadelphia winning the East, since I feel they are just more talented and more experienced in being an elite team. But Washington is coming! Dallas is done and the Giants ... though not as bad as you think ... are ready for 2025.
NFC SOUTH
THE GOOD: Falcons. I've been so bad at picking Falcons games this season that it is comical. They are at the halfway point to best team in the division and are set up better for success over the next couple of months.
THE BAD: Saints. Remember after Week 2's destruction of the Cowboys that we thought the Saints were going to be trouble in the NFC? Well, since then they've lost seven straight, fired their head coach, and their QB is dodging strays from former teammates in social media.
THE FUTURE: This division has been so difficult to read. Again, the Saints scored 91 points over their first two games and 116 points in the seven games since. This looks like the Falcons division since they have the lead, are the only team sort of surging, and have destroyed the Buccaneers twice already. The Buccaneers have dealt with so many injuries that it may be hard to crawl back into the playoff race. The Panthers are just waiting for next season.
NFC NORTH
THE GOOD: Lions. Detroit looks like the best team in the NFL. Certainly the NFC.
THE BAD: Bears. Matt Eberflus is feeling some heat and Chicago has arguably the most difficult remaining schedule. Losing on that Hail Mary to Washington really stings.
THE FUTURE: This is the power division, and I can see the Lions, Vikings and Packers all getting in. Minnesota is sort of sitting tenuously but have an easy schedule looming.
NFC WEST
THE GOOD: Rams. I want to say the Cardinals, but for Los Angeles to be sitting at 4-4 despite missing Cooper Cup and Puca Nacua for an extended time is masterful.
THE BAD: 49ers. This hasn't gone as planned in San Francisco as injuries just keep coming
THE FUTURE: This might be the best division race since we have zero idea who will win it. Only one game separates first from last.
SPORTZ NFC PREDICTIONS: I have the Eagles, Lions, Falcons and 49ers still winning the division. Wildcards are Commanders, Packers and Rams. Yeah, I think LA takes down Minnesota.
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