As anyone who knows us knows - we are huge NFL fans here at We Make It Rain. And like any good NFL fans, we watch more than our share of games every year. This year is no exception. Since we have all of this NFL knowledge just seething to get out of our craniums, I thought that I would resurrect an old feature from way-back in the day - the quarter-season review. This is our analysis of the first quarter of the NFL season.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills (4-0)
Buffalo Bills (4-0)
The class of this division, most likely the conference, and possibly even the NFL at this point. Josh Allen starting off on a repeat-MVP type of season, and James Cook back to his old touchdown-scoring self. And the defense is stepping up, as it is the stoutest defense against the pass and 9th in Total Defense,
New England Patriots (2-2)
A surprisingly spry start for the Patriots who have definitely found their quarterback in Drake Maye. They will lose some that they shouldn't as the running game is lacking (26th), but they will win some they shouldn't as their rush defense is strong (2nd).
Miami Dolphins (1-3)
Lots of holes on this team as they are 26th in total offense and 27th in total defense. And, they just lost Tyreek Hill for the season.
Lots of holes on this team as they are 26th in total offense and 27th in total defense. And, they just lost Tyreek Hill for the season.
New York Jets (0-4)
Just dreadful. At least Justin Fields will make some plays exciting as he is funning for his life. This team IS somehow 3rd in the NFL in rushing, which ain't nothing.
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)
Doing this with smoke-and-mirrors and an ayuhuasca-addled Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers are 29th in Total Offense and 28th in Total Defense, yet they are 3-1. I do not expect them to stay high in the Power Rankings all year, but Mike Tomlin might actually be the best coach in NFL history. He has done more with less than any other coach. Please note that I am not saying that he has never had talent, but even when he doesn't have a lot of talent, his teams are still good.
Cincinnati Bengals 2-2
Starting off 2-0 with Joe Burrow is way different than finishing at least the majority of the season without him. The fact that the defense is 29th in total defense doesn't help matters, either.
Baltimore Ravens (1-3)
Easily the best 1-3 team of all time with their losses to the Bills/Lions/Chiefs - but they are still only 1-3. The trepidatiously await the results of Lamar Jackson's MRI today.
Cleveland Browns (1-3)
time to give Dillon Gabriel a chance. And if that doesn't work, Shadeur Sanders. And look to trade Myles Garret to get a haul of picks in the next two to three years. This year is O-V-E-R.
AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis Colts (3-1)
Maybe New York/New Jersey was the problem and not Daniel Jones. The Colts have the 3rd overall offense in the NFL (4th passing?!) and have scored the 4th-highest amount of points. The defense is less stout than usual (17th overall) but is T8th against the run. And, they have Jonthan Taylor and Nick Cross who are among the NFL's best at their positions, and the emerging star Tyler Warren.
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)
One of the surprises of the year - at least to me - and their one loss was prior to Joe Burrow's injury in Cincinnati. Travis Etienne is leading a rushing group that is 4th in the NFL, keeping the time of possession in the Jags' favor, and the rush defense is also 4th in the league.
Houston Texans (1-3)
So disappointing. We may have seen the best of C.J. Stroud (23rd in Passing Offense). Defense is tough, as they lead the league in Scoring Defense and are 7th in Total Defense.
Tennessee Titans (0-4)
Worst team in the league, but on the bright side, Cam Ward looks like he belongs!
AFC WEST
Los Angeles Chargers (3-1)
The Chargers are balanced on both sides of the ball (7th in Total Offense and 4th in Total Defense), and could make a deep run in the playoffs. However, they have lost both tackles in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, and that could ultimately spell their downfall this season.
Kansas City Chiefs (2-2)
They started off 0-2 with losses to the Chargers and Eagles, but boy what a difference Xavier Worthy makes. The Chiefs offense was humming in this week's victory over the Ravens, scoring 37. And what a difference Chris Jones makes, as his return also coincided with the Chiefs defeat of the Ravens. Will be scary for the rest of the year (Stop me if you have heard this before!)
Denver Broncos (2-2)
Losses to the Colts (by 1) and Chargers (by 3) are not bad losses by any stretch of the imagination, especially since Bo Nix and Courtland Sutton seem to be on the same page these last two weeks. That could be dangerous to the rest of the league, as Denver is already 5th in the NFL in Rushing Offense. The defense, led by Nick Bonitto is T2 in Scoring Defense and T3 in third-down percentage defense.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-3)
They may have an emerging star at running back in Ashton Jeanty, but Geno Smith is nowhere near his Seattle-level of play. Defense isn't helping matters as they are 20th in Total Defense despite Maxx Crosby's stellar play.
NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles (4-0)
At 4-0, clearly one of the best teams in the league, but they are undefeated despite have the 30th ranked Total Offense in the league and the 22nd ranked Total Defense. Sound victory over Tampa this weekend shows that they just might be better than the stats show - or they could revert to the mean.
Washington Commanders (2-2)
A way different team with Jayden Daniels injured, but the second-best rushing offense using a multitude of running backs can at least keep you in every game.
Dallas Cowboys (1-2-1_
At times they have looked awful (a 31-14 loss to the Bears and a 3-point victory over the Giants), and then they come out of nowhere and tie the Green Bay Packers 40-40. Dak Prescott leads the NFL in passing, and is spreading the ball around in the wake of losing CeeDee Lamb for a bit to injury. Defense is atrocious though - last in the league in Total Defense and 31st in Scoring Defense.
New York Giants (1-3)
The plusses are that they are finally starting Jaxson Dart and have played gritty. The negative is that Malik Nabers is lost for the year.
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NFC NORTH
Detroit Lions (3-1)
A two-touchdown loss to the Packers in week 1 is the only blemish in an otherwise stellar resume. The lead the NFL in scoring, and are 8th in Total Offense, while maintaining a respectable 13th-rankin in Total Defense. They will be a team to reckon with in the playoffs, and a likely NFC Championship game participant barring injuries.
Green Bay Packers (2-1-1)
The Packers started off as literally the best team in the league in the first two weeks. Then, a 13-10 loss to Cleveland and a 40-40 tie against Dallas. Has the league figured out Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur? They do boast the 6th best Total Defense (2nd against the rush) and the offense is ranked 9th, but have they lost some luster?
Minnesota Vikings (2-2)
J.J. McCarthy is hurt, but it seems the offense might be better without him. The Bears let them off the hook in week 1, and the Vikes other win was a thrashing of a Joe Burrow-less Bengals team. They are 3rd against the pass defensively, but their 22nd Total Offense ranking leaves a lot to be desired. Could go either way this season.
Chicago Bears (2-2)
They definitely look much better this year, and Caleb Williams is well on his way to setting team single-season records for yards and touchdowns. The rushing game needs to improve (24th) as does the rushing defense (32nd) to make any real noise, but the improvement is there.
NFC SOUTH
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)
Tampa Bay has played fantastic, despite having been cut-down by injuries. They have been led by the defense which is 5th in Total Defense, and Rush Defense, while the offense is middle-of-the-pack. The one dangerous sign is that each of their three wins has been on last-minute drives by Baker Mayfield. The good thing is that they know they can win last-minute drives!
Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
The fact that Atlanta is only 2-2 is fascinating. They are like the anti-Eagles, in that all of their stats say "Undefeated!" They have the 6th ranked Total Offense (9th in passing and 7th in rushing) ANZD the 2nd ranked Total Defense (including 2nd against the pass). One of the losses was a 30-0 drubbing at the hands of the lowly Carolina Panthers.
Carolina Panthers (1-3)
Really, really bad, and except for the 30-0 blowout of the Falcons, one could say that they are horrible and that the Bryce Young pick was a waste.
New Orleans Saints (0-4)
Easily the bottom-dweller of the NFC. Only stats you need to know: 28th in scoring and 30th in scoring defense.
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49ers (3-1)
Surprisingly spry considering the amount of injuries they have suffered. All of the time these backups have been playing is only going to make them deeper and more dangerous as the year progresses. The Fred Warner-led defense is 3rd in Total Defense, and 7th in Scoring Defense. The offense, that even lost Brock Purdy for a couple of games, is 2nd in Passing Offense and 5th in Total Offense.
Los Angeles Rams (3-1)
The Rams have been fantastic besides, even though two of their wins are against the Texans and Titans. They are 4th in Total Offense and 10th in Total Defense, without any real contribution in the pass game outside of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Seattle Seahawks (3-1)
Seattle is a surprising 3-1, but we forget that Sam Darnold is a more than serviceable regular season quarterback. The team is 6th in Scoring Offense and Tied for 2nd in Scoring Defense. That will win you a lot of games. Plus, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is having an Offensive Player of the Year type of year.
Arizona Cardinals (2-2)
Arizona is an unusual 202, as they rank 28th in Total Offense and 23rd in Total Defense. Kyler Murray is going to stunt Marvin Harrison, Jr.'s growth - and potential stardom.
POWER RANKINGS
1. Buffalo Bills 4-0
2. Philadelphia Eagles 4-0
3. Los Angeles Chargers 3-1
4. Detroit Lions 3-1
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-1
6. San Francisco 49ers
7. Los Angeles Rams 3-1
8 Indianapolis Colts 3-1
9. Seattle Seahawks 3-1
10. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-1
11. Pittsburgh Steelers 3-1
12. Green Bay Packers 2-1-1
13. Kansas City Chiefs 2-2
14. Denver Broncos 2-2
15. Washington Commanders 2-2
16. New England Patriots 2-2
17. Minnesota Vikings 2-2
18. Chicago Bears 2-2
19. Atlanta Falcons 2-2
20. Arizona Cardinals 2-2
21. Cincinnati Bengals 2-2
22. Dallas Cowboys 1-2-1
23. Baltimore Ravens 1-3
24. Houston Texans 1-3
25. Las Vegas Raiders 1-3
26. New York Giants 1-3
27. Miami Dolphins 1-3
28. Cleveland Browns 1-3
29. Carolina Panthers 1-3
30. New York Jets 0-4
31. New Orleans Saints 0-4
32. Tennessee Titans 0-4
QUARTER SEASON AWARDS
Offensive MVP - Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Defensive MVP - Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
Offensive Rookie of the Year - Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Jihaad Campbell, Philadelphia Eagles
Coach of the Year - Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts
Most Improved - Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
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