So the NFL season is now officially 3/4 over, as 14 of 18 weeks are completed, but each team has played 13 games (of 17) and no team has a bye remaining. So here is a look at the season to-date, along with what each team needs to occur over the last 4 games.
AFC EAST
New England Patriots (11-2) The Patriots went 4-0 during the last quarter, and is definitely looking like a team that could make a Super Bowl run. What New England needs for the stretch run is for everybody to stay healthy.
Buffalo Bills (9-4) A mediocre 2-2 during the last quarter and definitely showing some weaknesses. What Buffalo needs is to limit turnovers offensively, and for a wide receiver to step up down the stretch.
Miami Dolphins (6-7) The Dolphins wend undefeated during the last quarter and are still in the playoff hunt. What Miami needs most is to determine whether Tua really is it quarterback going forward, so the team can structure its draft around protecting him and solidifying the defense, because he has weapons.
New York Jets (3-10)
Showing a little fight, but still bad. What the Jets need the most is for a team that has its quarterback of the future to secure the number 1 overall draft pick - like the Giants. That way, New York can trade its first-round pick this year, its first-round pick in 2027, and Indianapolis' first-round pick in 2027, for the overall number 1 this year.
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
A few weeks ago the fans were openly shouting "Fire Mike Tomlin," but here after Week 14 the team is still in first place in the division, albeit by a single game. What Pittsburgh needs to do is tighten up its defense, which sits at 28th in the NFL. Yes, the offense is 29th, but Aaron Rodgers is still capable of making plays when it counts. The defense has to step up.
Baltimore Ravens (6-7)
Baltimore is almost out of the playoff hunt (2 games out of the last wildcard), and who would have thought that at the beginning of the season. The Ravens need to start identifying talent in the free agent pool and in college that can help next year.
Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
The Bengals have shown signs of life since Joe Burrow's return. If people didn't know before, he is an elite quarterback. The Bengals need to invest heavily in offensive lineman to help keep him healthy.
Cleveland Browns (3-10)
Yes they have only one win this quarter of the season, but the Browns have found their quarterback for the future in rookie Shadeur Sanders, even if they won't admit it yet. What Cleveland needs to do is find playmaking receivers to pair with fellow rookie running back Quinshon Judkins.
AFC SOUTH
Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)
This is the biggest change in the whole NFL, as the Colts previously led this division at the last update and are now in third. The Jaguars have taken advantage of that slide by going 4-1 this quarter. What the Jaguars need to do is re-establish Brian Thomas, Jr. as a number 1 receiver to go along with a solid running game (Travis Etienne is 10th in the NFL, and should eclipse 1,000 yards this week).
Houston Texans (8-5)
Houston went 5-0 this quarter riding the league's best defense, by far. What Houston needs is someone - anyone - to give them a semblance of a running game as Nick Chubb and Woody Marks are currently not getting the job done (23rd in the NFL).
Indianapolis Colts (8-5)
Not only are the Colts sliding, but they lost quarterback Daniel Jones for the season with a torn achilles. The Colts need someone to take the reins to calm the offense and allow their strength (Jonathan Taylor and solid outside playmakers) to flourish. Could that be Phillip Rivers?
Tennessee Titans (2-11)
Still at the bottom of a high-powered division but showing signs of life and actually winning last week. What the Titans need to do is keep losing to get as high a draft pick as possible, so they can trade it for a haul to a quarterback needy team.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos (11-2)
The Broncos went 4-0 this quarter but did not look good doing it. Denver needs for its offense to really breakout, like everyone saw down the stretch last year, otherwise they will forever be seen as a paper tiger.
Los Angeles Chargers (9-4)
A very solid 3-1 quarter, and a balance that makes them a difficult team to beat. What the Chargers need is for Justin Herbert to recover from his broken non-throwing hand very quickly, as he looked a bit unsure of himself and the offensive playcalling was limited against the Eagles. They did win though!
Kansas City Chiefs (6-7)
This quarter? 1-3 and 2 games out of the last wildcard spot. Their season is DONE. Statistically the main problem is they are mediocre in the running game (17th). But the primary problem that needs to be addressed is playmakers on both sides of the ball. Rashee Rice can make plays, but nobody on either side of the ball scares anybody anymore (except Patrick Mahomes, of course).
Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)
Among the worst teams in the league, and they seem to be getting worse each week, going 0-5 this quarter of the season. The Raiders need a quarterback.
NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles (8-5)
Cracks in the armor of the defending NFC champions, going 2-3 in the last quarter. What they need is Jalen Hurts to play like the Eagles expect (although his connection to A.J. Brown is heating up) and the defensive line to play like the team expects, for entire games!
Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
Really coming around behind the number 1 offense in the NFL, going 3-1 in the last quarter. Need a pass rush to help the defensive backs, as the passing defense is last in the NFL.
Washington Commanders (3-10)
They have fallen off the cliff, going 0-4 this quarter and into the bottom echelon of the league. Some of that was key injuries (Jayden Daniels; Terry McLaurin), but this team has holes - especially on defense. They need to fill holes all throughout the defense.
New York Giants (2-11)
The Giants also lost all of their games this past quarter of the season, but Jaxson Dart, a healthy Cam Skattebo, and a healthy Malik Nabors has promise offensively moving forward, along with a find a TE in Theo Johnson. The Giants need to win the number 1 pick so they can trade back for a haul, with a team like Atlanta or the Jets that have resources - and multiple high-round picks.
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers (9-3-1)
The Packers went 4-1 this past quarter to earn the current #1 seed in the NFC. The rematch against the Chicago Bears in Chicago in two weeks could mean A LOT! All the Packers really need is Josh Jacobs to stay healthy; he means the world to this offense.
Chicago Bears (9-4)
Kept pace with the Packers by going 4-1 during the last quarter of the season. A close loss this past week sets up a very interesting rematch in two weeks. The Bears need to find a pass rush. Montez Sweat has experienced a bit of a surge with the return of Grady Jarrett to the interior, but they need more, either from the line or blitz packages.
Detroit Lions (8-5)
An unexpected swoon in the last quarter, including a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Packers has the Lions on the outside of the playoffs looking in right now (albeit by only one game). The Lions need to work on their third-down plays. Despite a prolific offense (3rd overall) they are 18th in converting third-downs; whereas on defense they are T11th in preventing third downs.
Minnesota Vikings (5-8)
Really stumbled this year after a phenomenal regular season ending in a playoff dud. What Minnesota needs is Sam Darnold back.
NFC SOUTH
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)
Tampa Bay stays on top of the division despite being 1-4 this quarter. Tampa - if they wish to go far in the playoffs - needs to develop more consistency on offense with the return of Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving.
Carolina Panthers (7-6)
THE surprise team of the NFL this year. Carolina needs to find a way to score points, preferably some through the passing game.
Atlanta Falcons (4-9)
A team that started off with so much promise, went 1-4 in the third quarter. What Atlanta needs is a healthy Michael Penix and Drake London for next season.
New Orleans Saints (3-10)
This is about where everybody thoughts would be. What New Orleans needs is a complete makeover; just blow the team up except the youngsters, start accumulating draft assets and work from there.
NFC WEST
Los Angeles Rams (10-3)
The two best teams (but not two highest ranked teams) reside in the same division, and the Rams are one of them. Being nitpicky, the Rams need to convert offensive third downs at a better clip, as they are 17th in converting at this point.
Seattle Seahawks (10-3)
See Rams, Los Angeles. Seattle needs to be more efficient in rushing the football, as they are 18th in the NFL in that metric.
San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
San Francisco goes 3-1 in the past quarter and styed exactly the same in the divisional rankings. What they need, more than anything, if they want to make noise in the playoffs, is to re-introduce Ricky Pearsall into the offense so that he is a legitimate threat.
Arizona Cardinals (3-10)
By far the worst team in the division. What the Cardinals need most is to understand Kyler Murray isn't it and that they need to part ways.
POWER RANKINGS - (The parentheses is the team's ranking at the midway point)
1. New England Patriots 11-2 (3)
2. Denver Broncos 11-2 (2)
3. Los Angeles Rams 10-3 (7)
4. Seattle Seahawks 10-3 (6)
5. Green Bay Packers 9-3-1 (9)
6. Los Angeles Chargers 9-4 (10)
7. San Francisco 49ers 9-4 (11)
8. Chicago Bears 9-4 (13)
9. Buffalo Bills 9-4 (4)
10. Jacksonville Jaguars 9-4 (14)
11. Detroit Lions 8-5 (12)
12. Houston Texans 8-5 (22)
13. Philadelphia Eagles 8-5 (8)
14. Indianapolis Colts 8-5 (1)
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-6 (5)
16. Pittsburgh Steelers 7-6 (15)
17. Carolina Panthers 7-6 (17)
18. Dallas Cowboys 6-6-1 (19)
19. Kansas City Chiefs 6-7 (16)
20. Miami Dolphins 6-7 (29)
21. Baltimore Ravens 6-7 (20)
22. Minnesota Vikings 5-8 (18)
23. Cincinnati Bengals 4-9 (25)
24. Atlanta Falcons 4-9 (21)
25. Cleveland Browns 3-10 (26)
26. Washington Commanders 3-10 (24)
27. New York Jets 3-10 (31)
28. Arizona Cardinals 3-10 (23)
29. New Orleans Saints 3-10 (30)
30. Tennessee Titans 2-11 (32)
31. New York Giants 2-11 (28)
32. Las Vegas Raiders 2-11 (27)
Biggest Movers: Houston Texans +10, Miami Dolphins +9, Indianapolis Colts -13, Tampa Bay Buccaneers -10
QUARTER SEASON AWARDS
Offensive MVP - Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Defensive MVP - Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Offensive Rookie of the Year - Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns
Coach of the Year - Liam Cohen, Jacksonville Jaguars
Most Improved - Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts (last time, as he is out for the rest of the season)
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