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It’s crazy that we’re now seven weeks into the 2022-23 NFL season. There have been ups, downs, and plenty of surprises, with several new contenders emerging this year. Keep in mind that the bye weeks have already started, which gives every team a little time to regroup.
I want to discuss several lessons we’ve learned so far from the 2022-23 NFL season. I also examine some of the trends and narratives that caught my attention. The NFL season has been pretty interesting, but things are also constantly changing from week to week.
#1 – The Eagles Are for Real
- Record: 6-0
- Head Coach: Nick Sirianni
- Notable Players: Jalen Hurts, DaVonte Smith, A.J. Brown
The Eagles are looking like they’re the best team in the NFC right now. Their journey to 6-0 has been nothing short of amazing, and the birds are also the only remaining undefeated team.
Is Philadelphia in the best position to go on a Super Bowl run? The team is certainly built to win a championship. The entire roster appears to be on the same page; they’re making minimal mistakes and executing solid game plans.
The biggest issue for Philadelphia is the team’s tendency to cool down offensively as the game goes on. In six games, the Eagles have only scored 35 points in the second half. Philadelphia has to pick up the pace and finish games if the team expects to contend for a Super Bowl.
#2 – The Jets Are Seemingly Good Now
- Head Coach: Robert Salah
- Record: 4-2
- Notable Players: Sauce Gardner, Breece Hall, Zach Wilson, Corey Davis
I don’t want to make any grand statements about the Jets’ season after only six games. Remember, this is a team that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2010. However, New York appears to be pretty solid, with statement victories over the Packers and Dolphins.
Since Zach Wilson made his season debut in week 4, the Jets have been undefeated. The second-year QB is hitting his stride and distributing the ball to all his playmakers. Rookie Breece Hall also appears to be one of the best running backs in the NFL.
Can the Jets keep winning games and sustain their success? I certainly think it’s time to take them a lot more seriously. It’s become apparent they’re a legitimate contender, and the team’s remaining schedule is also pretty favorable.
#3 – The Giants Are Truly an Enigma
- Head Coach: Brian Daboll
- Record: 5-1
- Notable Players: Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones, Richie James
No one predicted that the Giants would be 5-1 through six games in Brian Daboll’s first season as head coach. It still feels unreal that New York could be this good when QB Daniel Jones has virtually no receivers to work with. The offensive line has been sup-bar this season as well.
The team’s saving grace so far has been RB Saquon Barkley. He’s averaging 5.2 yards per carry, and he’s only trailing Nick Chubb in total rushing yards among NFL running backs. Oh yeah, he’s also the second-leading receiver for the Giants.
#4 – Defenses Are Getting Stingy
As everyone knows, productive offenses make NFL games a lot more watchable and entertaining. However, defenses seem to have taken a major step forward this season. Several teams are getting by thanks to gritty defenses and middling offenses.
Why are defenses better? A lot of teams are utilizing a two-high coverage scheme that takes away explosive plays. This typically forces offenses to run the ball and keep it simple in the passing game. In other words, moving the ball also requires a more methodical approach.
This year, many NFL teams are simply failing to score points. In fact, we’re on pace right now for the worst offensive output in five seasons. In 2018, teams collectively averaged 23.3 points per game, but the same number is only 21.8 this year.
#5 – There’s Been More Parity in 2022
The entire league appears to be a lot more competitive this season. There are no more winless teams, which is actually a good thing. However, the Panthers (1-4) and Texans (1-3-1) are very much searching for their identities.
What’s also astounding is that we have 21 teams with a record of 3-3 or better. That’s something that we don’t normally see when we’re seven weeks into the season. This includes five NFL divisions where teams are tied for the lead after week 7.
Point differential has also been very strange in 2022-23. We still somehow have three winning teams with negative point differentials (Titans, Colts, and Chargers) through week 7. It’s also worth mentioning that the Giants, 5-1 so far, have a positive point differential of only 14.
#6 – Bad Offensive Lines Are Very Detrimental
Just ask the Colts, Rams, or Bengals about their offensive line woes. The reigning Super Bowl champions have been particularly abysmal at protecting the quarterback. The Rams have also failed to get their run game going, averaging only 3.4 yards per carry.
The loss of Andrew Whitworth has also proven to be a devastating blow to the Rams. He was an anchor for the O-line, which can’t seem to block anyone at the moment. Keep in mind that the team has also suffered a few injuries along the interior.
The Bengals somehow made a Super Bowl appearance last season behind a struggling offensive line. 2022-23 so far has been not much different for Cincinnati. The team even signed OT La’el Collins during the offseason, but he’s been awful this season.
#7 – Future Hall of Fame Quarterbacks Are Struggling
Both Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady don’t look like themselves this season. These two guaranteed Hall of Famers have the worst win-loss totals and PPG (points per game) averages through six games in their careers.
Reports have also been swirling that this will likely be Brady’s last season in the NFL. Let’s not forget that he briefly retired during the offseason. Six weeks after calling it quits, he decided to return for one more (final?) season.
#8 – You Need Superstar Players
This year, more than ever, it’s become evident that you need superstar players at key positions. The Eagles are a prime example of what I’m talking about. The mere additions of wide receiver A.J. Brown and edge rusher Haason Reddick have improved them significantly.
I also have to mention the Dolphins, who acquired wide receiver Tyreek Hill in a trade with the Chiefs. His presence alone in Miami has turned QB Tua Tagovailoa into one of the most efficient passers so far this season.
The Packers, a team that failed to make any offseason improvements, are in desperate need of playmakers. Aside from RB Aaron Jones, no other skill players are making much of an impact on offense. The absence of WR Davante Adams has also been significant for the Packers.
#9 – The Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen Rivalry Has Arrived
These are the two best young QBs in the NFL right now. Both Mahomes and Allen are dynamic at throwing the ball and making unbelievable plays. When they go up against each other, you can always expect it to be an epic showdown.
How could anyone forget about the Divisional Round playoff game between the Chiefs and Bills in 2021-22? The game’s final two minutes (before the overtime period) were simply bonkers. 25 points were scored between the two teams before the end of regulation.
The Bills would ultimately lose to the Chiefs in the Divisional Round by a score of 42-36. Allen never got to touch the ball again once overtime began. It was a heartbreaking defeat for a team that will contend for multiple Super Bowls in the future.
In 2022-23, we saw another epic battle between these two QBs but in the form of a regular season matchup. Both Allen and Mahomes were masterful, but the Bills came from behind and won. A touchdown catch from Dawson Knox with 1:04 left would seal the victory.
Remember that this was merely a regular-season victory. It doesn’t mean much at the moment because plenty of games are left to play. However, you can’t help but feel that these two teams will go tit-for-tat for quite some years to come.
Conclusion
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