The 2025-26 NFL season is now a third of the way through, with action and surprises coming from all angles. A six-game sample size feels like enough to now rank players and teams across the league, monitor award races and dive into who is truly a Super Bowl LIX contender and who is pretending.
Again, there’s been no shortage of surprises and breakout performances. In the AFC, the New England Patriots currently lead the Buffalo Bills atop the AFC East, and the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers have both surprisingly shone with 5-1 and 4-1 records. Alongside these four, the young, rising Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars could also make noise and shake up the AFC’s hierarchy.
I’m personally not sold on any of the teams as true, top-end contenders. Whether the team is young and not ready for that leap, like the Patriots and Broncos, or it’s the Steelers who lack wide receiver depth and offensive firepower, which will hurt down the stretch, the AFC’s top tier is tough to crack.
Side note on the Colts: their 5-1 record is unbelievable, and quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Jonathan Taylor have both been incredible. Jones’ comeback story is riveting, and the way Taylor runs all over defenses has been a joy to watch. Shane Steichen has done an incredible job with Indianapolis and should remain the favorite to win the 2025 “Coach of the Year.”
Despite recent sputters, the Bills and Chiefs are still clear contenders to win the AFC. Quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen are as elite as can be, and their teams will go as far as they take them.
The Ravens’ contention status hangs in the balance right now. While they should be contenders and have more than enough talent to dominate, the alarming 1-5 record and number of injuries, especially to quarterback Lamar Jackson, tell a different story.
Quarterback Justin Herbert and his revamped receiving core have the Chargers sitting in first place in the AFC West, looking like they will be ready to make noise come playoff time. Do not count out the Chargers to make an AFC Championship or even Super Bowl berth.
The NFC is a blood bath, because the Packers, Eagles, Lions, Buccaneers, Rams and Commanders all look capable of competing for a Super Bowl. Each of them has more than enough talent, with superstar players all over these top teams in the NFC. I believe the NFC Championship will surely feature two of these teams, and the Super Bowl champion will most likely come from the NFC.
The NFC is full of parity, though, as we’ve seen top teams make statement wins over other contenders, then turn around and painfully lose to a lackluster opponent weeks later. It’s difficult for any team to assert itself as a “favorite” in this conference because of the influx of genuinely great teams.
The “top tier” I mentioned runs very deep, and the 49ers, who have impressed despite countless injuries, will be in that tier if they can get to full strength. The Seahawks, Cowboys and Falcons have all shown threatening flashes as well, and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Baker Mayfield deserves his flowers as a true MVP candidate. He has led the Buccaneers to a 5-1 record, despite his starting running back Bucky Irving and star receivers Emeka Egbuka, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin all missing time due to injuries.
Mayfield has made miraculous plays and led game-winning drives all season, turning the Buccaneers into true contenders. He cemented his name as one of the league’s best quarterbacks, no matter the circumstances.
As per usual, the NFL has given fans no shortage of fireworks and drama thus far. Many fans are ecstatic and believe their teams can find the promised land, while others are in shambles and looking forward to next year already.
I can’t wait to see how the next 12 weeks pan out, and who will eventually earn their stripes as the NFL’s true contenders. Several teams have realistic chances to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy come February. Fans are in for a wild ride until then. This season’s playoff race is already shaping up to be historically competitive and unpredictable, with countless teams ready to contend, despite a handful of teams merely being pretenders.
Jack Muldowney is a freshman studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Jack Muldowney about their column? Email/tweet them at jm760224@ohio.edu or @JackMuldowney1.
