Honestly, I’m starting to feel a bit anxious about how fast this NFL season is progressing. I mean, we’re almost halfway through! How did that happen?
Maybe it’s those London Games that make time feel both quicker and slower simultaneously. Either way, the NFL is certainly enjoying itself, and soon enough, players will be arriving at games in Halloween costumes.
As we get ready to turn our clocks back on November 2, new opinions about the NFL will start pouring in. That’s the goal here, just like Michael Peterson and RJ Ochoa do each week.
Should we take Drake Maye and the 5-2 Patriots seriously?
There’s been a lot of chatter about their schedule this season and how it doesn’t seem very challenging. I think this detail is worth considering when we discuss New England’s chances for the rest of the season.
I’d really like to see more from the Patriots… they genuinely might be the real deal. It’s easy to forget since the Bills had a bye in Week 7, but I really feel like the AFC East is becoming competitive.
Honestly, I fully agree that Mike Vrabel has made a significant impact on the team. It must have been tough for the Titans to see him thrive after they chose to let him go.
You really have to believe in the Patriots and what’s happening with them right now. Drake Maye is playing exceptionally well, and the whole team seems to be stepping up to match his performance. Their record of 5-2 is something to take seriously, and Mike Vrabel appears to have built strong connections with his players.
I recently saw Vrabel telling his players that they should approach every game as if it’s personal, and it seems that motivation is working.
Is Colts RB Jonathan Taylor the current MVP candidate?
After watching Taylor dominate against my Chargers with three touchdowns, I would certainly lean toward saying yes. Sure, the MVP award usually goes to quarterbacks, but it’s essential to evaluate seasons of running backs against those of successful QBs and other positions.
Taylor leads the league in rushing yards and touchdowns on a 6-1 team. They wouldn’t be 6-1 without him.
If the award is just for quarterbacks, we should simply rename it. It’s ridiculous to think a running back has a disadvantage for playing a different position. If Taylor isn’t at least in the top three for MVP right now, then the award system is flawed.
I’m not against Taylor being in the MVP conversation, but calling him a frontrunner feels a bit much.
When I think about the MVP award, I’m really considering how it’s traditionally perceived. Typically, it goes to quarterbacks, especially those whose teams are winning. It’s also tricky since the same players often win over and over again, and there’s always a narrative that plays into the award.
Understanding this context makes it crucial for Taylor to be in the mix, but if Saquon Barkley didn’t win last year, will a running back ever win again? If we go by the current narrative, guys like Baker Mayfield, Dak Prescott, Matthew Stafford, and even Taylor’s teammate Daniel Jones would probably rank ahead of him.
Which teams need to make a move before the trade deadline?
In my opinion, this really comes down to which teams I believe could actually win the Super Bowl, something that seems more plausible today than it did back in August. I would definitely leave out teams like the Colts, Steelers, Rams, and Cowboys.
Indy is on a roll and needs to keep the momentum going. Pittsburgh and Los Angeles seem to have maxed out their quarterback potential; they really must capitalize while they can. Dallas has a great setup with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens, but they haven’t done much to enhance it.
If the Colts want to maximize this season, they’ll need to look for a cornerback, especially after veteran Xavian Howard’s early retirement. Their offense is strong enough that not being able to shut down the pass could cost them.
Another team that really ought to make a move during this trade period is the one that just shredded my Chargers: the Colts. They’ve been hit hard with injuries at offensive tackle and running back. Joe Alt is expected to be back against the Vikings, but Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris are likely out for a while. Bringing in a player like Breece Hall from the Jets could really help them stay in the playoff hunt despite all these injuries.
Who will be the next head coach to be fired before the end of the season?
I’d say Mike McDaniel, mainly because I’m not a fan of the idea of firing coaches without giving them a fair shot at completing the season. The Jets are struggling, and Aaron Glenn deserves some criticism, but it seems too early for this kind of upheaval.
Meanwhile, McDaniel has a lot of talent at his disposal yet hasn’t managed to keep the team competitive in the AFC. The year Tua Tagovailoa got injured was unfortunate, but if the team is still struggling with Tyreek Hill in the lineup, there are deeper issues at play.
As a fan of a team that picked a quarterback shortly after Tua, I can assure you that Justin Herbert never misstepped during interviews, while the Dolphins drew attention for all the wrong reasons when their leader started deflecting blame. Winning teams typically don’t face these challenges. McDaniel appears to have fostered a weak culture, so I wouldn’t be shocked if he gets axed after another loss in Week 8.
It seems like everyone agrees it’ll likely be Mike McDaniel.
But if I were to offer a different perspective just for the sake of discussion, I wonder how secure Brian Daboll’s position is right now. Sunday’s loss to Denver was painful, and the Giants have shown some progress with their young players. On one hand, it might be tempting to let them play freely for the rest of the season and prepare for a new coach in 2026.
