The NFL season is in full swing and fans are starting to understand what the season will look like. Many players have stepped up and displayed signs of a big season ahead. Here are four teams that look like they will be the real deal (that weren’t obvious preseason contenders).
Minnesota Vikings
When JJ McCarthy went down injured Vikings fans became disheartened. They presumed that the Sam Darnold they would receive would be the Sam Darnold of old: a turnover-prone quarterback whose poor decision-making plagued the Jets and Panthers from 2018-2022. They got a completely different version of Sam Darnold: a sound decision-maker who took so much from his time at the 49ers that he was able to lead the Vikings to a victory over the 49ers. The team has started 4-0 off the back of a high-powered offense led by Darnold, Justin Jefferson, and Aaron Jones, and creative defensive playcalling from defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who has Jonathan Greenard and Patrick Jones II playing like a power duo. One thing is for sure: the Vikings do not intend to finish at the bottom of the NFC North, as some may have predicted. They could end up finishing at the top.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Instability at quarterback is often the kryptonite of a good team. Not for the Steelers. Once again, the Steelers have made the best of a bad situation and have started 3-1. Justin Fields has played the game manager role well. Even in the loss against Indianapolis, Fields made few mistakes, threw accurate passes downfield, and led solid scoring drives to take the pressure off the defense, which has been as standout as it has been for many years under perennial winner Mike Tomlin. Should Fields continue to play on the upward trajectory he is on, he could lead the Steelers to yet another winning season and playoff appearance, possibly even a division title in a sloppy-looking AFC North.
Seattle Seahawks
No one expected Seattle to be at the top of the division at the end of September. Not even fans like me. A first-year head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator trio is often a recipe for disaster. But in Seattle’s case, it has been the key to success. OC Ryan Grubb has been making brilliant play calls. Coach Mike MacDonald has a defense that has been one of the best at pressuring the quarterback and their secondary has forced plenty of turnovers. Though they lost to the Lions at the end of the month, they consistently put in their best effort and their offense is starting to improve. Seattle has one of the toughest schedules in football this year, but it is safe to say they will not go down without a fight.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders offense looks like the real deal. Under the leadership of rookie Jayden Daniels, Washington scored an average of 30 points per game in September, including 38 points in Cincinnati and 42 in Arizona. Daniels has the highest completion percentage through the first four games of a season of any NFL quarterback, with his 80% beating out legends like Drew Brees and Tom Brady. Meanwhile, the defense has improved noticeably under the tutelage of Dan Quinn, a Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator with Seattle’s Legion of Boom. The pass rush has been relentless, with Dorance Armstrong proving himself to be worth the money opposite late-round draft pick Javontae Jean-Baptiste. Don’t be surprised if the Commanders fight to the end for the NFC East title.
