Where do the NFL teams stand, now that we’re eleven games into the season? Who surprised us all? Which team fell flat? Here’s our “NFL Whip around.” In the NFC East, the Dallas Cowboys, despite all their problems, sit at 6-5 leading the division. Ezekiel Elliot has had a disappointing season and Dak Prescott is making a lot of mental errors, such as his clock management against the Vikings. The Eagles are one game back at 5-6 and the Redskins and Giants each sit at 2-9.
In the NFC North, thanks to one of the most embarrassing performances in franchise history over the last 25 years, the Packers have fallen back into a tie with the Vikings for first place at 8-3. Speaking of those Vikings, they have overcome a 2-2 start to win six of their last seven, and Kirk Cousins is among the NFL leaders in touchdown passes and passing yards. The Bears have been a disappointment at 5-6 and the Lions, after a 2-1-1 start, have won just one game since then and Matthew Stafford will miss the remainder of the season with a back injury.
In the NFC South, the Saints are in total command of that division at 9-2, and it’s not even close. They will probably be the first team to win their division this season, as they have a four-game lead with five to play. It’s not even worth talking about the rest of the teams, as they have all had their own issues leading to disappointing 2019 campaigns.
In the NFC West, the 49ers are coming off a big win against the Packers and now sit in the driver’s seat for the top spot in the NFC playoffs. The Seahawks are right behind them at 9-2 and have already won a game against the 49ers this season. The Rams are hanging tough at 6-4, and the Cardinals are holding up the caboose at 3-7-1.
In the AFC East, the Patriots are 10-1 and leading that division yet again. Right behind them are the Buffalo Bills, who are sitting in the driver’s seat for the top wild-card spot in the AFC at 8-3. The Jets have recovered from a horrendous start and are now 4-7. The Miami Dolphins are in their punching at 2-9.
The AFC North is the residence of the hottest team in the league at the moment, the Baltimore Ravens, winners of six straight, and their MVP candidate quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Pittsburgh Steelers just keep finding ways to win without Ben Roethlisberger and currently sit at 6-5. The Cleveland Browns are starting to win some games and sit at 5-6. They’re not dead yet folks. The poor Bengals have yet to win a game this season. Andy Dalton has been benched, and their best chance to avoid 0-16 looks to be the Dolphins in Week 16.
The AFC South leaders are the Houston Texans, who are 7-4 and sitting in prime position to make a late-season run, and perhaps be one of the top two seeds, based on the schedules of the other division leaders. The Colts are the surprise team of the year, currently sitting at 6-5 after the shocking news of Andrew Luck’s retirement. The Tennessee Titans are currently 6-5 and winning with Ryan Tannehill, after benching former second overall selection Marcus Mariota. The Jacksonville Jaguars are 4-7 and have benched the man who would have won the rookie of the year award, Gardner Minshew, for their big free-agent signing, Nick Foles.
In the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs have overcome some early season turbulence and currently sit ay 7-4. They are also a team primed for a late-season run. The Oakland Raiders are 6-5 and right on their tails. The Los Angeles Chargers have been one of the disappointments of 2019, currently sitting at 4-7, and fading from the Wild Card picture. The Denver Broncos put up the white flag several weeks ago placing Joe Flacco in injured reserve and currently sit at 3-8.
