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John Towey, Staff Writer
Week 9 of the National Football League (NFL) has wrapped up, meaning we’ve hit a little more than the halfway point in the 2025 season. Let’s recap what’s gone down so far, and which players and teams to keep an eye on in the future.
Teams on the Up
The Indianapolis Colts shocked everyone out of the gate with an electric 7-2 start. Former Giants QB Daniel Jones has led a superb offense, showing growth from his time with the Giants. The Colts traded for star CB Sauce Gardner and are clearly looking to seriously contend.
Another team closer to contention than initially thought has been the Seattle Seahawks. Coach Mike MacDonald has run one of the best defenses in the league, which matters a lot in a division full of offensive masterminds like Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan.
The New England Patriots have surged under their new coaching staff led by former Pats linebacker Mike Vrabel. Quarterback Drake Maye continues to impress in his sophomore season, while his fellow draft classmates like Caleb Williams and Bo Nix continue to leave more to be desired.
Teams that Need Self Reflection
It may be time for a fresh start for the New York Giants, which would give Jaxson Dart the opportunity to fully thrive. Another team in need of a new start is the Miami Dolphins. They fired General Manager Chris Grier and should complete the sweep by firing Mike McDaniel who has clearly lost the confidence of the locker room.
The New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Las Vegas Raiders are in the demolition stages of their rebuilds. They have traded away the valuable assets they had left from previous coaches in order to start anew. While they all have dismal records this season, after successful drafts, a better future might be on the horizon.
Teams (Really) in the Running
Now we get to the real deal, the actual contenders. These teams, I think, have what it takes to win a Super Bowl. My early favorites in the NFC are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and the Detroit Lions. On the AFC side, I think that the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, and Kansas City Chiefs are some of the strongest teams.
This is shaping out to be a great season of football, and no team is fully secure. I could see any of the teams I mentioned not just making, but winning the Super Bowl. At this rate anything is possible in the National Football League.
