The NFL Season Six Weeks In… Who has Impressed Most So Far?
With one-third of this year’s regular-season already consigned to the history books, a lot has changed in the world of the NFL. The biggest surprise through the first six weeks has been the performance of the Kansas City Chiefs. Ranked 28th in the league on the defensive side of the ball, the pre-season favorites have already lost three games and currently sit bottom of their division, the AFC West.
The Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl in 2020 and were beaten finalists in 2021. However, this season has started badly for them. ©RoyHarryman
The Kansas offense, while still explosive, doesn’t appear to be as free-scoring as previous years. Based on what has been seen of them this year, it is hard to rank the Chiefs much higher than the middle of the pack right now. That is a major shock.
Ever since Patrick Mahomes became their quarterback in 2016, Kansas has been a leading, if not the leading contender for Super Bowl glory. With a 17-game regular season, there is still plenty of time for them to find their form. But they need to display some defensive improvements quickly.
Tampa and Tom, a Frightening Combination
On the other side of the playoff picture the defending champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to show themselves as being a very strong team. If it were not for a road loss to a good Los Angeles Rams side, the Buccaneers would have won their last fourteen games stretching back to last year’s postseason.
After winning the Super Bowl in February the franchise brought all of their starters back for this year’s campaign. They are firmly gelled together, and many are suggesting quarterback Tom Brady is playing the best football of his career.
The 44-year-old currently leads the league in passing yards. Having already won seven Super Bowls, Brady on top form is a frightening thought for the opposition – and it’s not yet Halloween!
Bills to Finally Deliver?
The Buffalo Bills have looked imperious at times. The team has delivered two shutout victories – a 35-0 victory over the Miami Dolphins and a 40-0 verdict over the Texans. It tells you all you need to know about this strong side.
A lockdown defense – ranked number one in the league – is matched by a powerful offense led by the ever-improving Josh Allen at quarterback. Little wonder the Bills are now 7/1 second favorites amidst record breaking betting turnover to take the Super Bowl.
The Bills have shown signs of promise in the last few seasons having just missed out in the latter stages of the playoffs. It would appear this year they are finally leading contenders.
Sean McDermott has proved himself to be an excellent head coach and must be an early candidate for Coach of the Year having been unlucky not to win the award last year. With one of the most feverishly hysterical fanbases in sports, the Bills can utilize their massive home-field advantage and should go far.
Dallas Are on a Roll
After a narrow defeat in this season’s curtain-raiser, the Dallas Cowboys have won their last five games. They have the number one ranked offense in the league and an outstanding rookie pass rusher called Micah Parsons. He is topping the betting sheets for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Parsons isn’t the only Cowboy fancied for an end-of-year NFL award. Quarterback Dak Prescott has posted fantastic numbers so far this season. On the sidelines for a year, he is the current favorite for Comeback Player of the Year.
Can the Cowboys keep their hot streak going? It would be their first Super Bowl appearance since 1996 should they make it.
Packers and Rams Are 5-1
Last year’s league MVP Aaron Rodgers has done little wrong in steering his Green Bay Packers to a 5-1 start. After a tough opening day loss, the Packers have put that wake-up call to good use and are now back to being one of the leading contenders in the NFC.
Another solid NFC contender with a 5-1 start are the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams have looked competitive on both sides of the ball most notably in a solid 34-24 win over the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week three. Their only loss so far came at the hands of this year’s only unbeaten team the Arizona Cardinals.
This season’s Superbowl is scheduled to take place at the Rams’ SoFi Stadium. Could they follow on from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and become just the second team to play and subsequently win the Super Bowl in their home stadium?
Arizona Undefeated and Ravens Impress
One of the outsiders going into this year, the Arizona Cardinals are this season’s surprise package. As the only undefeated team left in the league through six weeks, the Arizona Cardinals are now, effectively the team to beat.
Is this going to be the year they win their first Super Bowl? So far, nobody has been able to stop them, and their odds have tumbled from 50/1 into 10/1.
A good start from the Baltimore Ravens has been easier to predict. The team always impresses in the regular season and this year has been no different. Five good wins and a place at the top of the tricky AFC North, it would be a surprise if they’re not one of the toughest competitors in this year’s playoffs. They still need to prove they can win once they get there though.
How Do You Bet?
So, as you can see it’s going to be an ultra-competitive road to this year’s Super Bowl. There appears to be a lot of different teams with a live chance of winning Vince Lombardi Trophy.
The bookmakers clearly believe it is wide open. They currently make Tampa 11/2 favorites to retain their crown. The Bills and Kansas are both 7/1 while the Rams, Ravens, and Cardinals can all be backed at 10/1 with various firms including Bwin and Unibet.
