NFL Midseason Overreactions- AFC runs through Indy, Seahawks are best in the league, Pats dynasty is reborn

Half of the NFL season is in the books and it has been an unbelievable season, with teams like the Commanders and Vikings out of contention while sleeper picks like the Seahawks and Colts have dominated the league. It is almost Thanksgiving and now begins the crunch time of the season, where teams either make it to the playoffs or go to their offseason. There is a ton to take away from the first 10 weeks and these weeks really showed us which teams are mighty. 

Overreaction: The Indianapolis Colts are legit Super Bowl Contenders

 The Colts have stunned the NFL world with their 8-2 start to the season, and they hold the best record in the league at 8-2. Something clicked with Indy this year and with the combination of the Daniel “Indiana” Jones’ magic meshed with the MVP form of running back Jonathon Taylor, this team has been exceptional. At the trade deadline, the Colts were aggressive and picked up the Jets stellar cornerback, Sauce Gardner, to fix their cornerback weakness. This team believes that they are for real and while I do believe they overpaid with giving away two first round picks, it is still a good trade to make as they have a young team that should be good in the coming years too. The Colts offense has been ridiculous and they are top four in the NFL in total yards, points, rushing yards and passing yards. It is an extremely well built offense with Taylor running the show but they also have a good compliment of receivers, including strong route runner Michael Pittman Jr., the tremendous rookie tight end Tyler Warren and deep threat Alec Pierce. Taylor has more than 200 rushing yards over any other player and he is averaging a thumping six yards a carry, with no fumbles as well. Teams cannot stop him and he has the potential to run Indianapolis to the Super Bowl. The Colts offense is certainly good enough and with their new acquisition on defense, this is a team that does not feel like a “pretender” playoff team bound for a first round exit. The schedule has been extremely easy but in the next six week stretch for them, the Colts play the Chiefs, Seahawks and the 49ers, solid teams who will make them have to work. All their success depends on the offense which is why I am worried for this team but with no signs of slowing down, this engine could keep on driving them to the Super Bowl. Indianapolis is putting together a truly remarkable season and as long as their offense keeps churning out these unstoppable numbers, the Colts are a legit team to watch out for once January hits. 

Overreaction: The Seattle Seahawks are the best team in the NFL 

  This might be too much of an overreaction but I am extremely high on the Seahawks. As a Jaxon Smith-Njigba fantasy football owner, I have looked at this team much more than I have in the past and this season, they have been on a roll. After his career year in Minnesota last season, Darnold has been even better in Seattle, as he has the best quarterback rating, third best passer rating, and the third best completion %. These are characteristics of a great, efficient quarterback and all Darnold has done the season is lead Seattle to wins with clean performances. He is a tidy pocket quarterback and has played the smartest he ever has in his career, with his crisp play. He has been aided by his number one receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is the only wideout over 1,000 yards. Smith-Njigba has established himself as one of the best receivers in the league and whether he is running slot or outside routes, it seems like he is always open. With Seattle blowing out teams as of late, Smith-Njigba has been putting up these numbers while not even playing the full game, and his lowest receiving total has only been 79 yards. The Seahawks’ offense cannot be contained in the recent weeks and they have also been averaging a shade over 30 points a game. The defense has also been splendid and they are second tied in sacks. It is a very well-rounded team and the way they are playing, I am not sure anybody can beat them. In Week 11, they play a crucial game against the Rams, who are also 8-2, for a spot atop the NFC West division. Right now though, Seattle is a top three team in the league, if not the best, and they are going to keep on cruising as long as Darnold keeps balling out. 

Overreaction: It is a rebirth of the New England Patriots dynasty

 First Tom Brady, now Drake Maye, we just cannot get a break of Patriots domination. The Patriots certainly know how to draft a quarterback and in Maye’s second season in the league after being drafted third overall last year, it looks like the Patriots have their franchise guy. After a massive statement win on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Pats are 8-2 and are on top of the AFC East, over their rivals, the Buffalo Bills. In my eyes, I feel a Patriots dynasty brewing and while they may not make it deep into the playoffs this year or next year, I am positive good things are going to happen in New England. The days of Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe are gone and a new era has begun, led by University of North Carolina alum, Drake Maye, who has seemed to step into the former footsteps of the organization’s legendary quarterback, Tom Brady. Without many weapons on his offense, Maye has commanded the Patriots offense with the second best completion %, third most passing yards, third most touchdowns, fifth best passer rating and fifth best quarterback rating. He is exceptional in very category and this season, he has shown himself to be a complete quarterback, with his big arm and mobile movement. Maye has been composed and cool, all while leading New England to their most wins since 2022, a year where they went 8-9. Diggs is the only real weapon on the offense has the Patriots have had to use a lot of big plays in order to win games. In their most recent game against Tampa, they finally had a breakout running back performance in the form of rookie Treveyon Henderson, who logged 147 rushing yards. They need more from their running game and Henderson has track speed that can threaten opposing defenses. At this point in time, they just do not have enough star power and the reason they are 8-2 is thanks to the heroics of Maye. This team will be scary in the coming years as they will add more firepower and as of now, I will overreact by saying that another Patriots dynasty looms on the horizon. 

Overreaction: The 2024 NFL Draft Class is the best one ever

 I have not been around to experience too many NFL drafts but I can say without hesitation that the 2024 draft is the best one ever. When I went through the names of players taken in the first round, I was in awe as there was so much quality in that draft. There were 6 quarterbacks taken in the first round and all six currently have the starting job for their respective team right now. The first 3, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye are on a whole different level and look like they are destined for greatness, with Daniels who has already been to the NFC Championship game in his rookie year. With the pass catching players, Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., Brock Bowers, Ricky Pearsall and Marvin Harrison Jr. are all top receiving options for their team and they all look so talented. On the defensive side, cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell, Terrion Arnold and Nate Wiggins are all brilliant, with Mitchell already winning the Super Bowl. All of these players are young and so much is left in their career but while only in their second season, they are flourishing and displaying dazzling results. The 2024 Draft Class is unmatched and there are an abundance of future MVP’s and Hall of Famers in it. 

 The second half of the season should be a blast and not only am I excited to continue to see the progress of the Colts or the Seahawks, the Chiefs will be a team to keep an eye on as they are 5-4 and third in their division. Nothing is guaranteed for Patrick Mahomes’ team and they will have to kick it in as it is now or never for them. The latter part of the season is where it really matters and it will be interesting to see what 14 teams make the playoffs. Is Jonathon Taylor the MVP frontrunner? Will the Chiefs even get into the playoffs in the ultra-competitive AFC West?