Houston Texans:
The other day, I opined as to whether or not the Texans were ready for prime time in their matchup against the Buffalo Bills. They were each 3-1 and in first place heading into the game, and the Bills were coming off a loss. It literally took all 60 minutes with a 59yd FG by Ka’imi Fairbairn with no time left on the clock. The Texans are now 4-1…although they have a -12 pt differential.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
It’s tough to have a 1-4 team on the winners list, but the Jags absolutely are. They nearly won a week earlier and finally got over the hump this week. It took a last-second FG by their placekicker Cam Little to secure the win, but the team just looked more solid and cohesive. They were ahead 20-10 and withstood a furious comeback by the Colts, who put up 24 fourth-quarter points. Trevor Lawrence finally got it done!
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, JANUARY 20: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Texans 34-10. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens:
The 0-2 start for the Ravens is now a long distant memory. They now have a three-game winning streak after defeating the Bengals in Cincinnati. It took OT and a missed FG by the Bengals, but in the end they prevailed. They will be in the mix for the division as well as a deep playoff run.
Denver Broncos:
Don’t look now, but Sean Payton has his Broncos 3-2 on a three-game winning streak. They have been doing it primarily with defense to this point, but they put up 34 points this week. And rookie QB Bo Nix had his best game of the season. He was 19-27 with 206 YDs and two TDs.
Washington Commanders:
Rookie QB Caleb Williams looked really good this week, but to this point, Jayden Daniels is the rookie of the year. He has led the Commanders to another victory and has them in first place with a 4-1 record and a four-game winning streak. If he keeps this up, not only will he run away with the ROTY award, but he’ll put himself into the MVP discussion.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Minnesota Vikings:
Although the Vikings have now won five in a row and are still undefeated, having beaten the Jets in London, this will be the first week that Sam Darnold will not be on this winners list. He was exceedingly pedestrian. He only completed 14-31 passes for 179 YDs. He did not throw a TD, but did throw an interception. If he puts up more weeks like this, the Vikings winning streak will end sooner than later.
Chicago Bears:
All of a sudden, the Bears are in the playoff race in the NFC North. Caleb Williams had his first really solid game, leading the Bears to the 36-10 blowout of the Carolina Panthers. The experiment with Andy Dalton appears to be over. He is proving to be as ineffective as Bryce Young was. But Williams is showing the promise and hype that comes with being the No. 1 pick in the draft. Williams was an impressive 20-29 with 309 YDs and two TDs.
Green Bay Packers:
Jordan Love finally won his first game of the season. It was a hard-fought road game against the Rams. In fact, they were losing 13-10 at halftime. Love still looked inconsistent, but he did enough to secure the victory. And other than the crazy pick-six that he threw in his own endzone, he was 15-26 with 224 YDs and two TDs. A win is a win, and the Packers are now 3-2, right in the mix for a playoff spot.