The Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) remain the only undefeated team in the NFL, continuing their strong run after two straight Super Bowl victories. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Head Coach Andy Reid are now aiming to make history with a third consecutive championship.
While the offense hasn’t been as explosive this season, they continue to find ways to win. The addition of former Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has recently boosted their offensive performance, making it harder for defenses to stop them.
However, there is some criticism regarding how the Chiefs have maintained their perfect record. In their most recent game, they narrowly defeated the Denver Broncos (5-5) 16-14 with a last-second blocked field goal, and the week before, they won an overtime game against the injury-riddled Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
While they’ve kept winning, their play sometimes appears shaky, though it’s hard to argue with their results.
The Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are close behind and are both making strong pushes toward the playoffs. The Ravens, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry, have bounced back after a slow start to the season.
In Week 10, they won a thrilling 35-34 game against the Cincinnati Bengals (4-6) and quarterback Joe Burrow.
Despite their 7-3 record, the AFC North title is not locked in, as they’re still behind the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2), who have been stronger than expected, thanks to quarterback Russell Wilson and wide receiver George Pickens.
The Buffalo Bills, with an 8-2 record, also look confident, as quarterback Josh Allen continues to improve. With the Miami Dolphins struggling, the Bills appear to have the AFC East nearly secured.
In the NFC, the Detroit Lions (8-1) are emerging as serious Super Bowl contenders. After a narrow victory over the Houston Texans (6-4) secured by a last-second field goal, the Lions are leading the strong NFC North.
Coming off a trip to the NFC Championship game last season, they’ve continued to impress this year, with quarterback Jared Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown leading the offense and a strong defense backing them up. Lions fans are starting to believe that a Super Bowl title is within reach.
The San Francisco 49ers (5-4), however, are underperforming compared to last year when they finished with a 12-5 record. This year, they’ve had a rough start, with injuries being a big factor, including wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s season-ending injury. The return of star running back Christian McCaffrey, after battling Achilles tendinitis, gives fans hope that the 49ers can turn things around.
The Washington Commanders (7-3) have been a surprising team this year. After years of missing the playoffs and struggling in the league, they’ve shown impressive growth under Head Coach Dan Quinn.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was selected second overall after winning the Heisman Trophy, has played with great composure, proving how much a standout quarterback can change a team’s fortunes.
The addition of veterans like running back Austin Ekeler and cornerback Marshon Lattimore has also strengthened the team, and they’re on track to make the playoffs for the first time since becoming the Commanders.
The Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) are also heading toward the playoffs. After a slow start, they’re on a six-game winning streak. The combination of quarterback Jalen Hurts and newcomer running back Saquon Barkley has been effective, making the decision to sign Barkley look wise.
However, it’s still hard to fully judge the Eagles because they haven’t faced many strong opponents yet. Their two upcoming games against the Commanders could be crucial in deciding who wins the NFC East, with both teams having a good chance to grab a wild card spot if they fall short of the division title.
The Dallas Cowboys, who won the NFC East last year, have had a disappointing season. With a 3-6 record and a few heavy losses, their hopes of a Super Bowl run have likely ended for this season.
In the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings (7-2) are in second place, just behind the Detroit Lions. The Vikings have been stronger defensively under new coordinator Brian Flores, and the signing of running back Aaron Jones has added a boost to their running game, which struggled last year.
If quarterback Sam Darnold can continue to play well, the Vikings have a good chance of making a playoff run. The Green Bay Packers (6-3) are not far behind, keeping the NFC North race close.
