NFL Shocks by Division
By: Declan Brankin
This NFL season has had some major ups and downs depending on what team you cheer for. Let’s look at the biggest shocks both good and bad of each NFL division so far.
AFC East: New England Patriots
With the super bowl loss fresh on their minds, the New England Patriots wanted to prove that they can still go toe-to-toe with some of the top contenders to start the season. However, due to disastrous performances by their quarterback, Drake Maye, the team has underperformed the first three weeks of the season. As of late, Maye has redeemed himself slightly, leading the Patriots to an average 4-3 record. This start showcased the true issues with Maye, but the turnaround for the Patriots could happen as long as he continues to improve upon his performances.
AFC North: Cleveland Browns
Coming into this season, nobody predicted the AFC North to have one of the best overall records in the NFL, but they actually do with the 5-2 Cleveland Browns taking the top spot. While some of these wins come from weaker opponents, others have come from division foes like the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens which has led them to take first place in the division as of Week 7.
AFC South: Houston Texans
When this season started, the Texans were clear favorites to take over the AFC South with the Jaguars not looking like they were going to have another strong season. Once again, we were proven wrong. The 2-5 Texans are being kept together by the dominant defense that led them to the divisional round of the playoffs last year. The offense, however, has fallen under the lead of quarterback C.J. Stroud who has not been able to play at a star level.
AFC West: Los Angeles Chargers
No team has sunk lower than the L.A. Chargers this season. This team has become the only winless team so far this season and have gone from a playoff team last year to a team looking like they are aiming for the first overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. This is in part due to the fact they have the third worst completion percentage in the NFL, only ahead of the Miami Dolphins and the Philadelphia Eagles.
NFC East: New York Giants
A team that was supposed to be in a rebuilding year and struggling without their quarterback, has come in to take the top spot in the NFC East. While the Philadelphia Eagles are also struggling with quarterback issues, the Giants have shown they are the team to beat in the NFC East with J.J. McCarthy leading an offense consisting of Cam Skattebo and Isaiah Likely.
NFC North: Minnesota Vikings
In a division full of dominant teams and many strong contenders, the Minnesota Vikings have emerged as an undefeated threat to take the division crown. With an elite defense, the Vikings have cruised to a 6-0 start even with some offensive struggles. They might need to step up their game though because with difficult battles against the Lions and Bills approaching, they will need to step up on offense if they want to maintain that undefeated record.
NFC South: Carolina Panthers
In a division that did not produce a winning record last season, most thought the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would step up and take the division crown from the Carolina Panthers. This does not seem to be the case, however, because as the only team with a record above .500, the 3-3 Panthers lead the NFL’s most mediocre division. This is in part due to the efforts from quarterback Bryce Young and the wide receiver duo of Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker.
NFC West: Los Angeles Rams
In what was by far the biggest deal of the offseason, the L.A. Rams acquired Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns. Pair him with the return of Aaron Donald and the Rams looked like they were the clear Super Bowl contenders with the return of their elite offense. Fast forward seven weeks into the season, and the Rams have a losing record of 3-4 and are third place in their division. In a division with the reigning Super Bowl Champions and the 6-1 49ers, the Rams need to step up their play if they want to maintain their status as Super Bowl favorites.