Welcome to the Winner's Circle, where the week's winners are celebrated and evaluated. In the Winner's Circle, it doesn't matter what happened last year. It's all about what you have earned in this season up to this point. Without further ado, let's predict what would happen if the regular season ended today.
AFC Winner's Circle
AFC Conference Champion
Chiefs
The Chiefs have not played their best football in the last two weeks, but they have still looked good. Even more so, the Chiefs have beaten two of the tougher teams in the NFL. Lamar and Burrow are supposed to be the next closest to Patrick Mahomes, and he beat them both without pulling out his A-game. The Chiefs are on track to go back to the Super Bowl.
AFC Runner Up
Bills
The Bills have looked excellent through two weeks. They struggled in week one against the Cardinals and showed they could bounce back from adversity. Plus, they dominated the Dolphins in week two, and it was one of their most impressive wins. Josh Allen took a backseat, let the Cook go off, and let the defense stand up. This is what the Bills have been missing for a while. If they can get comfortable winning like this when they have to, the sky is the limit. If Josh Allen can take care of the ball and the Bills can take pressure off him with a good run game, then the Bills are dangerous.
Undefeated Playoff Caliber Teams
Chargers
The Chargers have done exactly what people have hoped they would. They are running the ball well, putting up 22+ in back-to-back weeks, and the defense hasn't allowed more than 10 points in two weeks. Jim Harbaugh looks to be turning the Chargers into winners.
Steelers
The Steeler's offense isn't everyone's cup of tea, but they have an elite defense, and they won't apologize for it. The defense has been dominant in the last two weeks, and the offense is moving the ball up and down the field well enough to win, and they are taking care of the ball. The most impressive thing about the Steelers so far is how they have completely dictated the pace of both games. The Steelers have one TD through two weeks and a lot of offensive penalties. If the top of the AFC is their floor, watch out because they are improving each week.
Texans
Texans are at the bottom of the undefeated tier because, despite all their weapons on both sides of the ball, they are playing teams close that they should be able to beat comfortably. The Packers beat the Colts with Malik Willis, yet the Texans barely got out of there with a win. The Texans' defense did whatever it wanted against the Bears' offense, but the Texans' offense couldn't separate and score the points to show how one-sided the game really was. If the Texans were playing a better team than the anemic Bears, then at the end of the game, down one TD, they might have choked that game away. But they are 2-0 and have the only wins in their division, so they are still sitting pretty, but they have some things to work on.
1-1 But Impressive
Raiders
The Raiders haven't been perfect, losing to the Chargers in week one, but in week two, they bounced back with a huge win against the Ravens. If the Raiders can beat the Ravens, then the range of outcomes for their season has just expanded. The new coach looks great, the defense looks excellent, and Minshew looks to be doing exactly what he did for the Colts last year. Watch out.
Browns
The Browns were destroyed in week one by the Cowboys, and they were panned for their pitful performance. However, Deshaun Watson had some tragic events in his life leading up to his game, and it just wasn't their day. However, the Browns bounced back against a good Jaguars team. The defense made plays and held the Jaguars down, and the offense gave Browns fans hope that much brighter days would come for this talented team.
Most Suspect Winner
Jets
The Jets got a win and made it to the winner's circle. It's great for the Jets to bounce back and get the first win of the Aaron Rodgers era. However, while the Titan's defense is very good, the team overall should have been easier to beat. The Bear's defense pretty much beat the Titans on their own. However, the Jets defense didn't look as good against Levis. They made plays, but this is Will Levis. It's Patrick Mahomes. If the Jets are going to the heights they say they are, the defense has to be way more dominant. The team hinges on that defense being all-stars.
NFC Winner Circle
Super Bowl Champions
Saints
The Saints have looked like the best team in football through two weeks. They have had back-to-back blowouts, and Carr and Kamara are turning back the clock with their performances. The first week, you could say oh, they beat the Panthers. It doesn't matter, but the Saints made a statement in week two when they came to the Cowboy's house, burned it to the ground, and danced on their ashes. The Cowboys defense had no answer for the Saints. The Saints defense had their way with Dak Prescott. The Saints are just playing great football right now.
Super Bowl Runner Up
Vikings
The Vikings have been great. Many overlooked them. They ignored the promise Sam showed in Carolina with Wilks and how much O'connel got out of backups last year. People ignored the Flores defense, the addition of Aaron Jones, and the fact that the Vikings have a great skill group. Surprise, even with all the injuries the Vikings have dealt with, they are undefeated at the top of the NFC North, and they just beat last year's NFC champions. Sleep on the Vikings at your own risk.
Undefeated Playoff Contenders
Bucs
The Bucs have been great. They lit up the Commanders and beat the Lions, the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year. The Bucs look explosive on offense. They have not struggled after losing their coordinator, and the defense has remained tough as well. The Bucs look like they are on their way to another NFC South Title. Baker Mayfield looks like an MVP Candidate through two weeks.
Seahawks
The Seahawks are surprisingly undefeated and at the top of the NFC West. Every time they are doubted, they pop out and show people. However, I think we still need to see more from them. I question how much the Seahawks have improved since last year. However, the Seahawks are off to a great start, which will buy them more time to make a new leap with a new coach.
Cardinals
The Cardinals let the Bills slip away in week one after a great start. They did not make the same mistake in week one. The Cardinals made the Rams look like the Carolina Panthers. Cardinals scored over 40 points, and Marvin Harrison jr showed that he is, in fact, him. Kyler Murray was doing whatever he wanted, running around the Rams defenders like a mascot in a children's halftime game. Cardinals fans should be very excited.
Packers
Matt Lafleur once again proves that he is one of the best offensive minds in the league. Malik Willis looked horrible for 98% of his career, but it was also clear the Titans didn't develop him in any way. It just took one offseason as a backup for the Packers for Willis to look good in a game and get his first win in the NFL. Love's injury might not even be enough to slow the Packers down.
Most Suspect Winners
Falcons
The Falcons finally won their first win against a good Eagles team in primetime, which is impressive for Kirk. However, it's tough to really judge how good they are because the Eagles gave away the game, and the Falcons weren't very impressive for most of the game. But they did make it to the Winner's Circle, and that's a good place to start.
Commanders
The Commanders got their first win with their young quarterback, Jayden Daniels. Jayden Daniels is the first rookie quarterback to really lead his team to victory. However, it was against the Giants, who are very bad. On the other hand, it's nice to see the Commanders surpass the Giants so early in this new era. The Commanders looked like a very flawed but scrappy team. As Jayden Daniels gets better, it will be interesting to see how far they can go.
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