Da’ Bears
My Bears are 3-1, winning games with 3 different starting quarterbacks. I’m happy with that, but I can’t help lamenting the one loss.
The Bears shot themselves in the foot so many times against the Vikings. A fumble at the goal line, a blocked field goal, penalties wiping out big gains. The topper was Caleb Williams getting hurt. He was going to score on the play where he pulled his hamstring, that alone would have won the game for the Bears, and they’d be 4-0 instead of Minnesota.
But, maybe it was for the best, because they’ve played two of their most complete and dominant games in years since then.
The offensive line is a juggernaut, even with left tackle being in flux. The rushing attack has been stellar, allowing both Case Keenum & Tyson Bagent to flourish in their starts. As good as the Bears have been offensively, thus far, I think the best is yet to come.
The defense got torched by Bryce Young and the Panthers passing game in week one, but since then they’ve played pretty well. Rookies Dillon Thieneman & Malik Muhammad have been very good additions to the secondary. The linebackers have been very good and the pass rush has had its moments.
The defense still needs work and I wouldn’t be surprised if they make a move before the trade deadline to add a piece or two.
They’ve got Green Bay, in Lambeau, this week, which always worries me. Truth be told, though, the Bears should cruise in this one, even without Williams. The Packers have issues on both sides of the ball. They’re lucky to be 2-2, since they’ve eked out wins against the Jets, who Chicago just dominated, and the winless Buccaneers, playing with an undrafted rookie quarterback.
They follow up the trip to Lambeau with a trip to Atlanta to play the Falcons, then back home for a Thursday night tilt against the Patriots at Soldier Field. I’ll honestly be disappointed if they don’t go into their mini-bye and head to Seattle at 6-1, regardless of when Caleb Williams returns.
Obviously, we need Williams back & healthy, but this is a pretty good stretch of the schedule to be without him. Of course, his absence means that we’re likely to endure another season of every pundit in America pointing out that the Chicago Bears have never had a 4,000 yard passer.
Most Pleasant Surprise
Las Vegas Raiders
Not only are the Raiders 3-1, but they look like legitimate playoff contenders. They stood toe to toe with the Kansas City Chiefs, and had a real chance to win that game.
The Raiders have stockpiled some talent, on both sides of the ball, over the last few years and first year head coach, Klint Kubiak, has unlocked it.
Signing Kirk Cousins and naming him the starter was one of the smartest moves the Raiders have made in years. Cousins is a smart, savvy veteran that knows how to utilize the playmakers at his disposal. If Cousins and the Raiders continue on this trajectory, not only will #1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, remain on the bench but Vegas will have to seriously consider bringing Cousins back next season.
Honorable Mentions- The Cleveland Browns are an even more surprising 3-1. Deshaun Watson looks like an actual NFL quarterback for the first time since his Houston days. It looks like I was wrong about my original assessment of the hiring of Todd Monken. Former defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, who I felt should have gotten the job, would not have been able to get this kind of play out of Watson and the offense. The New York Giants are also 3-1, despite losing promising second year quarterback, Jaxson Dart, for the season. They’ve faced an easy schedule since Dart’s injury, so I’m not sure how sustainable this success is, but new head coach, John Harbaugh, will get the most out of Big Blue.
Biggest Disappointment
Los Angeles Chargers
The 0-4 Chargers edge out the 0-4 Texans for this dubious honor because I think there’s less of a pathway for the Bolts to turn things around. The offense and quarterback, Justin Herbert, have been a hot mess and now the offensive line is being wracked with injuries.
Something needs to change and, fair or unfair, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, will be the fall guy. It’s time to wonder how long he will survive in his current position.
Honorable Mentions- Slow starts are normal for the Houston Texans, who started 0-3 last season, but at 0-4 it looks even worse this year. The most surprising thing has how bad their vaunted defense has been. They’ve been torched for 30+ in 3 of their 4 losses. I expected a bounce back season from the Detroit Lions, but they appear to be exactly the team they were last year. The defense might actually be worse. The offense is capable of lighting up anyone, but they also have stretches where they’re shockingly ineffective.
Told Ya So…
New England Patriots
I said, repeatedly, that the Patriots would regress in 2026 when they didn’t have the benefit of an absurdly easy schedule. I’ll admit, though, that I’m a little shocked at how much Drake Maye has struggled. The win over Buffalo proved that New England is still a dangerous team, though.
Honorable Mention- I predicted that the Green Bay Packers would miss the playoffs this season, one month in that looks accurate. Not only that, it looks like the Packers could finish last in a tough NFC North.
Don’t Believe the Hype
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings sit atop the NFC North at 4-0, but it’s a very deceiving record. Minnesota has squeaked past two bottom feeders in the Buccaneers and Dolphins. They needed an epic fourth quarter to beat Green Bay, another dumpster fire. The Vikings signature win, over the Bears in Chicago was also deceptive. The Bears fumbled at the goal line, missed a field goal, committed costly penalties and on the play that Caleb Williams got hurt, he was heading for the end zone for what would have been the go ahead and likely game winning touchdown.
I’m a Kyler Murray truther. He’s a great athlete, but he is not a good quarterback. The fall for Minnesota will be sharp. Mark my words, they will be eliminated from playoff contention before Christmas.
Watch Out For
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were hands down the worst team in the NFL through two weeks, then Michael Penix Jr returned. Penix hasn’t lit it up, but Atlanta has. They look like a completely different team.
The Falcons have some serious talent and I really like Kevin Stefanski as a head coach. Atlanta is certainly in the hunt in the NFC South, and they could get themselves into the wild card mix, as well.
Revised Predictions
AFC East- 1. Bills* 2. Patriots 3. Jets 4. Dolphins
AFC North- 1. Ravens* 2. Bengals** 3. Steelers 4. Browns
AFC South- 1. Jaguars* 2. Texans 3. Colts 4. Titans
AFC West- 1. Chiefs* 2. Raiders** 3. Broncos** 4. Chargers
AFC Champion- Jacksonville Jaguars
NFC East- 1. Eagles* 2. Cowboys 3. Giants 4. Commanders
NFC North- 1. Bears* 2. Lions 3. Vikings 4. Packers
NFC South- 1. Panthers* 2. Falcons** 3. Saints 4. Buccaneers
NFC West- 1. Seahawks* 2. 49ers** 3. Rams** 4. Cardinals
NFC Champion- Chicago Bears
Super Bowl- Bears over Jaguars
MVP
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
The MVP traditionally goes to a quarterback, but thus far this season there’s been no more valuable player than Walker has been to the Chiefs. He’s transformed this offense and given them the consistent running threat they’ve lacked for years.
A running back won’t get MVP, but Walker should get some serious consideration.
Honorable Mentions- Brock Purdy has the San Francisco 49ers offense humming, despite a depleted receiving corps. Purdy hasn’t taken a sack yet this season. Trevor Lawrence has entered elite territory and he’s leading a very dangerous Jacksonville Jaguars team. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills have been rather pedestrian the last two weeks, but Allen is always capable of going on a heater and he’s always a contender for this award.
Coach of the Year
Klint Kubiak, Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are looking like a legit playoff contender in the AFC and that’s all because of Kubiak’s leadership. The Raiders have talent, on both sides of the ball, and they finally have a coach that knows how to maximize it.
Honorable Mentions- Todd Monken has the Cleveland Browns playing great football and Deshaun Watson looks like his younger self. Kyle Shanahan might be the best coach in the NFL. The Niners have had a plethora of injuries, again, but Shanahan has them 4-0. Ben Johnson has the Bears 3-1, and he’s won games with 3 different quarterbacks.
The Hot Seat
Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Baker Mayfield injury, ironically, might have given Bowles a bit of a reprieve, but make no mistake he’s on borrowed time, Bowles will not be coaching this team in 2027, guaranteed. The only question is if he makes it through 2026.
Honorable Mentions- While losing their last two games, the Philadelphia Eagles have been thoroughly out coached in each. Nick Sirianni won a Super Bowl, but I’m not sure that saves him if Philly misses the playoffs. There were rumblings about Matt LaFleur after last season, but the Green Bay Packers ultimately decided to extend him. The rumblings are getting louder with each passing week. A loss, at home, to the rival Bears could bring those to a fever pitch.
