Twelve weeks in, have we seen it all?
Sam Darnold seems to be playing at an MVP level, the 49ers are not currently in the playoffs, and the Jets have Aaron Rodgers, Devante Adams, Garrett Wilson, and Breece Hall all while being 3-8.
This has been one of the craziest NFL seasons in recent years. With the NFL season approaching the playoffs, there is no better time to dive into some hot takes.
1. Steelers Win the Superbowl
The Steelers are the current leaders of the AFC North with a record of 8-3 while also being the three-seed in the AFC playoffs. Although some believe the Steelers are frauds, one could say that they have the potential to win the Super Bowl. The first reason is Mike Tomlin is still the coach of the Steelers and one of the top coaches in the NFL. The second reason concerns the Steelers’ current health as they do not have any key players out due to injury.
2. The Chiefs Lose the AFC West for the First Time Since 2015
The Chiefs have been the kings of the AFC West for the past several seasons and look to continue with this run. However, the Chargers seem to be much improved under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. With the Chiefs remaining schedule being quite difficult, there is a possibility that the Chiefs lose four or five of their last six games. They play playoff-caliber teams including the Chargers, Broncos, Texans, and Steelers that are all capable of handing the Chiefs a loss.
3. The Colts Win Out and Make the Playoffs
The Colts are currently the 9th seed in the AFC playoff picture but hold a win over the 8th-seeded Dolphins and will play the 7th-seeded Broncos in week 15. With an easy remaining schedule that includes teams such as the Patriots, Jaguars, Titans, and Giants with a win over the Broncos in week 15, we could see the Colts do just enough to secure a spot in the wildcard. With the recent play from quarterback Anthony Richardson, the Colts seem destined to make the playoffs.
4. Bo Nix is a Top-10 Quarterback
Bo Nix has been a super-electric quarterback to watch over the past few weeks including his recent game against the Atlanta Falcons where he threw for over 300 yards and 4 touchdowns resulting in a win. Bo Nix has been playing well, he has already thrown for 2,548 yards, 16 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions while completing 65% of his passes and leading the Broncos to a 7-5 record. The thing that helps separate Bo Nix is his ability to run the football. Nix has rushed for 300 yards and 4 touchdowns and is a major part of the Broncos’ recent success.
5. Joe Burrow Leads the Bengals to a Playoff Birth
The Bengals currently sit at 10th in the AFC with a record of 4-7. Although it seems like a longshot, the Bengals, led by Joe Burrow, could still sneak into the playoffs. Burrow has had an MVP-caliber season, having thrown for 3,028 yards and 27 touchdowns with only 4 interceptions. The Bengals have some easy games remaining, including the Titans, Cowboys, and Browns, all winnable games for Cincinnati.