2023 NFL quarterly report: Assessing all 32 teams entering Week 6, from true contenders to total nightmares

Week 6 of the 2023 NFL marketing campaign is upon us, which means that we are simply over 1 / 4 of the best way during the regular-season time table. Two teams stay unbeaten, 15 are underneath .500 having a look to get again on course and all 32 have given us a minimum of a fundamental image of what they are in a position to — or no longer — seeking the following Lombardi Trophy.

Obviously so much can alternate between now and the tip of the season. But if we have been taking inventory of each and every unmarried group 5 video games into the 12 months, here is how we would kind them:

The early heavyweights (6)

From our vantage level, there are 3 professional contenders in every convention at this time: the Bills (3-2), Chiefs (4-1) and Dolphins (4-1) within the AFC, and the Eagles (5-0), 49ers (5-0) and Lions (4-1) within the NFC.

Buffalo has confirmed susceptible each to the run and its personal big-play mindset, however Josh Allen is as dynamic as somebody at an important place within the game. The Chiefs have not begun to hit their Super Bowl-standard stride on offense, however Patrick Mahomes is doing sufficient with rotating weaponry and an underrated protection. And Miami has confirmed to be no fluke when it comes to sheer electrical energy, with Tua Tagovailoa with ease distributing to the uncoverable Tyreek Hill in Mike McDaniel’s explosive assault.

Much like their Super Bowl LVII opponent in Kansas City, the Eagles have persevered some offensive hiccups, but stay ultra-trustworthy thank you to their core basis that includes Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown and a strong line. The 49ers are probably the most well-oiled gadget in soccer, with Brock Purdy nonetheless oozing poise as Kyle Shanahan’s level guard along a fearsome, proactive “D.” And Detroit is regularly losing its long-held label of sadness with a difficult and balanced assault.

Tooth-and-nail combatants (5)

When it comes to those teams, the whole thing is just a bit bit tougher than it will have to be, regardless that they have regarded succesful. Preseason MVP hype oversold Trevor Lawrence’s first outings with Calvin Ridley for the Jaguars (3-2), however Doug Pederson’s unit has performed shut and difficult with each the Bills and Chiefs. The Chargers (2-2) are eternally in their very own means thank you to curious situational training, however Justin Herbert stays automatically environment friendly. The Buccaneers (3-1) offset a missing run sport with Baker Mayfield’s surprising ball safety. The Saints (3-2) are doing the naked minimal with the ball however boast a top-five protection and guns in Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave who will have to emerge additional because the 12 months is going on. And the Seahawks (3-1) are getting every other forged 12 months from Geno Smith, even supposing their very own “D” has been suspect when no longer matched up with the Giants.

Literally the AFC North (4)

They’re rugged, they are unpleasant, they are all tough and tumble, and no person can relatively work out who they’re simply but. OK, so possibly that is underselling the Bengals (2-3), who glance primed for a go back to the highest so long as Joe Burrow in point of fact is again on a running calf and slinging it to Ja’Marr Chase. The Ravens (3-2) have additionally displayed every other stingy “D” and extra environment friendly Lamar Jackson during the air, regardless that his supporting solid is as soon as once more banged up and erratic. It’s exhausting to consider the Steelers (3-2) are above .500 taking into consideration how unpleasant their Kenny Pickett-led assault has been, however [insert cliche about Mike Tomlin’s guys never quitting]. And the Browns (2-2) have teased their very own nasty defensive entrance, however Deshaun Watson’s well being and composure are nonetheless cloudy.

All for display (1)

The Cowboys (3-2) deserve their very own tier. Why? Because the skill is there. It in point of fact is. Even after Trevon Diggs’ harm, they have got one of the crucial sport’s absolute best gamers on either side of the ball, together with CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. But as now we have noticed over and over in Dallas, on-paper hype does not all the time equivalent crunch-time effects. Dak Prescott stays an underrated turnover gadget (29 alternatives in his ultimate 33 begins) when his iffy line breaks down or non-Lamb wideouts fail to separate. And for as dominant as their “D” will also be, it is simply tricky to pit them towards the opposite powers of the NFC and be expecting luck when it issues maximum.

Mystery taste, for higher and worse (5)

These golf equipment have flashed greatness, or a minimum of scrappiness, with out essentially having a look like actual contenders: The Falcons (3-2) have an elite backfield however no reason why to consider younger QB Desmond Ridder over lengthy stretches, the Commanders (2-3) are a feisty bunch with Sam Howell slinging it however have by no means been winners underneath Ron Rivera, the Raiders (2-3) have a beast in Maxx Crosby however stay interestingly slow-moving on offense, the Packers (2-3) have critical upside but in addition primary unpredictability in QB Jordan Love and the Bears (1-4) are praying Justin Fields’ breakout vs. Washington was once no longer a fluke for his aerial building.

Surprise spoilers (5)

The Cardinals (1-4) would possibly by no means come shut to swiping a wild-card spot, however they have a minimum of hung in ballgames with Joshua Dobbs underneath heart and Jonathan Gannon’s protection on occasion opportunistic. The Texans (2-3) seem to have discovered a gem in first-round QB C.J. Stroud, who is regarded as polished as a veteran within the pocket. The Rams (2-3) would not have the road to stay Matthew Stafford absolutely relaxed, however his receivers in Sean McVay’s offense are fireworks-worthy. The Colts (3-2) have persevered 3 other accidents to rookie QB Anthony Richardson to keep aggressive, with Zack Moss the wonder standout at the floor. And the Jets (2-3), whilst nonetheless suffering to transparent a low bar with out the injured Aaron Rodgers, stay a spirited bunch.

See you in 2024 (2)

The Panthers (0-5) want all the lend a hand they are able to get for hapless No. 1 pick out Bryce Young, who is suffering to moderate even 5 yards according to go strive in his once-hyped debut. The Vikings (1-4), in the meantime, are getting extra top-10 manufacturing from Kirk Cousins, in addition to producing ingenious power underneath new defensive coordinator Brian Flores, however they are dropping on the margins and simply misplaced their absolute best participant, Justin Jefferson, to harm. It may well be time for his or her forward-thinking entrance administrative center to in point of fact glance forward.

Sad, sorry nostalgia (2)

We all take into account the times of Bill Belichick proudly owning the NFL, however with every week his Patriots (1-4) glance increasingly like a relic, trotting out the similar sluggish supporting solid and anticipating new effects. QB Mac Jones is flailing in the market, and no longer even Belichick’s protection has stored the day. The Titans (2-3) don’t seem to be just about as pitiful, however it is becoming Mike Vrabel has a Patriots background; their very own dependence on an getting old, old-school method has left them with fewer than 16 issues 3 other instances already..

Every day is a brand new nightmare (2)

Hey, it’s October! We wanted someone to be horrific for Halloween. Both the Broncos (1-4) and Giants (1-4) have compatibility the invoice. Denver has come what may been worse underneath Sean Payton than Nathaniel Hackett, and it would nearly be higher if Russell Wilson have been nonetheless as dysfunctional as he was once in 2022 — then a minimum of they may have a very easy scapegoat. The Broncos’ “D” is a sieve, and far of Wilson’s manufacturing has come when video games are already determined — or about to be squandered. In New York, the G-Men can merely do not anything proper if banged-up QB Daniel Jones is not operating for his existence.