We’re at the midpoint of the 2023 NFL season, and things are heating up. Some of the teams that were expected to do well are delivering, while others are falling by the wayside. Furthermore, some teams that weren’t expect to be great are surprising everything. Here’s the AlternativeFix.com NFL mid-season report, highlighting teams to watch.
Baltimore Ravels
This team’s best player, of course, is quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson, the NFL’s second-highest-graded quarterback, stands out among the 32 quarterbacks who have attempted at least 125 passes this season. What sets him apart is his impeccable record of not throwing a single interception on passes thrown at least 10 yards downfield. Additionally, the team boasts a true talent in cornerback Brandon Stephens. When opposing quarterbacks target Stephens, their passer rating drops to a mere 68.1. It’s worth noting that Stephens has lined up in press coverage a remarkable 170 times this season, ranking third in the entire NFL. With such exceptional players, I truly believe these guys have what it takes to reach the Super Bowl.
Buffalo Bills
These guys received a lot of hype before the season started. However, I wasn’t convinced, and now their performance is confirming my doubts. Their quarterback, Josh Allen, is truly exceptional. No other quarterback has a higher overall grade than Josh Allen this season. The Bills’ quarterback is completing an impressive 71.3% of his passes and has the fifth-highest number of big-time throws among all quarterbacks. Another standout player is A.J. Epenesa, who plays on the edge. He currently holds the 16th spot among all edge defenders with an overall grade of 82.5, and he’s on track to achieve his highest pressure total yet.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are a formidable team with quarterback Joe Burrow leading the way. Additionally, they possess a significant advantage with Trey Hendrickson, who excels in both sacks (9.0) and pressures (43), ranking among the top-10 in the league. Notably, his pass-rush grade of 91.2 is the fourth-highest in the NFL.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are absolutely loaded this year. When was the last time we could even think that, if ever? One standout player is the incredible Aidan Hutchinson, who dominates on the edge. Hutchinson has more pressures than anyone except Maxx Crosby and Micah Parsons, and his pass-rush grade is among the top 10. Quarterback Jared Goff is also showcasing some of the finest football of his entire career.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Josh Allen is an essential part of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ success. As the standout player on their improved defense in 2023, he’s ranked in the top 10 for total pressures and sacks, with an impressive 85.0 pass-rush grade. Additionally, S Andre Cisco has been a valuable asset to the team, earning career-high grades and already snagging three interceptions this season.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are unstoppable with Patrick Mahomes leading the way. Mahomes is a top-tier quarterback, currently ranked fifth in the league. He’s dominating in passing yards and touchdown passes, while also boasting the lowest pressure-to-sack rate in the NFL. And to top it off, they have the one and only Taylor Swift cheering them on.
Philadelphia Eagles
A.J. Brown truly shines as a wide receiver on this team. There are very few receivers who can surpass Brown’s performance this season. He ranks second in receiving yards, fourth in touchdowns, and third in yards after the catch. And let’s not forget about quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is undoubtedly one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL.