The NFL could see another worst to first turnaround this season
The NFL can see another worst to first turnaround this season Through seven weeks two teams that finished last in are leading their division Overall seven teams that missed the playoffs last season have at least four wins The New England Patriots are leading the AFC East at - including a big win at Buffalo a year after going - under Jerod Mayo Mike Vrabel has brought a winning way of life to New England and Drake Maye has developed into an elite quarterback in just his second season The San Francisco ers are leading the NFC West at - including a road win over the Los Angeles Rams They were - last season And the ers are doing it despite a slew of injuries to key starters Mac Jones is - filling in for Brock Purdy even though largest part of the starting wide receivers are injured and All-Pro tight end George Kittle sat out five games The defense lost four-time All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner and star edge rusher Nick Bosa to season-ending injuries Yet Kyle Shanahan s company finds approaches to win Since when the NFL switched to eight four-team divisions teams have gone from worst in their division one season to first the next The Texans were the last company to do it in The Patriots and ers could increase that total The Indianapolis Colts - finished - last season and lead the AFC behind Daniel Jones s passing and Jonathan Taylor s running The Chicago Bears - have won four in a row under new coach Ben Johnson and are one win away from matching last season s total The Carolina Panthers - have won three straight and also are one triumph from matching their total in The Jacksonville Jaguars - already have equaled last season s win total Detroit s disruptive defense Despite missing their entire starting secondary the Lions shut down Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a - triumph on Monday night It s one of the best defensive performances by any organization this season All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph knee and reserve safety Avonte Maddox hamstring and cornerbacks Terrion Arnold shoulder and D J Reed hamstring were out Pro Bowl safety Brian Branch sat out with a suspension Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin left the challenge with an injury Yet Lions defensive backs Arthur Maulet Amik Robertson Thomas Harper Erick Hallett and Ya-Sin contained Tampa Bay s receivers and frustrated Mayfield who was an MVP favorite coming into the battle Mayfield finished of for yards with one TD and one interception for a season-worst passer rating Dak attack Dak Prescott is off to an impressive start and the Dallas Cowboys have the the majority exciting offense in the NFL They lead the league with an average of yards per contest and are third in scoring at per battle The Cowboys need that scoring because their defense without Micah Parsons is last in the league though the unit played better in a - win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday A healthy Prescott is playing like the guy who was MVP runner-up in instead of the one who struggled through eight games last year before a hamstring injury ended his season He has yards passing touchdowns and three interceptions for a passer rating The addition of wide receiver George Pickens and running back Javonte Williams has boosted Dallas offense Pickens was outstanding during CeeDee Lamb s three-game absence If the defense can build off its success against Washington and continue to improve the Cowboys can stay in the mix because Prescott and the offense are going to amount a lot of points On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week For more On Football analysis head here AP NFL https apnews com hub nfl Source
