The NFL season is in full swing and has already produced some memorable games. The Week 1 heavyweight battle between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens didn’t disappoint and a single point separated the two by the blow of the final whistle. In Philadelphia, the Eagles crushed the Rams 33-26, but not without the Rams mounting a comeback to keep the scoreline respectable in Week 3, and over in Seattle, the Buccaneers and the Seahawks entertained the crowd with a back-and-forth battle in Week 5 that ended 38-35 in the Tampa Bay team’s favor.
Even though it’s early in the season, some NFL teams are already performing better than expected. Below’s a look at some of the teams that have surprised people so far.
New England Patriots
The Patriots are returning to growth. For five years, the team has been lost since the departure of Tom Brady, but now they seem to have finally found what they were looking for in the form of Drake Maye. The North Carolina-born quarterback is developing smashingly and outplayed MVP Josh Allen in the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ recent road win against the Bills.
Meanwhile, the defense has tightened up and become one of the top 10 strongest in the league, keeping opposing team offenses to minimal points and pressure off May so he can mount offenses. They’re gelling beautifully together. If you’re into sports betting, you might think about placing a wager on the Patriots to reach the playoffs. They’ve made a strong start, and, at a record of 4-2 this season, a playoff place feels achievable.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have gotten off to a blistering start in the AFC South division, having recorded 5-1 wins so far, and could become the top seed in the entire AFC at this rate. They’ve posted a surprising number of points: only the 2007 Colts, which featured the legendary Peyton Manning, have scored more in the first five games of a season (164); this season’s Colts have chalked up 163 points, between Daniel Johns, Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr, Tyler Warren and others, and are starting to look like the Colts of the 2007 season.
The first down, where the team has been averaging 6.7 yards per play, has been crucial in the Colts’ point-scoring success. Quarterback Jones, who commands the offense greatly, has been connecting well with wide receiver Pittman Jr, who has proven himself reliable in the first down, thanks to his physicality during the game, his consistency and well-contested catches.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have surprised more than a few people with a fine start to the season. In the first three weeks, they won three games, all in their own division, the AFC West, and two of them were on the road. This is even more impressive considering the team has taken three heavy hits: Rashawn Slater, Najee Harris and Khalil Mack are all key players missing games because of injuries.
Quarterback Justin Herbert and his ability to handle the pressure on him, due to the numerous injuries to offensive line players, have been instrumental. Of note is his performance against the Denver Broncos in Week 3, including a final touchdown pass to Keenan Allen. Herbert has become more consistent this season and is throwing more like that. Wide receiver Quentin Johnston, who is in his third year with the Chargers, has also made a terrific start, scoring 4 touchdowns so far.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have led the NFC South for the last four seasons, but seeing them do so under their current circumstances this season has come as a surprise. Like the Chargers, the Bucs have been wrestling with a barrage of injuries, but it hasn’t hampered them at all. The team has put together 5-1 wins and become the best team in the NFL this season. The question is whether this gritty team will be able to keep this up, as they have some tough games remaining, including clashes with the Detroit Lions and NFC contenders, the LA Rams.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has entered the season coming from back-to-back career-best seasons, has raised his game and performed exceptionally well despite not having access to the array of wide receivers. This has transformed him into a potential MVP contender.
The NFL has seen surprises already this season and is sure to produce more. Teams are digging deep and delivering gutsy performances to battle their way towards Super Bowl playoffs. Players have also been on top of their game when it matters most, harnessing their competitive spirit to do their teams justice and put them in contention for the playoffs. Digging deep is the story of 2025 so far in the NFL.
Danielo Fleischeronic is the visionary founder of Awesome Football Network, a premier destination for in-depth football coverage and analysis. His commitment to the sport is reflected in the platform's rich content, which includes breaking news, match analyses, and expert commentary. Danielo’s extensive knowledge and passion for football drive the network’s mission to provide fans with the latest insights and updates from around the world.
In addition to his role as founder, Danielo is also an accomplished article writer. His writing covers a broad spectrum of football-related topics, from tactical breakdowns to player profiles, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the game. Through his work, Danielo aims to enrich the football experience for enthusiasts and professionals, making Awesome Football Network a trusted resource in the football community.
