NFL | Our good and our less good moves

As a prelude to the current NFL season, The Press offered you a complete guide in which we ventured to predict the outcome of each match played this year, in addition to establishing a season ranking and a playoff table. Here, in this week marking mid-season, is a summary of our good… and our less good moves.

The certainties

Chiefs de Kansas City

Prediction: 14-3
Record: 8-0

Some teams could not escape their destiny, whether happy or unhappy. It would have taken an unspeakable catastrophe for the two-time defending champions not to reign at the top of their division. Although they still lost the services of their first two receivers and their best ball carrier… But they are still there, thanks to Patrick Mahomes and their defensive brilliance. Again this year, the Chiefs are serious.

Detroit Lions

Prediction: 12-5
Record: 7-1

Only a fierce team can survive in this unforgiving division. By far the best division in the NFL, the North of the National sees the Lions emerge as kings and masters. At mid-season, the team in blue should be considered favorites in the association. We knew at the start of the season, this formation had ammunition in all its units. The loss of Aidan Hutchinson is not even visible. On offense, every match is a festival.

New England Patriots

Prediction: 4-13
Record: 2-7

We had to moderate our expectations of this team in full reconstruction. A team led by Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye, one of the youngest players selected in the last draft, a group of receivers that only the initiated could fully identify, and a defense liquidated and refurbished. The future looks brighter than the present, especially since Maye has shown great skills since he was promoted to starting quarterback.

The good moves

Los Angeles Chargers

Prediction: 10-7
Record: 5-3

It’s like, surprisingly, no one had confidence in Jim Harbaugh heading into the season. We hardly talked about the Chargers. As if other observers had forgotten what a defensive genius Harbaugh was. He took the University of Michigan to a national title and now he’s leading the team that allows the fewest points in the NFL. Everyone was obsessed with the loss of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, but the Chargers survive.

Las Vegas Raiders

Prediction: 3-14
Record: 2-7

Impossible to explain why, but there was a certain excitement at the start of the season on the American networks around the Raiders. Davante Adams? Maxx Crosby? Hard to say. One thing is certain, this team was doomed to finish at the bottom of its division. A tandem of quarterbacks who have never proven anything, a porous defense and above all leaders without real vision. The Raiders have never been in the lead this season and it should stay that way.

Baltimore Ravens

Prediction: 14-3
Record: 7-3

The Press had picked the Ravens to win the Super Bowl. And she maintains her choice. Despite a horrible start to the season, Lamar Jackson and his teammates are back on the winning path. Winning their next seven games seems impossible, but the Ravens will be a late-season detail and they will make it far, regardless of what Jackson’s many detractors think. And what about Derrick Henry? Magic happens in Baltimore.

The surprises

Steelers de Pittsburgh

Prediction: 7-10
Record: 6-2

We could never have guessed that the Steelers would lead the AFC North Division at this point in the season. We knew that the success of this team would come through defense. However, with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, two quarterbacks looking for renewal, there was no certainty. Especially, too, with George Pickens and Najee Harris coming out of a complex season. But head coach Mike Tomlin is still working miracles.

Commanders de Washington

Prediction: 4-13
Record: 7-2

The Commanders represent the greatest revelation of the season. We seriously underestimated Jayden Daniels’ ability to adapt to NFL caliber. He made us all lie. We knew he was talented, but his leadership qualities make the Commanders dangerous every week. It also shows the importance of drafting well. Talk to the Panthers and Colts… Kliff Kingsbury has managed to establish a favorable system for his young leader.

Denver Broncos

Prediction: 4-13
Record: 5-4

In Denver, another rookie quarterback defies the odds. Bo Nix doesn’t do anything exceptional, but he does everything well. Without making history, he does enough to allow his team to win games. A team that wasn’t supposed to be fighting for a playoff spot. But veteran Sean Payton’s method seems to be working. The players buy into it. The Broncos nevertheless benefited from a very favorable schedule in the first half of the season.

The disappointments

Miami Dolphins

Prediction: 14-3
Record: 2-6

What a fiasco in Miami! Obviously, the loss of Tua Tagovailoa broke the momentum of this talented team on paper, but above all explosive. Even though the left-handed quarterback was out due to another concussion, the Dolphins should have been able to compensate for his loss, particularly thanks to the ground game. But De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert kept quiet. Even Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are invisible. No one could have guessed that the Dolphins were going to be the team with the fewest points scored in 2024.

San Francisco 49ers

Prediction: 14-3
Record: 4-4

Any team would suffer without its best player. Without Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers offense is unrecognizable. It’s also a season almost to forget for Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, two almost invisible receivers. Instead, it’s two players out of nowhere that keep the Niners alive: Jauan Jennings and Jordan Mason. Too often this year, Kyle Shanahan has been unable to adjust his game plan. The head coach frequently runs out of solutions in the second half.

Jaguars de Jacksonville

Prediction: 9-8
Record: 2-7

We didn’t project the Jaguars into the playoffs, but we still predicted them to have a winning record. As if it were impossible for Trevor Lawrence, former undisputed first choice, it must be remembered, to regress. But that’s exactly what happens. In fact, he is rather poorly surrounded. Neither department is really functioning and every game is painful to watch, especially when the other team is in possession. Doug Pederson is no longer the man for the job in Jacksonville.