'Way too early’ NFL predictions four weeks in

BY BARRETT JORDAN / Multimedia Journalist

After four thrilling weeks of NFL football, there has been a few surprises and a few let-downs. I’m here to recap all the action and determine what I believe each team’s season’s outlook will look like based on these early results. 

I’m going to highlight one team that best fits each sub-category I create, and I’ll group any additional teams that reflect a similar situation.

1. Obvious Contenders

By contenders, I essentially mean “extremely likely to reach the playoffs and potentially make a run in the postseason.” The clear team that meets this criterion are the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Patrick Mahomes and company prove time and again why they’re one of the more consistent teams in the league. A stellar offense and play caller in coach Andy Reid paired with a decent defense puts the Chiefs at a 4-0 start and in excellent position for the remainder of the season. 

Taylor Swift fans certainly are celebrating. 

I would also group the Texans, Lions and Vikings into this elite category of teams.

2. Above Average

Many teams in the league have performed well but I’m not entirely convinced they’re guaranteed to reach the playoffs or are in their best form. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have shown they have what it takes to play at a high level proving it’s rather a matter of consistency.

Through the first two weeks of football, quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for just under 500 yards and five touchdown passes versus the Lions and Commanders. A swift 2-0 start to the season followed by a difficult 26-7 home loss against a Broncos team with a rookie quarterback raises some question marks. 

Then they were able to bounce back with a 33-16 home win against the Eagles. The team has the necessary tools to win; they simply need to do it more frequently and when it matters. 

The Saints, Eagles, Chargers, Bills, Jets, Ravens, Falcons and Steelers are in similar positions. 

3. Surprise Teams

There have been a couple of outlier teams that have brought their best early on this season that I wasn’t necessarily expecting to do so or have overperformed. Whether or not they can keep up the strong momentum is another matter of its own.

The Seattle Seahawks have definitely caught my attention. 

Led by veteran quarterback Geno Smith, the team doesn’t have many “big-name” players that stand out to me besides receiver DK Metcalf and maybe Jonathan Hankins on the defensive line.

Although arguably facing lesser opponents in the Broncos, Patriots and injury-ridden Dolphins, the Seahawks have impressed me. 

Other somewhat surprising teams include the now 3-1 Commanders led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The 2-2 Packers also fit here as they stole a couple of wins without star quarterback Jordan Love and put up a decent performance against an undefeated Vikings team.

4. Underperforming

This is the other side of the coin when it comes to the surprising teams. Often, some teams that fall here are missing key players due to injury. There are several rosters that have clearly not met early season expectations--the best example being the Cincinnati Bengals. 

The team has superstars on offense including quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Their first three games finished within six points and the Bengals came out of it with a 0-3 record. 

After a road win versus the Panthers in week 4, the Bengals still have a lot of work ahead of them. They will seek to transform the trajectory of their season in the coming weeks against the lower tier Giants and the struggling Browns. 

Other underperforming teams include the Colts, Jaguars, 49ers, Rams, Cowboys, Dolphins and Browns.

5. Rebuilding or Low Expectations

The remaining teams are in either of two positions: 

• A lot of young talent and prospects but aren’t expected to make a playoff run.
• Or they need new arrivals to fill positions and are in the process of rebuilding. 

The Chicago Bears fit the story here. 

Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is finding his footing in the NFL in his inaugural year. Despite a deep wide receiver room, it’s quite apparent the Bears aren’t able to defeat a majority of the higher tier teams in the league currently. It would genuinely surprise me if they managed to make the playoffs, but I wouldn’t rule it out completely.

Other teams seeking a rebuild or that have low expectations include the Giants, Panthers, Cardinals, Raiders, Broncos, Titans and Patriots.

I would argue most of the predictions I made are likely to stick, however keep a lookout for the teams that have yet to reach their ceiling or are seeking to break out of their early season slump.

There are still many NFL games yet to be played and a lot of football to look forward to.