Lyon Life

Anderson Cerney ‘26, Circulation Manager 

Unfortunately, 18 teams have not played since Jan. 4 in the NFL, with some surprised and others being expected. The top seeds of last year’s playoffs both missed the playoffs this year, while other teams did what was expected of them this season. Some teams suffered seasonal collapses at the worst time possible in their schedule and another was due to heartbreak coming down to the end of a game.

The AFC had exactly two teams from three of its four divisions make the playoffs. In the AFC East, the New York Jets went 3-14 this season and were not all that disappointing, except for the part of the team not recording an interception at all. The Jets were set an odds of 6.5 wins, and although going halfway below the under, its the Jets, what would someone expect from this team. It has officially been 15 years since they were in a playoff game. However, the 7-10 Miami Dolphins did exactly what was expected off them, with odds of 7.5 wins. The Dolphins record was completed in a very underwhelming way. A main issue being Miami’s quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, seems to have been a waste of a first round draft pick spent on a quarterback, with him being benched for rookie Quinn Ewers at the end of season. Also, former head coach Mike McDaniels kind of being brutally honest to the media, and making the media shine a spotlight on Miami, and then Miami after the season fired McDaniels. So, both have a dark looking future compared to the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots. 

In the AFC North, two tough situations have been exposed as well as a bright possible future. The 5-12 Cleveland Browns may have found their next possible franchise quarterback since Baker Mayfield in rookie Shedeur Sanders, and their biggest achievement this season was Myles Garret breaking the single season sack record. Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, wrote about what Myles Garrett said about his sack record, “It was everything I expected,” Garrett said, whose parents were in attendance to watch the record-breaking sack. “It was so tough. I knew they were going to make it difficult, but s—, I don’t think I saw more than three singles on a real dropback the whole game. I just knew that if I did, I’d have to make that moment count. The feeling couldn’t be better.” The Browns are the only eliminated team in the AFC North that would not be too upset this offseason. The Browns also fired head coach Kevin Stefanski, which fans were vocal about how he was holding back the team. The 6-11 Cincinnati Bengals, meanwhile, have been exposed for being carried by Joe Borrow. They were terrible without him, winning only one game, and their defense was just embarrassing. The Bengals have hopefully picked up the message that they need to build an actual team. Then, the 8-9 Baltimore Ravens, who did not make the playoffs because rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed a chip shot field goal. The Ravens heavily under performed with odds of 11.5 for wins for the season and  have a lot to think and discuss about this offseason after this heart breaking season, especially with the firing of head coach, John Harbaugh. 

In the AFC South, the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans did not make it to the playoffs. The Colts looked like they were going to make it, but then quarterback Daniel Jones got hurt and placed on the injured reserve (IR). So they collapsed and finished with an 8-9 record and bringing 44-year-old quarterback Phillip Rivers out of retirement was not the answer. This all happened with being the first season without owner Jim Irsay, and his daughters taking over; Stephen Holder of ESPN wrote, “Irsay-Gordon has become a fixture on the sidelines during practices, following the script along with the coaches. She can often be found on the sideline during games wearing a headset and holding a coach’s call sheet.” So, although over performing with the odds of 7.5 wins, it was a very disappointing way of doing so. Then, the 3-14 Titans, who finished tied for the worst record of the season with the Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals. The Titans are definitely still in rebuild mode though, so this is just the standard for the team. 

The AFC West held the biggest disappointment of the AFC, with the Kansas City Chiefs being eliminated from the Playoffs. The 6-11 Chiefs went from the top seed last year to not making it at all this year. It seems like father time has caught up with the Chiefs. Tight end Travis Kelce is a shell of his former self, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL late in the season. The Chiefs have a very dark path ahead of them this offseason. There were many reasons why the 3-14 Las Vegas Raiders were disappointing this season. Quarterback Geno Smith was not very good, and Kenny Pickett was not very good either. The Raiders are in a dark place with a terrible and expensive QB room. Also, a seemingly rotting relationship with star Defensive End Maxx Crosby because of shutting him down for the year for surgery. Finally, it seems Crosby has had enough with the constantly changing organization, especially since they just fired their head coach Pete Carroll after one year. 

The NFC East had three teams eliminated from being in the playoffs. The 7-9-1 Dallas Cowboys had an expected season. Although in a very controversial way. Like trading Micah Parsons away and then right before the trade deadline trading for a replacement on the defensive line. This season just exposed how Jerry Jones really needs to let someone else just take over the franchise. The 5-12 Washington Commanders had a very disappointing season this year. This boiled down to injuries and just poor play throughout the season. Especially with Jaydan Daniels really did them in with his nasty elbow injury, and by the time he got healthy it was too late. The Giants went 4-13 and have the same outlook as the Browns. Young stars, quarterback Jaxson Dart, position Malik Nabers, and running back Cam Skattebo have given the Giants a possibly bright future, if the team does not ruin their chances. 

The NFC North has the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings not making the playoffs. The 9-8 Lions were, like the Chiefs, severely underperforming. Although, most of Detroit’s issues were due to injuries. Also, the offense being in a tailspin with who had the play call sheet and neither person was the answer. Hopefully, the offense will be improved upon, with the Lions firing offensive coordinator John Morton. The 9-8 Vikings on the other hand did what was expected of them this year. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy seems to be somewhat on the right path considering this is his first NFL regular season. However, key player Harrison Smith is possibly going to retire and McCarthy is somewhat seeming to be injury prone after missing seven games and also missing his whole rookie season. 

The NFC South was one giant disappointment. The 8-9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a major season collapse this season. The Bucs started 6-1, and then they just fell apart. The worst part was they got healthier during the collapse and morale seems to be at an all time low in Tampa right now. The 8-9 Atlanta Falcons are doing what was expected of them; however, hours after their last game of the season, they fired their head coach Raheem Morris, and it seems apparent that the Falcons are going to make some changes this offseason, and, for the better, hopefully. The 6-11 New Orleans Saints got good too late. The Saints named rookie quarterback Tyler Shough their starter for their last eleven games of the season. The team went 5-6 under him but it could have been possible to have made the playoffs under him. This being because they only won one game without him as the starter. 

The NFC South has one lone team that did not make the playoffs. The 3-14 Cardinals were a major disappointment considering their winning odds were 8.5 and they did not even get close. It seems that the Cardinals have given up on Kyler Murray as a starting QB for them. Marvin Harrison Jr. was injury-ridden and when healthy didn’t contribute too much to the team, but tight end Trey McBride had an outstanding season, breaking the single season record for receptions by a tight end, and being the only bright spot the team had. Then, after the season ended, head coach Jonthan Gannon was officially fired from his head coaching duties after three straight losing seasons.

Overall, some teams were disappointing, some met expectations, and some have bright futures. We will just have to wait to see what these teams will change this offseason to improve their teams/records or continue down a path of terrible records and upset fans.