A month plus into the NFL season, and evaluations on many teams have flipped from what they were in the preseason. There are always risers and fallers between the 32 teams, but 2025 has been especially different, as we’ve seen teams like the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars get off to hot starts, while preseason Super Bowl contenders like the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens have fallen well short of those expectations. It’s one of the greatest things about the NFL; you never truly know what will happen. Without further ado, let’s jump right into some of the least and most shocking storylines just about one month into the NFL season.
Shocking Storylines of the NFL Season So Far
1. Not Shocking: Bengals and Ravens Injuries Wrecking Their Super Bowl Hopes
The Bengals made a franchise-altering decision when selecting Joe Burrow first overall in 2020. Just as altering was the first round pick a year following, when they decided to take Burrow’s college teammate, Ja’Marr Chase, 5th overall over offensive tackle Penei Sewell. While no one can blame them too much for taking one of the most dynamic players in the NFL, Sewell has turned into arguably the best in the NFL and helped keep Lions quarterback Jared Goff upright. Burrow’s health has made Cincinnati throw away multiple seasons, including 2025. It’s clear that when Burrow can’t play, the Bengals are non-factors in the AFC. We’ll see how late in the season he returns.
Much of the same can be said for the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson, who’s set to miss 1-2 more weeks due to a hamstring injury. Cooper Rush is a solid backup, but everything explosive about the Ravens’ offense has suddenly disappeared with Derrick Henry’s uncharacteristic struggles. With other injuries piling up for the Ravens, like Nnamdi Madubuike, Kyle Hamilton, and Roquan Smith, it’ll be on John Harbaugh and the Ravens’ coaching staff to keep it together until Jackson returns. It’s a scenario they’ve dealt with before, but never to this extent.
2. Shocking: Indiana Jones and the Indianapolis Colts Cruising to Ws
Sure, we knew Daniel Jones would likely be better on any team other than the New York Giants, but a near-MVP candidate in 2025? No one saw that one coming. Head coach Shane Steichen is known to be one of the better play callers in the NFL, but he just never had the right quarterback at the helm. Now, Jones, with a variety of weapons around him, solid protection, and quality coaches, is playing the best ball of his career.
He had his first real test against the Los Angeles Rams two weeks ago, and while he didn’t secure a win, he had his team playing extremely competitive ball against a Super Bowl favorite. Assuming he can keep this momentum going, the Colts will have a very good chance to make the playoffs and win the AFC South.
3. Not Shocking: Dolphins Stuck Out of Water
We all saw it coming after Tyreek Hill requested a trade following the Dolphins’ 2024 regular season finale. It was a terrible sign exposing Miami’s culture as soft, weak, and bendable like wet cardboard after a hurricane. While Tua Tagovailoa has managed to stay healthy, the only time Miami’s offense has looked decent was against the 0-4 New York Jets. Boy genius playcaller Mike McDaniel will almost always be able to pull a snake out of his boot playcalling-wise, but it likely won’t be enough to save his job by the end of the season.
Additionally, losing Jalen Ramsey has not only impacted the cornerback room but the locker room culture. While he can be a distraction at times, he brings an edgy mentality that can win teams a game or two they shouldn’t every year. His absence has been greatly felt while the defense gives up 386.6 yards a game – 29th in the league.
4. Shocking: Houston, We Have a Problem
Not just one, but multiple. C.J. Stroud’s loss of confidence is becoming blaring, but it’s not all his fault. Choosing to start rookie Aireontae Ersery at left tackle hasn’t helped, but he’s just one part of an offensive line that’s currently ranked 25th in pass blocking according to PFF. While they did attempt to replenish their receiving corps after losing Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell by adding rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, they’ve combined for just 143 yards through five games. Adding slot veteran Christian Kirk was an underrated get, but he won’t move the needle much and hasn’t so far.
After experimenting with hiring first-time playcaller Bobby Slowik in 2023, which ended up in disaster, the Texans hired Nick Caley, another guy without playcalling experience. Caley’s offense has averaged 12.7 points per game before an uncharacteristic blowout of the Ravens, bad enough for the worst in the NFL through four weeks. The biggest reason for their 2-3 record has been their common inability to establish the run or pass, something that needs to change quickly if Stroud can ever revert to his rookie self.
If you’d told Houston fans about his future struggles back in 2023 after a rookie of the year campaign, they’d accused you of slander.
For more similar NFL offseason content, check out my profile HERE.
Main Image: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
