​The Indianapolis Colts have stunned the NFL, emerging as the AFC’s top seed with an unexpected record just eight weeks into the season. Their surprise run sets the stage for a thrilling and unpredictable year where several teams have surpassed early expectations.
While some teams have already exceeded expectations, others have fallen short.
Here are the top five most surprising teams so far in the NFL season.
Midseason Reality Check: Biggest Takeaways After 8 Weeks of NFL Action
​#1. Colts at the Top of the AFC
If you had asked most NFL analysts and fans, they would have told you that you were wrong if you had said that Indianapolis would be the number one seed in the AFC after eight weeks. However, the Colts have looked like the class of the NFL so far, led by Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor playing at an MVP level. Jones boasts a QBR of 101.4, placing him among the top quarterbacks in the league, while Taylor averages an impressive 5.5 yards per carry. Adding to this, the Colts have an overall DVOA ranking of third in the NFL, underscoring their well-rounded and dominant performance.
Head Coach Shane Steichen is pushing all the right buttons on offense, and this team is not just thinking about making the postseason, but potentially having home-field advantage and playing in Super Bowl LX.
#2. New England Patriots Ahead of Schedule
The Patriots currently lead the AFC East after most assumed that the Buffalo Bills would win the division. Quarterback Drake Maye is also playing at an MVP level and looks comfortable, with head coach Mike Vrabel showing full confidence in Maye. The question now is whether they can sustain this success, especially since some argue New England has had a relatively easy schedule.
Now the question is, can they keep this momentum going and win the AFC East division after beating the Bills in their first matchup early on in the season? Currently, New England are winners of five in a row.
#3. Sam Darnold and Seattle Seahawks Look Explosive
​Some argued in the off-season that Seattle made a mistake by letting Geno Smith leave and bringing in Darnold, as arguments were made that he was just a one-hit wonder with the Minnesota Vikings the previous season.
​However, Darnold so far has silenced all the doubters and looks comfortable with his new team. Darnold has already established a great connection with receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who leads the league in receiving yards with 819.
The Seahawks have made a surprising gamble that has paid off, as Darnold is playing like one of the league’s best quarterbacks and has been a key factor in Seattle’s explosive offense, to go along with a hungry defense.
#4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl Contenders?
​Some would argue this should be higher on the list, but I’m not surprised at how well Tampa Bay has played so far. I wrote before the season why they should be considered Super Bowl contenders. Baker Mayfield has exceeded all expectations and is another quarterback playing at an MVP level despite not having his first-string offensive line all season.
​Mayfield so far has found a way to get it done in the biggest moments, no matter the circumstances. Mayfield’s play, along with an aggressive and stout defense, has them sitting at 6-2 and in control of the NFC South. Look for Tampa Bay to possibly add more depth on the offensive line or defense to make a push for the #1 seed in the NFC and potentially have home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
#5. Chiefs Shake Off Slow Start, Emerge as Super Bowl Contenders Once Again
​The Kansas City Chiefs started the season losing their first two games, but since then, they haven’t looked back, and the offense is clicking on all cylinders. Winners of three in a row, the Chiefs have looked dominant in their past two games, winning by an average margin of 26 points. With the return of Rashee Rice from his six-game suspension, the offense has gone to another level.
​Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has the defense playing at a high level once again, forcing turnovers and shutting down high-powered offenses such as the Detroit Lions in week 6 (30-17).
The Chiefs will be tested in the coming weeks and will be in a fight for the AFC West, winning the division for nine consecutive seasons. However, this team on both sides of the ball looks to be hitting all the right buttons and performing at a high level.
Chiefs’ next three games:
@ Buffalo Bills
Vs Indianapolis Colts
Main Image: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
