6. Indianapolis Colts
Colts were on a bye in Week 11
The Colts got a little bit of a scare going into their bye from the Atlanta Falcons, but they were ultimately able to endure and pull it out in overtime. With that said, the team that once looked like easily the most well-rounded in the NFL has shown some flaws over the past month.
Specifically, there could be a decent amount of concern over the bad ball security issues for Daniel Jones coming back into the mix. Jones took exceptional care of the ball when the Colts were dominating, but had four interceptions and an absolutely inexplicable six fumbles over the last two games. Those are the very problems that got Jones cut in the middle of the year by the Giants last year.
I’m not saying that’s going to happen with the Colts, obviously, but it could be their undoing as the year goes along. Right now, the Colts look like they’re going to be able to coast to an AFC South championship. What happens in January if Jones is reckless with the ball is another story.
5. Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles don’t always look like the reigning Super Bowl champions, but at times, you catch glimpses of that team. It’s hard to go back-to-back in today’s NFL, nearly impossible, and the Eagles are dealing with the effects of a lot of offseason change coupled with just the general wear and tear of a new NFL season on their roster.
The addition of Jaelan Phillips at the trade deadline is already looking like one of the best in-season moves we’ve seen in a while, and the Eagles’ defense came through with a dominant defensive performance as the offense kind of tries to figure stuff out.
Jalen Hurts completed just 50 percent of his throws against the Lions. Philly’s offense was 1-of-3 in the red zone. It was not a good game for them offensively, where they’ve struggled most of the year, but this team finds ways to get it done.