Believe it or not we’re at the halfway mark of the NFL season following the Cowboys (3-5-1) 27-17 Monday night loss to the Arizona Cardinals (3-5) in Dallas.
One word can sum up the 2025-26 campaign thus far. Parity.
Nine games during Week 9 were decided by 7 points or fewer — and five of those by 3 or fewer.
There are no undefeated or winless teams, In fact, no one team is showing they are Super Bowl favorites. The top teams in each conference have at least two losses.
The closest team geographically to Niagara is of course the Buffalo Bills who defeated Kansas City 28-21 Sunday and sit at (6-2) in the AFC East Division.
“I think we learned a little bit about ourselves today,” said Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott from the podium after Sunday’s win – the Bills fifth straight over KC. “We’re not where we need to be, but I saw the team come together when it got tough.”
Buffalo, surprisingly, is a game behind division leader New England who sports a (7-2) record including a win over the Bills already this season.
The Patriots, who have won six in a row for the first time since 2019 when Tom Brady was at the helm, are the biggest surprise in the league after back-to-back last place finishes.
In the NFC, the North Division is the only division where every team sits at .500 or better, led by Green Bay at (5-3-1).
As of now here’s a look at who’s win, and who’s out if the playoffs were to start today.
AFC
1) Indianapolis Colts (7-2)
2) New England Patriots (7-2)
3) Denver Broncos (7-2)
4) Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)
5) Buffalo Bills (6-2)
6) Los Angeles Chargers (6-3)
7) Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)
Yes, you’re reading this right, as of today Kansas City (5-4) is on the outside looking in to make the NFL postseason.
The Bills would meet Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers if the playoffs started today.
NFC
1) Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)
2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)
3) Los Angeles Rams (6-2)
4) Green Bay Packers (5-3-1)
5) Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
6) San Francisco 49ers (6-3)
7) Detroit Lions (5-3)
The Eagles are of course the defending Super Bowl Champions, while the Lions may be the biggest surprise/disappointment at this point in the season.
Detroit would play Tampa Bay in what would be an intriguing matchup if the playoffs began today.
The NFL trade deadline should bring a number of big names to new teams.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
