Six games into the 2022 NFL season, almost half the league is squarely — and, in some cases, literally — in the middle of the pack. Twelve different teams approach Week 7 with three wins under their belt, sporting a record of 3-3 or 3-2-1. Some might say that suggests a lot of ugly football has been played. Others might see it as a glass half full, noting the potential for so many teams to find another gear and either run away with a competitive division or escalate competition within one.
With that in mind, here’s how we’d rank all 12 three-win teams after Week 6, specifically by chances of reaching and/or advancing in the playoffs:
Probability-wise, they surely belong higher, considering they may just need to keep pace with the Titans to crack the playoff picture. But what about their setup can we trust? Matt Ryan is gutting it out, and his top two targets are promising. But that line needs to prove it can hold up for games at a time, and the injury bug has bitten some of their best players on both sides.
Somehow, Geno Smith is one of the biggest reasons Pete Carroll’s squad is challenging for the NFC West lead. Whether he remains one of the NFL‘s most efficient gunslingers down the stretch is another question. The bigger concern is the defense, though, which got after Arizona in Week 6 but is giving up more yards and points than almost everyone else in the league.
How quickly the tables can turn. Mike McDaniel is a smart guy who’s still got a feisty defense and speedy playmakers, but there’s no remaining stability at QB, where Teddy Bridgewater is better served coming off the bench and Tua Tagovailoa is maybe one big shot away from sitting out the rest of the year. The biggest issue, however, is their division: the Bills are title contenders, the Jets are suddenly ascending, and the Patriots are at least capable of playing spoiler.
9. Patriots
Bailey Zappe’s emergency debut has given life to New England, so now the question is: how long does he get to keep the job? Bill Belichick’s defense is still solid at keeping teams out of the end zone, and their power ground game has serious December potential. But can they really rise in the tough AFC East, especially if a QB flip-flop occurs upon Mac Jones‘ return to health?
8. Titans
Like the Colts, they’re a tough projection considering the AFC South may well produce just a single playoff team, which is both good and bad for…
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