NFL quarter-season superlatives and early lessons as teams find their identities

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As the NFL enters its fifth week, the first quarter of the regular season draws to a close. There’s plenty of season left, but the quarter mark bears significance because during this window, teams gain a better understanding of their true identity, particularly after limited preseason action.

The first month of the season has delivered some surprises — some in the form of the struggles of projected contenders, some by way of modified approaches by some of the league’s top teams, and some in the form of trends that appear to be sweeping the league.

Here’s a look at some of the early lessons of the season, followed by some early superlatives.

What we’ve learned

It’s hard to win in this league

Success one year doesn’t at all guarantee continued success the following season. Just ask teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and others that have stumbled out of the gates. Of the 14 playoff teams from last season, six of them (Kansas City, Baltimore, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders) have records of .500 or worse after the first month of the season. Two (Baltimore and Houston) own losing records. The reasons for the struggles vary. Injuries to key players have slowed some teams. For others, uncharacteristic struggles and offseason moves that have yet to pay off are at least partially to blame. It’ll be interesting to see if these early struggles are a foretelling or merely bumps in the road.

Business as usual in Philly and Buffalo 

Some elite teams haven’t skipped a beat from 2024 to 2025, however. Just two undefeated teams remain, and those two — the Buffalo Bills and defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles — both have the look of legitimate champions. Which has the best chance of remaining unbeaten the longest? Buffalo has the New England Patriots, Falcons, a Week 7 bye and the Carolina Panthers coming up, so a perfect record at the midway point isn’t out of the question. Meanwhile, the Eagles play the Broncos before back-to-back road games at the New York Giants and Vikings before a home game against the Giants and a Week 9 bye. Philadelphia also conceivably could reach the halfway point with a perfect record.

Change of approach for Buffalo?

Speaking of the Bills, coach Sean McDermott seems intent on better supporting Josh Allen this year. His team has placed a stronger emphasis on ensuring balance and thus far leads the NFL in rushing attempts and yards, and not because Allen is doing it all. Sure, he’s still one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks out there. But the Bills have leaned heavily on running back James Cook and he has delivered, ranking second in the NFL in rushing attempts (75) and rushing yards (401). Cook also leads the NFL with five rushing touchdowns. The approach has translated into Buffalo ranking among the most potent and balanced offenses in the league while also leading the NFL in time of possession.

Seahawks may have gotten it right again

Exceptional front offices have the ability to pinpoint when it’s time to move on from a player before it’s too late. Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider got it right when he moved on from quarterback Russell Wilson a year before the quarterback experienced a dramatic dropoff. Geno Smith helped steady the Seahawks and help them remain competitive despite retooling efforts elsewhere on the roster. This offseason, the Seahawks decided it was time to move on from the steady Smith and traded him to the Las Vegas Raiders rather than award him a long-term contract. Schneider, in turn, signed Sam Darnold after his revival season in Minnesota and the move appears to be paying off. Darnold has already delivered two game-winning drives in the 3-1 Seahawks’ first four games.

Trouble in Charlotte, again?

The Panthers delivered a stunning 30-0 win over the Falcons in Week 3, but as a whole, the struggles have continued for this rebuilding team, and third-year quarterback Bryce Young remains erratic and largely ineffective. To make matters worse, the team’s 2024 first-round pick, wide receiver Xavier Legette, also appears to have regressed. It’s a long season, but the signs of encouragement are scarce. It’s extremely hard to rebuild when you repeatedly whiff on your building blocks.

Special teams still matter

Special teams units across the league have made their presence felt in all aspects of this phase of the game. Kickoff returns are up — one even going for a touchdown. Six punts have been returned for a touchdown — a dramatic spike considering that the league saw only six touchdowns scored off punt returns all of last season. Three punts have been blocked (one returned for a touchdown), and three blocked field goals have decided the outcomes of games. The first quarter of the season saw the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams thanks to a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown, the Cleveland Browns upset the Green Bay Packers thanks to a blocked kick, and the Chicago Bears beat the Raiders on a last-second blocked field goal.

Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson reacts after his potential game-winning field goal was blocked. (Chris Unger / Getty Images)

First-quarter superlatives

Biggest surprise — Indiana (Daniel) Jones

The Giants castoff signed with the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason and wound up beating out Anthony Richardson for the starting quarterback job. Jones has since gotten off to a strong start while helping his team open the year 3-1. Jones looks comfortable in Indianapolis’ system and has executed with confidence both as a passer and ball-carrier. Jones did throw his first two interceptions in the Colts’ first loss of the season on Sunday. But overall, he looks good and is playing the exact role that the Colts need.

Biggest disappointment — Baltimore Ravens

One of the teams with the best odds to contend for the Super Bowl, Baltimore has instead gotten off to a dismal start after blowing fourth-quarter leads and losing to both Buffalo and the Detroit Lions and after getting drubbed by Kansas City. To make matters worse, the Ravens’ once-fierce defense can’t stop anyone, and the team is dealing with a rash of injuries to key starters on both sides of the ball. At 1-3, Baltimore now faces long odds to make the postseason.

Biggest enigma — Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts is 27th in passing yardage. Saquon Barkley is 20th in rushing yards. Neither A.J. Brown nor DeVonta Smith rank in the top 60 in receiving yards. The Eagles rank 30th in total offense, but seventh in scoring (27 points per game), and 22nd in total defense and 16th in points allowed (22 points per game). Yet the defending Super Bowl champs are a perfect 4-0 and have won in just about every way imaginable.

Biggest overreaction — Green Bay Packers’ undefeated talk

After authoritative wins over the Lions and Commanders, the Packers certainly had the look of a Super Bowl contender. Their offense lit up the scoreboard and their defense flat-out dominated. The Packers started feeling themselves, however, and members of the team publicly wondered if they could go undefeated. But … then came an embarrassing loss to the Browns, a game in which the Packers scored only 10 points, and then a 40-40 tie with the Dallas Cowboys after the once fierce defense got torched repeatedly and quarterback Jordan Love appeared complacent with the game on the line, prompting his team to settle for a tie.

Brightest offensive rookie — WR Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers have needed reinforcements at wide receiver with Chris Godwin missing the first three games of the season and Mike Evans missing the fourth game. Fortunately, for the Bucs, the rookie has shined during the regular season, validating the high level of excitement coaches shared about him during training camp. Versatile, explosive and poised, Egbuka has a touchdown catch in each game this season and is averaging 15.7 yards per catch. His 282 receiving yards lead the team, as do his 11 first-down grabs. Egbuka is tied for third in the NFL with four touchdown catches. Egbuka will likely face competition throughout the season from Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Buccaneers rookie WR Emeke Egbuka is tied for third in the NFL in touchdown receptions with four. (Megan Briggs / Getty Images)

Top defensive newcomer — LB Jihaad Campbell, Philadelphia Eagles

The Alabama product is already flashing playmaking ability, both against the run and the pass. Starting every game, Campbell has recorded 22 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble along with a quarterback hit. By season’s end, Campbell could find himself in a tight race with Giants pass rusher Abdul Carter and San Francisco 49ers defensive end Mykel Williams.

Best free-agent pickup — WR Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams

You could say Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh, or even Jones in Indianapolis. But Adams is making a big impact in L.A. for a variety of reasons. Not only has the 32-year-old Adams given Matthew Stafford another chain-moving pass-catching threat who is boasting a career-best 15.8-yard-per-catch average and leads the team with three touchdown catches, but his presence has also helped create more opportunities for fellow wide receiver Puka Nacua by commanding the attention of opposing defensive backs. Nacua leads the NFL with 42 catches for 503 yards. Nacua had 79 catches for 990 yards in 11 games last season, and as a rookie had 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns. But with Adams on board, the third-year pro is on pace to shatter those numbers with projections of 178 catches for 2,137 yards.

Worst free-agent pickup — QB Russell Wilson, New York Giants

The Giants should have just gone with Jameis Winston as their bridge quarterback/mentor for Jaxson Dart, because Russell Wilson’s three-game showcase was pretty dreadful, outside of that 450-yard, three-touchdown performance against Dallas’ awful defense. Wilson’s accuracy has plummeted (59.5 percent). He had no touchdown passes against the Commanders or the Chiefs and had three interceptions and three fumbles in three games before getting the hook.

Best work-in-progress — QB Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

Things got off to a shaky start, and Caleb Williams sparked questions over whether he’d ever get it. But the second-year QB has indeed shown signs of growth under the tutelage of rookie coach Ben Johnson. He’s getting rid of the ball more quickly after taking way too many sacks because he was trying too hard to make something out of nothing. He’s starting to do a better job of playing within the framework of the offense, and that’s causing the Bears to trend in the right direction, having won two straight after an 0-2 start. The Bears are also showing improvement elsewhere. The defense has forced four takeaways in each of the last two games under the direction of Dennis Allen, and Richard Hightower’s special teams units are making meaningful contributions, including recording the game-winning blocked extra point against the Raiders last Sunday.

Most devastating injury — QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

The league has already experienced a slew of serious injuries in the first month. But none appears set to devastate his team’s chances of contention as has that of Burrow. The Bengals had a chance to contend for the AFC North and make a playoff run, but with toe surgery forcing the quarterback out for the bulk of the season, Cincinnati appears poised to play the “what-if” game once again.

Best rookie coach — Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars

Despite the signs of promise exhibited by Johnson and his Bears, Coen and his Jaguars have the edge in this category as they have opened the season 3-1 start and share a tie for first place in the AFC South. The Jaguars are still waiting for Trevor Lawrence to take it to the next level, but his comfort is improving. Most impressive is the work that Coen’s defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile is doing with that unit, which leads the NFL with 13 takeaways (nine interceptions, four fumbles) and ranks fourth against the run (82.8 yards allowed) and fifth in scoring (18.0 points allowed).

Coach most likely to be fired first — Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans

Top rookie Cam Ward didn’t hold back when assessing his team. “If we keep it a buck right now, we ass,” the quarterback said after Tennessee dropped to 0-4 after getting shut out by the previously winless Texans. Year 2 on Callahan’s watch hasn’t produced signs of improvement and the former offensive coordinator’s team is so bad on that side of the ball (just 12.8 points and 210.5 yards per game) that the coach turned over play-calling duties to quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree, who didn’t do any better. There were some around the league who wondered if Callahan would have made it to Year 2 after last year’s struggles, but he got another crack at it. But will he make it through the season? The only saving grace could be the fact that Callahan’s most senior assistant is his offensive line coach and father, Bill Callahan, and his defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is only in his second season as a coordinator, leaving the team with few interim head coaching candidates.

Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins) and Brian Daboll (Giants) are both also feeling the heat but seemingly bought themselves some time with their first wins of the season this past weekend.

Leading coach of the year candidate — Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts

The decision to bench Richardson for Jones raised eyebrows, but Steichen, as it turns out, knew what he was doing. Supporting Jones with a stingy defense and a run-heavy offense that ensures balance and avoids placing too much pressure on the quarterback’s shoulders, Steichen has the Colts atop the AFC South standings with a 3-1 record. If not for a mind-blowing fumble by Adonai Mitchell just before he crossed the goal line on a 75-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter, the Colts might’ve beated the Rams and improved to 4-0.

Not to be overlooked: San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan and Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles, who have both guided their teams to 3-1 starts despite grappling with a rash of injuries to key veterans out of the gates.

The Colts’ Shane Steichen may have started the season on the hot seat. Now he’s an early coach of the year candidate. (Dylan Buell / Getty Images)

Leading MVP candidate — QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Reigning MVP Josh Allen made a huge statement in Week 1 and may have elevated his game to another level. Justin Herbert is playing with more aggression and confidence than ever. Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes are always MVP candidates. But Prescott is carrying a Cowboys team short on healthy linemen, his top wide receiver and a consistent rushing attack while completing 72.9 percent of his passes and averaging 279.8 passing yards a game.

Best run — QB Justin Fields, New York Jets

Facing fourth-and-1 from the Miami 43-yard line in Week 4, Fields was flushed out of the pocket, then scrambled to buy his receivers time, spun away from a defender, circling all the way back past the 50, and then took off, wove through a couple of defenders and raced up the sideline for the touchdown.

Best throw — QB Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans

Facing third-and-goal from the 9 in his team’s Week 2 game against the Rams, Ward dropped back and came under pressure and drifted all the way back to the 29 while trying to elude defenders and extend the play. He then rolled to his right, nearly reaching the sideline and chucked the ball across his body to a streaking Elic Ayomanor for the touchdown.

Best catch — WR Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions

In Week 1, the Lions rookie made an insane one-handed grab while falling backwards and managed to get both feet down before falling out of bounds to complete a 13-yard touchdown catch.

Best run-down — LT Josh Simmons, Kansas City Chiefs

Eagles defensive back Andrew Mukuba was off to the races after picking off a deflected pass from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce at the goal line. But left tackle Josh Simmons — the 6-foot-5, 310-pound rookie — rumbled upfield, outrunning smaller skill position players and knocking Mukuba out of bounds at the 41-yard line to prevent a breakaway touchdown.

Best return — PR Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins

In Week 2, Washington fielded a booming punt against New England, made one diving defender miss, ran into a scrum, spun his way out of it, bounced it to the outside and raced 74 yards to the end zone. New England’s Antonio Gibson on the very next play returned a kickoff 90 yards to the opposite end zone, but Washington’s escape from the scrum and finish earns the nod.

Most heads up play — RB George Holani, Seattle Seahawks

Pittsburgh return man Kaleb Johnson gave Seattle an easy touchdown in Week 2 because he forgot the new kickoff rules. The Seattle kick took a bad bounce and went through Johnson’s hands and into the end zone, but he shrugged and walked towards the sideline, assuming the play would end in a touchback. Holani saw the ball lying in the end zone and clearly understood the rule, raced across the goal line and made a diving recovery to score a touchdown.

Best interception — DL Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants

There are some strong candidates, and Kevin Byard III (Bears), Kam Curl (Rams) and Tremaine Edmunds (Bears) each have recorded multiple-interception games. But the best has to go to the 6-foot-4, 347-pound Lawrence, who, while being double-teamed, got his hands up to deflect a Justin Herbert pass, batting it into the air, came off the double-team, snatched the ball out of the air and rumbled 37 yards before getting toppled.

(Top photos of Dak Prescott and Brian Callahan: Sam Hodde / Getty Images and Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)




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