I mainly ask because, has there really been one?
Last year on the good end, the Giants were expected to be one of the worst teams in the league but started hot and eventually made the playoffs. The Seahawks similarly were mocked for attempting to remain competitive post-Russ trade, and also came out to look immediately better than they had. Jaguars (previous first overall pick) also looked good at the start of the season before a mid season lull and obvious eventual strong finish.
On the bad end, the Packers and Bucs both looked completely flat at the start of the season and the Rams, who had just won the Super Bowl, were absolutely dreadful.
Is there really a surprise this year at the midway point? I would have said the Bengals, but they seem to be getting back on track. I imagine most people wouldn’t expect that Cleveland would have been 4-3 after a very tough opening slate of games, but I think anyone being objective knew that team had talent. I really don’t know who my answer would be, it kinda feels like this season has gone “according to plan”
I looked at nfl.com’s power rankings for week 1, compared with current. Biggest changes (plus or minus)
HOU +15 NYG. -11 LA Rams +9 TB +8 BUF -6 CAR -6 CIN -6 CLE +6 IND +6 LA Chargers -6
I’d agree that Houston is a big surprise to the plus side. Not sure why anybody though the Giants would be 19th best team at the start of the season….
I don’t know if NYJ is a surprise. I think some people overestimated the impact of Rogers. But we’ll never know what that could’ve added, since he didn’t last 1 series.
I think a lot of people were loving Cleveland at the start of the year, even though they were 18 on this list. So not sure if their rise (to 12) a surprise.