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”
After the injury to Burrow, I was expecting Cincinnati to start bad, even with him playing. I didn’t expect them to look like the Bengals they are now until 5 or 6 games into the season at the earliest.