Through 3 Weeks: The AFC's Best

 

The Indianapolis Colts have been arguably the hottest team in the NFL through the first three weeks of the season.  With a new quarterback, dominant running back, and a stout defense, it is going to be hard to stop the Colts anytime soon. 

The reincarnation of Daniel Jones is real folks. After he was released by the Giants a season ago, it seemed like Jones was entering the end of his career in the NFL. Jones was signed by the Vikings and  sat behind Sam Darnold, watching him revive his career in Minnesota. 

Indianapolis decided to take a shot on Jones and signed him to a one-year deal this offseason. It was decided by Shane Steichen before the season that Jones earned the starting job and he hasn't looked back since. 

Jones currently has the third most passing yards in the NFL, has yet to turn the ball over, and has lead the Colts to a combined 103 points to start the 2025 campaign. It's clear that Jones used Darnold's career revival as inspiration and motivation for this season and the rest of his career. 

It also helps out when you have the best running back in the league at your side in Jonathan Taylor. Taylor currently leads the NFL in carries and rushing yards after his three touchdown performance in the Colts domination of the Titans on Sunday. 

Since entering the league in 2020, Taylor has always been amongst the league's best, but he was constantly overshadowed by others. Now in his sixth NFL season, Taylor looks like the most dominant back in the NFL and is only going to get better as the season progresses. 

Along with JT, Jones has utilized his other weapons in Michael Pittman, Tyler Warren, and Alec Pierce very well. Pittman, after a bit of a down year in 2024, has turned it up in 2025. Alec Pierce continues to be a constant deep threat to opposing defenses, and rookie Tyler Warren is turning into one of the league's premier tight ends right before our very eyes. 

To make things better for Indianapolis, the AFC South division favorites coming into the 2025 season, the Houston Texans, are currently 0-3. A three game lead to start the season over the back to back AFC South champs is a pretty hefty advantage to say the least. 

I'm excited to see if Daniel Jones can continue his unreal production as the season progresses. The Colts will face a real test this upcoming Sunday as they take their undefeated record to Los Angeles to take on the 2-1 Rams.  

The New Look Jets

 

This past Sunday, the New York Jets kicked off their 2025 NFL season at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game ended in a loss for New York, but there were a ton of positive takeaways from this showdown. 

In years past, the usual highlights for the Jets have been on the defensive side of the ball, but that couldn't be further from the truth on Sunday. Gang Green's offense showed out in Justin Fields' debut in East Rutherford. 

Justin Fields accounted for over 260 scrimmage yards and 3 touchdowns as well. For a quarterback that was wrote off by a lot of people throughout the NFL, that is a pretty good debut with his new team. 

Fields was able to get his two top weapons heavily involved as Breece Hall went for over 100 rushing yards and Garrett Wilson got in the end zone and nearly hit the century mark as well. 

The offensive line played great and the debut of Armand Membou could not have gone any better. In a tough task against the league's best, TJ Watt, Membou absolutely dominated and lived up to the first round selection the Jets thought they were getting. 

Tbe offense accounted for 32 points which is the most points the Steelers defense has let up since 2022. In addition, it is also the most points the Jets have ever scored in their matchup history with the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

While the offense showed out, the defense unfortunately did not do its job. The main weak point in the defense was the secondary. Cornerback Brandon Stephens and safety Andre Cisco were the main targets for Aaron Rodgers and he succeeded almost every time. 

Rodgers threw for four touchdowns in his first game against his former team. While the secondary didn't do its job, the interior of the defense did almost all they could. The Williams brothers and Will McDonald especially all balled out. 

But the question is can the Jets put it all together? In a huge upcoming matchup against the Buffalo Bills, the Jets will once again face another future hall of fame quarterback in Josh Allen. If the secondary is unable to perform, it is going to be a long day for Gang Green this upcoming Sunday. 

Team Preview: Dallas Cowboys

 

After an extremely underwhelming 7-10 season for the Cowboys in 2024, Dallas looks to make a statement to kick off the 2025 season against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. 

Recently, Dallas was involved in a blockbuster trade that sent their superstar, Micah Parsons, to the Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys and Parsons had not been on good terms for some time now and the final straw fell once Jerry Jones decided to deal him to Green Bay. 

Parsons, one of the best if not the best, defensive player in the game will now receive $47 million per year from the Green Bay Packers after Dallas refused to negotiate that high with him. Parsons is now the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL. 

Many people around the league question the Cowboys decision to not give Parsons what he wanted. Was it stubbornness on Jerry Jones' end, or was there more to it behind the scenes? I suppose only time will tell and the truth will come out eventually. 

After five years and three playoff appearances with head coach Mike McCarthy, Dallas decided to look a different way this offseason. The Cowboys decided to remain in house and promoted their offensive coordinator to the head coaching position.

Brian Schottenheimer is the guy that is taking over for Mike McCarthy. Under Schottenheimer, the Cowboys have had a pretty efficient offense and for Jerry Jones, it was good enough to promote him to become the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. 

After finishing third in the NFC East in 2024, the Cowboys will have to trek their way up the division once again in 2025. Being in a division with the two teams that were in the NFC Championship a year ago will be no cakewalk for Dallas. 

Dallas did bring in star wide receiver George Pickens to pair with CeeDee Lamb. Pickens' time in Pittsburgh was all but up until the Cowboys traded for him this offseason. Lamb and Pickens will come into the new season as one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL. 

The Cowboys are hoping and praying for a healthy season for their quarterback Dak Prescott. It sounds cliche as a quarterback, but Dak really is the glue that keeps this team together. In the seasons in which Prescott sustained bad injuries, the Cowboys season went the same way. 

After the reunion with Ezekiel Elliott went not so well, Dallas decided to revamp their running back room. For the time being it seems that Javonte Williams will be the RB1 in Dallas followed by Miles Sanders and Jaydon Blue. Since Tony Pollard's departure, the rushing production has not been anywhere near good for Dallas. 

Dallas ranked as one of the worst teams in defensive production back in 2024. And to make matters worse, they lost their best defensive player in Micah Parsons. So where to go now? I don't really see the plan for this Cowboys defense. 

In years past, their high scoring offense has outweighed their lackluster defense but is that really sustainable in today's NFL? Dallas hasn't made the NFC Championship in almost 30 years. Maybe it's time for a new mindset and face in the front office. I know Cowboys fans will agree with me on that one. 

Team Preview: Philadelphia Eagles

 

The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will officially kick off the 2025 NFL season on Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys. Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley will look to continue the Eagles prowess in 2025. 

After capturing a Super Bowl title, it's pretty hard for a team to get better. The best the Eagles could do this offseason was maintaining the core that they have had so much success with. 

In fact, most of the Eagles offense remained intact over the 2025 offseason. The dynamic duo of AJ Brown and Devonta Smith will enter yet another year together in Philadelphia. 

No one is happier than Jalen Hurts and the Eagles that the tush push is back for another season. There was a vote to take the overpowering play out of the game itself, yet it was not passed by the number of teams necessary. 

After racking up over 2000 rushing yards and having one of the best rushing seasons ever, Saquon Barkley earned himself a two year contract extension with the Eagles on top of his remaining two years on his current contract. 

As the Eagles decided to extend the anchor of their offense, they did the same for their defense when they extended Zack Baun. Baun's contract was extended another three years just a day after the Eagles spent another $40 million on Saquon Barkley. 

Baun had a career season in 2024 after racking up the third most tackles in the NFL and forcing five fumbles as well. Surrounded by such a young linebacker core, Baun is the perfect guy to have in the middle of that group. 

Philadelphia put it all together last season after ranking #1 in total defense throughout the league. The Eagles defense let up an average of 278 yards per game. To put this in perspective, the next closest team allowed over 311 yards per game.

This type of production will most certainly get the Eagles back to the promise land which they were in not too long ago. The quest for a back to back will kick off on Thursday Night at Lincoln Financial Field against the Dallas Cowboys.