A Tribute to the NFL Season

Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images

By Lucas Kochevar

As we close the chapter on the regular season, I wanted to look back and reflect on this unique season of football. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was full of interesting storylines throughout. The Ravens seem to be running away with the regular season crown, but they’ll have to turn it up a notch in the playoffs to claim their third Super Bowl. 

In a season full of quarterback injuries, Lamar Jackson remains standing on top of the mountain, likely looking at his second league MVP. It’s hilarious because of how numerous teams went out of their way to deny they even had INTEREST in Jackson. The Ravens, happily, let the market kill itself and welcomed back a franchise guy with a new offensive coordinator and new weapons. The league is paying for this as the Ravens claimed the one seed. 

The rest of the AFC has been cannibalizing itself. Teams that should have been cruising to playoff spots are fighting, while teams that shouldn’t be there have a chance at the playoffs, I’m looking at you Colts and Texans. The Colts and Texans were slated to be near the top of the draft order in the preseason, but both teams are looking at a win and get-in against each other. 

The AFC has been a wild ride. The NFC, on the other hand, has been a bumpy ride. The Super Bowl “contenders” all have their questions and I’ll be curious to see how these top teams do in the playoffs. The 49ers have been the best team, but absolutely crumbled in their big game against the Ravens. The Cowboys can’t travel. The Lions defense is a liability and the Eagles had the bumpiest road to 11 wins I’ve ever seen. I can frankly see any of these teams losing in the first round, especially if Matthew Stafford and the Rams travel to Detroit. I’m sorry, Lions fans. 

Most seasons are defined by the playoffs and this season will likely follow that script, but it will have the footnote of numerous season-ending injuries to quarterbacks. I hate that, but it has to be said. Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Aaron Rodgers to name a few. 

Still, the quarterbacks will be on display in the playoffs. Patrick Mahomes will try to overcome his struggling receiving core. Dak Prescott will have his best chance at a Super Bowl since his rookie year. These are just a few of the names that will have legacy-defining playoffs. There will be more time to reflect on teams that will make their coaching changes on Monday, but for now, we should look forward to a very exciting playoffs.