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NFL Top 5 Mid Season Rankings

Jordan Thomas, Editor in Chief

Nov 3, 2023

With the 2023-2024 NFL season coming to its midway point, this year has already been a crazy one. With broken records, rookies showing out, and teams starting to come together, here are my top five NFL teams so far this season.

1. Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have proved time and time again that they are not a team to mess with. With Jalen Hurts starting to get back up to schedule they cannot be stopped, but Hurts is not even the main factor on this team. Wide Receiver A.J. Brown has been on a tear this season, racking up six 125-yard games in a row. Brown is on pace to break the single-season record which is currently held by an all-time great Calvin Johnson. On the defensive side of the ball, it’s been a little shaky this season, having the 26th-ranked passing defense, but in the run game, the Eagles have been perfect having the best run defense allowing only 65.5 yards a game.

2. Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars for the first time in years are being recognized as a Super Bowl Contender. With Trevor Lawrence leading the offense, you’re bound to have success, leading his team to a 6-2 record while also having a very tough schedule. The Jaguars are currently on a five-game winning streak, including beating the Falcons and the Bills on back-to-back weeks at their home away from home in London. Like the Eagles though, the QB is not a main factor on this team, running back Travis Etienne who, the heart and soul of the Jaguars offense, has been stellar this season, having the third most rushing yards in the league.

3. Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are clear contenders for the playoffs this season, having the best offense in the league by far, with the run game clicking, the passing game gets way easier for Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill. Hill, like A.J. Brown, is also currently on pace to break the single-season record for receiving yards, with over 1,000 yards in just the midseason. The Dolphins in week 3 put up 70 points against the struggling Denver Broncos, but you still can’t look past that remarkable performance.

4. Chiefs
With Patrick Mahomes having the worst statistical season of his career, Mahomes is tied for the league lead with eight interceptions, and his highest in a season is thirteen. Currently, the Chiefs are sitting at 6-2, which is very good and you can never count them out. Travis Kelce, aside from all the Taylor Swift attention, has still been the best tight end in the league by far, continuing to dominate cornerbacks and linebackers. Kelce currently has over 500 receiving yards, which is the most in the league for tight ends. On the defensive side of the ball, the Chiefs have been outstanding, ranked fourth in the NFL in defensive yards per game.

5. Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens is a top-five team in the league on my list and PFF’s grading system. Lamar Jackson has shined this season with his new wide receivers Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr, and more. We are used to seeing Jackson being the dynamic threat he is and rushing for a good amount of yards; well not this season–Lamar has been more of a threat in the passing game this season, not trying to force as many runs as he had in the past. This is also a redemption year for Jackson; he is coming off of an injury that sat him for half of the season, leaving his career in Baltimore unstable. This off-season the Ravens trusted him with the franchise and gave him a deal of $185 million guaranteed, hoping he can have success for the Ravens in the future.

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About the Contributor

Jordan Thomas, Editor in Chief

16-year-old junior Jordan Thomas is currently in his fourth semester of journalism, serving as the editor-in-chief this year. Thomas was born in Orlando, Florida and spent most of his childhood there but he eventually moved to North Carolina at nine years old. “The weather here is definitely way nicer. I like it because it's not always that hot and it's not always raining.” said Thomas Thomas is also a student-athlete, who plays baseball for the Trojans in the outfield. He has been playing baseball for about 5 years. When Thomas is not playing baseball, he likes to spend his free time playing video games with friends or listening to music. Thomas enjoys listening to R&B and rap. “I feel like those genres get me through life.” When asked about his plans for the future Thomas replied enthusiastically. “I want to be a sports journalist. I want to be able to interview the players and write a little bit of articles about them.” Although those are his plans now, they have not always been. “It's a new thing. When I was in eighth grade, I wanted to do it, but before that I played baseball, so that was probably my dream.” The West Wind first sparked Thomas’ interests when he first saw a Tiktok at the beginning of his freshman year. “I was in it last year and I wanted to come back because it was really fun and I get to go for my dreams.” Thomas’ goal for this semester is to achieve all A’s. “I want to get all A’s. I'm trying, or just A’s and B’s. That's fine too.”