The 2026 NFL season has been a doozy after the first half, and luckily there’s a whole second half of games left to go. Once again, what we thought before the season isn’t what we’re thinking now, and we’re grateful for all that unpredictability and volatility.

How’s your favorite team and player doing so far? Are you thrilled? Are you worried? In the words of a certain gladiator, are you at least not entertained?

If you’re having trouble making sense of the midseason madness, here’s an attempt at providing some sanity in this crazy league for what we’ve seen so far and we think we expect to see later.

POWER RANKINGS: Broncos, Steelers climb; Vikings, Eagles fall

Sporting News’ 2026 NFL midseason report

The best of the NFL’s 2026 first half

Most Valuable Player: Josh Allen, QB, Bills

Allen, with his passer rating of 101.1 and league-leading passing yards per attempt of 8.7, is on a 17-game pace of 4,354 passing yards and 27 passing TDs. He also projects to produce 656 rushing yards and 22 rushing TDs. He’s having a better overall year than his MVP season of 2024, thanks in big part to having a direct line to offensive play-calling head coach Joe Brady.

Offensive Player of the Year: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks

JSN has become an even bigger part of the offense in Seattle to bail out Sam Darnold and a less effective running game. With his 985 receiving yards and 15.3 yards per catch, he’s accounted for 37 percent of their total yardage production. Smith-Njigba is on pace for 2,093 yards and 19 TDs.

Defensive Player of the Year: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Lions

Don’t be fooled by the fact that Hutchinson has only five sacks. He gets a lot of blocking attention on the Lions‘ front seven and despite that, he consistently pressures and hits QBs. He also has been a force against the run and keeps coming through in coverage when needed. The fruits of his labor have shown up more in recent games with the secondary playing better.

Comeback Player of the Year: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs

Mahomes’ 2025 season ended on a grade 3 ACL tear in his left knee. With the injury occurring in Week 15, there was concern Mahomes wouldn’t be healthy for the start of the 2026 season or that he would be limited in his movement. Instead, he’s rebounded to have his best passing year since his 2022 MVP campaign, taking full advantage of getting a real running game.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Carnell Tate, WR, Titans

The best offensive skill rookies have battled various injuries since the preseason, including Jeremiyah Love, Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon, Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. There is also no notable starting rookie QB. Tate, when healthy before missing Week 8, has become a bigger factor in the Titans‘ new offense and Cam Ward is starting to feel more comfortable with the connection. 

Defensive Rookie of the Year: David Bailey, EDGE, Jets

Bailey was hyped since his first practices with the Jets‘ defense under Aaron Glenn and Brian Duker. He has delivered like the athletic freak prospect he was from Texas Tech, with 5.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in his first six games.

Coach of the Year: John Harbaugh, Giants

Between Harbaugh winning in New York and former offensive coordinator Todd Monken winning in Cleveland, ex-Baltimore hires have helped two other teams contend for playoff spots. But it’s getting evident that Harbaugh’s three-phase influence can help the Giants win a weakened NFC East, even after losing Jaxson Dart in Week 2.

Offensive Coordinator of the Year: Drew Petzing, Lions

Petzing was called upon to get the Lions’ offense back on track after some hiccups post-Ben Johnson last season. The former Cardinals OC has made the most of elite skill and line talent to get steadier play from Jared Goff and elite workhorse production from Jahmyr Gibbs.

Defensive Coordinator of the Year: Brian Flores, Vikings

Flores has empowered many other defenses to get creative with blitzes and stunts as his brand of aggressive play-calling has led to dominant results in controlling the run and pass with the front seven.

Best Free-Agent Pickup of the Year: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Chiefs

Walker picked the perfect team with which to break the bank as the Seahawks‘ Super Bowl 60 MVP. He’s been outstanding, averaging 5.5 yards per carry with 770 rushing yards over the first seven games.

Best Trade Pickup of the Year: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Bengals

The Giants made big changes. Trading Lawrence to the Bengals was one of them. He’s been well worth the first-round pick (No. 10 overall) as a game-changing and impactful defensive leader.

Best Game: Bengals vs. Titans, Week 8

Lawrence made some big plays against Tennessee while Joe Burrow threw for 462 yards and five TDs and ran in the game-winning TD in a 43-37 overtime thriller. The Titans went up 13-0 after the first quarter. The Bengals led 14-13 at halftime. The teams scored a combined 28 points in a back-and-forth fourth quarter. Cam Ward had the best game of his career trying to outduel a fellow No. 1 overall pick. 

There was a little of everything and a lot of great plays by backs, receivers and tight ends to help the quarterbacks. Even the defense had its share of big takeaways, with Titans safety Amani Hooker intercepting Burrow three times. There was a never dull moment, with Burrow flexing as an MVP candidate and Ward building confidence for the second half.

Most Entertaining Player: Joe Burrow, Bengals

A healthy Burrow has the Bengals throwing 64.7 percent of the time, only second to Jordan Love and the Packers. That formula works for a 5-2 team when Burrow leads the league in both completion percentage (73.0) and yards per game (302). He’s having his best downfield passing season since 2021, when the Bengals got to Super Bowl 56 in Los Angeles.

What makes Burrow so fun is also having a healthy Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Mike Gesicki locked into him through the red zone. Take him as your Madden NFL 27 QB as much as possible.

Best Offensive Play: Cam Skattebo’s overtime scoot against the Texans

Skattebo was doghoused in Week 6 by Harbaugh, seeing zero carries in a 34-27 home loss to the Saints. The motivational message was received when Skatt ran like a mad dog against the Texans in Week 8, drawing a penalty and subsequent fine for trucking cornerback M.J. Stewart early with his helmet.

Skattebo and the Giants’ running game came alive right before the bye in a much-needed victory at Houston. Before his final carry in OT, Skattebo had 16 carries for a strong 82 yards and a TD, already announcing his triumphant return. With the game tied, Skattebo rumbled 42 more yards with conviction to set up a 27-21 walkoff victory.

CAM SKATTEBO SLIDES DOWN AFTER A 42 YARD RUN! SKATT IS PLAYING OUT HIS MIND TODAY! BALL IN TEXANS TERRITORY! https://t.co/diWBfqac4M

— The Giant Topic (@TheGiantTopic) October 25, 2026

Best Defensive Play: Jessie Bates III’s interception vs. Brock Purdy

Bates has made plenty of viral plays in the NFL, first with the Bengals and now the Falcons. He had a crazy “Peanut Punch” forced fumble against the Buccaneers that will be forgotten because of Atlanta’s ugly 16-0 loss.

In Week 7, Bates had two takeaways to take down the previously undefeated 49ers. When Purdy tried to throw away the ball downfield, Bates toe-tapped the sideline to come up with a huge red zone interception to help maintain the Falcons’ 19-14 lead in the fourth quarter. Bates later sealed the game by forcing a fumble from tight end George Kittle.

JESSIE BATES III INTERCEPTION 🔥 https://t.co/FvqpDDvok8

— Carrie (@Carrie_ATL) October 25, 2026

Best Special Teams Play: Myles Price’s punt return TD vs. Buccaneers

The Vikings’ defense gets a ton of credit for their 6-1 start, but their special teams are one of the league’s best units. Price’s 86-yard scoring runback in Tampa Bay early in Week 3 ended up making the difference in a 23-16 victory that gave Minnesota a 3-0 start. 

86-YARD PUNT RETURN TD FOR MYLES PRICE 🗣️ @MINvsTB on FOX/FOX One Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/vdl5VNla6q

— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2026

Most Improved Player: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Falcons

Penix went through a rough Week 8 in Tampa Bay, going 8-for-24 with 4 interceptions in wet, adverse conditions. In his previous five games coming back from his torn ACL, Penix was completing 66.7 percent of his pass attempts, averaging 8.0 yards per attempt with 9 TDs to only one INT. He also was rating 109.1 through Week 7.

Atlanta will hope that Penix’s worst-ever day was a weather anomaly as the team tries to win the NFC South with Kevin Stefanski’s offense in the second half. The fact that the Falcons can have that confidence after such a clunker shows how well Penix has fit in the system.

Executive of the Year: Brett Veach, GM, Chiefs

Veach signing Walker was huge, but he nailed the draft with cornerback Mansoor Delane, nickel back Jadon Canady, speedy receiving back Emmett Johnson, and buzzy wideout Cyrus Allen among the haul. He also signed star undrafted rookie left tackle Kahlil Benson.

The Chiefs made good use of their rebuilding draft capital and also provided a strong backup plan behind Mahomes. It was a quick reboot to push Kansas City right back into Super Bowl contention.

The worst of the NFL’s 2026 first half

Most Disappointing Player: Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers

Herbert has been an interception mess and hasn’t meshed well at all with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. He also hasn’t had enough healthy help from blockers and receivers, while the running game has also faded. Everything has broken down for Jim Harbaugh’s still winless team, but the biggest culprit is a QB making on average $52.5 million per season.

MORE: Four stats show how bad Herbert has been this season

Most Devastating Injury: Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles

Lamar Jackson’s thumb is a late entry to this category, but that also came after he missed time with a high ankle sprain. This is more of a “condition”, but the bottom line is Hurts’ serious concern with blood clots was a medical shock that sidelines a durable star QB. There is a better understanding of how valuable Hurts is to Philadelphia’s offense with the attack falling apart without him.

Most Polarizing Player: Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns

The silliest narrative of the first half was the fact that Watson had somehow redeemed himself off the field by his stretch of five comeback victories on the field. You can bet some of the same Cleveland fans who booed him for his play have done a 180. But in the end, he’s still not playing at a high level and nothing will take away from his series of serious indiscretions.

Worst Free-Agent Pickup of the Year: Kyler Murray, QB, Vikings

Murray has had little to do with the Vikings’ 6-1 start. He has a good line, great receiving weapons and at times, the running game has churned out yards. Murray has seemed like a misfit for Kevin O’Connell’s passing game, struggling to get into rhythm and frustrating Justin Jefferson. The liability at QB is why it’s become difficult to trust Minnesota as a Super Bowl contender.

Worst Trade Pickup of the Year: Myles Garrett, EDGE, Rams

The Rams haven’t gotten any returns from Garrett, having not played since Week 1. Although Garrett is expected to return soon, nothing is certain about his effectiveness coming off left knee surgery ahead of him turning 31 in December. This situation could change into the “best pickup.” Stay tuned.

Most Disappointing Rookie: Caleb Downs, S, Cowboys

Downs was hyped as a hybrid force, part ace cover nickel back, part cleanup linebacker. So far Downs has been lost in the poor-tackling Christian Parker defense. He’s been more out of position as an in-betweener and has played smaller than his 6-0, 206 pounds.

Worst Coaching Decision: Nick Sirianni, Eagles

A lot has happened to Philadelphia since Week 5, to the point Sirianni no longer can be blamed for offensive woes with Hurts headlining insurmountable injury issues. But when taking on the Jaguars in London, Sirianni was fully accountable for deciding to kick to Jacksonville return man Ameer Abdullah after Philadelphia’s apparent late game-winning field goal, turning a win into a loss on a Cam Little real game-winning field goal.

Worst Special Teams Play: Harrison Mevis’ FG miss vs. Bills

Mevis having his potential game-winning 48-yard attempt in overtime blocked by Buffalo’s Greg Rousseau cost the former his job in Los Angeles. That allowed the Bills to steal a critical early game that can have major implications down the line in both conferences’ playoff seeding.

The wildest and wackiest

The Most Improbable Starting Quarterback: J.J. McCarthy, Giants

McCarthy was buried on the depth chart in Minnesota with no chance to start for O’Connell over Murray and Carson Wentz. The Vikings jumped at the chance to move him to the Giants, who saw him as the best replacement for Jaxson Dart. McCarthy looked great in his first start in Houston, but there’s a long second half to see if the turnaround story is real.

Quadragenerian Player of the Year: Aaron Rodgers, Steelers

Rodgers is playing at about the same level he has the previous two seasons with the Jets and Steelers, but the difference is being supported by a scheme he knows, a real running game and a defense that makes his job much easier. Ahead of turning 43 in December, he will have one final shot at making a Super Bowl run.

MORE: Why Steelers are positioned to run away in AFC North race

The Most Disappointed Octogenerian Owner: Jerry Jones, Cowboys

Jones has seen his team play very poorly at home twice, once to the Buccaneers on Thursday night, then again blowing the lead to the Cardinals at home in Week 8. The defense is hard to watch from the skybox. It’s also difficult for Jones to keep pretending that Dallas can still win the NFC East with Brian Schottenheimer coaching.

MORE: Breaking down the Cowboys’ defensive disaster

The Most Unneeded NFL International Game: Rams at 49ers

The Rams weren’t prepared. Fans around the league also weren’t prepared for a Thursday night game that wasn’t the opener and was actually being played on Friday in Melbourne. The league is intent on playing in every country possible, but it doesn’t make sense in Week 1, halfway across the world. The league needs to stick to Europe on Sunday mornings as much as possible, please.

The Most Unneeded NFL Hot Take: Drake Maye’s Super Bowl hangover

Let’s chill on the “Schedule Merchant” chants for good. Maye had a rough start in a gauntlet of an early schedule against the Seahawks, Steelers and Jaguars. Since that 1-2 start, Maye has been razor-sharp passing with whoever’s out there (not much of A.J. Brown) and continues to make clutch plays with his legs. Maye may have cooled from MVP level, but so has Matthew Stafford. He still belongs in the class of young elite QBs.

The Most Inexplicable Offense: Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young was lighting it up with wide receivers throwing deep often early. The Panthers were averaging 29 points per game in their 3-2 start. Since then, the Panthers have gone 0-2 against the Buccaneers and Panthers, scoring a combined 32 points. Young has gone from big breakout to slightly above-average rated passer at 89.2. The offense was masking the defensive issues early, but those are on full blast after the firing of coordinator Ejiro Evero.

The Most Inexplicable Defense: Houston Texans

The Texans have a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Will Anderson Jr. Last season, the Houston was No. 1 in total defense (yardage allowed), No. 4 in run defense, No. 6 in pass defense and No. 2 in scoring defense behind only the Super Bowl champion Seahawks.

This year, Houston has problems. The team is No. 19 in total defense, No. 11 in run defense, No. 28 in pass defense and No. 18 in scoring defense. No wonder the team is 2-5. Many of the players are the same. DeMeco Ryans had to take over the play-calling from Matt Burke, but there have been limited improvements. Everything is breaking down without injuries being a real factor. A whole-group recovery seems unlikely in the second half.

The Most Inexplicable Good Team: Denver Broncos

The only thing that makes sense is Super Bowl winner Sean Payton is the coach and they still have plenty of defensive talent. They have had an inconsistent running game and an often compressed passing game with Bo Nix. They keep starting slowly in games. They have had their fair share of key injuries early. But the bottom line, with more improbable fourth-quarter magic from Nix, they are 6-2, a half-game ahead of the Chiefs as they look to repeat in the AFC West and play for the top seed again.

The Most Inexplicable Bad Team: Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have impressive wins over the Packers, Saints and 49ers. They also pushed the Ravens and Bears to the brink in tight, high-scoring games. Except for Week 8, Penix has played well. Atlanta feels it could either be a dangerous division-winning playoff team or a freefalling team that looks worse than it did under Raheem Morris.

The Best Fernando Mendoza Impression: Kirk Cousins, Raiders

Remember when everyone joked that Cousins profiled a lot like the rookie No. 1 overall pick Mendoza at QB with his facial demeanor, strong pocket passing and Big Ten background? Cousins has been much more than a bridge to keep Mendoza on the bench, with three TD passes in each of the Raiders’ four wins this season. We’ll never know if Mendoza could have had the same success starting full-time as a rookie for Klint Kubiak. At this rate, as long as the 4-4 Raiders linger in the AFC wild-card race, the less chance Mendoza sees significant action in 2026.

MORE: Predicting when we will see the rookie QBs

The Team We Shouldn’t Have Written Off in the First Half: Los Angeles Rams

The Rams are no longer the surefire Super Bowl 61 team as everyone thought they would be. But at 4-4, they have the same record as the Seahawks after Week 8. The Rams still have everything in front of them as they also try to make up 2.5 games and a tiebreaker on the first-place 49ers in the second half. The Rams are far from done, moving up to the conference’s No. 9 position behind the No. 8 Seahawks, both pushing the No. 7 final wild-card Packers.

There is too much NFC North big-game action ahead on the schedule to suggest all four teams will make the playoffs, opening the door for at least two teams again from the NFC West. Now it looks like there’s room for Los Angeles or Seattle, but not both.

The Team We Should Not Write Off in the Second Half: Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs’ critics and doubters are making noise again after the team lost in Seattle and Denver back-to-back to finish the second half 5-2 after a 5-0 start. There is a get-well game at home (presumably) against the reeling Jets in Week 9, and both the Falcons in Week 10 and the Cardinals in Week 11 are manageable.

But then the Chiefs will play three straight road games at the Bills, Rams and Bengals. They will also play the Patriots and 49ers back-to-back at home in Weeks 15 and 16. You can expect the drumbeats to get louder about how you can’t trust Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs after some second-half lumps. The fact that Kansas City is coming off a 6-11 down year doesn’t mean there is more disappointment ahead. Just be prepared for undue Chiefs bashing down the stretch. They are still the team to beat in the AFC West after splitting the two Broncos games.