"The first half of the 2025 NFL season featured something for everyone. Competitive balance ruled. Thirteen teams enter Week 9 with at least five wins. Seven teams that missed the postseason in 2024 have a .500-or-better record this season. Close games were easy to find. About 64% of games (78 of 121) have been within one score (eight points) in the fourth quarter, and 46% (56 of 121) were decided by seven points or fewer."
"At quarterback, we have the star turn ( Drake Maye), the star-crazed comeback story ( Dak Prescott), the curious case ( Tua Tagovailoa) and the All-Rockports team ( Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers). And for those who love to complain about officiating, well, there's plenty of that during the weekly 1 p.m. slate. Save a few clear-cut favorites, surprises are coming in several divisions. Even so, early contenders for Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8 are in."
The 2025 NFL season's first half showed remarkable competitive balance, with 13 teams entering Week 9 with at least five wins and seven 2024 non-playoff teams at .500 or better. About 64% of games reached a one-score margin in the fourth quarter, and 46% were decided by seven points or fewer, producing numerous tight finishes alongside occasional blowouts. Several franchises underperformed or shifted toward draft-position strategies, while quarterback narratives ranged from rookie breakouts to veteran resurgences and puzzling inconsistency. Frequent officiating complaints surfaced during the prominent 1 p.m. slate. Multiple clubs emerged as early contenders for Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara on Feb. 8.
Read at ESPN.com
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