NFL Midseason Offensive Report for All Teams

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills

• Offensive coordinator: Joe Brady
• Playcaller: Joe Brady

What has been successful so far? The accelerated assault by the Bills. As of this point in the season, running back James Cook III is having a career year, averaging 102.2 yards per game. Meanwhile, the Bills are leading the league in rushing yards per game with 153.2 yards per game. The running game, which is led by the offensive line, is where this offense shines the brightest when it is at its best.

How did things become so wrong? It is a game of passing. The Bills have been unable to get the ball downfield on a consistent basis due to a lack of open receivers and play design. As a consequence of this, Josh Allen has been forced to force the ball in certain instances. As a consequence of this, Allen has experienced a rise in the number of turnovers and sacks he has committed (20 as of the beginning of Week 11), which is six more than he had over the all of the previous season.

The passing game needs to be in rhythm in order to be successful in the second half, as demonstrated by the victory over the Buccaneers. The receivers need to be more dependable for Allen, who needs to make better judgments more regularly. Allen needs to make better decisions. All things considered, this offense needs to figure out how to make the most of its finest player, Allen, and all of the qualities he possesses with him.

Miami Dolphins

• Offensive coordinator: Frank Smith
• Playcaller: Mike McDaniel

What has been successful so far? After scoring on 72% of their goal-to-go opportunities in 2024, the Dolphins have scored on all 12 of their attempt-to-go opportunities through the first 10 games of the season. There is no doubt that running back De’Von Achane has established himself as one of the most explosive offensive players in the National Football League. He is now on track to achieve a career best in both rushing yards and scrimmage yards.

How did things become so wrong? basically everything else besides that. The Miami Dolphins are among the worst in the league in terms of yards per game and scoring; quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is among the league leaders in interceptions thrown and is on track to set a career high in that category; and Tyreek Hill is still ranked third on the team in receiving yards despite the fact that he only played four games before his season ended due to a knee injury.

Someone other than receiver Jaylen Waddle and Achane needs to step up as a consistent option in the passing game. This is necessary in order to have a successful second half. Tagovailoa stated that he needs also recapture the “conviction” that he experienced when playing in 2023, when he topped the National Football League in passing yards. There aren’t a lot of superlatives to play for anymore, but the players and coaches need to demonstrate that the foundation of this club is still worth developing around in order to prepare for the upcoming summer, which will be particularly important.

New England Patriots

• Offensive coordinator: Josh McDaniels
• Playcaller: Josh McDaniels

What has been successful so far? To a large extent on everything. In his first season under McDaniels’ coaching, quarterback Drake Maye is playing football of the MVP caliber. He recently made the following statement: “He’s done it his whole life, and I feel like he was put on this earth to be an offensive coordinator.” Being able to share the headphones with him is a lot of fun.

How did things become so wrong? At the beginning of Week 11, the Patriots’ red zone offense was ranked around in the middle of the pack, at number 18. A significant portion of this is a reflection of the absence of a reliable power running game.

Continuous offensive line play is essential for the second half. In ten of the first eleven games of the season, the Patriots started the same offensive line, which gave the group the opportunity to develop camaraderie in front of John Maye. At the beginning of the season, the offensive line was a major cause for concern because, in 2023 and 2024, respectively, they had ranked 31st and 32nd in pass block victory rate. However, the offensive line has been significantly improved in 2025, and continuity is beneficial, despite the fact that the statistics do not necessarily show that (21st in PBWR).

New York Jets

• Offensive coordinator: Tanner Engstrand
• Playcaller: Tanner Engstrand

What has been successful so far? It turned out that the Jets were correct in their prediction that they would be a good rushing team. Due to the presence of Breece Hall and a physically demanding offensive line, they were ranked fourth in the league in terms of running yards per game (142). The Jets continue to be successful against eight-man boxes, despite the fact that their opponents overplay the run.

How did things become so wrong? Absolutely everything else, particularly the passing game that was led by Justin Fields. As of right now, the Jets are only averaging 130.5 yards per game, which would be the worst mark since the Bears in 2022. As you might have suspected, Justin Fields was the one in charge of those Bears. In addition to his shortcomings, Engstrand’s task has become significantly more difficult as a result of the absence of playmakers.

It seems likely that the Jets will lose because of the terrible play of their quarterback, but Engstrand can alleviate the situation by calling more play-action throws. This is the key to the second half. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, despite having a powerful rushing offense, they are ranked in the bottom third of the league in terms of play-action usage. Give the recently acquired receiver Adonai Mitchell the opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities. This is another imperative.

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

• Offensive coordinator: Todd Monken
• Playcaller: Todd Monken

What has been successful so far? Despite the fact that quarterback Lamar Jackson does not rush the ball very often, the Baltimore Ravens continue to be among the finest rushing attacks in the National Football League (NFL). They have the fourth-most yards on the ground (142 per game). With running backs Derrick Henry and Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore has been a dynamic team, as seen by the fact that it has produced a rush of 10 yards or more on 15.7% of its carries, which is the highest percentage in the NFL.

How did things become so wrong? In particular, the offensive line of the Ravens, particularly the guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele, has been a source of disappointment. In the first nine games of the season, Baltimore has already allowed more sacks (30) than it did throughout the entirety of the previous season (24). Jackson’s quarterback rating has dipped to 14.2 while he is under pressure, which places him 23rd in the NFL.

Maintaining Jackson’s health is essential for the second half. Once Jackson has possession of the ball, the offense takes on a completely different form. The Baltimore Ravens have scored an average of 29.8 points per game when Jackson has been their starting quarterback for seven games. The Baltimore Ravens were only able to score 14.3 points per game during the three games that Jackson was unable to play due to a hamstring injury.

Cincinnati Bengals

• Offensive coordinator: Dan Pitcher
• Playcaller: Zac Taylor

What has been successful so far? In the Bengals’ case, the acquisition of Joe Flacco has been a lesson in mastery. As of the tenth week, Cincinnati’s offense was the best in the league ever since they acquired the veteran quarterback. The Cincinnati Bengals were the best in the National Football League from Week 6 through Week 10 in terms of points per game (32.8) and offensive projected points added per play.

How did things become so wrong? In the beginning, things did not appear to be going very well, even while starting quarterback Joe Burrow was in good health. Jake Browning, the backup quarterback, was benched after failing in three starts, and it is difficult to blame him for all of the troubles that the club is experiencing. In the beginning of the season, the run game was sluggish, but it eventually found its rhythm later on.

Protecting the starting quarterback and running an offense that makes things easier for the passing attack will be critically important in the second half of the game. The Cincinnati Bengals have been successful when they line up under center, which appears to have assisted the offense in establishing a rhythm with Flacco performing the quarterback duties. During the sixth through tenth weeks of the season, Cincinnati ranked seventh in yards per run (5.5) and nineteenth in pass block victory rate.

Cleveland Browns

• Offensive coordinator: Tommy Rees
• Playcaller: Tommy Rees

What has been successful so far? It has been confirmed that Coach Kevin Stefanski has once again delegated the responsibility of playcalling to his offensive coordinator. Rees’ debut game as playcaller resulted in the Browns scoring only 20 points, but Cleveland has been able to reduce the number of turnovers it has committed. Compared to Joe Flacco, who has started four times for the Browns, rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders have only committed three turnovers. Joe Flacco has committed eight turnovers in his four starts.

How did things become so wrong? The Cleveland Browns pass the ball more than any other team in the National Football League (36 attempts per game through Week 10), which is sixth most in the NFL. However, they are unable to successfully move the ball downfield (4 yards per attempt), which is the lowest in the league. As a result of Cleveland’s poor blocking, the team ranks among the poorest in terms of the percentage of passes that they won.

Running the ball to relieve pressure on the quarterback is essential for the second half of the game. Under the leadership of rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who now leads the team in rushing yards, the Browns have discovered a few aspects of their identity. However, Cleveland needs to improve its efficiency in order to improve its 4-yard average, which is among the poorest in the National Football League.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Offensive coordinator: Arthur Smith
• Playcaller: Arthur Smith

What has been successful so far? Due to the instability of the Steelers’ offensive over the first half of the season, it is difficult to pinpoint certain items that have gone well for the offense of the Steelers. Aside from the game against the Chargers that took place the previous week, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has performed admirably in Smith’s scheme. Using short throws to playmakers who are capable of picking up yards after the catch has been the most productive strategy that he has utilized. The loss to the Chargers, of course, brought to light the 41-year-old quarterback’s shortcomings, which include inaccurate long balls and a diminution in mobility. On Sunday, the immediate concern was that Rodgers had sustained a small break in his left wrist. This brought the situation to an even more dire state.

How did things become so wrong? The Steelers’ troubles on third down and their inability to maintain drives have been by far the most persistent problem by a significant margin. At the beginning of Week 11, the Steelers had converted 36% of third downs; but, from Week 8 to Week 10, the Steelers placed 31st in conversion percentage, with a percentage of 21%.

The key to success in the second half is to get more touches to running back Jaylen Warren. According to Mike Tomlin, this is not going to happen unless the Steelers start converting more third downs. However, increasing Warren’s use could lead to greater conversion rates. Warren was only on the field for a total of 16 touches (14 carries and 2 catches) and did not participate in any third down plays during the game against the Chargers. However, he had an average of 5.7 yards per touch. Warren has the potential to be the Steelers’ most consistent big-play maker due to his explosive and physical style of play; but, in order for him to make those big plays happen, he needs to be given more opportunities.

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

• Offensive coordinator: Nick Caley
• Playcaller: Nick Caley

What has been successful so far? It has become easier for the Texans to block passes. At the beginning of Week 11, they had allowed 21 sacks, which was the 18th most. This is in contrast to the previous season, when they allowed quarterback C.J. Stroud to be sacked 52 times, which was the second most. Although it is not flawless, it is more capable than before.

How did things become so wrong? On offense, there has been a lack of consistency. Houston has had some successful weeks, such as Week 5 against the Ravens, when it scored 44 points, and Week 10 when it dropped 29 points. Both of these games helped Houston seem good. On the other hand, during other weeks, such as Week 9, it just receives.

The key to success in the second half is to perform better against rival teams. Due to the fact that the Texans have the eleventh-most difficult remaining schedule, it is imperative that their offensive performs up to their usual level within those marquee matchups. We can anticipate that they will maintain their position as the best defensive unit in the NFL, which they held going into Week 11. But in order for the offense to win those games, they need to respond to the challenge.

Indianapolis Colts

• Offensive coordinator: Jim Bob Cooter
• Playcaller: Shane Steichen

What has been successful so far? Things, for the most part. At the end of the tenth week, quarterback Daniel Jones had the most passing yards in the National Football League, while running back Jonathan Taylor had the most rushing yards. Since Peyton Manning and his teammates were dominating their opponents on a weekly basis in the middle of the 2000s, the offense is generating at levels that have not been seen before. Tyler Warren, Alec Pierce, and Michael Pittman Jr. are three throwing targets who are on the verge of achieving seasons in which they have accumulated 1,000 yards.

How did things become so wrong? Recently, Jones has been subjected to an excessive amount of pressure that has been allowed. Because of this, the Colts have been put in some really difficult situations as a result of the significant spike in turnovers that have occurred in the past two games. Jones has racked up a staggering 12 of his 21 sacks in the past two games, which have been played against the Steelers and the Falcons. As a consequence of this, he was responsible for sack-fumbles in each of those.

Maintaining a low turnover rate and cleaning up the defense are two of the most important aspects of the second half. The turnover margin and clean quarterback pockets of the Colts were the primary factors that contributed to the team’s explosive offensive start. Due to the fact that Jones was able to move freely, he was able to make accurate throws into large passing windows. This was made possible by the play concept. Things have the potential to take a turn for the better if the Colts continue their current trend of turnovers in the last stretch of the season against teams such as Kansas City, Seattle, and San Francisco.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Offensive coordinator: Grant Udinski
• Playcaller: Liam Coen

What has been successful so far? The number of offensive points scored per game has increased to 20.6%, compared to 17.9% in 2024, while the number of turnovers suffered has decreased to nine through ten weeks, compared to 15 through ten weeks in 2024. R. B. The passing game has been experiencing some difficulties, but Travis Etienne Jr. has been the most consistent and best player, which has helped overcome some of those difficulties. As of the eleventh week, he was on track to achieve a career-high 1,152 yards. Travis Hunter, a wide receiver and cornerback, emerged as the best pass catcher until he suffered a knee injury that ended his season. Rookie running backs Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. have shown promise.

How did things become so wrong? There has been a decrease in yards per game, pass protection numbers, and third-down conversions when compared to the previous season. Over the first ten weeks of the season, the Jaguars led the National Football League in drops (20), and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has battled with that on five occasions, falling behind Hunter as the team’s top receiver. In addition, injuries have been a significant problem. Additionally, receivers Thomas, Dyami Brown, Parker Washington, and Tim Patrick, tight end Brandon Strange, and offensive lineman Robert Hainsey, Patrick Mekari, and Anton Harrison have all sustained injuries. Hunter is the only player who will not return for the remainder of the season.

Trevor Lawrence, the quarterback, needs to be the one to carry the offense moving forward. Lawrence has been encouraged by Coen to play with more freedom, to “cut it loose and let it rip,” as he put it, and to stop worrying about making mistakes and turning the ball over. This is something that franchise quarterbacks are meant to do, even though it won’t be simple to do with a group of pass catchers that are injured.

Tennessee Titans

• Offensive coordinator: Nick Holz
• Playcaller: Bo Hardegree

What has been successful so far? There have been indications that the rookies on offense have a promising future, despite the fact that the interim coaching staff will not be around to reap the results of their efforts. It has been established that receivers Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, as well as tight end Gunnar Helm, have developed a strong chemistry with quarterback Cam Ward. They have all been successful in catching a touchdown pass from Ward. Taking a significant step toward establishing himself as an All-Pro player, left guard Peter Skoronski has demonstrated that he is capable of serving as an anchor for the offensive line moving forward.

How did things become so wrong? Well, Brian Callahan, the head coach who was sacked after six games, began the season as the playcaller. However, when the team got off to a 0-3 start, he handed up his responsibilities to Hardegree. Moving forward in time to Week 11, the Titans were the team that started the week with the lowest scoring average in the league (14.4 points per game). The Titans are often put in third-and-long situations as a result of their lack of success early in drives. This is a key contributor to Tennessee’s extremely low third-down conversion rate of 3.7 per game, which is the worst in the NFL. Moreover, until Week 10, the Titans allowed a league-high 38 sacks per game played against them.

Crucial to the second half: During the second part of the season, the focus is all on getting Ward better. It is necessary for the staff to concentrate on strategies to highlight what Ward is most skilled at: In order to enhance the third-down conversion rate and put together longer drives, which will ultimately lead to more opportunities for everyone, it is important to find balance on the offensive side of the ball.

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

• Offensive coordinator: Joe Lombardi
• Playcaller: Sean Payton

What has been successful so far? As a result of having one of the strongest defenses in the league, the Broncos currently have a record of 9-2, which is tied for the best record in the American Football Conference. The stunning 33-point fourth quarter that they scored in their victory over the New York Giants in Week 7 is one of the reasons why they have a perfect record in games in which they were trailing at the beginning of the fourth quarter. During the most crucial moments of the game, they have been offensively productive enough to have six victories by eight points or fewer.

How did things become so wrong? The offensive unit of this club is in a state of disarray, in addition to the fact that the special teams unit has experienced more than its fair share of mistakes. The inconsistent footwork of quarterback Bo Nix has turned him into one of the least accurate passers in the league. As of Week 11, he ranked thirty-first in the league in terms of off-target attempts. Despite the fact that they are among the top 10 in rushing, the Broncos prefer not to consistently run the ball for extended periods of time. Additionally, throughout the first ten weeks of the season, they had the second-most penalties of any offense in the league, with a total of 52 penalties (including penalties that were denied).

In the second half, the Broncos are at risk of wasting one of the best defensive seasons in the history of the franchise if they do not get things running more smoothly on offense. This is true regardless of whether the team, including Payton, is simply grinding Nix harder as a second-year starter or whether they expect him to run more of the playbook with more proficiency. Nix’s footwork and choices in the pocket aren’t as constant as they were over the course of the previous season, and it is evident that he experiences discomfort at times when playing the scheme. Therefore, it is possible that the Broncos might run the ball more, along with some play-action, in order to bring things under control. Alternatively, they could return to a menu of things that he is comfortable doing. On the other hand, the past month has given the impression that all of the offensive players involved are pounding their heads against the wall.

Kansas City Chiefs

• Offensive coordinator: Matt Nagy
• Playcaller: Andy Reid

What has been successful so far? During his 27th season as head coach, Reid has made a number of decisions that have been mainly successful, including placing his trust in quarterback Patrick Mahomes and being extremely aggressive on fourth down, especially when compared to his typical approach. As of the eleventh week of the season, the Chiefs had converted sixteen of their twenty tries on fourth down, which was a significant factor in the effectiveness of the offense.

How did things become so wrong? Although they have a trio of running backs in the form of Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, and rookie Brashard Smith, the Chiefs have not yet discovered a way to increase the amount of production that they get from them. The Chiefs should concentrate more on screen passes for Smith, who possesses the most dynamic talent among the group, despite the fact that Hunt has been most efficient in instances involving short-yardage circumstances.

One of the most important aspects of the second half is that Rashee Rice has been performing like a top receiver ever since he returned from his six-game suspension. It is recommended that the offense be constructed around Rice and Travis Kelce, a tight end who is enjoying a good season despite being 36 years old. Mahomes should have more opportunity to connect deep passes to receivers Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, and Hollywood Brown if Rice and Kelce are able to maintain their consistency and effectiveness and maintain their effectiveness.

Las Vegas Raiders

• Offensive coordinator: Chip Kelly
• Playcaller: Chip Kelly

What has been successful so far? To be honest, nothing. Since the Raiders hired Kelly, the offense has remained one of the worst groups in football. This has been the case even after Kelly was hired. It is possible that Ashton Jeanty, a rookie running back, will develop into a playmaker of the highest caliber in the future. In total, he has scored seven touchdowns. Tre Tucker, a wide receiver, is on the verge of having a season that bests his career. Tucker finished the first ten weeks of the season with 34 receptions, 455 yards, and four touchdowns.

How did things become so wrong? To put it simply, everything. In Week 11, Las Vegas was ranked 31st in points (15.4), 30th in total yards (272.7), 29th in rushing yards (87.4), 30th in EPA (minus-52.64), and 28th in red zone efficiency (47.8%). All of these rankings were based on the team’s efficiency in the red zone. Geno Smith, the quarterback, has thrown the second-most interceptions, with a total of twelve. There have been only three games in which tight end Brock Bowers has been entirely healthy, and the Raiders have two starting offensive linemen on injured reserve. These players are left tackle Kolton Miller and right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson.

First and foremost, in order for the Raiders to be able to maintain drives and prevent the defense from being put in circumstances where they are short on yardage, Smith will need to limit the number of turnovers that occur. In order to provide opportunities for tight ends Bowers and Michael Mayer, Las Vegas should continue to play 12 personnel, which includes one running back and two tight ends. Another way in which the offense will benefit from Jeanty’s increased participation in the passing game is that it will provide him the opportunity to create in open space.

Los Angeles Chargers

• Offensive coordinator: Greg Roman
• Playcaller: Greg Roman

What has been successful so far? A violation of the law. At the beginning of Week 11, the Chargers were ranked third in total passing yards (2,454), making them one of the greatest passing units in the National Football League. Roman’s running offense has a long history of being the most dominant in the league. Despite this, he has adjusted to the situation and is leading a passing attack that is remarkably efficient as a result of injuries sustained by the running backs and the Chargers’ strength at receiver.

How did things become so wrong? Playing the offensive line. This season, the Chargers have been destroyed on the offensive line, and at times, they have been forced to play their sixth- and seventh-string tackles. In no way is Roman to blame for this situation. The team had the second-worst pass block victory rate in the league during the first ten weeks of the season, and the fifth-worst run block win rate. Roman was compelled to make adjustments as a result, which slowed down this offense.

Roman will need to find ways to assist this struggling offensive line with imaginative blocking schemes and quicker-developing passing plays in order to be successful in the second half. Joe Alt, a lineman, has been injured for the season. In the event that he is unable to maintain the efficiency of this system and ensure the safety of quarterback Justin Herbert, the Chargers will have a difficult time attempting to make a run at the AFC West championship and going further into the postseason.

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys

• Offensive coordinator: Klayton Adams
• Playcaller: Brian Schottenheimer

What has been successful so far? There have been some of Dak Prescott’s top football games in his career. Together, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens have established themselves as one of the most successful receiver duos. This year is shaping up to be a career year for running back Javonte Williams. As backup linemen, the Cowboys have been able to put up impressive numbers. This is Schottenheimer’s first attempt at playcalling since the year 2020, and it has gone incredibly well; however, the unit needs to demonstrate that it has staying power.

How did things become so wrong? Not a nice thing has happened with the home/road divides. The Cowboys were averaging 10.9 points, 4.1 first downs, and 64 yards less on the road than they were at home as of the beginning of the eleventh week of the season. They were only averaging 2.6 yards per rush in their last two games that were played away from home. According to an old NFL proverb, a solid running game should be able to travel, but this has not been the case.

Key to the second half: It is possible that the level of play on defense will improve as a result of the signing of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker Logan Wilson, as well as the return of DeMarvion Overshown; however, in order to help achieve some wins, the offense will need to score a lot of points each week. Over the course of the four games that preceded Week 11, the Cowboys have scored touchdowns on eight of the fifteen possessions that took place inside the red zone. Due to the fact that field goals will not be sufficient, that percentage needs to drastically increase.

New York Giants

• Offensive coordinator: Tim Kelly
• Playcaller: Mike Kafka

What has been successful so far? With rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart at the helm, the offense of the Giants has demonstrated signs of improvement. At the beginning of the eleventh week, it had a point average of 23.6 while he was the starting quarterback and Kafka was the playcaller. Compared to the previous two seasons, in which the Giants finished in the 31st and 30th positions, respectively, and averaged fewer than 16 points a game, this is a significant improvement.

How did things become so wrong? Head coach Brian Daboll was fired from his position as head coach of the Giants last week because the team has not yet done enough to win games. When Dart was playing against the Bears, he suffered a concussion while running the football. This was another injury that Dart eventually experienced. This was the fourth time that he had been subjected to a concussion test throughout the course of this season, dating back to the preseason. Malik Nabers, a great wide receiver, and Cam Skattebo, a rookie running back, both had injuries that ended their seasons, which does not assist the offense. Both of these players were considered to be among the top playmakers in the offense.

Kafka assumes the role of interim head coach and playcaller, which is crucial for the second half. The offensive coordinator responsibilities have been taken up by Tim Kelly, who is the coach of the tight ends. When Kafka takes over as the head coach of the offense instead of Daboll, it will be fascinating to observe the degree to which the offense is altered. Also, Kelly has a history of success in that job, which he gained during his time in Tennessee.

Philadelphia Eagles

• Offensive coordinator: Kevin Patullo
• Playcaller: Kevin Patullo

What has been successful so far? Protecting the football, providing offense in the red zone, and making deep throws are the three primary areas in which the Eagles excel. They entered Week 11 rated first in the league in red zone offense, with a touchdown percentage of 81% and a minimum of four turnovers, which was the lowest in the league. As a result of his success with the long ball, Jalen Hurts has a passer rating of 131.8. He has thrown for more than 20 yards and has thrown for six touchdowns while committing zero interceptions.

How did things become so wrong? It is common for them to take a conservative stance, which, while it is beneficial in terms of the turnover battle, which is an essential metric for their success, is detrimental to a high-powered offense. Third-down efficiency has been an issue for Philadelphia during the first ten weeks of the season. The Eagles were 27th with a conversion rate of 42.4% and went three-and-out on 41% of their drives, which placed them in the 28th position.

Determining how to strike a balance between safeguarding the football and making the most of the stars is essential for the second half. An offense that has the potential to be significantly more dynamic is reflected in the frustrations of receiver A.J. Brown. The most significant complaint he has is that the Eagles’ current performance will not be sufficient when January rolls around. Therefore, in order for this offense to fully flourish, Patullo and Hurts need to feel more at ease when it comes to opening things up.

Washington Commanders

• Offensive coordinator: Kliff Kingsbury
• Playcaller: Kliff Kingsbury

What has been successful so far? Laremy Tunsil, a left tackle who was acquired in a trade during the offseason, has performed admirably. Through the tenth week of the season, veteran tight end Zach Ertz and receiver Deebo Samuel worked together to record 81 receptions, 741 yards, and eight touchdowns. Washington requires more explosiveness in their immediate vicinity. The seventh-round running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has demonstrated his potential by accumulating 470 yards and four touchdowns as of the eleventh week of the season.

How did things become so wrong? The injuries. There have been three distinct injuries that have caused Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels to miss four games, and the number continues to grow. There have been a total of 15 games that receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown have missed, and the number continues to rise. Austin Ekeler, a running back, had an Achilles injury in Week 2, and he was out for the season. Only two games were played by Washington while all of these players were out with injuries.

“Health” is the key to the second half. In the event that the team is no longer in contention for a postseason spot, it is questionable when Daniels, who suffered a dislocated left elbow, will return to action or whether he should return at all. However, even if only McLaurin and Brown return, it will be a significant boost to the team’s performance. The addition of McLaurin would provide Washington with the much-needed boost at the downfield position. It is imperative that the offensive line of the Commanders become a more significant factor.

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears

• Offensive coordinator: Declan Doyle
• Playcaller: Ben Johnson

What has been successful so far? As of the beginning of Week 11, Johnson’s offense had the Bears averaging 26.6 points per game, which was ninth in the league. In eight of the nine games that Chicago played, the team scored more than twenty points, which is one more than it scored in the entirety of the year 2024. Caleb Williams, the quarterback, has shown a discernible improvement over the past ten weeks. He is now ranked thirteenth in passing (2,136 yards) and has taken the fourth-fewest sacks (14). This is a result of the Bears’ new offensive line, which ranks second in pass block win rate (71%) and the balance they acquired by finally establishing their running game (which now ranks second at 147.3 yards per game), which puts this offense in a rhythm. Both of these factors have contributed to the Bears’ success.

How did things become so wrong? In five of their seven victories, the Bears have held competition at a level that is too close for comfort. Williams’ four winning drives with his team trailing are a net plus, but Chicago needs to figure out how to put opponents away earlier than the final five minutes of the game. His success percentage of 42.7% places him in 28th place, despite the fact that Williams has demonstrated improvement in a great number of areas, like playing inside structure, avoiding sacks, and using his legs.

One of the most important aspects of the second half is that Chicago has a challenging schedule. As a result of the fact that the Bears did not score on their final drive before halftime in Weeks 6 to 10, it is essential to have a head start on teams sooner. The defenses that it will face will not be as forgiving as the Giants, Commanders, Cowboys, and Bengals, all of whom rank among the poorest in total defense. Additionally, Chicago needs to continue to improve its effectiveness in the red zone (for the 22nd spot) and ensure that pre-snap penalties are kept to a minimum.

Detroit Lions

• Offensive coordinator: John Morton
• Playcaller: Dan Campbell

What has been successful so far? Points for the team. Following the record-setting, 15-win campaign that Detroit established the previous year, during which it led the NFL with 33.2 points per game, the team has continued to rack up points. After ten weeks, the Lions’ average of 30.4 points per game placed them in second place. For the past four games, Detroit has scored more than 35 points, including a 52-point performance against Chicago in the second week of the season.

How did things become so wrong? After suffering an upset loss to Minnesota by a score of 27-24 on November 2, Campbell, the head coach of the Lions, took over the offensive playcalling duties from Morton in Week 10. In spite of the fact that Detroit was among the league leaders in total points per game, the team was still having trouble establishing an offensive identity that went beyond home run plays. As far as I am concerned, the word that comes to me when I think about an offense is flow. Following practice on November 6, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown expressed his belief that the team has not been in the flow throughout the entire year.

Maintaining Jameson Williams’ involvement as a receiver is essential for the second half. During Weeks 9 and 10, Williams had a receiving yardage average of 92.5 and scored two touchdowns at the receiving position. On the other hand, prior to that, Williams had a receiving yardage average of 41.3 and had scored two touchdowns in the first seven games of the season. Williams needs to be able to make a consistent impact during the second half of the season, and Detroit needs to find methods to make that happen.

Green Bay Packers

• Offensive coordinator: Adam Stenavich
• Playcaller: Matt LaFleur

What has been successful so far? The end zone has been located by Josh Jacobs, who has achieved this. In the National Football League, he was ranked second with 11 rushing touchdowns as of the eleventh week of the season, behind only Jonathan Taylor (15). At the end of the tenth week, they were the only two running backs in the league to have scored more than ten touchdowns on the ground. In goal-to-go scenarios, LaFleur has been able to make excellent use of Jacobs despite an uneven blocking performance. As of the eleventh week of the season, Jacobs had the longest active streak of games with a rushing touchdown having reached six. Earlier in the season, he had a string of ten games with a rushing touchdown dating back to the previous season. Unfortunately, he was forced to leave the game against the Giants on Sunday due to a knee injury before he had the opportunity to score a touchdown. On the other hand, backup running back Emanuel Wilson gave his best interpretation of Jacobs by scoring a score on a run of 11 yards.

How did things become so wrong? Play-action games, which were previously a mainstay of LaFleur’s attack, were abandoned by the Packers of the National Football League. Between Week 7 and Week 10, they had a play-action rate of 21.5%, which was the sixth lowest in the National Football League for that time period. Following a play-action rate of 32.5% in the first six weeks of the season, which ranked as the second highest, here is the current situation. However, it appears that they are coming back to it because in their victory over the Giants on Sunday, they used play-action on 34.5% of their dropbacks. This is the second-highest rate of play-action they have used this season.

Getting quarterback Jordan Love back on track is the most important thing for the second half. He completed 70.9% of his passes with 13 touchdowns and two interceptions during the first seven games of the season, making him one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the league throughout that time period. Love’s completion percentage has plummeted to 60.8% over the course of the last three games, earning him two touchdowns.

Minnesota Vikings

• Offensive coordinator: Wes Phillips
• Playcaller: Kevin O’Connell

What has been successful so far? During the first ten weeks of the season, the Vikings have been able to acquire receiver Justin Jefferson 9.3 targets per game, which is ninth most in the NFL. This is despite the fact that the Vikings have occasionally faced complex defenses that are meant to force quarterbacks to switch to another read. This is particularly noteworthy due to the fact that the Vikings are ranked 22nd in pass attempts (286). However, O’Connell has also been forced to deal with injuries to his two best quarterbacks, J.J. McCarthy, who had an injury to his right ankle, and Carson Wentz, who underwent surgery on his left shoulder, which ended his season.

How did things become so wrong? By relying primarily on their run game, the Vikings intended to relieve some of the strain that McCarthy was under. However, the Vikings’ play calls frequently have built-in run/pass options, which provide quarterbacks with the opportunity to switch to a play that is more suitable for the defensive alignment. This is one of the reasons why McCarthy has been able to lead the Vikings to a designed pass percentage of 63.2% in his first four appearances as quarterback. In a recent statement, O’Connell stated that he will not be calling run plays for the purpose of accumulating statistics.

The key to the second half is that O’Connell will need to give McCarthy as much of the offense as he is capable of handling, and possibly even a little bit more than that, while at the same time keeping in mind that this squad was constructed to compete for a playoff place in 2025. Is it possible for O’Connell to strike a balance between those two worlds and accomplish both of his goals?

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons

• Offensive coordinator: Zac Robinson
• Playcaller: Zac Robinson

What has been successful so far? Bijan Robinson, the Falcons’ star running back, has been a more significant contributor to the passing game than he has been in previous years. Robinson was in second place on the club in receiving yards with 467 up to the eleventh week of the season, and he was only 20 yards shy from tying his career high. During the first ten weeks of the NFL season, Robinson ranked third in the league in yards from scrimmage (1,146).

How did things become so wrong? The Falcons have not been able to come up with a solution ever since their running game was taken away. Robinson’s failure to reach the 75-yard mark on the ground results in a record of 0-5 for Atlanta. As was to be expected, Michael Penix Jr., a quarterback in his second year, had both highs and lows before suffering a knee injury that is anticipated to bring an end to his season. The Falcons were rated 27th in points per game (18.7), and he was ranked 19th in the league in terms of quarterback rating (QBR) at the beginning of Week 11.

Crucial to the second half: It would have been Penix’s ongoing improvement, and he was doing well against the Panthers on Sunday when the hit that caused his knee injury occurred in the third quarter. Unfortunately, he suffered the damage. Drake London, a wide receiver, may also lose some time due to a knee injury. Therefore, Zac Robinson will have to cope with a core injury moving forward. As the starting quarterback, he will be responsible for ensuring that Kirk Cousins is up to speed in order to keep the Falcons competitive.

Carolina Panthers

• Offensive coordinator: Brad Idzik
• Playcaller: Dave Canales

What exactly has been successful? Carolina stumbled into its best playmaker when running back Rico Dowdle replaced injured Chuba Hubbard as the starter. Over the course of his first two starts, Dowdle accumulated 479 yards from scrimmage. As of the eleventh week of the NFL season, he was ranked third in the league in rushing (788 yards). The quarterback, Bryce Young, is effective when he is on the field.

Why has something gone wrong? No major danger exists. With a completion percentage over expectation on deep balls, Young placed 32nd out of 33 qualified quarterbacks with a rate of minus-13.7. Through Week 10, Young had only completed 35% of his passes that were longer than 20 yards. For the most part, Carolina has been unproductive in their efforts to stop the run, like the Saints did the previous week.

Finding a means to spread the field and finding a balance are both essential for the second half. There was a significant reason why Carolina had averaged fewer than 12 points in each of its four games prior to Sunday, when the Panthers defeated Atlanta by a score of 30-27. This was mostly due to the absence of explosive plays. Young needs to be more aggressive in passing the ball around. There is an excessive amount of dependence on Tetairoa McMillan, a rookie receiver with the Panthers, who has been responsible for more than fifty percent of the team’s receiver performance. The author David Newton

New Orleans Saints

• Offensive coordinator: Doug Nussmeier
• Playcaller: Kellen Moore

What has been successful so far? The New Orleans Saints have shown a great deal of patience with rookie Tyler Shough, as evidenced by their decision to sit him out the first half of the season. The fact that Shough appears to have developed under Moore and Nussmeier throughout that time period suggests that this may have been a successful strategy. In the game against the Panthers that he started for the second time last week, he threw for two touchdowns.

How did things become so wrong? The choices that Moore has made about game management are somewhat perplexing. When the Saints played the Cardinals in their opening game of the season, he did not call a timeout during the first half of gameplay. Moore called only one timeout after the two-minute warning, and the Saints were penalized coming out of that timeout, which resulted in a punt with 27 seconds left at the Panthers’ 45-yard line. The Saints had possession of the ball with 3 minutes and 54 seconds remaining in the first half of their game against the Panthers.

To be successful in the second half, the Saints must work on improving their running game. Taysom Hill, a versatile player who is 35 years old, has been returning from a significant knee injury, and his output has been inconsistent. The Saints need to get more out of running backs Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal. Over the course of several weeks, Kamara had his best game against the Panthers, despite the fact that he was playing behind a makeshift offensive line. The author Katherine Terrell

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Offensive coordinator: Josh Grizzard
• Playcaller: Josh Grizzard

What has been successful so far? Baker Mayfield is still recording decent numbers despite the fact that the Buccaneers’ offense has not been as high flying as it was in 2024. This is despite the fact that his line and skill position players have suffered a number of injuries. As of the eleventh week of the season, he was rated tenth in total passing yards and was establishing a good connection with rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka, who led the club in receiving yards with 677 and six touchdown catches.

How did things become so wrong? Due to the injuries described above, the first-year playcaller has been experiencing a significant amount of stress. Receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jaleen McMillan, as well as running back Bucky Irving, and offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke, and Cody Mauch, have all been absent from numerous games. In addition to that, the Buccaneers’ offense has been particularly challenging on third down, where they sit in the lowest third of the league with a conversion rate of 36.2%.

“Health” is the key to the second half. Mayfield is already playing through knee and oblique ailments, and the Buccaneers cannot afford to have any more injuries to their offense. Their offense is already struggling. He is the driving force behind the offense, and if he were to go, the Buccaneers’ chances of making the playoffs would be quite slim. Additionally, if some of the skilled players were to return, or even if they did return, it would be beneficial for Grizzard to steady his inconsistent playcalling. This is Brooke Pryor.

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals

• Offensive coordinator: Drew Petzing
• Playcaller: Drew Petzing

What has been successful so far? The Cardinals are known for their ability to cook, as the children remark. There have been times throughout this season when the offense of the Cardinals has appeared to be unbeatable and to be among the finest groups in the National Football League. However, Petzing has done a wonderful job of getting tight end Trey McBride involved more than he ever has before, which has placed pressure on defenses and opened things up for the rest of the offense. This has been the case throughout the ups and downs that have occurred this season. The offense was able to find a rhythm after the replacement of Kyler Murray with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback. This was especially true when it came to moving the ball down field.

How did things become so wrong? There is no way to twist the truth: a great deal. The failure of the Cardinals to finish games was a significant problem that plagued them during the first half of the season. Despite Arizona’s first two victories, the team was unable to complete crucial third-down conversions in order to run out the clock. Additionally, Arizona has had a difficult time getting receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. involved on a continuous basis (he was out from Week 11 due to an appendectomy being performed). And the run game has had a hard time getting off the ground, especially when it comes to its top two backs.

If the Cardinals are able to maintain their consistency on third down, where they have been one of the best teams in the NFL with Brissett at quarterback, and continue to get their major playmakers, specifically Harrison and McBride, involved on a regular basis, the offense will be adequate, if not potent. This is the key to the second half. At this stage, it is a matter of continuing to be consistent. Weinfuss, Josh (author)

Los Angeles Rams

• Offensive coordinator: Mike LaFleur
• Playcaller: Sean McVay

What has been successful so far? With 27 touchdowns and two interceptions through ten games, Matthew Stafford is having one of the best seasons of his career in terms of his own personal football performance. It was over the offseason that McVay expressed his desire to construct an attack that was more adaptable. The Rams, who had played a high number of 11 personnel (three receivers) under McVay, have led the league in snaps with 13 personnel (three tight ends) through the first 11 weeks of the season. This is one way that this has shown itself.

How did things become so wrong? Quite a bit recently. In spite of the fact that wide receiver Davante Adams described the offense’s performance as “not to our standard” in Week 11, when they were playing against an outstanding Seattle defense, the Rams still managed to score 21 points and were successful in three of four red zone attempts. The three games that came before, Los Angeles scored 111 points, and throughout that interval, they were 13 for 15 in the red zone. throughout that time period, they scored 111 points.

The challenge for the second half is to keep Stafford upright. Despite the fact that Stafford was sidelined for the majority of training camp due to a back issue, the offensive line of the Rams has been very successful in protecting him. Through the tenth week of the season, Stafford had only been sacked fourteen times, and he has not missed a single practice due to an injury since his comeback during training camp. — Sarah Barshop was the

San Francisco 49ers

• Offensive coordinator: Klay Kubiak
• Playcaller: Kyle Shanahan

What has been successful so far? The 49ers have been able to pass the ball as well as any other team, despite the fact that they have been without quarterback Brock Purdy and two of their greatest receivers, Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall. At the beginning of Week 11, the Niners were leading the National Football League in passing yards per game (261.4), and running back Christian McCaffrey had reemerged as one of the most exciting dual-threat options in the league, ranking second in scrimmage yards per game (131.8).

How did things become so wrong? With just a few notable exceptions, the once-revered run game of the 49ers has proven to be extremely difficult to execute. They had a rushing yardage average of 94.8 per game (27th) and a carry average of 3.5 yards (32nd) through the tenth week of the season. Because of this, there is a disparity between the 49ers’ ability to move the ball (12th in yards per game) and their ability to score touchdowns (18th in scoring offense) on a consistent basis.

The Niners’ offense has shown signs of life, particularly after tight end George Kittle returned from injury and running back Brian Robinson Jr. became more involved. This is the key to the second half of the game. They have high hopes that if they are able to get back Purdy, Pearsall, and possibly Aiyuk, they will be able to raise their offensive to a higher level and score more than 30 points on a consistent basis. This will help them compensate for the inevitable difficulties that will be experienced by a young and injured defense. Theresa Wagoner, Nick

Seattle Seahawks

• Offensive coordinator: Klint Kubiak
• Playcaller: Kubiak

What has been successful so far? The Seahawks’ offense has been averaging 26.6 points through ten games, which is sixth most in the league. This is primarily due to the Seahawks’ passing game. Before his performance on Sunday, in which he had four interceptions, Sam Darnold led the NFL in total quarterback rating (77.6) and played his way into the conversation for most valuable player. In the course of this season, he has only been sacked ten times. With 1,146 receptions, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is now in first place in the league and has the potential to break Calvin Johnson’s record for most receptions in a single season.

How did things become so wrong? Only 3.8 yards are being carried by the Seahawks on average, which is the fourth lowest average. The reason for this is because they have a far higher designed rushing percentage than any other team in the league (49.8%). On the other hand, their dedication to the race has paid off in a few different ways. They have been playing against the second-most loaded boxes of any team, which has made things easier for their passing game. Additionally, the fact that they have rushed for 333 yards over the course of the last two games appears to be an indication of a possible breakout.

Radishad Shaheed, a receiver who was acquired by the Saints in a trade, has the ability to improve Seattle’s offense in a variety of different ways. He is the key to the second half. In the event that defenses are determined to remove Smith-Njigba from the game, Shaheed provides the Seahawks with an other established choice, and a fast one at that time. Due to the fact that Shaheed is one of the most dangerous deep threats in the league, the presence of this player should force teams to drop a defender back in coverage, which might potentially open up rushing lanes. It was in his first game with the Seahawks that he demonstrated his ability to line up in the backfield and actively contribute to the Seahawks’ run attack. This is Brady Henderson.