Halfway through the NFL season, all 32 teams are fighting for the 14 spots in the playoffs. Every fan is hoping their team makes it to the postseason but unfortunately, fans of 18 teams will be left in disappointment. Some WJ students and staff stay optimistic in their favorite team’s battle to the playoffs, but others have lost hope.
One fan-favorite NFL team is the Detroit Lions. The Lions have had a historic dry spell for many years without a single postseason win. But under new management, their luck changed last year when they won their first playoff game in 32 years. The Lions made it all the way to the NFC Championship but were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers. This season, Lions fans believe their team can win the NFC Championships and make it to the Superbowl- a milestone that the Lions have never been to in the team’s 94-year existence. Although the Lions are off to a great start with a record of 7-1, star defensive end and potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate Aidan Hutchinson is out for the season due to a leg injury, which could complicate the rest of the season for the Lions.
“It is devastating that [Hutchinson] got injured and is out for the season,” senior Pearse Worden said. “But with our strong offense consisting of quarterback Jared Goff and running back David Montgomery as well as Za’Darius Smith coming up from the Browns to help fill Hutchinson’s shoes, we will definitely make the playoffs and still have a good shot at making it to the Superbowl.”
Another popular NFL team amongst the WJ community is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are also off to a strong start with a record of 6-2 and are rooting for a better season than last year. Although they made it to the playoffs last year, they lost early in the Wild Card round to the AFC Championship runner-up, the Buffalo Bills. Steelers fans are more confident this year to have a better postseason with a solid quarterback situation and good defense.
“We have actually good quarterbacks this year with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, which was what we were lacking last year,” security assistant Robert Montgomery said. “On top of that, our defense is playing well and we have an overall stronger team this season, so I think we can make it all the way to the AFC Championships.”
Other NFL teams have not had as great a start as the Lions and Steelers, as the New York Giants playoff chances are slimming weekly. The Giants have a record of 2-7 right now, making them the worst team currently in the NFC East division. With quarterback Daniel Jones’ inconsistency and a weak offensive line, it is unlikely for the Giants to make the postseason.
“Being 2-7 and losing to weak teams like the Cowboys and Bengals, I’ve given up on the Giants this season,” sophomore Habiba Benkilani said. “I’m not going to root for the Giants for the rest of the reason since there is just no chance we can make the playoffs.”
There are still several weeks left in the regular season before playoffs, so anything can happen. Whether teams fall short or make it all the way, the excitement of each game unites fans and reminds us that football is more about a journey of perseverance and pursuit of victory than a game.