October has been designated as Nationwide Constructive Perspective Month. Whereas folks across the nation discover themselves coping with various challenges, stresses and alternatives of their on a regular basis lives, the thought behind Nationwide Constructive Perspective Month is to encourage folks to view issues with a “glass half full” perspective.
The NFL season has wrapped up its first quarter of the season, and several other storylines have already begun to emerge throughout the league. This week, Yardbarker’s NFL writers assembled to establish one optimistic improvement from every group because the league heads into October.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Photos
DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2-1) | Largest optimistic: Dak Prescott’s high-level play | The Cowboys could be 0-4 if it weren’t for his or her No. 1 quarterback maintaining them in video games late. Dallas leads the league in offense with 404.3 yards per recreation and ranks final within the league in protection, permitting 420.5 yards per recreation. Prescott leads the NFL in passing yards (1,119) and, in Week 4, led the offense to 40 factors simply to get a tie and keep away from a loss.
NEW YORK GIANTS (1-3) | Largest optimistic: Rookies offering hope | The rookie trio of quarterback Jaxson Dart, operating again Cam Skattebo and outdoors linebacker Abdul Carter isn’t simply giving hope for the long run, however hope for the remainder of the season. All three began their first recreation collectively in Week 4 and contributed to the Giants’ first win. Carter has the eleventh most quarterback pressures (19) to this point this season, and if the trio continues to progress in the appropriate route, the Giants might even see themselves within the win column extra typically than they anticipated.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-0) | Largest optimistic: Particular groups wins video games |
In 2024, the Eagles didn’t block a subject objective, however in 2025, they’ve already blocked two and returned one for a landing. In Week 4, the Eagles’ particular groups got here up huge once more with a blocked punt returned for a landing, making Philadelphia the first team since they did it themselves in 2014 to have consecutive video games with a blocked kick/punt returned for a landing. Whereas particular groups is commonly ignored, for the Eagles, it has helped hold them unbeaten by way of 4 weeks.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-2) | Largest optimistic: Roster depth | With No. 1 operating again Austin Ekler out for the 12 months resulting from an Achilles harm, No. 2 operating again Jacory Croskey-Merritt has carried out a stable job, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Maybe extra impressively is that backup quarterback Marcus Mariota saved the group afloat whereas Jayden Daniels heals from a knee harm, going 1-1 in his two begins. The standard of their depth typically distinguishes good groups and unhealthy groups, and the Commanders have demonstrated that their bench gamers can step up when known as upon.
— Conor Killmurray
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers center linebacker Fred Warner.
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Photos
ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-2) | Largest optimistic: Line of defense | If not for back-to-back losses by way of walk-off subject targets, the Cardinals could possibly be 4-0. On the brilliant facet, the rebuilt line of defense has appeared flawless with veteran Calais Campbell main the league in sacks from an inside defender (three), whereas free agent signing Josh Sweat ranks third within the league amongst edge defenders in go rush with a 30% win fee. Arizona’s protection has been a problem for opposing groups to this point, and that ought to proceed with a positive Week 5 matchup at house towards the 0-4 Tennessee Titans.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (3-1) | Largest optimistic: Puka Nacua’s historic tempo | The third-year wideout has merely been sensational by way of 4 video games. With 170 yards in Sunday’s win over the beforehand unbeaten Indianapolis Colts, Nacua has an NFL-best 503 receiving yards and 42 receptions, that are tied along with his former teammate Cooper Kupp (2022) and Michael Thomas (2018) for the most in the first four games of the season in NFL historical past, per NFL.com.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-1) | Largest optimistic: Fred Warner’s influence | Though the 49ers protection has but to file an interception this season, it has been the most effective items within the NFL. Spearheading that protection is the veteran Warner, who has a team-high 38 complete tackles to associate with two tackles for loss, three passes defended, two pressured fumbles and one fumble restoration. His 17 profession pressured fumbles are the most in franchise history, surpassing Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Patrick Willis, leaving little question of the influence he continues to make on an elite protection.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-1) | Largest optimistic: Secondary | Along with some highlights from its particular group unit, the Seattle protection has appeared a lot better than final season underneath second-year head coach Mike MacDonald, particularly within the secondary. The seven interceptions are tied with the Chicago Bears for the second-most, and the 76.4 opponent common passer ranking is fourth. Apart from a slender Week 1 loss to the 49ers, the Seahawks are flying excessive after 4 weeks of play.
— Colby Colwell
NFC North
Chicago Bears broad receiver Rome Odunze.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Photos
CHICAGO BEARS (2-2) | Largest optimistic: Rome Odunze’s breakout | Nobody is happier to have head coach Ben Johnson on the town than Odunze, who’s already thriving in Chicago’s new offensive system. Via 4 video games, the second-year broad receiver has 20 catches, 296 yards and 5 touchdowns. Caleb Williams formally has his No. 1 goal for years to come back.
DETROIT LIONS (3-1) | Largest optimistic: Offense with out Ben Johnson | Talking of Johnson, Lions followers have been begging for him to come back again after the offense managed simply 13 factors and three.8 yards per play towards the Packers in Week 1. Since then, although, Detroit scored 52 factors towards the Bears, 38 towards the Ravens and 34 towards the Browns, mixing in a ton of inventive play calls alongside the best way. The Lions, which now lead the NFL in factors per recreation (34.3), appear like they’ll be simply high-quality with out Johnson calling the pictures.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1-1) | Largest optimistic: Passing recreation | Inexperienced Bay’s passing offense, which ranks fourth within the NFL in yards per try (8.3), has been one of the crucial environment friendly within the league this season. Jordan Love leads the NFL in adjusted EPA per play (0.356) and ranks second in completion proportion (76.4 %) and fifth in success fee (53.0 %). This passing assault is a nightmare for opponents to organize for as a result of Love spreads the ball round so successfully.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-2) | Largest optimistic: Secondary | The Vikings aren’t getting the quarterback play they should attain their targets, however the go protection will hold them aggressive in most video games. Minnesota’s protection ranks first within the NFL in dropback EPA (-0.272) and third in passing yards allowed per recreation (151.5) by way of 4 weeks. Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers has been the most effective within the enterprise this 12 months, as he’s already recorded two pressured fumbles, one fumble restoration, one interception and two defensive touchdowns.
— Jack Dougherty
NFC South
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photos
ATLANTA FALCONS (2-2) | Largest optimistic: Working again Bijan Robinson | The third-year again has been among the many league’s most dynamic gamers by way of 4 weeks and is on tempo for two,482 yards from scrimmage. Primarily based on his present manufacturing, Robinson is on observe to turn out to be the fourth participant in NFL historical past with 1,000 dashing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the identical season, becoming a member of Roger Craig (1985), Marshall Faulk (1999) and Christian McCaffrey (2019). (h/t Stathead)
CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-3) | Largest optimistic: Run blocking | The floor numbers say in any other case — the Panthers are averaging 3.9 yards per carry, No. 23 within the NFL — however Carolina’s run–blocking has been a energy by way of 4 video games, coming into Week 5 No. 7 in ESPN’s run-block win rate rankings. Amongst 43 qualifying backs, offseason free-agent acquisition operating again Rico Dowdle ranks final in rush yards over anticipated (RYOE) per try (-1.5), according to NFL Pro data, additional illustrating the Panthers’ unimpressive dashing numbers aren’t a results of struggles up entrance.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-4) | Largest optimistic: Quarterback improvement |
Whereas New Orleans is the final winless NFC group, the season hasn’t been a whole dumpster hearth, with quarterback Spencer Rattler taking significant steps in the appropriate route, rising his completion proportion from final season 10.1 proportion factors, throwing extra touchdowns and fewer interceptions and trusting his legs extra as a runner. The Saints is likely to be available in the market for a quarterback with extra upside within the 2026 NFL Draft, and Rattler’s development is a optimistic signal that head coach Kellen Moore will be capable of develop whoever his franchise quarterback is.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-1) | Largest optimistic: Run protection | Tampa Bay is the only team in the NFL to carry its first 4 opponents underneath 100 dashing yards, and it additionally ranks second within the league in yards allowed per rush try (3.3), which is a outstanding accomplishment contemplating it’s confronted two of the league’s greatest operating backs, Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson. The staunch Bucs run protection is nothing new, with the unit holding its final 13 opponents (together with playoffs) underneath 100 dashing yards, the league’s longest active streak.
— Eric Smithling
AFC East
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.
Brian Fluharty-Imagn Photos
BUFFALO BILLS (4-0) | Largest optimistic: A robust begin | With 30 or extra factors scored in every of the group’s first 4 video games, the undefeated Payments are off to their greatest begin since 1992, after they represented the AFC in Tremendous Bowl XXVI. After opening the season with a one-point victory over the Baltimore Ravens, the Payments have outscored opponents 92-50 whereas posting the second-most yards per recreation (404.0) of any group.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-3) | Largest optimistic: Publish-Tyreek Hill plans |
Hill’s season-ending knee harm was hard to watch , however with no assured cash past 2025, Miami has no cause to maintain the 31-year-old receiver and may save $28M towards subsequent 12 months’s cap by letting him go. Regardless of the group’s 27-21 victory over the New York Jets on “Monday Night time Soccer,” the Dolphins are clearly not prepared for primetime and may put Hill’s cash to good use as they give the impression of being to rebuild in 2026.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-2) | Largest optimistic: Drake Maye is OK | New England’s 42 factors scored towards Carolina have been a career-high for Maye and essentially the most for the reason that group beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 50-10 in 2021. The second-year quarterback went 14-17 for 203 yards and two scores towards the Panthers on Sunday, ending with a career-best 155.6 quarterback ranking, and is at present the NFL’s sixth-leading passer with 988 yards.
NEW YORK JETS (0-4) | Justin Fields’ legs |
Solely the Payments (654) and Commanders (619) have run for extra yards than the Jets (578), who common 5.2 yards per carry with out a top-10 rusher. Working again Breece Corridor ranks nineteenth with 238 yards, however amongst quarterbacks, solely Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts has extra yards (179) than Fields, who ran for 81 yards and a rating towards the Dolphins and led the group in dashing in two of his first three begins.
— Bruce Ewing
AFC West
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Photos
DENVER BRONCOS (2-2) | Largest optimistic: Go-rushing duo |
Per the team’s Instagram page, Jonathon Cooper has mentioned he and fellow LB Nik Bonitto are “all the time in a race to the quarterback.” Bonitto holds a slight lead within the contest with 4.5 sacks in 4 video games, however Cooper isn’t far behind with 2.5. The pleasant competitors has benefited Denver, which leads the league in sacks (15).
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-2) | Largest optimistic: WR Xavier Worthy is again | With Worthy again within the lineup, the Chiefs’ Twelfth-ranked passing assault (221.8 YPG) ought to regain its footing. After lacking two video games due to a dislocated tight shoulder, Worthy had 5 receptions for 83 yards in a 37-20 Week 4 win over the Baltimore Ravens. In his postgame news conference, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes mentioned Worthy confirmed he’s a do-everything WR and expects him to stay in that position for the remainder of the season.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-3) | Largest optimistic: Rookie RB Ashton Jeanty’s returning to his pre-snap stance at Boise State | On Monday, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll mentioned he “liked” Jeanty going again to his faculty pre-snap stance in Week 4 towards the Chicago Bears. In contrast to most RBs who stand like a basketball participant enjoying protection, the Boise State product stood along with his palms at his sides. It clearly made a distinction, as he rushed for a season-high 138 yards and one TD on 21 carries within the 25-24 loss to Chicago.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (3-1) | Largest optimistic: Third-year WR Quentin Johnston’s breakout | Johnston was thought of a possible bust after struggling with drops in his first two seasons. Now, the 2023 first-rounder is turning into one of many league’s extra productive receivers. Via 4 video games, the TCU product ranks third within the league in receiving yards (337) and is tied for third in TD catches (4).
— Clark Dalton
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos
BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-3) | Largest optimistic: The offense remains to be dynamic | Even with the 1-3 file, you’ll be able to’t actually put a lot blame on quarterback Lamar Jackson and the offense. They’ve scored no less than 20 factors in each recreation, 30 factors in three video games and 40 factors in two video games. That can undergo a bit if Jackson misses a while, however the offense has performed properly sufficient to be no less than 3-1 as an alternative of 1-3 at this level.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-2) | Largest optimistic: Ja’Marr Chase remains to be nice |
There was nothing overly spectacular concerning the Bengals’ 2-2 begin, particularly after the final two video games with out quarterback Joe Burrow. Positives are few and much between right here, however Chase remains to be having an amazing season with 26 catches and 264 yards, placing him on a tempo for 110 catches and 1,122 yards over 17 video games.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-3) | Largest optimistic: The rookie class appears to be like sturdy |
This was all the time going to be an extended 12 months for the Browns and one other rebuilding 12 months, and that’s why it’s so vital that their rookie class has already made a big effect. Defensive lineman Mason Graham, linebacker Carson Schwesinger and operating backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson have all already made impacts, and now quarterback Dillon Gabriel is getting his alternative.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (3-1) | Largest optimistic: Aaron Rodgers nonetheless has one thing left |
Rodgers is probably not the MVP-level participant he was at his peak for the Green Bay Packers, however there’s no less than one thing left in his arm and he’s giving the Steelers the perfect quarterback play they’ve had in no less than 5 – 6 years. They don’t want him to be MVP Aaron Rodgers; they only want him to be a very good, succesful NFL quarterback. That’s what they’re getting.
— Adam Gretz
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones.
Steve Roberts-Imagn Photos
HOUSTON TEXANS (1-3) | Largest optimistic: An elite go rush | Houston has arguably the perfect pass-rush duo within the NFL with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. The 2 have mixed for seven sacks on the season and helped Houston shut out the Titans 26-0 in Week 4. The Texans lead the NFL with simply 12.8 factors allowed per recreation, and their potential to get after the quarterback has overwhelmed opposing offenses.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-1) | | Largest optimistic: The rebirth of QB Daniel Jones | Jones threw his first two interceptions of the season in a Week 4 loss to the Rams, however he has been excellent total with the Colts. The previous first-round choose has accomplished 71.9 % of his passes for 1,078 yards, which ranks third within the NFL. Jones has additionally accounted for seven touchdowns and has Indy trying like one of many shock groups of 2025.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-1) | | Largest optimistic: Having a nostril for the soccer | The Jaguars lead the NFL by way of 4 video games with a plus-nine turnover margin. They’ve a whopping 13 takeaways, together with 9 interceptions. LB Devin Lloyd had three picks and cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who signed a $30M take care of Jacksonville in free company, has two. New HC Liam Coen’s group is off to a sizzling begin primarily as a result of it has pressured opposing groups into errors.
TENNESSEE TITANS (0-4) | | Largest optimistic: LB Cedric Grey’s improvement | Following an injury-plagued rookie season in 2024, Grey has emerged as a possible anchor of Tennessee’s protection. He had a career-high 17 complete tackles (10 solo) in Week 4 and ranks 12th in the NFL in complete tackles by way of 4 video games. Grey, a former fourth-round pick of North Carolina, appears to be like like he may turn into the most effective linebackers in soccer.
— Steve DelVecchio
