NFL midseason grades: Vikings are surprise, Lions are class of a super-competitive NFC North

Here’s how the NFL is shaping up at midseason in 2024. (Gregory Hodge/Yahoo Sports)

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(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)

Record: 7-1 (first in NFC North)

Top fantasy performer: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, 140.10 points

MVP: QB Jared Goff

Key second-half game: Dec. 15 vs. Bills

The Lions aren’t just playing football. They’re having a lot of fun out there. Headstands-in-the-end-zone kind of fun. When head coach Dan Campbell talked about biting kneecaps in 2021, this is the team he was building toward: a team that can put up 50 on every competitor they face. Jared Goff is playing high-level, MVP-caliber football right now and is spreading the ball around to everyone. Jameson Williams (when he’s actually on the field), David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta — everyone’s getting a chance. Campbell can be a bit of a wild-card sometimes, which is certainly a liability, but the Lions are the kind of team that has the ability to overcome their head coach’s occasionally questionable decision-making. And as far as liabilities go, that’s definitely preferable to having a QB who can’t hit the broadside of a barn.

(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)

Record: 6-2 (second in NFC North)

Top fantasy performer: QB Sam Darnold, 143.00 points

MVP: LB Andrew Van Ginkel

Key second-half game: Jan. 5 at Lions

Sam Darnold coming out in Week 1 like a fire-breathing dragon was among the most surprising things about the early NFL season. It was inevitable that Darnold’s strong start would unravel a bit, and it has, but the Vikings have been able to stand firm on their powerful defense. There’s still a lot more football to be played, but surrounding Darnold with talented players has worked. The big question is: Will it continue to work, or will Darnold’s shortcomings reappear and doom the whole operation?

(Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)

Record: 6-3 (third in NFC North)

Top fantasy performer: QB Jordan…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-11-06 11:00:55

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