Just one year into the second Bet, we've seen a chasm widen between the contenders and the darkhorses. And then we've seen a Grand Canyon divide the darkhorses from the cellar-dweller. Here's a look at where the teams stack up one fifth of the way through.
1. Philadelphia (10)
2. Jacksonville (5)
3. Oakland (4)
4. New York Giants (5)
5. Miami (7)
"My guess is this team doesn't look that bad until November 2019, at which point Klein starts planning for the next Five Year Bet," I wrote after the draft. I was wrong. It's looked bad at every moment. It looks absolutely putrid at this point. There's little reason to have confidence in four of the five teams. Behind Carson Wentz, the closest thing to a franchise quarterback on these teams is Daniel Jones. The longest-tenured coach of the four is Doug Marrone. We all had a good laugh about the Raider pick at #13 overall but even a pristine choice would not have saved the Kleins. This team is hopeless.
1. Minnesota (8)
2. Pittsburgh (9)
3. Indianapolis (11)
4. Detroit (6)
5. Arizona (3)
The big draft decision I questioned was Indianapolis at #17. That's looking like the best selection I made. Minnesota and Pittsburgh blew a bunch of close games, Detroit may be rebuilding again as soon as next year and the (3) from Arizona is a devastating anchor. Most concerning is how good the top teams look and the two-touchdown lead they've been spotted. This isn't a hopeless situation like Klein's, but it's bleak.
1. Green Bay (6)
2. New Orleans (14)
3. Seattle (10)
4. Cincinnati (6)
5. New York Jets (4)
The NFC teams vanguarding Alex's squadron are positioned to win a lot of games in 2019, but ugly front office situations for his AFC teams are squashing his chances. Alex will need unlikely short and long-term turnarounds from the Bengals and Jets to have a chance.
1. Atlanta (7)
2. Kansas City (13)
3. Carolina (7)
4. Tennessee (9)
5. Washington (7)
This squad has Pat Mahomes and some other teams. While the Falcons, Panthers and Titans could compete for titles, middling finishes appear more likely. Washington is rebuilding. The Chiefs don't have a defense or a conscience. Jack and Jamie have a better chance of hunting down the big dogs than the teams before them, but it will take a surprise surge or two.
1. New England (14)
2. Houston (11)
3. LA Chargers (13)
4. Denver (6)
5. Cleveland (7)
We'll know more about this potent group in half a year. While the squad contains some ticking timebombs, it's positioned to win a lot of games in 2019. The Patriots sport the league's highest over/under (10.5 wins) and three of their other teams are projected above .500. Cleveland's potential ascension to the top of the AFC North could be the differencemaker for Zack & Paul. Or bad karma could crumble their rotten foundation. Zack & Paul will be looking to seize the lead over the next two seasons, because while their teams may be rebuilding by 2022, Toph's oldest franchise QB is 27.
1. LA Rams (15)
2. San Francisco (4)
3. Dallas (11)
4. Baltimore (10)
5. Chicago (12)
Toph has the most wins so far and the best team looking forward. While other teams have flaws, Toph's has mere quibbles. Perhaps the Patriots provided a blueprint to slow down the Rams. The Niners still don't have a defense. Dallas may have to sign Dak Prescott to a crippling contract or find someone else. Lamar Jackson and Mitchell Trubisky aren't there yet. But Toph is the favorite one year in.
Eric: 31 wins
2. Jacksonville (5)
3. Oakland (4)
4. New York Giants (5)
5. Miami (7)
"My guess is this team doesn't look that bad until November 2019, at which point Klein starts planning for the next Five Year Bet," I wrote after the draft. I was wrong. It's looked bad at every moment. It looks absolutely putrid at this point. There's little reason to have confidence in four of the five teams. Behind Carson Wentz, the closest thing to a franchise quarterback on these teams is Daniel Jones. The longest-tenured coach of the four is Doug Marrone. We all had a good laugh about the Raider pick at #13 overall but even a pristine choice would not have saved the Kleins. This team is hopeless.
Tom: 37 wins
2. Pittsburgh (9)
3. Indianapolis (11)
4. Detroit (6)
5. Arizona (3)
The big draft decision I questioned was Indianapolis at #17. That's looking like the best selection I made. Minnesota and Pittsburgh blew a bunch of close games, Detroit may be rebuilding again as soon as next year and the (3) from Arizona is a devastating anchor. Most concerning is how good the top teams look and the two-touchdown lead they've been spotted. This isn't a hopeless situation like Klein's, but it's bleak.
Alex: 40 wins
2. New Orleans (14)
3. Seattle (10)
4. Cincinnati (6)
5. New York Jets (4)
The NFC teams vanguarding Alex's squadron are positioned to win a lot of games in 2019, but ugly front office situations for his AFC teams are squashing his chances. Alex will need unlikely short and long-term turnarounds from the Bengals and Jets to have a chance.
Jack/Jamie: 43 wins
2. Kansas City (13)
3. Carolina (7)
4. Tennessee (9)
5. Washington (7)
This squad has Pat Mahomes and some other teams. While the Falcons, Panthers and Titans could compete for titles, middling finishes appear more likely. Washington is rebuilding. The Chiefs don't have a defense or a conscience. Jack and Jamie have a better chance of hunting down the big dogs than the teams before them, but it will take a surprise surge or two.
Zack/Paul: 51 wins
2. Houston (11)
3. LA Chargers (13)
4. Denver (6)
5. Cleveland (7)
We'll know more about this potent group in half a year. While the squad contains some ticking timebombs, it's positioned to win a lot of games in 2019. The Patriots sport the league's highest over/under (10.5 wins) and three of their other teams are projected above .500. Cleveland's potential ascension to the top of the AFC North could be the differencemaker for Zack & Paul. Or bad karma could crumble their rotten foundation. Zack & Paul will be looking to seize the lead over the next two seasons, because while their teams may be rebuilding by 2022, Toph's oldest franchise QB is 27.
Toph: 52 wins
2. San Francisco (4)
3. Dallas (11)
4. Baltimore (10)
5. Chicago (12)
Toph has the most wins so far and the best team looking forward. While other teams have flaws, Toph's has mere quibbles. Perhaps the Patriots provided a blueprint to slow down the Rams. The Niners still don't have a defense. Dallas may have to sign Dak Prescott to a crippling contract or find someone else. Lamar Jackson and Mitchell Trubisky aren't there yet. But Toph is the favorite one year in.
