We’ve definitely reached the point in the season where the NFL has fully divided. About half the league is intensely looking to fix whatever might be broken right now, as those teams prepare to push into the playoffs.
The rest of the league is looking months ahead: To the draft and free agency and all of the offseason drama that allows teams in this league to emerge and make a run toward the Lombardi Trophy.
It’s completely bewildering to have the New England Patriots in that latter group. But here we are. It’s not surprising, at all, to see the Jets there — nor was it really a shock when they messed up their clearest path to relevancy by winning and slipping out of first place in the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes. That changes everything for the Jets, and requires a whole new approach to the re-build — one that includes Sam Darnold, a player I’ve never been very high on.
But you didn’t come here for easy truths or tepid half-thoughts. This is, after all, the NFL Monday Take Dump, where no take is too hot and all opinions are subject to change after further review.
Here are my four spiciest takes after a long day of watching football…