Colts & Patriots Lead Most Improved NFL Teams For 2025/2026 Season

One of the major complaints about the NFL in recent seasons is that there has been very little change among the top teams. In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Colts can be counted on as playoff factors. The NFC has seen the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams rise to the top..

There have been changes this year as a number of teams have exceeded expectations and become legitimate surprises.

In this piece, we look at the season’s five biggest surprises.

1. Indianapolis Colts (8-2, 1st place in the AFC South)

The Colts struggled to find their footing last year as they struggled to an 8-9 record. Head coach Shane Steichen was well-received in his first season as head coach, but the Colts faltered at the quarterback position with Anthony Richardson.

The team made a big move in the offseason with the signing of Daniel Jones. After getting away from the fish bowl in New York with the Giants, Jones was able to settle down as a backup for Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings. He was a new man when he signed with the Colts and he has had a brilliant first half of the season.

Jones has thrown for 2,659 yards with a 15-7 TD to interception ratio and he has gained command of the Colts offense. Jones has not had to do it alone as running back Jonathan Taylor has been brilliant with 1,139 rushing yards and an eye-catching 15 rushing touchdowns.

The Colts have been solid on defense and should be able to maintain their lead in the division without trouble.

2. New England Patriots (8-2, 1st place in AFC East)

The hiring of Mike Vrabel appeared to be a positive move for the Patriots, but nobody thought a jump to the top of the division was within reach. Owner Robert Kraft was probably hoping for a slightly better than .500 season that would allow the team to contend for a Wild Card spot.

However, quarterback Drake Maye has come into his own in his second season and he has been elite at his position. The offense had been non-existent last year when the Patriots finished in last place with a 4-13 record, but that unit has been sharp since Week 1.

Maye has thrown for 2,555 yards with a 19-5 TD-interception ratio and he has built an excellent rapport with wideouts Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson has found his way with 430 rushing yards, 3 TDs and a 5.31 yards per carry average.

3. Seattle Seahawks (7-2, tied for 1st place in the NFC West)

The Seahawks had a decent 10-7 season in 2024, but they had to scratch and claw for every victory. This year’s team has thrived with Sam Darnold at quarterback and the Seahawks have been far more explosive.

Seattle has been a championship-caliber team on the road, having gone 4-0 when traveling. That’s an example of the focus they have under head coach Mike Macdonald. 

Darnold has a 17-6 TD-interception ratio and he has built a great working relationship with superstar wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The speedy wideout has caught 63 passes for 1,041 yards and 5 touchdowns. If he can maintain his pace, he will approach 1,900-2,000 receiving yards this season. 

The RB combination of Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet gives the Seattle offense a lightning and thunder approach to their ground game.

4. Denver Broncos (8-2, 1st place in the AFC West)

This division has been the exclusive property of the Chiefs, but head coach Sean Payton has built a dangerous offensive team and quarterback Bo Nix has proved to be the correct triggerman. The Broncos play aggressive defense and the offense has been opportunistic.

Nix has thrown for 2,126 yards with an 18-8 TD-interception ratio. He has also run for 205 yards and 3 TDs. J.K. Dobbins is a powerful force at running back, and he has already rushed for 772 yards and 4 TDs. Wideout Courtland Sutton has caught 41-590-4 and he could have a huge second half of the season.

5. Chicago Bears (6-3, tied for 1st place in the NFC North)

The Bears have been struggling for years and they were a last place team in the NFC North a season ago with a 4-13 record. Quarterback Caleb Williams is starting to come into his own as head coach Ben Johnson has coached him hard and turned him into a player who plays his best in the fourth quarter.

Williams has a powerful arm and he can deliver 40-yard strikes, and he can also get the job done with his legs. He scored the winning TD in Week 10 against the New York Giants with a scintillating 17-yard dash down the sidelines..

The Bears are buying into Johnson’s coaching, Williams’ QB play and the damage that wideouts Rome Odunze and DJ Moore can do along with rookie tight end Colston Loveland. The Bears may not be able to hold off the Lions for first place in the division, but they should be in the battle for a Wild Card spot until the final week of the season.