The 2025 NFL season has started—with amazing fanfare. Teams are exhibiting wonderful grit and determination in the competitive arenas! In the first five weeks, 17 games featured go-ahead scores in the last minute of regulation. That’s the most since the women’s league merged with the NHL. As the calls began coming in, this trend further underscores a zero-sum competitive landscape with wins being hotly contested to the bitter end.
Of course, the Cincinnati Bengals have made a habit of jaw-dropping performances this season. They experienced a critical blow as well when their starting quarterback, Joe Burrow, was lost for up to three months with an injury. Backup QB Jake Browning came into the game early in Week 2 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. His performance was historic, as no quarterback had ever thrown three interceptions and still deliver a shocking victory for the ages.
And then there are the Jacksonville Jaguars, who kicked down the door to get everyone’s attention with a 3-2 start to the season. With a 4-1 record, they secured a thrilling 31-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, thanks in part to Trevor Lawrence‘s last-minute touchdown scramble. And this season has turned into a stage for exciting late-game comebacks, with teams like the 49ers cashing in whenever the chance arises.
Bengals Face Challenges
Bengals and could go a long way toward determining how they bounce back from their rough start. Instead, they’re failing—particularly in the wake of losing their star quarterback, Joe Burrow. Burrow’s injury has thrust backup Jake Browning into the spotlight. Even with an inconsistent outing, Browning was able to lead the Seahawks to victory over the Jaguars.
“I had thrown three picks, and somehow, we had a chance to win the game,” – Jake Browning.
Browning became the second QB since 2000 to throw three interceptions in a relief effort. Even with that monumental challenge, he was able to lead his team to a win. His ongoing performance has raised new reviews, professional and otherwise. Now the analysts are asking if the Bengals can continue to produce those results going forward.
Browning has an uphill to climb this season. At the same time, Burrow missing the entire season casts Cincinnati’s ability to remain competitive in the long-term into very real jeopardy. The Bengals need to move to a new normal very fast under whatever new QB1 emerges, but still hold out hope for Burrow’s return.
Jaguars Off to a Strong Start
The Jacksonville Jaguars have for the moment established themselves as a force to be reckoned with this season with their own impressive 4-1 record. Their thrilling upset victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football cemented their reputation as cool-under-pressure playmakers. Trevor Lawrence capped his breakout performance in the national championship against Alabama with a game-winning 1-yard touchdown run in the closing seconds.
“That’s why we drafted you with the No. 1 overall pick,” – Jeffery Simmons.
This remarkable blend of strategic acumen and timely execution over the first half of this season has firmly planted the Jaguars in the playoff conversation. The team’s strong chemistry and determination have been evident throughout their games, allowing them to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes and seize victory.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson has touted his squad’s resilience and overall execution in high-leverage situations. The foundation of their early season success is a reflection of that work, and a desire to get better as the days go on.
Buccaneers Showcase Comeback Ability
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might be the story of the year in the NFL with their impressive ability to win with late-game comebacks this season. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has already taken the team on several fourth-quarter comeback wins. They delivered pulse-pounding comebacks to beat the Houston Texans in Week 2 and the New York Jets in Week 3.
“It was calm, poise, [there was] no panic,” – Tez Johnson.
Matt Prater
was a perfect 3/3 on field goals this year. That one of those kicks, a timely 32-yarder, recently clinched a big victory and underscores the huge impact special teams have had on Tampa Bay’s success.The Buccaneers remain the only team to have produced more than one comeback win this season. What really comes through is their resilience and determination to win at all costs.
A Season of Parity
Even as the season rolls on, a lot of analysts are observing a new undercurrent of parity all throughout the league. Once assumed longshots in the NFL landscape, those teams are proving to be more than worthy on the grandest stage and most pressure-packed moments.
“There’s a lot of parity in this league right now,” – Todd Bowles.
Coaches are changing tactics to compete with this rapidly changing landscape. Bowles emphasized that without extensive training camp participation, these early weeks resemble preseason games, leading to increased mistakes on the field.
“Without a lot of people playing in training camp, these first five weeks are really preseason ballgames as far as penalties and getting everybody on the same page and doing those types of things,” – Todd Bowles.
This parity will create exciting finishes with teams fighting for wins while battling in a crowded, competitive field. Coaches hope that as players gain experience and chemistry develops, they can reduce turnovers and capitalize on scoring opportunities throughout games.
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