December 31, 2025
Patriots comeback.
Until recently, the New England Patriots were associated with two names and two names only: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Well, Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye entered the chat and things shifted. At first, they struggled in the preseason and it was starting to feel like another year full of struggles, despite Bill and his wannabe Brady’s at backup (sorry, love you Mac Jones!)…but the regular season kicked off and so did their momentum. Before we knew it, the Patriots were heading into week 18 sitting at 13-3, leading the AFC East. Their only losses this season came to the Steelers with a well-seasoned vet at QB, the Bills in a close matchup down to the wire, and somehow the Raiders during the first week of the season (we’ll let that one slide). If you told me in 2025, the Patriots we once saw heading into the Super Bowl what felt like very year was making a comeback, I wouldn’t believe you. Yet, here we are.
Philip Rivers coming out of retirement.
It may have only been for a few weeks, but boy did it make an impact…not necessarily a great one. It wasn’t the first time a former athlete in his forties came out of retirement, but after a decade of time at home with his family? This was kind of a first. Just a few weeks ago Philip Rivers was coaching his son’s football team, but then with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones sidelined with season ending injuries, he stepped in to save the day. While he unfortunately didn’t win a single game for Indianapolis (we were rooting for you!), it was incredibly fun watching the older Rivers coming back out into his own out there. Despite his age and despite his struggles, he was still able to sling it, talk smack to his opponents, and carry that uplifting “can do” attitude among his teammates. It was short lived and it had its share of disappointing outcomes, but it sure was a treat watching it unfold so late in the season!
Dart and Skattebo giving the Giants life.
When Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo were drafted to the Giants, I had hopes they’d give us something entertaining to watch, but I wasn’t anticipating this. Cam Skattebo made a statement during his time with Arizona State and very quickly made a name for himself in New York as THE running back to watch, so when he was out for the season after a week 8 catastrophe, I was personally heartbroken (and my dynasty team never recovered). But prior to that, he and Jaxson were an unstoppable duo that took over Giants Nation and washed the horrendous flavor of Russell Wilson from their mouths. They ATE. Until Skattebo’s departure, they were making history: the second rookie QB/RB duo to have 50+ rushing yards AND a rushing touchdown each in the same game since 1970; the first Giants rookie duo with rushing touchdowns in the same game since 1980; and Skattebo was leading all rookies in scrimmage yards, plus touchdowns until he was injured. One can only imagine how far they would have taken the failing franchise if both didn’t end up sidelined, but I can’t wait to see what they accomplish next season!
Chiefs dynasty downfall.
I have no shame in admitting I was completely over the Chiefs. From announcers glazing them nonstop (ahem, Chris Collinsworth) to Swifties chiming in where they don’t belong to the rigged game winning outcomes, I. Was. Over. It. Then a little twinkle in the eye of the NFL Gods shone and the momentum of the league shifted and suddenly, they weren’t squeaking out a mystery win what felt like every single week. They looked like a real time for once. And by that I mean actually getting penalized for offsides or called on blatant incomplete passes or losing games that made sense for them to lose. Now, Chris Collinsworth and friends still glaze them nonstop (even when it’s Brock Purdy scoring a touchdown and the Chiefs aren’t even in the freaking game…), but it isn’t the same because they’re losing. The Chiefs miraculously finished the season at 6-10, third int he AFC West only above the Raiders (2-14). With the Chargers sitting at second with an 11-5 record, they didn’t even stand a chance. I can’t tell you what happened. We all anticipated them heading to the Super Bowl yet again this season, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift exchanging vows during the halftime show, and the persistent shoving of the Kansas City Chiefs in our faces, but that didn’t happened. And it is glorious!
Caleb Williams making a comeback.
When Caleb Williams was prospected to be the first overall pick in the 2024 draft, I was cringing. I’m sorry, but I just wasn’t as impressed with his college performance as everyone else. When he stepped out on the field over Justin Fields, I was rolling my eyes. During his rookie season, the he led the Bears to dead last in the NFC North, falling way behind the third place Packers (11-6) at only 5-12. I don’t typically root for someone’s failure, but I kind of was. Sorry, not sorry. He just didn’t feel like NFL quarterback material and felt more like a clown show. He was the guy planted out there to keep us al laughing, feeding us fans pure comedy on a weekly basis from what color he was painting his nails to what terrible pass he was throwing next. Then the 2025 season hit and he shook up the conference. Early on it appeared that he actually was learning during the off-season and what suddenly leading the Bears to a victory over and over again. Caleb and his sparkly self somehow led the Bears to an 11-5 finish, only losing to teams you’d kind of expect with talented defenses (Patriots, Vikings, Packers…). It’s a weird shift in the NFC and quite frankly, as a Detroit native, I’m not sure I’m here for it.
Lucy, Author
Lucy is a graphic designer, author, and the wizard behind the team’s social content and website. Writing without plot twists or murder isn’t exactly her forte, but she’s made an exception for football — mostly so she can talk trash. A Bengals fan with commitment issues, she also shamelessly follows whatever team has the most talented players — or drama. If you’re a rival fan, just know she probably baited you on purpose.
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