NFL NationNov 17, 2025, 06:00 AM ETCloseNFL Nation is made up of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the NFL year-round across ESPN.com, ESPN television shows, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms. It was established ahead of the 2013 season.
play0:26Aaron Rodgers takes big hit before exiting gameAaron Rodgers is seen holding his wrist after taking a big hit and would not play in the second half.
play1:18Broncos win eighth straight after taking down ChiefsBroncos get a game-winning field goal by Wil Lutz to take down the Chiefs for their eighth win in a row.
play1:14Dolphins down Commanders in MadridThe Dolphins get a field goal in overtime to take down the Commanders in Madrid.
play0:35Bears win it with a FG as time expiresCairo Santos gives the Bears a comeback win with a 48-yard field goal as time expires.
play0:28Tetairoa McMillan’s TD gives Panthers late leadBryce Young connects with Tetairoa McMillan on a 12-yard touchdown pass to give the Panthers a late lead.
play0:27Sam Darnold throws 4 INTs vs. RamsSam Darnold throws four interceptions in the Seahawks’ 21-19 loss to the Rams.
Why Bart Scott doesn’t view Drake Maye as the MVP (2:55)Bart Scott and Harry Douglas debate whether Drake Maye is now the MVP front-runner after another Patriots win against the Jets. (2:55)
Aaron Rodgers takes big hit before exiting gameAaron Rodgers is seen holding his wrist after taking a big hit and would not play in the second half.
Aaron Rodgers is seen holding his wrist after taking a big hit and would not play in the second half.
Broncos win eighth straight after taking down ChiefsBroncos get a game-winning field goal by Wil Lutz to take down the Chiefs for their eighth win in a row.
Broncos get a game-winning field goal by Wil Lutz to take down the Chiefs for their eighth win in a row.
Dolphins down Commanders in MadridThe Dolphins get a field goal in overtime to take down the Commanders in Madrid.
Bears win it with a FG as time expiresCairo Santos gives the Bears a comeback win with a 48-yard field goal as time expires.
Tetairoa McMillan’s TD gives Panthers late leadBryce Young connects with Tetairoa McMillan on a 12-yard touchdown pass to give the Panthers a late lead.
Bryce Young connects with Tetairoa McMillan on a 12-yard touchdown pass to give the Panthers a late lead.
Sam Darnold throws 4 INTs vs. RamsSam Darnold throws four interceptions in the Seahawks’ 21-19 loss to the Rams.
As we roll into the second half of the 2025 NFL season, we’ve seen the good and bad of offensive coordinators and playcallers across the league.
New England Patriots OC Josh McDaniels has helped elevate quarterback Drake Maye into the MVP conversation, and Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen has called plays that have put running back Jonathan Taylor on a potentially historic pace.
But in Detroit, coach Dan Campbell recently took over playcalling duties from coordinator John Morton, and the New York Giants elevated OC Mike Kafka to head coach after firing Brian Daboll.
There are seven weeks left this season, and the pressure will continue to build for coordinators and playcallers looking for winning formulas, while those who shine might be in position to become head coaches in 2026.
With that in mind, here is what has gone right, what has gone wrong and the key to the second half for every offense in the NFL.
What has gone right? The Bills’ rushing attack. Running back James Cook III is having a career season thus far, averaging 102.2 yards per game, while the Bills lead the league in rushing yards per game at 153.2. When this offense is at its best, it’s with its running game, led by the offensive line.
What has gone wrong? The passing game. The Bills have been unable to get the ball consistently downfield, through a lack of open receivers and play design, and it has resulted in Josh Allen forcing the ball in certain situations. That has led to an increase in turnovers and sacks on Allen (20 heading into Week 11, six more than all of last season).
Key to second half: Get the passing game in rhythm, as shown in the win versus the Buccaneers. The receivers need to be more dependable for Allen, who has to make better decisions more consistently. Overall, this offense has to find ways to take advantage of its best player in Allen and all of his abilities. — Alaina Getzenberg
What has gone right? Entering Week 11, the Dolphins had scored on all 12 of their goal-to-go opportunities after doing so 72% of the time in 2024. Running back De’Von Achane is also on pace for a career high in both rushing yards and scrimmage yards and has established himself as one of the most dynamic offensive players in the NFL.
What has gone wrong? Essentially everything else. Miami ranks among the worst in the league in yards per game and scoring; quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is among the league leaders in interceptions thrown and on pace to set a career high in that category; and Tyreek Hill still ranks third on the team in receiving yards despite playing only four games before his season ended because of a knee injury.
Key to second half: Someone outside of receiver Jaylen Waddle and Achane needs to step up as a consistent option in the passing game. Tagovailoa said he must also rediscover the “conviction” he played with when he led the NFL in passing yards in 2023. There aren’t a ton of superlatives to play for anymore, but the players and coaches must prove the core of this team is still worth building around with a pivotal offseason approaching. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
What has gone right? Pretty much everything. QB Drake Maye is playing MVP-caliber football in his first season in McDaniels’ system and said recently: “He’s done it his whole life, and I feel like he was put on this earth to be an offensive coordinator. It’s fun to be in the headset with him.”
What has gone wrong? The Patriots’ red zone offense entered Week 11 ranked in the middle of the pack (No. 18). That reflects, in part, the lack of a consistent power running game.
Key to second half: Offensive line continuity. The Patriots started the same offensive line in 10 of their first 11 games, allowing the group to build chemistry in front of Maye. The OL was a top concern entering the season, having ranked 31st and 32nd in pass block win rate in 2023 and 2024, respectively. While the stats don’t necessarily suggest it (21st in PBWR), the O-line has been decisively upgraded in 2025 and continuity helps. — Mike Reiss
What has gone right? The Jets predicted they’d be a good running team, and they were right. They entered Week 11 fourth in rushing yards per game (142), thanks to Breece Hall and a physical offensive line. Opponents overplay the run, but the Jets still have success against eight-man boxes.
What has gone wrong? Everything else, especially the Justin Fields-led passing game. The Jets are averaging only 130.5 yards per game, which would be the worst mark since the 2022 Bears. Those Bears were led by — you guessed it: Justin Fields. His shortcomings, combined with a lack of playmakers, have made Engstrand’s job a lot harder.
Key to second half: The Jets are likely doomed because of the poor QB play, but Engstrand can help matters by calling more play-action passes. Despite a strong rushing attack, they rank in the bottom third in play-action usage, per NFL Next Gen Stats. Another key: Give newly acquired receiver Adonai Mitchell a chance to show what he can do. — Rich Cimini
What has gone right? Monken has put Lamar Jackson in a position to be a touchdown machine. Entering Week 11, Jackson was producing a touchdown on 10.2% of his throws, which is the best rate through Week 10 since Tom Brady in 2007. He has thrown multiple touchdowns in four of his six starts.
Key to second half: Keeping Jackson healthy. It’s a different offense when Jackson has the ball in his hands. In six games with Jackson as their starting quarterback, the Ravens have averaged 31 points. In the three games Jackson was sidelined by a hamstring injury, Baltimore was held to 14.3 points per game. — Jamison Hensley
What has gone right? Getting Joe Flacco has been a masterclass for the Bengals. Since trading for the veteran QB, Cincinnati had the No. 1 offense through Week 10. From Week 6 through Week 10, Cincinnati led the NFL in points per game (32.8) and offensive expected points added per play.
What has gone wrong? Things didn’t look great initially, even when starting quarterback Joe Burrow was healthy. It’s hard to blame all of the team’s problems on backup QB Jake Browning, who was benched after struggling in three starts. The run game sputtered early before finding its groove later in the season.
Key to second half: Protecting the starting quarterback and running an offense that makes life easier on the passing attack will be critical. Cincinnati has found success when lining up under center, which seems to have helped the offense find a rhythm with Flacco at quarterback. In Weeks 6 to 10, Cincinnati ranked 19th in pass block win rate and third in yards per carry (5.5). — Ben Baby
What has gone right? Coach Kevin Stefanski has once again turned playcalling duties over to his offensive coordinator. The Browns scored only 20 points in Rees’ first game as playcaller, but Cleveland has limited its turnovers. The Browns have had three giveaways with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders under center, compared to eight in veteran Joe Flacco’s four starts.
What has gone wrong? The Browns throw the ball as much as any team in the NFL (36 attempts per game through Week 10, sixth most in the NFL), but they can’t push the ball downfield with any success (league-low 5 yards per attempt). Shoddy blocking hasn’t helped, as Cleveland ranks among the worst in pass block win rate.
Key to second half: Running the ball to take pressure off the quarterback. The Browns have found a bit of an identity behind rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who leads the team in rushing yards. Cleveland, though, has to be more efficient than its 4-yard average, which ranks among the worst in the NFL. — Daniel Oyefusi