For the NFL, each season offers new breakout stars, amazing athletes breaking records, and teams that unexpectedly rise or fall.

With the season at its midpoint, three teams stand out.

The third-best team is the Kansas City Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions. They have proven themselves quite dangerous the past two seasons while being led by Head Coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes won the MVP in the 2018-19 season while leading a semi-struggling Chiefs team to the AFC championship in his first year as a starter. 

Kansas City has been primarily known for its speedy and versatile offense, thanks largely to tight end Travis Kelce. So far this season Kelce has racked up 501 total receiving yards. Kelce places second among tight ends in receiving yards and is first in touchdown catches among tight ends.

Taking into account the other four speedsters — Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Mecole Hardman, and Demarcus Robinson — the Chiefs receiving corps is one of the best in the league. However, due to their reliance on Chandler Jones on their D-line, they lack power and defensive stability. 

The final note about the Chiefs has to be about their running game. Rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire and veteran Lev’eon Bell are set to be quite the duo. Edwards-Helaire is a strong, slick back, while Bell has shown the NFL a style of running no one has seen before. He is patient, fast, and very versatile.

Coming in as the second-best team is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have one of the top defenses in the NFL.

The Steelers lead all defenses with 26 sacks. Linebacker and fourth-year star TJ Watt has been a standout on defense for the Steelers. So far this season Watt has racked up five and a half sacks along with 20 tackles in seven games. 

Offensively, rookie Chase Claypool has had huge performances with highlight-worthy clips since week one. With 18 receptions, Claypool has racked up 333 yards with four touchdowns. While these aren’t league-leading stats, he has provided Pittsburgh with amazing plays.

The top team in the first half of the season is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

The Bucs are on top for three reasons. First, they are very physical. Next, they have a lot of consistent talent on both sides of the ball. And finally, the chemistry being built here is amazing and getting better week by week. 

Of course the season is just at the halfway point, and anything can change over the coming weeks.