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NFL midseason surprises: 6 teams and players nobody saw coming

SB Nation • November 11, 2026 • general

Key Points:

The Cleveland Browns, initially expected to struggle and tank for high draft picks, have defied expectations with a 5-4 record and remain in playoff contention despite a weak overall resume and low rankings in offensive and defensive metrics.
The New York Giants, predicted to be a “work in progress,” currently lead the NFC East with a 5-2-1 record despite losing key offensive players early in the season, marking them as one of the biggest surprises in the league.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have emerged as an elite team, leading the NFL in point differential (+108) and turnover margin (+9), bolstered by a strong defense and recent acquisition Jessie Bates III, surpassing preseason expectations of being merely “playoff caliber.”
The Minnesota Vikings boast a Super Bowl-caliber defense under coach Brian Flores but struggle offensively, especially at quarterback; their strong defense has kept them competitive and surprised many analysts.
Rookie standouts include Emmett Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs, who has become a dynamic offensive weapon in the passing game, and Zakee Wheatley of the Carolina Panthers, a defensive playmaker despite recent reductions in playing time.

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