With nine weeks of the 2025 NFL season already in the history books, multiple teams will make the most of the extra time to get some rest and gear up for the second half of the campaign.
Once again, four teams will get the week off, and we’ll dive into their outlooks for the remainder of the season.
NFL Bye Weeks: Chiefs, Cowboys, Bengals, and Titans Will Prepare For the Second Half of the Season
The Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and Tennessee Titans are the four teams sitting out this week.
The Chiefs reached this point sitting on a 5-4 record. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are 3-5-1, the Bengals are 3-6, and the Titans are 1-8.
The Chiefs Need to Regroup
The Chiefs have already lost twice as many games as they did last season. They haven’t been as dominant down the stretch as they’ve been in most of the Patrick Mahomes era, losing all four games by a score.
They didn’t make a move at the trade deadline, failing to acquire New York Jets star RB Breece Hall despite multiple attempts. Staying put might come back to haunt them late in the season.
The Cowboys Bolstered Their Defense
The Cowboys were one of the most aggressive teams at the trade deadline. Team owner/GM Jerry Jones proved that he still believes in this team by trading for LB Logan Wilson and superstar DT Quinnen Williams.
The Cowboys’ defense has been a major concern all year long, but Williams owns a PFSN impact grade of 82.7-the highest among defensive tackles, so he should work wonders for his new team.
The Bengals Still Have a Shot
The Bengals have lost back-to-back games in the final play of the game. Still, Joe Flacco has turned back the clock to prove that he still has plenty left in the tank, and the AFC North is still up for grabs.
Of course, trading Logan Wilson won’t do much to help their already ailing defense, but they can still make a late-season run.
The Titans Will Plan for the NFL Draft
The Tennessee Titans were the first team to part ways with their head coach, and things haven’t been much better since. Brian Callahan was one of the problems, but they have an evident shortage of talent all over the roster.
And while No. 1 pick Cam Ward is clearly physically gifted and talented, he’s also a work in progress.
