Column; TJ’s mid-season predictions for the NFL

We’re just about halfway through the 2017 NFL regular season and the league standings are looking astronomically different than what most people expected.

Before I discuss the mid-season playoff picture, here’s a few observations:

– Carson Wentz is good – like, really good.

– Tom Brady is still the GOAT at age 40.

– The Jaguars defense is … good.

– Everyone has an obligation to be nice to Browns fans.

– The NFL lifting the restrictions on touchdown celebrations is the best thing since the butt fumble

AFC East

Current leader- Patriots, midway prediction- Patriots

Like I mentioned before, Tom Brady is still a game manager at 40, and Bill Belichick has already adjusted his team’s defense that struggled early in the season. The Brady bunch is still looking like a strong Super Bowl contender.

AFC West

Current leader- Chiefs, midway prediction- Chiefs

Alex Smith has been playing like someone is gunning for his job (cough Patrick Mahomes) and Kareem Hunt is one of the top candidates for Rookie of the Year. Although they’ve lost two straight games, the Chiefs have the easiest schedule looking forward, and Andy Reid’s squad looks like the clear favorite.

AFC North

Current leader-Steelers, midway prediction – Steelers

It is with great displeasure that I admit the Steelers are the obvious frontrunners of this division. Big Ben is having the worst year of his career, but that’s been covered by Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown and a defense that is ranked second in yards conceded per game.

AFC South

Current leader- Titans, midway prediction – Texans

Deshaun Watson didn’t start the first game of the season and the Texans have already had their bye week, and but he is tied for first in passing touchdowns with 19. The Texans are 3-4, but the teams they’ve lost to are the Patriots, the Chiefs, the Jaguars and the Seahawks. They lost three of those games within a touchdown, so it’s safe to say they’re a playoff contender.

NFC East

Current leader- Eagles, midway prediction- Eagles

Prior to the season, it seemed like this division was entirely up for grabs. But midway through the year Carsen Wentz is displaying MVP-caliber play in his sophomore season and he’s led his team to a 7-1 start – the Eagle’s best since 2004 when they were runners-up in the Super Bowl.

NFC West

Current leader- Seahawks, midseason prediction- Seahawks

The Seahawks started slow and their defense is not as elite as it was in recent years, but this team is still stacked with talent. The Rams are currently right behind Seattle at 5-2, but I don’t think they’ll be able to overcome the Seahawks in their Dec. 17 rematch on the road.

NFC North

Current leader- Vikings, midway prediction – Vikings

The Vikings are 6-2, but the combined record of the teams they’ve beaten is 18-27. After Aaron Rodgers went down with a broken collarbone, the Vikings became the favorites to take the NFC North. It’s also worth noting that their quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater, will return to action soon for the first time since the 2015 NFL season, and their defense has been playing considerably well.

NFC South

Current leader- Saints, midway prediction – Panthers?

This division is 100 percent wide open. The Saints have won five in a row, but none of those wins have been particularly convincing. Cam Newton has been consistently inconsistent for the Panthers this season. The Falcons nearly lost four straight after narrowly beating the Jets. The Buccaneers defense has been incredibly underwhelming this season.  However, all of that can be overwritten in the weeks to come as the NFC South plays a majority of its divisional matchups in the final three weeks of the regular season.

AFC Wildcards: Bills, Jaguars

NFC Wildcards: Rams, Saints

Midseason superlatives:

Most likely to succeed: Carson Wentz

Most likely to go 0-16 – 49ers

Most likely to accumulate the most fines: Marshawn Lynch

And finally, best celebration honors:

Individual: JuJu Smith-Schuster: Dragon Ball Z; Odell Beckham: CPR; Le’Veon Bell: Bench press; Mark Ingram and Mack Hollins: Backpack kid dance.

Team: Vikings: Duck, duck, goose; Colts: Bank heist; Lions: pretend to be a curling team; Eagles- Home run.