Author: Mike Jones, USA TODAY

If Drew Brees is forced to miss a significant stretch, Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill could shape the rest of the season — and potentially more.

The NFL is keeping open the possibility of expanding the playoffs to 16 teams should COVID-19 postponements shift the regular-season schedule.

While mounting a 7-0 record, the Steelers have shown a series of vulnerabilities this year. Pittsburgh, however, also has proven it can persevere.

With Kyler Murray at the helm, the Cardinals have already matched their win total from last year and are contending with some of the NFL’s best teams.

Odell Beckham Jr. hasn’t displayed his electrifying early-career form in Cleveland, and the Browns are now without the WR for the rest of the year.

With its four teams standing at a combined 3-12-1, the NFC East is off to the second-worst start of any division in NFL history.

Ron Rivera is intent on making Washington competitive now, but his decision to bench QB Dwayne Haskins could have long-term ramifications.

The Houston Texans surprised many when they fired coach and GM Bill O’Brien after a 4-0 start. But there’s significant clean-up work still to be done.

In 2017, the Jaguars looked like a potential burgeoning power in the NFL. Three years later, Jacksonville has cast away much of its top talent.

I recognized John Thompson’s impact as a successful Black man in a predominantly white field when he was coaching at Georgetown.