Offense at the Halfway Point Part One: Total Offense

Offense in the NFL is as high-flying and high-scoring as ever. It is not a stretch to say that we might be in the most explosive offensive era in NFL history. With the spread offense spreading throughout the NFL, offenses continue to explode as players enter the league more ready than ever. While some records may never be broken, like Jerry Rice’s career receiving title, players are breaking the smaller records. There have been two triple-crown receivers in the past five years, after a 16-year drought. Today's offenses are exciting and keep people watching the game. In 2025, three teams stand at the top in total offense. The Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, and the Dallas Cowboys lead the way. Each of these teams has its strengths and weaknesses, but they share some key elements that unite them.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills, led by reigning MVP Josh Allen, are currently the NFL's best offensive team statistically. Despite a two-game skid, the Bills still stand at the top with 385 total yards per game and 29 points. The Bills stand alone as the only team passing below 50% of their plays while averaging 169 rushing yards per game. Headlined by James Cook, the Bills' rushing attack is the key to their game. Cook’s incredible season is only one part, albeit a crucial part, of a much larger system. The offensive line is playing its best football, anchored by four-time Pro Bowler Dion Dawkins. Behind them, Cook is only taking contact on 54% of his 5.7 yards per carry. Cook has established himself as the number two running back in the league with a case to take over the number one spot. While Cook is the engine of the offense, Allen is the pilot.

The MVP is pressured on only 26% of his plays. Allen has almost three seconds to throw the ball, opening up the best part of his game. His ability to make plays from anywhere, and he’s second on the team for rushing yards with 280, placing him fourth in the league amongst quarterbacks. Last year’s MVP’s big-play ability, combined with Cook’s explosive potential, keeps defenses guessing. The team's pure rushing ability should not take away from their often underused passing attack. The Bill’s main issue in the passing attack is the absence of an elite receiver. The leading receiver on the Bills is tight end Dalton Kincaid.

The Bills' limit over the top is highlighted by Allen’s 7.5 average depth of target. The Bills' lack of a passing attack is an anomaly among the NFL's top teams, but it has not prevented them from being elite. The Bill’s playbook is creative and diverse, trying to get the ball into the hands of its playmakers. Getting Kincaid underneath for big splash passes and getting Cook into space are crucial components of their offense. The genuine X factor will always be Josh Allen. Last year’s MVP is capable of single-handedly winning a game, willing his team back from deficits, and demoralizing opponents. You could say that the key to stopping any offense is to limit the quarterback, but it couldn’t be truer for Allen. In both their losses this season, which were their worst offensive showings, Allen faced the most pressure he has all season. In Week Five against the Patriots, Allen was pressured 10 times and sacked once; in Week Six against the Falcons, he was pressured 15 times and sacked four. Despite these losses, the Bills came back after their bye week, firing on all cylinders. With no clear MVP candidate yet, Allen is definitely on track to capture his second.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are the breakout team of the season. Coming out of nowhere to rise as one of the best teams in the league and the favorites to head to the Super Bowl. On the heels of a redemption tour from Daniel Jones, the Colts are currently 7-2. Jones was on his way to being a career backup after being ousted from New York. The Colts signed the 28-year-old quarterback to be the backup to the former third overall pick, Anthony Richardson. After winning the quarterback battle, the Colts came out swinging in Week One, humiliating the Dolphins and blazing their way forward. The former Giant, Jones, is currently first in passing yards with 2,404. Just like the Bills, the Colts are also anchored behind a phenomenal offensive line. Behind future Hall of Famer Quenton Nelson, the offensive line keeps Jones well protected. Being sacked only 14 times. Jones has ample time to throw as well and is surrounded by a solid receiving corps. Jones has been on fire in the passing game, completing 69.9% of passes, averaging 8.2 yards per attempt.

Michael Pittman Jr. leads the way with 561 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Following close behind is rookie tight end Tyler Warren. Warren is a candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year, and it is well deserved. Bringing up the rear are Alec Pierce and Josh Downs. Last but not least is superstar Jonathan Taylor. Taylor has put himself in the MVP conversation with his insane play this season. Taylor leads the league in rushing yards with 895. To make this stat even more impressive, Taylor has 12 touchdowns, accounting for 36% of all the Colts’ touchdowns. Taylor makes defenses respect him, as he faces a stacked box 21% of the time. What the Colts do against a stacked box is what sets them apart from the Bills. The Colts have prominent passcatchers. The Colts had a rough showing in Week Nine, but I wouldn’t count them out yet. The Colts are all in on Jones, trading away two first-round picks for star cornerback Sauce Gardner. The only knock on Jones is his turnovers. The 28-year-old currently has six interceptions, three of which came in Week Nine against the Steelers. Counting out Jones and the Colts is wrong; they are charging towards a playoff run, putting every team in the AFC on alert. 

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys stand apart from the Bills and Colts with one of the most prominent passing attacks in the league. The receiving duo of Ceedee Lamb and George Pickens is elite. Lamb is exceptionally versatile as a receiver, being able to play out of just about anywhere. What the Cowboys have lacked in the past two seasons is a field-stretching receiver who can go up and make tough contested catches. While the Bills and Colts open up their offense through the run, the Cowboys open up the run through the pass. With all the pressure being moved upfield to cover the elite receiving duo, the middle of the field and short-yardage work are left wide open. The opening of the field has finally allowed tight end Jake Ferguson to break out. Ferguson has been solid during his time in the league, but he has been a monster this season. With 384 receiving yards and six touchdowns, Ferguson is the biggest beneficiary of the addition of Pickens. The man piloting this elite passing attack is the Cowboys franchise quarterback, Dak Prescott.

Prescott gets a bad rep for his disappointing playoff appearances and for being the most significant player on the most popular sports franchise in America. Now it’s time to give Dak his flowers. Dak is having an MVP season, and if the Cowboys had a better record, he would be a shoo-in for the award. Dak has multiple 4,000-yard passing seasons but is on track for his first 5,000-yard season. Part of Dak’s spectacular season is due in part to the Cowboys' atrocious defense. The Cowboys currently have the worst defense in the league, no question. The Cowboys’ defense never gives the offense the luxury of playing from ahead. Out of the top 10 teams for offense, the Cowboys are far and above the rest with a 60% passing rate, with only the Chargers tying them.

For one thing, the Cowboys do not lack a run game. After a devastating knee injury, Javonte Williams has had a career resurgence with the Cowboys. Williams is currently fourth in the league for rushing yards with 716 and six touchdowns. Of course, following the trend, the Cowboys' offense is anchored by an elite offensive line. The Cowboys have the worst line of the three, allowing Dak to be pressured 112 times, a 31% pressure rate, and 15 sacks. They make up for their pass-blocking with their run-blocking. Making way for Williams' breakout. The lackluster pass blocking only makes Dak’s season that much more impressive. Holding the ball on the longer side, Dak is still able to get the ball where it needs to be in his receivers' hands. Unfortunately, the Cowboys' defense is as bad as it is, robbing us of a special Cowboys season. The Cowboys made some big moves at the trade deadline, so hopefully they can turn their season around. Dak deserves his flowers this season, and there is no better way to do that than with an MVP trophy. 

Conclusion

Building through the trenches is the way to go. The other teams in the top ten, all of which could very well make their way into the top three, all have at least decent offensive lines. The other defining factor is the presence of an elite running back. Recently, running backs have been undervalued, as teams have opted for a committee approach. The past two years have shown us that couldn’t be further from the answer. With Saquon Barkley leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl win, it is more evident than ever that if you want to push your team over the edge, an elite running back is mandatory. If anything, a committee approach to the receiver position appears to be the next trend. Either way, we are currently in one of the most exciting eras in the NFL.