What happened: On The Dan Le Batard Show, Dan Le Batard said a first-place mark after seven games means nothing when fans ignore the strength of opponents. Le Batard maintained that off-field baggage disqualifies the Cleveland Browns' quarterback from Comeback Player of the Year under any circumstances, while co-host Hawk joked that 15 fourth-quarter comebacks would force MVP consideration instead. Still, Hawk conceded on the podcast that the quarterback's play falls well short of his contract value and that surviving on late one-score victories is unsustainable.

Why it matters: During the segment, Le Batard grouped excitement around Cleveland with premature enthusiasm for the New York Jets, a brief 3-0 stretch by the Las Vegas Raiders, and an unbeaten 6-0 team he argued no one trusts for the playoffs. The hosts also pointed to the 4-2-1 New York Giants winning with three different quarterbacks in a division that went two straight weeks without a victory despite an intra-division tie. Alongside a nod to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the episode billing, the show framed early NFL standings as poor gauges of true contention.

What to watch: With the Browns holding first place for the first time in years, Le Batard said their upcoming schedule will reveal whether the early record holds up.