NFL SHOCKER! These Division Leaders Will Stun You Entering Thanksgiving!

Well, folks, as we head into Thanksgiving weekend, it's that time of year where we start seriously looking at playoff pictures and pondering which teams are legit contenders. And as always, there are some surprises in the mix. On the latest "FOX NFL Sunday" broadcast, legends Howie Long and Michael Strahan weighed in on which division leaders are catching everyone off guard, and their picks might raise an eyebrow or two.

NFL SHOCKER! These Division Leaders Will Stun You ...

During a special Thanksgiving edition of the show, broadcast live from Detroit, host Curt Menefee put the question to the panel: which division leader has most defied expectations so far? Both Strahan and Long agreed on the NFC's biggest shocker, but they parted ways when it came to the AFC. Let's dive in.

"The Chicago Bears, man, they’ve really surprised me," Strahan stated, clearly impressed by their turnaround. He highlighted their knack for winning close games and the rapid development of quarterback Caleb Williams. Considering they only managed five wins last season, their current eight wins are definitely something to write home about. It's a testament to the coaching staff and the players buying in, plain and simple.

Long seconded Strahan's opinion on the Bears, focusing on the impact of their new head coach. “He was tasked with that one job — get (Williams) right and get the offense right," Long emphasized. Terry Bradshaw chimed in, noting Chicago's impressive run after a shaky start, winning eight of their last nine games. Honestly, I didn't see the Bears being this competitive this quickly. Color me impressed.

Now, for the AFC, Strahan initially leaned towards the Indianapolis Colts, giving props to head coach Shane Steichen for bringing stability to the quarterback position with Daniel Jones and reinvigorating Jonathan Taylor's ground game. "Daniel Jones going there, the resurgence of the running game, the Colts surprised me," Strahan explained. And yeah, I can see that. They've been playing some solid football, no doubt.

But Long ultimately went with the New England Patriots leading the AFC East. While acknowledging the Buffalo Bills' recent dominance, he gave credit to rookie quarterback Drake Maye and new head coach Mike Vrabel for the Patriots' unexpected rise. "That was a great team that needed a quarterback," Long said. "The Patriots needed a lot of things — head coach, quarterback and stability — and I think they’ve got that." Now, *that's* a bold call. While they're certainly improved, the Patriots leading the division at this point? That’s something I need to see to believe, but hey, that's why they play the games, right?