Suck For Luck
Colts (0-9) Indy is in the drivers seat of the Andrew Luck sweepstakes, with a comfortable 1.5 game lead over the incumbent Miami Dolphins. Hard to wrap your head around the fact that one player could make the difference between a team making the playoffs and going winless but it looks like that's exactly what's happening here without Peyton Manning. The lowlight of the season so far for the Colts was allowing 62 points to the Saints on a nationally televised game (averaging 31.7 on the year), but if they end up with that #1 pick all will be forgiven.
Dolphins (1-7) Miami has played well of late, and if not for a collapse in the Meadowlands and a mega collapse against the Tebow's this team could have just as easily found themselves sitting at a respectable 3-5. That being said, no team needs Luck's services more than the Fins, and with games remaining against the Eagles, Cowboys, Pats, Jets and Bills (2x) they remain very much in the race.
Rams (1-7) How the Rams went from being just minutes away from a division title last season to 1-7 is beyond me, but if I had to take a stab at it I would say it's due to a combination of not being able to workout together and practice over the off season (very important for young teams), Sam Bradford's sophomore slump and a large number of players being crippled with the injury bug. They showed signs of life in their week 8 mashing of the Saints, but quickly regressed by giving up a walk off OT punt return in Arizona this past weekend. If the Rams end up with the worst record in the league they HAVE to take Luck come April. Bradford's .5 TD's per game is not cutting it.
The Walkers
Seahawks (2-6) When you're two biggest off season acquisitions are Sidney Rice and Tavaris Jackson, 2-6 can pretty much be expected. But still, this is not the direction coach Pete Carroll saw his team headed after making it to the second round of the playoffs last year in his debut season with the 'Hawks.
Cardinals (2-6) Kevin Kolb is who we thought he was. A mediocre quarterback. At 2-6, sucking for Luck is not out of the question, but by giving up nearly 400 yards a game, quarterback certainly isn't the only hole that needs to be filled in the desert.
Jaguars (2-6) The Blaine Gabbert era looked promising in Jacksonville, that is until he stepped on the field. So far in seven games (six starts) Sunshine has completed 45% of his passes for 907 yards and a QB rating of 62. The defense has been good, holding opponents to just 20 points and 300 yards a game, but until some changes are made on the offensive side of the ball, don't look for things to take a turn to the bright side quite yet.
Browns (3-5)
Redskins (3-5)
These two teams play some of the ugliest football in the league, yet have somehow accumulated three wins a piece in the first half of the season. The Browns are tops in the league in pass defense (probably because they're always losing so teams don't need to throw the ball) but dead last in rushing yards per game on offense (probably because they're always losing so they need to pass the ball to try to comeback). Meanwhile, the Sexy Rexy/John Beck era has come to a crashing halt after dropping four in a row in our nations capital. Look for the Skins to stop the bleeding this Sunday in Miami. Roy Helu is averaging 4.5+ ypc and has provided a nice threat receiving out of the backfield. Watch for him to emerge as the focal point of the offense as the season rolls along.
The One Man Show's
The Peterson's (2-6)
The Newton's (2-6)
The Tebow's (3-5)
These three mediocre teams end up being placed a cut above the rest for the simple reason being that they have relevant players that people are interested in. AP, Cam and Tebow
are the sole reasons any of these teams get any media spotlight whatsoever. Cam is having a incredible rookie campaign from a statistical stand point (he's on pace to surpass double digit rushing touchdowns) and has made the Panthers relevant again (no small feat). Adrian Peterson continues to hold onto the Running Back Conch, having another superb season to put on his resume, but one can't help but think that he's just wasting away again in Minnesotaville. How many more years can AP's body absorb 350 tackles that ultimately amount to nothing? Meanwhile in Denver, the golden boy, Tim Tebow, has been both awful and amazing in his limited time as a starter so far this year. His die hard supporters and flip flopping coaches have helped turn the Bronco's into America's favorite sideshow circus.
Irrelevant .500 AFC West Teams
Cheifs (4-4)
Raiders (4-4)
These teams are both so hot and cold it's impossible to get a solid read on them. When healthy, the Raiders looked impressive. However, the Carlson Palmer experiment has not gone as planned, and it looks like Run DMC could miss his second consecutive game with a bad ankle Thursday night against San Diego. The Chiefs season seemed doomed from the get go after losing Eric Berry and Jamaal Charles early on, but by putting together a four game winning streak against the Vikings, Colts, Raiders and Chargers it was starting to look like things might be turning around for good. Then they lost to the Dolphins. Now I don't know what to think.
Stuck In The Middle With You
Titans (4-4) Despite being 4-4, the Titans have failed to move the ball efficiently this season, averaging a sub par 310 yard per game. This has a lot do with both Kenny Britt's trip the IR and Chris Johnson's trip to the morgue. Hasselback has done a great job of limiting his mistakes, but the weapons just don't seem to all be in place for Tennessee. They're only a game and a half behind the Texans for the AFC South title, but judging by their performance so far I wouldn't put any money on it.
Eagles (3-5)
Cowboys (4-4)
The Eagles and Cowboys have been two of the most disappointing
teams of 2011. The "Dream Team" has turned into a nightmare and the Romocoaster has been driving off course since September. These two teams are filled with all the talent in the world, but this just goes to show that it takes comradery to succeed at this level. Rookie DeMarco Murray is averaging a staggering 6.7 ypc for the Boys and LeSean McCoy is on pace to get 1650 rushing yards and 18 TD's out of the backfield in Philly. However, anytime you're team is equiped with weapons like Desean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Witten, Dez Bryant and Miles Austin you can never write these two teams off.
Buccaneers (4-4)
Bears (5-3)
These two teams played in London in a game that the Bears won
easily, which is why I'm giving Chicago the higher ranking. The Bears are led by a maturing Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte, who is having a Marshall Faulk '99 type season in terms of yards from scrimmage. They've been a surprisingly fun team to watch, and the new kick off rules haven't had nearly the amount of negative impact that I had originally predicted. As for the Buccs, I still have faith in Josh Freeman under center, but if he doesn't turn around that offense in the second half (18 ppg) then their will definitely be some cause for concern this off season.
Knock Knock Knockin On Heavens Door
Chargers (4-4) After dropping three straight games, the Chargers now find themselves in a three way tie for first place alongside K.C. and Oakland, with Denver a mere one game behind the pack. As seems to be the trend of late for Norv Turner's Bolts, nothing comes easy. Phillip Rivers has been a shell of his old self, and they too have been bitten hard by the injury bug. Gates ability to return from his lingering planters foot should have been a breath of fresh air for the So. Cal slingers, but it hasn't translate in W's that they were looking for. Despite their recent struggles, I still have them as the favorites to come out of the AFC West.
Bills (5-3) Some red flags must be raised after they no showed at home vs. the Jets last Sunday. Costly turnovers and failed 4th downs proved to be the difference in a game that would have given them sole possession of first place in the ultra competitive AFC East. I still think they have all the right pieces there to make a run at these playoffs, but it's going to be interesting to see who gets left out of the postseason party between the Bills, Jets, Pats, Bengals, Ravens and Steelers. It is very rare that we get to see two divisions with three very good teams each.
Bengals (6-2) I'll be the first one to admit that I didn't think Cincy would win 6 games all season, let alone at the half way mark. But stellar leadership and execution from rookie QB Andy "The Red Rocket" Dalton and wideout A.J. Greene have the Bengals perched atop the AFC North. A win over the Steelers on Sunday would make a huge statement that the up and coming orange and black have officially arrived.
Lions (6-2) Even more so than the Bills, the Lions were the feel good story of the first half of this NFL season. Just think, they're only three seasons removed from 0-16 and this year they started off 6-0. Megatron is having a Jerry Rice esq. season and if Best can come back from his concussion without major side effects I expect this team to hold down the 5 spot in the NFC. Stafford has a cannon for an arm and the defensive line is as fierce as they get. Detroit fans have been waiting a long time for their team to get competitive they're finally in luck. Look for the Lions to emerge as a powerhouse in the NFC for the next half decade.
Falcons (5-3) One writer compared the Falcons to the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA and I think the analogy is spot on. They don't wow you, you don't even necessarily enjoy watching them play, but they execute and win ball games. The only thing missing in this comparison is the rings, which may be coming sooner than expected to Peach state.
Jets (5-3) The Jets are playing well right now and it is a direct result
of Mark Sanchez's maturity and decision making. We all knew going into this season that the defense would show up ready to play each week, but it's been the Sanchize that's gotten the job done when they've needed him most. Keller and Holmes provide him with great safety blankets and Plax has filled in for Braylon Edwards without skipping a beat. The Jets ground and pound philosophy and stone wall defense should make them a tough out once the temperature starts to drop.
Steelers (6-3) The thing that has impressed me the most about Pitt this year is their group of wide receivers. Mike Wallace has emerged as the best deep threat in the league, and guys like Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders have been nice compliments to go along with Hines Ward and Heath Miller. Long gone are the days of 30/35 rushes a day, this new Steelers offense is high octane. 5K is not out of the question for Big Ben.
Teams that control their own Shadynasty
Texans (6-3) Could this be the year that the Texans finally make the leap from overhyped preseason favorites to actual playoff team? In short, yes. They have the best offensive line in the football and their two headed monster backfield of Tate/Foster is yet to be stopped. Once Andre Johnson comes back from his hamstring injury this team could be starring a first round bye dead in the face.
Ravens (6-2) With two wins over division rival Pittsburgh, and a defense that's allowing a suffocating 15 points a game, this team should no doubt be ranked higher. But I can't do it. Not after watching some of the dismal performances put on by Joe Flacco this year, namely against the Jags and Jets where he combined to go 31 for 69 for 300 yards with three untimely picks. This team will go only as far as the offense can take it. I predict a second round exit in what could be Ray Lewis' last game ever.
Patriots (5-3) New England started off this season looking invincible but in recent weeks have been anything but that. They've now lost back to back games for only the third time since the start of the 2003 season (remarkable) and their bullseye isn't going away anytime soon. The Pats have the best young Tight End duo in the league (Gronk/Hernandez) and a lethal passing game, but if their defense can't start stopping their opponents, then this team may be going the way of Old Yeller come playoff time.
Saints (6-3) New Orleans is averaging the most ypg (445) and second most ppg (32) so it's safe to say that Drew Brees has returned to MVP form. Darren Sprolles has been one of the biggest difference makers out of all the free agents signed this summer and tight end Jimmy Graham is on pace to crack 1,400 yards receiving. Sure, their week 9 loss to the Rams was disheartening, but they remain in the drivers seat in the NFC South. However, they still have two games remaining against the Falcons are sure to be oozing with playoff implication.
49ers (7-1) Jim Harbaugh has done a hell of a job in his rookie campaign as coach of San Fran, and they've done a great job of breaking away from the rest of the lackluster NFC West pack. Alex Smith has a 5 to 1 TD to Interception ratio and Frank Gore has broke the century mark in each of his past five games. The 49ers have the best defense in the league, giving up a mere 14.8 per contest and have a 5 game lead in their division. Look for them to clinch by Thanksgiving.
Giants (6-2) No team has done more with less this season than the New York Giants. It doesn't matter if they lost players to free agency or to injury, this team has not missed a beat all season. With quality wins over the Bills, Eagles and Patriots, Eli Manning has his team playing at the highest level, and boy are they going to need to keep it up. Facing a back 8 that puts them up against S.F., Philly, N.O, G.B., Dallas, Wash, NYJ and Dallas, New York is truly going to have to earn their playoff birth this year.
A League Of Their Own
Packers (8-0) Quite frankly the Packers are playing chess while everybody else is playing checkers. I don't think I've ever in my lifetime witnessed a team win the Super Bowl and come back next year looking twice as good as the year before. They're putting up almost 35 ppg, 415+ypg and are +11 in the turnover department. Aaron Rodgers has the MVP award wrapped like a mummy and it doesn't seem to matter how many big plays they allow on defense because their offense simply cannot be stopped. I'm still sticking with my prediction of Pats over Packers for the Super Bowl, but I don't see any scenario where this team doesn't win 14 games this year and steamroll through the rest of the NFC en route to Super Bowl XLVI.
1st Half Awards
MVP- Aaron Rodgers
COY- Jim Harbaugh
ROY- Andy Dalton
LVP- Chris Johnson
-fresh (@danye33)
dan is the co-founder and editor in chief for the 2 Man Weave
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