by Dakota Antelman
1: Denver Broncos (6-2)
Despite a harsh loss to the Patriots in Week 9, Peyton Manning has been truly great this season. He has tossed 24 touchdowns this season and has already logged four 300 yard games. His offensive line has given him great protection while the team's defenders have limited opponents to just over 71 yards rushing per game. They are well on their way towards their second straight AFC Championship game berth.
2: Arizona Cardinals (7-1)
The Cardinals committed to their quarterback Carson Palmer just last week when they signed him to a three year $50 contract. He has paid off for the team leading them to the best record in the NFL and boosting their potency in the red zone. The Cardinals season will only get harder through as the Chiefs, Seahawks and 49'ers all appear in the back half of their schedule. The second half will tell us who these Cardinals really are.
3: New England Patriots (7-2)
Tom Brady raised many questions in the first four games of the season. He answered them all in the five most recent. Since a week four loss to Kansas City, the Patriots have scored 201 points. Rob Gronkowski has reemerged as a potential MVP season and, with 8 touchdowns and 633 receiving yards already, he could be on pace to break some of the records he set in his historic 2011 season. Many look at this Patriots season and predict a Super Bowl appearance.
4: Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)
The Eagles have the third highest points differential in the NFL. Nick Foles has done well to boost the Eagles to 5th in the league in passing yards while LeSean McCoy leads the team with 623 rushing yards. All and all, Chip Kelly looks to have found a winning formula in his second year as coach of the Eagles.
5: Detroit Lions (6-2)
Though the Lions running game has fallen on its face this year they have made up for it clutch throws by Matthew Stafford and lucky stops by their 2nd ranked rush defense. They will go up against Arizona next week as they look to hold onto their division lead.
6: Cleveland Browns (6-3)
In the wake of the preseason Johnny Manzel circus, the Browns have stayed professional and walked into playoff contention. Brian Hoyer has worked well as a full time starter and safety Tashaun Gipson has been stellar in coverage making 6 interceptions.
7: Dallas Cowboys (6-3)
Though Tony Romo has been lackluster this season Demarco Murry has carried the team on his back rushing for 1,133 yards. He leads the league in that category and might very well be able to bring the Cowboys into the playoffs.
8: Indianapolis Colts (6-3)
The Colts have the best passing game in football as Andrew Luck has already thrown for over 3,000 yards. However they have at times struggled to keep teams out of the endzone. They have allowed opponents to score 30 or more points on them in each of their losses this season.
9: Green Bay Packers (5-3)
The Packers are assuredly in the mix for a playoff berth. But they will need Eddie Lacy to play better if they are to go anywhere. Lacy has rushed for only 443 yards this season.
10: Seattle Seahawks (5-3)
The defending champion Seahawks have been somewhat of a disappointment so far. Out of the playoff picture, Russell Wilson has lacked the mobility that helped his team so much last year.
11: Buffalo Bills (5-3)
A 2-0 start for Buffalo had the Bills poised to make the playoffs and become the first team not called the Patriots to win the AFC East in years. But two straight losses soon saw Bills QB EJ Manuel out of the lineup and a mustached Kyle Orton playing under center. Beyond that, Sammy Watkins has been at times immature while CJ Spiller has been a non-factor in the run game. It seems that the Bills are poised for yet another playoff-less summer.
12: Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
The Steelers have been the benefit of an easy schedule in the first half of this season. They have beat up on the Ravens, Browns and Panthers while also handing the Colts a tough loss in Week 8. A bad loss to the Jets in Week 9 though has the team reeling as they prepare to go up against the Titans Monday.
13: Kansas City Chiefs (6-3)
Just as the Patriots have gotten better since they meet the Chiefs in Week 4, Kansas City has remedied some of the problems that plagued them early in the year. Still though, they have had a very easy record since then and have suffered greatly because of a weak run defense ranked 19th in the league.
14: Miami Dolphins (5-4)
Since their stunning defeat of the Patriots in Week 1, the Dolphins have sunk into their old ways. They have been plagued by injury and sit outside the playoff picture.
15: Cincinnati Bengals (5-3-1)
With the second worst run defense in the NFL, the Bengals have dropped several games they should have won. Also, AJ Green has not done much. He has caught just 23 passes for 381 receiving yards.
16: San Diego Chargers (5-4)
The Chargers have been streaky this year. After a loss on opening day, they won 5 straight before dropping 3 going into this week. They have one of the worst run games in the league and have created their offence so that it pretty much lives and dies with Philip Rivers.
0 comments:
Post a Comment