NFL Contenders and Pretenders

Bradford and the Rams could win the NFC West, photo courtesy of blogs.thescore.com

It has certainly been a very interesting first half to the NFL season. No undefeated teams remain, and many teams who were thought to be powerhouses are not.

Many teams have been surprises as well. Let’s take a look at the “contenders” and the “pretenders” of the NFL season.

Contenders are teams that certainly have a chance to make a playoff push by winning their division.

Pretenders are teams that have done well so far, but will not be able to win their division or even a wild card spot into the playoffs.

Contenders

• St. Louis Rams – I can’t say I thought the Rams would have .500 record halfway through the season, but they have surprised many people and they are for real. Bradford has proven doubters wrong by playing well for a rookie quarterback. Steven Jackson is on his way to another 1,000-yard season. This is a young group of guys that believe in each other and have a legit shot at winning this weak division.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Raheem Morris came out prior to last week’s game and said, “We’re the best team in the NFC, yeah, I said it.” That statement describes the Bucs perfectly. They believe in each other even though no one else does, but at this point, no one else matters. While the rest of the NFC is struggling, the Bucs are going in week-in and week-out and winning ball games.
• Oakland Raiders – The Raiders commitment to excellence has finally showed some signs of showing up again this year with their commitment to running the ball. Darren McFadden has finally turned out to be the lottery pick the Raiders used. With Michael Bush as the backup, this has become one of the deadliest rushing combos in the league. The Raiders also have one of the most underrated TE in the league, Zach Miller, who leads the team in reception yards. The secondary is also playing well with Asomugha and Huff.
• Kansas City Chiefs – Along with the Raiders, the Chiefs have been another huge surprise in the AFC West, and I believe one of the two will win the division and take over San Diego’s chokehold on the title. The Chiefs are another young team that is led by great coaching and belief. The Chiefs are unbeaten in Arrowhead, which is still one of the most rowdy stadiums in the country. Matt Cassel is developing well and the Chiefs are red hot.

Pretenders

• Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles have had the injury bug really hit them hard. I think if they had Vick at QB the whole year, they would certainly be in place for the division. Eagles have five division games left on their schedule, and I don’t see them catching up to the red-hot Giants.
• Chicago Bears – The Bears may have started off red hot, but they cooled down really fast. At the end of the day, “the Bears were who we thought they were.” That offensive line has cost Jay Cutler to take a real beating and that offense is not going anywhere. There is just not enough fire power on this team to overtake a beaten up Packers team.
• Tennessee Titans – The Vince Young injury problems continue and this team just can’t win with Kerry Collins at the helm in a very competitive AFC. The Titans play all teams that are .500 or better the rest of the season as well. The two wild card spots will go to the AFC North and AFC East, and it will leave the Titans on the bubble. Side note, Chris Johnson is nowhere close to being on pace for another 2,000 yard season.
• New Orleans Saints – Yeah, I said it. These Saints aren’t the same as last year's. Drew Brees no longer looks invincible, and their division is once again competitive. The NFC South will be decided in the last three weeks of the season, but I think the Saints will be the odd ball out. The Saints play in Baltimore, in Atlanta, and host Tampa Bay the last three weeks, which will be a very difficult test. Even in many wins so far against the Vikings, Niners, and Carolina, the Saints have just gotten by. The trend will continue: a team that makes the Super Bowl will not make the playoffs the next year.

This is just an opinion…so please, Pardon My Bias.