NFL Division Leaders: Are Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Others Legit?

Now 11 weeks into the NFL season, the standings in each division are finally starting to become a little bit more clear.

Currently, the New York Jets, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks are either in sole possession or tied for the lead of their respective divisions.

As most football fans know, the leaders of each division have the pleasure of advancing to the playoffs, so it's important to realize which teams are flukes and which are for real. 

New York Jets: For Real

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 21: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets looks to throw a pass against the Houston Texans on November 21, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Mark Sanchez is really growing up this season.

On Sunday his Jets completed their third straight tough win, proving that this team can back up their talk with their play on the field. After back-to-back overtime victories over the Lions and the Browns, New York decided to beat the Texans in heartbreaking fashion.

With just 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Sanchez dropped back and hit Santonio Holmes for the six-yard game-winning touchdown. It prompted Rex Ryan to say after the game, "I want to apologize to all the Jets fans for affecting the heart a little bit, but we'll take the win."

The teams that are for real know how to win the close games, and the Jets are proving their ability to play when the pressure is on. They have a very good offense, especially now that Holmes is back and playing well. Their defense isn't too shabby, either. 

New England Patriots: For Real

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts with teammate Julian Edelman #11 after a touchdown in the second half at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Any team led by Tom Brady is probably going to avoid the fluke label. But this one has truly earned their legitimate status, beating the Steelers and the Colts in back-to-back weeks. 

The Patriots have employed a surprisingly balanced offense, and it's worked quite well recently. Hanging 39 points on Pittsburgh at Heinz Field is no easy feat. 

The offense is humming, but the defense, ranked 31st against the pass, needs to improve. 

They were able to withstand a Peyton Manning-led rally, though. 

Baltimore Ravens: For Real

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BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 24: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens is introduced before the game against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bills 37-34. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Im

Joe Flacco has been playing better as of late, and the defense has looked like the Ravens defense of old. 

Well, it's easy to look like that when you're playing the Carolina Panthers. And it's even easier when Brian St. Pierre is starting for the Panthers at quarterback. 

Still, the Ravens dominated their last game, an important bounce-back after a devastating last-minute loss to the Atlanta Falcons. 

They have a tough schedule the rest of the way, but the Ravens appear to be a very good football team. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: For Real

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass against the Oakland Raiders during the game on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Steelers boast the largest point differential in the AFC, outscoring their opponents by 70 points so far this season. 

The team is 4-2 since the return of Ben Roethlisberger, and the only two losses came at the hands of Drew Brees and Tom Brady. That's not too bad at all. 

Rashard Mendenhall is having a great year running the ball. He's already got 811 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. 

This team can do it all.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Fluke

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 21: David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars congratulates Maurice Jones-Drew #32 after scoring a touchdown during a game agaisnt the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Field on November 21, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Ph

Only the Buffalo Bills have a worse point differential in the AFC. Being outscored by 50 points so far this season isn't exactly a good sign for a division leader. 

Just like the team, the record is kind of a fluke, as well. Yes, the Jaguars are 6-4, but they've only beaten one playoff contender so far this season. 

Their last two wins also came on a Hail Mary pass and a touchdown pass with 16 seconds left. 

Jacksonville has the talent, but they haven't inspired much confidence yet, especially coming off a week where they turned the ball over six times. 

Indianapolis Colts: For Real

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots on November 21, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Colts 31-2

Peyton Manning is having another stellar season despite injury after injury to his receiving corps. The Colts are definitely for real. 

Yes, they just lost to the New England Patriots, but that's not really a loss to be embarrassed by. 

They've outscored their opponents by 52 points and have an unblemished 4-0 record at home. As always, the Colts are going to be a tough out in the playoffs. 

It seems to be a safe assumption that they'll be in the playoffs, as the Jaguars are the only team left on their schedule that would be in the postseason if the season were to end today. 

Kansas City Chiefs: Fluke

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KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 21: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball during the game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 21, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Two things keep the Kansas City Chiefs from being legitimate:

One is their gruesome 1-4 record on the road. The other is the fact that Matt Cassel is their starting quarterback. I'm just not ready to believe yet. 

They are coming off a win, but it was against the hapless Arizona Cardinals. 

Kansas City is having a very good year so far, thanks to a league-leading 164.7 yards per game on the ground, but they have yet to beat a playoff team or win a marquee game. 

Color me skeptical.

Philadelphia Eagles: For Real

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Colts 26-24. (Photo by Jim McIsaac

Michael Vick is back and playing like the MVP. He's thrown for 11 touchdowns, rushed for five and has yet to throw an interception. 

LeSean McCoy is one of the better backs in the NFL. The running back has accounted for seven touchdowns and over 1,000 yards already. 

Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson have been nothing short of spectacular. The dynamic duo has combined for 80 receptions, 1,357 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

They've won three straight games, including victories over the Giants and the Colts. They scored 59 points against the Redskins and made it look easy. 

Sounds like they're for real. 

Chicago Bears: Fluke

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears awaits the start of play against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 27-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

This is probably going to be the most controversial team of the bunch, but the Chicago Bears haven't really shown yet that they're legitimate.

They do have three straight wins, but they came against the Bills, the Vikings and the Tyler Thigpen-led Dolphins. 

The Bears defense has been excellent, but the offense hasn't been able to do too much. Matt Forte is having another down year, with only 567 yards on the ground, and Jay Cutler is once again proving that he has a remarkable ability to throw interceptions, with 10 on the year. 

With the 27th-ranked passing offense at 195.4 yards per game and the 20th-ranked rushing offense at 99 yards per game, the Bears haven't demonstrated a consistent enough offense to avoid the fluke label. 

Green Bay Packers: For Real

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Packers have outscored their opponents by 106 points this season, by far the largest point differential in the entire NFL. In fact, the Steelers have the second-largest margin, at 70. 

Green Bay boasts a great offense and a good defense. Aaron Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in the game and has the luxury of throwing to Greg Jennings. The defense is ranked 11th against the pass and 18th against the run.

They've also won four straight games after losing back-to-back contests in overtime.

After yet another dominant performance, this time a 31-3 win against the Vikings at Minnesota, the Green Bay Packers are most definitely for real. 

Atlanta Falcons: For Real

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 and Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons react after White's touchdown reception in the final seconds against the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevi

The Atlanta Falcons, who have the best record in the NFL at 8-2, may also have the best team. 

They've outscored their opponents by 64 points so far and have a perfect 5-0 record in the Georgia Dome. That could prove to be very beneficial if they maintain their No. 1 seed status and clinch home-field advantage in the playoffs. 

Matt Ryan is a great quarterback. Roddy White is an outstanding receiver. Michael Turner is great at imitating a bowling ball out of the backfield. Tony Gonzalez is still a remarkably good tight end. The list goes on and on. 

The Falcons have the 13th-ranked passing offense, the seventh-ranked rushing offense and the sixth-ranked rushing defense. 

The team from Atlanta is most assuredly for real. 

Seattle Seahawks: Fluke

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterack Matt Hasselback #8 of the Seattle Seahawks throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Seahawks have been outscored by 48 points so far this season. Unbelievably, they are not alone in the NFC West, as every single team has allowed more points than they've scored. 

They struggle to run the ball, only averaging 83.7 yards per game on the ground. They struggle to stop the pass or the run on defense, allowing 283.2 and 105.4 yards per game, respectively.

To be brutally honest, this team doesn't do that much well. They might make the playoffs, but only because of the overall ineptitude of the NFC West. 

So far, their only win over a quality team has been a 23-20 win over the Chicago Bears. With Kansas City, Atlanta and Tampa Bay left on the schedule, finishing above .500 is going to be a struggle.