Oh How The Mighty Have Fallen: NFL Week 11 Preview

Barack Obama received 66 million+ votes for his notion of "change."

With a country obsessed with change, the greatest change I have seen this year has been in the parity in the National Football League and oh how the mighty have fallen. 

Last year, heading into Week 10 most NFL fans knew that the playoffs would see the Patriots, Colts, Chargers, Cowboys, Pittsburgh and Green Bay with some more convincing than others. The second half of the season was anticlimactic as their were teams that were preparing for the playoffs and the other teams getting ready for the next season.

The top drafted fantasy players did not disappoint as Tom Brady, Payton Manning, L.T., Randy Moss, T.O and Braylon Edwards were the players to beat.

This year this is not the case.

The second half of the NFL season is going to be exciting to the very last game, as the majority of the teams in the NFL are fighting for a spot in the playoffs. There is a possibility that none of the preseason favorites to win the Super Bowl: Colts, Patriots, Chargers and Cowboys will make the playoffs. Who would have thought? 

Who would have thought that the Tennessee Titans would be the only undefeated team in the NFL going into Week 10, with Kerry Collins at QB. This season has had many ups and downs, with Tom Brady on the sidelines to Brady Quinn replacing Derek Anderson in Cleveland. 

But one thing is sure, get ready for the rest of the season, because there is a lot more football left to be played. 

A look at the divisions.

NFC East (Giants, Redskins, Cowboys, Eagles)

This is the best league in the NFL this season. The Cowboys are a huge disappointment, as their record does not mirror their abundance of talent on both sides of the ball. The defending Super Bowl Champions look to win this division with an impressive 8-1 record and are considered by many as the best team in football right now.

The Redskins and Eagles are better than they were last year, and all three will fight for a playoff spot, most likely a wild card with the way the Giants are playing. All four teams have a winning record and only one game separates the bottom three.

Predicted Winner: Giants

NFC North (Bears, Vikings, Packers, Lions)

The Lions at 0-9 wouldn't have a winning record if they were playing Division-I AA College Football. The Bears under QB Kyle Orton and Vikings under RB Adrian Peterson have posted the best record in this division to date at 5-4, with Green Bay one game away at 4-5.

These teams will be battling to the end for a chance to play in January. The Green Bay vs. Chicago game this Sunday will be one to watch, as a win for the Bears will help them on their way to the top of the division.

Predicted Winner: Bears

NFC South (Carolina, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, New Orleans)

Carolina currently has the lead at 7-2, but right behind them are the Bucks and Falcons at 6-3. This division, such as the NFC North is up for grabs. The Saints are not out, but close as they sit at the bottom of the division at 4-5, with yet another disappointing season for the loyal fans of Louisiana.

Carolina should be able to make it 8-2 after Sunday, as they play the Lions. I would not be surprised if Steve Smith asks for community service hours for attending this charity event.

Predicted Winner: Carolina

NFC West (Arizona, Seattle, San Fransisco, St. Louis)

This division is the most boring in the NFL as the Cardinals sit at 6-3 while the other three teams are 2-7. The Rams and the 49ers are in rebuilding years and the Seahawks are struggling in just about every facet of the game.

Predicted Winner: Rams........just kidding. Arizona

AFC East (Patriots, Jets, Bills, Dolphins)

Wait a minute! There is another team in this division than the New England Patriots? Since when?  A very exciting division this season as the injury to Tom Brady has humbled the Patriots to a 6-3 record tied with the Jets, yes the Jets, at the top of the division.

One game back is the Buffalo Bills whose defense is one of the best in the league and has improved on the offensive side of the ball as well with strong play from QB Trent Edwards. Also at 5-4 is Bill Parcells Miami Dolphins.

Yes, heading into Week 10 there is only one game that separates the New England Patriots from the Miami Dolphins. What a difference a year makes. All four of these teams are above the .500 mark and will battle it out until the seasons end. 

A big game between the Jets and Patriots will decide who is crowned the division's elite heading into Week 11.

Predicted Winner: Patriots/Jets Tie

AFC North (Steelers, Browns, Ravens, Bengals)

The Steelers are tied with the Ravens who were among the leagues worst last season, at the top of the AFC North at 6-3. In third is the Cleveland Browns, who are still getting headlines after FINALLY benching Derek Anderson and replacing him with the future of the Browns organization, Brady Quinn.

The Bengals are the worst team with two great receivers I have ever seen. Both the Steelers and the Ravens will have their hands full this Sunday as they battle the Chargers and Giants respectively.

Predicted Winner: Steelers

AFC South (Titans, Colts, Jaguars, Texans)

Oh, the Titans are the only undefeated team in the NFL? Strange. That Vince Young must be having a real breakout season. Wait, he is on the bench? Wow. How many people a year ago could say that the Titans would be the only undefeated team in the NFL at then end of Week Nine, and the signal caller leading them there would be Kerry Collins.

If you did that, then you should get in your car immediately, head west to a nice town called Las Vegas and start betting on your next future predictions. The Colts are second in the division at 5-4 with a sincere chance of not making the playoffs. The Jaguars and Texans have to wait until next year before they can make a bid at the playoffs, given the success of division leader Tennessee Titans.

Predicted Winner: Titans

AFC West (Broncos, Chargers, Raiders, Chiefs)

The Denver Broncos are at the top of this division at the time with a 5-4 record after defeating the Browns last week. A close second is the San Diego Chargers at 4-5, who lost to the division leading Broncos by a "controversial call" at the end of the game.

Will this call impact the Chargers playoff fate? Only time will tell. The Raiders—well, I don't have enough time to address what is going on in Oakland, let's just leave it at the fact that they are not going to make the playoffs this year. You can add the Chiefs to that list as well.

Predicted Winner: Chargers

What a great season. For the first time in a long time, the last few games of the season are going to be as heavily watched as the first few games. Subs will not be flowing into the game after the first quarter to prevent injuries of the starters in preparation for the playoffs and each game from here on out will hold a greater deal of significance like in College Football.

The fall of the great super powers of the NFL is making for a more exciting league and teams like the Broncos, the Cardinals, the Titans, and Ravens are showing that they belong with the countries finest.

Players like Clinton Portis, Michael Turner, Aaron Rodgers, and Calvin Johnson are showing the next wave of talent in the NFL, and Kurt Warner is showing that the game has not passed him by as he has moved from the bench to a possible MVP. What a season!

I know I'll be watching to see how this season unfolds. Will you?