NFL Contenders and Pretenders

Week 9 of the 2011 season is just about in the books, and while there were a few games that may have left folks scratching their heads (looking at you, Kansas City) things more or less played out as expected this Sunday (looking at you, Indianapolis).

Another week down also clarifies the picture a bit so far as which teams have a solid shot at a playoff run and which are a proverbial house of cards teetering on the brink. So here's an updated look at some playoff contenders and pretenders for this season.

1. CONTENDER: Green Bay Packers

The San Diego Chargers gave the Green Bay Packers all they could handle Sunday, but thanks in no small part to San Diego signal-caller Philip Rivers' apparent quest to throw as many interceptions as Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers does touchdowns, Green Bay emerged from a 45-38 shootout as the NFL's lone remaining undefeated team at 8-0.

The 16-0 talk will probably start ramping up now, and while the Packers may not attain that lofty (and pretty meaningless) goal and their defense and offensive line remains a concern, there's no doubt that the reigning World Champions are the team to beat in the NFL this year.

2. PRETENDER: New England Patriots

A few weeks back, I predicted that the New England Patriots would represent the AFC in Super Bowl XLVI, but after watching today's last-second loss to the New York Giants, I came to a realization about the Patriots that should surprise absolutely no one.

I was wrong.

Opponents have apparently figured out to slow down the Patriots' offensive attack, and that coupled with New England's defense (which allows nearly as many points as their offense puts up),  is going to make it hard for them to win the AFC East, much less make a deep playoff run.

3. CONTENDER: Cincinnati Bengals

I don't think that even head coach Marvin Lewis, in his wildest dreams, believed that with rookie quarterback Andy Dalton under center the Cincinnati Bengals would be 6-2 halfway through the season, and very much in contention in the AFC North.

And yet here they sit.

The Bengals' schedule stiffens up in the season's second half, and they may be hard pressed to capture a division that also boasts the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. But with a solid defense and a surprisingly poised quarterback that hasn't made back breaking mistakes, not only are the Bengals capable of securing a wild-card berth, they're also the sort of team that no one wants to play in the first round of the playoffs.

4. PRETENDER: Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys righted the ship a bit today after getting blown out last week with a win over the hapless Seattle Seahawks. At 4-4, Jerry's Boys remain very much in contention in the NFC East, especially given that they still face the division-leading New York Giants twice this season.

However, the Cowboys seem incapable of establishing any real momentum, playing a Jekyll and Hyde act of alternating decent performances and stinkers, and beating the Seahawks by 10 points at home isn't the sort of dominant showing that leads one to think they've turned the corner as opposed to just spinning in circles.

5. CONTENDER: San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers kept right on rolling Sunday with a win over the Washington Redskins, notching their sixth consecutive victory and giving first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh plenty of reasons to slap someone heartily on the back.

The 49ers have won more games than every other team in their division put together, and not only are they the ridiculously prohibitive favorite to win the NFC West, they also have a very solid chance at securing home-field advantage over every team in the NFC outside Wisconsin.

6. PRETENDER: Kansas City Chiefs

After losing three straight games to open the 2011 season, the Kansas City Chiefs reeled off four consecutive victories, vaulting themselves back into contention in the AFC West and seemingly getting back on track heading into today's action.

However, all that positive momentum went up in smoke Sunday as the Chiefs were pasted by the previously winless Miami Dolphins 31-3 at Arrowhead Stadium. While it seems that no one wants to win the AFC West, if you can't beat the Dolphins in your own house then your season isn't going anywhere.