The Titans are without a doubt the one team that looks good heading into the half way point. The one argument against them is that they have had and will have down an easy schedule. Games against basement living Cinncinati, Houston, and Jacksonville haven't been really stellar. Their victory over the Colts was huge. Their schedule will allow them to have a great shot at home field advantage. This week they have a potential trap game against the Bears but I believe their first loss will come against the Jets in two weeks.
New England has had rough start. When you lose your starting QB thats rough. When its Tom Brady, it's devastating. Yet the Pats have not collapsed as many would have thought. They have hung tough with Matt Cassel. They say one man doesn't make a team and the Pats have proven that. Their next couple games can leave them atop the AFC East. They have winnable games against Miami, Oakland and Seattle. However they have to play Arizona but before that they have to go up against Pittsburgh.
Arizona has become the default number 1 team in the NFC west. They have a decent 5-3 record while everyone else is seemingly drowning with bellow 500 seasons. Add the fact they have MVP candidate Kurt Warner and an easy division the Cards can coast into the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
Disaster in Dallas- Going into this season everyone, including myself, picked the Cowboys to be the team to beat in the NFC and quite possibly a superbowl favorite. Yet something went wrong. Dallas has been roller coasting the whole year. They're on the brink of playoff elimination due to the fact that Washington has stepped up their game considerably. If Dallas wants a shot at the playoffs they MUST win their next game against Washington. Even after that its a tough road.
San Diego was thought to be part of the Indianapolis, New England race to form a triple threat in the AFC. San Diego has been nothing but inconsistent. Their one impressive win came against New England. They've dropped games against Miami and New Orleans. They're fortunate that Denver has been stumbling along the way with them leaving them one game behind. The Bolts can still catch Denver if they pull it together. They better they face a injured but still good Colts team and the Steelers down the road. It can be a turning point or the nail in their coffin.
My divison predictions are for the AFC: North- Its the Steelers to lose and that doesn't look like it will happen. Baltimore has a chance to catch them but it wouldn't be head to head. Baltimore gets a wild card spot.
East-We'll know for sure in the next three weeks. The Patriots can easily take back their helm. Buffalo is on a two game skid, if they can pull off the win against the Pats they can win the division but I think the Veteran Pats will pull off the divison. Buffalo has a chance for a wild card.
South- The Titans are a run-a-way freight train. They can go 14-2 if they want to. They wont go 16-0. The Colts have to fight right now to get into the playoffs. Colts have a better chance in my opinion than the Bills to make the post season.
West- I don't know anymore about San Diego. We all know the Raiders are not going anywhere nor are the Chiefs. There fore its a two horse race between the Chargers and Denver. Because the Chargers tough schedule I'll take Denver in a close one.
NFC:- North The Bears and Packers are gonna slug this one out till the bitter end in the cold midwest weather of December. Minnesota doesn't have the talent to keep up with the Oldest Rivalry in pro football. A Chicago win against Tennessee can inject them with a lot of momentum against the Packers the next week. This will come down to the end but I think the Bears can pull this off. Second place has a chance for a wild card.
East- Giants to lose. New York can say they're the favorite in the NFC. Redskins can keep pace but will fall short. Redskins will have a wild card and will play in the playoffs. Phily can try to get in the playoffs but wont make it compared to the Washington and New York offense.
South- Carolina has slid under the radar and can obtain the all powerful Home Field advantage. Carolina has a easy schedule but Tampa is right there. Tampa can pass Carolina if they slip up. I wouldn't be surprised if Tampa won the South and Carolina won a wild card or vice-versa.
West- Arizona will win this divison with out a hitch. How far they go I will discuss another time.
My awards for this half MVP- Kurt Warner. Kurt has stepped up and making everyone think its 1999 again. He could win this award and cement his hall of fame status. Clinton Portis could catch him however.
Rookie of the Year- Matt Ryan. Rookie phenome has helped the healing in Atlanta and make everyone forget all about Michael Vick.
Coach of the Year- Jeff Fisher. Can't deny undefeated season thus far. Fisher cant take this team all the way
I'll be back at the end of the season with a recap and playoff and Super Bowl predictions
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