Well, usually when we cross the half way mark of the NFL season the teams have established themselves and you get a very good idea of what the playoff picture might look like. That said, after all the week 10 upsets, I finally think it’s a good time for some change in the ranks!
To the basement we go, where some teams have patched the leaks and others continue to drown:
28. Oakland Raiders – The Raiders seem to have a pattern going where they win one out of every three games. The pattern is not a good enough recipe for them to earn a playoff berth, but it is enough to avoid being the lowest of the low. Right now they have lost their last two, so maybe they have a win coming at home this week vs New Orleans. Nah.
29. Cleveland Browns – They are 2-3 in their last five games, and they are coming off the bye. Hopefully they gave Richardson the rest he needed and are ready to keep rushing him again and again, because I’m sorry to say it, but they are similar to the Jags and MJD. I really hope they improved tactically and haven’t decided to pack in the last half of the season – they are actually closer to winning more games than many assume!
30. Carolina Panthers – They won two weeks ago, and for their sake we were hoping to see them play like we know they can, this past weekend. But instead they got blown out at home – BADLY. Fortunately for them the schedule gets much weaker as they host Tampa Bay this week, thank God, and travel to Philadelphia and Kansas City to follow.
31. Kansas City – Finally they got a lead! A first quarter Touchdown put them 7 up on P-burgh, which is impressive for anyone to say. They are still terrible, but there is a chance for some change, and perhaps there is potential for them to dig themselves out of the bottom 5. Don’t hold your breath.
32. Jacksonville Jaguars – UGLY. At home on National television for Thursday night football, hosting the “beatable” Indianapolis Colts. No wonder they have no fans – it was just that bad.Well I guess their wasn’t as much change as I thought, but at least some of these teams can look forward to a good draft pick. Here are some honorable mentions, or should I say “disgraceful mentions”… Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and even the Philadelphia Eagles as well as that one time 4-0 Arizona Cardinals squad – man, these team are all just looking bad, bad, bad!!!
Now to the attic where the teams are sitting warm and cozy up on top (it’s always better on top, right?). But after Sunday’s Madness who knows what room we have to available at the top, and where we need to drop some pretenders. There has gotta be some change!
5 . Denver Broncos – Four wins in a row and an easy upcoming schedule – life is good right now for the Broncs. Peyton knocks out brother Eli from the top ranks and let me tell you, this team could win it all. They will continue to improve week-by-week, and Peyton is, well, Peyton. Watch out for the Broncos!
4 . Chicago Bears – Losing a battle in the rain against Houston is not so bad. But I have been saying it week-after-week, Cutler is bound to get hurt. If Cutler doesn’t come back and the Bears don’t smarten up as a result of this scare, they will have lost everything they have going for them! Sad to say, but YOU HAVE TO PROTECT YOUR QUATERBACK – Welcome to Football 101.
3 . San Francisco 49ers – Really? A Tie? At home against St.Louis? They do slip-up, but I still think this team is not showing us entirely what they have. Trust me, they’re crazy dangerous!
credit: AJ Guel Photography via photopin cc2 . Houston Texans – A big win over the Bears on Sunday Night Football! But now they just go right back to playing those chump teams; Week 11 vs Jacksonville, Week 12 @ Detroit, Week 13 @ Tennessee. C’mon! They have such an easy schedule that it could be tough when playoff time comes and they have to beat three tough teams in a row to win it all.1 . Atlanta Falcons – Well the 72 Dolphins enjoyed some champagne at the Falcons’ expense. But for Atlanta, they got rid of the undefeated hump, which I have noticed in the past can be a good thing to get rid of. Now at least every match they play, their opponents aren’t salivating over being that team that takes them down. We now get to see how they respond in their first set-back, and luckily it’s in hosting the Arizona Cardinals. They need to show they still are the best or they will find themselves dethroned.Again, only one new team, but there was some jockeying. However, there are some teams that are grilling to get in the top 5. The Baltimore Ravens dismantled the Raiders, and you can never count out the Steelers, Patriots, Packers and Giants. See you next week!
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