We are nine weeks into the season, so we decided it would be
a good idea to take a look at the NFL teams in playoff contention right now, and have our
in house analyst T.J. Bryce separate them into the classic contender/pretender
format.
New England Patriots- I believed at the start of the season the
Patriots would be effected by the off season Tom Brady sideshow. Instead, it has
been the exact opposite. Everything that happened to Brady has motivated the Patriots like never before. They are 9-0, and are looking almost impossible to
beat. Status: Contender
Cincinnati Bengals- If someone were to force me to fill out an
NFL – MVP, and told me I had to vote right now, Andy Dalton is the NFL's MVP at
the moment. He has been that good. The Bengals are firing on all cylinders
right now in every aspect of the game and are number one in my power rankings
at the moment. Status: Contender
Green Bay Packers- Three weeks ago, this was one of the best
teams in the league. After three straight losses they are in a free fall, and
have dropped way down the power rankings list. We have never seen these modern
era Packers self-destruct quite like this, and this team is clearly in denial
if they don't think it is time to panic. Status: Pretender
Minnesota Vikings- I did not think this Vikings team would be this
7-2 right now. But let's look at the facts. The truth is, they have been
barely, BARELY, squeaking out wins against below-average or worse teams. They
are improving though, as shown by their 30-14 win over the Oakland Raiders on
Sunday and strong finish to the game. Still, I don't think this team is for
real, but they will win this division easily due to the self-destruction
happening across the boarder. Status: Pretender
Carolina Panthers- We thought the Panthers would be pretty
good. We did not think they would be this good. Cameron Newton is having his
best season to date and is a serious MVP candidate. On top of that the defense
in Carolina is for real. Still, the nearly blown leads against Indianapolis and
Green Bay are to be noted, but not to be made a big deal out of. Status:
Contender
Arizona Cardinals- The Cardinals are off to a 7-2 start, and
are putting up some impressive wins. Carson Palmer is having a great season,
and if so many other quarterbacks weren't have better seasons, he would be a
back-door MVP candidate. These Cardinals are for real, and have a showdown
coming next Sunday against the Bengals on Sunday Night Football. Status:
Contender.
Denver Broncos- The Broncos started the season 7-0, in
spite of Peyton Manning's play. A foot injury is now going to sideline Manning
for at least a week or two, and one must wonder if Manning's 5-20, 35 yard, no
touchdown, four interception performance against the Chiefs on Sunday will be
the last time he ever puts on an NFL uniform. The Broncos have lost two
straight, and will now unofficially(due to Manning being out because of
“injury”) turn to Brock Osweiler, their second round draft choice in 2012. This
could possibly be Drew Bledose/Tony Romo all over again, when in 2006,
Bledsoe's age and declining play led to him being benched in favor of the young
Tony Romo. Status: Pretender
Atlanta Falcons- The Falcons started the season 4-0 and as
hot as any team in the league. However the Falcons have looked bad five weeks
in a row, going just 2-3 in that stretch, and barely winning those two games
against bad teams. One must wonder if the Falcons are going to continue to fade
as the season goes along. I expect them to. Status: Pretender.
Pittsburgh Steelers- Ben Roethlisberger is beat up, banged up,
hobbling along on one leg, has missed a large portion of the season so far, and
the Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-3. As he gets healthier look out, this may very
well become the team to beat down stretch. Status: Contender
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