We’re getting to the point where the NFL season goes into another gear. My top 20 teams. I didn't include any teams that I thought had no chance to get in to the playoffs.
1. NY Giants (10-1) – The defending Super Bowl Champs have been playing lights out since the playoffs last year. Amazing what confidence does to a team. Lose your best two defensive players during the offseason….no problem. The running trio of Jacobs, Ward, Bradshaw (AKA Earth, Wind, & Fire) have been unstoppable. Eli Manning has been playing efficient and steady for this team as well. They have their work cut out for them with games against Washington, Dallas, & Carolina in three of their next four weeks but it really hasn’t mattered who they have been playing lately.
2. Tennessee Titans (10-1) – A loss to the red hot Jets has brought the Titans back down to earth a bit. The formula to beat this team is stopping the run. Collins has shown he is an OK QB but he can’t put this team on his back. The Titans just don’t have enough talent in the passing game to win w/o running the ball against a good team. Collins may be able to make some plays but with the Titans defense playing less than dominant lately there is too much on his shoulders. The Titans have to get back to running the ball 35 times a game and playing defense. They are a team that wins ugly and I think they forgot their own identity. Sometimes a loss wakes you up. Sometimes a loss gives another team the formula to beat you though. Let’s see what the Titans do from here.
3. Pittsburg Steelers (8-3) – The Steelers are a model of how a franchise should be run. They have a great defense that is relentless. They have a tough big play QB. They run the ball with power and play with a nasty attitude. No one wants to play the Steelers at Heinz Field. If this team has any issues, it is in the offensive line because they tend to get their QB killed at times. But they have the right QB in there to take those shots and get right back up. Not a Steelers fan but this team is tough and plays gritty, tough, and entertaining football.
4. NY Jets (8-3) – The Jets are here because, well they have beaten the once unbeaten Titans. They are hot and playing great football. Favre is playing well and put on a clinic in the short passing game against the Titans. I am skeptical though. This team really has the making of the flavor of the month rather than a serious championship caliber team. I just don’t buy into all that Bret Favre stuff. This team is just on a high right now and I will come down a bit.
5. Dallas Cowboys (7-4) – The Cowboys are slowly but surely starting to build a little momentum. Romo is back and this team just can’t win w/o him. But how many teams can win w/o their superstar QB? Not many. All I have to say is don’t forget about this team. Too much talent and when they are rolling there isn’t much to stand in their way. They also have many combustible parts so anything is possible.
6. Indianapolis Colts (7-4) – Don’t look now but the Colts are starting to gain some traction. Team Peyton seems to have finally gotten into a groove offensively. Maybe this year, without trying to rest their starters, they might actually make some noise in the playoffs. The only Super Bowl ring Manning and Dungy have won was the year they got in as a wildcard team. Their schedule is pretty soft the rest of the way except for the last game of the season when the Titans are in town. The Colts could easily be 12-4 to finish the season.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-3) – Gotta give credit to Coach Gruden here. No one has done more with less than the Bucs’ coach. He has a top tier defense but offensively this team has very little talent, but somehow this team wins. I don’t think they will make much noise in the playoffs but again I gotta give credit for getting this team to 8 wins so far.
8. Carolina Panthers (8-3) – Carolina is another team that I was very skeptical about. I will say I was wrong. The RB tandem DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart has been exemplary. The passing game is also formidable with S. Smith and Muhammad out there catching balls from Jake Delhomme. The defense has been above average and this team comes to play on most weeks. I’m not sold this team has a playoff run but will say this team can’t be taken lightly.
9. New England Patriots (7-4) – There are some people floating the idea that Matt Cassell should be retained by the Patriots and trade away Tom Brady? What!? I thought I’ve heard it all before but this is just plain crazy. The Patriots are a good but not great team. As good as they can be one week is as beatable they can be in another. They have some talent and terrific coaching but they don’t have enough to beat some of top teams on this list in the playoffs.
10. Arizona Cardinals (7-4) – If the Cardinals had home field advantage I’d be all over this team for an upset special run. But they don’t. This team finally lost their first game at home to the Giants this past week. I’d have to say if it were me voting, the MVP of the season thus far is Kurt Warner. Brees and the Saints are just so Jekyll and Hyde and don’t come to play every week. Don’t forget that Warner is also on a pace to beat Dan Marino’s single season yardage mark as well as Brees. Brees may have the better numbers but it isn’t by that much. The Cardinals will give anyone they play in the playoffs fits.
11. Baltimore Ravens (7-4) – This is another team that is oh so dangerous. I don’t think this team is consistent enough to put the string of games it takes to go to the Super Bowl, having said that, this team can beat ANYONE in a one game playoff. Whoever draws this team in round 1 is in for a fight. I still think they are trying to find their identity on offense but make no mistake the Flacco kid can play. But the playoffs are a different animal for a rookie QB.
12. Washington Redskins (7-4) – The NFC East is so strong that it is conceivable that the Redskins could finish with a 10-6 record and still miss the playoffs. The Giants will win the division but the Redskins will have to pound it out with the Cowboys and could very well be on the outside looking in. Lots of football has to be played to decide the wildcard mess in the NFC.
13. Atlanta Falcons (7-4) – This team is light years ahead of where they should be. I don’t think this team makes the playoffs but they are in the mix. I felt they needed to be acknowledged for their accomplishments after the disaster year they had last year. They are building a nice team in Atlanta with Matt Ryan leading the ship.
14. New Orleans Saints (6-5) – It’s time for us to call the Saints what they are. They are under achievers. As fun as their offense is to watch this team doesn’t know how to win. There is too much talent on this offense to be sitting at 6-5. But here we are again and another year where the Saints are more than likely out of the playoffs. Nothing this team has done over the past 3 years gives me any hope this team has a strong run in them.
15. Miami Dolphins (6-5) - Hey if I can include the Saints in this I have to include the Fins. They are the opposite of the Saints. They have far less talent on this team but have done much more. Probably not enough to get into the playoffs but they have a soft enough schedule where there is an outside possibility. As bad as Sean Payton has done with his good talent with the Saints Sparano has done the opposite with utilizing his questionable talent with the Dolphins.
16. Chicago, 17. Minnesota, & 18. GB (Who Cares) – None of these teams will do anything in the playoffs but one of these teams will win the NFC North. It will be a one and done scenario so I won’t waste my time or yours.
19. Denver & 20. San Diego (Who Cares)- See 16, 17, & 18.
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