by jellydonut25 » Tue Oct 29, 2013 3:36 pm
Week 8, roughly halfway through the season. Here's my shakedown:
1.) Denver Broncos - Their only loss is to a team that has been really good.
2.) Kansas City Chiefs - Hate to put an undefeated team at this point in the season anywhere but #1, but call me when they beat somebody talented. They have yet to play a team that's even .500. They could go on a three (or even four) game skid after their bye when it's Denver, San Diego, Denver, Washington.
3.) New Orleans Saints - Only loss is on the road to a good team at the last second. That's promising. The defense can be a little troubling. I wonder what the final against Buffalo would have looked like had the Bills' O been clicking at all...
4.) Seattle Seahawks - Props to winning, and on the road, but that O-line might get Wilson killed.
5.) Cincinnati Bengals - Throwaway the loss to the Browns as an inter-divisional aberration, and you've got what could prove to be the AFC's second-best team by the year's end.
6.) Indianapolis Colts - That Chargers loss may prove to be less embarrassing that I originally thought, but that Dolphins loss is proving MORE embarrassing than I originally thought. Nevertheless, this looks to be FAR AND AWAY the best team in the AFC South, and you have to give them props for beating the Broncos.
7.) San Francisco 49ers - I still have yet to see anything particularly impressive from this team, but they are winning convincingly against weaker competition, and that's what good teams are supposed to do. Fairly easy sledding for them the rest of the way will likely find them in the playoffs (I originally thought they'd lose to Green Bay, Seattle, Houston, and another game to start the season, and be in trouble at 4-4 right now).
8.) Green Bay Packers - When Rodgers is at his best, this team makes it look easy. Now armed with a rushing attack, they could be straight-up terrifying when they get some of their WRs back.
9.) Detroit Lions - That was a statement win on Sunday. This isn't the same old, never-turn-the-corner-Lions. They have a bye and then Chicago. They could put themselves in a GREAT position with a win there.
10.) New England Patriots - firmly in control in the AFC East, but so what? Lots of teams could feed on the fodder of their schedule, and look a lot better while doing it.
11.) Chicago Bears - Coming off a bye, they have Green Bay and Detroit. That's a rough-go, but two wins could have them in control. The AFC North is interesting as hell.
12.) San Diego Chargers - With the way the rest of the AFC is playing, the West could get both Wild Cards.
13.) Carolina Panthers - This team has a chance here to make a name for themselves, and more than that, the Playoffs.
14.) Dallas Cowboys - If you've seen a Giants or Eagles game, you'll know why I still think this is a playoff team...and they will get a home playoff game as well.
15.) Arizona Cardinals - They can beat on the weaker guys, but can't hang with the big boys. Typical .500 team.
16.) Tennessee Titans - With Jake Locker back, this team could have a chance. It's certainly better than their odds with Fitzpatrick playing.
17.) Baltimore Ravens - A loss to the Browns or Bengals in the next two weeks probably ends their season. Maybe not mathematically, but it'd be a rough climb into contention from there.
18.) Buffalo Bills - If you saw the first half of the game last week, you'll understand why they're this high. EJ might come back this week, but even if he doesn't, they have a CHANCE against a Chiefs team that has been living on the edge for weeks. Then it's the bye, and then the easiest 6-game stretch I could imagine: Steelers, Jets, Falcons, Buccaneers, Jaguars, Dolphins. This team could win 5 of their next 7 pretty easily.
19.) New York Jets - I don't like putting them this high, but they did beat the Pats...but they play Drew Brees next. Ouch.
20.) Miami Dolphins - Four straight losses is sending them crashing back to Earth after a decent showing to start the season. Cincinnati this week could make it 5 straight.
21.) St. Louis Rams - Tough fight they put up last night. Defense and a potential emergence of a decent running attack could make this team competitive the rest of the way, though they won't win much.
22.) Oakland Raiders - Terrelle Pryor looks solid, McFadden shows some explosiveness at times. They need to get better at FINISHING though. Trying to run out the clock is not a strong suit.
23.) Cleveland Browns - Jason Campbell is my most recent "never had a fair shake" guy, so I like what he brings to the table, but this team doesn't really seem to want to win.
24.) Houston Texans - I guess it's not technically over yet. Must-win on Sunday night though. Case Keenum has potential to be the answer they've been looking for...
25.) Washington Redskins - Outclassed and outcoached by Denver, but at least they try.
26.) Pittsburgh Steelers - The loss to Oakland is the end of their season, imho. Earliest time in recent memory, too.
27.) Atlanta Falcons - The season is over, but if/when they get Roddy White back, they won't be a cakewalk.
28.) Philadelphia Eagles - Better than their record, the QB injuries are taking their toll, though.
29.) New York Giants - Yes they are winning, but have you actually watched them play at all? It's a joke. Players look like they want out.
30.) Minnesota Vikings - They've got a win. No shame in tanking it the rest of the way in order to get a QB.
31.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Will they get a win? Their schedule is pretty fierce the rest of the way.
32.) Jacksonville Jaguars - That game in two weeks against Arizona looms large as their last chance to get a win, though two games against the Texans could (hopefully) be their chance to end the career of Gary Kubiak.
You might say I have the Bills too high, as I have all year....but I've been watching this team, and a lot of the teams with the same record as them, and they look like one of the better middle-of-the-road teams. As I've said before, I wouldn't want to be a mid-level contender (Miami, the Jets) with Buffalo left on my schedule. The defense is fierce and the offense will be vastly improved upon the return of Manuel. If they can sneak a win against Kansas City this week, I'm gonna be all jacked up.