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| Aaron Rodgers Lambeau Leap after a Touchdown |
As we near the halfway point of the 2011 NFL season, I have decided this is a good time to give my "We are almost there" rankings and playoff predictions. So without further adieu, here we go.
1. Green Bay Packers (7-0) I could have started this list at #2 and everyone would have known what I meant by it. The Packers are head over heels better than every other team in the NFL at this point. Aaron Rodgers leads the league in touchdowns (20) and is third in yards (just behind Drew Brees and Cam Newton). The Packers have been playing at such a high level, it will be tough for anyone to derail them by the end of the year.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) The Steelers were embarrassed in their week one loss to the Ravens, but it is safe to say they bounced back from that game. As the defending AFC Champions, you expect them to be in the playoff hunt all season long.
3. San Francisco 49ers (6-1) I was hesitant to put the 49ers at #3 on this list, but here you go. The only team they have played that I consider a good team is the Lions. I don't trust Alex Smith for a full season, but hey, I am waiting for them to prove me wrong. I am thinking 2 or 3 more wins will win them this division.
4. Baltimore Ravens (5-2) The Ravens have been giving many NFL fans whiplash with the way they have been playing. After dubbing them an elite team a few weeks ago, they came out against the Jaguars and looked pitiful. Can Flacco get the Ravens to a Superbowl? I don't know. All I know is that after their come from behind win last week, I will give them a few more chances before dropping them below #4 on my list.
5. New England Patriots (5-2) One word describes the Patriots: Achilles. To make a long story short, Achilles mother dipped him into the river Styx to make him immortal. She held him from the heel, so that was the only part that did not go into the river. Well, he ended up getting wounded in the heel, and he died. Achilles is the New England Patriots. A good looking and well oiled warrior, with one weakness. Defense. Get a team like the Steelers that can control the ball, and you will kill the mighty warrior.
6. Buffalo Bills (5-2)
7. New Orleans Saints (5-3)
8. Detroit Lions (6-2)
The Bills, Saints, and Lions to me are all in the same boat. I would like to give the Saints a #6 ranking, but after their previous game in St. Louis... No. They were completely outplayed by a team that had 0 wins going into the game. And for that, you drop. As for the Bills and Lions, I see a lot of potential but just need to see if they can keep it together and keep healthy throughout a full season.
9. New York Giants (5-2) The Giants have not had a tough schedule to start off their season. But after going 5-2, I have them currently ranked #9. New York has an extremely tough schedule to end their season , including games against the Patriots, 49ers, Eagles, Saints, and Packers. This will really say a lot about who the Giants are as they move forward.
10. Chicago Bears (4-3) The Bears have had a tough schedule to begin their season. Games against the Packers, Saints, and Lions have all resulted in losses for the Bears. It will be interesting to see if they can turn it around, although their schedule is not in their favor.
11. Houston Texans (5-3)
12. New York Jets (4-3)
13. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
The Bengals schedule is not in their favor as the season progresses. They still have 2 games against the Ravens and 2 against the Steelers before the end of the year. Good Luck!
14. Atlanta Falcons (4-3)
15. Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)
16. Oakland Raiders (4-3)
17. Kansas City Chiefs (4-3)
18. San Diego Chargers (4-3)
This is going to be a great division to watch as the season continues. There is not a team that is going to runaway with this division, but it is going to be a doozy all year long.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3)
20. Tennessee Titans (4-3)
21. Dallas Cowboys (3-4)
22. Washington Redskins (3-4)
23. Minnesota Vikings (2-6)
24. Carolina Panthers (2-6) Cam Newton has been amazing! Very exciting to watch. He and Steve Smith are doing wonders for each other in Carolina. This will definitely be an exciting team to follow in a few years.
25. Cleveland Browns (3-4)
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)
27. Seattle Seahawks (2-5)
28. St. Louis Rams (1-6)
29. Denver Broncos (2-5)
30. Arizona Cardinals (1-6)
31. Miami Dolphins (0-7)
32. Indianapolis Colts (0-8)
I would say the final 10 teams in NFL are not very good at all. With the exception of each of these teams having one or two good players, everything else about them is fairly awful.
I would say the final 10 teams in NFL are not very good at all. With the exception of each of these teams having one or two good players, everything else about them is fairly awful.
Playoff Prediction
AFC Playoffs
Division Winners:
Steelers
Patriots
Texans
Raiders
Wild Card:
Ravens
Bills
NFC Playoffs
Division Winners:
Packers
49ers
Saints
Eagles
Wild Card:
Lions
Giants
I am not yet going to pick my SuperBowl matchup, because honestly I have no idea! This is my playoff picture though and I stick by it. Enjoy the rest of the NFL season, and Good Luck to your favorite teams.
--Nick
