This Year in the NFL

Football, over the recent years, has evolved into the most highly publicized, entertaining, and fascinating game in the world. It has so many powerful dynamics working for it that it's almost impossible for any other sport to compete. How many people watched the Colts vs. Texans game instead of Game 5 of the world series? ALOT! One of the biggest reasons people love football is that each team plays once a week and this always leaves you wanting more. It's alot more important to watch each game when there are only 16 game for each team in a year instead of 81 or 162. Each game is magnified and we hang on every play because it can change a season. This isn't the case in other sports. I don't know about everyone else, but my Sundays from 1pm-11pm at set aside for football and as soon as the clock runs down on that final game Monday night the countdown until 1pm Sunday begins. Furthermore, the Fantasy Football is sweeping the nation. It's an epedemic, and it's the coolest thing that's happened to sports to date. It gives everyone a chance to be a GM and to be the guy calling the shots and making all the important decisions. It gives you an incredible sense of power, and in addition to that it makes games like the Broncos vs. the Bills meaningful. Whether you care who wins or loses, you have to see if Kyle Orton can get those 12 points that will win you your league. What could possibly be greater? It has expanded interest in the sport so much that it is incredible. Guys who didn't know who Emmitt Smith was now know how many touchdowns Steve Johnson (the 3rd receiver in Bufflo) has. If you stop to think about it, it's mindblowing. Also, the parity of the NFL today is great. This season in particular has been extremely competetive. I love it when there are 6 teams that are 6-2 instead of having 2 teams that are undefeated. Having parity sparks so much interest and debate as to who is the best team, and it feels as though everyone has a shot to win. Anyways, enough about how great football is and onto what's happening in the NFL today.


Mid Season Awards and thoughts....

Best Team-New Orleans Saints. I know this is probably a shock to some of you. So many people think the Ravens, Steelers, Pats, and Giants are the best teams but lets not forget New Orleans is 6-3 and primed to make the playoffs again and they are still the defending champs. When is the last time a defending superbowl champ started 6-3 and got as little respect as these guys do. Plus, they beat the Steelers (who many consider to be the best) convincingly two weeks ago and they were a 24 yard chip shot away (Falcons game) from being 7-2. All this without their best RB in Pierre Thomas, and their best playmaker in Reggie Bush.

Worst Team-Carolina Panthers. As sad as it is for me to admit this, the Panthers are far and away the worst team in the NFL right now. They have the worst 3 QBs in the NFL all playing on the same team and they can't run the ball like they could in the past. The defense has been respectable, but they are always on the field and they always have to defend short fields because the offense is so pitiful. The defense, honestly, doesn't have a chance to succeed. Alot of people think the cowboys are worse, but lets be serious if they played on a neutral field the cowboys would be 4-6 points favorites. At least the cowboys have a little bit of talent.

Biggest Surprise- Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are 5-4 and playing with confidence. Tom Cable is doing a great job and their young talent is flourishing. Richard Seymour has been a difference maker and with Darren McFadden finally living up to the billing, the Raiders look like they will remain a contender in the AFC West.

Most Overrated Team- The most overrated team in the NFL is the New England Patriots and it is not even close. What is there to like about this team? They have a great coach and a great QB, yes, but when is the last time Tom Brady had a good game? Since Moss left he has completing less than 60% of his passes for a barely over 5 yards per attempt. He just got embarassed by the lowly Cleveland Browns and a rookie QB. Furthermore, they have one of the youngest and worst defenses in the NFL. They are in the bottom 5 against the pass and their run D just gave up 189 yards and 2 scores to Peyton Hillis. Oh yeah, and their feature running backs are Benjarvis Green-Ellis (and undrafted free agent a few years ago) and Danny Woodhead (who released by the Jets to start to season). Plus, Wes Welker and Brandon Tate have been invisible since Moss left. I just don't see what other people see in them.

MVP-Phillip Rivers. Name one person who has done more with less than this guy? He loses his best defensive player from a year ago in Antonio Cromatie. Their run game has been less than stellar with Ryan Matthews hurt and inconsistent. He lost his best two WRs and THE BEST TE in the NFL. And oh yeah, he threw 4 touchdowns last week to Seyi Ajrotutu and Randy McMichael!!!!! Are you kidding me? Everybody says Peyton Manning, but I don't buy it. Rivers has a higher completion percentage, 3 more TDs, and 500 more Passing Yards. And as least Peyton still has Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon to throw to....Patrick Cryaton was Phillip Rivers #1 receiever last week. I realize the Chargers are 4-5, but they are still only one game back of first place in their division and if you took Rivers off that team it's very possible they are winless.

Most Improved- Arian Foster. I don't even need to qualify this, but I will anyways. He is leading the league in Rushing and Rushing TDs. He's second in the league in yards per carry and can catch the ball out of the backfield too. He's been a beat all year, plain and simple.

Rookie of the Year- Sam Bradford. I know Suh has been a manchild could easily win this award, but in my mind Bradford could easily be the best rookie QB in the history of the NFL. There have been plently of D linemen come in and make an immediate impact, but what this guy is doing at the QB position is unprecedented. The guy is on pace for over 3300 yards, 22 TDs and 16 INTs. Peyton Manning threw 28 INTs his rookie year and won 3 games...just saying. Bradord's team has won more games this year than the last two combined and 3 of their loses were by a combined 7 points! The Rams could easily be 7-1. Plus, Bradford has done all of this while throwing to a bunch of no named receivers. He made Mark Clayton and Danny Amendola stars...imagine what he could do with an Andre Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald type WR. The guy simply commands the huddle and is a fantasic leader. He is well respected by his teammates and will be a force in this league for years to come.

Coach of the Year- Tom Cable. Is lifing a franchise that has been very poor for almost a decade and bringing back hope and confidence to Raider football. He's got his players respect and they are buying into his system. The results: 5-4 record and a legitimate shot at their first division title since 2002.

Predictions for the rest of the season:

AFC Playoff Teams: Jets win AFC East, Pittsburgh wins AFC North, Chargers win AFC West, Titans win AFC South, Colts and Ravens win Wildcard spots.

NFC Playoff Teams: Saints win NFC South, Packers win NFC North, 49ers win AFC West, Giants win NFC East, Eagles and Falcons win Wildcard spots.

AFC Champs-Pittsbugh Steelers NFC Champions- Philadelphia Eagles

Superbowl Champs-Steelers