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NFL Mid-Season Review and Playoff Predictions

The first half of the NFL season has had its ups and downs, and the rest of the season is sure to be exciting.

Connor Cable

Oct 31, 2016

Mercer University

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NFL Mid-Season Review and Playoff Predictions

Sporting News

The 2016 season of the National Football League has turned it to be far more interesting than most people realize. Highlights include the Colin Kaepernick National Anthem sit down, high profile injuries in J.J. Watt and Teddy Bridgewater, and teams that have both surprised and disappointed the league.

The NFC has seen their reigning champs the Carolina Panthers fall to 1-5 on the season after they went undefeated on route to a super bowl last year. Almost no one could have predicted a nearly unstoppable team a year ago would turn into such a mess. Cam Newton has faced concussions and the defense has left a lot to be desired.

The unquestioned leaders of the NFC half way through the year has been the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings, both of them coming in at 5-1. The Cowboys have been led by the unlikely leader in Dak Prescott, the rookie quarterback filling in for the injured Tony Romo, while the Vikings have seen a resurgence of power under the arm of Sam Bradford who seems to have finally hit his stride after having been in the league a number of years already.

The AFC on the other hand has had surprises of their own. While the New England Patriots are leading the conference once again at a record of 6-1, the unlikely heroes have been the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are at 5-2 and are continuing to shock the NFL with their steady play under the 3rd year arm of Derek Carr.

The reigning Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos are also at a record of 5-2 under new quarterback Trevor Siemian. The AFC is looking to have another championship game between the Patriots and the Broncos, but teams like the Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers at 4-3 could spoil the party.

Eight weeks into the 2016 season and eight weeks left go, and now seems like a pretty good time to have some mid-season playoff predictions:

AFC DIVISION WINNERS (seed):

New England Patriots (1)

Pittsburgh Steelers (3)

Houston Texans (4)

Denver Broncos (2)

AFC Wild Card: Oakland Raiders (5) ,Kansas City Chiefs (6)

NFC DIVISION WINNERS (seed):

Dallas Cowboys (1)

Atlanta Falcons (4)

Seattle Seahawks (2)

Minnesota Vikings (3)

NFC Wild Card: Green Bay Packers (6), Arizona Cardinals (5)

AFC Division Games: Patriots vs. Steelers, Broncos vs. Raiders

NFC Division Games: Cowboys vs. Packers, Seahawks vs. Cardinals

AFC Championship: Patriots vs. Broncos

NFC Championship: Cowboys vs. Seahawks

Super Bowl: Patriots vs. Seahawks

WINNERS: New England Patriots

There you have it folks, this humble writer feels that the Patriots are going to be Super Bowl champs once more, much to my dismay. The NFL is no stranger to incredible plays and memorable games, and there is still a lot of season left to play. One thing is for sure though: the second half of the season will be exciting!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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NFL Mid-Season Review and Playoff Predictions

The first half of the NFL season has had its ups and downs, and the rest of the season is sure to be exciting.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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