Contenders Or Pretenders? Football Season Is Charging Hard
Start writing a post
Sports

Contenders Or Pretenders? Football Season Is Charging Hard

The 2018-19 season is taking no prisoners.

16
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn2nFUxhXE6/?taken-by=nfl
NFL Network Official Instagram

This season has already been thrilling and nail-biting, and it's only Week 3. As teams continue to fall, we have nine teams to remain. With seven teams being 2-0, I'm going to tell you which of these teams has a chance to play in the big game at the end of the season.

Miami Dolphins: Pretenders

Unfortunately for Dolphins fans, this little streak is just a teaser. Despite Ryan Tannehill throwing for four touchdowns in two games while completing almost 73% of his passes, you simply can't trust him down the stretch because he has a history of being injury-prone. Kenyan Drake is on pace for a 1000 yard season and their defense is stout, but their quarterback position is not secure enough to put them over the top.

Cincinnati Bengals: Pretenders

Even with the Ravens having a quarterback circus, the Steelers facing locker room turmoil and the Browns trying to find their identity, the Bengals still aren't contenders in the AFC. The Bengals are always that team that hypes up their fan base with their performances in the regular season, but then lay an egg in the first round of the playoffs.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Contenders

The Patriots are thin at wide receiver and the Steelers can't seem to start games off well, which puts the Jags in the driver's seat in the AFC. They arguably have the best defense in the conference, and Blake Bortles is finally showing up for games. If Bortles can complete 60-70% of his passes and continue to keep his turnovers down, this may be the year of the Jaguars.

Kansas City Chiefs: Contenders

Patrick Mahommes, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Travis Kelce and Kareem Hunt. This team is an offensive powerhouse with some studs at every skill position, and they are the kind of team that you have to beat in a shootout. Expect this team to lead the league in scoring and continue to put the whole conference on notice.

Los Angeles Rams: Contenders

The Rams are the most complete team in the league. We got Jared Goff, Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks on offense with Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters and Aaron Donald on defense. These are six All-Pro, Pro Bowl-caliber players leading both sides of the ball. Anyone sleeping on this team should wake up, because they have the talent to score 50 and hold your team to under 20.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Pretenders

It's simple - Ryan Fitzpatrick is not as good as he has shown in the last two games. Eight touchdowns and less than 200 yards away from 1000 yards. But even Bucs fans can't expect "Fitz-Magic" to keep this up. By week 4 at the Bears, Fitzpatrick will settle down and the Bucs will slow down.

Denver Broncos: Pretenders

The Broncos' window has closed. They are not as talented at quarterback or on defense since Peyton Manning retired. At this point, they are just glad that Case Keenum is better than Brock Osweiler, Paxton Lynch and Trevor Siemian, who stunk up the place the last three years. They have a chance to be a scary Wild Card team, but contenders might be pushing it.

All these teams have performed well, but it's still too early to really see who will separate themselves from the pack. As the season progresses, I predict right now the Chiefs have the best chance of these teams to make noise in the waning weeks of the season and throughout the playoffs.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

89981
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

62179
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments