As the NFL season approaches week 11 teams are jockeying for position in the playoff race. Certain teams have asserted themselves as the serious playoff and Super Bowl contenders while others are scrapping week by week to get into postseason contention. Here is how the season is shaking out so far.
The Front Runners
The defending Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots, are sitting pretty with a 10-1 record to this point and are poised to make another deep postseason run. Tom Brady has been on a mission this season following the infamous ‘Deflategate’ debacle and it looks like he may not stop until he wins it all. The Carolina Panthers have also had a breakout season and hold a 11-0 record led by quarterback Cam Newton. Newton has been solid for the Panthers this year, accompanied by veteran tight end Greg Olsen, running back Jonathan Stewart, and a stout Panther defense led by linebacker Luke Kuechly. The Panthers are a well-rounded bunch so look out for them as we move toward the playoffs. Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals have posted an 9-2 record so far, with their losses coming to the Texans and Cardinals in two close games. It will be interesting to see how the Bengals finish this year and if they are really a legitimate playoff team. Rounding out the top spots in the league are the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, and the Minnesota Vikings.
As we move forward in the season we will see if these teams can keep their hold on the top spots in the NFL.
Middle of the Road
There is a large contingent of teams in the middle of the pack this year, but a select few stick out to me. The first two are the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons who sit at 7-4 and 6-5 respectively to this point. I think both teams are very talented, and if they can manage to get into the playoffs without winning their respective divisions they could be dangerous in the postseason. The Pittsburgh Steelers are also a solid team with a 6-5 record and in second place in their division behind the Bengals. Their quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is a seasoned veteran and knows what it takes to win late in the season. One middle of the road team that I think can make some noise down the stretch this year is the New York Giants. They aren’t a team that is loaded with Pro Bowl talent but they have an experienced quarterback in Eli Manning and a stud wide receiver in Odell Beckham Jr. They played the Patriots very tough and showed that they can mix it up with the best.
It is unclear if these teams will make it to the postseason but if they do look for them to make their presence known.
The Bottom Dwellers
There is a handful of teams that are just not getting it done so far this year, but there are a few teams that I think can turn it around. The Dallas Cowboys are currently 3-8 but have been hindered by injuries to their franchise quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Dez Bryant. The NFC East is a lack luster division with the Giants and Redskins tied for the lead with a 5-6 record, so in my mind it is not out of the realm of possibility for any of the four teams to win this division.
Keep tuning in to the NFL season to see who will be crowned Super Bowl champions.
