Football Halfway point (almost) and analysis NFC

[Xaiveir]

Well its sort of the halfway point of the season. I should wait till after the game tonight (Vikings VS. Pats) to write this, but eh im bored so here we go. I am going to give my view of each team of NFC and predictions of where they will finish the regular season at.

NFC EAST

NY Giants -

Is it just me, or all of the sudden do the Giants look REALLY scary. To think i almost wrote them off after their 1-2 start, after being blowout against Seattle, and being accused of being outcoached. What a difference acouple of weeks make in the NFL. Currently in the Driver seat of the NFC east. They own division wins against the Cowboys, Eagles and Redskins already, and with a TON of playmakers on this team (offensive and Defensive) this is the team to beat in the East. Tiki Barber coming into this week, leads the NFL in rushing (still 0 TDs though....), and i believe leads all players in yardage from the line of scrimmage. They have a beast of a backup in Brandon Jacobs, that will ease the work load of Tiki and will also be one heck of a starting HB when Tiki retires next year.

This team has depth, this team has the best pass rush in the NFL, and a quick strike offense. You may be looking at the second best team in the NFC right now.

Current Record 5-2

Projected Record 12-4 First round bye in the playoffs

Dallas Cowboys-

I hate to say it, but switching to Tony Romo may have been a season saving decision for Parcells and the Cowboys. Romo after afew mistakes early this week falling behind 14-0 to Carolina in Carolina, i thought he was going to be in for a long evening. 35 Unanswered points and the cowboys win the game to push their record to 4-3. This teams future hangs on the balance of the right arm of Romo. If he can get the ball to Owens and Glenn (even witten is playing well) this team could be dangerous. However i do see Romo having afew "rookie mistake games" that may cost the Cowboys a playoff spot. Any team that boasts Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn as WR's are going to be a tough matchup for any team. That offensive line just HAS to get better, or Romo's mistakes will be magnified.

Current Record 4-3

Projected Record 9-7 miss the playoffs

Philadelphia Eagles -

This is a team i have no idea about. They keep losing games in the most stunning fashion. Have a big lead against a division opponent (giants) and let them score 20+ points to come back and win. Get beat by a 62 yard fieldgoal by Tampa Bay after storming back in a game in wich Mcnabb threw 2 picks that were returned for touchdowns by Ronde Barber. Lose to the Saints after controling much of the game by a last second field goal, but blow other opponents out. This team is better than it has played on deffense, but they just cant figure things out. Westbrook's knee needs to get healthy, he looks like walter payton on some plays, and like the tin man from wizard of oz on others. I think this team after the coming bye week, should right the ship. This team is inventing new ways to lose, and hopefully that will not become a trend for the rest of the season.

Current record 4-4

Projected record 10-6/9-7 Eak into playoffs as a wild card.

Washington Redskins -

This is one team that has me scratching my head. After a flurry of offseason moves to strengthen a playoff team from a year ago (over paying for all of those mediocre players) they look horrible. Brunell needs to retire, and they need to give the Reigns over to the QB of the future. They are stagnant on offense, and their defense is in the middle of the road. Certainly not what alot of people expected from this team. Perhaps Tom Cruise could suite up and help this team out, i heard he was available for a gig. This team is in some serious trouble this year, and it may spell the retirement of Gibbs (again). This team has a BRUTAL schedule the rest of the way and will be lucky to win 4 of those games

Current record 2-5

Projected Record 5-11 top 10 pick


NFC North

Chicago Bears

After pulling an amazing victory out of their ass against Arizona on monday night, this team looked like their D was exploited by Leinhart, a rookie QB. Ask the 49ers if their D is any good? This team has Talent all over the field, and a quarterback that is finally living up to his projected status. Grossman has been accurate, smart (minus the AZ game) and efficient. This team boasts the second best D in the league, and an offense that can grind the ball with the combination of Jones and Benson, or win in a shootout with Grossman and his wideouts. Currently undefeated has Chicago in a super bowl shuffle frenzy. Im just wondering when they will cut the record, and if Grossman will wear a head band and sun glasses alla Mcmahon. However the road ahead has afew potholes before their undefeated shuffle season can be complete. Notable games being in a 3 week span of AT the Giants, AT the Jets, and AT the Patriots. OUCH. Hell in that span they then play the Vikings at home (upset game possible) and then back on the road to play a dangerous Rams team. Double Ouch. Class of the NFC? I think so, Undefeated season? No

Current Record 7-0

Projected Record 13-3 first round bye and homefield advantage.


Minnesota Vikings -

This team i knew would be decent coming into the season, i am now a believer in not only that they are good, they are REALLY good. I believe this is a playoff team, and can play well on the road with their scheme. It has turned into a ball control offense with Chester Taylor, and the always efficient Brad Johnson. They have some talented recievers, and a very good offensive line that is anchored by free agent signing of Steve Hutchinson. Their Defense is stout, and will really carry this team.

Current Record 4-2 going into monday against the Pats

Projected Record 11-5 wildcard

Green Bay Packers -

Well Brett Favre is playing better, their defense is still giving up too many points. The packers will be in almost all the games this year, and with one of the best comeback quarterbacks they will win quite afew more games. However the inexpeirenced players on both sides of the ball will limit how far this team goes. As much as i hate to say it, Favre please retire after this year, let Aaron Rogers take over and start the rebuilding phase. They have a good young nucleus, and should be playoff ready in 2-3 years.

Current Record 3-4

Projected Record 7-9 miss the playoffs

Detroit Lions

Im not going to say too much about this team. Untill they fire Millen, this team will never be better than mediocre at best. They do have a decent offense jones, and Roy Williams catching the ball, but they still dont have a franchise QB. Hopefully they will not pick another reciever in the first round this next year!

current record 1-6

Projected record 3-13 top 5 draft pick

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons -

Well all of the sudden the best rushing team in the NFL, learned how to pass the ball. This is SCARY! Mike Vick is looking amazing at QB the last couple of games, and the offense in general looks like its hitting on all cylinders. If Vick can keep us this sudden transformation (more than meets the eyes!) this team is going to be VERY dangerous to play. It could even go into Chicago and beat the bears. The defense started out amazing, but have given up alot of points recently. Most likely they are shocked into seeing vick make some plays, and being on the field quicker after each series. The last 2 games that Vick has been a machine at QB they are still averaging 150 yards rushing a game, wich is still tops in the NFL. Look out for the Falcons!

current record 5-2

Projected record 10-5 win division

New Orleans Saints -

Well this team has looked alot better than many people predicted. Myself included. Breese has come back from shoulder surgery (bet Miami is kicking themselves) and performed at a Pro Bowl level. The addition of Reggie Bush, has been a perfect fit (hey texans wanna redo the draft?). Deuce is back running the ball at a high level, and the defense has kept games close. However a recent injury to Bush could really hurt this team, it takes away a deminsion that no other team has. They are going to play well all year, but i believe they will fall just short of playoffs, they have one of the most brutal schedules of any team. Look out in the upcoming years though.

Current record 5-2

Projected Record 10-6/9-7 miss playoffs


Carolina Panthers

This team is confusing. They just dont seem to show up every week, wich is going to make it very tough to get into the playoffs in a much improved NFC. They still have Delholm who is a very good quarterback, and one of the best Tandems of WR's with Smith and Johnson. Their stingy D has been exploited this year, and those early losses are really going to hurt thi team. They lost a game they should have won against dallas after being ahead by 14. Alot of things need to go right for the panthers to make the playoffs. They like the Saints have a very brutal schedule, and will be lucky to win 4 more games.

Current record 4-4

Projected record 8-8 miss the playoffs

Tampa bay -

Something good...something good...say something good. Well Gradkowski is looking very good as their QB of the future. I was sad to see Simms go down the way he did, but i dont believe he will be a starter for Tampa anymore. Tampa's D has looked better recently, and will keep them in games. But if Tampa has to catch the ball better the second half of the season to just rise to the mediocre ranks of the NFL. There were 4 drops that were catchable balls (2 would be TDs) that could have changed the face of the game. The downside to the Bucs is their defense is getting old...real old. This will more than likely be addressed in the upcoming draft. That 62 yard field goal was amazing though!

Current record 2-5

Projected record 5-11

NFC West.

Seattle Seahawks -

Well for having as many injuries as this team has sustained im impressed that they are still first in their division. They played well in KC, and almost pulled one out. The loss of Alexander (madden curse WTF!) Hasselbeck (super bowl loser curse WTF) Locklear, Engram (graves disease), Womack has hurt this team. Not to mention losing Steve Hutchinson to FA, wich never should have happened. The front office should personally appologize to every Seattle fan for not Franchise tagging hutch. On the bright side They did just get back Jackson (knee) Stevens (knee), Alexander and Engram should be coming back this next week against Oakland on Monday night. Seneca Wallace looked pretty good against a tough team in KC. He certainly will not be a hinderance for the seahawks, and i feel pretty comforatable with him till Hassleback gets back. They do have a Baby butt soft schedule, they should do pretty good, even if Wallace has to play longer. They only have 3 tough games left on their schedule with only at Denver, being on the road. If this team gets healthy, and with Branch fitting in to their offense than can make a push to the NFC championship. They deffinatly need to figure out some things on defense.

Current Record 4-3

Projected Record 11-5


St. Louis Rams -

Very solid team, with a DANGEROUS offense. They have surprised alot of teams, and will continue throughout the year. This is a team that could snag a wild card spot and make lives miserable for whatever team has to host them. Bulger to Holt is one of the scariest combinations in football. Oh his secondary target in Bruce is not too bad either. Stephen Jackson is a punishing running, that can catch the ball out of the backfield as well. If this team can make it into the playoffs they could upset quite afew teams.

Current Record 4-3

Projected Record 10-6 Wild Card

San Francisco 49ers

Well Alex Smith is looking better, but this team still needs alot of help. Esspecially on the Defensive side of the ball. I still firmly believe that this team will not return to glory till the York's are out of ownership. They do fight well for Nolan, but they are just overmatched in the league. With as many holes as they have, they are still 4 years from even threatening a playoff spot. Jerry Rice looked pretty good on dancing with the stars, think he could come out of retirement?

Current Record 2-5

Projected record 5-11

Arizona Cardinals -

Well i wonder if this spells the end of the Green Regime in AZ. They have a beautiful new stadium, a franchise QB, amazing WRs, a high priced free agent running back, and an opportunistic defense what can possibly be wrong with them? Offensive line? you need one of those? The only thing that holds this team back from being an elite team is an O line. Get one of those and this could be a terrific team. Without it well....they are 1-7. The game against the Bears was just a heart breaker. Losing a game like that can ruin your season. Brightside is after years and years of tryiing out QBs, they have found their star in Lienhart. I still believe he is the most NFL ready QB i have ever seen in the draft.

Current Record 1-7 (OUCH)

Projected record 4-12

[Xaiveir]

Yeah i was bored at work BTW.

[Tikker]

Arizona Cardinals -

Well i wonder if this spells the end of the Green Regime in AZ. They have a beautiful new stadium, a franchise QB, amazing WRs, a high priced free agent running back, and an opportunistic defense what can possibly be wrong with them? Offensive line? you need one of those? The only thing that holds this team back from being an elite team is an O line.

I think you mean mediocre, jeje