Sports 'N Stuff: NFL Midseason Report Card
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So here is my midseason report card and, as always, let me know what you think:
AFC East
Buffalo Bills (5-2) Grade A: They are tied for first with the Patriots and playing very good football. A solid defense and smart QB play have made the Bills a contender in the East. I picked them to win this division but we will see how that goes because ... .New England Patriots (5-2) Grade A-plus: Will we ever stop talking about how good these guys are? I figured with the loss of Tom Brady they would be done. Sam Matt Cassell has filled in great at QB and their defense is still playing well. They are in the thick of this division and, if they continue to play like they are now, could very well earn it back from Buffalo.
New York Jets (4-3) Grade A-minus: The addition of Brett Favre obviously made them better and they are doing well with using their receivers to help him out. A subpar running game and, at times, soft defense will keep them from contending for the division and the postseason.
Miami Dolphins (3-4) Grade B: They have been very creative on offense, which has won them some games. However, you can only run trick plays so many times in the NFL before defenses figure it out. Still not good enough to contend.
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) Grade A: One of only two teams in football undefeated in their division and their conference. With the running game not up to expectations they have turned to Big Ben to throw more and he has come through. They have a horrible division as well and should win it down the stretch. Baltimore Ravens (4-3) Grade B-minus: In typical Ravens fashion, they are getting their wins with defense. A rookie QB and so-so running game doesn't really give them a shot at contending with Pittsburgh.
Cleveland Browns (3-4) Grade C: I would have given them lower had they not won three of their last four games. They are still inconsistent at QB and have issues in the locker room. Brady Quinn should make his first appearance at QB very soon.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-8) Grade F: The most disappointing team in the NFL bar none. Plenty of talent but also plenty of attitudes and that doesn't make for a successful team. Even with the loss of their QB they should still have enough talent to win some games. Look for their coach Marvin Lewis to be fired — maybe before season's end.
AFC South
Tennessee Titans (7-0) Grade A-plus: By far the most impressive story in football. Their "quarterback of the future," Vince Young, is gone and they are relying on journeyman Kerry Collins to run the team. He is doing better than expected and their defense is CRAZY. These guys are for real. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4) Grade B: They always seem to hang tough in this division. They have a reliable QB and a good defense. Have a chance to make the postseason as a wild card because they are tied with everyone in the division except Tennessee.
Indianapolis Colts (3-4) Grade D: The Colts should be waaaaay better than this. Even with a poor defense their offense should be putting up enough points to win. They can't get any rhythm and it seems that Peyton Manning has forgotten how to throw passes. They need to get better in a hurry if they plan on playing in January.
Houston Texans (3-4) Grade C-plus: Every year, I think they will get better. This year they have shown a bit more promise with a good young QB and a glimpse of a good defense. They could still use some more offensive weapons though.
AFC West
Denver Broncos (4-3) Grade C-minus: It's no surprise that the Broncos give up so many points. Their defense was ranked 30th last year and is again this season. However, there is a HUGE meltdown offensively. With the arm of Jay Cutler, the always superior Mike Shanahan running game and a receiving corps of Brandon Marshall, Brandon Stokely, Eddie Royal and Tony Sheffler they should be racking up 30-plus points a game — and were until the last three games. Thirteen turnovers in three games is NOT good. The only reason they are not cashing in the season all ready is because they lead a horrible division and are poised to take a bigger lead after this week. With the Chargers loss this week the Broncos can build more on their already big lead.
San Diego Chargers (3-5) Grade F: No discussion — they should be the AFC contingent in the Super Bowl. They have been teetering for a few years and EVERYONE thought this would be the year. I think the Norv Turner curse has struck again Charger fans. Like their Denver counterparts, they have a very good QB in Phillip Rivers, the best overall player in football in LaDanian Tomlison, an outstanding group of receivers and a good defense. Why aren't they winning? Other than a blown call against Denver when they got jipped they have deserved to lose every other game they have lost. Say what you want — but Norv Turner has to be the reason.
Oakland Raiders (2-5) Grade F: Not much different can be said this year than any other. Until Al Davis is gone this team will be terrible. No coach of any stature will ever go there and none of the players want to play there. If I was Jamarcus Russell, I would be really ticked because his talent is wasted on an organization not committed to winning.
Kansas City Chiefs (1-6) Grade F: Here is another coach who has treaded water for quite some time. Herman Edwards has proven once again he is NOT an NFL head coach and it is time for him to go. They also have their star player, Larry Johnson, now facing assault charges and surely to get suspended. Combine all this with no QB to speak of and a horrid defense and you have this years Chiefs.
NFC East
New York Giants (6-1) Grade A-plus: With the loss of Michael Strahan to retirement Osi Umenyora to injury, it would have been easy for the defending champs to make excuses. Instead, they have rolled to a first place and QB Eli Manning is showing why he is a champion. I will say this — Eli will win another championship before his brother does. Don't be surprised if it's this year — the G-men look that good. Washington Redskins (6-2) Grade B: I can't give them a higher grade than that because they should have been this good for a couple of years now with the money they have spent. Rookie head coach Jim Zorn is surprising everyone and they have finally gotten their running game back on track. Look for them to hang around until January.
Dallas Cowboys (5-3) Grade C-minus: The only reason I didn't give them a D is because they did lose their starting QB, Tony Romo. That being said, they have tremendous receivers and tight ends. They have a bruising running game and a terrific defense. They should be winning this division. Like Norv Turner, Wade Phillips is showing he cannot get the job done even with awesome talent.
Philadelphia Eagles (4-3) Grade C-minus: Another victim of injuries and underachievers, Philly will not play in January. Donovan McNabb can only take them so far before everyone else has to step up. They have not. Don't look for the Eagles to be very good down the stretch in this VERY tough division.
NFC North
Chicago Bears (4-3) Grade C: They have done well getting Kyle Orton on track as their QB. We all know Rex Grossman will not get that job back. Their defense is uncharacteristically unreliable and their offense is not moving the ball very well unless Orton can take the game over himself. That's a lot to ask of a QB with this little experience. They are leading their division though but ... .Green Bay Packers (4-3) Grade B: In losing Brett Favre and dealing with all the surrounding controversy, I had cashed them in. Aaron Rodgers is turning heads though and the Packers are starting to play very well. They will most likely come out on top of this division.
Minnesota Vikings (3-4) Grade D: Next to LaDanian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson is the best running back in the game. He is the only bright spot for the Vikings. They have huge QB issues and a coach who, in my opinion, is on the hot seat. No chance to come out of this division.
Detroit Lions (0-7) Grade F: If there was a lower grade I mould give it to them. The are horrible. The only other thing to say is that this was my dark horse pick. I actually picked them to win this division. Wow ... what was I thinking.
NFC South
Carolina Panthers (6-2) Grade A-plus: Every year, I say Jake Delhomme is not the QB the Panthers and each year he proves me wrong. Steve Smith is still one of the premier players in this league and they have a great running game. Their defense is playing well and that equates to a division winner. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-3) Grade B: They have survived so far with inconsistency at the QB position and Jeff Garcia is not the long-term solution. They still have an OK defense but Carolina is the better team in this group.
Atlanta Falcons (4-3) Grade B-plus: Combine the loss of superstar Michael Vick with putting a rookie QB in place to lead your team alongside a new head coach and that usually spells disaster. The Falcons have done an admirable job in rising above and are playing pretty good football. Matt Ryan is definitely their QB of the future and they will be a team with which to reckon in the coming years — just not this year.
New Orleans Saints (4-4) Grade D: One could argue the Saints should get an F. One of the bigger disappointments thus far, the Saints should be better. They have, arguably, the best QB in football (remember Tom Brady is out). With weapons like Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister and some notable receivers, this team should be the class of this division.
NFC West
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Arizona Cardinals (4-3) Grade B: They have, well ... had, a quarterback controversy since disappointing Matt Leinart played horribly and Kurt Warner was poised to take over. They have emerged remarkably well and Warner is playing very well. They have a fair defense and their receiving corps is excellent. They should win this division barring anything unexpected. Seattle Seahawks (2-5) Grade D: This team also gets a break from an F because they lost their catalyst in QB Matt Hassleback. They can't get anything going and don't expect that to change anytime soon. This is just not their year.
St. Louis Rams (2-5) Grade F: A coaching change part way through the season combined with an underperforming offense and defense this team is headed south quickly. Steven Jackson has shown some signs of life lately but was out this week with another injury. No chance for these guys.
San Francisco '49ers (2-6) Grade F: They fired their coach midway through the season and named Mike Singletary interim head coach. He is already spouting off like he is in this position for good and losing any respect he may have had with the players. There is nothing good to say about this team. They could be in trouble for a long time.
