1. Green Bay Packers (8-0)
It's an incredible feat to reach the halfway point of the season without a loss. While the Green Bay defense still hasn't dug its heels in, as long as Aaron Rodgers is healthy the Packers will keep rolling. The Green Bay defense has big-time potential, but if they keep forcing turnovers they can give up yards and points. As long as Rodgers has one more possession than the opponent, I'll take the Packers in any game. They travel to the Lions and Giants coming up, but if they can get through that stretch unscathed, they have a legitimate shot at 16-0.
2. San Francisco 49ers (7-1)
Everyone is shocked that the Niners are on pace to win 14 games, and with good reason. This team was a mess last year.
It's an incredible feat to reach the halfway point of the season without a loss. While the Green Bay defense still hasn't dug its heels in, as long as Aaron Rodgers is healthy the Packers will keep rolling. The Green Bay defense has big-time potential, but if they keep forcing turnovers they can give up yards and points. As long as Rodgers has one more possession than the opponent, I'll take the Packers in any game. They travel to the Lions and Giants coming up, but if they can get through that stretch unscathed, they have a legitimate shot at 16-0.
2. San Francisco 49ers (7-1)
Everyone is shocked that the Niners are on pace to win 14 games, and with good reason. This team was a mess last year.
Maybe we could have seen this coming, at least in some respects. Last year every prognosticator pegged San Fran as the most talented team in its division by far, and they were, but the Mike Singletary regime stamped out all that potential and replaced it with frustration and disorganization. Now the 49ers have an organized, detailed, and confident coaching staff that has maxed out the team’s talent. If the Red and Gold can beat the Giants at home this coming week, they have a tremendous chance at getting a first round bye in the playoffs.
3. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
Joe Flacco finally did what Ben Roethlisberger usually does, make the big throw to win the game. For some reason though I get the feeling Baltimore will see Pittsburgh again in the playoffs, and I can't help but feel Roethlisberger won't let the same team beat him three times in one season. Still, after a huge win for Baltimore, at this point they hold the tenuous title of best team in the AFC.
4. New York Giants (6-2)
The Patriots aren't what they once were, but it still speaks volumes about the Giants and Eli Manning to be able to go into Foxborough with a host of injuries and emerge victorious.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
I can't punish this team too much for losing essentially as time ran out to their arch-rival, a very good Ravens team.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)
Andy Dalton needs to be in the conversation for Rookie of the Year. I know Cam Newton has been spectacular and fun to watch, but Dalton has his Bengals leading the AFC north and on pace for a 12-win season.
7. Detroit Lions (6-2)
They aren't going to magically find a running game, and that is going to be a problem moving into the cold weather months of the season. Still, the defensive line packs a wallop, and Matthew Stafford-to-Calvin Johnson is going to be one of the premiere connections in the league for years.
8. Houston Texans (6-3)
The Texans defense is fifth in the league in points allowed. If they keep that up, they can win any game. And, if the defense continues its great work once Andre Johnson returns, we could be looking at a Super Bowl candidate.
9. Chicago Bears (5-3)
The Bears probably ended the Eagles’ playoff campaign on Monday night, and they did it in a fashion that they must continue to implement: a heavy dose of Matt Forte. Forte is on pace for 1,600 rushing yards, 80 receptions, and 850 yards receiving.
10. New Orleans Saints (6-3)
I don't trust the Saints because of their defense and the amount of turnovers they commit, but their upcoming stretch of games (at Atlanta, home against the Giants and Lions) will surely show whether or not they are a legit contender in the NFC.
11. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
Julio Jones made a few plays last week that showed exactly why the Falcons gave up a king's ransom in order to draft him. If Matt Ryan can pick up his level of play and the running game continues to pound, the Falcons are one the most dangerous teams in the league.
12. New England Patriots (5-3)
This could be premature, but it's starting to feel like the end of a great run in New England. With the Colts at 0-9 and the Patriots appear to be on the way down, the guard is changing in the AFC.
3. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
Joe Flacco finally did what Ben Roethlisberger usually does, make the big throw to win the game. For some reason though I get the feeling Baltimore will see Pittsburgh again in the playoffs, and I can't help but feel Roethlisberger won't let the same team beat him three times in one season. Still, after a huge win for Baltimore, at this point they hold the tenuous title of best team in the AFC.
4. New York Giants (6-2)
The Patriots aren't what they once were, but it still speaks volumes about the Giants and Eli Manning to be able to go into Foxborough with a host of injuries and emerge victorious.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
I can't punish this team too much for losing essentially as time ran out to their arch-rival, a very good Ravens team.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)
Andy Dalton needs to be in the conversation for Rookie of the Year. I know Cam Newton has been spectacular and fun to watch, but Dalton has his Bengals leading the AFC north and on pace for a 12-win season.
7. Detroit Lions (6-2)
They aren't going to magically find a running game, and that is going to be a problem moving into the cold weather months of the season. Still, the defensive line packs a wallop, and Matthew Stafford-to-Calvin Johnson is going to be one of the premiere connections in the league for years.
8. Houston Texans (6-3)
The Texans defense is fifth in the league in points allowed. If they keep that up, they can win any game. And, if the defense continues its great work once Andre Johnson returns, we could be looking at a Super Bowl candidate.
9. Chicago Bears (5-3)
The Bears probably ended the Eagles’ playoff campaign on Monday night, and they did it in a fashion that they must continue to implement: a heavy dose of Matt Forte. Forte is on pace for 1,600 rushing yards, 80 receptions, and 850 yards receiving.
10. New Orleans Saints (6-3)
I don't trust the Saints because of their defense and the amount of turnovers they commit, but their upcoming stretch of games (at Atlanta, home against the Giants and Lions) will surely show whether or not they are a legit contender in the NFC.
11. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
Julio Jones made a few plays last week that showed exactly why the Falcons gave up a king's ransom in order to draft him. If Matt Ryan can pick up his level of play and the running game continues to pound, the Falcons are one the most dangerous teams in the league.
12. New England Patriots (5-3)
This could be premature, but it's starting to feel like the end of a great run in New England. With the Colts at 0-9 and the Patriots appear to be on the way down, the guard is changing in the AFC.
--from @AdamHocking
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