I wrote this a long time ago, but never published it. Then, I forgot about it.
Even though it is dated now, I am choosing to publish this now.
Apologies that it is not particularly timely.
Okay, so, we are getting much closer now to playoff time in the NFL. Usually, this time of the year, we are starting to get a clearer picture of what teams truly have a chance, and what teams may have started by racing out of the gates and looking awesome for a while, but then withering away as the season went along. Right now, it seems (to me, at least), that the Chargers and Cardinals both are in danger of doing exactly that, as both teams had people starting to stand up and take notice earlier this season, only to see the losses - and their chances at playoff glory - look decidedly compromised once the losses started to come with more regularity.
Of course, now that I say that, watch those two teams meet in the Super Bowl.
Right?
Nah. I doubt it.
Anyway, there are teams that are starting to emerge as truly capable of making a run and going all the way, at least based on the way that they have played so far. And the hell of it is that these are teams that, for the most part, are very often among the favorites to win it. Teams like the New England Patriots, who were left for dead after a terrible loss to the Chiefs in KC earlier this season, but who now look like they will easily win the AFC East and probably have a playoff bye, if they keep it up. Teams like the Green Bay Packers, who people forgot about because of two consecutive playoff defeats to San Francisco, and started this season off in rough shape, but have recovered enough to enjoy a lead in the NFC North race, and look ready to potentially get a playoff bye, and possibly even home field advantage. Teams like the Denver Broncos, who always seem to be in position to make the Super Bowl, and look that way again this season. They are not lighting up the boards the way that they did last season, but they look like a tough team capable of a run to the Super Bowl. And the Seattle Seahawks, the defending champions, who look like they are recovering from a sluggish start and finding their mojo right in time for a potential playoff run.
There may be other teams out there that have a chance. The Eagles right now look good, and so, potentially, do the Cowboys. But neither of those teams have a ton of recent playoff victories where they proved themselves, and from which they gained valuable experience. Detroit looks good, too. They have the top defense in the league, and their offense can potentially explode at any moment. But, like with Dallas and Philly, not a lot of playoff experience, and that leaves more question marks then anything. The Cincinnati Bengals have become a regular playoff contender and possible challenger for a playoff bye and even home field. But it is hard to picture them making a run to the Super Bowl for exactly the same reasons mentioned about those other teams. To a lesser extent, that holds true for the Colts as well, although I do believe that they are getting better, and will be a solid contender for a title in the near future - but just not likely this season, yet.
A few teams should probably be stronger contenders at this point in the season than they have proven to be. The New Orleans Saints. The San Francisco 49ers. The Kansas City Chiefs. The Chicago Bears, who figured to be a solid team this season, according to quite a few experts, as well as the Vegas line (although I am not entirely sure why).
One team that by all rights should be a contender, but never even came close, would be the New York Giants. My New York Giants.
Yes, they are a terrible team this season, no question.
Kevin Gilbride: Tom Coughlin will resurrect Giants again By Justin Terranova, November 21, 2014
http://nypost.com/2014/11/21/kevin-gilbride-tom-coughlin-will-resurrect-giants-again/
http://wallstcheatsheet.com/sports/the-5-nfl-teams-with-the-best-super-bowl-odds-in-december.html/6/
http://www.totalprosports.com/2012/10/22/9-disgraced-sports-heroes/?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_308932#10
http://www.totalprosports.com/2014/01/31/the-11-best-quarterbacks-never-to-win-a-super-bowl/?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_308933
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