Contenders or Pretenders

[Dr. Jack]

We are at the half way point of the NFL season. While the Packers are clearly the favorite to win the Super Bowl - I take a quick look at who I believe are the contenders, pretenders or should be preparing for the 2012 draft. Share your opinions.

New England 5-1 --- Contender - Pats are +465 to win the Super Bowl. The AFC does not appear to be very strong this year and only a few teams stand in their way. The defense is a big question mark

Buffalo 4-2 --- Pretender - The Bills are +6600 to win the Super Bowl. The Bills are a nice story but they play zero defense and as teams starting seeing more film, the less the Bills scare you

NY Jets 4-3 --- Contender - The Jets are +2700 to win Super Bowl. If they make the playoffs you'd have to say they are a contender, since they've gone two straight AFC Championships

Miami 0-6 --- Preparing for 2012 draft
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Baltimore 4-1 --- Contender - Baltimore is +825 to win Super Bowl. They are definitely one of the top 3 teams in the AFC to beat. Winning the division and a bye is what this team needs

Pittsburgh 5-2 --- Contender - Although their win streak has not been against the best opponents, Big Ben knows how to win and they are capable of making a run

Cincinnati 4-2 --- Pretender - I like Dalton and this team has nice pieces but they are not as good as their 4-2 might indicate

Cleveland 3-3 --- Pretender - Not even sure how this team is 3-3 but they have a terrible offense and can't stop the run
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Houston 4-3 --- Contender - Houston is +2000 to win Super Bowl. They are only 4-3 but play in probably the worst division in football and despite missing key players should still run away with division. Once in the playoffs, this team could be dangerous.
Tennessee 3-3 --- Pretender - Not even the crappy division makes this team a contender.

Jacksonville 1-5 --- Preparing for 2012 draft

Indianapolis 0-7 --- Preparing for 2012 draft
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San Diego 4-2 --- Contender - SD is +1250 to win the Super Bowl. You'd have to call them a contender and they probably win the West but team is Jekyl and Hyde

Oakland 4-3 --- Contender - Oakland is 6600 to win the Super Bowl. While this team is not championship caliber, they are a physical team who can run the ball in a weak division. I think they are on the bottom side of contender.

Kansas City 3-3 --- Pretender - But give them credit, they looked like worst team in football a few weeks back

Denver 2-4 --- Preparing for 2012 draft
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NY Giants 4-2 --- Contender - Have to think the Giants are a contender and they could win the NFC East but this team is not elite and just hanging in this category

Dallas 3-3 --- Contender - Dallas is definitely a contender. If this team gets in the playoffs, I think they can make a run and be last years Packers

Washington 3-3 --- Pretender - See Beck and Grossman

Philadelphia 2-4 --- Contender - These Eagles are close to being done but until that time - they have to be called a contender
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Green Bay 7-0 --- Contender - Not just a contender but a clear favorite

Detroit 5-2 --- Pretender - The Lions are a nice story and they are a good football team but they are not a legitimate contender and this team will have to fight to make playoffs

Chicago 4-3 --- Pretender - Lucky to be 4-3, tough division, Jay Cutler - yeah, pretender!

Minnesota 1-6 --- Preparing for 2012 draft
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New Orleans 5-2 --- Contender - Looks like the one team on paper that can keep up with the Packers

Tampa Bay 4-3 --- Pretender - This team has some pieces but they are not contending with any of the NFL elite

Atlanta 4-3 --- Contender - The Falcons will have to claw and fight to make the playoffs but they could a serious contender if they get in

Carolina 2-5 --- Preparing for 2012 draft
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San Francisco 5-1 --- Contender - Jim Harabugh turned them around. They run away with division and will play some home playoff games

Seattle 2-4 --- Preparing for 2012 draft
Arizona 1-5 --- Preparing for 2012 draft
St. Louis 0-6 --- Preparing for 2012 draft

[NightCap424]

Originally Posted by Dr. Jack

NY Jets 4-3 --- Contender - The Jets are +2700 to win Super Bowl. If they make the playoffs you'd have to say they are a contender, since they've gone two straight AFC Championships

Oakland 4-3 --- Contender - Oakland is 6600 to win the Super Bowl. While this team is not championship caliber, they are a physical team who can run the ball in a weak division. I think they are on the bottom side of contender.

NY Giants 4-2 --- Contender - Have to think the Giants are a contender and they could win the NFC East but this team is not elite and just hanging in this category

Detroit 5-2 --- Pretender - The Lions are a nice story and they are a good football team but they are not a legitimate contender and this team will have to fight to make playoffs

Atlanta 4-3 --- Contender - The Falcons will have to claw and fight to make the playoffs but they could a serious contender if they get in

I agree that Detroit is a pretender. At the same time, I think the Falcons, Giants, Jets, and Oakland are as well.

The Falcons are one of the most inconsistent teams in the NFL. They haven't put together a game through seven weeks that would show me the ability to contend. Oakland.....where do we start? It doesn't matter who is starting at QB, they aren't going to contend. Yes, their division is weak, but the only scoring ability Oakland has is through McFadden and he is dinged up. The Giants are "alright" but certainly not a contender. I put them in the same category as Atlanta; inconsistent. The Giants have yet to show they have anything that will get them over the top. Finally, the Jets....plain and simple, the defense carries that team. With Sanchez at QB, the Jets will never win the Super Bowl. Period.

[ParrotHead]

Wow, Havent really followed Cicny all year, didnt realize they were 4-2

[NightCap424]

Originally Posted by ParrotHead

Wow, Havent really followed Cicny all year, didnt realize they were 4-2

Indy, Jacksonville, Cleveland, Buffalo, Denver, San Fran.......besides San Fran, they could be 5-1 based on the schedule they have played.

We'll see how long this lasts. Baltimore x 2, Pitt x 2, vs Houston...and a few other tough ones on the road.

[mark12]

Solid evaluations. Would personally put Oakland and the Giants in the pretender category though.

[Cash Calloway]

New England 5-1 --- Contender -

Pats are +465 to win the Super Bowl.

Pats will be the number one seed in the AFC. I think they'll get knocked off in the Playoffs

Buffalo 4-2 --- Pretender -

The Bills are +6600 to win the Super Bowl. The Bills are a nice story but they play zero defense and as teams starting seeing more film, the less the Bills scare you.

The Washington game is a big one this week. They really need to win that, they still got 2 easy ones on the schedule with the Dolphins but the last game of the season is against the New England so it'll be pretty tough

NY Jets 4-3 --- Contender -

The Jets are +2700 to win Super Bowl. If they make the playoffs you'd have to say they are a contender, since they've gone two straight AFC Championships.

I still say no, gotta agree with what Ryan says about Turner. Good victory against SD, I think they fall short though at 9-7



Baltimore 4-1 --- Contender -

Baltimore is +825 to win Super Bowl. They are definitely one of the top 3 teams in the AFC to beat. Winning the division and a bye is what this team needs

THis would be my AFC pick to win it all and give GB a serious shot.

Pittsburgh 5-2 --- Contender -

Although their win streak has not been against the best opponents, Big Ben knows how to win and they are capable of making a run

Wild card or Divison winner

Cincinnati 4-2 --- Pretender -

I like Dalton and this team has nice pieces but they are not as good as their 4-2 might indicate

Gotta agree the Indy game was not very impressive.

Cleveland 3-3 --- Pretender - Not even sure how this team is 3-3 but they have a terrible offense and can't stop the run


Houston 4-3 --- Contender -

Houston is +2000 to win Super Bowl. They are only 4-3 but play in probably the worst division in football and despite missing key players should still run away with division. Once in the playoffs, this team could be dangerous.

They'll squeeze in but too inconsistent to make a mark.

Tennessee 3-3 --- Pretender -

Not even the crappy division makes this team a contender.

Probably still make it interesting in this division



San Diego 4-2 --- Contender -

SD is +1250 to win the Super Bowl. You'd have to call them a contender and they probably win the West but team is Jekyl and Hyde

I like KC now as a better shot to over take them than the Raiders but neither team is going to win this division.

Oakland 4-3 --- Contender -

Oakland is 6600 to win the Super Bowl. While this team is not championship caliber, they are a physical team who can run the ball in a weak division. I think they are on the bottom side of contender.

Pretender. Bad move trading those draft picks for Palmer.

Kansas City 3-3 --- Pretender - But give them credit, they looked like worst team in football a few weeks back.

NY Giants 4-2 --- Contender -

Have to think the Giants are a contender and they could win the NFC East but this team is not elite and just hanging in this category.

I think they got enough to take this division

Dallas 3-3 --- Contender -

Dallas is definitely a contender. If this team gets in the playoffs, I think they can make a run and be last years Packers

Head Coach cost them a game with Detroit and he'll cost him another down the road. Pretender

Washington 3-3 --- Pretender - See Beck and Grossman

Philadelphia 2-4 --- Contender -

These Eagles are close to being done but until that time - they have to be called a contender

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2-4 team going into week 8, Done!

Green Bay 7-0 --- Contender -

Not just a contender but a clear favorite

The best seems better this year.

Detroit 5-2 --- Pretender -

The Lions are a nice story and they are a good football team but they are not a legitimate contender and this team will have to fight to make playoffs

Could be 4-3 if Dallas just sat on the ball in that game.

Chicago 4-3 --- Pretender - Lucky to be 4-3, tough division, Jay Cutler - yeah, pretender!

New Orleans 5-2 --- Contender -

Looks like the one team on paper that can keep up with the Packers

Be a helluva game if they meet in the playoffs

Tampa Bay 4-3 --- Pretender -

This team has some pieces but they are not contending with any of the NFL elite

Fight for a wild card

Atlanta 4-3 --- Contender -

The Falcons will have to claw and fight to make the playoffs but they could a serious contender if they get in

Wild card contender

San Francisco 5-1 ---

Contender - Jim Harabugh turned them around. They run away with division and will play some home playoff games

Looks like the division is theirs.

[LadyDawn]

New England 5-1 --- Contender - Pats are +465 to win the Super Bowl. The AFC does not appear to be very strong this year and only a few teams stand in their way. The defense is a big question mark

PLUS they are not going to win the bowl if they get there !

Missing key players that are proven for all superbowl champions

has to do with two colleges that have been represented on every Champs roster starters on the field veterans

BEngals of course cannot get there NO ROOKIE QB has ever led his team to the BOWL !

NEXT year yes Dalton and his new crew of WR's along with Vets can win it all in 2012 -2013 season

NY Jets 4-3 --- Contender - The Jets are +2700 to win Super Bowl. If they make the playoffs you'd have to say they are a contender, since they've gone two straight AFC Championships
MUST WIN thier DIV cannot possibly get in as a WC Because if they do that would be 4 str8 weeks on the road thier final game is at Dolphins

Giants are contenders final 3 games are at home ! Stiill have the right players in place just need to get healthy

Saints are out ! ANY team that really loses to Tampa in season never won a super bowl ! Rember when the Rams lost as a 14 point favorite to PATS !

THEY lost To bucs at home on MNF they were 1st team to get to bowl that REALLY lost to BUCS in season and LOST THE SUPERBOWL !

Falcons also LOST to Tampa

Balty cannot win superbowl either same reason as Patriots above
Steelers well you know the deal superbowl losers get racked with injuries windup out in playoffs

BTW they are my favorite AFC team !

TEXANS yes loaded with the right players and can do it !



PACKERS yes defenitely but any more KEY injuries to either Woodson or Matthews and that ****ing defense making fantasy players rich every QB is getting 100's of yards !

BUT they make the stops necessary to win games !

Eagles yes loaded with the right players Veterans BUT the injury to Mike Vick already will have same results as last year MY GOD would be a miracle for a team that started out 1-4 !

THEY must win 8 more games to be 10-6 and they are at home in seasons end

BUT too many rookies on defense and O line with rookie D cooridinator and i just scratched em off my superbowl list !

FALCONS lost to Tampa and never were a contender any way

Lions Pretenders

49ers contenders but NO rookie HC ever won a superbowl

SEE Colts vs Saints

Or did the 49ers pull it off with old HC Walsh or siefert ?

THE ONLY Teams that can win it all are Packers , Giants , Texans , long shot Steelers , and Eagles !

Texans face Tampa in Tampa on 11/13 IF they lose to the BUCS that week

XXXXXXXXX em off superbowl list

THEY have that div wrapped up and final game is at home vs titans

Packers GET to Face the BUCS at home om 11/20 Tampa won up there in 05 17 - 16 Packers started out 0 - 4 that year BUT in late NOVEMBER GB can be very cold and tampa is back to that COLD weather jinx

when gruden was there he prepared them in freezing cold !

I cant see the BUCS winning up at GB !

[resteasy]

Giants playing well enough to be contenders. People look at dallas and say they could be last years packers. Guess what last year's packers were called? '07-'08 Giants with the same head coach and QB. Contenders.

Philly as contenders? Really? Man I know I'm a Giants fan and all but it amazes me how brainwashed people have been by the media hype of the eagles. They are far from contenders and far from even making the playoffs. Do they have talent? Heck yeah but they haven't shown any capability to use that talent.

Dallas has much more potential and I would consider them contenders yes. It'll be an interesting shootout between them and the giants for nfc east. Even better that they play both their games in the 2nd half of the season which is after week 8. Not yet halfway through as of now.

Oakland.... we'll see after the bye. Can't call it on that one game. Before Cambell got hurt they were and Palmer has had what, 2 days? and we'll see how McFadden is since him not playing much yesterday killed them just as bad. I'd say status pending

I'd put Buffalo as a contender over the Jets. Jets have only won at home and even that was ugly. Until they win a game on the road I don't believe they even make it to the playoffs.

Atlanta is very inconsistent. Again if they can win another road game then I'll support contender but til then... pending.

Bucs. Nope. Talk about inconsistent. They beat saints at home sure but got demolished by the 9'ers and handled by the bears. Seems that they can't play well on the road. Just don't see them going far this year. Probably next year they will. Plus blount still hurt and now graham.... ouch.

Texans. Yes. Contenders. They got Foster back and looked very together. When they get AJ back they'll be even better.

Baltimore are contenders. Flacco has already been to the AFC Championship and has done historically well in the playoffs. The team is stronger this year with a good line to open the door for ray rice and play action. He's passing better and the defense is looking good. Like them.

Pats. Of course. Brady is looking insane.

Saints also looking very good. Bad week against the bucs after 3 road games and losing the head coach early on. Some poor play management in that game especially when the coaches should have called a TO before the 2 minute warning at the end.

GB. They have played some easy games besides Saints week 1 and the bears. Interested to see how they play against the chargers and detroit.

Detroit. They have the potential but I don't think they make it all the way. But a playoff berth would be a huge step in the right direction.

9'ers. Looking better than I thought. Rookie head coach or not they have the potential and I'll put them as contenders right now. We'll see if Alex Smith can hold up playing well on the road.

[narutokun]

Originally Posted by LadyDawn

Saints are out ! ANY team that really loses to Tampa in season never won a super bowl ! Rember when the Rams lost as a 14 point favorite to PATS !

THEY lost To bucs at home on MNF they were 1st team to get to bowl that REALLY lost to BUCS in season and LOST THE SUPERBOWL !

Google saints 2009 schedule, they lost to TB at home and go on win the SB with an On-side Kick!!!!

[RanPicks]

Cowboys... uh... gotta show some sack... jury's still out IMO.

The P word... potential... I think the Giants have that same thing...

[grzftbl]

I'm riding Dr Jacks prediction of the Cowboys in the Super Bowl. CONTENDER.

[chibob]

as long as we are half way point, if season ended today, 3 teams from NFC North get in playoffs, and Minny isn't one.

I don't know if Bears make it, or not, but easist part of their schedule is in front of them

Never lost to the Dog killer, will do well against the 4 teams in AFC west.

Offensive line is coming around, again. And Carimi, 1st round choice is about to return from Injury and make them better

As of now, best RB in the NFL is none other than Forte, and Cutler is just fine

Pretender, not

Contender, of course

[resteasy]

cowboys should do well but I do not think they will get to and obviously not win the superbowl. Sorry just not happening. But they are contenders to enter the playoffs and play upset and that's where I was going with my thoughts on them.

[ParrotHead]

Originally Posted by chibob

as long as we are half way point, if season ended today, 3 teams from NFC North get in playoffs, and Minny isn't one.

I don't know if Bears make it, or not, but easist part of their schedule is in front of them

Never lost to the Dog killer, will do well against the 4 teams in AFC west.

Offensive line is coming around, again. And Carimi, 1st round choice is about to return from Injury and make them better

As of now, best RB in the NFL is none other than Forte, and Cutler is just fine

Pretender, not

Contender, of course

As in contender for the playoffs, or contender for SB?

Running back is fine, not so sure about your QB

[chibob]

Originally Posted by ParrotHead

As in contender for the playoffs, or contender for SB?

Running back is fine, not so sure about your QB

I assume it is for the playoffs, but anything is possible

Forte has the most total yardage after 7 games since Priest Holmes way back when