My
first half NFL impressions
So far the NFL 2013 season has
brought some surprises, both good and bad. The biggest surprise to me is
that the Kansas City Chiefs are 9-0 so far. They have one of the best defenses,
having only given up an average of 12.33 PPG and the offense is averaging about
23.8 PPG. Andy Reid, who had a remarkable run of success in Philadelphia, took
over a team that was just dreadful last year at 2-14 and has made them a force
to be reckoned with. The Chiefs are led by the dynamic running back, Jamal
Charles, who has run for 725 yards and also caught 47 passes for a combined 8
TD. Alex Smith, who was acquired in a trade in the offseason with the SF
49ers, has thrown 9 TD and 4 Int. He has not been spectacular, but does not
turn the ball over a lot and can run the offense. He generally wins too,
as he led SF to the NFC Champ Game and was in first place last year before
getting hurt and losing his job to Colin Kaepernick.
Another team that had
surprised, but in a bad way has been the NY Giants. Tom Coughlin, who is a good
coach, is not happy with the effort I am sure. The Giants have a current record
of 2-6, after starting 0-6, and have been a turnover machine. Eli Manning
has had an awful season, throwing only 10 TDs with 15 Interceptions and has
lost 2 fumbles. The defense has given up a total of 27.5 PPG. The
Giants have also struggled to run the football, stop the run, and be consistent
in any facet of the game. It feels like a lost season for them but in the
long run I believe they will bounce back because of Coughlin and his
leadership.
As many of you know, I have
been a Denver Broncos fan for many years. My impression of the Broncos is
generally good this year but I have some caution with their defense. It is hard
not to be impressed with a team that averages 43 PPG. Peyton Manning is having
an all-world season with 29 TD and only 5 Interceptions through 8 games.
The offence is led by Wide Receivers Wes Welker, 50 catches and 9 TD, Demaryius
Thomas, 48 catches and 6 TD and Eric Decker 46 catches and 3 TD. Knowshon
Moreno has run for 459 yards with 8 TD and caught another 29 passes, and has
done a good job being the lead back. The Broncos face a tough stretch in
November where they play KC, at NE and at KC. We will see how good this team
really is. I think they will do well, but will the defense hold up when
giving up 27.5 PPG?
A team, to me, that has been
exactly who I thought they would be is the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle is 7-1 and
play the best defense in the NFL, in my opinion. They only give up 16.5 PPG and
score 25.8 PPG. They are especially tough at home as they have won 12 straight
games there. Russell Wilson leads the offense with 15 TD and only 6 Int. He can
also rush when he wants to, putting up 375 yards rushing thus far. Marshawn
Lynch leads the team on the ground with 726 rushing yards and 6 TD. The
Wideouts are balanced with Goden Tate having 35 catches and Doug Baldwin with
29. The defense has, to me, the best cornerback in football with Richard
Sherman who has 4 interceptions, bringing one back for a touchdown. The stingy
defense is tough against the run and is almost impossible to beat at Seattle.
Another team that I expected to
be a better team and that has really struggled is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pitt
is now 2-6 and sinking fast. Their defense is the worst it has been in a
long long time. They give up 26 PPG and are only scoring 19.5. Ben Roethlisberger
is having an average season with 12 TD and 9 Int. He has also lost 5 fumbles.
Pittsburgh’s hallmark over the years has been a good tough defense and causing
turnovers. This defense hasn’t put enough pressure on the opposing QB, having
only 14 sacks in 8 games, which is less than 2 a game. Pittsburgh has had
good management over the years so, I believe that they will bounce back either
next season or the following year to be a playoff contender once again.
The most schizophrenic team
that I can think of is the Dallas Cowboys. They can look so good, they gave the
Denver Broncos one of their biggest scares of the season, losing to them 51-48
in one of the most exciting games I have ever seen. They can also struggle as
they did in a 14-13 loss at Kansas City where, if they played like they did vs.
Denver, they would have won easily. Tony Romo, who has thrown 20 TD with 6
interceptions, is having one of the best statistical seasons of his career. The
offense is very explosive averaging 32.25 PPG, but their defense is giving up
26.12 PPG. The rest of their offense has Dez Bryant with 51 catches, 8 TD,
Jason Witten 46 catches, 4 TD and super rookie Terrance Williams with 28
catches and 4 TD. Dallas is capable of beating any team in the league,
but, at times, can lose to almost anyone as well.
Another team that surprises me
with their record is the New England Patriots. The Patriots had about as bad of
an offseason that one can have. First, they did not come to terms with
Wes Welker and I believe, like many others, this was a huge mistake. Aaron
Hernandez is in jail right now being involved in a murder and basically
throwing his life down the drain. Rob Gronkowski missed the first 6 games of
the season. But, as what seems to usually happen because of good leadership
of Tom Brady and Bill Bellicheck, they are 7-2. The Patriots are
averaging 26 PPG and only give 19.4 PPG. Brady has not had his best year, but
does have 13 TD with 6 Int. Julian Edelman leads the WR with 49 catches
and 2 TDs, Aaron Dobson has improved as the year goes on and has 31
catches and 4 TD. Gronkowski has 19 catches in 3 games with 1 TD that he scored
last week. Stevan Ridley has 514 yards rushing with 6 TD. The defense has
improved big time with Aqib Talib who has 4 interceptions and, when healthy,
has been one of the best cornerbacks in football.
Only time will tell as to who
finishes strong and ends up in the Super Bowl. The injuries will be a huge part
of this. I really hope that no more high profile players go down. Aaron Rodgers
getting hurt in Green Bay is a huge loss, and these type of injuries to the
great players will affect who gets to the Super Bowl.
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