Contender / Pretender

The NFL is one of the toughest leagues to predict, whether it be last year's Saints or this year's Packers; it is damn near impossible to predict which teams will make the playoffs at the beginning of a season. The first 3 weeks tell us a whole lot more. If you had told me that the Pack in Green Bay would beat the Chargers in week 3 to solidify themselves as contenders, I would have told you to lay off the sauce. So without further ado, lets ask the question for each of the league's teams.

NFC East:

Dallas Cowboys:
There is no doubt that the Sunday Night Football crew needed to hop off Romo's balls last night. John Madden referring to him as "Superman" got a little cheesy and ridiculous which is fine because Madden has regressed to become the stupidest human being on the face of the earth, but I need a break from all the QB kiss asses running around in media. Here is a hint, it is not news to us that good quarterbacks are confident. Nor is it news that confidence is a good thing in the locker room for a leader to have. Also work ethic, and willingness to talk with teammates, yeah we got those too. Now relax and come up with something else to talk about for 25 seconds, yes we are looking at you Kolber and Kramer. Nonetheless, Cowboys looked great last night and Romo looked really confident, you could see it showing and rubbing off on his teammates. Just an amazing guy, reminds me of Indiana Jones. CONTENDER.

Washington Redskins:
Looked impressive in the loss. The offense is actually a little explosive. Campbell was throwing darts. Antwann Randle El looked for real as a top option in an NFL offense. The defense showed some major holes late though and they blew the game. I think that they could be dangerous next year but I'm still not sold. However, I need a 6th contender and the NFC is terrible. CONTENDER

New York Giants:
Eli hasn't been terrible and there have been a few bright spots. Basically only a resurgent Toomer and a spectacular Plaxico Burress. Burress has been amazing in the red zone for this team. Still the defense is terrible and we are about 10 weeks away from the annual Coughlin's team quits on him so he'll get fired saga. PRETENDER

Philadelphia Eagles:
I was really going to criticize McNabb here because I love criticize him but he played a hell of a game and successfully reminded us that he is a good Quarterback that led a team to the superbowl. The defense needs to improve but Brian Westbrook is currently the rich man's Reggie Bush. Westbrook is flat out amazing. The receivers are still bad but I think these guys will stick around for a little while. Plus Andy Reid is a good coach, no matter how many ESPN analysists put him on "the hot seat". CONTENDER

NFC NORTH:

Green Bay Packers:
Good defense. Brett Favre is throwing more touchdowns that INTs for once in the past decade and Donald Driver is the beast you never hear people talking about. The defense has been the story though. They contained LT. Do not make the argument that LT still scored and therefore was not contained. This is a guy that scored three times a game last year. He hasn't been great this year and there are big problems over in SD. A big win for the Packers and at 3-0 . . . . CONTENDER

Detroit Lions:
Love the WR. The defense is shitty. The Quarterback is decent. Running game? Haven't seen one. Maybe in a couple years but they aren't going to win with that defense. Also, in a side note, I was a big fan of the anger that bubbled to the surface from some x players about letting John Kitna play last week in the final quarter. Impressive preformance and everything but when I guy leaves with a concussion and after the half comes up to you and says "It's ok, I can go back in, God took away my concussion." As a doctor, how can you not be a little more wary and check into the CONCUSSION. I don't understand the "Sweet, big pickup for us, now get out there" diagnosis. PRETENDER

Chicago Bears:
Two words. Sexy Rexy
PRETENDER

Minnesota Vikings:
If they had won yesterday, I would have loved to put them as a Contender. But they lost to Herm Edwards. The defense is really good. Under-rated good this year and if they can get a QB to throw to those speedy receivers and hand the ball off to AP; there O-line is just good enough to make these guys a contender. About 1-2 years and QB away from threatening the division. PRETENDER

NFC SOUTH

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
How good is Jeff Garcia? With a decent defense and a week division, this team might just have a chance. Then again, The Rams are terrible and my little sister threw on the Saints for 400 yards last week in a scrimmage. These guys will regress and Gruden won't make it to next season. PRETENDER

Carolina Panthers:
Steve Smith is amazing. The defense is great and if Jake Delhomme didn't screw up his elbow yesterday. The answer might be different. PRETENDER

New Orleans Saints:
For reasons expressed in my last post. I think these guys are turning it around tonight. And yes I am afraid that Vince Young will pull some crap. CONTENDER

Atlanta Falcons:
Word out of the Atlanta Locker room. D'Angelo Hall got beat up yesterday by possibly more than one Falcon for yelling at them after numerous penalties near the end of the game. Yeah this team is going far. PRETENDER

San Francisco 49ers:
Offense has looked a step behind all year. Nothing is clicking and yet they backed into first place behind a decent defense. This team is mediocre across the board. Where is Vernon Davis? Where is Frank Gore in the passing game? Alex Smith needs to pull some magic shortly if he thinks he is going to sniff the playoffs. PRETENDER

Seattle Seahawks:
They made the playoffs a year ago, the Superbowl the year before. All without losing very much more than their Left Guard. Granted he was a sweetass left guard but they didn't lose much of a step. Next to the Pats, the WR core rivals any other in the NFL. Shaun Alexander is a little weird, a lotta crazy, but he is a fantastic running back. This team is for real and will win the division. Basically because the rest of the teams suck ass daily. CONTENDER

Arizona Cardinals:
Reports that I have been reading say that Leinart wasn't really injured and that he looked unsure and afraid when confronted with the Baltimore blitzes. Warner then leads them back and the almost win the game. A QB controversy is never good for any team and it will destroy this one that is having trouble stopping anyone right now. PRETENDER

This is taking forever. Going into hurry up mode.

Saint Louis Rams:
Orlando Pace killed the offense. Defense is not good enough to keep them in games when the O struggles. PRETENDER

AFC EAST:

New England Patriots:
Unstoppable. Flat out no other way to put it. I cannot wait for the Colts show down because I believe that score will be 38-21 Pats. They are that good. Randy Moss is the best receiver in the game once again. CONTENDER

New York Jets:
Eh. Mediocre across the board. Not in this conference. Not this year. PRETENDER

Miami Dolphins:
These guys are MUCH more feisty that people think. Just don't say that Ronnie Brown is back. He was never good enough in a season to say he is back from something. Just accept that he has arrived. There is no odder fall from grace than Trent Green. Why did we write him off? Why did I assume he would be terrible, is it the losing culture of the Dolphins or the assumption that it would be impossible for that GM to make a good move? No idea but they are better than we think. Still, its the AFC. PRETENDER

Buffalo Bills:
Losman out hurts but it wasn't like they were making it anyway. The future looks bright. Whitner played well yesterday on that dominated Defense and if you wanna make a Bill fan smile bring up that touchdown run by Lynch yesterday, a thing of beauty. PRENTENDER

AFC NORTH:

Pittsburgh Steelers:
Anytime your team has scored the second most points in the AFC(3rd most NFL). And your defense has given up the least points. Yeah, I'd say you are a CONTENDER

Baltimore Ravens:
A: That defense is incredible to watch. Da Bocker said it best. Chicago and Baltimore play on another level than any other defense. B: Right now. Kyle Boller should be the QB and he will be next year and possibly before this year ends. CONTENDER

Cincinnati Bengals:
Worst Defense in the league. Hands down. I don't even care how good the passing game is.PRETENDER

Cleveland Browns:
C'mon. Braylon and Kellen are for real. No one else that starts on this team comes close. PRETENDER

AFC SOUTH:

Indianapolis Colts:
Peyton Manning. Anytime you can look into a camera, sell Direct TV, audible from a run to a pass, after you hike the ball, and still throw for a touchdown to a receiver that is running a crossing route due to an ESP connection, Yep you are a CONTENDER

Jacksonville Jaguars:
Maurice Jones Drew = best backup running back in football. PRETENDER

Houston Texans:
Offense looked off without Andre. Ahman looked old. Schaub looked mediocre. It is clear they need him to make things work. PRETENDER

Tennessee Titans:
Scary thing going into the Saints game : Vince Young, just wins football games.
CONTENDER

AFC WEST:

Denver Broncos:
Jay Cutler will single handedly kill their season. He isn't very good yet. Just you wait. PRETENDER

Kansas City Chiefs:
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA. I might consider shutting LJ down and hoping to rest him up for next year's new coach. That is ridiculous! PRETENDER.

Oakland Raider:
These guys are going to win some games with CPep but will fall short of the playoffs. Next year, they will be good. I do like Lane Kiffin thus far. And the D-fense is better than the scores of the game suggest. PRETENDER(maybe otherwise if in the NFC)

San Diego Chargers:
They are good. But Phillip Rivers needs to get his shit straight. LT and him arguing on the sidelines does not bode well. Still the D is solid and if LT takes the team on his shoulders, they should survive. Also, it was nice to see Vincent Jackson in pads for once. CONTENDER


THAT WAS EXHAUSTING!

go sox.