Sport Chit Chat

I thought this would be a good time to throw in my two cents on the first half of the NFL season. For some reason, this season has felt a little bit odd with radical predictions going out the window and Pro-Bowlers going down left right and under centre. There are a number of big stories playing out this season and some are going as expected, others not so much.

First, a Brady-less season. No one saw this coming, an NFL season without Tom Brady. I know Robert Kraft is kicking himself but Matt Cassell has stepped up nicely and the Patriots are atop their division. That’s not to say that the Pats don’t need Brady to win, but it goes to show that Bilichek can coach and is doing brilliantly with what he’s got. I’m not sure how far the Pats will go into the playoffs but look for them to play like they have something to prove.

The Rodgers Show and Brett the Jet. Having the cheese heads hopes and dreams on your shoulders is no easy task. But let’s commend Aaron Rodgers for burdening the load and not completely crumbling underneath all the pressure. The Packers’ season isn’t anything special they sit in 11th in the NFC but there is a second half of a season to play. Brett the Jet, just when you thought he could do no more, Brett Favre throws 6TD’s to add another mileston to his already elustrious career. The Jets are having a great turn around season and it is definitely thanks to Favre being able to create plays from nothing and hit receivers deep. Thomas Jones has also picked up his production and has helped in the running game. If the Jets’ defence could just get things together then I think Brett may have a chance at a playoff apperance in January.

Giant doubt and Giant expectations. When the Giants won the Superbowl in February, everyone thought it was a 1-time deal and Eli Manning was just hot at the time. But the Giants have established themselves atop the NFC and are poised to make another Superbowl appearance. The way the rest of the conference is playing, there is a damn good chance they will be there in February. Eli Manning has solidified his presence on the field and should no longer be referred to as Peyton’s little brother. If you asked him who to pick up in a fantasy draft if it were to start today, I’d take Eli over Peyton in a second, even with a stone-handed Plaxico Burress on my team.

Cowboys too slow in a Texas Showdown. The Superbowl favorites have had a mediocre season at best after being plagued by injury the last few weeks and realizing that if Tony Romo goes down again, there is no one to take his place. This coupled with a low production from T.O. is spelling bad news for the ‘Boys.

They will need to win 5 of the remaining 7 games to have a chance at the wildcard this season. And obviously I have faith in them. Felix Jones was also a surprise this season as all the Jerry Jones doubters are probably being gagged right now and told never to doubt JJ again. Rashard Mendenhall has done nothing this season and i’m pretty sure is out for the remainder due to an injury. The Cowboys need to and will shape up for the second half.

AFC Shuffle. The 4 powerhouses that have dominated the AFC the last 5 seasons are showing signs of aging and new teams have emerged. The most surprising is an undefeated season thus far by the Titans and Kerry Collins doing a superb job for the mental patient Vince Young. The Tennesse defence though had high expectations and is living up to the hype. If they can keep up this great production defensively the Titans may go all the way. My only doubt is their lack of playoff experience but their ability to win close games may prove helpful if the pressure gets to them in January.

The Chargers have had just a plain unlucky season losing 2 early games by a point. That would’ve changed a lot of things in the AFC. The Colts are also just hanging in there with a record of 5-4. Marvin Harrison is having a terrible season and Peyton, to be honest, looks tired. He doesn’t have that poise and fire that I’m used to seeing in him. The Colt’s are by no means out of the playoff race. They have excellent coaching and experience which goes along way in this league. Finally, the Patriots have surprised everyone holding the 3rd spot in the AFC. Many thought that without Brady a winning Patriots season was looking very slim.

Second Half Hot Streak, Second Half Meltdown.

Meltdown:
Let’s cut the bullshit about the Buffalo Bills. Yes they had a good start to the season with surprising wins, but this is a 16 game season (soon to be 18…. YES) and the Bills have shown that they have changed, but not that much. I predict the Bills finish 9-7 after losing their last 3 games going into the second half.

The Falcons. I just have this terrible feeling that the Falcons are going to hit a wall when they start to play decent teams. Matt Ryan showed that he can crumble when under pressure and make bad decisions. They still have to play the Chargers, Panthers and Vikings this season and that’s where we will see the Falcons fail.

Denver. Injuries have gutted this team to the bone. With no real RB in the game, the Bronco’s offense has become extremely predictable. Denver’s schedule is pretty balanced as they should pull out wins from the Chiefs, Raiders, Bills and possibly the Jets. But with no Bye’s in the second half if the Broncos can muster up a 5-4 record, I will be impressed.

Hot Streaks
The Cardinals. Last night as I was watching MNF I was startled and puzzelled to see Kurt Warner wearing clothes on BOTH his hands. That’s right. BOTH his hands. Now they were playing in Arizona so i don’t see weather being a factor here, regardless, Kurt and the Cards are having a great season both on the ground and in the air.
(Please notice his hands)
Boldin and Fitzgeraled are undoubtedly the best 2 receiver tandem in the league this year (Unless Roy Williams and T.O. can get on the same page). With an impressive 6-3 record this season Arizona is poised to make a playoff run. With two games against the Seahawks and one against the Rams, the Cardinals can definitely finish 11-5 in my mind. They have some tough games against, the Giants, Patriots and Vikings, but pulling out a 1-3 against these teams will be a success.

Ravens. Amassing 41 points last week is no easy task, just ask the Jet’s who’ve done it twice this season. The Ravens have quietly moved through the season, picking up wins here and there and by midpoint they are sitting 5th in the AFC and have won their last 3 games. Joe Flacco has a cannon of an arm and defensivley the Ravens are sound. If Flacco can keep up his production and keep the rookie mistakes to a minimum Ray and the boys might be looking at some overtime come January.

Giants. Silencing the critics is one thing, slapping the face of all the writers at ESPN is another. The Giants have overcome huge doubt in the minds of analysts and may very well take another stab at grabbing the Lombardi. The Giants seem to have a plan for everyone and I guess this was evident against the Patriots last season. Being able to adapt quickly and effectively has allowed the Giants to stay on top othe NFC. Now, if the Superbowl were this Sunday and the Titans and Giants faced off, I’d pick the Giants to win. They have a balanced offensive and a blinding pass rush. The Giants may drop 1 or 2 games in the second half, but don’t be surprised if they finish 15-1.

Tennesse. Yes the Titans are for real. Although people have said that the Titans’ oppenents have been less than worthy, who gives a shit! They are 9-0. Does it matter who you beat during the season to get to the playoffs? Hell no! You worry about it when you get there. The Titans’ D has been relentless putting up an average of 13 points a game. If the entire Detriot Lions team played only the Tennesse defense, they would still lose!

Those are my thoughts on the first half of the season. Like I said before, this league is unpredictable. One week you might be starting, the next you’re being hand fed by a Victoria Secret model. My picks have been pretty good if any of you are playing in office pools or what not. I’m picking an average of 62.5% winners thus far. I’ll get on the horn with my boy John Anthony and see if we can bump that up.

QUANSTRONG