After seven weeks, the NFL shows some clarity

Image Courtesy of Bing

After a frenzied and unpredictable start some things seem to be coming into focus after seven weeks in the NFL.  I’ll just touch on a thought or two about each team in the NFL.  I’ll group them by divisions.

Why Eli Manning is like a good beer, and other NFC East stuff

The Redskins have been up and down but find themselves atop their division with a 4-2 record.  They have a limited talent, but play within themselves.  The Eagles look to have a post Super Bowl hangover.  I don’t look for them to recover.  The Cowboys actually have a decent defense and running game.  Picking up Amari Cooper will help the passing game but not enough.  Dak Prescott is an average QB.  Eli Manning is like a good beer, he goes down easy under a heavy pass rush.  He really is done as a good NFL QB.  Of course the fact his offensive line stinks exacerbates the problem.

So, how did the Vikings lose to the Bills again?

The Bears offense really is improved, but their defense, not so much.  They should be 5-1 but sit at 3-3.  Aaron Rodgers is a better QB on one leg than most QBs are on two.  The Lions may actually have a running game to support Matthew Stafford.  The Vikings are my pick to win the division.  Kirk Cousins has settled in nicely as the Vikings QB and I still don’t understand how they lost to the Bills.

A strong Brees prevails in the NFC South

It turns out Drew Brees is still an elite quarterback and has plenty of weapons at his disposal.  The Saints should cruise into the playoffs.  The Panthers still go hot and cold.  They’re 4-2 but I’m still not sold on them.  I put them at 50-50 to get into the playoffs.  The Falcons have won two in a row and sit at 3-4 but I still don’t think there as good as I initially thought.

Rams tough

The Rams looked to be the best team in the NFC going into the season and their 7-0 record confirms that status.  The Seahawks seem to have the remnants of a running game, but it’s not enough to escape a mediocre status.  The Cardinals have seemly corned the market on highly paid QBs who can’t contribute much on the field in Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon.  That’s not a good thing.  The 49ers were a fair team with Jimmy Garoppolo was their QB.  They’re bad one without him.

For the 15th time, Tom Brady isn't finished

It turns out the Patriots aren’t over the hill after all.  That makes about five years fans have had this discussion.  The Dolphins sit at 4-3 and Brock Osweiler has been okay at QB for the last two games.  Both of those things are surprising.  Sam Darnold has been okay as the Jets QB.  They now have some stability at that position.  The Bills have an injured Josh Allen and a healthy Nathan Peterman and Derek Anderson.  How bad is Peterman?  He’s so bad the Bills started Anderson.

Steelers weather Bell's absence

The Steelers haven’t had Le’Veon Bell all season, but still sit atop the division.  I’m not sure the Steelers will roll out the red carpet for Bell at this point.  The Bengals had a nice start, but look like they’re tease they always are.  The Ravens have a strong defense and Joe Flacco is having a decent season.  That might be enough to sneak into the playoffs.  The Browns are better.  Their ceiling got higher when Baker Mayfield took over at QB, but they’re not a .500 team yet.

Chiefs have Mahomes, but Texans have Watson

After a 0-3 start, the Texans have won four in a row to lead this sad division.  A stout defense and DeShaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins should be enough to take beat this field.  The wheels have fallen off the Jaguars.  Blake Bortles has hung to the ball like it was a greased pig this season and the defense seems to be crumbling under the strain.  Injuries have added to the team’s woes.  The Colts are bad this season, but Andrew Luck is back. That means they’ll likely be better next year.

And what am I bid for a good football player?

The Chiefs are the most exciting team in the NFL.  They and the Patriots are the favorites to be the AFC representative in the Super Bowl.  The Chargers are slightly behind the Chiefs.  They’re playoff bound also.  The Broncos are a mediocre team in a division that has two outstanding teams.  That’s not a good combination for them.  Jon Gruden is selling off his team for parts.  Maybe he will be able to get a pass rusher with one of the first round draft picks he’s acquired.  Like the gambler, maybe he can break even.