Which Team Is The Best In The NFC?

Added on Oct 27, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

As we approach the halfway point of the 2010 season, the contenders and pretenders are beginning to make themselves known. In the AFC, the Steelers, Jets, Patriots, Ravens and Titans are leading the pack, with the Colts, Texans and Chiefs trailing close behind. In the NFC, well, the picture is much less clear. Most of the preseason favorites have either stumbled or fallen completely off the map. All the teams at the top have question marks, but which one is the best? Let’s handicap the field.

The Front-Runners:

New York Giants (5-2) – Winners of four straight, Big Blue looks to be the most balanced team in the conference. Their defense ranks in the top five versus both the run and pass, and the offense has been explosive and physical. Eli Manning’s interceptions are a concern, but a potent one-two punch at running back, a trio of talented wideouts and a dominant pass rush has the Giants sitting pretty.

Green Bay Packers (4-3) – If not for a rash of injuries the Pack would look measurably better. Lucky for them they play in the weak North. If Brandon Jackson keeps improving and the defense stays healthy, a Super Bowl run is still possible. However, upcoming games against the Jets, Falcons, Patriots and Giants leaves little margin for error.

Atlanta Falcons (5-2) - They beat the Saints on the road, struggled at home against the Niners and got smacked around by the Eagles. The Falcons are the definition of unpredictable. An easy schedule points to at least eleven wins, but Roddy White is the only player scaring opponents on a weekly basis. In order to get a shot at the title, they’ll need home field advantage.

Seattle Seahawks (4-2) – Somebody has to win the awful Western division and Seattle appears to be the leading candidate. The combined record of the teams they’ve beaten is 11-17. They also lost to the 2-5 Broncos. Matt Hasselbeck is ancient, the skilled positions are suspect and the defense can’t stop the pass. Besides that, the ‘Hawks are awesome.

The Sleepers:

Washington Redskins (4-3) – The ‘Skins are mastering the art of winning ugly. Donovan McNabb is having a classic Jekyll/Hyde campaign, the defense is allowing gobs of yards and kicker Graham Gano has missed some crucial boots. Mike Shanahan could steer this ragtag bunch into the postseason, but the lack of talent and depth will eventually burn them.

Philadelphia Eagles (4-3) – Andy Reid is notorious for post bye week turnarounds, so counting out gang green would be foolish, especially if Michael Vick can maintain his stellar play. That being said, a shaky offensive line, an even shakier defense and erratic special teams could leave the Birds scrambling to stay above .500.

Tampa Bay Bucs (4-2) – Other than the Chiefs, the Bucs have to be the most surprising squad in the league. However, the offense can’t score and the run defense is terrible. It’s unlikely the young upstarts can continue at their current pace, but second-year head coach Raheem Morris has his boys heading in the right direction.

Fading Fast:

Chicago Bears (4-3) – From 3-0 to what the hell happened? The defense has yielded the second fewest points, but the offense has hit rock bottom. Jay Cutler has thrown just as many interceptions as touchdowns, the rush attack is gaining less than 90 yards per game and the leading receiver is Matt Forte. Not to mention the offensive line, which is one of the worst units ever assembled. The drowning Bears need a life preserver immediately.

New Orleans Saints (4-3) – Talk about a puzzling team. The defending champs have scored only 16 touchdowns in seven games. A depleted running back corps and a -5 turnover ratio is troubling, but the lack of fire is even more disturbing. Maybe it’s a Super Bowl hangover, or maybe the Madden Curse has been unleashed. The Cajuns have plenty of time to rebound, so don’t nail the coffin closed just yet.