So the first half of this year has had a lot of surprises and has been very entertaining to watch. There's not an even amount of weeks so this is the closest I'm getting to the half way point haha. Today I'm going to break down each division, how the teams are doing, and who I think will be in the playoffs at the end of this year. Do keep in mind, this is just what I think at the mid point of this season. I know many things will probably change, teams will disappoint me, and I will probably change my mind. So just keep that in mind when you're reading this.
Starting in the AFC East. New England hasn't surprised me at all. Their defense has though. I haven't expected them to play this well, and that could really help them in the playoffs. Having said that though, they haven't really played anyone good this year so it's been pretty easy going for them so far. They have a tough test tonight against a really good Baltimore team, so maybe we'll see a weakness though. Buffalo has been pretty good so far, but got exposed by the Eagles last week. The defense has been dominant and Josh Allen has been just good enough. I do not believe they will make the playoffs. The other two teams in the division are irrelevant so we don't need to talk about them. Patriots will win the division and the first seed again.
I thought the AFC West would be one of the best divisions in football, I was mistaken. Joe Flacco isn't playing well and the Chargers are just a dumpster fire. I thought they would be competing to win the division, but they sit at 3-5 in a very disappointing season. The Chiefs started out really hot, but have cooled down a little bit. Some of that can be credited to the Patrick Mahomes injury, but the Colts showed that this team has a weakness. Trust me, every team has watched the film from that game and will know how to beat the Chiefs. I still think that when Mahomes gets back this will still be a team to be reckoned with. Because of the game they have today against Minnesota today without Mahomes, I see the Chiefs making the playoffs as the THIRD seed. Yes I know I'm crazy, but you will see why in a minute.
A lot of people doubted the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North, but I didn't. I knew Lamar Jackson would play well, maybe not this well, but he's definitely turning some heads. They had a statement win against Seattle and have another chance to make a statement tonight against the Patriots. I honestly think they will win that game. With Lamar Jackson, a pretty good defense, and a good rushing attack, I see this as a super bowl contending team. Cleveland has let a lot of people down. I seriously don't understand how you have that many offensive weapons in Nick Chubb, Odell, and Jarvis, and are sucking this much. They need to figure it out soon because they can't waste these players. The Steelers have been alright, but without Rothlesburger it will be very hard to do anything. I don't even want to say what I think of the Bengals. Yes, the Baltimore Ravens will be the SECOND seed, beating the Chiefs out for that seed.
I think the AFC South may be the best division in the AFC. Jacoby Brisset and that offensive line for the Colts has helped them play very well. Their defense has also figured out how to keep guys like Mahomes and Watson in check. This will definetly be a force to reckon with in the playoffs. I do think the Texans will end up winning the division though. Deshaun Watson is just too good and will continue to get better. Both the Titans and Jaguars are 4-4 and could sneak into the playoffs as a wild card. The Jags have a really good answer in Gardner Minshew, Leonard Fournette, and a very good defense. So that is why I think THREE teams from the AFC South will make it into the playoffs. I just don't think there is a lot of other competition throughout the AFC. The Texans will be the fourth seed, the Colts will be the fifth seed, and the Jaguars will be the sixth. My mind will probably change a million times though so keep that in mind haha.
The NFC East has disappointed me. I should've expected it though. The Dallas Cowboys lost to the JETS. I mean come on man. Then next week they beat the Eagles. I said preseason I thought that two teams would make it from this division, but I was mistaken. The Cowboys will come out of this division as the fourth seed in the NFC, and the Eagles will exit. They've just fallen too far behind in a really good NFC division this year. There is a lot of young talent in New York, but it will be a few years before they compete again. So yep. One team from the East will make it and as much as I hate to say it, it will be the Dallas Cowboys.
The 49ers from the NFC West my goodness. They have started 9-0 which I don't think anyone really predicted. I do think they will cool down though with some tough games coming up. They have Seattle, Baltimore, Green Bay, and New Orleans which will all be tough games. Russell Wilson is playing at an exceptional level and will lead the Seahawks to win this division. That's right, even after this hot start, I still think Seattle will win this division. I still think the 49ers will make the playoffs and will be a tough team, but as the 5th seed. The Rams have fallen too far behind to catch up in the NFC. People seem to have finally figured out Sean McVay. The Cardinals have a bright future, but not this year for them. So yes, the Seahwaks will be the third seed and the 49ers will be the fifth.
The NFC North has become a battle between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. Aaron Rodgers and Matt Lefleur have started clicking on offense, and the defense is exceptionally better than they have been in the past. The Packers will be a tough team to beat this year with Rodgers clicking, and a decent defense. Kirk Cousins has continued to get better, but like the Vikings do every year, he will choke eventually. The Bears have no offense, and the Lions, like many other teams in the NFC, have just fallen too far behind. The Packers will continue to play well and will earn the second seed and the Vikings will get into the playoffs as the sixth seed.
The Saints control the NFC South. Drew Brees was out for 5 games, and they are still 7-1. Teddy Bridgewater went 5-0 as a starter and held down the fort for Brees. This team will continue to dominate especially with a pretty good defense. The Panthers have done better, but just have too many question marks on many different phases of their team. The Falcons are just horrible right now and I don't understand how, but whatever. There's not a whole lot more to say about this division. Just that the Saints will earn the first seed and home field advantage for the playoffs.
So before I say who I think will be in the super bowl, I'm going to say who my mid season awards go too. Russell Wilson will win MVP if the NFL ended today. He has been consistently good each week, unlike Aaron Rodgers. If Rodgers continues how he's playing though, that will definitely change. Nick Bosa has been a dominant force on the defensive end and will win rookie of the year. Matt Lefleur, as of now, will win coach of the year. All the talk in the preseason was how Rodgers and Lefleur weren't going to work. Well news flash, it's working and they are a super bowl contender. So for the playoffs. I'm not going to go over who is going to win each game, but just who I think will come out of the NFC and AFC. The Chiefs will redeem themselves this year and make it. I know that they have lost a lot recently, but once Mahomes comes back and is healthy, this offense will be unstoppable. This offense is just too good and will be hard to stop. I want to say the Packers, but I still have question marks on the defense, so I am going to stick with the Saints. They just look unstoppable. It will be a tight race just too get in the playoffs in the NFC, so it could be anyone's game. I'm going to stick with my preseason prediction though with the Saints and the Chiefs. The Saints are my super bowl champs right now just because of the experience. So yep, an exciting first half of the NFL has come to an end, and it's set to be an exciting second half. Do keep in mind that these are what I thin RIGHT NOW will happen. Things change a lot and my mind will probably change a lot. It will be very exciting though and I can't wait. If you disagree, or want to talk about what you think, leave a message and we can talk! Thanks for reading my blog today!
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