The End is Starting to Shape Up

It is officially the half way point of the NFL. The end has come in a less fuzzy view as many teams have shown enough for us to get a clear view of what kind of team they really are. Teams like the Patriots and Colts have shown they are the elite of the elite. A close loss definitely does not count out the Colts from this category as many would argue their loss this past weekend was a late game melt down.

After the two of the elite of the elite there are teams that can both win and lose any given Sunday. Don't get me wrong though these teams know how to win. Dallas and Green Bay rise to the top of this particular category as they have shown week after week that they are both very good at covering up for their flaws. The Steelers, another among this category, showed their muscle on Monday night by obliterating the Ravens on a dingy night Pittsburgh. After the upper echelon of this category leaves a few others in the playoff hunt toward the end of the season.

First the New York Giants. They have maybe the best defensive front in the league with both big name players in Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan with two less known individuals on the rise in Notre Dame grad Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka. In addition to this solid Defensive front is a very balanced offensive attack starring QB Eli Manning, RB Brandon Jacobs, and WR Plaxico Burress. The Detroit Lions have also made some noise as I highlighted in an earlier post. Read that and you should be able to find out a good idea of the great things going on in Mo-town. The upstart Tennessee Titans are the final of the 6-2 teams in the league. They have a franchise quarterback in Vince Young that has led them both through his athletic ability and leadership skills. One thing that many people have learned from the Titans is that Lendale White is a prime time running back. His numbers are comparable to those of Reggie Bush.White has 613 rushing yards on the season with 5 TD's to Reggie's 434 yards rushing and 5 overall TD's.

The other teams that look to make some noise come playoff time are the surprising Cleveland Browns, the Jags, the Saints, Redskins, and Bucs. But as we have learned thus far in the college football season, football can provide many upsets and who knows who will have a shot at the championship come late January.