Sorting through the contenders and pretenders...
By Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.
Even though it's still just September, there are 10 undefeated teams. So which teams are contenders and which are pretenders? Let's break it down.
1. New England Patriots
This is the best team in the NFL with no major weaknesses. The Patriots game plan better than anybody, have a roster full of veterans and they make in-game adjustments better than anybody. Defensively, they are getting great play out of their LBs and this is a group with amazing versatility. They can play run or pass defense equally well. They can blitz, they matchup well and this is a unit full of interchangeable parts. On offense Tom Brady has his best weapons ever and is starting a magical season. His pass protection is good, he spreads the ball around, and if the Patriots don't pass, they have the talent to run the ball effectively. On top of everything else, they play with a chip on their shoulder. This team is never unprepared nor looking ahead and it's not out of the question New England could go 16-0.
Status: Contender.
2. Houston Texans
QB Matt Schaub and a much improved defense are finally giving the Texans a chance to be competitive. The defense, led by a D-line that is starting to dominate, is creating turnovers and is especially stout versus the run. Offensively, the Texans are running the ball effectively, controlling the clock and letting Schaub make key plays when needed. Schaub is not putting up huge numbers, but he doesn't turn the ball over and gives this team a boost of confidence heading into this week's showdown with the Colts, which will show just how far this team has come -- or has to go.
Status: Pretender.
3. Indianapolis Colts
The defending Super Bowl champions look a lot like the team that won it all a year ago. Let's see, great offense, incomparable quarterback, a good running game and a defense that shows excellent team speed? Yep, sounds familiar. But they are somewhat undersized and still susceptible to physical, power run games. The Colts have four new starters on defense but you get the feeling they'll be a top 15 defense in another month because of their athleticism and range. If that happens. Indy will be tough to beat because we know it will put up a lot of points. The Colts don't have to play great defense to get back to the Super Bowl, they just have to be a middle of the pack unit. This will be a tough team to beat.
Status: Contender.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
These are vintage Steelers. They run the ball with a physical style, play an attacking defense that punishes opponents and ask QB Ben Roethlisberger to manage the game and utilize a very effective play-action package off the run game. They don't give up big plays on defense and may be the best in the league at creating turnovers. As strange as it sounds, this is almost a tougher and more physical team than it ever was under Bill Cowher. If everything else is clicking, the Steelers don't have to be great in the passing game because they will control the clock and tempo. All they need Big Ben to do is manage the game and limit turnovers -- a strong recipe for playoff success.
Status: Contender.
5. Denver Broncos
Some people would call them lucky after two narrow wins over inferior opponents, but good teams find a way to win when they don't play their best game. The Broncos are in that category. Remember, even though the season is only two weeks old, Denver is in the top third in almost all offensive and defensive categories. On defense, the Broncos have the best CB duo in the league (Champ Bailey and Dre Bly). That allows them to blitz and play a lot of exotic schemes behind man-to-man coverage. The running game is productive, as usual, and while QB Jay Cutler has been a little bit up-and-down, he can do everything they ask of him and by midseason he will be at the top of his game.
Status: Contender.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Right now, the Cowboys may be the most complete team in the NFC and have a look of a group that will only get better as it gains more experience in its new system. When you break down this offense, you see a confident Tony Romo who is making good decision, spreading the ball around and seems to have developed a good relationship with WR Terrell Owens. The Cowboys are an explosive unit capable of scoring in bunches. Defensively, there is work to be done and they are not dominating or creating a lot of pressure and big plays, but under Wade Phillips they will get better. When this defense catches up to the offense, the Cowboys will be tough to beat.
Status: Contender.
7. Washington Redskins
This is an underrated team and after years of underachieving, the Redskins are finally playing Joe Gibbs football -- a hard-nosed running game combined with an aggressive defense featuring a blitz heavy package. Gibbs changed the philosophy of this team in the offseason. He wanted to get back to his old Redskins formula, which is give the ball to the RBs, Ladell Betts and Clinton Portis, wear down defenses and take shots in the passing game when the matchups are there. This means Gibbs doesn't have to ask QB Jason Campbell to carry the offense. The Redskins have the ability to control the flow of the game and keep them out of offensive shootouts, but they must overcome injuries on the right side of their OL and Campbell must play with consistency. They may not be pretty, but they are real.
Status: Contender.
8. Detroit Lions
This is a gritty team that seems to sneak up on teams. While the Lions do not dominate in any particular area, they play hard and make their opponents play their A game. They have become a tough team in the image of head coach Rod Marinelli. They also have a veteran QB in Jon Kitna who doesn't always put up great numbers, but his teammates believe in him and he knows how to win. With a creative Mike Martz offense, the Lions will always score points and stay in most games. Defensively, their Cover 2 does not give up a lot of big plays, but they are somewhat vulnerable in the deep middle. Detroit is not a great team yet, but the Lions are no longer an automatic win for the opposing teams.
Status: Pretender.
9. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are a little bit of an early surprise, but when you study them on film you see specific reasons why they are 2-0. Ironically, they were winning on defense and special teams. Now QB Brett Favre is starting to get hot and is making every throw necessary. Their two wins are over 2006 playoff teams (Philadelphia and N.Y. Giants), but we will have a better gauge on them this week when San Diego comes to town. Defensively, they are athletic at LB, feature a deep rotation in the DL and have an aggressive secondary with corners who can play press schemes. They need to run the ball better and also stretch the field with more explosive passing plays, but they have enough confidence to stay in a lot of games in a winnable NFC North.
Status: Contender.
10. San Francisco 49ers
They are one of the most improved teams in the NFL. This is an organization that has a plan and sticks to it. The 49ers are a very young defense, but they finally have the personnel to run their 34 scheme and are doing an excellent job of attacking off the edges. They tackle well and are aggressive, but they are not usually out of position. Offensively, RB Frank Gore gives them great production and he runs behind an underrated offensive line. The passing game, though, is not yet up to speed. QB Alex Smith is not making enough plays and the 49ers have no real vertical threat or explosiveness. This team is developing confidence and if Smith starts to play better they could be in the thick of the NFC West race.
Status: Contender.
Scouts Inc.
Even though it's still just September, there are 10 undefeated teams. So which teams are contenders and which are pretenders? Let's break it down.
1. New England Patriots
This is the best team in the NFL with no major weaknesses. The Patriots game plan better than anybody, have a roster full of veterans and they make in-game adjustments better than anybody. Defensively, they are getting great play out of their LBs and this is a group with amazing versatility. They can play run or pass defense equally well. They can blitz, they matchup well and this is a unit full of interchangeable parts. On offense Tom Brady has his best weapons ever and is starting a magical season. His pass protection is good, he spreads the ball around, and if the Patriots don't pass, they have the talent to run the ball effectively. On top of everything else, they play with a chip on their shoulder. This team is never unprepared nor looking ahead and it's not out of the question New England could go 16-0.
Status: Contender.
2. Houston Texans
QB Matt Schaub and a much improved defense are finally giving the Texans a chance to be competitive. The defense, led by a D-line that is starting to dominate, is creating turnovers and is especially stout versus the run. Offensively, the Texans are running the ball effectively, controlling the clock and letting Schaub make key plays when needed. Schaub is not putting up huge numbers, but he doesn't turn the ball over and gives this team a boost of confidence heading into this week's showdown with the Colts, which will show just how far this team has come -- or has to go.
Status: Pretender.
3. Indianapolis Colts
The defending Super Bowl champions look a lot like the team that won it all a year ago. Let's see, great offense, incomparable quarterback, a good running game and a defense that shows excellent team speed? Yep, sounds familiar. But they are somewhat undersized and still susceptible to physical, power run games. The Colts have four new starters on defense but you get the feeling they'll be a top 15 defense in another month because of their athleticism and range. If that happens. Indy will be tough to beat because we know it will put up a lot of points. The Colts don't have to play great defense to get back to the Super Bowl, they just have to be a middle of the pack unit. This will be a tough team to beat.
Status: Contender.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
These are vintage Steelers. They run the ball with a physical style, play an attacking defense that punishes opponents and ask QB Ben Roethlisberger to manage the game and utilize a very effective play-action package off the run game. They don't give up big plays on defense and may be the best in the league at creating turnovers. As strange as it sounds, this is almost a tougher and more physical team than it ever was under Bill Cowher. If everything else is clicking, the Steelers don't have to be great in the passing game because they will control the clock and tempo. All they need Big Ben to do is manage the game and limit turnovers -- a strong recipe for playoff success.
Status: Contender.
5. Denver Broncos
Some people would call them lucky after two narrow wins over inferior opponents, but good teams find a way to win when they don't play their best game. The Broncos are in that category. Remember, even though the season is only two weeks old, Denver is in the top third in almost all offensive and defensive categories. On defense, the Broncos have the best CB duo in the league (Champ Bailey and Dre Bly). That allows them to blitz and play a lot of exotic schemes behind man-to-man coverage. The running game is productive, as usual, and while QB Jay Cutler has been a little bit up-and-down, he can do everything they ask of him and by midseason he will be at the top of his game.
Status: Contender.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Right now, the Cowboys may be the most complete team in the NFC and have a look of a group that will only get better as it gains more experience in its new system. When you break down this offense, you see a confident Tony Romo who is making good decision, spreading the ball around and seems to have developed a good relationship with WR Terrell Owens. The Cowboys are an explosive unit capable of scoring in bunches. Defensively, there is work to be done and they are not dominating or creating a lot of pressure and big plays, but under Wade Phillips they will get better. When this defense catches up to the offense, the Cowboys will be tough to beat.
Status: Contender.
7. Washington Redskins
This is an underrated team and after years of underachieving, the Redskins are finally playing Joe Gibbs football -- a hard-nosed running game combined with an aggressive defense featuring a blitz heavy package. Gibbs changed the philosophy of this team in the offseason. He wanted to get back to his old Redskins formula, which is give the ball to the RBs, Ladell Betts and Clinton Portis, wear down defenses and take shots in the passing game when the matchups are there. This means Gibbs doesn't have to ask QB Jason Campbell to carry the offense. The Redskins have the ability to control the flow of the game and keep them out of offensive shootouts, but they must overcome injuries on the right side of their OL and Campbell must play with consistency. They may not be pretty, but they are real.
Status: Contender.
8. Detroit Lions
This is a gritty team that seems to sneak up on teams. While the Lions do not dominate in any particular area, they play hard and make their opponents play their A game. They have become a tough team in the image of head coach Rod Marinelli. They also have a veteran QB in Jon Kitna who doesn't always put up great numbers, but his teammates believe in him and he knows how to win. With a creative Mike Martz offense, the Lions will always score points and stay in most games. Defensively, their Cover 2 does not give up a lot of big plays, but they are somewhat vulnerable in the deep middle. Detroit is not a great team yet, but the Lions are no longer an automatic win for the opposing teams.
Status: Pretender.
9. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are a little bit of an early surprise, but when you study them on film you see specific reasons why they are 2-0. Ironically, they were winning on defense and special teams. Now QB Brett Favre is starting to get hot and is making every throw necessary. Their two wins are over 2006 playoff teams (Philadelphia and N.Y. Giants), but we will have a better gauge on them this week when San Diego comes to town. Defensively, they are athletic at LB, feature a deep rotation in the DL and have an aggressive secondary with corners who can play press schemes. They need to run the ball better and also stretch the field with more explosive passing plays, but they have enough confidence to stay in a lot of games in a winnable NFC North.
Status: Contender.
10. San Francisco 49ers
They are one of the most improved teams in the NFL. This is an organization that has a plan and sticks to it. The 49ers are a very young defense, but they finally have the personnel to run their 34 scheme and are doing an excellent job of attacking off the edges. They tackle well and are aggressive, but they are not usually out of position. Offensively, RB Frank Gore gives them great production and he runs behind an underrated offensive line. The passing game, though, is not yet up to speed. QB Alex Smith is not making enough plays and the 49ers have no real vertical threat or explosiveness. This team is developing confidence and if Smith starts to play better they could be in the thick of the NFC West race.
Status: Contender.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:57 PM
<< Home