Does This Mean Football Starts Now?

The saying "the season doesn't start until after thanksgiving" (Bill Parcells, not Bill Belichick) is now in full swing, as we are starting to see the real teams step forward and the fake teams take a step back. 

Today I will talk about a few headlines that still need to be answered as football has started, as opposed to what I was planning on talking about this week (again).


Who's winning the AFC north?

The AFC north flat out stinks this year, there's no other way to put it. After week 12 there is a tie for 1st place in the AFC north that will be broken on December 7th between the Ravens and Steelers, who are both 6-6. Both teams have looked bad (to say the least), with no real evidence that either would do much of anything in the playoffs.

However, the 4-8 Bengals are getting healthy at the right time and could make a comeback for the division. Now holding tie breakers to the Ravens and Steelers, there is a real chance that the Bengals could win the division. As it stands now, I think the Bengals win this division.


Are the Bears the real deal?

The Bears have won 5 straight games. Ben Johnson's offense is meshing and we are seeing a true identity start to develop. The defense is doing just enough to allow the offense to win games. Everything seems to be on the up and up for Chicago.

The only concern I have is the Bears easy schedule; on their 5 game-winning streak they have have beaten one team currently in the playoff picture. That team was the extremely streaky Eagles. Not to mention they have only played two current playoff teams (1-1 record). I look forward to there two Packers games coming up which will be their biggest tests of the season. 

So as for the question, I will say maybe for now. 


What's going on with the "powerhouses" of the NFL?

The Chiefs, Bills and Lions are all fighting for their lives in the current playoff picture. What's going on? Well there's a different answer for each team, but one answer I can draw from that is equal for each team is 2nd year QB's. 

Yes, each team has had their own personal struggles. However, if you look at the top of each teams division what do you see? A team led by a second year QB with a wide gap on the division. With each team playing that specific division rival once this year, the Lions are the only one that hold a tie breaker, but as mentioned prior, the Bears are on a heater. 


Who are the real Super Bowl contenders?

With the normal contenders fighting for their playoff lives who are the true Super Bowl Contenders? My previous Super Bowl predictions had the Bills beating the Seahawks, while I still think this is possible, they aren't my favorites to make it to and win the Super Bowl anymore.

The Green Bay Packers are getting hot at the right time. Plus Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre won their respective super bowls at the age of 27, which just so happens to be the same age as Jordan Love. 

As for my current AFC favorite? I have no idea. Currently, the two hottest AFC teams are led by second year QBs (Broncos and Patriots). I don't trust second year QBs in the playoffs, especially those who don't have any playoff wins to their record. However, for the sake of this exercise I do like the Broncos. They have continuously found ways to win football games, and I think that they are another one of those teams that get head heading into the playoffs.


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