Two months ago, school started up, it was almost 100 degrees outside, and most importantly, the NFL season kicked off. There have been plenty of story lines in the first half of the season; some have been good, some not so good (sorry Packers fans).
But regardless, eight of the 17 weeks have been played in the 2012 NFL season, and I have to say I’m not all that surprised with the results thus far.
The Falcons have lived up to preseason hype and are the lone undefeated team playing these days, but I’m still not sure if I’m 100 percent sold on them.
Not to take anything away from them, but their schedule has been cake so far, and they could have easily lost three or four times already. But nonetheless they have to be considered the best right now. Their divisional foe Saints haven’t been as fortunate, and are limping through at 2-5.
The Texans, another preseason favorite, are 6-1 and are coming off a bye. The week before last, however, they destroyed the Ravens 43-13 and if not for a bad loss to the Packers, Houston would also be perfect. Two weeks from now, the Texans will take on a surprisingly effective Bears team at Soldier Field.
Interestingly enough, the Bears too would be perfect if not for a loss to the cheeseheads. If Jay Cutler can manage to not screw things up, Matt Forte and a ferocious Chicago defense could be hanging around come January.
Speaking of cheeseheads, the Packers should be 6-2, but are instead 5-3 because of the replacement refs. That being said, this team still lost to the Colts, and its world-class offense has been completely out of sync at times. Its showdown with the Giants Nov. 25 is the teams’ next big test.
The Giants’ season seemed murky after losing to the Cowboys and trailing the Buccaneers 27-16 in the fourth quarter. But Eli Manning led a 25-point fourth quarter and a 41-34 win over the Bucs, and now the Giants are 6-2 with a comfortable lead in the NFC East. However, the remaining Giants schedule is brutal so we will see what is to come for the defending champs.
After coming into the season with high expectations, the NFC East has not lived up to the hype this year. If not for some miraculous early victories, the Eagles could be 0-7.
Granted, some of their losses were close as well, but Mike Vick and Andy Reid are both on the hot seat, and if they don’t start winning, one or both will be booed out of Philly faster than A-Rod in the Bronx.
Dallas came running out of the gates but has lost four of its past six games. Tony Romo has thrown 13 interceptions and losing Sean Lee for the year was catastrophic.
The mighty Patriots are tied in the loss column with the Dolphins halfway through the season. If that doesn’t sum up their season, I don’t know what does.
Brady has been finding a healthier Gronk much more of late, and the Patriots will surely play better the second half of the season than they did the first.
Over on the west coast, San Francisco has been playing 49er ball as of late. Not Joe Montana to Jerry Rice 49er football, but rather John Harbaugh we’re-gonna-run-the-ball-and-stop-the-run, smash mouth football.
At 6-2, San Fran is in control of the semi-improved NFC West and should roll through the division.
Seattle is sitting at 4-4 (one win thanks to the replacement refs), but has lost four games by a combined 21 points.
They have been in every game this year and may just have enough behind Marshawn Lynch and a strong run defense to stay in the wild card picture.
The Chargers have disappointed thus far, and Peyton Manning has looked as sharp as he has his entire illustrious career. We will see what a very manageable remaining schedule will mean for the Broncos.
Finally, the AFC North is up for grabs after Ray Lewis is gone for the season. The banged up Steelers and the Ravens should come down to the wire, but I don’t see either going far in the playoffs.
The first half has been fun, so here’s to football being played the rest of the season the way its meant to be played: in the cold.
John Hilsenroth Jr. can be reached at minaret.sports@gmail.com