NFL: Biggest Surprises At the Halfway Point
This NFL season has been like no other. Something about this year, only a handful of teams appear to be destined to miss the playoffs. There have been plenty of surprises so far and here are the biggest ones:
The New York Giants
It seems like last year the Giants were on the outside looking in. Despite the NFC East being a logjam to get into the playoffs, it was the team from NY that seemed to have the biggest question mark. There was talk that they were done with Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley has been all over trade talks, and they were starting over with a new head coach. The recipe for disaster was there, but don’t tell that to the Giants. They’re 6-2 and outside of the East, the rest of the NFC is struggling. Three teams might make the playoffs unless another division steps up.
The Seattle Seahawks
Did anyone think after trading away Russell Wilson that the Seattle Seahawks would be leading their division? Would you have thought it had you found out Geno Smith was going to be their starter? Probably not, but here we are. The Hawks are atop their division and are the only team in it with a winning record. They’re two games ahead of the next closest team in the 49ers who have won four. This brings us to the next surprise…
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The LA Rams
It’s never a good sign when you’re on the list of surprises in a season and it’s not for something good. The Rams won the Super Bowl last year and have looked nothing like their former selves. The once powerhouse of the NFL is looking average at best. This isn’t a shock as most teams who dominate will start to lose stars via free agency. Playmakers go to the highest bidder but the Rams still have plenty in-house. Their season isn’t over by any means, but they’ll have a short window to get back on the right track.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It isn’t often that Tom Brady has a losing record this late in the season. By not often, it means never. While Brady still looks like he can get it done, the Bucs are failing around him. Combine that with everything he has going on outside of football and the poo was waiting to hit the fan. The Bucs are in last place, something Tom isn’t used to. They’re battling to stay in it but it might be time to write off the Bucs.
The New York Jets
Just like that other NY team, the Jets are shocking the NFL right now. There’s still plenty of football left but their enjoying their moment, as they should. No one was talking about the NYJ as contenders to start the season. Plenty of people talked when the Dolphins traded for Tyreek Hill that they’d be most likely to challenge the Bills. No one ever counts Bill Belichick out so even the Pats were on the tips of their tongues. No one was talking about the Jets. Now they’re second in the division after a tie-breaker edges out the Dolphins. Can they keep it up is the question.
This NFL season seems nothing like the others and we’re here for it. Will the back half of this season be just as chaotic as the front?
Rick ODonnell aka Caveman Rick has many years covering the Miami Dolphins, Sports, and all sorts of movies and television.
