It seems like just yesterday it was Week 1 of the NFL regular season, where every team had a fresh start and bright outlooks for the 2014 campaign. Now it is already Week 10 and most of those teams are either optimistic about the rest of the season or already looking towards 2015 (Oakland Raiders). But, there are a plethora of teams who are playing well, but not well enough that they are a lock to get into the playoffs. This article will list a few of those teams and give reasons why they are for real or not.
For Real
Pittsburgh Steelers: After back-to-back seasons with a record of 8-8 and no playoff appearances, the Steelers look like the real deal this year. They were only 3-3 a few weeks ago, but they have won three straight games since then over good teams teams like the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is playing out of his mind lately with 862 yards and 12 touchdowns in his last two games. They also have an emerging star at running back in Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown may be the best wide receiver in all of football. Their defense tends to give up a good deal of points, but if the offense keeps putting up ridiculous numbers, the defense will not have to worry. Look for the Steelers to finally return to the playoffs this year.
Kansas City Chiefs: After they started the season at 0-2, everybody wrote the Chiefs off. But, they have played very well since then, winning five out of their last six games. Andy Reid’s team still has some dangerous weapons on their roster, such as running backs Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis, tight end Travis Kelce, who is emerging as a top tight end, and their defense is still a tough one to beat. They sit at 5-3 as of now, but they can definitely win at least nine or ten games, which may warrant a Wild Card berth for them. They do have a tough schedule to finish out the season, however.
Green Bay Packers: Even though the Packers are not dominating the league right now, their fans should R-E-L-A-X like quarterback Aaron Rodgers told them to do after the team started 1-2 after the first three games. Their offense is still one of the best in the game, even if their defense hasn’t looked so good. As long as wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb keep catching Rodgers’ throws, the Packers will roll right into the playoffs, like they do just about every year.
New Orleans Saints: Although they are a very shaky team, the Saints look to be the best team in the NFC South at Week 10. That’s not really saying much, as the rest of the teams in the division are all currently under .500. The Saints are a Jekyll and Hyde type of team, as they play great at home, but when on the road they look like an average team, at best. They showed this in their Week 8 matchup with the Packers at home, when they won by 21 points over Aaron Rodgers and company. The Saints aren’t the best team in the NFC by a long shot, but they will most likely win their division, just because no one else in the NFC South can.
Not For Real
San Diego Chargers: After a great 5-1 start, the Chargers have lost three straight games and are not the talk of the AFC anymore. Quarterback Philip Rivers looks like a completely different quarterback than he was during the first six games of the season. They play the Raiders and St. Louis Rams after their upcoming bye week, but their last five games of the season are brutal. The Chargers surprised many last season by sneaking into the playoffs, but this year they may be surprising some by not making the playoffs at all with such a talented team.
Cleveland Browns: The Browns are one the NFL’s biggest surprises so far, as they sit at 5-3 after eight games. The Johnny Manziel hype is over and done with, as quarterback Brian Hoyer has established himself as the top dog in Cleveland. Even though they are playing well, the Browns still do not seem like a playoff team. They are playing in the toughest division in the NFL right now, so getting into the playoffs seem like a tough road for them. Suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon is supposed to return to action in a few weeks, but he cannot carry the team all by himself. Expect the Browns to eventually fall out of playoff contention soon.
San Francisco 49ers: One of the best teams in the NFC over the past three years, the 49ers do not look themselves at all this season. They are only 4-4 so far, and fell to the Rams on Sunday on a dramatic goal-line stand by the St. Louis’ defensive line. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has took his team deep into the playoffs every year that he has been at the helm, but there are rumors that he is not getting along with management, which is never a good sign. If the 49ers do not make the playoffs this year, which may happen, Harbaugh could be gone.
Dallas Cowboys: Once again, the Cowboys are falling apart in November. After an amazing 6-1 start, America’s team has lost two straight games and the injuries are piling up. Quarterback Tony Romo is having back problems again, which forced him to miss the “win and you’re in” game against the Philadelphia Eagles last season. This team cannot win with Brandon Weeden starting at quarterback, so Romo needs to get healthy fast. They are playing the Jaguars in London this week, but Romo is not confirmed to start as of yet. If the Cowboys have any chance of making the playoffs, they need Romo back as soon as possible. If not, they can kiss their season goodbye, once again.
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