NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (11-6)Despite the continued presence of QB Drew Brees and the passing weapons, they were undone by a slow start and a weak running game to finish. The secondary can be blamed for the early postseason exit. Trying to defend their title proved difficult, every team had it out for them. The defense wasn't nearly as opportunistic as 2009.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (10-7)QB Peyton Manning and WR Reggie Wayne can't do it all. Injuries to the offensive weapons and to key defensive cogs (I choose not to include S Bob Sanders, he's essentially a permanent fixture on the injured reserve). Better health may have made a huge difference in this team's success, as any team with an elite QB and a few defensive playmakers can make a run.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (10-7)The Chiefs finally flashed some offensive firepower. It came in the form of RB Jamaal Charles and WR Dwayne Bowe, two players we media types have classified as 'promising' and as having 'potential' the last couple years. QB Matt Cassell grew into his role, and the D is strong, young and deep.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-7)Nobody would have thought it but QB Michael Vick became an MVP candidate and led his team on and off the field. QB Kevin Kolb had the reigns wrestled away but handled it well. WR DeSean Jackson, WR Jeremy Maclin, RB LeSean McCoy formed an explosive young bunch. Vick took all the hits though, and that was the undoing. He was simply beat up by the end.
BALTIMORE RAVENS (13-5)I've heard it said smartly on CBS that the Ravens offense tries to do too much. They want to get all their weapons the touches. QB Joe Flacco can at least know now not to throw to WR TJ Houshmanzadah on 4th-and-18. WR Anquan Boldin was sometimes very good, but inconsistent. RB Ray Rice continues to emerge. LB Ray Lewis and S Ed Reed carried the D yet again.
ATLANTA FALCONS (13-4)QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner finally enjoyed success alongside each other and it resulted in a few very dominant games and an incredibly solid season. WR Roddy White was strong and will start in the Pro Bowl. The Falcons D was especially fantastic but tragically fell apart to Green Bay in the playoffs.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-10)In their losses, they looked like a team that easily could be 1-15, in their wins they appeared to be a surefire contender. The inconsistency of this team somehow rolled in the right direction to allow them into the final 8 but there is much work to do. Bright spots; RB Marshawn Lynch, WR Mike Williams, S Earl Thomas.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (14-3)QB Tom Brady is my vote (and probably everybody's) for MVP. Alas, the light-speed improvement of the young defense wasn't quite fast enough when crunch time came in the playoffs. Consider this, it was supposed to be a "transition year" for the Pats. 14-2 in a supposed transition year? As that D improves, things get scary.
CHICAGO BEARS (12-6)In most minds the Bears had one of the luckiest seasons of all time. The refs (week 1), the schedule, getting a 7-9 team in the 2nd round of the playoffs. In most other minds, it was hard to shake the primetime walloping they got from New York Giants and New England. The stars aligned, and then fate slammed down and sent QB Jay Cutler to the sideline in the biggest game ever.
NEW YORK JETS (13-6)The Jets promised and talked and blustered and whined until they couldn't breathe. They called Brady expletives, they tripped special teamers on the sideline, they sexually harassed reporters... Yet they were somehow the good guys? We all know Rex Ryan is 2-0 predicting Super Bowl Championships. Good enough I guess.
No comments:
Post a Comment