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By Matt Miller
Now that we’re approximately halfway through the NFL regular season, GameDay looks back at all the hoopla that has taken place during the first eight weeks of the season. Here’s my list of pretenders and contenders.
Cincinnati — Sure, the Bengals sit atop the AFC North, but I wouldn’t trust this team with my life. They have been up and down with signature wins against Baltimore and Pittsburgh, but suffered a nine-point loss to the Houston Texans. Carson Palmer is looking like his old self, but Cincy fans can expect the wind to go out of the sails soon.
Houston — Just like the aforementioned team, I don’t see Houston’s season getting off the ground in the second-half of the season. Simply stated: “Houston, we have a problem.”
NY Giants — Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The Giants started 5-0, but now are 5-3, losers of three straight. Have the Giants been exposed? How much is Eli Manning hurting? Looking ahead, the Giants’ schedule won’t help.
Beside season favorites like New England, Indianapolis and defending Super Bowl champions Pittsburgh Steelers, here are two of my contenders.
Baltimore — Heading into Week 9, the Ravens are 4-3. And all three of those losses have been by a combined 11 points. I enjoy watching second-year quarterback Joe Flacco, and the Ravens’ defense is a thing of beauty. If I were any other team in the NFL, I wouldn’t want to play the Ravens any Sunday.
Minnesota — The Vikings are 7-1 and sitting pretty in the NFC North. But more importantly, they are 2-0 vs. the Green Bay Packers this season. Last week, Brett Favre threw four touchdowns in a 38-26 historic win over the Pack. Let’s not rush to conclusions, but the Vikings may not lose the rest of the regular season.
Schedule
Sunday, Nov. 8
Washington at Atlanta 12 p.m.
Arizona at Chicago 12 p.m.
Baltimore at Cincinnati 12 p.m.
Houston at Indianapolis 12 p.m.
Miami at New England 12 p.m.
Green Bay at Tampa Bay 12 p.m.
Kansas City at Jacksonville 12 p.m.
Carolina at New Orleans 3:05 p.m.
Detroit at Seattle 3:05 p.m.
Tennessee at San Francisco 3:15 p.m.
San Diego at NY Giants 3:15 p.m.
Dallas at Philadelphia 7:20 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 9
Pittsburgh at Denver 7:30 p.m.
