Playoff Contenders Gone Bad

Before the 2010 National Football League season kicked off there were several teams that were sure bets for a playoff berth but after week 6 all has changed.

Despite it being early and with a good chance that most of them will still make the post season it is not yet time to panic but with below-par performances from the Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and even the San Francisco 49ers to some extent, would you back any of these teams to make the Super Bowl now?

The San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys are two teams that have underachieved this year

Take the most striking of these. The Dallas Cowboys went 11-5 last year and broke their playoff duck by steamrolling the Philadelphia Eagles and were widely expected to come out of the traps at pace again this year. But they have been massively disappointing with poor losses to the Chicago Bears and NFC East rival, the Washington Redskins.

The San Diego Chargers have fared slightly better in a weaker division. Their rivals gained an early start on them but standing just one win below the Kansas City Chiefs in the division means they have gotten off lightly. But with losses in Oakland, Seattle, St. Louis and Kansas City, this does not look like the Chargers of a year ago. How much has the off-field turbulence caused by the holdouts by Marcus McNeill and Vincent Jackson had an effect on the team?

The Minnesota Vikings have played with an injury ravaged offence but that cannot be taken as an excuse in what will surely be Brett Favre’s last shot at the Vince Lombardi Trophy. With a big trade for wide receiver Randy Moss and a win against the Dallas Cowboys this week things have started to look better but they were far from convincing in their 24-21 home-field victory. They have to pick up their form of last year and run with it if they are going to go far in the playoffs.

The Green Bay Packers are a team NFL Digest had down as a Super Bowl contender before the season kicked off but with injuries to big name players like Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley they have struggled. With a big win over Philadelphia and with the steamrolling of the Buffalo Bills the season got off to a decent start but they only just squeezed past the Detroit Lions and lost to the Bears and Redskins away before a disappointing defeat to Miami this past week at Lambeau Field. Aaron Rodgers has not looked the same either, turning the ball over more than last year and giving up easy points to the opposition. They must cut out the mistakes and strengthen up the defence to be in with a shout of making the playoffs now.

Aaron Rodgers has been uninspiring so far this season

Finally the San Francisco 49ers. They are a tricky team to weigh up and were an unknown quantity at the start of the year but with two former number one overall draft picks at quarterback they were lauded as the favourites to sweep the division by many NFL pundits.

Alex Smith was due to come into his own and with the healthy mix of offensive weaponry and defensive strength it was bound to be their year. But with a 1-5 record everybody will agree they have started poorly but they still have the opportunity to bounce back and in a weak division, the playoffs are still within their reach but they must hit form now.

It’s time for these teams to turn their seasons around and it must happen now for any to reach the potential they carried at the start of the season. Can they do it?

 

Cowboys/Chargers image by Arnold Tijerina – Flickr

Rodgers image by avinashkunnath – Flickr

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MVP – Early Contenders

It’s that time of the year where end of season awards are won and lost. Players are starting to step up, making that push to give their teams a playoff berth.

NFL Digest is going to take a look at the early contenders for the Most Valuable Player award.

Peyton Manning

You cannot not consider Manning for the MVP award. Every year he puts up ridiculous numbers and is always buzzing around the top of the quarterback statistics table. Putting up over 2,500 yards so far and placing fifth on the passing touchdown list, he could once again be in line for the award with a season push.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning

Michael Vick

It’s about time Vick was considered as a major quarterback in this League. He has been steadily leading the Philadelphia Eagles from the quarterback wilderness this year, after they suffered a turbulent start to the season after trading Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins.

However it was against the Redskins this week past that Vick announced his return to the big time in a massive way. He has always put up numbers and been a solid, multi-talented quarterback but after putting up over 400 yards passing and rushing combined including four throwing and two rushing touchdowns people are starting to take note of his talent again.

But it’s not just been one game. He hasn’t thrown an interception this year. He has the greatest average quarterback rating in the League. He has turned the Eagles into genuine playoff contenders.

Welcome back the Michael Vick of old.

Michael Vick, the Philadelphia Eagles QB

Philip Rivers

It’s a travesty that Rivers has not been bandied around as a potential MVP before. He puts up huge numbers every year despite the strength of San Diego’s running backs (previously with LaDainian Tomlinson and now with ex-Fresno State rookie, Ryan Mathews) and this year is no different.

Rivers will pass 3,000 yards passing this weekend and is top of the passing yards table, averaging 327.1 yards per game. He has the third best quarterback rating in the League, the most 20+ yard passes and the second most 40+ passes. All with reserve wide receiver corps. Do I have to post anymore?

Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers' QB

Adrian Peterson

NFL Digest’s preseason prediction for the MVP award, Peterson has been the lone spark during a poor Minnesota Vikings season. Putting up over 100 rushing yards per game and seven touchdowns, Peterson has been consistent throughout his time in the NFL.

One problem in his career has been the amount of fumbles he loses but so far this season he hasn’t fumbled the ball once.

Time to consider him as MVP? He hasn’t been outstanding enough this year but that is probably down to the team having a poor season. Look out for him next year, where he will see a lot of the ball, with a new quarterback, following Brett Favre’s impending retirement.

Adrian Peterson - Minnesota Vikings' Running Back

Clay Matthews

Many experts had the Green Bay Packers down to be Super Bowl contenders this year. Although they still have that opportunity they haven’t blown away all opposition like they were expected to do.

One plus point has been the continued excellent form of outside linebacker Clay Matthews. Putting up a massive 10.5 sacks so far this season and with 31 combined tackles he is carrying the Green Bay defence.

Add this to his 62 yard pick six and the NFL should look no further for a defensive MVP.

Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers' Outside Linebacker

Predicted Winner –

If he continues his current form to the end of the season and takes the San Diego Chargers to the playoffs there should be no reason for Philip Rivers not to claim the MVP award. He has posted up numbers and been the sole leader of his team, leading them through a turbulent start to the year.

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