Heading into Week 9 we're officially half way through the NFL season. Post any thoughts regarding what we've seen from teams the first 8 weeks and what we can expect to see the next 9.

- Biggest (positive) surprises?
- Biggest disappointments?
- Who are some pretenders (either out of teams in the playoff hunt or those in the SB discussion right now)?
- Who are some (possibly currently struggling) teams that are gonna make a run in the second half?
etc.

the seahawks are pretenders with that offensive line


bears are pretenders

chargers are for real and might win a game or two in the playoffs

saints for real

chiefs for real but will go about 4-4 rest of the way i guess

patriots are not for real. gulp

colts are for real and are my pick to go the super bowl. colts (or chargers) vs saints in the super bowl

- Biggest (positive) surprises? The Chiefs. I didn't expect them to look THIS good. 

- Biggest disappointments? The Atlanta Falcons & Houston Texans considering both were division title winners - Atlanta even made it to the NFCCG

- Who are some pretenders (either out of teams in the playoff hunt or those in the SB discussion right now)? The Lions, Bears, Chargers, any team that's going to win the NFC East. 

- Who are some (possibly currently struggling) teams that are gonna make a run in the second half? Giants (Maybe even the Steelers)

Huh wrote:

the seahawks are pretenders with that offensive line

Ok, then I guess we'll be for real when we get our Tackles back.

Biggest surprise: Chiefs, Colts, Lions

Believer in the Chiefs since this offseason (while last offseason I said they'd be one of the worst teams) but didn't expect anything close to 8-0, don't know anyone that did. I thought the Colts were going to have a bit of a down year and possibly miss the playoffs, not looking that way at all as they've looked very solid (although without Wayne it could change). Was completely off on the Lions as for some reason I saw them as a 4-6 win team. But I like a lot of their talent, I just didn't think they'd be producing too many W's.. still don't expect to see them in the playoffs though.

How is no one picking the Jets at 4-4 (with wins against the Patriots & Falcons) as a surprise?

Biggest disappointment: Texans easily, or maybe the Redskins.

I haven't been a huge believer in the Texans the past few years but I thought they'd have a good season this year. And I figured the Redskins would be in the NFC East title chase, which might still happen, but if it does it'll be a mediocre division win as they haven't looked like that kind of team. That D needs some serious help.

Personally, the Falcons having a bad start isn't surprising, or very disappointing to me cause I saw a regression coming with them. They have a relatively tough schedule, and them having a step-back season is something I kinda expected (predicted them going 9-7 I believe). Although the biggest reason why it isn't that much of a disappointment is they've been dealing with some big injuries, too.

Pretenders: Chiefs, Colts, Bengals, Chargers, Lions, Bears, 49ers (no SB this year)

Making a run: -The Ravens will go on a run in the second half and make the playoffs.
-The Packers will lose a max of 1 more game.
-The Texans... I'm feeling a turnaround with them, and they still have the Jags twice. Probably wouldn't be enough to make the playoffs anyway, especially if they lose to the Colts this week.
-The Panthers will have a 7-5 record at worst but likely fall apart and miss the playoffs from there.
-The Jaguars will get a win.