Biggest Surprises In The NFL (Half Way Through)

By Will Shung

What happened this season?  I mean, there was some predictable shit, like the 49ers at least winning their division, and the Lions were due to have a breakout year, but what about the Bengals, Eagles, and (oh my god) the Colts?

The 49ers, at least, have a defense that has been underrated for at least a couple of seasons now.  Backed by a capable quarterback in Alex Smith, it was only a matter of time before they broke out of that pathetic excuse of a division called the NFC West.  They'll win that division this season by at least three games.  

The Lions probably got off to one of the hottest starts of any team this season winning their first five, but then dropped two straight, all be it to worthy opponents in the 49ers and then the Falcons.  Their 6-2 record is deceptive considering their remaining schedule in the second half of the season with match-ups against elite teams such as Green Bay (twice), New Orleans, and San Diego.  Despite that, they should still at least finish the season as a shoe-in as a wild card.

But what about those Cincinatti Bengals?  What the fuck!  How on earth are they leading the AFC North over the Ravens and Steelers?  The TV networks need to get the premiere match-ups straight and stop airing Steelers-Ravens games, but rather any Bengals game.  Sure, you can attribute most of their success to scheduling, but their loss in week 2 to the Broncos were avenged by their win over the (then undefeated) Bills in week 4.  But more importantly, who the fuck is playing for that team right now?  Andy Dalton?  A.J. Green?  Who are these people?  Either way, the Bengals at this point put themselves in great position to win the AFC North.

The Eagles, of all teams, have the most explaining to do.  Picked by most to win the NFC East, and some to even go all the way this year, they have turned out (at least half way through the season) to be a complete flop.  Michael Vick is doing what Michael Vick does best as quarterback.  LeSean McCoy is currently (statistically) the best running back in the NFL.  So where the fuck is that defense that Phillie paid so much money for(Babin, Asomugha)?  Mind you, a couple of the games they lost this season had nothing to do with their defense, but they are currently ranked 18th in points allowed with 22.8, and 23rd in rushing yards allowed with 124.0.  Holy shit!  This is from a team that a lot of people took to win the Super Bowl this year?  Come on!

But the biggest surprise of all, even though to some it really isn't at all, are the Colts.  What a difference one guy makes.  Peyton Manning hasn't played a single game yet this season.  The Colts haven't won a single game yet either.  See a correlation there somewhere?  Last year the Colts averaged 27.2 PPG - good for 4th in the NFL.  So far this season: 14.2 - nearly last in the NFL.  I don't care how good your defense is; it's pretty hard to give up less than two scores a game, every game.  The only hope is to outscore the opponent.  The Colts aren't going to do that this season.  Not by a long long shot.  They are likely to not win a single game this year.

So with all the twists and turns, obvious and no-so obvious, and divine interventions that has influenced this current season, it wouldn't be a far cry to predict a Patriots and Giants Superbowl.  Hell, if that is the case I have no complaints!