By Bob Bonett
AFC EAST
New York Jets (5-3)
As out of sync as Brett Favre and the offense may still be, the defense is rockin’ and rollin’. Kris Jenkins is a surefire Pro Bowler, and his big body at nose tackle has single-handedly thwarted the running attack of every Gang Green opponent this year. Darrelle Revis continues to make late-game interceptions, and is starting to develop into a real game-breaker, similar to what Kerry Rhodes brought to the table two years ago. The linebacking corps has been great, too, with guys like David Bowens stepping up and making an impact.
On offense, though, New York is still in a bit of a fog. Leon Washington is clearly the best playmaker on the team, but is for some reason still playing second fiddle to Thomas Jones. Meanwhile, Favre continues to look lost along with his receivers. While the defense can carry the team against average opponents, some sort of offensive presence is needed against contenders.
Next up for New York is a home game against St. Louis, before a brutal stretch against the Pats, Titans and Broncos. Be wary of a trap game at the Meadowlands on Sunday.
New England Patriots (5-3)
Are the Patriots molding into the AFC’s version of the Cowboys? Injury after injury continues to plague New England, leaving Kevin Faulk and Matt Cassel to run the show – not exactly Foxboro’s version of Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook.
For the remainder of the year, New England will succeed or fall on the backs of their defense. It has become clear, however, in the last two weeks – a scary seven-point win over the Rams, and a loss to the Colts in primetime – that opposing defenses have figured out the Pats. That being said, don’t be surprised if the “Evil Genius” has some tricks up his sleeve.
New England next hits a three-game divisional stretch, starting with back-to-back home games against the Bills and Jets. Looks like come Week 12, this division may finally be taking shape.
Miami Dolphins (4-4)
The Wildcat offense, finally, was figured out. So who did the ‘Phins turn to? Reliable ole’ Chad Pennington. Shockingly enough, putting the weight of the season on the former Jets’ tender right shoulder has actually worked.
Penny managed to throw for 595 combined yards in back-to-back wins over the Bills and Broncos to even Miami up at 4-4. He’s avoided mistakes – just one interception in the past two games – and has done a great job helping the Dolphins control the game clock with his sky-high 67.4 completion percentage this year.
Seattle and Oakland both head to Pro Player in the next two weeks. Can you say “6-4”?
Buffalo Bills (5-3)
Granted, a Marshawn Lynch bellyache didn’t help, but Buffalo was not on the same level as the Jets last Sunday, showing that QB Trent Edwards cannot be relied upon without a viable running attack.
The Bills have a myriad of problems, starting with a flawed offensive line. Football games are won and lost in the trenches (just look at the Giants). Until the front five are shored up, Edwards will continue to be flustered in the pocket, meaning the team’s top playmaker, WR Lee Evans, is neutralized, as was the case against the Jets.
Buffalo’s remaining schedule isn’t too bad. Outside of the four divisional games, they have Cleveland, Kansas City, San Francisco and Denver. Translation: despite recent tough times, don’t count out head coach Dick Jauron and Co.
NFC EAST
New York Giants (7-1)
That Dallas game was a thriller, wasn’t it? Just over a month ago, the November 2nd contest between Big D and Big Blue was looked at as the battle for NFC laurels; it turned into a showcase for Justin Tuck and the Giants defense, and an embarrassment of epic proportions for Wade Phillips and the ‘Boys.
Eli Manning and Plaxico Burress clearly still have a long ways to go on the chemistry page. And as deadly as Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw may be out of the backfield, if the opposition packs the box, offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride will be forced to order up the pass. New York won the Super Bowl last year on the backs of heroic performances by the QB-to-WR combo. No doubt the G-Men are looking to rekindle that hookup.
New York heads to Philly this weekend. Don’t be overconfident, Giant fans. D-Mac and B-West look poised to pull off an upset
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Philadelphia Eagles (5-3)
Philly has turned it around. Donovan McNabb has a chip on his shoulder, fueling him to let loose on the ‘Niners, Falcons and ‘Hawks the past three games.
Even better for McNabb and the offense? Westbrook is operating at 100 percent heading into his game against the Giants – a team he has averaged almost 150 all-purpose yards in their last three meetings.
The oddsmakers will have the Iggles as underdogs for Sunday night’s game. But at Lincoln Financial Field? No way; I’m picking Philly
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Washington Redskins (6-3)
Yes, head coach Jim Zorn has been great, but has he been riding the coattails of Clinton Portis a little too much? After Monday Night, that looks to be the case. As good as Jason Campbell has looked as Portis’ sidekick, he still can’t carry the team on his own in the crunch. What’s this mean? Top defenses like the Steelers will put seven men up front, and force the Washington offense to the air – a strategy that equaled all of six points in last week’s drubbing.
Washington has a week off to mull things over before taking on the Cowboys and, probably, Tony Romo. If they win convincingly, Washington is right back in the the thick of things. But loss number three in five games? Time for owner Daniel Snyder to hit the panic button.
Dallas Cowboys (5-4)
At this point, all you can do if you are Dallas is get out the Men in Black memory eraser and zap the entire state of Texas. As much as Tony Romo has gotten heat over his career for being overrated, Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger managed to move the Cowboys from number one contender to NFC East punching bag.
A Bye Week will surely bring another seven days of whining from owner Jerry Jones, but it will also allow Romo and the team to watch some film and, more importantly, heal.
Washington will be next up on the schedule for Dallas; a must-win game for the Cowboys. It may take an 11-5 record to take home a Wild Card berth in the NFC, and I doubt the ‘Boys will want to face the Steelers, Giants and Eagles in elimination games down the road.