This has been a very strange year in the NFL. Injuries have skyrocketed, a very boring trade deadline, and a lot of parity that makes it hard to tell if a team is for real or not. Nevertheless, I am going to give it my best shot.
Honorable Mention
Bears: Pretender
I think most people were not on the Bears hype train to begin the season due to what seemed like a very underwhelming QB room–which has been true the entire season.. A true shame as their defense is very good. Yet, they started 5-1, but when you read between the lines it was evident this success wasn’t going to last.
Their average margin of victory is four points. Struggling to get by the Falcons, Giants, Lions, and Panthers. Teams who are combined 11-24. Somehow they beat Tampa Bay, but in every other game against teams with a winning record they have been thoroughly out-played. They still have a shot at the post-season, as Green Bay is the only team left on the schedule with a winning record. If they do squeak into the post-season don’t expect them to make any runs.
Contender or Pretender?
Cardinals: Contender
It won’t be easy for Arizona to make the playoffs given they have the 10th toughest remaining schedule, including games against Seattle, Buffalo, and the Rams twice. However, they have what it takes to make a run as they have their signature win against Seattle earlier in the season. Kyler Murray and company have scored 30 points in four straight games and they lead the league in offensive yards. Their defense is a bit overhyped, but they still can hold their own and are capable of making plays. If they miss the playoffs it would be a shame, but also a testament on how tough the NFC West is. On the other hand, if they do make the playoffs, you could have your Darkhorse for the NFC.
Seahawks: Pretender
The Seahawks defense is legitimately in the same territory as the 2019 Dolphins were in terms of yards, passing yards, and points allowed. This is pretty much a polar opposite of the Bears, where their QB is elite, but their defense is holding this team back. You don’t need to have the best defense in the world when Russell Wilson is your QB, but if they want to make a run at a Super Bowl, they need some kind of improvement on defense. However, I don’t see that happening so they are pretenders to me.
Dolphins: Contender
Miami’s win over Arizona was the kind of win that should get people’s attention. They have been slept on all year, especially on defense. Even on a day where they didn’t dominate the opposition, they managed to get a defensive score and put up a goose egg in the fourth when all the momentum was in Arizona’s favor. Tua looked how everyone thought he would look. Which was very good. Maybe they are not a Super Bowl contender yet, but they will be a tough out if they make the playoffs. With the Chargers, Broncos, Jets, and Bengals on the horizon, not only are the playoffs possible, but maybe even an AFC East division title.
Browns: Pretender
This one hurts to say. I love Baker Mayfield, but this team doesn’t like they are for real. Much like the Bears, they take care of the bad teams, but when they take on a team with playoff aspirations they get outplayed significantly. They still might make the playoffs as they are 5-3 with one of the easiest schedules remaining. However, given the up and down performances on both sides of the ball, they will be at a huge disadvantage against who they face in a potential playoff game.
Titans: Contender
For Titans, their defense plays just well enough to where I can say with confidence they are a contender. With that being said their defense is not good, but at times have shown they can hold their own. On offense, Ryan Tannehill has simply been amazing and with Derrick Henry not completely falling off from last years performance the Titans look primed to spoil someone’s season. If those two guys along with AJ Brown, Corey Davis, and Jonnu Smith continue to play well the Titans might be the biggest sleeper for a Super Bowl run.
Bucs: Pretender
Much like the Browns, this team is too up and down for my liking. They dominate the Packers and a couple of other teams. Then they drop an absolute stinker against the Bears. As well as nearly going to OT against the Giants, letting the Panthers hang around when that game should have been over at halftime and have been thoroughly out-played in both games against the Saints. They will probably make the playoffs and people will buy in because it’s Tom Brady. But much like last year, Tom Brady could be in position for another first round exit.