We are officially at or passed the halfway point in the 2018 NFL season. Crazy how time flies, but here we are nonetheless. So far, all of the Super Bowl talk has been centered around the Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and New Orleans Saints. Rightfully so – I think this group makes up what is clearly the four best teams in football. But, it doesn’t feel unlike last season, when every week, I filled out “Pats vs. Eagles” as my Super Bowl prediction, and lo and behold, we got chalk. But, that said, I do think there are at least four dark horse Super Bowl contenders out there – two from each conference.
AFC
Houston Texans
The Texans are beginning to look like the team we thought they’d be a couple of years ago. It’s a team loaded with talent – I still maintain that DeAndre Hopkins is the best wide receiver in the NFL today. With the offensive line failing to protect Deshaun Watson, Bill O’Brien and company simply adjusted the game plan to incorporate a more secure style of play. What’s happened? Watson hasn’t thrown an interception in any of the last three games, after starting the season with a streak of six straight games with at least one interception. After he tossed five touchdown passes against the Miami Dolphins, it certainly looks like Watson is beginning to correct course in his sophomore season.
But, this Texans backfield is also playing well as of late. Lamar Miller has quietly become a top 10 rusher in the league. Miller has also gotten back on track in the last few games, going for 100 yards and 133 yards respectively before the Broncos held him to 21. They also traded for receiver Demaryius Thomas at the deadline to add a weapon to replace Will Fuller. Thomas had three catches for 61 yards yesterday. It’s a move that signals this team is in “win now” mode.
On defense, Zach Cunningham has become a tackling machine at linebacker on a unit that leads the entire NFL in tackles. J.J. Watt already has eight sacks on the season. And, the secondary has a trio of guys who have recorded a couple of interceptions each. As the offense sorts its issues out, the Texans have a top 10 defense that can carry them. Minus the big win over Miami, this team is playing in close games this season. Looking back, that 0-3 start doesn’t look quite as bad.
It certainly looks like the pieces are starting to come together after that slow start, and if this team executes to its talent level, it could become a force to be reckoned with in the AFC playoffs.
Los Angeles Chargers
Something about the Chargers just feels like a sleeping giant – this team is LOADED with talent. But, for some reason, the production has been middling at best. Wins over the 49ers, Browns, Raiders, and Bills aren’t going to inspire a whole lot of confidence in this team. Especially when you consider their only two losses on the season were by 10+ points to the Rams and Chiefs. Hell, this team’s best win is against the 3-4 Titans. It certainly looks like this is a slightly above average team that can’t hang with the elite right now. At least on the surface.
Melvin Gordon has been battling a hamstring issue. No Hunter Henry for the season. Keenan Allen hasn’t been the top 10 receiver we thought he would be. Yet, somehow, they’ve still managed to score the eighth most points per game in the NFL. They’re hanging around. Conditions and execution have been less than ideal to start the season, and the Chargers are still sitting there at 6-2. The defense isn’t really different – it’s talented, but the production has been mediocre at best.
The Chargers were initially my pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl (I don’t think anyone saw this type of success for the Chiefs – in fact, I’d go as far as to say I thought that the Chargers would actually be where the Chiefs are now). I think there’s still a slight chance that this team can turn it on late in the season and go on a deep run. They just need to wake up.
NFC
Carolina Panthers
Of all the teams listed in this article, the Panthers have the best shot at going on a run and upsetting the Rams or the Saints. Why? They play controlling football. It is insane to me how this team got to 6-2. Cam Newton is having a decent season, but it’s far from his MVP year. Christian McCaffrey has amassed 880 total yards. But, outside of those two, there aren’t a whole lot of big time play makers on this offense.
Could D.J. Moore eventually become that guy? Sure! Is Greg Olsen still one of the best tight ends in the league? Probably. But, Devin Funchess is this team’s leading receiver! Yet, somehow, eight different guys have caught touchdowns this season. That’s the reality of the here and now. Like I said, controlling football – they’re the second best rushing team in the league with a backfield that includes McCaffrey, C.J. Anderson, and the constant threat of Newton holding the ball and running it himself.
The heart and soul of the defense is tackling machine Luke Kuechly, who remains one of the best linebackers in the game. Mike Adams and Donte Jackson each have multiple interceptions on the season. Yet again, the Panthers have a top 10 defense to help play controlling football.
Ron Rivera is doing a hell of a job this season. That staff has this team winning football games by controlling the game, running the ball, playing sound defense, and distributing the ball on offense. Talk about balance…in terms of balance, the Panthers are up there with the elite in the NFL. Catch them on the right day in January, and they’re going to beat you.
Washington Redskins
How this team lost to the Indianapolis Colts is beyond me. How they can put together a string of quality wins, and then get absolutely slaughtered by the Saints and the Falcons….it’s weird! Nothing about this season so far should indicate that Washington should be trusted to go on a run to the NFC Championship.
The offense isn’t all that stellar. In fact, it ranks near the bottom of the NFL in some of the major statistical categories. Yet, Adrian Peterson is fifth in the NFL in rushing yards…in 2018. When healthy, I’m a big fan of Chris Thompson as a do-it-all threat on offense. But, this team is missing a “true number one” play maker at receiver. Jordan Reed is one of the best tight ends when healthy. Paul Richardson has been a nice addition. But, he’s not going to be that guy. I love Alex Smith, and consider him to be one of the most underrated quarterbacks in NFL history. But, the bottom line is that the Redskins are winning games with an offense that lacks explosion and mainly consists of old dudes and hurt dudes. It’s kind of amazing.
But, where this team sets itself apart from the rest of the NFL is its defense. The Redskins have a top five unit in terms of points allowed. They boast the 2nd best run defense in the league. D.J. Swearinger is leading the league in interceptions with four. They just added Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at the trade deadline. And, Jonathan Allen looks poised to become one of the best defensive tackles in the league. This is one of the most impressive units in the NFL, and as long as they stay healthy and execute, they’re going to keep Washington in games.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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