By kroberts, Section NFL
Posted on Thu Oct 30 2008 at 1:25 AM EST
More on: 2008 NFL Power Rankings, Brett Favre, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Peyton Manning, Reggie Bush (all tags)
The three teams I'm most interested in?
No, not the Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, or even the undefeated Tennessee Titans.
Try the sloppy Cleveland Browns, the surging Houston Texans, and the surprising Miami Dolphins.
All three of these teams are still below .500, are inconsistent as can be, and quite possibly could be out of the playoff picture completely in three weeks.
However, their recent re-emergence into playoff relevance has me giddy with all the possibilities they bring to the table.
1. A quarterback controversy, combined with a coach on the hot seat, heading into a potential divisional opponent playoff match-up. If you haven't guessed, that would be the Cleveland Browns.
2. How about the Wildcat toting, trick-play dealing, Ted Ginn running Miami Dolphins? Come on, who out there wouldn't want to see Ricky Williams win a championship and take a drag while holding the Lombardi trophy? Yeah, me neither. But I feel for Chad Pennington.
3. Lastly, the Texans are so hot, I'm getting blisters, and I live in Wisconsin. The Schaub to Johnson connection is better than high-speed internet (sorry, roadrunner), and I simply cannot get enough of it. Oh, and Owen Daniels is becoming an elite tight end.
At the very worst, these three average teams have helped make this season fun to watch. And because of these three teams, I can't wait to see what else 2008 has in store for us. But there's 29 more teams to keep track of, whether we like it or not, so take a look:
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By kroberts, Section NFL
Posted on Tue Oct 07 2008 at 7:02 PM EST
More on: NFL Power Rankings, Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Reggie Bush (all tags)
The great Miami Dolphins are surging, people. They are taking us all by surprise and laughing in our faces. Not simply because they're winning games, but because they're doing it by playing unorthodox football.
And the worst part? The two teams from last season's AFC Championship couldn't stop them. So who does that speak louder for; those teams or the Mighty Dolphins?
I, much like you, am "all aboard" for a "who cares" train trip to week six. There are too many disappointing teams that are supposed to be contenders, that a team like this is a real treat. And quite honestly, they're one of the most exciting teams to watch.
They lost Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor, yet their defense is playing very well, and stuffing offenses that normally dominate teams. And we were dogging the Jets for barely beating this team?
The Fins' won't be in the top 5 anytime soon, but their tricky style of "Wildcat" offense has got us, and every NFL team that isn't undefeated, reeling. They've got us all thinking, "Could they really make the playoffs?". And while it's unlikely, especially with the Pats', Jets, and Bills standing in their own division, it is a definite possibility.
So, aside from reading my rankings and sly comments, I beg of you to do one thing: Keep watching. Because as I say each week, it's only going to get better.
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