NFL Preview

Five teams are prohibitive favorites to win their divisions as the NFL season is just past the halfway point. It is possible things will go back and perhaps forth but I can make a pretty good case for naming ten of the twelve playoff teams. However, one good thing about the NFL is that just when one assumes–remember the configuration of assume–ass u me, warning that often when one assumes, one makes an ass of you and me–something, other than what one assumed often manifests.

The defending champion New York Giants, despite a home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in their most recent game are five to one favorites to win a second straight NFC East crown. The Atlanta Falcons still unbeaten after eight games are overwhelming favorites to win the NFC South. The San Francisco 49ers are also overwhelming favorites to win a second straight NFC West crown.

There are two prohibitive favorites for divisional titles in the AFC. The Houston Texans in the AFC South and New England Patriots in the AFC East are in that category. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos are also big favorites in the AFC West though their lead is roughly a game over the San Diego Chargers. However, I say “roughly” a game because the Broncos overcame a (24-0) deficit to win in San Diego on a Monday night and at this point, have the tiebreaker advantage.

Both North Divisions are considered virtual toss-ups. Though the Chicago Bears have a one and a half game lead over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North, they are only slight favorites to win that division.The Packers beat the Bears in week two at Green Bay. Meanwhile the Baltimore Ravens, with a one game lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers, are also only slight favorites to capture a second straight AFC North crown. The two teams will meet twice within two weeks, the first a Sunday night tilt in Pittsburgh on November 18th.