Contenders Or Pretenders With Jason La Canfora
Scott Jeremy and Jason went around the NFL to give their thoughts on who are the Contenders and who are the Pretenders in the NFL. Obviously the guys started things off at home with the AFC North and Jason believes that the Ravens could make a deep run in the playoffs. "I do believe that there is still more to come with this team and again they survived this stretch with two kids at tackle. Against the Colts they were exposed they attacked the kids and you can't help the right tackle and the left tackle all the time."
In the AFC East it appears to be a one horse race with the New England Patriots sitting atop the division with a 5-2 record. Even after a big win in Chicago, Jason still has some serious doubts about the Dolphins putting a run together. "They win the division and I don't know if anyone else even sticks around. Miami, what they're doing defensively is pretty legit... But to me they're still kind of the Dolphins and I'm not putting them in the playoffs until they prove they can get to the playoffs."
In the AFC South the division race looks to be over with the Colts pulling away, but Jason says one team make it around .500. "I think Houston can get to 7 or 8 wins just because they haven't played the division much yet other than the Colts... So I still think the Texans can get around .500 if they take care of business against the Jags and the Titans and a couple of crappy teams they play in the NFC. But no one is even getting a whiff of a playoff spot in that division except the Colts. "
There are a bunch of teams in the mix for the AFC West crown including Peyton Manning' Broncos and Phillip Rivers' Chargers. Jason even suspects that a third team could make the playoffs from the AFC West. "Kansas City could catch San Diego, remember they just won at San Diego and stopped the Chargers 5 game winning streak. They finish week 17 against each otherand the Chargers literally have lost four centers and I think that catches up with you at some point."
With two one loss teams residing in the NFC East, Jason finds it hard to believe that the Cowboys can run away with the division partly because of the workload running back Demarco Murray is taking on for Dallas. "He's on pace for 430 something odd carries and that's unsustainable to me and it is asking for trouble... If they can keep the defense off the field they're good."
After a crushing loss at home to the Dolphins, the guys have counted out the Bears in regards to making a playoff push. Jason talks about who can pull away with the NFC North, the Packers or Lions.
The NFC South and NFC West are almost opposites of each other. In the South teams are struggling to make it .500, Scott and Jason expect the division to come down to the Panthers and Saints. "I wonder if that is truly 7-9, that could be the NFC South this year." In the West its a different story. With three teams making a playoff push, Jason gives his thoughts on if the defending Super Bowl champs can take the crown. "I still feel like that's (San Francisco) a pretty good football team that can make a run. "