Top Ten NFL Teams

This season has definitely had its share of surprises halfway through, so where do some of the top teams in the NFL rank? My ranking may come as a shock to some people.

10. Detroit Lions (5-3)

With Detroit tied with the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers in the NFC North, I give Detroit the edge to pull through. Out of the three teams, Detroit is the more physical team, especially on defense led by defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Offensively we know that wide receiver Calvin Johnson and quarterback Matt Stafford are one of the top duo?s in the NFL, especially now with running back Reggie Bush in the mix. Bush takes some of the attention off Johnson when he starts to get double covered, which makes Bush a perfect fit for this offense moving forward.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (6-3)

Speaking of top NFL duos, AJ Green and Andy Dalton are making a strong case for that as well. Even though Dalton did have a horrifying performance on Halloween night against the Miami Dolphins, he continues to improve as a passer, especially with his deep throws. With the emergence of rookie running back Giovani Benard and rookie tight end Tyler Eifert, the Bengals offense is loaded with weapons for Andy to fire. Defensively, the Bengals are one of the best in the league of forcing turnovers but are now faced with a?big question mark when it comes to replacing defensive tackle Geno Atkins. The Bengals find themselves in a weird spot, on top of the AFC North. What is even weirder is who is in second–The Browns. With Pittsburgh and Baltimore struggling, Cincinnati has a chance to pull away the rest of the year.

8. Carolina Panthers (5-3)

Superman is back. Quarterback Cam Newton is back to fighting crime and stopping the bad guys. Ok that was a little dramatic I know, but after starting off 1-3, the Panthers have won four straight and don?t look to be slowing down. Cam Newton has been careful with the football this season and will run if the passing lane?isn?t there for him to throw. The Panthers defense has even emerged to Superman?s aid. During the four gaming winning streak, the most points they have allowed in a game is 15. If the Panthers defense can continue to play the way they do, Superman and the rest of his team will be fighting crime in the playoffs.

7. New Orleans (6-2)

It truly is amazing how the presence of a coach can change a team. Last year with head coach Sean Payton suspended for the season, the Saints finished with a record of 7-9. This year, they already have six wins and are looking better than before thanks to a defense led by new coordinator Rob Ryan.? Quarterback Drew Brees and tight end Jimmy Graham are clicking on all cylinders halfway through. According to NFL Live, Graham leads the NFL in touchdown receptions as he is such a mismatch for linebackers and safeties to cover down the field. Payton?s return is the biggest reason why the Saints will most likely end up winning the NFC South this year, but they do have a tough challenge to hold off up-and-coming Carolina.

6. New England Patriots (6-2)

This was a toss-up to me between the Patriots and 49ers, but I?m giving the slight edge to the 49ers. Tom Brady is still one of the best quarterbacks in the game and had his best game of the season so far against the Steelers. The reason why I put them behind San Francisco is because of Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski. The two of them seem to have a hard time staying healthy and when the both of them are in the lineup, it can be a scary combination to try and cover, especially with the rookie receivers getting better as the season progresses. So if Danny and Gronk can stay healthy, they could pass San Francisco, but for now they sit at number six.

5. San Francisco 49ers (6-2)

The 49ers look to get back to the Super Bowl after they lost by three last year to the Baltimore Ravens. With receiver Michael Crabtree being medically cleared to practice, he should be back in the lineup soon to help a receiving core that has been the weakness of the 49ers offense. Crabtree?s return should give the offense a boost that could lead to more production in the passing game. When it comes to the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks will win that and the 49ers will clinch a wild card spot, most likely as the fifth seed.

4. Seattle Seahawks (7-1)

What I saw?from the Seahawks who hosted the 0-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past Sunday was a little shocking to most people. I saw a Seattle team that could be beat at home. Now Russell Wilson has yet to lose at home in his career, but he barely avoided loss number one against a Tampa Bay team that has absolutely nothing to lose. The Seahawks offense doesn?t travel the greatest either when it comes to playing on the road, but I would still take them over a good amount of teams. The defense is still top notch in the NFL, but they were exposed against the Buccaneers in the first half, but that could just be a one time thing.

3. Denver Broncos (7-1)

With head coach John Fox out for a few weeks after undergoing heart surgery, the Denver Broncos have named defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio their interim head coach. Jack has one job at this point: do not get involved with the offense. When you have Peyton Manning as your quarterback that has led an offense averaging 43 points per game, you do not do a thing to change it. The Broncos defensively though do have problems that need to be fixed and with a tough four game stretch coming up, they will be tested to see how much they can bend before they break.

2. Indianapolis Colts (6-2)

Before the season started, many of the analysts picked the Colts to fall after their 11-5?record they had a year ago. The Colts didn?t listen. Quarterback Andrew Luck has been more careful with the football throwing fewer interceptions as they have also continued to run the ball more. The reason why the Colts are ahead of the Broncos, Seahawks, and 49ers? They have beaten all three of them. Losing Reggie Wayne for the year will be hard to adjust to, but receiver T.Y. Hilton will do his best to get the job done.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0)

Now am I surprised that the Chiefs are a much better team than they were a year ago? Not at all, due to the fact that they had the most Pro Bowl players last year. But am I surprised they are 9-0? You better believe it. New head coach Andy Reid and new quarterback Alex Smith are the big reasons why they have been able to have the quick turnaround. But like I said, when it came to the Saints getting Sean Payton back, it is truly amazing how the presence of a coach with essentially the same group of guys can turn a team around. Even though not all of their wins have been the prettiest of wins, they are still undefeated and are the only team in the NFL that can say that. Their second half of their schedule, however, will be a true test to see how they fair the rest of the way but for now, the Chiefs are the head of the pack.