While we’re not quite at the halfway mark of the 2015 season, all of the undefeated teams have now had their bye weeks, so each week will reveal more and more about which teams have simply had a nice start, and which teams are for real. I believe all of the teams listed below will make the playoffs and win their respective divisions. While that’s not a bold proclamation, they still have nine games left to play. In a league like the NFL that allows such a small margin of error to begin with, there’s plenty of time for that prediction to be proven wrong. The Patriots will host a suddenly surging and confident Miami team, the Packers and Broncos will play what might be the game of the year, Cincinnati has a chance to put a stranglehold on the AFC North, and the Panthers could become the top seed in the NFC playoff race. Week 8 is here.
1. New England Patriots (6-0)
Next game: vs. Miami Dolphins (3-3)
The Patriots have only been outscored in five of the 28 quarters they’ve played this year. They’ve only failed to score in a quarter once (Week 1, first quarter, versus the Steelers). But on Sunday, for the first time this season, New England entered the fourth quarter as the trailing team. As expected, the Jets played the Patriots tough and did everything they could to win. They even held the Patriots to a measly 16 yards rushing–New England’s lowest output in its last 174 regular season games. Yet, for some reason, with 1:13 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Jets left Rob Gronkowski wide open for what would be a 15-yard game-winning touchdown reception. As always, it seems, the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC will go through Foxboro.
2. Green Bay Packers (6-0)
Next game: at Denver (6-0)
On a general level, the NFL is exciting television. You can pretty much watch any game and find some source of excitement. Rarely, though, will you watch a game and see more than exciting plays; you’ll know you’re watching greatness. When the Green Bay offense is on the field against Denver’s top-ranked defense, you’ll be watching greatness. Practically every match-up could be singled out and if that match-up were the only one talked about by the commentary team, you’d be thoroughly entertained. Von Miller pursuing Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy going 1-on-1 in the hole with Brandon Marshall (or Danny Trevathan), Randall Cobb versus Aqib Talib, Richard Rodgers in the red zone against T.J. Ward, etc. There are so many high-level players from both teams in this game, that it certainly could be the game of the year.
3. Denver Broncos (6-0)
Next game: vs. Green Bay (6-0)
Green Bay will head to Denver Sunday night for what will be their biggest test thus far. The Broncos are 2-0 at home this year, but have won by a total of nine points. You won’t hear me apologize on a team’s behalf for winning, but I will say in this instance, the Packers aren’t a team you can let hang around. If given the opportunity, Peyton Manning and Co. will need to run up the score this week. By the numbers, they should have the opportunity to do so, as the Packers are ranked 14th overall defensively. The Packers are averaging close to four sacks per game, so that screen game the Broncos like to run must be effective. Otherwise, if Manning has to hold onto the ball for more than a couple of seconds, he figures to be sacked multiple times.
Five of Denver’s six wins have come against teams currently ranked 20th or lower in overall defense. Minnesota (now at No. 7), was the exception. This game is an opportunity for the Broncos’ offense to make a statement in prime time against a defense that, while not elite as a whole, has top-level players.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (6-0)
Next game: at Pittsburgh (4-3)
Considering the potential for a Broncos loss this week, the Bengals have a tremendous opportunity to cement themselves as a contender for Super Bowl 50 with a win at Pittsburgh. If they beat the Steelers on Sunday, the Bengals will have a three-game lead in the division with nine games to play. With a Broncos loss, the Bengals would also have the inside track on a first-round bye. Cincinnati should win this game for three reasons:
- They just had their bye week, and Pittsburgh just lost a tough game at Kansas City
- Their strength (ranked 5th in pass offense) is Pittsburgh’s weakness (ranked 27th in pass defense)
- They might not even have to defend Ben Roethlisberger.
Even if Roethlisberger does suit up, he won’t have seen game action in over a month.
5. Carolina Panthers (6-0)
Next game: vs. Indianapolis (3-4)
What started as a rout last Sunday night against the Eagles quickly turned into a competitive contest. At home, the Panthers turned the ball over three times and was 2-for-9 on third downs, but held off the Eagles for a 27-16 victory. Giving that many chances to an offense like Philadelphia’s isn’t usually a recipe for success. However, Carolina’s defense put the clamps on Sam Bradford, allowing him a meager 211 total yards on 49 touches (4.3 yard average).
Carolina has 10 more games on their regular season schedule against nine different opponents (they play Atlanta twice). Of those nine opponents, six have a losing record. They do have to play three games against teams currently with six wins each, but two of those games are at home (Week 9 versus Green Bay, Week 14 versus).
Don’t rule out the Panthers being the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Game of the week
Green Bay Packers (6-0) at Denver Broncos (6-0)
Sunday, November 1, 8:30 P.M. ET on NBC
Vegas line: Green Bay -3
Over/under: 45.5
Forecast: Clear skies, 41 degrees, 0% chance of rain, wind SSW at 8 mph
