| We've
passed the halfway mark in the NFL and many
divisions, with the exception of the Colts,
are in tight races for the finish. Here's
a look at some NFL teams that may have struggled
in the first half of the season, but might
be ready to make a better second half run.
NFL Season Predictions - Lions: Stop the presses,
Detroit scored 29 points! The Lions' victory
over the Cardinals Sunday gave them some confidence.
More importantly, they're getting healthy.
The defense returned some key personnel up
front, while WRs Roy Williams returned and
caught 7 passes for 117 yards. The Lions aren't
Super Bowl timber, but who is in the NFC?
After all, Detroit plays in a weak division
and could make a second half surge. Games
against Minnesota, Green Bay and New Orleans
will help.
NFL Season Predictions - Rams: Another team
that catches a break by getting healthy. Getting
QB Marc Bulger and WR Isaac Bruce back is
a big plus, and St. Louis has that great home
field edge. Their poor run defense is a problem,
but the schedule is kind, with games against
Cardinals, Texans, Vikings and 49ers coming
up.
NFL Season Predictions - Patriots: New England
had the toughest schedule in the NFL through
the first eight games, and now faces the second
easiest second half schedule. On Sunday, the
Pats had a big win at Miami. DE Richard Seymour
returned, which makes the defensive line much
better, and the play of CB Ellis Hobbs was
very good, bringing some help to what has
been a horrendous secondary since S Rodney
Harrison was lost for the year. They are very
likely to go on a strong second-half run and
easily win the weak AFC East. Once in the
playoffs, anything can happen. And they still
have QB Tom Brady, Adam Vinateri and Bill
Belichick.
NFL Season Predictions - Chargers: Everything
went right for this talented young team in
2004, and all the breaks seem to be going
against them this year. Games against Buffalo,
Miami and Oakland -- all at home -- are easy
ones. The schedule is still very challenging,
with games at Washington, Indy and Kansas
City, before a home finale with Denver. This
team certainly has the talent to get hot,
but they've blown too many games, making their
margin for slip-ups razor thin if they want
a return trip to the playoffs.
NFL Season Predictions - Cowboys: Dallas takes
on Philly Monday night, a game to which the
Cowboys enter with a 5-3 record. When you
realize they lost by 6 at Oakland and had
two stunning last-second collapses to the
Redskins and Seahawks, this team could very
easily be 7-1 or even 8-0 with a few breaks.
Note that Dallas is No. 5 in the NFL in total
defense!
NFL Season Predictions - Vikings: Sunday's
thrilling upset of the NY Giants might lead
to a memorable second-half surge by the Vikings
(and make Mike Tice Comeback Coach of the
Year). After all, veteran QB Brad Johnson
came out of nowhere to lead the Bucs to a
Super Bowl title just three seasons ago. OK,
that's all baloney. I'm just seeing if you're
awake. The Vikings are still a bad football
team that got outgained by the Giants 405-137!
They only won because of a defensive touchdown
and two kick returns for TDs. Did you see
Tice get flattened on the sidelines by a player
rolling into him? It won't be the last time
Tice gets sacked -- probably by management
when the season ends. That was just a wacky
win which happens from time to time in the
NFL. Minnesota will not be making a second
half surge. Good luck as always...Al McMordie.
Big Al McMordie is a documented member of
The Professional Handicappers League.
Read more of his articles and get his premium
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