{"id":719,"date":"2006-11-08T09:28:00","date_gmt":"2006-11-08T14:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jetnation.com\/?p=719"},"modified":"2006-11-08T09:28:00","modified_gmt":"2006-11-08T14:28:00","slug":"jetnation-2006-halfway-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/2006\/11\/08\/jetnation-2006-halfway-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Jetnation 2006 Halfway Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Nick Ferraro<\/strong><\/p>\n

NFC Contenders<\/strong>
\n1.\u00c2\u00a0Chicago Bears<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the Bears have been dominant until last Sunday.\u00c2\u00a0 There have been doubts all along that they were as good as they seemed to be.\u00c2\u00a0 The Giant game will tell us all we need \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0to know.
\n2.\u00c2\u00a0New York Giants<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the Giants may be the best team in the NFC.\u00c2\u00a0 They have a chance to prove it Sunday in their own backyard.\u00c2\u00a0 There will be no excuses.
\n3.\u00c2\u00a0New Orleans Saints<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Everyone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s second favorite team has a puncher\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chance come January.
\n4.\u00c2\u00a0Seattle Seahawks<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c If they can keep themselves above water until Alexander and Hasselbeck return, nobody will want to play them in the playoffs.
\n5.\u00c2\u00a0Carolina Panthers<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c The Panthers are as talented as any team in the conference, but they seemingly refuse to play well enough to prove it.<\/p>\n

In the Mix<\/strong>
\n6.\u00c2\u00a0Atlanta Falcons<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c The Falcons can beat anyone or lose to anyone on any given Sunday.
\n7.\u00c2\u00a0Philadelphia Eagles<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c The inconsistent Eagles are inventing new ways to lose.\u00c2\u00a0 They need to find a way to run the ball when the defense knows it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s coming to win in January.
\n8.\u00c2\u00a0Dallas Cowboys<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c If the Cowboys get stuck watching the playoffs, does Parcells get to come back?
\n9.\u00c2\u00a0St. Louis Rams<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c The Rams play at Seattle and at Carolina to open the second half.\u00c2\u00a0 They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll either set themselves up as a solid contender or an also-ran in two weeks time.<\/p>\n

Done
\n10.\u00c2\u00a0Minnesota Vikings<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c only three points against the 49ers???
\n11.\u00c2\u00a0Washington Redskins<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c why are the Skins so bad?\u00c2\u00a0 I refuse to believe it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s coaching.
\n12.\u00c2\u00a0Green Bay Packers<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the Pack has played better than expected, but they are still missing too many pieces.
\n13.\u00c2\u00a0Detroit Lions<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c they seem to have things back on track, but they are still way out of the picture
\n14.\u00c2\u00a0Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been a long fall after a solid 2005
\n15.\u00c2\u00a0San Francisco 49ers<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c another early pick
\n16.\u00c2\u00a0Arizona Cardinals<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c how many good players will it take to be competitive?
\nAFC Contenders<\/strong>
\n1.\u00c2\u00a0Indianapolis Colts<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Again they are on top in the regular season, but nothing matters for them or for Manning until January.
\n2.\u00c2\u00a0Denver Broncos<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Denver may be the league\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s second best team, but why should anyone believe they can win against Indy in January?
\n3.\u00c2\u00a0San Diego Chargers<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Tomlinson is the best all-around back in the league, and Rivers is quieting the critics, but can he deliver in the big games?
\n4.\u00c2\u00a0Baltimore Ravens<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the defense will be there, but what they can get out of McNair and the offense in a big spot?<\/p>\n

In the Mix<\/strong>
\n5.\u00c2\u00a0New England Patriots<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll win the AFC East by default, but the league\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most overrated team has lost both games they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve played against teams over .500.
\n6.\u00c2\u00a0Kansas City Chiefs<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c The Chiefs can be a factor as long as the offensive line holds up
\n7.\u00c2\u00a0Jacksonville Jaguars<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c a favorite for a wildcard spot, but their playoff run will be short\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6again.
\n8.\u00c2\u00a0New York Jets<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the schedule and low expectations set them up to sneak into the picture.\u00c2\u00a0 They will need to win every game they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re expected to plus one that they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not in order to pull it \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0off.<\/p>\n

Done
\n9.\u00c2\u00a0Cincinnati Bengals<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c one of the year\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s biggest disappointments, the Bengals are complete pretenders
\n10.\u00c2\u00a0Pittsburgh Steelers<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c their season ended Sunday against Denver, but you would rather not play them when you need the win
\n11.\u00c2\u00a0Miami Dolphins<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Saban may get the underachieving Dolphins to enjoy ruining other people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s seasons
\n12.\u00c2\u00a0Buffalo Bills<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c not a lot to like about the Bills
\n13.\u00c2\u00a0Houston Texans<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the Texans will be interesting\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6in 2007
\n14.\u00c2\u00a0Cleveland Browns<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the preseason injuries to the OL doomed the Browns.\u00c2\u00a0
\n15.\u00c2\u00a0Tennessee Titans<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have a chance to draft early to fill their many holes
\n16.\u00c2\u00a0Oakland Raiders<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just painful to watch<\/p>\n

Halfway Awards<\/strong><\/p>\n

MVP
\n1.\u00c2\u00a0Peyton Manning<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Manning is as good as there has ever been in the league, but he will not get his due until he finds a way in the playoffs
\n2.\u00c2\u00a0Tiki Barber<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c in his last season, Barber leads the league in rushing
\n3.\u00c2\u00a0LaDainian Tomlinson<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Tomlinson is the league\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most complete back and a TD threat on every play
\n4.\u00c2\u00a0Tom Brady<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Brady continues to post the numbers and the wins despite changes for the worse at wideout
\n5.\u00c2\u00a0Larry Johnson<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c LJ is the focus of the defense every week, but it doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t matter as he still manages to hang with the league leaders<\/p>\n

Worst Performance<\/strong>
\n1.\u00c2\u00a0Daunte Culpepper<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Culpepper was a big reason why some folks picked the Dolphins to unseat the Pats at the top of the AFC East
\n2.\u00c2\u00a0Jake Plummer<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Plummer was almost mistake-free last season.\u00c2\u00a0 He appears to have regressed with the pressure of Cutler waiting in the wings.
\n3.\u00c2\u00a0Terrell Owens<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Six TDs for the season with three coming in one game against the lowly Texans
\n4.\u00c2\u00a0Chad Johnson<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the Bengal\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s go-to wideout has just two TDs for the year and is on pace to post more than 500 fewer yards than last season
\n5.\u00c2\u00a0Ben Roethlisberger<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Big Ben has a 70.7 rating after bettering 98 in his first two years.<\/p>\n

Coach of the Year<\/strong>
\n1.\u00c2\u00a0Sean Payton<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Payton has built the Saints into a contender in the league\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s toughest division
\n2.\u00c2\u00a0Eric Mangini<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c The Jets are buoyed by a sweet schedule, but they have also been able to compete with the big boys like Indy and New England
\n3.\u00c2\u00a0Lovie Smith<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Yeah, I know \u00e2\u20ac\u201c you could coach the Bears, but there is nothing easy about motivating an elite team week in and week out to bury inferior opponents before the end of the \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0first quarter.
\n4.\u00c2\u00a0Mike McCarthy<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c nobody thought the Pack would be near .500.\u00c2\u00a0 McCarthy has managed to rejuvenate Favre as well.
\n5.\u00c2\u00a0Bill Belichick<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Another offseason of roster defections, but the Pats roll on to another division crown<\/p>\n

Worst Coaching Jobs<\/strong>
\n1.\u00c2\u00a0Dennis Green<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Green has talent on both sides of the ball, but Arizona continues to disappoint.\u00c2\u00a0 We weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t thinking Super Bowl, but 7-9 shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have been too much to ask.
\n2.\u00c2\u00a0John Fox<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c with one of the deepest rosters in the NFL, the Panthers continue to hover around .500
\n3.\u00c2\u00a0Art Shell<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Shell gets points for dealing with some of the league\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most difficult characters, but shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a hall-of-fame offensive lineman be able to improve the Raider\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s atrocious blocking?
\n4.\u00c2\u00a0Nick Saban<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c from coach of the year candidate to top five draft pick, Saban\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Fish are the league\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s biggest disappointment.
\n5.\u00c2\u00a0Bill Parcells<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s finally buying the groceries the make the dinner, so why does the meal taste so bad?<\/p>\n

Offensive Player of the Year:\u00c2\u00a0 Peyton Manning<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c if not for Manning, the Colts are an 8-8 team at best
\nDefensive Player of the Year:\u00c2\u00a0 Champ Bailey<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Bailey completely locks down one side of the field for Denver.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Nick Ferraro NFC Contenders 1.\u00c2\u00a0Chicago Bears \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the Bears have been dominant until last Sunday.\u00c2\u00a0 There have been doubts all along that they were as good as they seemed to be.\u00c2\u00a0 The Giant game will tell us all we need \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0to know. 2.\u00c2\u00a0New York Giants \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the Giants may be the best team in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6,33],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-719","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-featured-editorials","7":"category-nick-ferraro"},"acf":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/peLffi-bB","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/719","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=719"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/719\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}