NFL Showcases Parity at Season's Midpoint
Upstart Division Leaders, Close Wild Card Races Highlight First Half
Nov 9, 2008 Kevin D. Koeninger
In recent years, most playoff races in the NFL were all but decided at the midway point of the season. This year, however, a combination of injuries and inspired play from some unexpected teams has produced one of the more balanced leagues in recent memory.
Titanic Effort in Tennessee
For an organization whose best start to a season before 2008 was 3-0, the Tennessee Titans improbable 8-0 was entirely unexpected, even by those within the franchise. With starting quarterback Vince Young sidelined with injuries and supposed mental instability, veteran Kerry Collins has guided the team to an unbeaten record and sizeable lead in the AFC South.
The young running back tandem of Chris Johnson and Lendale White has provided a substantial one-two punch for the Titans, with each rushing for over four hundred yards and at least five touchdowns so fat this year. Tennessee's defense is ranked near the top in all major categories, and has been the main driving force in the Titans' dream start.
Injuries Aplenty
Injuries are inescapable in sports, but even more so in the very physical sport of football. Coping with the bumps and bruises that occur throughout the season is often an indicator of a team's true grit and determination. The 2008 NFL season has seen its share of injuries, the most publicized of which was the torn ACL of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
Brady's knee was injured in the first quarter of the first game of the season, and even though backup Matt Cassel has proved to be reliable, the Patriots understandably struggled offensively. New England is in the thick of the AFC East playoff race, but Bill Belichek's dominance of the league appears to be over, at least temporarily.
A nagging elbow problem for Cincinnati QB Carson Palmer has been another talking point this year, as the Bengals have struggled mightily in his absence, posting a 1-8 record thus far.
Least Valuable Team Awards
While a few teams are always expected to be the bottom feeders of the NFL, this season has seen several high profile teams post results vastly under expectations. The Indianapolis Colts are near the top of this list, having limped into the midway point with a 4-4 record. Injuries on the defensive side have certainly hampered the Colts, but a struggling offense means that Indy will be fighting for its wild card life in the second half.
The San Diego Chargers entered the 2008 season with arguably the NFL's best running back in LaDanian Tomlinson and high hopes of returning to the playoffs and perhaps even capturing the Super Bowl. Needless to say, with LT posting just over five hundred yards rushing and only four rushing touchdowns to go along with a 3-5 record, the Chargers are sorely disappointed. Nevertheless, a weak division and eight remaining games give San Diego fans reason to hope.
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