Grade: A-
Cleveland Browns
Well, well, well. In my AFC preview I saw the Browns on the upswing, but damn, that was fast. I love these guys because they have so perfectly illustrated the Fool's First Law: The offensive line is the most important part of your team. Getting Eric Steinbach in the offseason and drafting Joe Thomas has completely enabled their passing game.
The D needs a lot of work, especially the line, but Browns fans should feel very good right now.
Grade: B+
Baltimore Ravens
Another year, another great defense, another anemic offense. According to Football Outsiders, the Ravens had the easiest first half schedule, but they are sitting at 4-3 and are facing the toughest second half schedule. They're probably looking at a .500 season. They are not getting any younger. This is the end of the line for the current incarnation of the Ravens.
Grade: C+
Cincinnati Bengals
If you've been following football for the past couple of years, you knew this was going to happen. We've all been expecting this top to blow and it has. Ocho Sucko wants out. T.J. Whosyermama thinks his coach is a 'tard. As if to justify it, Marvin Lewis came out and said the playoffs are possible. The biggest problem is the D is in the toilet. The Jets scored 31 points on these guys two weeks ago. And in the most embarrassing play of the season, Chad Johnson lost his gold teeth on the field after a faceplant and Steeler linebacker Troy Polamalu picked them up and handed them back to him. There's no way he didn't snicker as he did it.
On the bright side, no Bengal of has been arrested since June. That's gotta count for something. The Bengals have winnable games left. If they can get their attitude right, they may possibly squeak out a .500 season.
Grade: D+
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are like Sammy Sosa to New England's Mark McGuire. If it wasn't for the Pats, we'd be debating whether the Colts were the best ever.
The issue with the Colts has always been defense. A full year of Bob Sanders is working wonders. Expect no let up from him either; he's a free agent after this year. Plus, they've upgraded at both corners this year. For the first time I think it's safe to have some confidence in the Colts D.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
"The running game is better than average, but QB Dan Quisenberry is struggling."
Too bad Quiz never had the option of running home instead of throwing it.
2 - themurph544
David,
I didn’t get a chance to say it last week, welcome back!
3 - RJ
"They've played far and away the toughest schedule so far, including 5 of 7 on the road"
I thought Denver had played 5 of 7 at home?
4 - david mazzotta
Damn, RJ, you're right.
According to DVOA, the set of teams they have played so far has been the toughest, but I got the home/away mix backward.
Apparently a healthy portion of my brain is still in the islands.
5 - david mazzotta
Woot! Another banner week versus the spread. And slightly on the plus side on the money line two.
I really understimated the Colts D. They performed magnificantly for about 3.5 quarters. But the last two drives, Brady had all the time in the world and Peyton got crushed.