First, the New York Giants are the most complete football team in the NFL and are currently the favorites to repeat as champions. The team has been only marginally affected by the loss of Osi Umeniyora, as Justin Tuck has emerged as a superstar on the Giants’ defensive line. On the offensive side of the ball, the three-headed monster at running back — comprised of Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahamad Bradshaw — has been impossible to defend. Although the Giants’ win at Pittsburgh two weeks ago was helped by a botched Steelers’ long snap, it still stood as a road victory. In the standings, it does not matter how they won the game; the fact is, they are winners and will continue to win football games.
The Giants proved their standing as the best team in football the following week, convincingly beating division-rival Dallas, 35-14. To further cement themselves atop the division, the Giants took out the Philadelphia Eagles in a sloppy game on Sunday night, 36-31.
The fact that the two leading MVP candidates at the midpoint of the NFL season are Kerry Collins and Kurt Warner is simply remarkable. To be honest, I thought Kurt Warner’s career was finished after he left St. Louis in 2001. At best, I expected to see him coming into games only after a devastating knee injury sidelined the starting quarterback. However, when Matt Leinart failed to make any sort of impact as a starter in Arizona, Kurt Warner established himself as a legitimate MVP contender. With 16 touchdowns and only six interceptions, Warner has made use of his elite receivers and made the Cardinals the clear-cut favorite to win the NFC West. (Then again, it probably wouldn’t have made any difference who the quarterback for Arizona was, since St. Louis, San Francisco and Seattle are laughable football teams.)
Kerry Collins similarly came out of nowhere to lead the Titans to a perfect 8-0 record. Once again, when Collins left the Giants after the 2003 season, I was convinced that he would never have another chance in the NFL and that his retirement papers would be filed shortly. Collins has done more than simply fill in for the troubled Vince Young — he has been able to manage the offense in a way that allows the running game to be heavily involved. Rookie Chris Johnson is moving in on 1,000 yards rushing and has already gained 715 yards with a 4.9 yard average. If nothing else, Collins has put the Titans in a position to win every game they’ve played — something many quarterbacks in the NFL are unable to do. He has not put up flashy numbers like Warner, but he has limited turnovers and used his knowledge as a veteran to put the Titans in the position they are now in.
I will also say that I am entirely unimpressed by Brett Favre’s performance as quarterback of the Jets. He has not been in any way the savior that New York fans had hoped he was. I have watched a number of Jets games, and I have watched him throw innumerable terrible passes that no green jersey had a chance to catch. Instead of conceding a sack or throwing an incomplete pass, Favre often chooses the highly-inconsistent off-balance heave that wobbles into the hands of a defensive back.
However, the fact that the Patriots and the Jets have the same record (5-3) should be very encouraging for Jet fans. I am very excited to see a late season battle between the Cassel-led Patriots and the New York Bretts as we head into December.
Lastly, the Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions may actually never be good again. Oakland is really managed by owner Al Davis, who is no longer considered an expert on football. He does not understand the dynamics of running a football team in the 21st century.
It does not look like highly-coveted, first-overall draft selection JaMarcus Russell is going to be the player Davis expected. Since there is little stability at the head coaching position after Lane Kiffin was run out of town, you have to feel for Darren McFadden, a stud playing for a hapless franchise.
I also cannot see the Detroit Lions winning a single game this year. The team’s new starting quarterback, Daunte Culpepper, has been out of football for quite some time and is even further removed from being an impact player. Although the Lions have one of the best wideouts in the NFL in Calvin Johnson, Culpepper’s inconsistent play will certainly limit Johnson’s ability to perform. There has been trouble in the front office over the last 10 years, and it looks like the Matt Millen firing won’t make much of a difference in the team’s performance in the near future. Essentially, other than the play of Calvin Johnson, there are very few positive things I have to say about the Detroit Lions and their prospects in the near future.
The remainder of the NFL season is likely to bring just as many surprises as the first half. It is certain, however, that the Giants will be in contention for another Super Bowl, Kerry Collins and Kurt Warner will be around in the MVP race, and the Lions and Raiders will still be terrible.