The 2010 season has been great, as always, with surprises and disappointments across the board.

What we are going to do here, is take a look at the dubious teams that some people are either falling in love with too quick, or the teams that deserve a bit more love than they may be receiving. Who are the posers, the frauds and who are the closers, the ones who can seal the deal?

We generally feel the big dogs, the powerful Pats, the Steelers and Roethlisberger; the Hotlanta Falcons are all unwavering. No, no, let’s look into the teams that are on the brink, the teams that may not be believed as challengers for the Super Bowl, who can be seen as serious playoff contenders.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have beaten a few good teams on the season, including the Giants and the Chiefs, demolished by injuries all season long, losing Joseph Addai, Dallas Clark, and Bob Sanders, all vital players. The 7 year string of 12 or more wins is officially over when they dropped loss number 5 to San Diego recently. But where do they stand? Strength of the team is Manning, who can still put up sick numbers. With Manning leading them, anything is doable. But, they can’t defend the run very well. Giving up 120+ rushing yards 6 times in 2010. This can be bad for any team, even Manning’s.

VERDICT – Poser

Jacksonville Jaguars

They have surprised many in the AFC South, by hanging around as long as they have. Many tend to forget they have at one point been a power team back in the late 90’s. Since Garrard took over they have only made the playoffs once. Maurice Jones-Drew has not been scoring the ball like we are accustomed to, with only 4 TDs. And Garrard is passing the ball more, especially recently, trying to get more room for MJD. They don’t defend well.

VERDICT – Poser

Kansas City Chiefs

The mighty Chiefs, who saw this coming? After going 4-12 in 2009, the Chiefs were looking to make a few moves forward, signing Thomas Jones in the offseason to help out the running game, only made this team that more dangerous on the ground. Remarkable RB Jamaal Charles is as fast as they come, and can make big plays at any given moment. They rush for 174/game, and they can stop the run as well, and have awareness of the ball, they don’t turn it over.

VERDICT – Closer

Chicago Bears

The Bears, scoring only 20/gm, being led by their defense, only 3 times have they given up 20 or more pts in a game. With no receiving threat, stand at the top of the NFC North with an 8-3 record. They have a strong defensive line, with 23 sacks as a team, but they still tend to give them up as well occasionally, Cutler has been sacked 37 times so far in 2010, which can cost them greatly. Lovie Smith knows how to get the most from his guys, with this team, he is doing just that.

VERDICT – Closer

Tampa Buccaneers

Raheem Morris’s Bucs have been winning games after game. Only problem is, they have beaten up the Browns, the Panthers and the Cardinals. Their 4 losses have come to the Steelers, the Saints, the Falcons and the Ravens. All teams with winning records. They teams they have beaten have a combined winning pct of .287. I am a firm believer in the “You are what your record says you are” motto, in the NFL. And the Bucs are a good team, they don’t turn the ball over, and they do cause them, which is great, although, if you can pass the ball well, they can be beaten.

VERDICT - Poser
 

Click here to view all of Mike Anthony's premium picks.

Social Bookmarking