NFL MIDSEASON REPORT
In 2008, nothing’s gone as expected
Brady’s injury threw AFC East wide open
A year ago, the Tennessee Titans had to struggle for wins. This season, they can’t seem to lose.
The New England Patriots were supposed to make another Super Bowl run, but they are just another contender after losing their best player.
The Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers were widely acknowledged as the two most talented teams and chic picks to reach Super Bowl XLIII. But if the season ended today, neither would even make the playoffs.
A Manning is playing at a Pro Bowl level, and it’s not Peyton.
Welcome to the 2008 NFL season where nothing has gone as expected. As we hand out our midseason awards, some of our choices might raise a few eyebrows as well.
Here’s a review of the first half of the NFL season: Biggest story
Patriots QB Tom Brady’s season- ending knee injury: When Brady’s knee crumpled under him in the opener, it created a seismic shift in the NFL’s balance of power. Without him, the Patriots have never been more vulnerable and the AFC has become wide open. The AFC East, which the Pats have owned during the Brady era, is now up for grabs with the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins all believing they have a legitimate shot to win the division. Midseason MVP
QB Drew Brees, New Orleans: OK, so the Saints are only 4-4. But Brees has single-handedly kept them in contention. With 2,563 passing yards, he’s on pace to break Dan Marino’s single-season record despite having his best receivers — WR Marques Colston, RB Reggie Bush and TE Jeremy Shockey — miss several games with injuries. Brees, who owns a 101.6 rating, has completed passes to 15 receivers and 15 TD throws to seven receivers.
Runner-up: RB Clinton Portis, Washington: The backbone of the Redskins’ offense leads the NFL in rushing (995 yards) and joined Jim Brown and O. J. Simpson as the only backs in league history to rush for 120-plus yards in five straight games. Offensive player of the first half
See above.
Defensive player of the first half
DT Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee: Proving his performance last season wasn’t an aberration, this one-time underachiever continues to be a dominant force against the run and a disruptive pass rusher with a team-high six sacks. He is the anchor of a defense that allows a league-low 12.9 points per game.
Runner-up: OLB Joey Porter, Miami: He looked like a free agent bust last year, but with a career-best and league-leading 11.5 sacks in eight games, he has been instrumental in the Dolphins’ resurgence. Top offensive rookie
QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta: Playing with a poise and maturity rookie quarterbacks aren’t supposed to have, Ryan has shown Falcons fans that there is life after Michael Vick.
Runner-up: RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee: The best of a talented rookie running back class, he is fourth in the NFL in rushing (715 yards) while providing the explosive speed and big-play ability the Titans’ offense needed. Top defensive rookie
ILB Jerod Mayo, New England: Rookies rarely find their way into Bill Belichick’s complicated defense. But Mayo, the 10th overall draft pick, has started from Day One and injected youth and playmaking talent into an aging linebacker corps.
Runner-up: SS Chris Horton, Washington: The 249th pick in the draft was named defensive rookie of the month in September. That qualifies as a steal. Coach of the first half
Jeff Fisher, Tennessee: This is not just because the Titans are the only unbeaten team and leading the AFC South by four games. Fisher had the guts to bench struggling young quarterback Vince Young and hand the job to backup Kerry Collins, who has efficiently guided an offense devoid of stars. Fisher has also built an unheralded defense that physically punishes opposing offenses.
Runner-up: Mike Smith, Atlanta: In his first year, he has the Falcons’ rebuilding effort way ahead of schedule. Comeback player
QB Jake Delhomme, Carolina: There were concerns about him after he had Tommy John surgery, but he is playing like the guy who took the Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Runner-up: Collins: His best days were supposed to be behind him, but these days he has Titans fans saying, “Vince Who?” Free agent hit
RB Michael Turner, Atlanta: LaDainian Tomlinson’s former backup has proved to be a big-time starter, rushing for 794 yards (third in
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the NFL) as the driving force behind the Falcons’ offensive success.
Runner-up: OLB Lance Briggs, Chicago: With apologies to Brian Urlacher, Briggs has been the Bears’ best defensive player, proving the team was wise to re-sign him in the offseason. Free agent miss
WR Javon Walker, Oakland: The Raiders gave him a six-year, $50 million contract, and in return he has produced 13 catches in eight games.
Runner-up: WR Jerry Porter, Jacksonville: The Jags gave him a six-year, $30 million deal to be their top receiver, but they were expecting more than three catches for 44 yards in six games. Best trade
DT Kris Jenkins to the N. Y. Jets: Anyone who saw him devastate the Bills’ offense last Sunday would agree that getting Jenkins from Carolina for third-and fifth-round draft picks was a bargain.
Runner-up: DE Jared Allen to Minnesota: With seven sacks and two forced fumbles, the former Chiefs All-Pro has given the Vikings a pass rush to complement their formidable run defense. Worst trade
DE Jason Taylor to Washington: He has spent more time on the injured list than on the field. Maybe the Dolphins knew something we didn’t.
Runner-up: TE Jeremy Shockey to New Orleans: The Saints gave second-and fifth-round draft picks to the Giants for an oft-injured player who didn’t contribute much when healthy. Best team
N. Y. Giants: So much for a Super Bowl hangover. With the exception of that hiccup at Cleveland, the G-Men are steamrolling opponents by an average margin of 15 points. QB Eli Manning leads a deep and balanced offense, while DE Justin Tuck spearheads an attacking defense that doesn’t seem to miss top pass rushing DEs Michael Strahan (retired) and Osi Umenyiora (knee injury).
Runner-up: See next category. Biggest surprise
Tennessee Titans: Anyone think the Titans would be undefeated right now? Didn’t think so. A run-oriented, ball-control offense and a stifling defense have them running away with the AFC South.
Runner-up: Atlanta Falcons: A year after the Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino debacles, they weren’t expected to win more than four games. But they’re 5-3 and a game out of first place in the NFC South. Biggest disappointment
San Diego Chargers: Tomlinson has been a shell of his former All-Pro self and the Shawne Merriman-less defense can’t stop anyone. But there’s no excuse for being 3-5 given the talent on this roster.
Runner-up: Dallas Cowboys: At 5-4, they have time to right the ship. But after three ugly losses in the last four weeks and a brutal second-half schedule looming, this vessel is taking on a lot of water. Worst team
Detroit Lions: And it’s not close. They’re 0-8 and haven’t been competitive in most games. Matt Millen’s long-overdue firing has been the only bright spot.
Runner-up: Cincinnati Bengals: They got their first win last week, but without QB Carson Palmer there won’t be many more. Team most likely to rise
Indianapolis Colts: Their offensive line is still rounding into shape and they need to stop the run better, but QB Peyton Manning is starting to look like the guy we’re used to seeing and other key players are finally healthy. They probably won’t catch Tennessee in the AFC South, but they’ll be a team to avoid if they make the playoffs as a wild card.
Runner-up: San Diego Chargers: They’re in a bad division and have the talent to make a second-half run. Team most likely to fade
Baltimore Ravens: Their 5-3 record could be reversed because of a murderous second-half schedule that includes road trips to the Giants and Dallas and home games against Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington.
Runner-up: Denver Broncos: With five games against winning teams left, including four of them on the road, their stay atop the AFC West will end soon.
