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Nearing the halfway point of the NFL’s regular season, the 2008 season has provided viewers with a sense of unpredictability. The league is seeing a shift in the balance of powers at the top.
Tennessee is leading the league with seven wins and teams like Indianapolis and San Diego are sputtering along with sub-.500 records.
The teams – other than Tennessee, who started the 2006 season 1-5 – that are seeing the top of the league and who have turned their franchises around in just the past few years are the New York Giants (8-8 in 2006), Washington (5-11 in 2006), Carolina (7-9 in 2007), Buffalo (7-9 in 2007) and Tampa Bay (4-12 in 2006).
Among those teams are two teams that, although they had slower starts than in previous years, are still among the league leaders going into week nine of the regular season. Pittsburgh and New England both stand at 5-2 so far, tied for fifth in the league. They are teams that have “been there” and have the ability to make plays or win games when needed.
Pittsburgh has been aided by its young but talented defense, holding opponents to a mere 15.7 points per game. New England’s “young defensive backs” group has been allowing 18.8 points per game. Although most NFL teams like to see their defenses holding teams under 15 points a game, lets face it: How many games do you see where at least one team isn’t scoring more than 20 points? The defenses are doing enough to get the job done.
On the opposite side of the ball, compared to last season, both teams’ offenses are scoring noticeably less. Pittsburgh is averaging about four points less per game and New England is scoring exactly 18 points less per game. In reality, it will be a few decades before we see another high-powered offense like the 2007 Patriots.
Considering both teams contain defenses that allow significantly more points than is ideal, and both offenses are scoring notably fewer points than in previous successful seasons, how are both teams still ranked among the NFL’s best?
There are two concepts: veteran leadership, and confidence.
New England has won three of four Super Bowls (2002, 2004, 2005) they have been to this decade, and Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl in 2006. Many key role players remain from those champion teams including Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Willie Parker and Troy Polamalu for the Steelers. As for the Patriots there is Tom Brady (although out for the season), Kevin Faulk, Matt Light and Richard Seymour.
All are important presences in each team’s locker room. They are there not only to be role models and provide knowledge to younger players, but to possess a confident aura, making the setting more comfortable for all.
Even though we are seeing new teams rise to the top of the NFL this season, don’t be surprised to see those teams “come back” toward teams like New England and Pittsburgh, or even Indianapolis and San Diego. All of these teams carry multiple veterans who have been together and successful for a while. One thing is certain; we will not see them fall to the bottom of the league without a fight.
