This week marks the start of the second half of the season, so we dive into our first half analysis, with our MVP picks, biggest surprise and disappointment, and updated Super Bowl picks.
The good, the bad and the Superbowl picks
Picks by Mark
Half Season MVP
Adrian Peterson: Not only has AP bounced back from a crushing knee injury, he has come back better than ever. He is currently on pace to best all of his previous numbers with the exception of touchdowns (That has more to do with the Vikings anemic offense than it has to do with AP himself).
Biggest Disappointment
Bills D: After blowing the budget on upgrading their pass rush, changing schemes and bringing in a successful defensive co-ordinator, the Bills are STILL unable to stop the run. Ranking dead last against the run, the Bills defense has 8 more games to prove to people that the first 8 were an anomaly.
Biggest Suprise
Reggie Wayne: Not much was expected out of Reggie Wayne this year, but the vet has come in and flat out balled. Leading the NFL in receiving yards, Wayne has put the young Colts on his back and actually has them in a position to take a run at a wild card spot. Not bad for a “rebuilding year”.
Updated Superbowl picks:
No reason to change them, ATL had a gutsy performance on the road in Philly. They may have an easy schedule, but all they do is win win win….
New England is a little bit different, although they had a couple bad games so far, The Hoodie is going to get them right for a deep playoff run.
Picks by Joe
Half Season MVP: JJ Watt
I’m going to go against the norm and pick a defensive player for this title, a league leading 9.5 sacks, 16 QB knockdowns and 10 passes defended. Is there a more disruptive force in the NFL right now?
Runner up: Peyton Manning
Biggest Disappointment: Darren McFadden
This is probably the biggest disappointment for myself as I had extremely high expectations for Run DMC. Finally healthy, he’s been looking pretty pedestrian for the first 8 weeks of the season. His numbers, 3.32 yd/carry average and 62.6 yds/game, may be blamed on the zone blocking scheme the Raiders tried to use in the first half of the season, but we all had high expectations from a FINALLY healthy McFadden. Let’s hope he can bounce back after a strong performance in week 8 and Greg Knapp finally ditching the zone blocking scheme.
Runner up: Mario Williams
Biggest Surprise: Miami Dolphins
Starting off last year at 0-7, and now they’re sitting at 4-3 with a legitimate (and I use that term loosely) chance to win the AFC East. Everyone had this team finishing at the bottom of the league. A rookie QB, check. The departure of Brandon Marshall, check. And the fact that outside of Cameron Wake, you can’t name anyone else on this defense? They’re actually playing pretty good football right now. If the Fins keep on pace, Joe Philbin should be up for coach of the year.
Runner up: Colts – Andrew Luck quietly has led this team to 4-3
Updated Superbowl picks:
Just refer to my preseason predictions, nothing has changed. Arguably the top two teams in the NFC and AFC right now.
Runner up: NYG vs. DEN (One can dream, but it could happen)
Picks by Joe
Missing the entire 2011-2012 season, exclusive courting by the 49ers and questions about his injured back throughout training camp, Peyton Manning had remained on our radar for one full year without playing a single game. Cementing his spot as one of the greatest Quarterbacks in NFL history, Peyton’s “neck fusion” was a huge topic going into this season and football fans alike were doubting what type of player he would be. I use the word “doubt” because admittedly, a lot of people doubted him.
Fast forward to Week 9 and the Denver Broncos are competitive, winning 3 of their last 4 and it’s all because of Peyton Manning; He’s hit his stride. Aside from the thumb-thingy last week, Manning has steadily made us all forget about the bad back. Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas are strolling into career seasons, there’s been a Brandon Stokley sighting, Fantasy owners are now aware of who Joel Dreessen & Jacob Tamme are and Willis McGhee is being used efficiently.
17 Touchdowns, 109.0 QB Rating and +2,000 yards — Let’s just say John Elway and John Fox aren’t cringing during every snap this fall. “Tebow Time” is no longer cluttering headlines in the Denver media and in return, this year’s Broncos are playing with confidence they have not shown in the past few seasons. The Defence has been spotty at times, but accountable as of late and a 36 year-old Peyton Manning is giving the Mile High City something to really cheer about.
Do we dare say that Peyton is in the running for MVP? You can definitely make the argument (so far) and I’m sure the state of Colorado would agree.
Half Season MVP: Sean Peyton.
Peyton Manning makes an argument and JJ Watt has been an anchor in Houston.
Biggest Disappointment
Buffalo Bills, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mario Williams. The growing pains are tough to swallow, but I truly thought they would have worked their way through this by now. They’re more of a disappointment to me since I felt strongly about their successes this season.
Biggest Surprise
Minnesota Vikings – I’m not even a Vikings fan, but I’m glad to see AP playing well. Leads the league in Rushing with 775 yards! See: Any Given — Week 8.
Rookie QBs holding it down; RG3 and Andrew Luck have both been decent and things look promising for those franchises’ future.
Updated SuperBowl Pick
I never bet against The Golden Boy. New England stays winning.
Picks by Rob
Half Season MVP: Matt Ryan
I guess I’ll be the only one to show the undefeated Falcons some love, Ryan has been lights out, but like I mentioned in week 1, it all boils down to how he performs in the playoffs, another performance like he had at home against the Packers a couple years ago, and nobody will believe in him again, heading straight for “RomoLand”.
Biggest Disappointment: Darren McFadden
Gotta go with Joe on this one, aside from my personal ties with the team, went all in on DMC on all fantasy leagues, last couple years we got production but no health, this year has been the reverse. On a side note, eff the Broncos, Raiders are taking this division.
Biggest Surprise: Chris Johnson
From someone who’s had Johnson the last couple years in fantasy, couldn’t have been sicker of this guy. But after coming out the gate slow, he’s put up solid numbers, and doing it consistently since week 3. He’s averaging 110 yards over the past five games, and a stunning 5.6 yards per carry over that same stretch.
They both have had extreme highs and lows through the first 8 weeks, but if we’ve learned anything over the past couple years, they just have to get in the playoffs and the rest can be figured out from there, so I’ll stick with my guns on this one.
Till next week!