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| Peyton Manning looked old in the Divisional Round loss to Baltimore, I don't seem him regaining pre-injury form (Credits: Dustin Bradford, Getty Images) |
In today's world we are so prone to overreactions because of the ease with which we get sports analysis. Everyone's got something to say about everything (including myself) and we can access everyone's opinion so quickly and so easily that it's not difficult to overreact to your team every single day. Here we'll try to soften overreactions to each NFL team by giving a more level-headed analysis.
AFC West:
Denver Broncos, 13-3
Overreaction: "Peyton Manning's neck is only going to strengthen and we're going to ride him all the way to the Super Bowl."
Truth: I'm actually surprised we haven't seen a Manning retirement press conference already, but I understand he's a football freak and probably won't leave the game until they carry him off in a stretcher. With that being said, I think we've seen the best out of the 36-year-old future Hall-of-Famer. He looked old and cold in that divisional game, and it just looked as if he ran out of gas. This Broncos team was the best squad heading into the playoffs, but they hit a brick wall and it Manning was a big reason why. I just don't know how you can expect this team to up their ceiling when its leader's probably not going to get any closer to pre-injury form.
San Diego Chargers, 7-9
Overreaction: "Mike McCoy will re-energize all the talent we have on this team. We will contend for a playoff spot next year."
Truth: I agree with the talent part of this statement, but I'm not sure that Mike McCoy is going to drastically change this sinking ship. Yes Denver's offense was extremely effective last year, but that's mostly because they had Peyton Manning out there calling the shots; McCoy was just along for the ride. This has to start from the top meaning that Philip Rivers has to return to the level of play that made him one of the best quarterbacks in the league only three years ago; he is a young for a quarterback at 31 and still is in his prime. You guys ranked 9th in yards per game allowed last year, so the defense is there. Again, though, it all comes down to Rivers.
Oakland Raiders, 4-12
Overreaction: "What happened with this team? We we're 8-8 last year and looked good, now things when South. We're destined for the basement for a while."
Truth: The truth is that your defense completely failed you last year. Offensively, there was an opportunity for you guys to repeat last season even despite injuries to Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson; the emergence of Marcel Reese as a beast catching balls out of the back field was huge as well as Bradon Myers becoming one of the better tight ends in the league. But the defense was shredded for an average of 35 points during a season-crippling 6-game losing streak and that's mainly the reason you guys weren't contending for a playoff spot in the weak AFC West. Kiper has you guys picking beast defensive tackle Star Lotulelei with the third pick overall and that's a start, but a lot more help is needed. Oh and if you don't re-sign Carson Palmer then it's going to be another 4-12 season next year.
Kansas City Chiefs, 2-14
Overreaction: "Romeo Crennel was the reason we went 2-14 last year. We had 6 Pro Bowlers this year, we're going to completely turn it around under Andy Reid. Playoffs here we come."
Truth: I get it, you're excited about Andy Reid. I would be too. But there is one major gaping accessory that you're forgetting here. Matt Cassel isn't the same. He sucked before the injury and he'll probably suck next season if he starts. I understand Reid can get a lot out of his QBs, but you better hope that they re-sign play maker Dwyane Bowe, draft Luke Joeckel at LT and get even more production out of Jamaal Charles and Dexter McCluster for Cassel to have a prayer in regaining his form from 2010. You would expect the talent on this team to flourish under Reid, but everyone needs time to adjust. I agree this team might be really good in the near future, but expecting them to undergo a eight or nine win turnaround is nuts. Did I remind you that Matt Cassel threw six TDs and 11 INTs in only nine games this year?
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