Mid Point in The NFL, Here is Our Top Five Teams

Mid Point in The NFL, Here is Top Five Teams
5.Steelers (4-2-1)- After starting 1-2-1 Pittsburgh looked like they were missing Le’Veon Bell more than ever they turned that ship around fast. They have three straight games over a top offense in the Falcons, a hot Bengals division rival, and beat up on the Browns who they tied when it looked like Pittsburgh was struggling. Pittsburgh has found a replacement in the backfield in house with James Connor who is third in the NFL in rushing yards. Big Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t look like he’s going to retire any time soon has he is sixth in the NFL with 2,290 passing yards. Big Ben loves using his favorite weapon in 2018 as Antonio Brown leads receivers in touchdowns with eight. The offense has not missed Bell as much as we might of thought they would in the beginning of the season. The Steelers continue their next man up mentality which still works. The offense ranks in fifth in points per game and fourth in yards per game, they have figured it out. The defense needs to step up more but unlike other teams in the top five their defense is in the middle of the pack. In Pittsburgh where defense used to be everything you sure would expect at least a sub par defense in the new NFL. The Steelers edge out the Chargers in the rankings because the Steelers on both sides of the ball have better rate on third down. Both teams are very close in almost every other category. It also comes down to the fact the Steelers have been here  before, they have played in pressure situations, and I would trust two time Super Bowl champ Big Ben over Philip Rivers. Not to discredit Rivers future Hall of Fame quarterback but Big Ben is better. The Steelers are in the hunt to extend their Super Bowl trophy lead.

4.Saints (6-1)- If the new NFL look is a whole lot of offense but not that much defense the Saints do fill out that module well. New Orleans has Drew Brees so you know offense was going to be expected but with Karma, and Ingram as well it’s only gotten better. Brees has been everything we expect from him throwing touchdowns, being an ultimate field general, and looking to give New Orleans one more time to hope. Brees is second in the league in quarterback rating. Brees can now finally not just depend on himself to score as Kamara ranks third among running backs with touchdowns with seven. As a team the Saints rank second in points per game, and eighth in total yards per game. Major stats to be in the top ten in especially in the NFL. If you’re playing in New Orleans those number only go up so if they can secure home field at some point that will be huge moral victory. The Saints though like other top five teams do need to fix some defense. They rank twenty third in both yards and points per game, with not being able to get off on third down as opposing teams are converting nearly half the time when they get third down. The Saints will get in a shootout with you it’s just if their defense can hold up to win.

3.Chiefs (7-1)-Well if you want to see a offensive juggernaut then that’s what you will get with the Chiefs. Damn give Andy Reid a highly skilled and talent quarterback, he just goes and builds maybe what’s the best offense in the league. Patrick Mahomes first year starter has been over shooting expectations already. Mahomes leads the league in passing yards and touchdowns. Mahomes when he runs out of the pocket he looks like a young Aaron Rodgers with how dangerous his athletic ability is, and he’s always looking to throw. He has 192 yards throwing outside the pocket up to Week 9, that’s the highest number of yards thrown outside the pocket since that stat has been tracked starting in 2009. With company like Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Travis Kielce, and the best left and right tackle combination in football that is how you get a number one offense. They rank first in total points per game, third for total yards per game, and third again on completing third down conversions. Why people may doubt the Chiefs clearly isn’t because of the offense it’s the defense, for they have struggled. They are near dead last in total yards allowed per game, and twenty first in points allowed per game. Luckily they outscore teams on average by ten so that sloppy defense doesn’t show. However against teams like the Patriots, Rams, and Saints who can match firepower or at least keep pace, the Chiefs weakness may show.

2.Patriots (6-2)- Everyone in the beginning of the year all were ready to write the next chapter in New England, well not so fast. The Pats dynasty is still in full affect as Brady and Belichick apparently don’t hate each other enough to lose football games. When you have Brady under center you are always in it, this refers to games and seasons he’s the G.O.A.T. for a reason. The Patriots have been swell on third down as they rank in the top ten for conversions. New England on average scores the fourth most points with 29.9 per game. What’s been the key to the Patriots success lately is time of possession, in the last three games they rank fourth in that category. When you score as much as the Patriots if you can’t get them off the field it will be hard to beat them. If they can fix up their defense on not giving up so many yards being 26th in that category, and being able to get off the field on third down the Patriots will be playing in another Super Bowl.

1.Rams (8-0)- The Rams a clear number one as they are the only unbeaten team in the league. The LA Rams beat up on teams, they rank first in points differential (13.8) in 2018. That defensive line has been another strong point all the way through Week 8. Aaron Donald as a defensive tackle leads the NFL in sacks with ten. If you are getting pressure up the gut like that it makes covering and side rushes way easier. They rank second in total yards per game, and third in total points per game with thirty-three. The Rams have been able to make third down conversions ranking sixth in the league on third with a 47% successful rate. Jared Goff has many weapons including the man he stands in the backfield with in Todd Gurley. Gurley leads all running backs with 800 yards rushing in 2018 even making an MVP argument. The point where the Rams lack is on third down on defense they rank twentieth in that category. If they can get the opposing offense off the field even a little better they might be unstoppable.

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