Contenders and Pretenders

As week 11 begins, the RUTS league office is taking a look at this season's "Contenders & Pretenders..."



AFC East - The New England Patriots stand at 7-2 and are 4 games ahead of each of the other three teams in the division. Behind Tom Brady's gaudy passing stats, we don't foresee anyone threatening the Pats for the division title. Coach cjohnchavis's running game however has been a disappointment and the veteran group of Edgerrin James, Fred Taylor, and Sammy Morris need to pick up their game if the Patriots want to make a serious push for another Super Bowl title. With no user games left, the Patriots should cruise into the playoffs with a 14-2 record and depending on how the Titans and Chargers finish the season, could be vying for home field advantage in the playoffs.



AFC North - At 6-3, the Pittsburgh Steelers are tied atop the division with the Baltimore Ravens. The two teams have yet to play this season, and the winner of the 2 games they play will likely determine the winner of the division. The Steelers' passing attack has been steady this season, and so has the play of surprising WR Shaun McDonald, who leads the team in receptions and yardage. Coach zeejaydee got a monumental win in week 7, when his team defeated another user team (the vikings) for the first time since RUTS started in August 2008. We look for the Steel City to get behind this team as they march toward the playoffs. Once they get there, anything can happen for the defending Super Bowl champs.



AFC South - The Tennessee Titans have started the season off at 10-0 for the 2nd straight season, and are putting together a case for being the best team in the NFL right now. Behind all-star RB Chris Johnson, who leads the NFL in rushing and TDs and is the leading candidate for NFL MVP this season, the Titans offense has been almost unstoppable through the first 11 weeks of the season. Kerry Collins, 3 stellar TEs and a serviceable group of WRs have provided enough punch in the passing game to keep opponents honest, but it's Johnson's speed and elusiveness that have given other teams fits through the first 11 weeks. The Titans schedule is the toughest in RUTS, highlighted by 4 user games, and with two user games still remaining (week 12 vs. the Cardinals, week 16 vs. the Chargers), they haven't locked up anything yet. The Titans defense has been one of the stingiest in the league and have used a unique blitzing scheme to shatter the NFL records for sacks.



AFC West - The San Diego Chargers, at 8-1, are running away with this division, which is the worst in the league. Behind a balanced offensive attack the Chargers have steadily knocked out all opponents in their way. Their lone loss came at the hands of the Dolphins in week 3. RB Brandon Jacobs, acquired in a trade with New York at the beginning of the season, has been a workhorse, and he will need to continue to pound the rock. The Chargers home stretch is a tough one, with road games still remaining against undefeated Dallas and undefeated Tennessee. Rookie coach Rob-A-Dob's team will have their chance to make a strong statement to the NFL if he can fire them up to win those two games.



NFC East - The Dallas Cowboys have dominated their first 9 opponents this season, and with only 1 user game to play all season (week 14 vs. the Chargers), it's very likely that home field advantage in the NFC will come down to Dallas or Arizona. Dallas boasts the best defense in the league and the 2nd highest scoring offense. Tony Romo has utilized TE Jason Witten to the max, and RBs Marion Barber and Felix Jones have provided the 'Boys with a thunder/lightning combo at RB. The Cowboys will make the playoffs, likely at 15-1 or even 16-0, but with their relatively weak regular season schedule, Jerry Jones may be faced with another long off season of tough decision making if Dallas can't make the Super Bowl.

NFC North - The Minnesota Vikings have been steady over the course of their 7-2 start. With several close games behind them, the Vikings are tested and have withstood several tests in their tough division. While veteran Brett Favre hasn't been outstanding, the team has relied on All-Pro Adrian Peterson, who has run over, through, and around the opposition all season. The Vikings have been overshadowed in the NFC by undefeated Dallas and 1-loss Arizona, but look for Minnesota to make some noise as the season pushes toward the playoffs. If they're able to get into the playoffs healthy, this is a team with the talent and veteran leadership to make some serious noise, even if they do have purple uniforms.

NFC West - After starting the season with a shocking Week 1 loss against San Francisco, the Arizona Cardinals have turned things around and have won 9 straight, due in large part to Coach StuBucksman's ability to know "when to say when" at Chick Fil-A. Behind a lethal passing attack, a sneaky dual-threat QB package, and a running game that is coming on strong, the Cards lead the NFL in scoring offense. Week 11 however saw Arizona suffer a major setback, when RB Maurice Jones-Drew suffered a torn rotator cuff and was declared out for the season by Coach StuBucksman. Coach Stu, after learning the news from team doctors, was distraught and cried for hours, before coming to his senses and declaring that the Super Bowl title will still be heading to Phoenix! It's a lofty goal, but with an offense that can score this quickly, Arizona may be the team to beat in the NFC.