NFL teams with 5 wins: contenders, suitors or a lie?

By Luis Hernández (@ LuisHernz7)

The NFL finds that the AFC it has become the most closed and competitive conference this season. Entering Week 10 and clearly outpacing the middle of the season, 8 of their 16 teams have five wins on their record so far. In the National conference we have only one team in this condition, but even so, 9 out of 32 teams in the league are with this record, so we have to ask ourselves some questions about it.

Are these records true reflections of the quality of these teams or are they just happy or fortuitous results? Which of these teams are contenders or have they just been the product of circumstance, and a false hope for their fans?

Next we will see the situation of each of these NFL teams and whether we should believe them or not. Parenthetically his record this season entering Week 10.

New England Patriots (5-4)

They seem to us: a lie

Much to my regret –especially with the New England fans– their record seems to be more the product of a favorable schedule and a strong home, since they have only had 4 away games and two of them were against the Jets and Texans.

Bill Belichick has ushered in the post-Brady era alongside Mac Jones in a way that very few glimpsed at the start of the season and, while they are not the team everyone was afraid of in the old days, five NFL wins are not given away. . However, as of now, although he has faced contending rivals like Tampa Bay, Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas, the schedule gets tricky as rivals like Cleveland, Tennessee, Indianapolis and Buffalo come in a couple of times, it seems. that the “easy” part of your calendar is over.

In earlier times, the Pats were only “warming up” in the season to get ready for January it could however not seem to be the case for this year, where with their rookie QB and some adjustments to be made, it seems more of a mirage than New England to by now looks like a team that will become a contender this year

Cleveland Browns (5-4)

They seem to us: contenders

Since the arrival of Kevin Stefanski to the bench, the Browns have become a reality and a very serious team. With one of the best running attacks – if not the best – in addition to an elite OL and a respectful defense, they remain favorites not only in the short term, but to be able to repeat what they achieved in 2020 by reaching the divisional round.

He has four away games left and nothing else Packers and Ravens – twice – see themselves as careful rivals, in addition to enjoying their bye week in the 13th, right between the two divisional meetings, which should help recover injuries and people in COVID list and renew strategies to get to December stoned.

In addition, with the circus caused by Odell Beckham Jr. already closed, this team is seen as a rival to take into account and this mark of 5 victories was more than budgeted.

Cincinnati Bengals (5-4)

They seem to us: suitors

After years where in the AFC North the conversation was only between Ravens and Steelers for the division crown, Cincinnati has been a revelation, going from receiving the first pick of the Draft past for being the worst team in the NFL, to legitimately fight for the divisional championship.

With the arrival of Joe Burrow and his fortunate recovery from his serious injury last year, the Bengals are without a doubt one of the revelations of the season, Ja’Marr Chase has put that touch of spectacularity to the offense, while the defense It has become another positive surprise.

Just this Week 10 is their rest, and it does not come at a better time after giving exhibitions that leave much to be desired after their losses against the Jets and Browns at home. This last point is the one that they must maximize if they want to become a true reality, since they only have three games left as a visitor, so “The Jungle” of Paul Brown Stadium must become a real strength if it is to they want to go far this season

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)

They seem to us: a lie

With a similar outlook to the Pats, the road to Pittsburgh looks uphill. In addition to being The team with the seventh toughest schedule of the year in the NFL) the level of players like Ben Roethlisberger and his offensive line can be considered: it is well known that they do not go through a great level, due to the age of the first and quality in the second.

Although the defense is shown as always at a good level, considering that, except for Detroit next week and Minnesota in the 14th, their other rivals are careful in addition to having still five pending starts. As if it were a stock market, the price of steel is about to fall, so it is very difficult to buy that record from them, and boy are they used to that script from last year.

Los Angeles Chargers (5-3)

They seem to us: contenders

The Chargers looked like contenders since last year, except for three points: Herbert’s adaptation to the team and the league, the offensive line and defense without Derwin James. For this year Herbert is a reality, the OL looks spectacular, not only giving protection to the QB but also helping an Austin Ekeler who is a show (if not, ask the managers of NFL Fantasy Football).

The return of James, along with Joey Bosa and Kenneth Murray and the adjustments of head coach Brandon Staley, make it the goal of this team to achieve the Bucs feat last year of playing the SB in their stadium. At the moment, they have everything to achieve it, so these five victories could be the start of something very good in LA.

Las Vegas Raiders (5-3)

They seem to us: suitors

The Raiders have managed to exceed the expectations even of their own fans, not only because of the victories so far but also because of the way in which they achieved them, the teams they faced and in the face of complicated extra-court situations such as the cases of Jon Gruden and Henry Ruggs III.

We do not know how far these Raiders will reach but, without a doubt, they will give something to talk about, since at least their games are quite entertaining with Derek Carr as the great leader of this team accompanied by Darren Waller, Josh Jacobs and a defense that does not give anything away.

Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)

They seem to us: a lie

Another team that should certainly cause controversy is the Kansas City Chiefs and I consider it a lie because of the way they have played after nine weeks. The defense, although in previous years it has not been seen as a wall, it was not the disaster of this year. Add to that the ineffectiveness of an offense that, on paper, was one of the most spectacular, a Patrick Mahomes more disconnecting than ever and Clyde Edwards-Helaire injured like the icing on the cake.

His victories are seen more as a product of chance than of his own merit (to show the recent one against the Packers without Jordan Love); Their upcoming schedule shows five divisional games and their bye at 12. At the moment they have the playoffs in their hands, but with an unrecognizable team on both sides of the ball, I would not be surprised if at the end of the season the team of the Arrowhead Stadium was the disappointment of the year in the NFL.

Denver Broncos (5-4)

They seem to us: a lie

The argument in Denver for not believing them is not the schedule or the roster in general, since, despite losing Von Miller in the trade with the Rams, they have the injury recovery of Jerry Jeudy. The problem is that neither starting QB Teddy Bridgewater nor head coach Vic Fangio reflects security for these Broncos to take them or as suitors.

Of his victories, three were in the first three weeks of the season (Giants, Jaguars and Jets) and the last recently against unknown Cowboys. From now on they expect five divisional games; fans should think about next season, where a trade for Aaron Rodgers or Deshaun Watson looks closer than a possible playoff finish in January.

New Orleans Saints (5-4)

They seem to us: suitors

A couple of weeks ago it would have been different, but the reality is that without QB Jameis Winston this team is not going anywhere. QB Trevor Siemian has shown us since 2016 with the Broncos that he has no arguments to lead any offense, much less to make any franchise a contender for the title. The clear sample was the meeting of the previous Sunday where they could not even win against the Falcons.

In fact, the Saints don’t fall into the bullshit category for just two reasons: because RB Alvin Kamara is good enough on his own in the running game to keep the Saints from sinking, and because this defense is a reality: fifth-best in the NFL in points allowed per game (19.4), and third in total interceptions (11).

If by the end of the year they manage to score positive and scratch a postseason ticket as a Wild Card, those led by Sean Payton should feel lucky. But to really reach the next level, 2022 is urgent for them, where they will not only have Winston back, but also WR Michael Thomas, their best weapon in the airstrike.

For you, which NFL teams with five wins are contenders, suitors, or lies? We read you in the comments under this article and on our social networks.