Some week 11 Observations...

 Rich Gannon pointed out that 90% of teams that are -3 in the turnover ratio in a game lose. That would make one assume that with the Jaguars on Sunday having a -6 mark in the turnover ratio they got completely trampled right? WRONG!! Somehow the Cleveland Browns were inept enough on offense in the second half that even five consecutive turnovers by the Jags wasn't enough for us to seal a win. That is absurd but, it is what happens to a young growing team. A lot of people were jumping on the playoff bandwagon after our run through New Orleans, New England, and the heart breaker against the New York Jets. Maybe if the were the New Jacksonville Jaguars we would have had a shot...lol! The Jags displayed our lack of options on offense when Peyton Hillis is finally corralled for a second half. He was once again huge for us in the first half but as a receiver rather than as a rusher. And that my friends highlighted our problem....no real deep threat from the wide receiver position or a serious possession receiver available for Colt McCoy to utilize on third and mid-range to third and long. 5 of 6 third down efficiency in the first half turned into a 2 for 10 ratio in the second half. I heard someone say, "But M. Massaqoui has stepped up recently." If stepping up is 107 yards over a three game span then yes there lies the problem. That kind of yardage over a three game span is paltry and we cannot depend upon Hillis to carry the load like he has thus far. Please do not let us destroy this kid before we get some help and allow us to get a solid receiving corps so our growth continues next season for a true playoff push! We have our stud QB, we have our stud RB, we have a solid defensive unit most games (minus a spot or two), and we have a big fat pimple of a receivers unit! I am glad we didn't go after Randy Moss when he was available because we've been there with a diva receiver (Braylon Edwards - Mr. Hopalot) and it didn't work. Start scanning the waiver wires and free agency lists or checking the collegiate ranks now for the stars of our future. One last note...Ben Watson and Evan Moore are no Wizard of Oz's but, they are dependable with their hands and can block so it is really dependant on the Holmgren and Heckart crews to find those WR's that take us over the top as serious AFC North contenders that make opposing teams quiver! Hope they get it right!
 Just to pour salt in our wounds, even through all our offensive let downs, Colt McCoy did drive us down the field quickly with no timeouts to have the drive ended on a heartbreaking play at the Jags three yard line with about 10 seconds or so left. (here's the play that put the nail in our coffin)...




 And here is a series of possessions that set up the need for that last minute drive:

• T.J. Ward interception, Browns start 48 yards away from the end zone. Three and out, punt.
• Joe Haden interception, Browns start 19 yards away from the end zone. Three and out, field goal.
• Chris Cogong fumble, Browns start 57 yards away from the end zone. Three and out, punt.
• T.J. Ward interception, Browns start 35 yards away from the end zone. Three and out, field goal miss.

GREAT BIG FAT OUCH!!!!

Granted, we may not have been able to have clocked the ball if Watson had caught that pass and didn't land in the end zone but, it would have been a lot nicer to see what would have or could have happened with a different result. Enough of the what-if's though. We are a team that plays to win and with a purpose of winning each game. We are not a guaranteed win for ANYone anymore and that's a good thing for us fans. Hopefully we continue to get better and have a say in who makes the playoffs from our division late in the season. It was nice being a spoiler to the Steelers in their fall from grace last year and hopefully we can split the series with them again this season in our season finale. I believe we have the capability to do just that.
GO BROWNS!!!

The almost Mid-Season Reprt Card for the AFC...

 It's just about the official mid season now for the NFL and it's time to give out grades to each team on the progress (or lack thereof ) thus far in the 2010. Let's start with a quick view of the standings to give a better view of where the teams stand so far: PF/PA (Points For/Points Against) TOR (Turnover Ratio). I include the points for and against as well as the turnover ratio because it is my belief that these two stats indicate very well where a teams weaknesses are glaring as far as points go and the turnover ratio is a huge difference maker for many teams. Especially if a team has a knack for creating points off of turnovers. They are momentum swinging, game changing situations that most successful teams have in their favor...it even trumps the points statistics. For example, the San Diego Chargers have high rankings in in points scored plus a higher ranked team defense but, they turn the ball over something terrible and currently have a losing record due to their uncanny ability to cough up the ball. That said, let's get started...

AFC - American Football Conference

East

New England Patriots (A) 6-1-0   .857    PF:205  PA:154   Home:4-0   Away:2-1   TOR: +7
New York Jets (A-)          5-2-0   .714    PF:159  PA:110   Home:3-0   Away:2-2   TOR: +7
Miami Dolphins (B)           4-3-0   .571    PF:133  PA:149   Home:0-3   Away:4-0   TOR: -4
Buffalo Bills (F)                 0-7-0   .000   PF:131   PA:211   Home:0-3   Away:0-4   TOR: -5

North

Baltimore Ravens (B+)    5-2-0   .714   PF:149   PA:129   Home:3-0   Away:2-2   TOR: -2
Pittsburgh Steelers (A-)   5-2-0   .714   PF:147   PA:102   Home:2-1   Away:3-1   TOR: +9
Cleveland Browns (C)    2-5-0   .286   PF:118   PA:142   Home:1-2   Away:1-3   TOR: 0
Cincinnati Bengals (D)    2-5-0   .286   PF:146   PA:163   Home:1-2   Away:1-3   TOR: +4

South

Indianapolis Colts (B+)     5-2-0   .714   PF:193   PA:142   Home:3-0   Away:2-2   TOR: +3
Tennessee Titans (B)        5-3-0   .635   PF:224   PA:150   Home:2-2   Away:3-1   TOR: +6
Houston Texans (C+)       4-3-0   .571   PF:170   PA:197   Home:2-2   Away:2-1   TOR: -3
Jacksonville Jaguars (C)   4-4-0   .500   PF:165   PA:226   Home:2-2   Away:2-2   TOR: -7
West

Kansas City Chiefs (A-)      5-2-0   .714   PF:163   PA:122   Home:4-0   Away:1-2   TOR: +5
Oakland Raiders (B-)         4-4-0   .500   PF:212   PA:168   Home:3-1   Away:1-3   TOR: +2
San Diego Chargers (C-)    3-5-0   .375   PF:210   PA:174   Home:3-1   Away:0-4   TOR:-8
Denver Broncos (D)           2-6-0   .250   PF:154   PA:223   Home 1-3   Away:1-3   TOR:-4

 Okay, here's my breakdown and reasoning for the AFC grades. The Patriots were supposed to struggle when they traded perennial deep threat Randy Moss and simply re-signed Deion Branch and made all the experts look silly. Is Tom Brady that good? Is Bill Belichek that smart? Is the system that well designed? I believe it is a little of all the above. The Patriots look ready to make another serious playoff run for one last shot at being the team of the decade.
 Behind all the bluster of head coach Rex Ryan, the Jets are proving to be a team that is difficult to beat and while I wish they hadn't caved in to Revis, he is a difference maker when he is on the field. Between Revis and Cromartie, the Jets have the best duo of cornerbacks in the NFL. That said, they also have a very stingy defense against the run (88.7 yds per game) that allows them to come up with a variety of blitz packages. If Mark Sanchez can continue to manage games for the regular season they will have a good run to the playoffs. But, Sanchez has got to develop the ability to take over a game and make it his (ex: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees...) if they want to complete the playoffs with a Super Bowl victory.
 The Miami Dolphins are unbeatable...away from their home field. Undefeated on the road and winless at home is strange for any team. If they hope to make a playoff run they have got to start winning at home and continue to win on the road. They are in a tough division to hope for a wildcard slot with the Patriots and Jets there. It can be done but, they need a lot of help from other teams to get them there. So far they are under .500 in the division and in the AFC conference. That has to change before the playoffs are a reality.
 The Buffalo Bills....they stink! There is not a lot of good to say when a team is losing every game so far and they also play in a very good division. The playoffs aren't mentioned when the Bills are in the conversation (unless they are playing a division team). Hopefully they can draft and deal well enough to be competitive. Until then, the Bills can hope to be a heart breaker team towards the end of the season and pull off an upset over a team trying to get in to the post season. Good luck.
 It seems the Baltimore Ravens have once again found a way to play just enough offense to score SOME points and allow their defense to win games for them. That formula has worked for them in the past but, I don't believe that Ray Lewis has got enough in the tank to make it to the promised land one more time. I say the defense either tires out, or they have an unfortunate injury to a primary playmaker on the defensive unit. I don't hope for injuries to any athlete but, when they are on the field as much as the Ravens are, injuries are unavoidable. Particularly on a defense that has players who go all out like the Ravens do. If they find a way to put together a better offense for the second half of the season, they could very well get in the playoffs with a wildcard spot and create headaches for any opponent.
 The Steelers. Yes I am a Browns fan but, reality is this...Pittsburgh scares teams every week. They came away from Ben's suspension 3-1 and have looked even better since his return. The recent loss of defensive end Aaron Smith is bigger than most fans are aware because he is one of those players that is always there each and every play redirecting running backs to pursuing linebackers, disrupting quarterbacks rhythm, or making big plays by himself. He hasn't really gotten the press attention and he has never seemed to mind. His teammates know what a difference maker he is and will have to hope his replacement is half as good. Even with him out, the Steelers are a very good ball club and if they continue to benefit from game deciding calls Miami game) along with their natural winning ways, they will be in the AFC championship game at the very minimum.
 The Cleveland Browns. They have had our attention up until the 4th quarter a lot this year only to find a way to give their opponents the game back. Until they decide to stop the mind numbing, self-inflicted mistakes, they will continue to break fans hearts. They brought in Jake Delhomme to give the QB position some veteran leadership and he got hurt. Does a high sprain really take this long to heal? Then Seneca Wallace came in in his career role as backup QB and has performed admirably but, he has also shown why he is a career backup with his inability to throw the deep ball accurately to open receiver down the sideline. His balls all seem to drift away out of bounds followed by a sudden silence from the fans wondering where that ball was intended. Colt McCoy got his shot starting against the top rated Pittsburgh defense. While the Browns didn't in, many felt he played well and never seemed lost or out of sorts. Not bad for any rookie QB when they face a defense like that. Cleveland's recent win over defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans has once again given fans hope they can make a decent season yet. Reality is once again we are not a playoff team and with Wallace moving back to the starting spot, we'll have to wait and see if McCoy's winning attitude bleeds off on his teammates.
 The Bengals. WTF!?!? is the current feeling of most Bengal fans. They are loaded with talent and yet, seem unable to find the winning formula they had just last year when they swept the AFC North. No small feat when you play the Steelers and Ravens defenses twice. Carson Palmer is getting his yardage (kinda) and with the duo of Chad Johnson (i still won't call him ochocinco...just stupid) and Terrell Owens has not turned into a 30 point team as those two would have led you to believe. The Bengal defense is porous and gives up way too many big plays and if not the big play, long sustained drives that seems to take the life out of the Bengals. They need cure what ails them quickly or I see a complete re-building in Cincinnati's near future.
 Peyton Manning is still the QB in Indianapolis and therefore, the Colts will once again win their division and if they grab home field advantage, they could wind up in the Super Bowl this year. That said, they have issues on defense. Fast? Absolutely! That does not always work though and they have got to find a way to get Peyton to slow down his drives and give them some rest. Even a 90 yard drive takes less time for the Colts than most teams take for a 40 yard scoring drive. If Manning ever gets seriously hurt, the Colts will immediately begin planning for the next season and make sure he has every medical technology available to ensure he is healed completely. If the Steelers or Patriots get home field against the Colts it's asta la vista baby for them.
 The Houston Texans surprised the Colts in week one with Arian Foster running roughshod all over Texas. That didn't happen in in the next meeting and the Texans look like a team on the verge. On the verge of being figured out for the second half of the season and back to the drawing board. Andre Johnson is a beast but, until they find a solid week in and week out quarterback to compliment him (and a steady tight end), they just don't have it...yet. Matt Schaub is not the answer in my opinion. He is a good quarterback yes (if you are on the final roster after spring training. you must have SOME talent), he is not THE quarterback they need. Their defense is getting better each year and they are trying to find the right mixture at the QB position. When they do, it may finally be time for a new division champion in the AFC South.
 Jacksonville is currently a quiet .500 and they have the ability to finish above that but, I don't think they will. David Garrard has been to inconsistent this season and their defense is closer to Dr. Jekkyl and Mr. Hyde. They can be stout or leak like a colander. No one can plan on the playoffs with that happening. Jack Del Rio is just about out of time in Jacksonville and he needs a strong playoff showing in order to retain his position as head coach for the Jaguars. That just isn't going to happen and He'll be coaching further up the coast with someone like the Carolina Panthers next year. No, I don't think Bill Cowher will be their coach.
 The best surprise team so far this season is the Kansas City Chiefs. With Romeo Crennel on defense and CharlieWeiss calling the offense, this team is realizing its collective potential. They have a trio of running backs (Jamaal Charles, Tevarus Johnson, and Thomas Jones) who all have a different style of running that keeps defenses on their heels and a QB (Matt Cassel) who appears to have found his stride this season. Head coach Todd Haley is the lesser known name in Kansas City with his two former head coach assistants (Crennel and Weiss) but, had been making solid decisions and like to take the fourth down chances when others will just take the field goal points. It's that aggressiveness that has pushed the Chiefs to the top of their division but, they are a year or two away from a deep playoff run.
 Oaklands Raiders are another pleasant surprise at .500 so far this year and with their 59-14 drubbing of the Denver Broncos may have made a statement of, "DO NOT overlook us!". Yes the Broncos have played poorly but, no one else put up that much offense against them. Tom Cable's reluctance to utilize Darren McFadden had seemingly McFaded as he is starting to light up opposing defenses. This has been a team much like the Browns who have the history but nothing much to cheer for lately. That may be changing. I'm not completely on board yet but, their 33-3 win over Seattle after the Bronco thrashing has certainly put one foot on the ship. Keep an eye on them for the second half.
 The San Diego Chargers released Ladainian Tomlison hoping Darren Sproles would fill his shoes. Sproles hasn't and LT is having a year to remember in New York so far. Shawne Merriman hasn't been there and Vincent Jackson's holdout has thrown the best option for Philip Rivers for a loop. Take away the large number of turnover for this team and they are in the postseason mix. However, you can't take away their giveaways and they are not, yet. This team has come back from the brink too many times to count them out.  Their 210 points is third in the AFC and with Jackson's imminent return, they will score more. I just don't know if they can score enough.
 Finally, the Dnever Boncos. Josh McDaniels has got to be looking in the mirror and wondering of his complete mishandling of Jay Cutler two years ago was his biggest early mistake. When they took a risk and drafted Tim Tebow from the Florida Gators it sent the message to Kyle Orton to take the reins of the offense and get them rolling. Orton hasn't gotten the message and Tebow will probably get his first career NFL start real soon. Another team on the verge of big change in the very near future and it will probably begin with a change at the head coach slot first. A new coach will probably see what Urban Myers golden boy has to offer. There was a lot of grumbling about his draft position then it started to filter down when word got out that he was extremely coachable and quickening his release and improving his footwork. He has that winners personality and we'll have to wait and see if that translates into a new look Broncos in the years to come.

There! That's MY summary of the AFC for the first half of the season and if you disagree, go ahead and give me your thoughts in the comment section. Remember, it's a blog for fun so, don't get all high and mighty, just give me feedback with a decent reasoning for your thoughts. I would love to hear what you think of my grades so far and where you would change them and why. I hope to have an NFC summary before the games this weekend so, keep an eye out and enjoy the second half of the NFL season!