Contenders. The New York Giants have shown they are a legit team that can win games against tough teams. This was displayed in the early game against the Packers. Saquon Barkley is back and better than ever and the Giants defense are making big plays when it matters. If they can keep this up, the Giants have a legit shot at the title.
Pretenders. If I'm being honest, the Jets have not won a game against an elite team. Sure, the comeback against the Browns was good. But are the Browns elite?No. The two teams they've played that I consider elite are the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals. What were the outcomes of those games?They lost to the Ravens 22-9 and they lost to the Bengals 27-12. Besides the Browns, they have only beaten the Steelers and the Dolphins. The Dolphins are a good team, but they were missing Tua Tagovailoa. Had Tua been playing, the win would have been a statement win. So, although the Jets are 3-2, surprising everyone, they are still not legit contenders.
Contenders. The Minnesota Vikings are legit. Although they suffered a tough loss to the Eagles in Week 2, they have shown that they can do what it takes to win games. In Week 1, they came out firing. They demolished the Packers 23-7. Kirk Cousins and the offense were electric, and their defense held Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to only 1 touchdown. In Week 3, the Vikings were losing with under a minute left to play. They decide to take a deep shot to K.J. Osborn who catches it and walks into the endzone for the game winning touchdown. In Week 4 against New Orleans, it was a nail-biter, but the Vikings won off a double-doink. In Week 5, they handled business against the Bears, winning by a touchdown. The Vikings have what it takes to go all the way.
Pretenders. Geno Smith and the Seahawks offense have been absolutely electric through 5 Weeks. Geno Smith has put up astonishing numbers and the Seahawks have statistically one of the best offenses in the league. So why aren't they contenders? The answer is really simple. Defense. The Seahawks have the absolute worst defense in the NFL. The played well in Week 1, forcing many turnovers. But after that, it's been an absolute disaster. In Week 2 against the 49ers, they let up 27 points. In Week 3 against the Falcons, Mariota and the offense put up 27 points. In Week 4, Jared Goff and the lions out up 45 points. And finally, in Week 5, the Saints put up 39. Thats just crazy. There is no way a team can make a title run with this bad of a defense. This is why the Seahawks are pretenders, not contenders.
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