Escape From Davy Jones' Locker

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NFL Standings
Week 12

AFC East
New England Patriots 9-2
Buffalo Bills 5-6
New York Jets 5-6
Miami Dolphins 3-8

Tom Brady has already put up 25 touchdowns and 3223 yards, continuing his campaign for back to back MVPs. The Patriots third down conversion rate is a staggering 50% percent. The breakout of Aaron Maybin (11 sacks) has really helped the Bills defense keep them in games but the quarterback situation has been too poor to overcome. Expect the Bills to fix that in the upcoming draft in which there is a deep talent at quarterback. The Jets have suffered from mediocrity all season and need a strong finish to get back in the race. After starting a miserable 0-8, the Dolphins have won 3 straight. Chad Henne (49 % completion) has been a disappointment and the team has struggled on the road (0-6).

AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers 8-3
Baltimore Ravens 7-4
Cincinnati Bengals 7-4
Cleveland Browns 4-7

The best defense in the league (#1 in ppg against, Pass defense and Run defense) has the Steelers riding a 5 game winning streak. Not to mention they have a leg up in the division with a 4-0 record. Ray Rice (10 TDs) has been money but Joe Flacco (56%) is having trouble finding his wide receivers. The Bengals cornerback duo of Marcus Trent (6) and Leon Hall (5) are numbers 1 and 2 in the league leaders for interceptions. The Browns knew this would be a rough year but Colt McCoy (16) has done nothing to ease the pain.

AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars 6-5
Houston Texans 6-5
Indianapolis Colts 5-6
Tennessee Titans 2-9

The Jaguars have managed to stay atop the AFC South despite the infamous Jake Delhomme (11TD 12INT) leading the way. Matt Schaub has been a big part of the Texans turn around, posting the league’s best QB rating. The Colts have been a Jekyll and Hyde team with a 5-0 record at home and a 0-6 record away. Still they could sneak their way to the top of the division if a couple things fall their way. Three stats can describe the horror of the Titans season: #3 in sacks allowed, 64% red zone success and a -17 turnover differential.

AFC West
San Diego Chargers 7-4
Denver Broncos 7-4
Oakland Raiders 5-6
Kansas City Chiefs 1-10

Defensive end Luis Castillo and rookie defensive tackle Adrian Taylor have played well and given the Chargers a strong d-line. Both the Chargers and Broncos are 5-0 at home. The emergence of Demaryius Thomas (65rec 789yd 7TD) has helped the Broncos rank second in points per game. The Raiders have been mediocre across the board. Jason Campbell (9TD 8INT) isn’t exactly locking down that job for the future. So much for home field advantage, the Chiefs are 0-5 in Arrowhead. The fact that Dwayne Bowe (12) and Chris Chambers (11) are 1-2 leading the league in drops isn’t helping the Chiefs league worst 30% third down conversion rate.

NFC East
Dallas Cowboys 7-4
New York Giants 6-5
Washington Redskins 6-5
Philadelphia Eagles 5-6

Igor Olshanky has come on strong for the Cowboys leading the team with 10 sacks. The Giants are getting a big return on their investment in Antrel Rolle (5 interceptions). They also own a 4-2 record in the division. The Redskins have stayed in the playoff picture on the arm of Donovan Mcnabb (2nd in the NFL in QB rating, averaging 8yds per attempt). Matt Moore is back from his injury and will have to prove he can be the future starting quarterback.

NFC North
Minnesota Vikings 6-5
Green Bay Packers 6-5
Chicago Bears 6-5
Detroit Lions 4-7

Alex Smith has starting to struggle (8TD 12INT) and has been dragging the Vikings down with him. Smith needs to work on getting the ball out of his hands quicker (sacked 38 times). The Packers are having the same protection woes (#1 in sacks allowed). Greg Jennings (1248yd 13TD) may be the best wide receiver in the NFL right now. Julius Peppers (11 sacks) and Jay Cutler (20TD) have enjoyed strong seasons for the Bears. The Lions are to undisciplined right now (#1 in penalties). Matthew Stafford’s strong play (2430yd 13TD 8INT) has been a bright light for the future.

NFC South
Atlanta Falcons 8-3
New Orleans Saints 8-3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-5
Carolina Panthers 4-7

The Falcons currently have 9 players on the pro bowl roster including the league’s current rushing leader Michael Turner. The Saints are 6-0 in the Superdome. They also lead the league in points per game despite having the league’s worst run offense. Their defense is back to the attacking style from their super bowl run as they are ranked 2nd in sacks. The Bucs are a good, young team but are in a strong division. A win in one of the upcoming matches vs. the Falcons or Saints could go a long way in getting them into the playoffs. The Panthers are last in points per game and lead the league in penalty yards. Not exactly a winning combination. Chris Gamble has been the lone bright spot on defense (5INT).

NFC West
St. Louis Rams 6-5
Arizona Cardinals 6-5
Seattle Seahawks 4-7
San Francisco 49ers 1-10

The Rams #1 ranking in sacks is thanks largely to the breakout season of defensive end Chris Long. Sam Bradford (19TD 5INT) continues to put together a stellar season. Kicker Jay Feely may be their only pro bowler but the Cardinals have found ways to win. This has got to be the end of the Matt Hassleback (10TD 13INT) era. The injury ridden 49ers are last in 1st downs. A poor record and meaningless games haven’t stopped Taylor Mays (68TAK 2Sacks 2INT 3FF) from playing hard. Too bad head coach Mike Singletary most likely won’t be around to see the rest of that career pan out.

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