NFL Mailbag: A Surprise Playoff Push, Bad Officiating, and the MVP
This week around the NFL we discuss which team will make a surprise playoff push and the rash of bad officiating. Also, who is the front-runner for MVP. Welcome to our weekly NFL mailbag.
Which team currently out of the playoff picture has the best chance at making an unexpected run in the second half? -Marcus G. (Riverside, CA)
Who dat? The New Orleans Saints.
Since losing the first three games of the year, the Saints have won four of their last five. They face a tough challenge in the Denver Broncos this week, but their defensive secondary is riddled with injuries facing Drew Brees and the league’s top passing attack.
Also, New Orleans plays better at home and including Sunday will have half of their remaining games inside the Superdome. Currently at 4-4, the Saints only play three remaining teams that currently have a winning record.
A Saints’ run of 6-2 or better is not unfathomable for the remainder of the season. If accomplished the Saints will finish 10-6 and should be in a position for a wild card or the NFC South title depending on a Week 17 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.
Officiating around the NFL has been awful this season. What’s the deal? -Justin H. (Newark, NJ)
It seems that every week the league is responding to missed calls or situations that were not handled correctly on the field. After-the-fact officiating typically results in a fine or someone stating that a flag should have been thrown. However, the players are the ones being fined and rarely are the officiating crews held accountable or punished.
Coaches are beginning to speak up about the NFL employing officials who work other jobs and are part time employees. Whether or not the league is listening, or if they care, remains to be seen but something needs to change.
The problem starts with an inability for not only the fans, but players, coaches, and the officials to not be able to determine certain rules. Roughing the passer or kicker, what constitutes a catch, pass interference, and others only compounds the problem.
AROUND COVER32
Winners and Losers: Cowboys take hold of NFC, Vikings fall
Power Rankings: Raiders roll, Broncos ousted
QB Rankings: A shakeup in the top five
NFL Mailbag: A Patriots Trade, Theo in the NFL, and Norv Resigns
Halfway through the season, who are the front-runners for Most Valuable Player? -Alvin A. (Montgomery, AL)
The race for the league’s Most Valuable Player is currently between two, possibly three quarterbacks. While there are two or three position players who are worthy of having their names mentioned in the conversation, a quarterback has won the award in eight of the last ten years.
Both Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback Matt Ryan and the Patriots’ Tom Brady are likely leading the voting at the midway point of the season. Ryan is on pace for a record breaking season, while Brady is undefeated and has yet to throw an interception since his return.
The other quarterback currently in the mix and capable of generating even more stats is the Saints, Drew Brees. However, if both Ryan and Brady continue their current pace, Brees would need to run the table in order to supplant one of the two front-runners.
Two individuals not playing quarterback that have put together an impressive first half include the Denver Broncos’ Von Miller and Atlanta’s Julio Jones. Miller would be the first defensive player to be recognized as the NFL MVP since Lawrence Taylor during the 1986 season.
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