Overreactions & Reality Checks for PML
Arod
The Texans are serious contenders in the AFC
Overreaction or reality: Reality
Okay so the Texans are rolling right now at 8-2. We all didn’t want to believe it at first, as we assumed he was a product of a last place schedule. But then something started to happen. The Texans started out 2-0 beating the Eagles and Steelers. Okay, no hype yet. They get blown out week 3 against JC and the Colts. Typical season for Drama, right?. Not yet. Week 4’s win against the Dolphins was the week a few more of us should have bought into the Texans hype. Did we? Not so much yet. Week 5 and 6 the Texans take down the Lions and Vikings, two struggling teams- but any team that wants to be a contender takes care of these games. Week 7 was the big prove-me game against the Jaguars where they fell flat and lost by 2 scores, could have been 3 if Hype was a stat padder. Back to the drawing board for the Texans. Drama shows superb resiliency by taking down CEO, Bubba, and Fallen to rip off 3 straight wins. Now that is not exactly a cake walk as those are 3 very solid users. Sitting at 8-2 and a bye week still ahead after their game with Buffalo, they have a very solid chance to take a break at 9-2. Nobody saw this coming. So yes, I believe the Texans are a contender without reservation. The way he is playing right now, I believe he can compete with any AFC user beside maybe 2 or 3 teams- and this will be the proverbial roadblock they will encounter on a quest to the Super Bowl (and I cant believe I am using Super Bowl in this write up). As much success the Texans are enjoying this season, I think it all comes to an end if/when they match up with the Jaguars/Ravens/Bengals in the postseason. So yes, the Texans are serious players in the AFC, but I think it comes to an end when it’s time to face some of the heavy hitters in the conference.
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Every single division is a 2-team race and it will remain that way until week 18 (omitting NFC South)
Overreaction or reality: Reality
NFC South really ruined what could have been a great piece here. The Buccaneers will probably clinch by week 12 so we will omit them from this write-up. But looking over the other 7 divisions, boy do we have some enjoyable races going on. From the top down, no more than 2 games separates any two teams fighting for a divisional crown. Lets start with the AFC East. The Dolphins sit half a game above the Jets and it seems that neither time is able to pull away from the other at this point. The Dolphins are the reigning champs, but the Jets are giving them a run for their money this season after a few big offseason changes. The AFC North has maybe the most consistent race going on as KingK is doing his absolute best to keep up with the 8-0 Bengals. Sitting at 8-2, the Ravens are a lock for the playoffs, but we all know both users enjoy the bragging rights of winning the division. Over in the AFC South, nobody expected the Texans to be 8-2 sitting half a game behind the 8-1 Jaguars. A little too close for comfort for HypeMike. This may be the one that gets away if any of the races do, but as of right now it has the potential to come down to the wire. The AFC West has interesting because it has 3 teams competing for the crown. As we discussed in previous articles, the Chargers have a very generous schedule. Look for the race to come down to the Raiders and Chargers in the final weeks of the season, and thats not saying the Bronocs won’t be in the picture too. Makes it even more interesting out west. Shifting over to the NFC, we have the Cowboys and Giants duking it out for the east. The Giants currently have a 2 game lead over the Cowboys thanks in part to a series sweep giving the Cowboys their only 2 losses on the season. Don’t think the Cowboys will disappear, we have a lot of season left. I will say, the series sweep gives the Giants a big leg up on the Cowboys if it comes down to the wire. Up north, the Packers and Bears both sit 6-3 and like the AFC East, neither team can seem to separate themselves from the other. Packers took game one this season as we look ahead to their week 14 matchup later in the season. And finally, in the NFC West, the Seahawks are giving the defending Super Bowl champs a run for their money this season. The Rams gave themselves a little separation thanks to a 4 game steak, which included a win over the Seahawks. It would be pretty wild to see all 7 of these divisions go into the final 2 weeks of the season before we crown a winner. Should be a fun ride as we wind down into the home stretch.
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Matigy
Lions are in way better hands
Overreaction or reality: Reality
After starting the season 1-7 the lions fired their head coach, they picked up dak in the offszn and were looking to make some noise but they couldn’t stop turning the ball over while trying to air it out. So far new coach LQnoble has won 2 straight against the Tennessean Titans & New England patriots. The scheme honestly seems similar but lq can pass better and I believe he also is a better user on defense. It’ll be interesting to see how they perform against the rest of the NFC north. Through week 15 & 17 they play their entire division so I think we get a great look at where this coach is in terms of skill level.
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Patriots won’t ever compete this cycle
Overreaction or reality: Overreaction
At the beginning of the cycle the pats had a lot of reasons to point to as to why they weren’t competing. Now the reasons are shrinking and the New England Patriots are still only 2-7. They have their franchise QB, they got Aaron jones and Najee Harris, we know their TE hunter Henry, WRs are fast and capable. The defense has talent. It’s tough to say why things aren’t coming together but I think the majority is just that. They just aren’t putting things together. The defense is bottom 8. Offense is mid. The rushing attack with Aaron Jones and Najee Harris is somehow last in the league. And I feel like that’s a huge reason why they aren’t putting much together atm. It would help their defense be around middle of the pack or better and they are 8th in passing yards so having a solid rushing attack might make this a good offense if they can limit TOs. Nef we might be able to help each other hmu
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HYPEMIKE
The Giants will make a conference championship appearance.
Overreaction or reality: Reality
It is now the point in the cycle where Cookie makes his run. In the blink of an eye, his team is loaded and is a 90 overall everywhere. These later seasons are where Cookie really locks in and has his team built everywhere to compete. I see him making the NFC championship at the minimum this season now. That NYG team is ready for a run right now. It may be a battle between him and Jefe for who comes out the NFC, two guys people may not have expected to come out.
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Team building is more valuable than user skill this cycle.
Overreaction or reality: Reality
Let’s look at the facts. I said this before the season 1 super bowl even had happened. Each of the super bowl winners so far this cycle have had win now rosters, being 85 or better. I feel like team building is a bigger factor than ever before in this Madden. This is why the Giants are my super bowl pick for this season with a 90 overall team. The Ravens, Rams, Dolphins, Giants, and Cowboys once they get a QB are in prime position to get rings this cycle. This may be the one cycle where team building is more valued than actual user skill. People who have built their teams on all phases will have a better chance at competing. We are in the jump ball and pass rush era of Madden. This is where you can close your eyes and throw the ball up to tall receivers or just rush 3 all game and have an edge threat takeover for you. Those high overall teams and teams with broken players with crazy abilities (velocity QBs, inside stuff, edge threats) are going to be the main contenders. It is just the way madden is this year.
