2 teams going up and 2 teams going down

The NFL loves parity, where one team can be good one year, then bad the next year and vice versa. The 2011 season is starting to look like another year of parity running rampant, as two playoff teams from last year are playing like they’re fighting for the title of “worst team in the NFL”, while two subpar teams from last year are suddenly needed to be seriously by their opponents. Here are two teams going up and two teams going down.

Going up – Detroit Lions

To say Lions fans have been waiting to support a good team again is an understatement. Since 2000 (the last time Detroit had a winning record), the Lions have gone 39-121, including the only 16 game winless season in NFL history in 2008. The Lions won their last four regular season games last season to finish 6-10 to give NFL experts and fans hope that they have finally turn the corner and are becoming a good team. The Lions were predicted, and most of all they felt, that they were going to be a good team this season and they have proven everybody right. The Lions have won their two games to start the season convincely over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (27-20) and Kansas City Chiefs (48-3). The Lions have appeared to change the losing culture that has plagued the team for 10 years, and with their confidence, play on the field at this at point, and issues of other NFC teams that could hold them back, Detroit fans can realistically think about the playoffs for team in 2011.

Going down - Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have been one of the elite teams in the NFL the past 10 years, having made the playoffs and won 10 or more games 9 years in a row, winning 7 AFC South Division Titles, 2 AFC Championships and one Super Bowl Championship. For all the success the Colts have had, NFL experts and fans have said without QB Peyton Manning, the team would be nothing without him. Manning is not only one of the greatest Quarterbacks in the game today; he is one of the greatest Quarterbacks of all-time. The only four time MVP in NFL history, Manning is also the fastest Quarterback to 50,000 yards and 4,000 completions. Prior to this season, Manning had started 227 consecutive games at QB for the Colts (including playoffs) and was clearly the most important player for the team by far. Manning had a setback on his neck surgery he had this past offseason (May 23 rd) then he had to have another neck procedure just three days before the start of the season (September 8 th) meaning Manning is going to be out most of this season. The experts and fans who said without Manning the Colts would be nothing were proven right when the Houston Texans, previously 2-16 against the Colts the past 9 years, routed them 34-7 in the season opener, going up 34-0 by halftime and could have scored more but let up and showed sympathy to the Colts. Indianapolis then lost at home to the underwhelming Cleveland Browns 27-12, a team they would have beaten by at least 3 touchdowns if Manning was healthy. No team needed their QB more than the Colts needed Manning. He hid the team’s weaknesses (undersized defense built for speed and to play with the lead, average offensive line he made look better than it was by getting rid of the ball better) and his presence elevated everybody’s play on the field. Without Manning this year, Indianapolis will be lucky to win three games. Indianapolis will be in the running this year for the number one pick in the 2012 draft, they should seriously consider getting a successor for Manning when he does retire and won’t be coming back. Andrew Luck I suppose.

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Going up – Houston Texans

Since entering the NFL as an expansion team in 2002, the Houston Texans have not come close to making the playoffs. For the past couple years, NFL experts and fans have calling for the Texans to be the surprise team of the league, only to be disappointed when they failed yet again to be a good team. This year there was a vibe that things would be different (really) this year in Houston. The Texans brought back everybody from their 3 rd ranked offense last season except Fullback Vonta Leach, but he’s been swiftly replaced by Lawrence Vickers. Houston’s defense has always been their downfall the past few years but they have made some sound adjustments. Wade Phillips took over as the Defensive Coordinator; he has a record of drastically improving defenses in his NFL coaching career. The team drafted DE J.J. Watt, which will help the pass rush, and they signed CB Jonathan Joseph and FS Daniel Manning to help in the Secondary. Houston proved they were an all around good team when they routed the Peyton Manning- less Indianapolis Colts 34-7, going up 34-0 by halftime and letting up and taking it easy on the Colts the rest of the game. Houston then went to Miami and easily beat the Dolphins 23-13. This year the Texans are good on both sides and finally appear they are going to live up to their potential in 2011.

Going Down – Kansas City Chiefs

We knew the defending AFC West Champions weren’t as good as their record indicted last year, but didn’t know they were this bad. The Chiefs have lost their two games to the Bills and Lions, two perennially bad teams who have appeared to be better, by a combined score of 89-10. The Chiefs suffered even more bad luck when they lost their best defensive player (SS Eric Berry) and best offensive player (RB Jamaal Charles) to season-ending knee injuries in consecutive weeks. Between last year and this year, the Chiefs have lost their identity (running the ball and good defense) and the even the ability to be competitive in games. It’s safe to say the Chiefs won’t be repeating as AFC West Champions this year.

By Gerald M. Britts
Pro Football Fans Staff Writer