Half 'n half

Every team in the NFL (including the Pats) has now played at least eight games. It's the half-way point of the season. What a first half it has been. There was a lot of talk in the first few weeks about the trend towards 45-40 games. A lot of wasted talk. The defenses -- as they always do -- are starting to assert themselves. The scores are dropping along with the temperatures.

The defending champs are the last unbeaten team and look to be helmet and shoulder pads above the rest of the field. Other than that the league is a free-for-all. Eleven of the 16 teams in the AFC are .500 or better. The AFC North alone has three teams with six wins. The NFC has nine teams at .500 or better. Take away the NFC West (please) and the quality of play throughout the league is as competitive as it's ever been. The football has been highly entertaining. The playoff races should come down to the wire in several divisions. The NFL Redzone is going to get a workout.

The league's top team is an easy one. After that it's a battle for We're No. 2!

1. Green Bay Packers (8-0): The Pack has outscored its opponents by almost 100 points. Aaron Rodgers is having what could be the first of several MVP years. Brett Favre will soon be a distant memory for Green Bay fans. Interestingly, the Pack's pass defense is second-to-last in the league. Maybe pass D isn't that important after all. I thought the Pack was a decent team that got hot at the right time last year to win their title. I was wrong. They were a great team that finally started putting it all together. A Pats-Pack rematch in the Super Bowl would be great.

2a. San Francisco 49ers (7-1): The Niners have only allowed 118 points. By far the lowest in the league. That's how you turn an underachieving team into a division champ. The rest of the NFC West has combined for just five wins. Two less than San Fran. Pete Carroll won't be sneaking into the playoffs this year. The Niners could wrap the division up by the time we all sit down for our turkey dinner. That really isn't a good thing for anyone, including the Niners.

2b. Baltimore Ravens (6-2): The Ravens accomplished their main goal for the regular season. Sweep the Steelers. But the Bengals were on the other side waiting for them. Now the Ravens will have a chance to sweep the Bengals and take the brutal AFC North. I think they will. Anquan Boldin has started to look like he did in Arizona. That makes Baltimore very dangerous.

2c. New England Patriots (5-3): They may have lost their last two games and their offense may be "struggling," but the Pats are still a top five team in the league. Hopefully they will prove me right Sunday night. The Pats had an off game in Pittsburgh coming out of their bye but losing at Heinz is no disgrace. Neither is losing to the Giants in a tight battle. The Pats -- as they often do -- got away from the run in the two losses. They need to get back to it. And -- stop me if you've heard this before -- they need more of a pass rush.

2d. New York Giants (6-2): Eli Bleeping Manning. Who would have thought that little Manning would ultimately become more of a pain in Belichick's side than his big brother? He pulled out another clutch win last week and has Tom Coughlin's G-Men back on top in the NFC East. They have maybe the best pass rush in the game and some young, explosive receivers to go along with a pounding running game. This is a very good team. They will be tough in the playoffs.

2e. New York Jets (5-3): How good are the Jets? They sure looked bad in their three-game losing streak. And they really haven't looked all that great in their current three-game winning streak. But the defense is starting to play like a Rex Ryan D and the running game is starting to show signs of life. And the big guy on the sideline is still doing a good job coaching. They play the Pats Sunday night and then have to fly out to Denver for a Thursday night game. Two games in five nights that could decide their playoff fate.

2f. New Orleans Saints (6-3): The Saints biggest problem so far has been winning on the road. Brees and the offense are averaging a league best 445 yards a game. That will win just about anywhere. The Saints are averaging about 320 yards passing and 125 yards rushing. That's balance. Darren Sproles was by far the best free agent pickup this year. He can do it all. The Saints D is even improved, averaging in the middle of the pack in most categories.

2g. Detroit Lions (6-2): The Lions were the hot story of the early season but have stumbled just a bit. Just a bit. Their red-hot offense has cooled down due to no running game. That has put more pressure on Stafford and he has looked more like a young QB lately. But the defense is still fierce. Surprisingly, Detroit is unbeaten on the road but only 2-2 in Motown. The Lions biggest problem is they are in the Pack's division so their only path to the playoffs is the wild card. Not an easy path in the NFC.

2h. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3): The Steelers got stomped at home on opening day by Baltimore. They looked old. Since then they have gone 5-2. Steelers! Geez. They just keep winning. They have had a a habit the last decade of following up a great year (AFC champs) with a bad year. I was betting on that again. It doesn't look like a good bet. Big Ben keeps getting it done. Mike Wallace has taken over for Hines Ward very nicely. The defense continues to play solid, ranking third in the league in yards per game and fifth in points. Guess they aren't so old after all.

2i. Houston Texans (6-3): The team that is flying under the radar in the AFC. Houston usually has succumbed to the Colts by this point of the season. Freed from that shadow, the Texans are steadily heading towards their first division title (and playoff spot) in franchise history. The defense is leading the way. Houston is first in yards allowed, second against the pass, and fourth against the run. Mario Williams was worth the pick. The fact that they are winning without Andre Johnson says a lot.

2j. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2): They haven't played the Steelers or the Ravens yet. Actually, they've barely played anyone. But they are 6-2 and their defense is playing great. Of all the teams at the top of their division, the Bengals are the biggest question. As in... Who the hell plays for the Bengals? Rookie Andy Dalton from Texas Christian is playing solid rookie quarterback. Not making too many mistakes. First-round pick A.J. Green is playing outstanding rookie wideout. But it's the D that is the story. The Bengals are second against the rush and only allowing 17 points a game. If they keep that up they should make the playoffs.

2k. Atlanta Falcons (5-3): Another team flying below the radar. The Falcons had the best record in the NFC last season only to get bounced at home in their first playoff game. Like the Pats. Unlike the Pats, they have a defense that can stop people. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner give the Falcons balance on offense. Julio Jones is another rookie wideout who would have looked good in a Pats uniform. The Falcons are better on the road this year which should help them come playoff time.

Dishonorable mention: I said at the start of the year this could be a rough one for Indianapolis Colts fans. I had no idea how rough. 0-8. Wow. I guess Manning really was the reason that team won all those games. GM Bill Polian should be embarrassed. He apparently thought Manning would stay healthy and play another ten years. Because it's clear there was no Plan B. Sorry, Colts fans. You'll have lots of free time on Sundays come January. I know that's not very appealing since you live in Indianapolis.