by TrueToATLRiseUp 2 years ago
Hello Better League,
As we've finally fully embraced the old league has ancient history and the new league as the true Better League, we've reached the point in the season where we are finally starting to see seperation of powers in each conference. Below, I'll give my analysis of the contenders and pretenders of the American Football Conference.
1. Cleveland Browns (Duhooty) CONTENDER
Hoot is all the way back now. Despite having the very last selection in team selection, Duhooty has his Brownies off to a flying 7-1 start. The 2-time BL Champion has been able to control practically every game thus far after a poor week 1 performance in Carolina. The Browns enter their week 9 bye with a top 10 offense and the #1 defense in the league in yards allowed. Despite the strength of the team coming in the run option game, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown has been outstanding thus far averaging over 100 rec yards and 1 TD/game. The Browns schedule is relatively light the rest of the way, with a couple games to look for @ Samoan's Texans and home vs Cody's Saints
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (Lucky) CONTENDER
Is Lucky back??? It certainly seems that way after a strong 6-2 start to the season. This time, though, the running game and defense have been the strong suits of the Lucky-led Jags thus far. The recent patches have not seemed to hinder this defense, as they've allowed over 30 points just once, a 37-31 win on the road over Justin's Colts. Jordan Love and the passing game have been fairly mediocre thus far, but leaning on the still dominant Jonathan Taylor has been a recipe for success. Defensively, the Jags have 9 players with at least 1 interception through only 8 games. Unlike the Browns, the Jags have a very tough back half of the schedule. The 9 remaining games on the docket hold only 1 team below .500, Phil's 3-4 Chiefs. We will find out very quickly if the new look Lucky is legit, but this new, conservative style of play has absolutely helped make Lucky a real threat in the AFC.
3. Las Vegas Raiders (CMass) PRETENDER
This might be a bit of a hot take for a user who we've seen a consistently high level of play from since entering the league but I have my doubts this team has the juice to make a real run at a title. Another user sporting a new look, CMass has centered this offense around the incredible RB, Christian McCaffery, who was acquired in the preseason in the Justin Herbert trade. CMC has 15 (!!) TD through just 7 games for Vegas and is also 2nd in the team in receptions helping lead the Raiders to the 3rd highest scoring average midway through the season. The questions in the pass offense are very real, however. Mac Jones has been less than exceptional and the team is ranked 27th in the league in pass offense. The defense has been very good, especially in the takeaway department though that may not keep up with the upcoming schedule. The Raiders have a huge game coming up in Jacksonville which could very easily flip flop the my contender/pretender outlook for each team, depending on the result.
4. Tennessee Titans (PTown) PRETENDER
Another one here that may surprise some people. PTown, of course, was able to do a lot more with a lot less in the original league, winning the Super Bowl with a very poor Texans roster. While the outlook of the drafted team looks much better on paper, there are some areas of concern. The offense for Tennessee has been solid, with Desmond Ridder spreading the love and even getting the job done on thr ground himself. However, 21 interceptions through 7 games is not a recipe for success (trust me). The Titans have also had some real stinkers defensively, leading to them having the 27th ranked scoring defense. PTown should be able to capitalize on a relatively weak schedule the rest of the way and get to the playoffs but I do not expect a deep run, at least this season, for the former Champion.
5. New England Patriots (Austin) CONTENDER
You'll have a hard time ever finding an article of me calling the GOAT of BL a pretender but this season is shaping up like a classic Austin - Patriots possible Super Bowl. The best Austin teams in league history have a few things in common with this version of the Pats: Deadly pass offense and stifiling run D. Despite a few hiccups in the original league, Austin certainly had some success once he found his QB there and Trevor Lawerence here should strike fear in the hearts of every other AFC team. The effenciency has not beed great with TLaw, having 19 TD and 16 INT through 9 games, but he's been really spreading the ball around, with 5 players above 400 receiving yards. The run defense has been outstanding and that should serve him very well in the playoffs. Don't expect the Pats to catch the Browns for the 1 seed, but they should easily get in with at least 1 home playoff game.