We are halfway through the National Football League's season, and in the spirit of the fall semester, here is how your favorite NFC squads scored on their midterm exams. I'm sorry if your team plays in the AFC and aren't mentioned in my progress report, I just don't follow the AFC enough and I wouldn't want to provide any "false" insight or hurt your AFC loving feelings. I do know one thing though: I want to be Al Davis for Halloween.
NFC EAST
Giants- A No Super Bowl hangover for these guys. Except for an embarrassing loss to a desperate Cleveland team on Monday Night Football, the Giants have been top of the class all season long.
Redskins- B+ Jim Zorn looked confused against the Giants on opening night and fans in the nations capital were panicking after week one. But the Redskins have six wins on the board and are breathing down the Giants neck for first place. If it weren't for a trap game loss to the Rams, the Skins would be looking at a shiny A.
Cowboys- C+ Jerry Jones is learning what happens when you sacrifice character at the expense of talent. The Cowgirls are one more stubbed pinky away from the cellar.
Eagles- C Just too inconsistent for a talented team. The success of the Eagles rests squarely on the shoulders of Brian Westbrook, but at this point Philly fans have their minds on boys in red.
NFC NORTH
Bears- B The Bears haven't been spectacular, but in a shaky division, they still control their own destiny. Look for Chicago to win the North and be the first team to defeat the Titans this season in two weeks.
Packers- B- How can Green Bay win another game this season with Brett Favre sending overnight deliveries of the Packs' playbook to all their remaining opponents? Seriously, the Packers have looked shaky and far removed from the team they were last year.
Vikings- C- This team is very close to flunking the 2008 season. With two home games left with the Packers and Bears the season isn't over, yet. It's up to Adrian Peterson to keep Minnesota afloat.
Lions- D- Remember when Jon Kitna had divine intervention from God last season, enabling him to come back onto the field after a concussion? He's going to need some power from above to keep him from losing his job. The only reason Detroit doesn't receive an F is because they fired Matt Millen, the best move the franchise has made in a decade.
NFC SOUTH
Panthers- B+ It's been an impressive road to recovery for Jake Delhomme. Also, Carolina has proven they can win the tight games and blow teams out. There is no reason why the Panthers can't be 6-2 in the second half as well.
Falcons- B+ No more Vick, no more PETA protests, no worries. The Matt Ryan era has begun, and the Falcons have exceeded expectations
Buccaneers- B Watching the Tampa Bay offense is as fun as a trip to the dentist. Still they are only a game out of first, and like the Panthers, have a soft second half schedule. Tampa could sneak in as a wild card, a very boring wild card.
Saints- C .500 for the Saints is unacceptable. Lapses of concentration, especially on special teams, have put a talented New Orleans team in an early hole. Drew Brees has been lights out; it's only a matter of his teammates following the lead. I still believe New Orleans takes the division.
NFC WEST
Cardinals- B Nothing gets me going like seeing a pumped up Kurt Warner. The gray hair, the death stare, Kurt inspires me to do pushups during commercial break. Arizona should win the division, a huge step for a traditionally lowly franchise. But the Cards have yet to prove they can win a tough road game.
Rams- C- After a horrid 0-4 start, St. Louis saved some face with two stunning wins in Washington and home against Dallas. After a close loss in New England this weekend, a game in which the Pats were assessed zero penalties, the Rams have sent a tape to the NFL pointing out the plays they believed should have been penalized. Also on the tape is a surveillance video that captured Bill Belichick laughing with the refs in the parking lot after the game.
Seahawks- F No artificial noise can save this lowly team. Tough year for Seattle: their baseball team was awful, their football team is awful, and their basketball team left town.
49ers- F Someone expel San Francisco. Mike Nolan dressed well, but it appeared he was just compensating for his lack of coaching ability. As for J.T. O'Sullivan, the "I left my contacts in the locker room" excuse only works after ten interceptions, but on the 11th, it's to the bench for you. Mike Singletary tried to enforce some discipline in his first game as head coach, but he looks like the only one who cares about saving the 2008 49er season.
You can reach this columnist at sports@theeagleonline.com
