I can't believe we're nearly halfway through the 2017 NFL season with Week 8 now behind us. It's so difficult to predict what will happen during the second half of the season since the NFL is a week-to-week league and given the fact that any team can win on any given Sunday.
For fans, it's easy to overreact after a big win or a devastating loss.The Buffalo Bills could end up in the playoffs after a strong start and the Philadelphia Eagles could be considered the best team in the league right now. In this article, I'm going to cover three teams that are easy targets when it comes to overreacting.
The Bills can win the AFC East
The Bills were impressive as they defeated the Oakland Raiders by the score of 34-14 on Sunday (Oct. 29). They are now 5-2 and I'm sure their fans believe they'll dethrone the New England Patriots and run away as the AFC East champs this season. Please slow down.
I like the Bills and believe they could end up in the playoffs, but we're only eight weeks into the season. We've seen NFL teams play well in one half of the season and then lay an egg during their final eight games.
The Bills did have an impressive road win against the Atlanta Falcons earlier in the season, but they have some big tests against teams like the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, and two games against the Patriots, so let's hold the hype right now.
I will say this, the Bills are certainly proving Colin Cowherd wrong after he said they're "unwatchable" about a month ago.
The Browns will finish 0-16
Yes, the Cleveland Browns still haven't won a football game eight weeks into the season. But they played tough on Sunday against a good Minnesota Vikings team, even though they fell short.
I could see the Browns defeating a team like the Green Bay Packers, that doesn't have quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Or teams like the Baltimore Ravens and the Chicago Bears, that have been so inconsistent during the current NFL season.
So don't worry Browns' fans, your team will at least get one win in 2017. Unfortunately, they'll have to do it without future Hall of Fame left tackle Joe Thomas, who suffered a season-ending injury last week.
The Eagles are Super Bowl bound
There is not one doubt in my mind that the Philadelphia Eagles are the best team in the NFC East and even the NFL right now. But like I said about the Bills, there are still nine weeks to go in the season. Let's see how the Eagles play down the stretch. There's always a chance that they've peaked too early.
The good news for the Eagles is that second-year quarterback Carson Wentz is the real deal and hasn't had a problem converting on third downs in order to keep their offensive drives going. Their two biggest tests in the second half of the season will be when they have to travel to Dallas and Seattle.
