National Football League

2016 NFL Season: Separating the Contenders and Pretenders

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

The 2016 NFL season has barely begun but already some teams have begun to separate from the pack, leading inevitably to questions of their Super Bowl readiness.

Are they truly ready to contend this season or are they just the beneficiaries of a fortunate schedule and some good luck? It’s time to explore which teams are which and what the future might hold for them. Be prepared for a few shockers.

Contender: Pittsburgh Steelers

It just doesn’t seem to matter who the Pittsburgh Steelers lose on offense. As long as they have Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and that sturdy offensive line things just seem to work out. What’s truly scary for opponents is they’re about to get one of their best playmakers back in Le’Veon Bell. He’s set to return from suspension. Add that to an already formidable attack and it’s hard to see anybody stopping this team in the AFC North.

Pretender: Philadelphia Eagles

Carson Wentz has played much better than expected through the first two weeks, but he’s been aided by facing what turned out to be two of the lesser teams in the NFL thus far in Cleveland and Chicago. The Philadelphia Eagles are still a team in transition with lots of new faces on both the roster and coaching staff. Most likely they’ll come back down to earth at some point. That may disappoint fans, but the future is still very bright.

Sep 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) carries the ball up the middle during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Contender: Houston Texans

People will want to talk about Brock Osweiler. While of course being the quarterback makes him important, the sheer talent of the Houston Texans roster might be at a point where his role is rendered secondary. That pass rush led by J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney may set records this season. DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller are forming quite the explosive receiving tandem. Couple that with the able running of Lamar Miller and this roster seems loaded.

Pretender: Minnesota Vikings

So far this team has made it to 2-0 thanks to the outstanding play of their defense and wide receiver Stefon Diggs. They fell behind 10-0 against Tennessee before being able to rally and narrowly edges Green Bay 17-14 at home. Now Adrian Peterson has a torn meniscus and Sam Bradford is behind a shaky offensive line. It just feels like this team is flirting with disaster and surviving rather than thriving. The breaking point could come at any time.

Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) motions to fans after a call in the game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Contender: New York Giants

What’s so encouraging about this team is the way they’re winning games of late. The past few years the New York Giants have needed a great performance from Eli Manning and the offense to win. Instead through the first two weeks it has been their revamped defense leading the way, giving up just 19 and 13 points respectively against Dallas and New Orleans. Sooner or later that offense is going to find a groove. If the defense continues to play like it has, this team is going to be a factor in January.

Pretender: Baltimore Ravens

This certainly sounds shocking given how good a franchise the Baltimore Ravens are. They have great coaching and a roster that seems to have solid talent. So why the lack of love? Baltimore narrowly defeated Buffalo and had to overcome a 20-0 deficit to the hapless Browns. That does not smell like a team that’s ready for contending this season. If they struggled to overcome two winless teams like that, what happens when they start running into the hot opponents?