Super Bowl picks start to get interesting as we pass the halfway point of the 2009 NFL season. The big question is – will there be another team who inspires and surprises like the Arizona Cardinals did during their improbable run last season? Let’s review a few possible candidates.
Cincinnati never gets respect and remains overshadowed by the Steelers in the AFC North. But this is a team with wins over Pittsburgh, Baltimore (twice), Chicago and Green Bay already this season. The Bengals are a well rounded team that does everything pretty well.
San Diego may have started its late-season push earlier than normal this season, and that’s good news for its chances of stealing the AFC West from Denver and becoming Super Bowl picks. The pressure’s off Phillip Rivers’ team now and the Chargers may play better because of that.
The New York Giants are 5-4 and falling out of the NFC playoff picture but many of their problems relate to injuries. If the secondary can get healthy, we may see the Giants string some wins together and make a playoff push before the season is up.
Arizona could still be this year’s Arizona, right? The blueprint looks the same in that the Cardinals are leading a very weak division. The Cards have also carried the road success from last year’s playoffs into an undefeated road record this regular season. Based on their play as underdogs versus the Bears and Giants on the road, Arizona has a chance to repeat its own story from last season.
A real long shot is Seattle. If the Seahawks beat Arizona this weekend they’ll move within a game of the Cardinals for the NFC West lead. Aside from Week 11 against Minnesota, Seattle’s schedule looks friendly after that, including powder puffs like St. Louis, Tampa and Tennessee.
