The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THERE has to be some creative spin or detailed marketing plan under development in the NFL’s league office to describe this season.

I am guessing it goes something like: “NFL, where competition happens - except when good teams play”, or “Just watch, we will make sense of it by week 17”.

This season thus far has progressed similar to a mid-season episode of Game of Thrones; death, destruction and horror when you least expect it.

The NFC East division is still orchestrating its bizarre game of musical chairs - the once 0-3 Eagles now sit in first place. Seattle and San Francisco have identical records, but on the field play completely differently, one with heart and passion, the other just shows up.

The league has more undefeated teams at this point in the season than ever; in fact, there there are just as many zero loss teams as there are three-win teams. It’s week seven!

With that said, let’s see if we can make some sense of this unfathomable mirage known as the 2015-16 NFL season.

Seattle Seahawks (2-4) @ San Francisco 49ers (2-4)

Russell, Russell, Russell; you started the season 0-2, battled back to 2-2, led in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati and Carolina, both undefeated. You should be a legit 4-2 but are sitting at 2-4, tied with the 49ers. I feel your pain. With that said, I have to pick you not with confidence, but with empathy.

SEAHAWKS

Buffalo Bills (3-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5)

The league is trying something new with the London match-up; they are streaming it live across the world, for free, on Yahoo. That’s big! As big as the Buffalo bandwagon was earlier this season. The hype has faded recently, with many questioning how new coach Rex Ryan is actually going to fare long term. I think Buffalo still has the talent to make a playoff run, but that run has to start with this game.

BILLS

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) @ Kansas City Chiefs (1-5)

Does Mike Tomlin bench Mike Vick this week? Landry Jones did come in and moved that offence down the field with ease. I think Vick has a short leash this week because the team knows that the offence is so good all they need is a quarterback to steer it.

STEELERS

Houston Texans (2-4) @ Miami Dolphins (2-3)

Yes we know! The Dolphins got a win last week and are now on their way to the Super Bowl. Child please!

TEXANS

Atlanta Falcons (5-1) @ Tennessee Titans (1-4)

The Falcons need to bounce back and show that last week’s loss was just a slip-up against a good team.

FALCONS

Cleveland Browns ( 2-4) @ St Louis Rams (2-3)

This Cleveland team is possibly the best losing team you will ever have a chance to see play. They play tough, play all four quarters and play up to competition. They snuck up on the Ravens, almost did the exact thing to the Broncos; the Browns can win games in the league. St Louis has a running back in Todd Gurley who one can’t help but think is going to run all over this league at some point.

RAMS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-3) @ Washington Redskins (2-4)

This is actually an interesting game. Both teams have had moments this year and showed that they can compete with good teams in big games. Washington took the Falcons to the wire a couple of weeks back. Tampa Bay has played every game to the wire. I want to see what they do in a game where each is supposed to win.

BUCCANEERS

Minnesota Vikings (3-2) @ Detroit Lions (1-5)

Adrian Peterson continues his strong season and the Vikings continue to look like a team on the rise. You have to give credit to the Lions for finding a way to shake what has to be curse in late-game situations; they pulled out a win that they had, then lost, then got back but threw away and then stumbled back into. These two teams will clash in Detroit this week, division rivals who love to play tough against each other.

LIONS

New Orleans Saints (2-4) @ Indianapolis Colts (3-3)

Colts fans are still shaking their collective heads at that confusing fourth down punt attempt. This week they take on the Saints on the tailend of their two-game home stand. Luck is in this week and the offence seems to have found a new metric to move them forward, run Frank Gore and allow Andre Johnson to beat which ever linebacker or safety dumb enough to challenge him in the slot.

COLTS

New York Jets (4-1) @ New England Patriots (5-0)

The Patriots came out with a win against the Colts last week in Indianapolis, but somehow it felt as if they didn’t win. I felt that Brady and the offence left points and plays on the field; the Patriots defence seemed to be one or two steps behind. Regrettably for the Jets they are up next!

The Jets aren’t slouches. They have performed well thus far and that defence looks destine for a Super Bowl appearance. I have long been of the notion that the Jets aren’t for real, they have a chance to prove me and those of similar thought wrong.

PATRIOTS

Oakland Raiders (2-3) @ San Diego Chargers (2-4)

Philip Rivers has his favourite target back. Antonio Gates looked liked a future Hall of Fame tight-end against Seattle last week. The Raiders have made strides this season and continue to look like the team of the future.

CHARGERS

Dallas Cowboys(2-3) @ New York Giants (3-3)

The Giants struggled on Monday night against the Eagles. Let’s face it, the Giants are a week-to-week team that depend on mistakes and mishaps by their opponents to get wins. Dallas had week off to prepare for this and the biggest thing here, Naughty, my Press Box compadre is expected to be at Metlife to ensure that Jason Garrett gets it right.

The Giants always seems to go hard when they play the Cowboys and Eli has some epic games on his resume that hinges on him beating the Cowboys. I want Naughty to enjoy his trip to Gotham City, but I know Eli wants this one badly.

GIANTS

Philadelphia Eagles (3-3) @ Carolina Panthers (5-0)

So you are telling me Cam took his Panthers into Seattle and led them to a comeback victory. If that’s the case he should have a cake walk game against the Eagles right? Wrong! This is the 2015-16 NFL season where things never go as planned. Carolina is at home, the crowd support will be huge for this 5-0 team, but the Eagles have had three decent games in a row. They are just as hot as the Panthers and finally rounding into form.

EAGLES

Baltimore Ravens (1-5) @ Arizona Cardinals (4-2)

I guess we are playing that win one, lose one, scheme in Arizona now.

CARDINALS

Teams on bye

Cincinnati Bengals (6-0)

Denver Broncos (6-0)

Green Bay Packers (6-0)

Chicago Bears (2-4)