NFL

Top 10 NFL Contenders At Quarter Mark

Top 10 NFL Contenders At Quarter Mark

Brandon Flowers San Diego Chargers
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

So far, the 2014 NFL season has largely been a year of surprises. This includes the Seattle Seahawks losing to the San Diego Chargers and the poor play of perennial contenders New Orleans and New England. Here’s a look at the top 10 contenders at the quarter pole.

10. San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers celebrate
Kelly L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

10. San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers celebrate
Kelly L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The 49ers squeak onto this list because of their huge win over Philadelphia in Week 4. However, this team still has a ways to go before they can break into the top half of the NFC West. If reports of unrest in the San Francisco locker room continue to surface, it could be a challenging year for the Niners.

9. Detroit Lions

Eric Ebron Detroit Lions
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

9. Detroit Lions

Eric Ebron Detroit Lions
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The offensive firepower is Detroit’s strength, but the defense is no joke either — they rank seventh against the run and fifth against the pass through four weeks of play. And how about the rookie tight end Eric Ebron scoring his first pro touchdown on Sunday? That aerial attack would be nightmarish if Ebron established himself as a threat.

8. Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

8. Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

You have to respect what the Cowboys are doing right now. Realizing they have one of the league’s premier backs, Dallas has shifted their focus toward the ground game, giving DeMarco Murray 99 attempts in September. The Cowboys could have a 2,000-yard rusher on their hands, which is by no means a bad thing.

7. Philadelphia Eagles

Jeremy Maclin Philadelphia Eagles
Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports

7. Philadelphia Eagles

Jeremy Maclin Philadelphia Eagles
Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports

About the Eagles’ loss to the 49ers — shoulda, coulda, woulda. Come crunch time in December, the Eagles will be wishing they won that game, but the fact remains that they are a force to be reckoned with in the landscape of the NFC. It would be a surprise if they didn’t win their division outright.

6. Baltimore Ravens

Haloti Ngata Baltimore Ravens
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

6. Baltimore Ravens

Haloti Ngata Baltimore Ravens
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Believe it or not, veteran wideout Steve Smith is on pace to snag 100 passes this season. Give credit to the Ravens for taking a chance on the old man, as the move is paying more dividends than anyone could’ve expected. Somehow this team has put aside the distractions involving the Ray Rice fiasco and is contending in the AFC.

5. Denver Broncos

Rahim Moore Denver Broncos
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

5. Denver Broncos

Rahim Moore Denver Broncos
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Losing yet again to the Seahawks has to leave a bad taste in the Broncos’ collective mouth. But the added weaponry of Emmanuel Sanders, T.J. Ward, DeMarcus Ware and Aqib Talib will only help this team as the season goes on. And it’s worth noting that Peyton Manning has had two weeks to figure out the Cardinals.

4. Arizona Cardinals

Patrick Peterson Arizona Cardinals
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

4. Arizona Cardinals

Patrick Peterson Arizona Cardinals
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The only undefeated team in the NFC travels to Denver rested and eager to defend the zero in the loss column. Keep your eye on Patrick Peterson, who is coming off arguably his worst game in recent memory. One thing that bodes well for the Cardinals is their suffocating run defense that has allowed only 2.9 yards per carry.

3. Seattle Seahawks

Marshawn Lynch Seattle Seahawks
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

3. Seattle Seahawks

Marshawn Lynch Seattle Seahawks
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of immovable run defenses, the Seahawks boast the best unit in the NFL, surrendering only 2.8 yards per rush. This team looks all the part of a repeat champ — don’t expect them to come close to losing until after Thanksgiving, when they play the 49ers and Cardinals each twice, and the Eagles.

2. Cincinnati Bengals

Reggie Nelson Cincinnati Bengals
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

2. Cincinnati Bengals

Reggie Nelson Cincinnati Bengals
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The theme of defense continues to dominate the top half of this list. You can bet that the Bengals are licking their chops in anticipation of Sunday night’s matchup against the flogging New England Patriots offense. Know this: The Bengals won’t lose the undefeated label before the Cardinals.

1. San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers San Diego Chargers
Robert Hanshiro-USA TODAY Sports

1. San Diego Chargers

Philip Rivers San Diego Chargers
Robert Hanshiro-USA TODAY Sports

Philip Rivers must be considered a serious contender for MVP. He leads all quarterbacks with a 114.5 rating and is the pilot of a fifth-ranked passing offense. Oh, and don’t forget — Rivers and the Chargers unseated the defending Super Bowl champs a few weeks ago. This team is for real.

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