At the halfway point of 2016, who is the best team in the NFL?

[tk13]

Still one game to go on Monday night, but we're pretty much at the halfway point of the season. Only 5 AFC teams have a winning record. The NFC isn't doing too much better. Believe it or not, the Chiefs have the 4th best record in the league. Early favorites Pittsburgh and Minnesota have faltered, Dallas is hot, Oakland is contending for the first time in a while, and the Patriots just traded away one of their most talented defenders. Who is the best team in the NFL? Poll coming.

[NJChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I don't think I'd use the adjective "distant" when describing the Chiefs, Cowboys and Patriots.

The return of a healthy Houston puts this team firmly in the #2 spot for me and I think the Chiefs and Patriots would be a close game on a neutral spot.

I don't really disagree here.

Problem for KC is that the game won't be played on a neutral site. It will be played in NE in all likelihood, and their stats their are well known. If we go to NE, we will need to play at our highest level, including game management, and not walk in playing not to lose.

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Last year? Oh, **** yes. Our two best RBs, our starting FB, our starting left tackle, one of our starting guards, our starting middle linebacker, and key depth at a number of positions, including CB and LB, which affected special teams. Sure, none of those guys individually is as good as Houston, but collectively, it had a HUGE impact. There's a reason we went from 10-0 to start the year to wheezing through the final six games and then losing in the playoffs!

A reason why I don't think KC being healthy is all that we need to beat NE. We need a different attitude, and better execution from the players in the red zone so far this year. People talk about KC's injuries, and while NE did get key players back, the injury bug was working for them as well.

And odds are, somebody big will be missing for KC and/or NE should a rematch occur.

[GoChargers]

The Cheatriots - until their newest cheating tactic gets exposed and we have to put an asterisk on yet another season.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by NJChiefsFan

A reason why I don't think KC being healthy is all that we need to beat NE. We need a different attitude, and better execution from the players in the red zone so far this year. People talk about KC's injuries, and while NE did get key players back, the injury bug was working for them as well.

And odds are, somebody big will be missing for KC and/or NE should a rematch occur.

The Patriots have dominated the NFL to a large extent over the last 15 years, and seem to have a great team this year, but as always there are weaknesses. Sometimes they overcome them, and sometimes they don't. SB wins were well within reach in '06, '07, '11 and last year, but the Pats couldn't overcome the issues they had.

The pass-rush seems very weak so far this year (some players seem to be underperforming, and at other times it seems schematic), and the OLine as usual has some questions, though they've been ok so far. Third down/red area was a problem early in the year but has been corrected, seemingly.

But Brady, the skill position players and the DLine have been excellent. If we can get HFA, then I will take my chances against anyone. All teams have warts... And then, of course, there's random luck -- from the refs to the bounce of the ball. Chiefs with a good, balanced team and a good pass rush (assuming Houston is back and effective) will have as good a chance as anyone.

The more I see of Siemen the less I think of him. He's a noodle arm with decent accuracy but limited game management abilities.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by NJChiefsFan

I don't really disagree here.

Problem for KC is that the game won't be played on a neutral site. It will be played in NE in all likelihood, and their stats their are well known. If we go to NE, we will need to play at our highest level, including game management, and not walk in playing not to lose.

On top of this we are a beat up team right now. And even when Houston returns it will be a while before he's in game shape.

Hell, last week by the end of the game the only real starters on offense playing were offensive lineman.

The impressive thing was winning last week with a combination of our 2nd and 3rd string offense...