What a strange season this has been.

The players that are supposed to perform aren't. The teams that are supposed to win can’t. And the teams that normally falter are winning. With the exception of the 5-0 Colts and Patriots, and Cowboys, and the 4-1 Steelers, not much else is going to plan.

Larry Johnson and Steven Jackson were supposed to be studs this year. But with LJ getting 12 yards on the ground against the Jaguars, he’s not looking too solid. Jackson, along with the entire offense in St. Louis, can’t catch a break. The Rams, a perennial leader in offensive production, have been decimated by injuries. They have no O-line, no running game, and it’s hard to get Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce the ball when Marc Bulger has been replaced by Gus Frerrotte.

Randy Moss has surprised everyone with his career re-emergence as has the old Cajun, Brett Favre.

What about the teams? I can't remember the last time there were some many teams with zero wins (Miami, St. Louis, and New Orleans). Almost as bad, there are six teams with only one win (Minnesota, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Buffalo, and the NY Jets).

Look at it by division:
NFC North:
A 38 yr-old Favre leads his Packers to 4-1, their best start in years. Jon Kitna promised the Lions would reach 10 wins, and his team is in second at 3-2. Chicago’s quarterback problems have put them at 2-3, only one place ahead of Minnesota (1-3).

NFC East
The Cowboys (5-0) are rolling under Tony Romo. The Redskins (3-1) are surprising critics under Jason Campbell. The Giants (3-2) have found a rhythm with their defense stepping up at key times. Philly (1-3) hasn’t done much since their 56-21routing of the Lions. In the weak NFC, any of these teams could make a playoff run.

NFC South
This is perhaps the strangest division in football. New Orleans, only one season removed from the NFC Championship game, hasn’t won a game. Atlanta (1-4) has fallen apart with the departure of Michael Vick. Carolina (3-2) has struggled early with losses to the Bucs and Texans, but has beaten the Rams, Saints, and Falcons. Also at 3-2, the Buccaneers, coming off a loss to the defending Super Bowl Champion Colts, are the favorite to win the division. 

NFC West
As mentioned before, the Rams are 0-5, allowing 137 points this year while only scoring 70. The 49ers (2-3), who many chose as the sleeper team of the year, are on a three game losing streak after starting 2-0. Seattle (3-2) was blanked by Pittsburgh Sunday 21-0, but has a pretty easy schedule to finish out the season. To the surprise of many, the Arizona Cardinals (3-2) are leading the division. With four out of the Cards five games coming down to three points, the fans finally have excitement back in Arizona. They too have a cupcake schedule ahead of them and their week two win against Seattle may become very important in week 16.

AFC North
Under first year head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers are 4-1. Their defense has only allowed 47 points while their O has scored 132. Baltimore’s (3-2) defense hasn’t been as dominating as year’s past, which has led to interdivision losses to Cleveland and Cincinnati. Cleveland (2-3) has allowed an AFC high 126 points per game. They can’t seem to win back-to-back games, which could hurt them later in the season. Cincinnati (1-3) has been a disappointment thus far. At only one win, the fans are beginning to get antsy. At least the Bearcats are doing well in the college ranks.

AFC East
No surprise here, the Patriots (5-0) are dominating. But what is shocking is how easily they are winning. Their offense is averaging 36 points per game while only allowing 13. Buffalo (1-4) hasn’t gotten much rolling offensively, and has been outscored 118-65. The Jets (1-4) have only beaten the division foe Dolphins and that was only by three. Looks like the J-E-T-S are running low on fuel. The winless Dolphins have lost five straight. Outside of running back Ronnie Brown, the fish have looked bleak. The defense they have built over the last five seasons, looks to be aging quicker than expected, and with Trent Green’s most recent concussion Sunday, the prognosis is not looking good.

AFC South
Even without Joseph Addai, Marvin Harrison and Bob Sanders, the Colts (5-0) easily beat Tampa Bay Sunday. They look to be the Patriots AFC Championship foe this year. Jacksonville (3-1) is continuing to play Jags football. Their stout defense has only allowed 41 points in four games. This week they held the Chiefs to only 10 yards on the ground. Despite five turnovers Sunday, Tennessee (3-1) escaped a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Their rushing attack has been stellar, but their passing game is weak. Without solid receivers, few anticipate the Titans to make the playoffs. Houston (3-2) has looked surprisingly strong this year. They will need to improve on their rushing if they plan to continue their playoff hopes.

AFC West
At 2-2, the Oakland Raiders lead this division and lead the league in rushing (194.2 rushing yards per game). Denver, Kansas City and San Diego are all 2-3. Denver has lost 3 in a row, including an embarrassing 41-3 blowout to San Diego Sunday. Kansas City has yet to establish its running game, (LJ is averaging 55 yards per game and zero tds) but other teams are running rampant over them. San Diego looks to have found their groove and LaDainian Tomlinson expects the Chargers to return to last year’s form.

Predictions
NFC North
GB  11-5*
CHI 9-7
DET 8-8
MIN 6-10

NFC East
DAL 13-3*
NYG 11-5*
WAS 10-6*
PHI 8-8

NFC South
TB 10-6*
CAR 8-8
ATL 7-9
NO 5-11

NFC West
SEA 11-5*
ARI 10-6
SF 8-8
STL 4-12

AFC North
PIT 12-4*
CIN 11-5*
BAL 8-8
CLE 7-9

AFC East
NE 13-3*
BUF 8-8
NYJ 7-9
MIA 3-13

AFC South
IND 13-3*
JAC 12-4*
TEN 8-8
HOU 8-8

AFC West
DEN 11-5*
SD 10-6
OAK 7-9
KC 6-10

NE over DAL in the Super Bowl