The Top Five Overrated NFL Teams

The Patriots and Colts, along with Adrian Peterson, dominated the Sunday NFL coverage, and I really don't know what I could add that hasn't already been written. But now that every team has played at least eight games, I thought it would be a good time for a mid-year review.

I want to focus on bad teams, but not the obvious ones. The Jets, Dolphins, Raiders, Falcons, Rams, and 49ers, we all know they stink — heaping further scorn on these squads would only waste valuable Internet space.

There are, though, squads that attempt to fool us with a .500 or better record that have absolutely no business passing themselves off as legitimate playoff-contending teams. Here are my top five...

5) Seattle Seahawks (4-4)

They can't run. They can't stop anyone from running. Or passing. Or keep anyone out of the end zone. But they will be in the playoffs because as bad as they are, their division is so much worse. And by rule, at least one team from the NFC West must in fact make the playoffs, which is lucky for one eventual wild card winner.

4) Carolina Panthers (4-4)

Always the trendy preseason pick because of their weapons at the skill positions or their individually talented defenders, the Panthers continue to frustrate their fans, and Steve Smith fantasy owners. I would say losing Jake Delhomme is entirely the reason for their sputtering start, but when they got hammered at home (where they are winless) by the Houston Texans, Delhomme was in the starting lineup.

3) Baltimore Ravens (4-4)

Every year, the Sports Illustrated preseason scouting report (which I love) says something along the lines of how unbelievable this Ravens defense is, 11 all-pros on side of the ball, etc. That may have been the case three years ago, but nowadays? I don't think their defense scares anyone anymore. Combine that with their offense, who hasn't scared anyone since ... well, never, and you have a team that has wins this season over the Jets, 49ers, Rams, and Cardinals, with losses to the Bengals, Browns, Bills, and Steelers. Oh, and their last playoff win? Elvis Grbac was the quarterback, in 2002 over the Dolphins.

2) Kansas City (4-4)

Herm Edwards has always gotten the most out of his teams — the problem is he usually undermines everything accomplished between the lines with a mortifying decision outside of them. Their defense is decent, but susceptible to giving up the big play. And with the injury to Larry Johnson, their offense just went from awful to ... what's worse than awful? Anyone remember them losing 200-3 to the Colts last year? Are the Chiefs really going to make the playoffs again?

1) Washington Redskins (5-3)

The Redskins are the prime example of how bad the NFC is. This is a team that has virtually no offense, a defense that gave up 52 points, and needed overtime to beat the Jets. In summary, they can't stop you or score, and are currently one game out of the playoffs.