NFL Midseason Review: Denver Broncos and Everybody Else
By Bryce Olin
Coach of the Half-Year: Bruce Arians
I’m tempted to pick Jason Garrett, but I still don’t think he’s that great of a coach. It doesn’t take a genius to give the ball to DeMarco Murray 25-plus times per game, just like John Fox isn’t in the conversation because Peyton Manning is the reason they’re good.
Bruce Arians, on the other hand, had to make do without Carson Palmer for three weeks of the season, and the Cardinals have only lost one game, which makes them tied for the best record in football.
The tough-nosed Arians has stood by his players the whole season, even when making ridiculous claims about a chop block by Julius Thomas.
Arians is the sole reason for the change of attitude in Arizona, and the Cardinals are relentless on defense. Other than getting torched by Manning in Denver, the Cardinals’ defense hasn’t given up more than 20 points in any of their other six games. Arians has little to do with the defense, but the team has taken on his cold, tough personality.
Arizona is for real. People better starting paying attention, especially the Seahawks and 49ers because all three of them aren’t making the playoffs.