Fansided

NFL: Grading Each Team’s First Half

By Brad Rowland

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) calls out an audible in the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) calls out an audible in the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Bills tight end Scott Chandler (84) celebrates with wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets in the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Bills tight end Scott Chandler (84) celebrates with wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets in the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

Buffalo Bills

It doesn’t “feel” like the Buffalo Bills are a playoff contender, but they certainly are. At 5-3, the Bills have been a pleasant surprise, and given that they opted to switch quarterbacks mid-season after early struggles from former first-round pick E.J. Manuel, the offense has been better than expected. C.J. Spiller is gone for the season and Fred Jackson is banged-up at the moment, but Buffalo has still managed to remain passable on the ground, and the emergence of Sammy Watkins as an elite pass-catcher in the first half of his rookie season has been a God-send.

Defensively, the Bills are quite good and quite talented, and that unit is the reason for major optimism. Only Baltimore and San Diego have allowed fewer points in the AFC among teams who have participated in eight games, and Buffalo has won back-to-back games on the strength of a defense that currently ranks third in the NFL in DVOA.

Kyle Orton being the quarterback on a playoff contender in 2014 isn’t wildly encouraging, but outside of that, the Bills are quietly fun.

Grade: B+

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