“We’re very resilient and always feel we’re going to win.”

The NFL is rarely predictable, outside of maybe Peyton Manning’s domination and Jerry Jones’ antics. The 2014 season has been no exception. The reigning Super Bowl Champions, the Seahawks, have three losses and look pretty different than the powerhouse of last spring. The Lions lead the Packers in the NFC North, the 49ers are barely hanging on at .500 and the Chargers lost again on Sunday, falling to third place in the AFC West.

Which teams have been the best and worst surprises this season? Your Sports Editors debate the biggest busts and success stories at the midway point of the year.

Cale

The team that has surprised me the most this season is the Arizona Cardinals. This team was seemingly decimated by injury and suspension, and currently sits in first place of the NFC West with a record of 7-1. Quarterback Carson Palmer has missed extended action with injuries, and linebacker Daryl Washington was suspended for the season for infractions with the league. Yet, the Cardinals’ defense is ranked third against the run, and they are in the driver’s seat in the NFC.

Mostly, the credit has to go to head coach Bruce Arians, who nearly led the Cardinals to the playoffs last season before this year’s strong opening. Arians is a known offensive coach, and the Cardinals’ timely offense has allowed them to take some close games early in the season. It will be interesting to see if the success will continue in the second half for this team, as it will face many of its division opponents for the second time, and teams will have made adjustments to their game plans.

The team that has disappointed me most this season is the Chicago Bears. After high expectations going into the season, the Bears currently sit at 3-5 and are in last place in the NFC North. There truly is no single reason that the Bears are bad, but in fact multiple reasons. Their offense, which features All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Marshall and running back Matt Forte, has simply underperformed. While much of the blame in the media has been thrust upon quarterback Jay Cutler, he has thrown for 17 touchdowns and 8 interceptions so far this season, which isn’t an awful ratio. A weak offensive line is the main reason this group is not an elite offense.

Typically, the Bears trademark is their defense, which has historically been known as a top unit in the NFL. However, since linebacker Brian Urlacher retired prior to the 2013 season, the Bears’ defense has struggled to find its identity and has been one of the worst units in the NFL. Head coach Marc Trestman is known to be an offensive coach, so perhaps they need a new look on the defensive side of the ball. There is still time in the season for the Bears to turn it around, but they will have to get their act together in the coming weeks to have any hopes of securing a playoff spot.

Dave

Arizona is off to a 7-1 start for the first time since 1974. Defensively the team has been lights out, a factor that is definitely the key to the team’s successes this season. Carson Palmer, the unlikely success story at QB, is quietly putting together the second-best season of his career. He has 11 touchdowns so far with only two picks. Starting five games so far, Palmer is sporting a 99.3 passer rating, with 1,385 yards on 116 completions.

Most recently, Arizona demolished the 6-2 Cowboys 28-17.

“No one freaks out,” Palmer said after Sunday’s win over Dallas, according to NFL.com. “We’re just even-keeled and focused. We’re very resilient and always feel we’re going to win.”

I know Arizona has fallen apart in the past after a strong start, but at this point in the season the ‘Cards look like one of the strongest teams in all of football.

As a Giants fan, I have to say that their failure to put together a winning record this year surprises me. Big Blue is sitting at third in the NFC East, and although I have no doubts that the 6-3 Cowboys will be just as mediocre as ever by the end of the season, the Giants will have to pick up the pace to keep up with the Eagles.

Coming into the season, the Giants made some positive moves on both offense and defense. The addition of a solid running back core featuring Rashad Jennings and rookie Andre Williams, as well as the drafting of standout wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., put the Giants in seemingly a good spot to find success. Defensively the team made moves as well, with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie a standout addition.

At this point in the season however, injuries to Victor Cruz, Beckham, Cromartie and Jennings at various points of the season have put the giants in a tough spot. I think Beckham could fill Cruz’s shoes quite well, and I think the best is yet to come for Big Blue. Monday night’s game against the strong Colt’s offense should answer some questions about the Giant’s future this season.

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