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by Digger

From underdogs to favorites, each NFL season is full of surprises. 2008 is no different. A few heavily favored teams are struggling. A couple of teams expected to blow away competitors are losing. NFL star players underperforming while a few rookies and old pro's are turning heads.

Time to shine All World All Sports spotlight on a few of the headline makers and breakers....

Biggest Surprises (Teams, thumbs up):
Miami Dolphins (5-4): Miami was 1-15 in 2007. Nobody expected much heading into '08. These guys have knocked off San Diego, New England, Denver and Buffalo. A new feeling of confidence has taken hold over a team considered lucky to win one last year. Trick plays, new formations, Ronnie Brown and Chad Pennington have been on top of their game. Most defenses haven't solved Dolphins energetic attack. Defense has been fired up. A total team effort from front office decisions to coaches to players on the gridiron.

Atlanta Falcons (6-3): 2007 featured an Atlanta team rebounding from their field general being sent to jail. Nothing went right as they finished 4-12. 2008 has a new gang of birds in red and black as the Falcons have been playing inspired football led by rookie of the year candidate QB Matt Ryan. Undefeated at home and currently challenging for post-season play. Solid performances on offense and defense suggest this squad should not be taken lightly.

Tennessee Titans (9-0): Unbeaten and finding new ways to win. Head Coach Jeff Fisher is a tremendous coach who rarely gets his due by sports reporters. This guy understands his players and knows how to get the most out of this team. After a respectable 10-6 finish in '07, most expected QB of the future Vince Young to be ready and vastly improved. Young is out... veteran Kerry Collins is in. Titans running game and defense has been outstanding. When needed, Collins turns it up a notch and leads his team to victory. Not many give these guys a shot at 16-0 immortality... not even themselves. That's ok. All they want is a Super Bowl victory. They're a tough team to beat and any opponent taking them lightly is doomed.

Indianapolis Colts (5-4): For the past few seasons, Indy usually began their year on fire (13-3 in '07). Not this year. Colts are still trying to find their grove. Indy's five wins haven't been easy. Peyton Manning hasn't been his old self. Marvin Harrison is clearly missing a step and dropping passes he normally corrals. Lack of a running game and inconsistent defense has left the '08 Colts vulnerable. Back to back tough wins vs New England and Pittsburgh could be a welcome sign of good things ahead. It's still iffy but Dungy has a shot at salvaging a disappointing year.

Minnesota Vikings (5-4): Vikings were clueless opening the year 0-2. A couple of key personnel changes quickly energized players and turned things around in a hurry. QB Gus Ferrotte has been the man leading Minnesota to wins in 5 of 7. HB Peterson has been a game changer. Vikings defense has made big plays when they had to. This squad doesn't strike fear into opponents... yet. They do seem to play better cohesive football from week to week. Big tests still remain. Vikes should not be counted out.

(thumbs down)
Seattle Seahawks (2-7): 10-6 division winners in '07. Seattle has been horrible so far with no signs of improvement on the horizon. These guys find new ways to define inept. Only wins have been against San Francisco and St. Louis... whoopie. They've barely challenged after opening kickoffs in other contests. Offense, defense and coaching decisions have not panned out. A total team collapse. What happened to this squad? Injuries, age and lack of innovation have derailed any hope of salvaging a respectable season.

San Diego Chargers (4-5): 11-5 division winners had been predicted to win it all in '08. They haven't looked good in most games. Began 0-2 losing by a combined 3 points. It's been a tough luck season. Early on it was bad officiating, dropped passes... anything and everything which could go wrong usually did. They've battled back to 4-5 but it's uncertain which path Norv Turner's team will take down the stretch. Big injuries on defense and to LT have created inconsistencies. Turner hasn't solved the puzzle and must for San Diego to have a shot. Many experts keep waiting for the Chargers to turn it around. It would help if these guys were able to figure out a way to win on the road.

Detroit Lions (0-9): 7-9 in '07. Nobody expected to Lions to suddenly rise to top status. However, after years and years of rebuilding... and 7 wins in 2007... most in Motown expected improvement. Wrong. This is the worst organization in the NFL. Horrible front office, subpar coaching, substandard players all add up to ZERO wins. That's right, this team hasn't won a game. They've barely even challenged in most. Things are so bad QB Dante Culpepper was signed mid-week and started yesterday. There's no way he knows this offense... that's how pathetic this team has become. I'd comment on their defense if there was a defense to comment on. It doesn't get much worse then the 2008 Detroit Lions. If they win a game it will be a result of a fluke incident.

Stay tuned for Biggest Suprises and Busts ranking players and coaches........