Through eight weeks of the NFL season, the unbeaten Packers (7-0) remain in a class by themselves. However, almost everything else is up for debate.
Here are five myths that may go against things you believe:
? Myth: The Ravens are in good shape to make the playoffs
Reality: If the playoffs began today, the Baltimore Ravens (5-2) would not get in. Both the Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) and New England Patriots (5-2) have a better conference record than Baltimore.
The Ravens rallied to beat the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. But what were the Ravens doing trailing the 1-6 Cardinals by 21 points in the first place? Coming off a terrible Monday night loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Ravens started flat again and narrowly escaped another embarrassing defeat. They have an inconsistent offense, one that was booed at halftime by their home fans.
?AFC's best aren't terrorizing the NFL
"I?d probably be wanting to boo if I was in the stands," quarterback Joe Flacco said. "We weren?t looking too good and we weren?t playing too well."
Give Flacco and the Ravens credit for their comeback. But they face a huge road game Sunday night against their arch rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens pummeled Pittsburgh 35-7 in Week 1. The Steelers (6-2) have not forgotten and they are red hot. Meanwhile, the Ravens still have other challenging games on their schedule?two games against the Bengals, a road game against the Chargers, and a home game against the 49ers.
For the Ravens to make the playoffs, they will have to play better than they have lately.
? Myth: A strong running game is not important anymore
Reality: Running the football effectively is still important in the pass-happy NFL. No, you don?t need to establish a running game early to set up the pass. However, running the football is vital to keep the clock moving when you?re protecting a lead. It?s important if you can run the football effectively in the red zone. And it?s important to run the football with success in short-yardage situations.
?Devalued position? Running backs still carry lots of clout
The top five rushers in Week 8 were LeSean McCoy, Steven Jackson, Frank Gore, Fred Jackson and Arian Foster. All of their teams were winners. Even a pass-loving coach like the Philadelphia Eagles? Andy Reid gave McCoy 30 carries against the Dallas Cowboys.
"The better you can mix it (run and pass), the better off you?re going to be,?? Reid said. ``If you get a lead you?re probably going to end up running the ball a little more.??
? Myth: The Saints are Super Bowl contenders
Reality: It?s hard to say that after watching them lose to the previously winless St. Louis Rams. That continued a trend of the Saints being impressive at home (3-0), but ordinary on the road (2-3).
The Saints still depend so much on Drew Brees. Maybe they depend on Brees too much. When Brees is not on his A-game, like against the Rams, the Saints have no Plan B. Assuming the Saints make the playoffs, and you can?t, can they win a tough game on the road if necessary? Remember last season, when the Saints couldn?t win a playoff game in Seattle? Right now, the Saints do not look improved enough to make a Super Bowl run, and they will have their hands full just trying to win the tough NFC South.
? Myth: The Steelers are too old to repeat as AFC champs
Reality: After beating the Patriots, the Steelers look like the team to beat in the AFC. Four weeks ago, talking about their age was in vogue. Now people are talking about how good they look, and how they have easily morphed into a pass-first team. Ben Roethlisberger threw for a season-high 365 yards against the Patriots, and he is putting together another stellar season. Again, Sunday night?s Steelers-Ravens game will tell us even more. But don?t sleep on the Steelers.
? Myth: The lockout doomed first-year coaches
Reality: Some of them are doing quite well. Start with Jim Harbaugh, who is an early candidate for coach of the year, leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 6-1 record. Hue Jackson with the Oakland Raiders (4-3) and Mike Munchak of the Tennessee Titans (4-3) benefited from being on the staff before they were elevated to head coach. Pat Shurmur has also done a respectable job with the Cleveland Browns (3-4), as has Ron Rivera with the Carolina Panthers (2-6), who could easily have two more wins.
It?s not the first-year coaches who have really struggled. It?s guys that have been around longer, like Jim Caldwell of the Indianapolis Colts (0-8), Tony Sparano of the Miami Dolphins (0-7), Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals (1-6) and Steve Spagnuolo of the Rams (1-6).
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