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2016 NFL Season: Separating the Contenders and Pretenders

By Erik Lambert

Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) motions to fans after a call in the game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) motions to fans after a call in the game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) carries the ball up the middle during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) carries the ball up the middle during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /

Contender:  Houston Texans

People will want to talk about Brock Osweiler. While of course being the quarterback makes him important, the sheer talent of the Houston Texans roster might be at a point where his role is rendered secondary. That pass rush led by J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney may set records this season. DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller are forming quite the explosive receiving tandem. Couple that with the able running of Lamar Miller and this roster seems loaded.

Pretender:  Minnesota Vikings

So far this team has made it to 2-0 thanks to the outstanding play of their defense and wide receiver Stefon Diggs. They fell behind 10-0 against Tennessee before being able to rally and narrowly edges Green Bay 17-14 at home. Now Adrian Peterson has a torn meniscus and Sam Bradford is behind a shaky offensive line. It just feels like this team is flirting with disaster and surviving rather than thriving. The breaking point could come at any time.

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