2009 End of the Year Special: Surprising/Disappointing Teams of the Year

While I know it says on our BlitzNation End of the Year schedule that today’s category would be “Team of the Year,” after the Saints collapse against the Bucs this past weekend, it just seemed to easy to figure out who the team of the year would be in the NFL. It would be the Browns. Only kidding.

But since it is probably obvious at this point that the Colts have proved the most this season, we’re now going to turn our attention to the surprising and disappointing teams of 2009 in the NFL. There’s certainly a lot of ways you can go with this one, so let’s get started!

Surprising Team of the Year Candidates

New Orleans Saints

Look, we knew the Saints had a solid nucleus. And we knew they would have no problems putting up points this year. But if anyone expected the defense to play as well as they have this season, then they need to be coaching somewhere. The Saints had a playoff team entering this season, but we didn’t think they had a team that could start the season 13-0. They’ve struggled as of late, but that doesn’t get rid of the fact that they are of the most dangerous teams in the league, and surprised us all with their amazing start.

Dallas Cowboys

Remember back in the preseason when analysts were making their picks for the year? Well, I do. And I can tell you that a lot of them had the Cowboys on the outside looking in in terms of making the playoffs. Most thought that this would be the year the Cowboys officially collapsed, and with the loss of Terrell Owens, they simply would be unable to score. Wade Phillips was going to lose his job, and people were already talking about who would replace him. Fast forward a few months later, and this team looks legit. They could make a run in the playoffs.

Denver Broncos

I’ll admit. I honestly thought this would be the worst team in the league after watching them in the preseason. After all, they had just traded for an average QB at best in Kyle Orton, and their superstar, Brandon Marshall, was seeking a trade. It looked like rookie coach Josh McDaniels had a huge mess on his hands. But the Broncos won eight games this year, and still have a shot at making the playoffs. While eight isn’t a ton, it’s probably about six more than we though they’d win when the season started.

Cincinnati Bengals

A lot of people were on the Bengals’ bandwagon before the season, but none of them could have envisioned the domination that the Bengals would put on the rest of the AFC North. Everyone thought this division belonged to the Steelers and Ravens, but the Bengals emphatically proved that statement false. They went 6-0 in the division this season, and are now preparing for a run in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the other teams in the division are still fighting for a playoff spot.

Houston Texans

The Texans have always had the talent to be good, but it’s been about the execution. And while they’re still only 8-7 on the year, if you’d said that entering the final week of the season, they would have a better chance to make the playoffs than the Titans or Jaguars, I would have said you were crazy. That’s the case though, and although they need a few things to bounce their way, they still have a shot. That’s all you can ask for.

And the most surprising team of the year is…..

Denver Broncos

Though the Saints certainly shocked us with their start, the Broncos start might have been more shocking overall. This team started 6-0, and capped that start off with a win at San Diego. Everyone wrote this team off when they traded Cutler for Orton, but they’ve rebounded with a solid season.

Disappointing Team of the Year Candidates

New York Giants