As we reach the midway point in the 2013 National Football League (NFL) season, we have been shocked with spectacular finishes, amazed by incredible catches and devastated by heartbreaking injuries.
The first half of the football season has set up for an amazing race to the playoffs for some teams, while showing the flaws that others have to correct in order to reach them.  Here are our midseason awards and predictions for how this exciting season will play out.
MVP: Peyton Manning: Quarterback, Denver Broncos.  The term “putting up video game -like numbers” hardly applies to Manning unless you are incredibly skilled at video games.  Some players would call 29 touchdowns and 6 interceptions with just under 3,000 yards a great season; Manning is calling this a halfway point.
Biggest Surprise: The Indianapolis Colts have shocked everyone with victories over some of the NFL’s most elite teams.  With victories over the San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks and the aforementioned Broncos, second year superstar Andrew Luck and his Colts are a very real threat to challenge for a Super Bowl berth.
Biggest Disappointment: The Atlanta Falcons were predicted by many to be one of the teams to beat in the 2013 season; and beat them they have. The Falcons have been devastated with injuries to some of their best players both on offense and defense.  With a 2-7 record this team has failed to recapture the dominance they had much of last season.
National Football Conference (NFC) Prediction: The Seattle Seahawks have been one of the best teams this season, both offensively and defensively.  They have dominated their division opponents, including last year’s Super Bowl runner-up 49ers, and are poised to be a huge factor come playoff time.
The New Orleans Saints have returned to dominance after coach Sean Payton returned from suspension. Quarterback Drew Brees and company have been deadly through the air and are tied with Seattle for the best records in the NFC.  If both of these teams can stay healthy they may face each other in the NFC Championship.
American Football Conference (AFC) Prediction: The Colts have beaten some of the best teams the NFL has to offer, which makes them an incredibly scary team when they reach the playoffs filled with some of the best teams.  Luck and company should find themselves in the AFC championship if they can continue to win huge games.
Peyton Manning and the Broncos lost to Andrew Luck’s Colts in Manning’s return to Indianapolis (Manning was cut when the Colts drafted Luck).  Manning will have a chance at redemption when these two teams face off in the AFC championship.