Last year at season's midpoint, we were 2-6.
It can be said that so far this season, there's one game we just didn't play with any heart, one game we should have won, and only one real spanking. Three losses, and a missed opportunity to go 6-2 or even 7-1. The frustration over the team being emotionally/disciplinarily prepared for the season is probably justified as well.
Nevertheless. 5-3 is worlds better than 2-6. Midseason last year is when we started our turnaround, ripping off a 6-2 run to wrap it up.
All signs are pointing toward a similar turnaround, but we have a tougher second half schedule than we did last year.
So how good is good enough? Go 4-4 and we're a "winning" football team again. Go 5-3 and, is that a wildcard berth I smell? If this team stays healthy and continues to coalesce, I wouldn't want to meet them in the playoffs.
Ravens - L
Jets - W
Titans - W
(bye)
Saints - W
Bengals - L
Falcons - W
Chiefs - L
Bengals - W
That would put us at 10-6 and probably be good for a wildcard berth. So the takeaway is... We need to win the games that we absolutely "should." We have to take at least one between Saints and Chiefs. And, if we really want to step up and grab the division, we have to win at least two of the three remaining divisional games. Probably necessarily one each from the Ravens and Bengals, and not simply two winds over Cincy. If we can't take even one remaining divisional game, we won't be in the playoffs and won't deserve to be either.
I'm loving that late bye too.