Many positive, negative surprises mark NFL season’s 1st half

By STEVE MEGARGEE
AP Sports Writer

The New York Jets, New York Giants and Miami Dolphins could end long playoff droughts while the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams and reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers are well below .500. These aren’t the NFL standings anyone envisioned before the season. It’s not unusual for each NFL postseason to have a few new faces. Seven of the 14 playoff teams each of the last two seasons hadn’t reached the postseason the previous year. What makes this season stand out is that several playoff contenders are relevant for the first time in several years.