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Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

The NFL is wild. We think we know who the best players in the game are, but this is a year-to-year league, and things change quickly. A lot of people might think that because a guy is the best at his position one year, he's going to be the best the next. This isn't the case.

Injuries play a factor—and I'm not just talking about those to stars like Odell Beckham Jr., Aaron Rodgers and J.J. Watt. Sometimes a player suffers an injury in the offseason and doesn't come into the season fully prepared. Some guys fight through nagging injuries even if they don't miss playing time.

Other factors impact who the best players are too. Coaching changes can affect how players are used, as can game situations. Oakland Raiders pass-rusher Khalil Mack, for example, was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. He hasn't been as effective this season, though, because the Raiders haven't held leads as often and therefore he hasn't spent as much time chasing quarterbacks.

So who are the best players after eight weeks of the 2017 season? Well, if I had to put together my ideal offense and defense at the season's midpoint, these would be my choices. I didn't pick players based solely on stats but on what I've seen week in and week out on the game tape.

This is my 2017 NFL All-Midseason Team.