|
| AFC North |
 |
 |
 |
 |
AFC East |
 |
 |
 |
 |
AFC West |
 |
 |
 |
 |
AFC South |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| NFC North |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NFC East |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NFC West |
 |
 |
 |
 |
NFC South |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Thoughts And Observations |
| |
Week Three Review
It continues to look like what we expected in the NFL this year is not what we're going to get. Up seems down. Down seems up. Everything appears a little skewed sideways to me. The points continue to pour in for a lot of teams.
After three weeks, we usually know what will be for the season. The teams that are struggling will likely continue to struggle (remember, this is written before the Monday Night game), and the teams surging will probably continue. There are seven undefeated teams (2-0 Raiders on bye), but by no means will any go undefeated. That we know. In fact, I could see the best record this year being 13-3, and probably only one team that good. Who it will be is still no given. It's just that kind of a year. Of course, that's only my view, but you're here reading, so I guess you kind of like that.
Game Notes
Didn't we think the Jets, Vikings, Colts, 49ers, Rams, and probably the Chiefs, Titans Redskins and Seahawks would all be better offenses than this? If you play fantasy football, you certainly were hoping for better things from players on these teams (we'll give Priest Holmes a pass). Sure, not all these guys can be considered bad, but inconsistent is coming to mind.
What we didn't expect is the scoring from teams like the Dolphins, Eagles, Patriots and Browns. We knew there were good players on these teams, but they're offensive systems didn't predict some of the point totals we're seeing. The Broncos we knew may work in either direction, and they have been good in the past. They're not as good, but seem to be improving. I don't know how long these others will hold up at the pace they have established, but they all appear that they could remain pretty steady.
The thing to remember is, don't expect a lot to change, barring injury. I believe the Dolphins could come down a bit, but I'm always wrong about this team, so what's another time?
So, going towards week four (the season is already going too fast) I think the class teams of the league are the Eagles and Saints in the NFC, and the Patriots and Dolphins the class of the AFC. That doesn't mean this is how the conference championship games will play out, but it looks like these could be the favorites.
Here's my list for the weekly performances:
Top Five
Browns - This team is showing a gutsy resolve that past teams have lacked. A helmet from 3-0.
Dolphins - Drubbing the Jets shows this group is new and improved. Ricky has been amazing so far.
Saints - On the road and twenty down? No problem. This is a team that the NFC should be watching.
Eagles - After first week screw-up, this team is rolling and looking pretty mighty in the NFC.
Falcons - Sure, the Bengals suck, but it was fun to watch Michael Vick as he gets better and better.
Bottom Five
Chiefs - They need an old priest to go with the young Priest so they can exorcise their defensive demons.
Jets - What is the deal with this offense? It's obviously time to sit Vinny and see what the future holds.
Vikings - Does Randy Moss even realize that when things are imploding for this team that he's the blame?
Bengals - There's no reason for performances like this. Is it the coach, or the organization? See below.
Seahawks - Is Mike Holmgren still the coach? The offense sure doesn't show it. Dilfer should could use O-line help.
A look around...
The Awards
Bonehead of the Week Award: Dick LeBeau - Not playing Akili Smith is simply stupid. The offense is going nowhere. You've got two reject quarterbacks, and one you drafted high and paid a ton of money, who has scrambling ability, and has outplayed the other two since day one of training camp. I just don't get it. No one else is making it happen, so see what you got. Give him a chance to develop. What's the worse that could happen? You lose? Again? Dick LeBeau may be a nice guy, but my father-in-law is a nice guy, yet I wouldn't let him coach my team.
Big Time Loser of the Week Award: Double-Jets - They were here last week, too. Since a decent (not great, decent) performance in week one, they have been shellacked for two straight weeks. Vinny Testeverde looks like he did as a rookie in Tampa (does he have more TDs than INTs in his career yet?). Some people say the offensive line is a big problem, but that line is no worse than the Dolphins, and look how they're doing. Maybe it's simply time to look at Paul Hackett's career as an offensive coordinator. It's not exactly stellar.
Bottom of the Barrell Award: Bungalos - Wow, I hope the Bengals organization feels honored. They're the first to get two awards in one week! I feel sorry for Bengals fans, and I feel sorry for the players. There's way too much talent for this kind of performances.
Cuda, Wuda, Shuda Award: Chefs - It was an amazing performance by Priest Holmes, but just not enough. Maybe Dick Vermeil now realizes that his defense sucks, and will attempt some adjustments. Hey, you're running back just shredded the reigning Super Bowl champs for another TD, what are you going to do now? "I'm going to let them score again, too!"
Oddities
Hakim vs. Morton
Hakim's five receptions for 41 yards, a punt return TD and a rush for minus-five; to Morton's two catches for 44 yards. I'm sorry, I can't take it no more. This is the last installment for these two. I'm going to sleep thinking about it. Oh, by the way, the Lions win with Hakim. Morton doesn't score or return punts.
Rookie Receivers
Want your rookie receiver to make an impact? Limit him to packages and particular plays. That's how it worked with Randy Moss way back when he had a heart. Now, you have the likes of Deion Branch, Donte Stallworth and Andre Davis actually making an impact as rookies. That's smart. It's taken Mike Martz weeks to figure that out with two veterans he brought over.
Green Bay Rush
I overheard some excited fantasy owners anxious to play Rondell Mealey when Ahman Green was to miss the game. Since most of them didn't have Green to start with, they figured to get a jump-start to their morabund running games. Mealey's numbers: 5 Carries, 7 Yards. Oh, Najeh Davenport had 22-84. You didn't know about him? Me neither, really. I knew they had him, but didn't know they liked him that much.
Back-Up Watch
Akili Smith
He'll likely top this list until he plays. He really must have rubbed some people the wrong way with that team. It almost looks like Marcus Allen's last years with the Raiders.
Kelly Holcomb
It looks like Couch can still handle his job. Holcomb will likely start again, but probably not many more times with the Browns. They'll likely be able to deal him next offseason for a decent draft pick.
Chad Pennington
I don't know the offense, and I'm not in football shape, but I could probably play no worse than Testeverde has played the past couple of weeks. They took Pennington in the first round, so now's the time to see what you got. Incidentally, the Jets haven't called me yet. I probably will not let you know if they do, because I'll drop this site and go. Why not?
Chris Weinke
Are you sure your college eligibility is up? You could be the first thirty-year-old college quarterback. Or were you already? Either way, you will not be playing in the NFL for awhile. Unless Rodney Peete gets hurt.
The Bandwagon
The Patriots showed a little kink in the armor Sunday, allowing Priest Holmes to bust them up for 180-yards. I have started to notice the pundits starting to give some credit to the Broncos. Eagles green suddenly is getting popular, too.
Show Me Again Next Week
Teams - Okay, granted, the Packers have not played all that great. Still, if the Panthers can take them out at Lambeau, I'm sold. Let's see it. Also, we'll see how good the Chargers are, because they draw the Patriots this week. This test goes for the Pats, too, but not to the same degree. Make it close Chargers, and I will consider you a playoff contender.
Players - Several Browns players, but mostly Tim Couch can really make a statement, even if the Steelers have given up a ton through the air. The Steelers have had a bye, so we'll see what both teams are made of.
MIKE LIKES
Week Four (Bye: Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Francisco, Washington):
New Orleans vs Detroit
We know Harrington can play gutsy now, but this probably will not be the game their last one was.
Pick: Deuce digit deficit
Carolina vs Green Bay
They say the Panthers haven't played anyone. We'll find out if the Packers are anyone.
Pick: Favre from no one
Miami vs Kansas City
We know the Dolphins can score. Can the Chiefs continue to shoot out?
Pick: Fiedler on a roof
Chicago vs Buffalo
The Bears are hurting on the defense. The Bills have no defense. High score, but whose higher?
Pick: Bears get Buffaloed
Dallas vs St. Louis
The Rams have good games in them. The Cowboys have bad games in them. Let's see if they match.
Pick: The long, curly horns
Houston vs Philadelphia
Poor David Carr. He'll get smacked again. The question is how close can the Texans defense keep it?
Pick: The non-McSpansion team
Cleveland vs Pittsburgh
Always a fun one, even when one of them suck. Neither really does, so let the game begin.
Pick: No potato on this Couch
New York Jets vs Jacksonville
Jags have some semblance of a team. Jets don't, but that could change in one day.
Pick: Taylor-made
New York Giants vs Arizona
There should be more scoring than five field goals, but we know who will do most of it.
Pick: It is a Toomer
Tampa Bay vs Cincinnati
Gee, let's see how bad the Bengals can beat themselves this week.
Pick: Bucs hold the Key-shawn
Tennessee vs Oakland
Usually a good game, but Titans a bit discombobulated. Will still come to play.
Pick: Stealing a McWin
New England vs San Diego
Game of the week. Chargers will run after Chiefs exposure. Pats will have some answers.
Pick: Billichickity's Boys
Minnesota vs Seattle
Two teams...falling apart. Seahawks line should start giving Trent more time. Don't know about Daunte's.
Pick: No Moss gathers on Hawks
Denver vs Baltimore
Unless the Ravens are a different team, some of you may be missing Ally McBeal. No me, though.
Pick: No Bronco busting
Moving on...
| | |
THINGS I KNOW OR WONDER:
With an attendance of 28,980 for the Chargers game, you really have to consider either moving or stripping Cardinals ownership from Bill Bidwell. The Bidwell idea makes the most sense.
Can anything change dramatically with Steve Spurrier's offense after watching TE Zeron Flemister lead the team in receiving?
If rookie RB Jonathon Wells learns pass-blocking to go with the rest of his game, the Texans offense will take a nice step forward.
If a tree fell on the Bengals organization and wiped out the franchise, would anyone notice?
Right now, the AFC appears to be the more solid conference, but we know that doesn't buy a Super Bowl.
THINGS I CAN PREDICT:
Chad Pennington will be starting for the Jets sooner than later.
No matter the margin of victory, the Pats will know they played the Chargers.
Of the fourteen games this weekend, five are non-games really (Saints-Lions, Rams-Cowboys, Texans-Eagles, Bucs-Bengals and Broncos-Ravens). Still, one will upset.
Several players will suffer for extended periods this season and beyond from a new syndrome called "The Michael Vick Flash".
Vikings owner Red McCombs will actually beg and plead to switch franchises with Bengals owner Mike Brown. McCombs knows it would be better than his Randy Mossed team, but Brown doesn't do it because he likes torturing the city of Cincinnati too much.
Mike owns and publishes SkillPositions.Com, along with a big, expensive, and talented staff. Don't use this work without permission in writing. Mike has been known as the world's only living heart donor. He also thinks morals are paintings on walls, and scruples are money in Russia.
|
|
| | | |
