First off, I would like to thank Ian for his great work recently, especially since I’ve been busy lately. His game recap made me cry as much as I did watching the game live. Anyway, on to the rankings.
High Five
The Bills reign supreme for the third straight week after pulling off a fourth quarter comeback for the second consecutive game. True, their opponents have a combined 3 victories, but 3-0 still equals an undefeated record no matter what. Buffalo should gain another easy win this week at St. Louis, but my gut says this one will be closer than people think. The Bills are winning with defense this year, sporting the 6th best scoring unit, and allowing the 5th fewest yards per game in the NFL.
Much like the Bills, the Giants struggled against an inferior team last week. However, they eeked one out in OT to move to 3-0. One also has to remember that the Bengals were a potential offensive juggernaut waiting to explode, while the Giants aren’t exactly the gold-standard of the league offensively. A solid win keeps them atop the toughest division in football with a “bye” coming up this week. A major point of concern is the one game suspension of Plaxico Burress. I don’t understand why he would risk causing a distraction to the team, especially considering their undefeated, and he got his new contract.
Dallas is a team that worries me, but as long as they keep winning, they will remain in the top 5. They are 16th in scoring defense, but their offense can atone for almost any mistake. The 37 points allowed to the Eagles still baffles me, but their two road victories have been impressive. A key divisional and rivalry game with the Redskins is up next. Despite dominating Green Bay on the road last week, I’m not ready to say how this team compares to the one that choked in the playoffs last year.
The Titans are “Buffalo South,” winning with a stifling defense, albeit against teams with a 1-7 combined record. While Vince Young can make plays with his feet, Kerry Collins brings a more consistent arm to the position, easing the pressure on a superb running attack. Collins will have to do more the next two weeks against the Vikings and Ravens, two of the best rush defenses in the league. On the rookie watch, Chris Johnson is averaging 5.5 yards per carry through the first three weeks.
The Redskins beat out the Broncos mainly because Denver should be 1-2. Call me a hypocrite after saying 3-0 is undefeated no matter what, but I don’t believe in the boys from the Rocky Mountains, plus the Broncos lack what the other two undefeated AFC teams have – defense. Washington has consecutive wins over two NFC offensive powerhouses, and now faces the Cowboys in an early season rivalry game. Jason Campbell is looking better and better, and the coaches are finally starting to use all of their weapons in the same game plan.
Just Missed: Denver Broncos
Dive Five
At 0-3, there’s one stat that sums up the first three weeks for the Rams: outscored 116-29. With the Bills coming to town, it won’t get much better. The Rams will always be dangerous at home, so expect a more “spirited” effort against Buffalo, but this team is staring an 0-10 start right in the face.
Quite frankly, I’m shocked the Lions are this bad. Did I have them overrated in my pre-season predictions? Obviously. But this is ridiculous. The Lions have allowed 113 points, and they’ve played the Falcons and 49’ers. The bright spot is that Matt Millen was finally fired, meaning the team can actually draft for the defensive side of the ball. Can anyone say Michael Johnson (DE, Georgia Tech)?
Now this is the Browns team we all know and love. High school level offense. Inconsistent defense. Looking as bad as they sound. Derek Anderson hasn’t thrown for more than 166 yards, Jamal Lewis hasn’t rushed for more than 62 yards, and Kellen Winslow has the biggest receiving day at 55 yards. Plus, they just gave up 28 points to the Ravens. Ouch. Is it Brady Quinn time? Probably not this week, as the Browns get an even worse Cincinnati team before their bye week.
At least the offense actually tried to show up last week. Too bad it wasn’t enough. The Bengals are 0-3 due surprisingly in large part to their offense, which has averaged less than two touchdowns a game. How bad are things going to get when they play a team with a real offense (like Dallas in 2 weeks)? Here comes my crazy, yet interesting proposition of the week: Cincinnati is destined for a top-5 pick, if not #1 overall. Since I believe Carson Palmer’s time to do well in Cinci is past, should the Bengals trade him to a team with a QB need (St. Louis, Detroit, K.C.) for their first round pick? I, for one, can picture the Bengals doing this and selecting teammates Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno in the Top 5. Just a (semi-scary) thought.
The offense is bad (sorry LJ). The defense is improved, but still porous. It seems as if the players don’t want to play for Herm Edwards (why he left the Jets is beyond me). They’ve given up 61 points the last two weeks to the Raiders and Falcons, and they play the hottest offense in the NFL this week (Denver). Brodie Croyle hasn’t made the anticipated progressions, and LJ’s time is wearing thin. They still need help at receiver, and the secondary is a mess. Enough said.
Just Missed: Steelers’ O-Line/Houston Texans
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