Week 3 Surprises
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fleaflicker
- Official BleacherCoach
- Posts: 1947
- Joined: March 13th, 2004, 12:32 am
Week 3 Surprises
In the beginning of yet another professional football season, there are many things that can surprise a fan. Here some of the things that have jumped out at me so far.
Biggest Disappointment: How did the Kansas City Chiefs manage to start 3-0, even losing to the Houston Texans? That defense is about the worst in the NFL, and the offense isn't looking nearly as good as last year. I'd be surprised if they get 20 points against the Ravens, and if Jamal Lewis runs for less than 150 yards.
Biggest Surprise: Definately the Jacksonville Jaguars are the surprise team of this season. They may not have much of an offense (35 points in 3 games) but they have one ferocious defense. When you hold Steve McNair and co. to 12 points, that is really something. It is unknown how well they'll fare against Peyton Manning, but they should hold their own with the NFL's number 1 offense, and should do a little better against the worst defense.
Running Backs: Did anybody think that Curtis Martin would bust out of the blocks with 318 yards rushing in two games? I sure as heck didn't. Quentin Griffin, after having a field day against the Chiefs, is in danger of losing his starting position. And how about Tyrone Wheatley's one hundred yard game against the Bucs?
Defense: The most impressive defense (to me) so far is that of the Jacksonville Jaguars. They have grit, and they have played some pretty decent teams and come out on top. They say defense wins championships and this team has it. Only 28 points allowed in the first three games. Another big defense is that of the Seattle Seahawks, which 3 games into the season, has the fewest points allowed of any team, and shut out the 49ers. This team also has a good offense as well.
Quarterbacks: Donovan McNabb has never been more impressive than he has been in the first three weeks of the season. He's averaging over 300 yards a game and he has 9 TDs (I think) so far, with no interceptions. Daunte Culpepper is doing likewise in Minnesota, and Peyton Manning is doing what he always does in putting up big numbers. However, no matter of big numbers and big guns, I still think the best QB in the league so far is Tom Brady. He is pure clutch, and he is always able to win, regardless.
The Arizona Cardinals have stifled even some of the good teams, even if they are winless after 3 games. Giving up only 23 points to the Patriots, 17 to the Rams, and 6 to the Falcons is telling me that they might have a good defense brewing out there...
Could Jeff Garcia be any worse? After starting three games, and putting up rather unimpressive numbers, I think the Browns are almost ready to throw Luke McCown in there, and probably would if they weren't worried about his future. Against the Dallas Cowboys, Garcia's rating was 0.0, with 8 of 27 passes completed, no touchdowns, and (I think) two picks, with a total of 71 yards through the air.
Vinny Testeverde sure is doing good for a 40 year old QB. Throwing for 300 yards two consecutive games and following up with 250 in the third is no small feat. Dallas can win behind his arm this year, and still perhaps make the playoffs, even despite lacking a running back.
San Francisco, Tampa Bay, and Kansas City are not 3 teams that you would normally think of as horrible, but they are at the bottom of the heap.
Philadelphia is 3-0 for the first time in several years. I think 1993 maybe, but I don't know the date.
The Giants are 2-1, and Kurt Warner is playing good solid football. And before the season, there was a lot of speculation that Eli Manning might be starting by October. If Kurt Warner keeps this up, he'll stay in for the rest of the season, and have a good shot at competing for a starting job elsewhere.
Ben Roethlisberger is doing pretty darn well for a rookie. Throwing for 3 TDs and 3 picks, and a total of 333 in 6 quarters against two of the NFL's best defenses is pretty darn good, and speaks volumes about his potential in years to come.
And while Eddie George and Emmitt Smith are on the way down from their impressive careers, this is only the beginning for Chris Brown of the Titans as he goes for his fourth consecutive 100 yard game. And seeing as they are playing the Chargers, it should come as well.
And finally, the worst run defense in the NFL besides Kansas City is probably Cincinnati. Jamal Lewis ran for 186 yards and Curtis Martin had 196. Who thinks Duce Staley can get at least 150? He he.
Those are my random thoughts on the season so far, and now I need to go grab some grub. Later, and GO STEELERS!
Biggest Disappointment: How did the Kansas City Chiefs manage to start 3-0, even losing to the Houston Texans? That defense is about the worst in the NFL, and the offense isn't looking nearly as good as last year. I'd be surprised if they get 20 points against the Ravens, and if Jamal Lewis runs for less than 150 yards.
Biggest Surprise: Definately the Jacksonville Jaguars are the surprise team of this season. They may not have much of an offense (35 points in 3 games) but they have one ferocious defense. When you hold Steve McNair and co. to 12 points, that is really something. It is unknown how well they'll fare against Peyton Manning, but they should hold their own with the NFL's number 1 offense, and should do a little better against the worst defense.
Running Backs: Did anybody think that Curtis Martin would bust out of the blocks with 318 yards rushing in two games? I sure as heck didn't. Quentin Griffin, after having a field day against the Chiefs, is in danger of losing his starting position. And how about Tyrone Wheatley's one hundred yard game against the Bucs?
Defense: The most impressive defense (to me) so far is that of the Jacksonville Jaguars. They have grit, and they have played some pretty decent teams and come out on top. They say defense wins championships and this team has it. Only 28 points allowed in the first three games. Another big defense is that of the Seattle Seahawks, which 3 games into the season, has the fewest points allowed of any team, and shut out the 49ers. This team also has a good offense as well.
Quarterbacks: Donovan McNabb has never been more impressive than he has been in the first three weeks of the season. He's averaging over 300 yards a game and he has 9 TDs (I think) so far, with no interceptions. Daunte Culpepper is doing likewise in Minnesota, and Peyton Manning is doing what he always does in putting up big numbers. However, no matter of big numbers and big guns, I still think the best QB in the league so far is Tom Brady. He is pure clutch, and he is always able to win, regardless.
The Arizona Cardinals have stifled even some of the good teams, even if they are winless after 3 games. Giving up only 23 points to the Patriots, 17 to the Rams, and 6 to the Falcons is telling me that they might have a good defense brewing out there...
Could Jeff Garcia be any worse? After starting three games, and putting up rather unimpressive numbers, I think the Browns are almost ready to throw Luke McCown in there, and probably would if they weren't worried about his future. Against the Dallas Cowboys, Garcia's rating was 0.0, with 8 of 27 passes completed, no touchdowns, and (I think) two picks, with a total of 71 yards through the air.
Vinny Testeverde sure is doing good for a 40 year old QB. Throwing for 300 yards two consecutive games and following up with 250 in the third is no small feat. Dallas can win behind his arm this year, and still perhaps make the playoffs, even despite lacking a running back.
San Francisco, Tampa Bay, and Kansas City are not 3 teams that you would normally think of as horrible, but they are at the bottom of the heap.
Philadelphia is 3-0 for the first time in several years. I think 1993 maybe, but I don't know the date.
The Giants are 2-1, and Kurt Warner is playing good solid football. And before the season, there was a lot of speculation that Eli Manning might be starting by October. If Kurt Warner keeps this up, he'll stay in for the rest of the season, and have a good shot at competing for a starting job elsewhere.
Ben Roethlisberger is doing pretty darn well for a rookie. Throwing for 3 TDs and 3 picks, and a total of 333 in 6 quarters against two of the NFL's best defenses is pretty darn good, and speaks volumes about his potential in years to come.
And while Eddie George and Emmitt Smith are on the way down from their impressive careers, this is only the beginning for Chris Brown of the Titans as he goes for his fourth consecutive 100 yard game. And seeing as they are playing the Chargers, it should come as well.
And finally, the worst run defense in the NFL besides Kansas City is probably Cincinnati. Jamal Lewis ran for 186 yards and Curtis Martin had 196. Who thinks Duce Staley can get at least 150? He he.
Those are my random thoughts on the season so far, and now I need to go grab some grub. Later, and GO STEELERS!
"To give anything less than the best is to sacrifice the gift." -Steve Prefontaine