It's Week 3, Let the Undefeated Hype Begin!
Chris Stout |Sep 23,2007
|
|
|
 It's Week 3, Let the Undefeated Hype Begin!
Well, let’s have a look then.
Entering Week 3, 10 teams have yet to lose a game. In the AFC, the Broncos, Colts, Texans, Steelers and Patriots are all 2-0. In the NFC, the 49ers, Lions, Packers, Cowboys and Redskins are also 2-0.
Texans vs. Colts – Losing Happens
The Houston Texans play the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and somebody’s gotta lose. Matt Schaub won’t be able to huck bombs to Andre Johnson, who’s out for the next few weeks with a knee injury. The loss of Johnson certainly hinders the ability of the Texans to go undefeated, but hey, managing a winning season will be just as amazing for this lowly franchise.
The Colts still look scary, and with a healthy Bob Sanders, Indy’s D isn’t going to allow 173 rushing yards per game like they did in 2006. In just two games this season, Sanders has 20 tackles, a deflected pass and 2.5 sacks. Oh, and Peyton Manning’s still the starting quarterback, so the defending champs always have a shot at never losing. Since 2003, the Colts are 52-14 in the regular season. Although there are plenty of challenging match ups left on the schedule (against Denver, New England and San Diego to name a few), the Colts have a balanced roster that’ll frighten any member of that ’72 Dolphins team.
49ers at Steelers – The San Francisco Defeat
Is there any doubt that the San Francisco 49ers' run at an undefeated season will end in Pittsburgh on Sunday? I mean any doubt at all? Frank Gore is the entire offense, and there’s simply no way he rushes for 100 yards against the Steelers D. The Pittsburgh Steelers have allowed 10 points in two games this season, and the 49ers haven’t exactly lit it up on offense. The Steelers have played two mediocre squads (Cleveland and Buffalo), so it’ll be interesting to see if Pittsburgh’s early dominance in all phases of the game is as effective against opponents who can hang. It’s gonna be near-impossible for the Steelers to go undefeated this year, but many people forget that this squad went 26-6 in the two seasons leading up to last year’s anomalous 8-8 record. While I wouldn’t hold my breath for an undefeated season in Pittsburgh, there’s a strong chance that the Steelers will reclaim the top spot in their division.
Lions and Packers – The NFC North is Competitive?
What’s this? The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers are both 2-0? Are you sure? Yes, the doormats of the NFC North are finding ways not to lose. But who we are we kidding? Neither of these teams is going undefeated. The Lions are averaging an NFL-best 321.5 passing yards in the first two games of the season, but they have to face a pissed-off Eagles team in Week 3. Donovan’s been heavily criticized for running his mouth about being heavily criticized, and Andy Reid is thirsty for a win. Detroit will have to dominate if they want to hold off a bitter, winless Eagles squad. Before anyone talks about an undefeated season for the Lions, let’s keep in mind that Detroit’s 2-0 record game at the expense of the Raiders and Vikings. Still, getting Kevin Jones will boost an already high-flying offense. But let’s be realistic. The Lions upcoming schedule is fierce (with games against Chicago, Washington, Tampa Bay, Chicago again and Denver). If the Lions can continue to put up sick numbers against these tough defenses, they could go on a magical playoff run. Let’s wait and see.
The Packers are back, and Brett Favre looks like he’s having fun. Does that mean the team will run the table and go undefeated? No way. There’s just no way. It’s nice to see Favre doing his thing, but this squad will have to extra-over-achieve in order to beat the San Diego Chargers in Week 3.
NFC East Beasts – The Cowboys and Skins
The Cowboys and Skins have both looked sharp so far this season. Tony Romo loks is the real deal and the Redskins defense is as punishing as ever. After playing two crappy defenses (the Giants and the Dolphins), the Dallas Cowboys are averaging 41 points per game. Let’s see if that offense can continue to fire on all cylinders against the Bears D in Week 3.
The Washington Redskins have a much lighter road to 3-0. Playing the Giants defense is like driving a semi-truck through a 10-foot wall of 2-ply toilet paper. The Skins are already averaging 160.5 yards per game on the ground, so manhandling the worst defense in the NFL shouldn’t be that difficult. Still, Jason Campbell’s 56 percent completion rating and 66.3 passer rating will have to improve if the Skins want the W’s to continue. Don’t hold your breath for an undefeated season in Washington.
The Broncos – Squeaking Into 2-0
Denver has barely made it to a 2-0 start. The team’s good, but it took two last-second field goals by Jason Elam for the team to earn undefeated honors entering Week 3. Travis Henry currently leads the NFL in rushing and Jay Cutler is looking quite comfortable under center. Still, when you have to squeak out wins against the Bills and the Raiders, and undefeated season appears far from likely.
The Pats – Simply Frightening
The New England Patriots are on an absolute rampage. With their integrity being called into question, the Pats have responded by putting up an average of 419 yards and 38 points in their first two games. Tom Brady, who was cursed with crummy receivers last year, has completed 79.7 percent of his passes in 2007. Read that last stat again and really think about it. That’s friggin’ sick. Brady has tossed six touchdowns to only one interception. His passer rating is 134.2. Oh yea, and the top defense from last season is still number one. New England’s D is allowing only 214 yards per game. Together, the Jets and Chargers averaged only 56 yards on the ground against this rock solid unit.
The Pats are playing the Bills in Week 3, so they’ll be 3-0 entering their Week 4 match up against the Bengals. If there ever was a team that should strike fear into the hearts of every remaining player from that 1972 Dolphins squad, it’s the Pats. With super-stacked offseason additions, extra motivation and a coach who is capable of selling an us-against-the-world mentality, the Pats may never, ever lose a game again.
But hey, it’s only been two weeks. In a world where the Cleveland Browns can put up 51 points, anything is possible. Still, if you want to put your money on an undefeated hopeful, you gotta love the Pats' chances.
|
|
|
|
Print
E-mail
Del.icio.us
Digg
