The Most Unpredictable NFL Stories from the First Quarter of 2012

NFL experts, analysts and prognosticators, in what's become an annual tradition, are getting out their erasers. 

Once again, the NFL certainly hasn't disappointed in the unpredictable department at the 2012 season's quarter pole. 

There's a reason they play the games, because often, things simply don't go as "planned."

These are the most unpredictable stories through four weeks. 

The 4-0 Arizona Cardinals

After an abysmal preseason, one in which Kevin Kolb appeared to be totally in over his head and eventual starter John Skelton wasn't much better, to the overwhelming majority, the Arizona Cardinals were bound for a top draft pick. 

Fast forward a month. 

The Cardinals are 4-0, with wins over the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles. 

How have they done it? 

Well, with Kevin Kolb, of course. 

He has a 97.6 QB rating through four games, which is higher than the ratings of Peyton Manning, Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning and Philip Rivers.

You know, just like we suspected. 

But, it hasn't been all Kolb. The defense has been spectacular, outside of allowing more than 400 passing yards to Ryan Tannehill in Week 4. 

Still, it's absolutely remarkable that the Arizona Cardinals are sitting atop the NFC West with a 4-0 record right now. 

The 0-4 New Orleans Saints

We all imagined the New Orleans Saints wouldn't be the same club without play-calling guru Sean Payton on the sidelines in 2012. 

But 0-2 at home and 0-4 overall? 

No way. 

Drew Brees hasn't been absolutely masterful, but he's been good enough for the Saints to at least win one or two games thus far. 

The defense, well, they've been horrific. 

Teams are averaging more than 185 yards on the ground against New Orleans, and the defense is allowing 32.5 points per game. 

The Saints are 0-4, shocking. 

Brian Hartline Leading the NFL in Receiving Yardage

This story is totally out of nowhere. 

Brian Hartline of the supposedly offensive inept Miami Dolphins leads the NFL with 455 yards receiving. 

Sure, a 253 yard chunk of that came in the Dolphins overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4, but that doesn't matter. 

Hartline has 75 more receiving yards than Wes Welker. He's out-gained Vincent Jackson by 150 yards. 

Sheer insanity. 

But good for you, Brian. 

The Way the Philadelphia Eagles Have Gotten to 3-1

Someway, somehow, the Philadelphia Eagles are 3-1. 

Their three wins have come by a combined four points. 

Hey, good teams win close games, right? 

Philly turned it over nine times in the first two games but came out with victories against the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. 

Then, the Arizona Cardinals spanked them in the desert. 

After a more well-balanced game against the hated New York Giants, Andy Reid nearly cost his team the game when he called timeout prior to Lawrence Tynes' attempt at a game-winning field goal in the game's final seconds. 

The kick missed, but due to the timeout, Tynes got another chance at the 54 yarder. 

His second boot was down the middle but landed a few yards short, giving the Eagles yet another improbable win. 

The 3-1 Minnesota Vikings

Raise your hand if you had the Minnesota Vikings at 3-1 through four games. 

Actually, stand up, leave your place of work and start giving gambling advice for money.

You have a gift. 

Minnesota was to be the doormat for the rest of the high-powered NFC North, but they've looked everything but after starting 3-1. 

They snuck past the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 and lost a heartbreaker to Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2. 

Seemed about right. 

Then, the mighty San Francisco 49ers came to town, and, just as expected, the Vikings won convincingly 24-13. 

After that, a trip to Detroit. 

Again, another predictable outcome—Vikings 20, Lions 13.

(I really wish there was a sarcasm font.)  

Christian Ponder, Adrian Peterson and the defense are all exceeding expectations in Minneapolis. 

The Inaccurate Reception

Like you didn't see the replay 200 times. 

It was, arguably, the most controversial call in NFL regular season history, and although it stole a win from the Green Bay Packers and gave one to the Seattle Seahawks, it was the impetus for the end of the referee lockout. 

By the way, even if the Inaccurate Reception was called correctly, that Monday Night Football game between the Packers and Seahawks may still be the most poorly officiated game of all time. 

The 1-3 Detroit Lions

The 2011 Detroit Lions went 10-6, made the postseason for the first time since 1999 and had the brightest future in the NFL. 

Then 23-year-old Matthew Stafford threw for 5,000 yards and wideout Calvin Johnson entered the prime of his already illustrious career. 

So far, the Lions look like the Lions of old. 

Their defense is shoddy, the offensive line can't create holes in the running game and teams are doing whatever they can to limit Megatron. 

We all thought the NFC North would be a three-team race, we just didn't think it would include the Minnesota Vikings.