Twilight Zone: NFL Recap

After a wild Week 2 in the NFL, no one could have seen what has transpired so far. Don’t believe me? Take a look at some of the surprises and disappointments of the NFL up to this point.

Surprises

 
Houston Texans (2-0)

The gameplan for the Texans in the off-season was simple: Make some changes and you will win. Apparently, they were listening. Adding Matt Schaub and dropping David Carr seems to be working well. Schaub has a winning attitude and something to prove to his old buddies in Atlanta. The Texans are 2-0 for the first time in franchise history and are on a collision course with the other 2-0 team in their division, the defending World Champion Colts going into this Sunday’s big game in Houston.

San Francisco 49ers (2-0)

The Niners have been getting better each year. Alex Smith is starting to look more like a quarterback than a tackling dummy, not to mention that he has the biggest fantasy surprise in the backfield in Frank Gore. The Niners are off to a 2-0 start and sitting atop the NFC West all alone. If the Bay Area Golddiggers are truly a better team, we’ll find out this Sunday when they visit the Steel Coast to face Pittsburgh. 

Detroit Lions (2-0)

Before the season started, Jon Kitna that the Lions would win 10 games this season. Everyone called him crazy, and put the Lions in the basement for the season. Well, I’m sorry, Detroit. Though I’m not convinced, you are looking pretty good right now. The Lions are at the top of the NFC North with Green Bay. Just a quick question, does anyone remember the last time the Lions were 2-0? Matt Millen: still an idiot, but looking like a genius right now. 

Denver Broncos (2-0)

Jake Plummer is out. Rod Smith is injured. The Broncos have had more tragedies in the off-season than any other team. Yet, with second year field private, Jay Cutler, and flip-flop wideout Brandon Marshall, the Broncos stand alone on top of the AFC West. The Jaguars are the next test for the resurrected Broncos team that is focused on getting back the glory lost by Fake Jake. 

Disapointments

New Orleans Saints (0-2)

The Saints are at the bottom…again. Drew Brees has been mediocre so far this season. Reggie Bush is not living up to expectations. The receiving corps is truly missing the leadership of Joe Horn. If the Saints want to get back in the groove, Bush will have to do it against an old nemesis: Vince Young. The nickname “Aints” isn’t being brought out just yet, but if Young’s Titans beat the Saints on Monday night, expect the paper bags to be brought out.

Philadelphia Eagles (0-2)

The team that many picked to give Dallas a fight for the NFC East has been a bust so far this season. The Fighting Green Birds have yet to win a game and have lost to Brett Favre (legend) and Jason Campbell (Who?). The special teams have been dismal for the Eagles this season, and now they got the red hot Detroit Lions coming to town. Andy Reid better work some of his magic, because even though his job is secured, fans will put him on the hot seat if he starts 0-3. 

St. Louis Rams (0-2)

The Rams had high hopes going into the season, but the “Greatest Show On Turf” has had a flat tire in the second half of both their games. In two games this season, the Blue and Gold Lambkins have gone into halftime with the lead, only to sputter out of the gate in the third quarter and lose the game. Jeff Wilkins is on the hot seat if he jacks another kick. The Rams receiving group will need to step up…NOW! They take a trip out of town to sunny Tampa to face the Buccaneers.

Twists of Fate

Atlanta Falcons (0-2)

The Falcons had a decent preseason, but after that, the real test begins. With Vick on the shelf for God knows how long, someone needs to get this team on track. TJ Duckett is gone and Warrick Dunn can’t do it all. Joe Horn hasn’t gotten much this season, and Joey Harrington has been a bust so far. The Dirty Birds will need to find a way to rebound because they have division rival Carolina coming to town wanting a victory.

Green Bay Packers (2-0)

They didn’t get Randy Moss, but they got Brett Favre. They got Deshawn Wynn and Bubba Franks. That seems to be enough for the Cheeseheads. The Packers are 2-0 and tied with Detroit at the top of the NFC North. The first big test of the Packers will come in the form of San Diego and LT, because Philip Rivers still hasn’t earned my respect.

New York Giants (0-2)

How long will the Giants have to pay for Eli Manning’s mistake? Since his decision to be a wuss and not play for the San Diego, the Bolts have been benefiting from the emergence of Rivers as a leader. The Giants, on the other hand, have been more of midgets than Giants. Tom Coughlin has not lived up to expectations, so with that being said, it’s time for a change in Jersey.

Washington Redskins (2-0)

The Hogettes are happy because Dan Snyder’s idiotic decision making has finally paid off. The Skins are 2-0 and neck and neck with Dallas in the NFC East. With a win over the Eagles on Monday night, Washington is looking for something more than a winning record. With the Giants coming to town next week, there could be more in the future of the Redskins. If they continue to play the way they played Monday night, they might be thinking postseason and beyond.