Cowboys, Vikings Get First Wins; Chiefs, Steelers, and Bears Stay Unbeaten

The Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings staved off virtual playoff elimination (in Week 3 no less) by grabbing their first wins of the year. The Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Chicago Bears are the only remaining unbeaten teams while Week 3 left Detroit, Carolina, San Francisco, Buffalo, and Cleveland still searching for their first entries into the W column. 

Here is a list of the 10 newest nuggets of knowledge from Week 3:

10. Dustin Keller Is Mark Sanchez' New Best Friend

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MIAMI - SEPTEMBER 26: Tight end Dustin Keller #81 of the New York Jets catches a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

I will be the first to admit when I am wrong, and maybe I was wrong about Mark Sanchez. I have felt for awhile now that he was vastly overrated and would go the way of Matt Leinart. But Sanchez has found a weapon in Dustin Keller. That is only going to open things up for the running game and the passing game alike. I’m not saying I’m wrong yet, but we will see how things go from here.

9. Who Are the New Orleans Saints?

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 26: Head Coach Sean Payton talks with Garrett Hartley #5 of the New Orleans Saints before attempting a field goal in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons at the Louisiana Superdome on September 26, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

New Orleans is still trying to figure out who it is. While many will lay the blame on Garrett Hartley’s missed field goal in overtime, the Saints have plenty of holes to fill. Luckily, the upcoming schedule is win friendly with a road game at Arizona sandwiched in between home games against Carolina and Tampa Bay. They have time to fill those holes.

8. Cutler, Bears Outlast Packers

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Boy was I wrong about the Chicago Bears. I was sure they (especially Jay Cutler) would implode against the division rival Packers. Actually, it was the Packers who imploded by acquiring more penalties (18) than points (17). Aaron Rodgers proved again that he is the real deal. This division race will be fun to watch the rest of the season.

7. Leon Washington Now Entering California

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 26: Kick returner Leon Washington #33 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes for a 101 yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qwest Field on September 26, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Se

It is Tuesday morning and the San Diego Chargers still haven’t stopped Leon Washington. Last I heard he was just now leaving Oregon and preparing to enter Northern California.

6. We Should Name the MVP Award After Peyton Manning

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts drops back to pass against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Colts defeated the Broncos 27-13. (Photo by Doug P

I hate to beat a dead horse but I still think we need to name the NFL MVP award after Peyton Manning, and not just because of his stats or championships. There should be a video montage of some of the most miraculous throws he has made. He’s thrown a couple of sideline beauties to Reggie Wayne already this year.

5. Adrian Peterson Slips Through for 80 and 6

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball around C.C. Brown #39 of the Detroit Lions for a touchdown during the second half at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on September 26, 2010 in Minneapolis,

Apparently Adrian Peterson doesn’t need a hole to run through. If you get a chance, check out the sliver of daylight he found on his 80-yard touchdown scamper against Detroit, who flooded the hole with three defenders, so Adrian did what Adrian does. He made an adjustment. Only that adjustment included him running through a crack about the size of one of those credit card swipe things. Truly amazing.

4. Who Has the Hottest Seat in the NFL?

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TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach Eric Mangini of the Cleveland Browns walks along the sideline during the NFL season opener game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 12, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Ge

I’m going to introduce a game called Hottest Seat in the NFL. Your contestants are Eric Mangini, John Fox, Tom Coughlin, Jim Schwartz, Tom Cable, and Jack Del Rio. Make your own picks but my first one has to be Mangini. After all the hype about how they ended last season they turn around and start 0-3 this season. To make matters worse, they are 0-3 with a point differential of 12. You can't win them all but you have to be able to win the close ones in the NFL.

3. Cowboys and Vikings Have New Life

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys makes an adjustment at the line of scrimmage against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Even though it’s only Week 3, the Cowboys and Vikings kept their playoff hopes alive. The Cowboys are fortunate enough to find themselves only a game back (and they still have two games left against Philadelphia). The Vikings, however, have their work cut out for them. I don’t think the North will get three teams in the postseason.

2. The AFC North Is 2010's Most Fun Division

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 26: Peyton Hills #40 of the Cleveland Browns is stopped by Jameel McClain #53 of the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 24-17. (Photo by Larry French/Get

The division that will be the most fun to watch this year will be the AFC North. You have three teams with stellar, punch you in the mouth defenses and offenses that have been shaky so far but can torch you with big plays. Poor Cleveland, already 0-3 with five games left in the division. They already have eight losses and we’re only going into Week 4.

1. Michael Vick and His Second Chance

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs for a touchdown past safety Courtney Greene #36 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagles defeated

Our country is one built on forgiveness and second chances. While most people will not agree with Michael Vick’s past transgressions (myself included), you have to give the guy credit. He is a new man. In the past he seemed to take his physical gifts for granted. He figured he could outrun a bad play as opposed to just throwing the ball away to live another down. Those decisions (much like his off-field decisions) proved costly. Now, with improved accuracy to go along with that monster left arm, he appears to be a prototypical drop-back quarterback. The only difference is that he can outrun your entire team.