What We Know: NFL Week 3
So every Monday/Tuesday, I will review the Sunday NFL games, asking what we saw, what we know and what we can expect. Cool with you? Okay, let's bleeping go!
What we saw: Atlanta, probably the worst 2-1 team in NFL history, dominating the Chiefs, who have potential to be one of the worst teams in NFL history.
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What we know: We know Kansas City is overrated. We also know that Atlanta is a cut above the KC/Det/StL basement...good for them. They're probably still a 6-10 team at best.
What we can expect: Its only gonna get worse for KC. Atlanta has Carolina and Green Bay on the road the next two weeks, followed by Chicago at home. Yeah...they're not keeping this up.
What we saw: The Bills won in a furious rally at home. I think these kind of wins are big building blocks for teams like Buffalo who are trying to assert their identity. The players might look back on this as the definitive moment of their season if they're in the playoffs.
What we know: Lane Kiffin is gonna be fired. This division is Buffalo's if the Patriots really are that bad.
What we can expect: I'm expecting Buffalo to take the AFC East right now unless Kevin O'Connell saves New England's season. Oakland has talent and will still compete but they're a year away no matter who the coach is.
Buccaneers-27, Bears-24 (OT)
What we saw: Tampa Bay seems to play better for Brian Griese, though they're probably not winning too much if he has to throw 60-something times. This could be a bigger win for the Bucs as the season moves on if these two are duking it out for a wild card.
What we know: Tampa Bay is legit and the South Division race should be really interesting. Chicago looks like it could contend for a wild card spot, but they have to win these games.
What we can expect: Both South division races should be a lot of fun to watch. Chicago should still be able to contend but their defense has gotta put up a better effort if they're going anywhere this year.
Vikings-20, Panthers-10
What we saw: Minnesota's defense shut Carolina down and the Vikes got a win they desperately needed. Gus Frerotte might actually be the answer at QB.
What we know: Both of these teams are really good, wild card-contending types. Jake Delhomme hasn't looked that good though. Granted he's played three decent defenses but aside from that one drive against the Chargers, he's has problems using his receivers.
What we can expect: Carolina will still compete in the wild South, but they need to do better offensively to have Super Bowl dreams. Likewise Minnesota in the North.
Dolphins-38, Patriots-13
What we saw: Matt Cassel and the Patriots defense were both viciously exposed. We saw Ronnie Brown reborn.
What we know: Ronnie Brown is probably a better option at running back than Ricky Williams. If he can churn out decent yardage and Chad Pennington can continue to be accurate, the Dolphins could pull off some more upsets. New England all of the sudden has a thousand more questions and are facing the fact that Cassel might not be the answer.
What we can expect: Miami will continue to be competitive. I think New England gives Kevin O'Connell an extended look at some point, but they have big defensive questions to answer. They'll compete with Buffalo for the East, but I think they'll lose.
What we saw: The Bengals finally came to life on the road against the defending champs. Unfortunately for them, the Giants did what they had to do to go 3-0.
What we know: New York hasn't really played anyone yet except a so-so Redskins squad. Still 3-0 is 3-0 and will give them padding as they get into the teeth of their schedule. Cincinnati might be alive but they're just not a very good team.
What we can expect: I still think the Giants will be lucky to leap frog Dallas and Philly for the division and will probably be stuck in the same Wild Card rut as the castoffs from the North and South. Cincy, even as good as they played today, is probably 4-12 at best.
What we saw: Houston's season basically ended. So much for them and fellow Cinderella Cleveland (much more on them later). Kerry Collins gives the Titans new life and, barring injury, I'd be shocked if we saw any more of Vince Young this year.
What we know: Tennessee could legitimately take the South. Jacksonville and Indy are so banged up, meanwhile the Titans D is hearty and healthy and they can somewhat move the ball with Collins at QB. Houston just sucks, though Steve Slaton might be a diamond in the rough.
What we can expect: The Titans will keep the D/ball control winning formula. In their division, Houston will be lucky to win five games, as people have to wonder if Matt Schaub is really the answer.
Redskins-24, Cardinals-17
What we saw: The Skins offense really come alive and their defense still be competitive. If Arizona wants to be a serious contender, they need to find ways to win these games on the road.
What we know: Despite their week one loss, Washington won't go away quietly. It seems like Jason Campbell might finally be ready for his break-out year, as he has adapted to Jim Zorn's offense. The Cards were due for an off-day as well.
What we can expect: I still think Washington finishes no better than 9-7. Maybe they can compete for the final wild card spot, but their division is just too deep. The West is definitely Arizona's for the taking, but if they want to go anywhere besides the first round, they need to find a way to beat a quality team on the road.
What we saw: A pretty boring game if you actually watched it. Detroit continues to sink deeper into the abyss with a loss to a crappy San Fran team.
What we know: Both teams suck only the Lions suck harder. No need to waste any time on hard core analysis.
What we can expect: San Francisco to slink back to mediocrity (next 3: @ NO/NE/Phi). Detroit, already mired in mediocrity, continues to antagonize its poor fans with terrible football.
What we saw: Another non-surprising snoozefest.
What we know: The Seahawks aren't that good and the Rams really suck. Again, no need to go in depth.
What we can expect: Seattle will battle Arizona for the division (and lose in my opinion). St. Louis will fire Scott Linehan before Week Eight and/or the players mutiny.
What we saw: An awesome game with a furious Saints come back that came up just short. Both of these teams are contenders in their divisions, so this must've been a real treat to watch.
What we know: Both of these teams are like the version of the other in their division. Good at home, great QBs, questionable running games, good receivers (at least when Colston comes back for NO) and crappy defenses. They'll both continue to contend for the playoffs.
What we can expect: At some point Denver's defense is going to catch up with them, plus they won their last two at home. I have a feeling when things get on the road, it'll be a little harder. I still expect New Orleans to win their division and Denver to get a Wild Card (not giving up on San Diego yet) but without quality D or a sturdy running game, both of these teams aren't doing much outside of their respected home stadiums.
What we saw: A sloppy, injury-marred, defense-dominated contest that the Eagles came out on top of. The key to this game is who came out the healthiest, or rather the least damaged.
What we know: The Eagles are in trouble offensively if Brian Westbrook is hurt. The Steelers are in even more trouble if Ben Roethlisberger's shoulder is hurt. Byron Leftwich? Are you kidding me?
What we can expect: I think the Eagles will still take the Wild Card if they can stay somewhat healthy. With or without Westbrook, they should be able to move the ball through the air.
Pittsburgh needs to win Monday night at home against Baltimore or they could be in trouble within their division. If Roethlisberger misses any significant amount of time, Byron Leftwich will have to keep Pitt in the hunt. Uhhhhhhh...don't see that happening. And shoulder problems just don't go away, especially for QBs.
Jaguars-23, Colts-21
What we saw: Jacksonville saved their season against a banged-up Colts team on the road. I take a very perverse pleasure in the fact that Indy is 0-2 in their new digs.
What we know: Jacksonville could definitely still take their division if they can find something to do with their offensive line. At the very least, they could grab a wild card behind Tennessee. Indy is in serious trouble getting behind in their division.
What we can expect: I think Jacksonville will pick it up some what, though I don't know if they're strong enough to be a Super Bowl contender. Indianapolis should be stronger in the second half of the year, but they can't give away close games like they did yesterday.
Ravens-28, Browns-10
What we saw: The Ravens defense is back and it came back in a big way yesterday. Derek Anderson took his next step towards becoming a career back up.
What we know: Cleveland's season is over. Good bye, so long, good riddance. Enjoy those nationally televised games while you still can. The Ravens D meanwhile, even with the injuries in the secondary, is still strong. Their offense can somewhat move the ball, but things will be different on the road.
What we can expect: Cleveland has to start Brady Quinn at some point. Romeo Crennel is basically out of excuses. Baltimore needs to prove that it can score on the road. Their O didn't look that great yesterday against an overrated Browns D. Still, even if they lose Monday, I think they'll continue to challenge Pitt all year for the division if Roethlisberger is hurting. Let's go Ravens!!!!
Cowboys-27, Packers-16
What we saw: Dallas is the best team in the NFC. They went into Green Bay and made their statement. And they did it with defense, holding down a Packer offense that is not that bad.
What we know: Unless they have another second-half swoon, Dallas will take the NFC. Green Bay isn't bad and they can still win the North, but they have to find a way to move the ball better. Still, playing Dallas, what else could they do?
What we can expect: Dallas will take the NFC. I still think Green Bay has the horses to take the North. They're better than Minnesota or Chicago. But I don't think they have what it takes to beat Dallas.
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