It was just three short weeks ago that the Saints were 4-1 with their only loss being to the Packers. The 4-game winning streak was snapped by the ExpensiveCornPrices. They bounced back from that defeat with the biggest blowout in modern NFL history. Then they lost to the previously winless Rams. And they allowed 31 points to a team that had been averaging only 9. Turnovers are part of it but more importantly, they just do not have a good, consistent defense, especially against the run.
Or the Chiefs
After their last game against the Chargers the Chiefs were left for dead. They were 0-3 and they had been outscored 109-27. Now the Chiefs are on a 4-game winning streak. And with the Raiders struggling with an injured QB and the Chargers doing their normal disappointing shenanigans the Chiefs look like a pretty decent bet to make the playoffs.
The Year of the (Rookie) Quarterback
Five quarterbacks were taken in the first 35 picks of the 2011 NFL Draft. Cam Newton (1), Jake Locker (8), Blaine Gabbert (10), Christian Ponder (12) and Andy Dalton (35). Four of them are starting and their accomplishments are very impressive. Cam Newton is setting all kids of rookie passing records. Andy Dalton led his team to a 4-0 record in October. Ponder rescued the Vikings from Donovan McNabb and nearly beat the Packers before triumphing over the Panthers. If I had to project right now I would say Newton will be a huge star, Ponder will be a good QB, Dalton will be a good game-manager who wins but never puts up big numbers. And one or both of Gabbert and Locker will be busts.
The Tim Tebow Excitement Wore Off Quickly
So many people want to believe in Tim Tebow. I would love to see him succeed. But it is not going to happen. As I have said before, he possesses every single trait you need to be a great NFL quarterback, except, he can't throw. And he couldn't bring his team back heroically in this one. In a 45-10 loss to the Lions he completed only 18 of 39 passes for not even 4 and a half yards per attempt. He was also sacked 7 times. I predict Tebow will not even last the season as the starting QB. And even if he does, he will never start another game at QB in the NFL after this year.
A Brief Rant About the Redskins
The Redskins stink. John Beck is not good. I have no idea what Shanahan saw in him that led him to dump Rex Grossman after one bad game. But without Tim Hightower, Chris Cooley and Santana Moss this offense can't move the ball. And they can't protect Beck to give him time to find a receiver. The Bills sacked him 9 times, more than doubling their season total to this point. And the defense, which had held up well in the first four games as completely collapsed under the weight of carrying this team.
Who is the Second Best Team in the NFL?
We all know that the Packers are the best team with a perfect 7-0 record. Deciding who is next is a little more difficult. There is only 1 team with a 6-1 record, the San Francisco 49ers. And they're only loss was that overtime killer to the Cowboys in Week 2. And they have beaten some teams with good records Detroit (5-2), Cincinnati (5-2) and Tampa Bay (4-3). Which means they still have 2 games each with St. Louis and Arizona. They could easily win 11 games, 13 if they really are this good.
Pictures of the Week
A disappointing number of teams dressed their cheerleaders up in Halloween costumes. The best coming to us from Tennessee and Baltimore.
If the Super Bowl Were Played Today
Green Bay Packers 31 Pittsburgh Steelers 25
The Steelers take the AFC's top spot by beating the Patriots. But neither of those two teams looks Super Bowl worthy right now. A lot still to shake out in the AFC.
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