What We Learned From Week 3

Added on Sep 24, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

It was another wild Sunday in the NFL as three games went into overtime and five others came down to the final minute before deciding the outcome. Whew! It might not have been the most clean and crisp brand of football on display, but in today’s NFL it’s all about escaping with a win. Style points be damned. The contenders and pretenders are beginning to separate, although we’re still a ways off from determining which teams are the real class of the league. Here are some patterns worth noting.

Same ol’ Bears – Remember the Week 1 explosion against the Colts when the Bears racked 41 points? Yeah, neither does Chicago. In back-to-back games, Jay Cutler has returned to his erratic habits and the offense as a whole has been abysmal. Matt Forte’s absence is only part of the problem. Until the offensive line improves and Cutler stops making ill-advised throws, da Bears will remain a second level team.

Big D in Big D – If Dallas is going to meet or exceed their lofty expectations, it’s going to be their defense that carries them. Rob Ryan’s unit absolutely befuddled the Bucs on Sunday, limiting them to a meager 166 total yards. Ouch. With Tony Romo bumbling and fumbling more than usual and the ground game struggling, shutting down opponents is the formula for success.

Not so fast San Fran – It seems as if every pundit under the sun anointed the 49ers Super Bowl champs last week after disposing of a flawed Lions team. Chalk it up to early season hyperbole, because the Niners executed a textbook faceplant in the Metrodome on Sunday. Most weeks they’ll be fine riding a stout defense and Frank Gore’s legs, but the lack of a vertical threat remains an exploitable weakness.

Charles back in charge – Obviously the Saints are atrocious on defense, but 288 yards and a touchdown speaks for itself. Jamaal Charles ran roughshod over the Cajuns and looked as fast as he did before tearing his ACL one year ago. This is good news for Kansas City, because they need Charles’ game-breaking talents to have any shot of competing for a playoff spot.

Turnovers matter – In 13 starts in 2011, Michael Vick accounted for 18 turnovers and the Eagles finished 8-8. Through three games in 2012, he has already amassed 9. Needless to say, it’s a miracle the Birds aren’t 0-3. Until Vick (and the rest of the offense) ditches the loosey goosey routine bad things will continue to happen. They are without a doubt the most schizophrenic team in the NFL.

Texans power – The opposite of the Eagles are the Texans. They play smart, disciplined and aggressive football every single week. Arian Foster and Ben Tate fuel the attack, but Matt Schaub’s efficiency under center shouldn’t be ignored. And neither should the AFC’s top defense. The entire roster does the little things right, which is why they are one of only three undefeated teams.

Steelers miss Mendenhall – Pittsburgh has become a pass first team because they have no other choice. Problem is that’s not what won them two titles in the last decade. Their defense is older and slower than in previous years, meaning they are struggling to hold leads late. A healthy Rashard Mendenhall getting 20 totes a game would do the black and gold wonders.