10 Things We Learned From The NFL’s Third Sunday

Added on Sep 27, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

It was another intriguing Sunday in the NFL. The Cowboys and Vikings avoided the dreaded 0-3 start. The 49ers, Bills and Lions continued their losing ways. The Steelers and Chiefs remain unblemished. Matt Cassel and Kyle Orton combined to throw for 726 yards and four touchdowns, while Donovan McNabb and Brett Favre combined for 437 yards and two touchdowns. Crazy. So, what did we learn on the NFL’s third Sunday? Let’s take a look.

10. Charlie Batch is still alive - Pittsburgh’s quarterback du jour on Sunday was the ageless Charlie Batch. I thought the guy retired two years ago, but lucky for the Steelers he didn’t. 12/17, 186 yards, 3 TDS, 2 INTs isn’t too shabby for someone who hadn’t thrown a touchdown since 2007. Ben Roethlisberger returns in two weeks, so Batch’s spotlight will dim soon, but the old man proved he can still sling the rock.

9. The Giants look disinterested – Back-to-back dreadful performances by the New York Football Giants has the Big Apple media more abuzz than usual. 14 penalties, six turnovers and general sloppy play the last two games is uncharacteristic of a Tom Coughlin-coached team. The Bears are up next, so Big Blue better get their crap together.

8. The 49ers are in trouble – So much for being the class of the NFC West. An 0-3 start places the Niners at the bottom of the division, below even the hapless Rams. Alex Smith is garbage. Michael Crabtree is invisible. The defense looks lost. Mike Singletary is being outcoached. Other than that, things are going swimmingly for the boys by the bay. A trip to Hotlanta is next. Can you say 0-4?

7. The Saints offense is asleep – Seattle, Kansas City, Pittsburgh and the Jets have outscored the Saints through three games. Marques Colston has zero touchdowns. The run offense is ranked dead last. Hell, even Drew Brees seems a little off. No need to panic yet — they are 2-1. However, the Super Bowl champs are getting everyone’s best shot.

6. The Cowboys still know how to win big games – Did anyone really believe Dallas would lose to Houston? Nah. With their backs against the proverbial wall, dem ‘Boys came out swinging and pushed around their little brothers from the great state of Texas. The rush attack was effective, Tony Romo didn’t turn the ball over and Roy Williams looked like a professional wide receiver. If they play like that every week, they’re a playoff team.

5. Seattle is a tough out at home – In two home games thus far, the Seahawks have forced seven turnovers and scored three touchdowns on defense/special teams. They’ve always played well at Qwest Field, but this is ridiculous. Considering how awful the NFC West is, five or six wins at home might be all Seattle needs to make the playoffs.

4. Sam Bradford is legit – The more I watch Bradford under center, the more I like what I see. The kid makes mistakes, but just keeps firing. If he can win with the likes of Mark Clayton, Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson, imagine how good he’ll be when he gets some talent around him.

3. Austin Collie is the new Wes Welker – Not because he’s a smallish Caucasian slot receiver. No, it has more to do with him having 27 catches for 359 yards and four scores in three games. Amazing. I’m beginning to think if a hot dog vendor suited up for the Colts, Peyton Manning would turn him into a Pro Bowl receiver.

2. Mark Sanchez might be okay after all – I’m still not sold on the guy, but six touchdowns and zero interceptions in three games is more than serviceable. Both Dustin Keller and Braylon Edwards are making plays, and Santonio Holmes will be back in two weeks. Hmm…

1. Brandon Marshall is still a stud – Reports of Marshall’s demise were grossly exaggerated. 10 catches for 166 yards and a touch is more what the ‘Phins were expecting when they traded for the Pro Bowl wideout and paid him $47.5 million. When he’s on his game, there are few better at the position.