Time to Panic?

So week 3 in the NFL has shown us that the NFL is a very long season, and it is never wise to jump to conclusions. However, it is always entertaining to jump to conclusions and overreact each week. There are a few cases where it may be time to worry, but there are more cases where we need to be patient and let the season unfold. Let’s go ahead and look at teams that need to hit the panic button and teams that need to be patient.

Be patient teams.

Here is a list of teams that need to be patient and wait things out.

Dallas Cowboys - Even though I really despise the Cowboys, there is no need to panic in big D. They are in a very overrated and over hyped division, both the Giants and Redskins look pretty bad, and if it weren't for the amazing play of Michael Vick the Eagles wouldn't be looking to good either. The Cowboys have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. Tony Romo is still overrated, but he is a decent QB. He has great receivers to throw to, and has three really good backs that can carry the ball. Even though the offensive line is shaky, there is still enough talent to make the playoffs. Dallas gets a lot of press coverage, and when they started 0-2, people began to panic. However they defeated a good Texans team and have the tools to win the division. It all depends on the coaching, but don't panic in Dallas.

New England Patriots - The Pats are 2-1 on the season, with wins over the Bengals and Bills, and their one loss to the Jets. New England has had a hard time holding leads in the past two games; the defense has a lot of holes in it right now. Expect Brian Belichick to fix the defense as the season goes on. Tom Brady is still one of the top 5 QB's in the league today, so don't count on him going soft this season. He still plays with a chip on his shoulder, and he should. Brady has won 3 Super bowls and is one of the best clutch QB's of all time. However he does not get a lot attention, when compared to Peyton Manning, who has only won one Super bowl and is known for not being clutch. The Pats will fix their problems and make it to the postseason.

New Orleans Saints - The Saints have looked shaky all season. I have not been impressed with them at all so far, they are lucky to be 2-1. I'm a huge Saints fan and have been for my whole life, I'm use to them getting my hopes up and then sucking during the season. So I notice a lot of their faults and am worried that they will get exposed. However the Saints should be 3-0, Garrett Hartley missed a 29 yard field goal in OT that should have won the game. It's not just that he missed it; it’s that he missed bad! It was one of the worst kicks I have ever seen. I can honestly say this, I have made a 30 yard field goal before. While I was in Florida, I would throw the football around in a city park that had goal posts. My friend bought a football tee, and we would try kicking field goals. My longest was 33 yards. Now granted there was no defense trying to block it, and no pressure from a crowd. But still, if I can make it he should. I have no professional training, and he does. The Saints have re-signed K John Carney, who has kicked for the team in the past. Kickers are important, I've never trusted Hartley and he cost my team a win. But expect the Saints to fix their problems and get on track. Sean Payton is a great coach and he has a great coaching staff, expect the running game to get better as they adjust to the loss of Reggie Bush, and count on Brees getting better as the season goes on.

Houston Texans - The Texans lost to the Cowboys a week after having to come from behind to beat the Redskins. Some people are beginning to question if they are legit or not. I still say they are a good team, they just lost on the road to a very good team that had to win their game. Houston has a decent running game and one of the best passing attacks in the league. Expect them to still be a good team as the season goes on.

Teams that should hit the panic button.

San Francisco 49ers - The niners were picked to win their division, but they are 0-3 right now and things look pretty bad. I'm not surprised they lost to the Saints, but their losses to the Chiefs and Seahawks are inexcusable. They look out of sync and out of rhythm. The only player that is playing on a consistent level is Frank Gore, the RB. Smith has been shaky, and the defense has been pretty bad. The 49ers fired their offensive coordinator, but I don't see that helping a lot. The NFC west is an awful division, so the 49ers still can compete in it. But its time to panic and figure out whets gone so wrong in SF.

Minnesota Vikings - The Vikings got a win that they had to have against Detroit. However they still have not looked very good. Brett Favre is showing his age and it is not pretty. He has 6 interceptions this year so far, and with their schedule getting tougher that number could go up by a lot. Favre isn't the only problem though, the defense has looked shaky, the offensive line is showing its age, and the team is battling some injuries. Clearly Favre is missing WR Sydney Rice, who is out till week 6 at the earliest. The Vikings can make the changes to start playing better, but they are in a tough division, the Packers look like serious contenders and the Bears have everyone’s attention as they continue to win.

New York Giants - Coming into this season the Giants had a lot of hype that they would matter this year, I didn't believe any of it and it may be time to start panicking in NY. The Giants are 1-2 and have not played all that well. The Titans killed them at home, and the Colts embarrassed the Giants on a primetime game. The Giants have issues with their defense and running game. Eli has been playing ok at QB, but they cannot get the job done. Don't expect them to matter this season, panic time in NY.

Baltimore Ravens - Even though the Ravens are 2-1, they have not looked all that sharp. They squeaked by the Jets, who played at their worst in week 1, lost poorly to the Bengals and had a hard time putting away the Browns. Joe Flacco has not been playing like he is capable of. The Ravens have a lot of tools to win a lot this year, but it all hinges on the QB. I would start to panic in Baltimore simply because the Steelers look good without Big Ben, and the Bengals look legit as well. This week’s game in Pittsburgh is huge for the Ravens, but I would be worried.

San Diego Chargers - The Chargers are known for slow starts, but this is pretty bad. Like the 49ers, they are lucky to be in such a poor division, but the Chargers look bad so far this year. They are still lacking a solid running game, their special teams has some serious doubts. Phillip Rivers is a great QB, but the rest of the team is hurting. Penalties have really hurt the Chargers this year, and their defense is not reliable. The loss of CB Cromartie is showing up big. The Chargers can fix things and still contend for their division, but don't expect them to matter much in the post season if they make it. The Chargers could be on the verge of rebuilding if things don't go well this year.