The NFL has been really messed up this year, and that is putting it lightly. No team has come out and stated that they are the team to beat. Last year the Colts and Saints established themselves as early favorites and eventually played in the Superbowl. So far this year, I haven't gotten a feel as to which team is best. The Steelers have looked pretty good, but at times have looked suspect. Same thing goes for the Ravens and the Falcons. After a bad week 1 loss the Jets have looked pretty good too. I am more worried about the chaos that is the NFC this year.
Entering this season most people thought there would be 4 elite teams in the NFC. The Saints, Vikings, Cowboys and Packers. I didn't think too highly of the Cowboys, but I was believing in the Saints and Packers. So far none of these teams have looked all that good. The Cowboys season is on the verge of tanking into obscurity, it all depends on how well backup QB Jon Kitna can play and if Romo can return at all or not. The Vikings have offensive line issues and Brett Favre is not looking too well so far. The Packers have been hit by injuries, but still haven't been playing too well, they turn the ball over, can't run the ball and have been somewhat weak on defense. The Saints have played pretty crappily. Their 3 losses have all been self induced. They lost in OT to the Falcons thanks to a Garrett Hartley missed field goal. Their loss to the flightless Cardinals has thanks to 5 turnovers, and on Sunday Bree's threw a career high 4 interceptions and lost one fumble. Two of the picks were returned for a touchdown by a defensive lineman. If the Saints keep turning the ball over they won't win, its simple. The Saints D thrived on turnovers last year, now they Saints offense has been giving them away like candy. Honestly who would have thought that the Saints defense would be keeping them in games and their offense was sucking?
The Saints can turnaround their season, they have been hit by injuries but they can still win games. I think the Saints heads are not in the game. Sean Payton is a great coach, he needs to show it now and get his team in the right direction. Their whole offense has not been gelling together, something is wrong and Payton is the guy to fix it. When the Saints play up to their potential they are the best team in the league.
Cowboys are in for a long season, one win so far despite having good statistical number, and now they lost their starting QB Tony Romo for 6-8 weeks and get Jon Kitna to take his place. Those cannot be comforting words for fans of the Cowboys. If the Cowboys are out of the playoff race when Romo is healthy, don't be surprised if he doesn't start, the last thing they would want to risk is another injury. Big changes are in store in Big D.
Brett Favre has a hurting ankle, but still wants to play. I think Favre is not healthy enough to play right now, he wants to keep his record of consecutive starts, but he seems out of his element. I doubt the Vikings would want Favre to come back next year after seeing him play like this.
An interesting note though, many people are thinking that the Giants are the team to beat in the NFC, I am not sold. Their defense is really good, but the Giants are not elite, here is my thinking. The Giants took an early lead against the Cowboys on MNF, however they could not hold the lead. The Cowboys almost came back to win the game, AND the had a washed up old backup QB playing. The Giants may be good but they are not elite. In my opinion not one team in the NFC can be considered 'elite' right now, the Falcons are the closest but not there yet.
Oh and on a side note, I forgot to make picks for last weeks game, kinda glad I did they probably would have been bad
GO RAIDERS!!!!!!
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