Based on the title of this article a detective could probably figure out what we are going to look at tomorrow. Before then, though, let’s assess which of the 2-0 teams seem like they are for real, and which ones are lucky to be where they are. There are ten teams that have yet to lose. We’ll take a quick look at each of them, and we’ll do it alphabetically to avoid any claims of bias:
Arizona – I’m happy to see the Cards off to a strong start, and am especially pleased to see Kurt Warner playing as well as he is. That being said, their record is a bit hollow. You don’t get a lot of style points for beating San Francisco and St. Louis. The problem, then, is that we don’t know how good these guys are, and that’s troubling now that they are heading into a much tougher schedule up to their bye week. In their first two games in October they host Buffalo and Dallas. That will be a telling stretch. I think that the Cards have what it takes to win the NFC West, but that doesn’t take much.
Buffalo – I spent some time in Buffalo before he season, and the city was incredibly optimistic. Their recipe for success so far isn’t much of a surprise – the defense has been very good, and Trent Edwards is playing well within himself. A comeback win in Jacksonville is impressive even if the Jags don’t have an o-line. With Oakland, St. Louis and Arizona up next this team could easily head into their bye at 5-0. That would make things very interesting. I am confidently going to say that this is a playoff team – it doesn’t take too much imagination to find 10 or 11 wins on their schedule.
Carolina – You have to give a team big credit when they win twice without their best player. They haven’t run over easy opponents either, and they needed to come back in their opener against San Diego. I liked this team coming nto the season, and like them even more now. Jake Delhomme is a perfect game manager, and I mean that as a compliment. The defense is stout, and the team is playing well together. I don’t think they will stay on top of their conference, but I do think the playoffs are a real possibility.
Dallas – So, so much has been said about this team, and much of it is true. Their ofense is as good as any in the league. Their defense isn’t yet as good as its parts, but it will improve. They will win the NFC East and have a first round bye. Nothing this team does until January matters at all. I have no problem at all right now calling this the best team in the league, and I was saying that before Tom Brady was injured, too.
Denver – I have to admit that I am a bit surprised by this one. I didn’t love their defense coming into the season, and I still don’t. I underestimated just how far Jay Cutler had progressed, and how much of a impact Eddie Royal would have right away. They won last time in part because of a terrible call, but I think they deserve real credit for being in position to benefit from that call – the Chargers should have had them firmly under control. I still don’t think that his is an elite team, but I’m not convinced that they will be nable to hold off San Diego given a two game lead, either. I don’t love them, but I am learning to respect them. Their last three – at Carolina, Buffalo, at San Diego – are brutal, and could be a real test of their legitimacy if they are still in the picture by then.
Green Bay – I have been wrong about this team all along, so I don’t know why you would listen to me now. I like a lot of the pieces, but I have a hard time believing that Aaron Rodgers can make a smooth transition to starter, or that he can stay healthy all season. So far I have been proven completely wrong, but I still hold out some hope that I haven’t completely missed the boat. Regardless, I think they will pretty much win their division by default given the problems with the Vikings.
New England – Even with Matt Cassel at the helm they still have a huge skill edge across the board on virtually every team in the league. The rumors of their demise post-injury have been ridiculously exaggerated. I still think their playoff spot is a total lock, and I give them a solid edge over Buffalo to win the division. Matt Cassel has shown he can manage the game very well, and this is an offense designed to make a QB look good.
New York Giants – I absolutely do not believe in this team. They didn’t look great against an awful Washington team in their opener, and then they picked on a useless St. Louis team. Incredibly, their schedule doesn’t get much harder for another month. But then it gets tough. I have looked silly in the recent past counting this team out, but I will fearlessly do it again. I would be more surprised if they made the playoffs than if they didn’t.
Pittsburgh – How is Big Ben’s shoulder? That’s the only big question I have here. I don’t like any of their other options nearly as much as Roethlisberger at this point. If he is okay then I like this team. A lot. They will win their division by default, and are in contention for a bye. I think – we’ll have a much better sense after they play Philly on Sunday.
Tennessee – I’ve been stymied by this team this year. They have had distractions galore, yet they have overcome them all. In retrospect, their wins weren’t as hard to see as I made them – Jacksonville is flawed, and Cincinnati is terrible. Their schedule is pretty average and manageable if they play well, so it all comes down to how well Kerry Collins can play. I’m not sure how confident that makes me feel.
