NFL Week 3 Review

NFL Week 3 Impressions

Most disappointing team - Minnesota Vikings. Another big lead blown by the Vikings. It was thought there was a coaching upgrade going from Chilly to Leslie, but they are still making stupid play calls and losing games they should win. On the biggest play of the game, 4^th and 1 from the 35 with 2 minutes left, they ran a dive play for Toby Gerhart. This is the same team that has the best player in the league in Adrian Peterson. I hate that! In the biggest play of the game, get the ball to your best player and give him the opportunity to make a play. Now they are 0-3 and their season might be over.

Highlights - http://bit.ly/oYBj1D

Most surprising team - (Tie) Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions. What can you say about these two teams? Another unbelievable comeback from both teams in the 2^nd half. The Lions and Bills are two of the three teams left undefeated (along with the defending champion Packers) and are making people believers. Both teams are being led by their quarterbacks (Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matthew Stafford) and have playmakers all over the field. I like both to make the playoffs due to this start and either team could be an opponent more prominent clubs would not want to face when there.

Highlights - http://bit.ly/nxVwSX

Rout of the day - Ravens over Rams. This one was over almost before it started. Rookie Torrey Smith caught the first three passes of his career for 133 yards and 3 TDs in the first quarter!! Incredible. Baltimore was pumped up for a bounce-back game after their let-down game in week 2, but I am still disappointed in the Rams. This was a team that I expected to be a sleeper this year and they are now 0-3. They can still make the playoffs due to the joke of the NFC West, but it would have been an easier road if they could have gotten one of the first three. Baltimore looks extremely dangerous if Smith can continue to be a deep threat.

Highlights - http://bit.ly/nkNWkw

Most fun game - Saints over Texans. New Orleans just took over this game in the 4^th quarter scoring 23 points and taking the victory 40-33. Drew Brees welcomed Lance Moore to the NFL season and picked Houston's secondary apart throwing for over 300 yards again. Mark Ingram actually looked fast in a nice touchdown run and Jimmy Graham is starting to come into his own. Matt Schaub threw a big interception in the 4^th that changed the momentum of the game. He is going to be the key to the season for the Texans as their running game is solid and defense is much-improved. I have both of these teams making the playoffs, but one quarterback is clutch and the other is Matt Schaub. I think it would be great to see a rematch in the postseason.

Highlights - http://bit.ly/oNP90E

Statement Game - Raiders over the Jets. This was a big game for the Raiders after coming off a disappointing loss to Buffalo in week 2. After coming out of the gates slowly, Oakland was able to take control behind the MVP caliber running of Darren McFadden. McFadden ran for 171 yards on 19 carries, as the Raiders compiled 234 yards on the ground, with an impressive 7.3 average per rush. For my money, he has been the best running back in football this year and his health will determine how long the Raiders will be a factor in the AFC.

Highlights - http://bit.ly/pZV5uU

Random thoughts. Thank God I have the NFL Sunday ticket because the nationally covered games were brutal - Steelers/Colts and Cowboys/Redskins - are you kidding me? Tom Brady threw the same amount of picks in one week than he had all last season. Cam Newton didn't throw for 400, but did win. The race for Andrew Luck is on - who do you like out of the Chiefs, Colts and Dolphins? The Tebow watch is hearing up….

Week 4 Preview. There are a number of interesting games this weekend - New England going across country to Oakland, the 9ers in Philly, the undefeated Lions visiting Dallas, Pittsburgh going to Houston, and the Sunday night Jets - Ravens game. However, the Monday night Colts - Bucs game promises to be a real stinker.