Write On Sports LLC - "3-0 in the NFL" by Tyler Clifton

3-0 in the NFL

2007-09-28 01:02:46 | By: Tyler Clifton

I was originally planning to write a piece about the various 2-0 teams in the NFL but decided to drag it out another week and see what transpired.

It shouldn't be too surprising the Dallas Cowboys are winners of their first three games, but their offensive performance (116 points in three games) might be a bit unexpected. Not having top receiver Terry Glenn (depending on whether you consider Glenn or Owens the No. 1) for the season didn't have many thinking Dallas would live off the deep pass as much as it has so far.

Owens has come through on the field without any problems off of it (so far), but there were also questions on defense with the absence of linebacker Greg Ellis and cornerback Terrence Newman and the season-ending injury of nose tackle Jason Ferguson. Those have been answered the first three weeks, but Dallas hasn't played a team on its level yet and won't this weekend against a depleted (and 0-3) St. Louis team.

Dallas won't be truly tested until Tom Brady, Randy Moss and New England come to Texas Stadium Oct. 14, and even with a loss, this team could be 7-1 entering its two-weekend trip to Philadelphia and the New York Giants during the first two weekends in November. The Cowboys also face Green Bay, the only other 3-0 team in the NFC who has ridden the shoulders of veteran quarterback Brett Favre – who should break Dan Marino's record for touchdowns this weekend at Minnesota.

Surprise might be too big a word considering the weak NFC North, but the team still must win games, and the Packers haven't hurt themselves with their solid start.

The three unbeaten teams in the AFC are well-known entities in Indianapolis, New England and Pittsburgh. The Colts exposed New Orleans' weaknesses in its opener and has escaped Tennessee and Houston in two inter-division games. New England will have no problems winning the East and has the upcoming Dallas game forcing many fans in both cities to start licking their chops.

Transition is tough for an organization no matter how successful it has been, and Pittsburgh's 3-0 start is just what the doctor ordered after coming off a Super Bowl championship and 8-8 record the last two years. The Steelers took care of their home field last week against San Francisco in a battle of 2-0 teams and has an interesting trip this week to Arizona.

Here are my NFL rankings entering Week 4

1. New England — Tom Brady and Randy Moss are meshing big time, and it poses huge problems for future opponents.
2. Indianapolis — Denver is coming off an upsetting loss to Jacksonville and could be a trip up game to the Colts (I said could be).
3. Pittsburgh — Willie's legs will try to churn the Steelers to another W.
4. Dallas — Can you say 4-0? Can't lose at home to injury-plagued Rams.
5. Green Bay — Can't lose at Minnesota and expect playoffs down the road.
6. Tampa Bay — Big game on road at Carolina this week and could decide division later on.
7. Tennessee — Close loss to Indy away from being undefeated.
8. Baltimore — Defense and Matt Stover should have field day in Cleveland.
9. Jacksonville — Big win in Denver plus week off make this a happy bunch of Cats.
10. Denver — Defense can't continue spending gobs of time on the field, or Colts will have a field day.
11. Detroit — Hosting overrated Bears team and could move seven wins away from Jon Kitna's 10-win guarantee.
12. Seattle — One of the more intriguing matchups in a battle for NFC West lead in early going.
13. Carolina — Jake Delhomme vs. Jeff Garcia, take your pick.
14. San Francisco — Alex Smith must improve, or niners early success will quickly fade.
15. Washington — Still wondering why Clinton Portis wasn't in the game at the end last week against the Giants.
16. Houston — Good 2-0 start and played well against Colts last week, but will injuries take their toll? Too good of a division as well.
17. Philadelphia — The real Donovan McNabb showed up last week barring injury, but what's w/ the awful blinding uniforms?
18. San Diego — Team is already in trouble when L.T. is as down in the dumps as he was after loss to Green Bay.
19. N.Y. Jets — Jets won at Miami and are at Buffalo this week, better take advantage now.
20. N.Y. Giants — Defense bailed them out last week, here's hoping Eli and Plaxico can hook up a few times and have the defense come up w/ a breakout performance against the Eagles (too much to ask I know).
21. Cleveland — I know you're thinking this might be high for the Browns, but might as well have them up here so they won't go all the way to the bottom in one week.
22. Cincinnati — Can this team get over emotional last-minute loss?
23. Chicago — How much of a difference will Brian Griese really make?
24. Arizona — Are you kidding me? They're lucky to be this high w/ Kurt Warner taking over snaps. Put Matt Leinart in and leave him there!
25. Oakland — Will try not to be another September victim for Miami.
26. Minnesota — Can Adrian Peterson rack up enough yards to keep chains moving and Green Bay offense off the field?
27. Kansas City — Year of rebuilding for Herm Edwards and company.
28. New Orleans — Can this team rebound? Not w/out the big Deuce!
29. Miami — Chris Chambers will be looking for some catches, but can Trent Green get them to him.
30. Buffalo — Only the prognosis of injured tight end Everett can keep Bills' minds off of their current problems — and those soon to come.
31. Atlanta — Wait, did I say the Bills had problems? I forgot about the team that lost its starting quarterback to federal dogfighting charges and was stupid enough to trade its top backup who is now starting for Houston.
32. St. Louis — I only have the Rams here b/c losing your starting RB, three-fifths of your offensive line and having a QB playing w/ broken ribs doesn't give you much of a chance on the road against Dallas.