Several NFL story lines have clearly not lived up to their high preseason expectations:
1. Preseason perception » The Giants have the best defensive front four in football.
Regular season reality » Osi Umenyiora has been benched and New York’s defense is allowing more than 25 points per game. The “fearsome” combination of Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, Chris Canty and Umenyiora has 13.5 sacks this season. Tuck and Kiwanuka combined for 20 sacks in 2008.
2. Preseason perception » With Tom Brady healthy, the Pats’ offense will be back to its 2007 form.
Regular season reality » New England is averaging 10 points less per game than it did in 2007 and even if they win their final three games they still will have fewer victories than last year’s team, led by Matt Cassell.
3. Preseason perception » Adrian Peterson is hands down the best running back in the NFL.
Regular season reality » Peterson has been great this season, but its hard to argue against Chris Johnson being the best back in the league. Johnson has 426 more rushing yards than Peterson and is 374 yards (124.7 yards per game) away from breaking 2,000 yards.
