If the first week of the NFL season was home of the rash projection, Week 2 brought reversals of opinion, mild surprises and full-blown alarm bells. Neither week alone, nor the two combined, warrants a clinical trial. But after Week 3, the evidence builds and reality sets in, and it’s not always easy to swallow.
Reality Bites
New York Giants (1-2) » Sloppy-terrible-terrible best describes the first three games for the Giants, who also lost their composure in Sunday’s giveaway — literally — at home to Tennessee. Eli Manning (tied for league worst with six INTs) would feel worse if he weren’t part of Also-Ran Central, aka the NFC East.
San Francisco 49ers (0-3) » Don’t even believe Alex Smith‘s stats (71 yards and a touchdown came on the final, pointless drive vs. K.C.). The former NFC West favorites are now rooting for the playoffs to have a 6-10 team. It would probably be them.
Reality Checks
Minnesota Vikings (1-2) » Even if they’re no longer Super Bowl favorites, it’s not quite time to abandon the Vikings completely. The bye week also is a chance for practice reps and improvement, but from there the schedule heats up (Jets, Cowboys, Packers, Patriots) and the margin for error goes way down.
Dallas Cowboys (1-2), Houston Texans (2-1) » Did Houston really deserve Super Bowl bandwagon status after rallying against a Washington team that failed to put it away? Are the Cowboys really so suspect mentally that Tony Romo wouldn’t exploit a matchup that suited him perfectly? Answer to both questions: Probably not. Both teams still have work to do.
Reality Cash-In
Atlanta Falcons (2-1) » If the New Orleans Saints are going to make it hard on themselves every week, the Falcons are just fine with that. They’re the only team to give Pittsburgh a game so far, and they followed that with two crucial division wins. Why not them?
Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) » Michael Vick busted open Jacksonville, and the return of Donovan McNabb will overshadow his next start in Philadelphia. For now, the Eagles’ quarterback debate simply isn’t about long-term prospects.
Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) » This isn’t the Texans: No one is quite ready to jump on the Chiefs and start throwing out ludicrous things like “Super Bowl.” That said, look up the Weis, Crennel and Cassel households for some serious bye-week parties.
