The NFC, for the most part, looks as bad or worse than the Eastern Conference. Some substantial shakeups — It’s early but you have to give credit where credit is due to the 2-0 squads. Still, everybody has a major problem, whether they can D up and can’t score, can’t D up but put up numbers or they can’t do either, it’s been a rough start for the national boys.
1. Dallas Cowboys (2-0) LW: #1
I’ll refrain from telling SJ that I told him so until they go up to Chi-town and hand the Bears a loss like men. The defense woke up to force five turnover’s against Miami, without three defensive starters, and Romo is leading the offense like Steve Nash. One of the ESPN talking heads called them this season’s New Orleans Saints. Um, but didn’t the Cowboys make the playoffs last year? How about they just look like the one team every year that rises to the top out of mediocrity.
2. Chicago Bears (1-1) LW: #3
Still the same smashmouth D. Still the same short-bus O. The Detroit Pistons of football. It’s pretty clear that Grossman is never going to be the guy for Chicago, but they don’t have many options. Once rookie TE Greg Olsen gets into the mix, they should look a little better moving the ball. Or they could just have Grossman throw the ball thirty yards behind him to Devin Hester every play and see what happens.
3. Green Bay Packers (2-0) LW: #13
Surprised? Shouldn’t be. If you come back for “just another year” enough times, that year is going to become a heroic, ride off into the sunset type of year. Favre looked outstanding at times on Sunday, and he doesn’t even have Greg Jennings back yet. The D is good, but we all suspected that before the season even began.
4. Seattle Seahawks (1-1) LW: #4
Keeps finding ways to win, and screw up wins. They will probably stay in this exact spot all year while everything else sifts out.
5. Detroit Lions (2-0) LW: #6
The new St. Louis Rams? Maybe, but the ground game needs to keep up for them to stay consistent on O. Calvin Johnson is who we all thought he was, and so is Kitna and Roy Williams. Looks like a possible 7-9, 8-8 type team.
6. Carolina Panthers (1-1) LW: #5
They’re entering neutral national territory right now. Nobody is surprised, or particularly cares, if they are good or bad. The Panthers just always float around the mix, but it doesn’t look like they’ve put it together (again).
7. Washington Redskins (2-0) LW: #14
Now here’s the team I’m surprised by. Jason Campbell isn’t spectacular, but he’s good, and he’s also the single biggest difference this season. Wouldn’t seem like too far of a reach to say they might just beat out Philly for 2nd in the NFC East, and maybe even steal a Wild Card.
8. San Francisco 49ers (2-0) LW: #8
So much for that offense maturing, and for Vernon Davis being (so far) the next Antonio Gates. They run Frank Gore into the ground like the Chiefs did to Larry Johnson.
9. Minnesota Vikings (1-1) LW: #10
Adrian Peterson has gotten them from ridiculously boring to watch to simply boring. They aren’t going anywhere this season, but they’ve been solid.
10. Arizona Cardinals (1-1) LW: #12
Benefited from late-game stupidity from Seattle, but what is it about these guys and blowing big leads?
11. New Orleans Saints (0-2) LW: #2
I didn’t buy into the entire emotional resurrection storyline of last season, mostly because I just thought they were a good football team with a very good young coach in Sean Peyton. I still think both, but until they prove it, I can’t let them back any higher. If the Browns can do it, you just know the Saints will get their O clicking too.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) LW: #16
I’m not sold, but Garcia-Galloway looked solid, and the defense can still make plays when it needs to.
13. St. Louis Rams (0-2) LW: #7
The biggest difference between them and the Arizona Cardinals last season? The O-line. Now that the studs on the line are hurt, the Rams could be 3-5 at the midway point and everyone will be wondering how, what with all their weapons and all.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (0-2) LW: #9
If they had lost two close games, either shootouts or defensive showcases, the Iggles would be in the top-10. As is, nothing looks good outside of Brian Westbrook. They’ll come back — though it might take them through their bye week to do so.
15. New York Giants (0-2) LW: #11
The Tiki Barber contingency plan isn’t working out too well for them. Eli better be ready to endure some rebuilding.
16. Atlanta Falcons (0-2) LW: #15
How’s that sleeper pick working out for you Bill Simmons? Since Cleveland made me put my foot in my mouth, ATL takes over the reigns of being the team that is just very bad. Give Norwood more carries would ya?