After
three weeks, some NFL teams stuck on
the sidelines
Kim Oswell
The NFL season is off and running as week three brings drama, injuries, suspensions
and horrible loses. The Cincinnati Bengals have completely surprised the NFL
nation, while Green Bay must prepare for the wrath of its loyal cheeseheads.
Undefeated in the AFC are the Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts, who each have
a 3-0 record. Washington Redskins, 2-0, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 3-0 are
leading the NFC.
The teams who are still winless are the Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens,
Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals, all with no wins thus
far.
The season is only three weeks old, but the list of injuries reads a mile long.
The Buffalo Bills are short one linebacker, Takeo Spikes, due to a torn right
Achilles tendon that should keep him out for the rest of the season. New England
Patriots safety Rodney Harrison has an unclear season due to a knee injury.
The Cardinals’ quarterback, Kurt Warner, is suffering a groin muscle strain
and could possibly miss the game against the San Francisco 49ers. Chad Pennington
of the New York Jets tore his rotator cuff and is forced to end his season early.
Travis Henry won’t be gaining many yards for the Tennessee Titans in the
next four weeks as he serves a suspension for violating their substance abuse
policy.
The Minnesota Vikings made news, but it wasn’t because they were winning.
Two of their players, Bryant McKinnie and Marcus Johnson, were picked up and
arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct. A court date has not yet been scheduled.
Monday Night Football was brutal, with the Kansas City Chiefs getting romped
by the Denver Broncos, 30-10. The Broncos are now 2-1 and have their quarterback,
Jake Plummer, to thank for their early season production. He was 13-18 and had
152 yards in the game.
Carson Palmer is proving the Bengals should not be taken lightly with the victory
against the Chicago Bears Sept. 25, when he was 16-23 and had 169 yards.
The Philadelphia Eagles Donovan McNabb leads the league in passing with 964 yards,
but Tom Brady is right behind him with 948 yards. The Titans’ Kyle Vanden
Bosch leads in sacks with five and Dwight Freeney for the Colts and Bryant Young
for the 49ers both have four.
The games to watch this Sunday will be Cincinnati at Jacksonville and Indianapolis
at Tennessee. Green Bay has a chance to overcome their slow start during Monday
Night Football against the Carolina Panthers Oct. 3.
Despite not having an official home stadium, the New Orleans Saints have managed
to go 1-2 in the first three weeks and play the Bills at their temporary home
in Texas Oct. 2.
Predictions are premature at this point, but I would keep an eye on the Bengals
to do great things in the weeks to come. I am hoping the LaDainian Tomlinson
can help carry the San Diego Chargers all the way to the postseason this year.
There is definitely more football to be played as the 17-week season continues
and the beer keeps flowing.
|
