1/4 way through the season (1 Viewer)

[FUBAR]

Can't believe we're already 1/4 of the way done with the regular season (sure there are 17 weeks, but 16 games for each team). What are your biggest surprises, what teams will fade, which will rise, and what are the trends that will last?

TEAMS:

Buffalo Bills @ 3-1. While I respect what they've done, this won't last. They'll be lucky to be in WC contention. I won't say it's smoke and mirrors, but they're playing over their heads.

Tennessee Titans @ 3-1. I don't see this lasting either, but as CJ hasn't played his best ball, it's entirely possible that he'll get more room to work as team start to respect Hasselbeck more. Probably not a WC team either but the AFC South is surprisingly weak, they could squeek into the playoffs.

Indianapolis Colts @ 0-3. There's a reason Peyton Manning is a perennial MVP. This season has shown just how important he is. We shouldn't be surprised that the Colts aren't good without him but it still looks weird that they're on the bottom.

Washington Redskins @ 3-1. This team surprises me more than any other. I don't see them winning the division but they should be a WC contender. I'm impressed.

Detroit Lions @ 4-0. Pretty much the opposite situation from Indianapolis. They've kept their "brittle" QB healthy so far and are a very good team because of him. Plus, Calvin is the MVP right now. 12-4 wouldn't be a surprise at this point. WC or division champs.

San Fran @ 3-1. Beating the Eagles is impressive and they'll probably win their weak division.

St. Louis Rams @ 0-4. The record isn't that big a shock, but they've been outscored by a ratio of 2.5:1, have scored less points than any other team (presuming the Colts score a FG tonight), and only the Chiefs have given up more points. I expected this team to improve significantly, I couldn't have been more wrong.

PLAYERS:

Calvin Johnson - we knew he was good, but holy smokes batman. MVP right now and I don't know if it's close. He won't keep it up, but nobody can.

Aaron Rodgers - ok, MVP is a close call.

Tom Brady & Wes Welker - alright, there are a few guys in the running for MVP... I expect these two to continue to dominate.

Cam Newton - a few of us are kicking ourselves for passing on this FF stud. He's a lot better than I thought he would be. Waiting for a 2nd half fall (so i can trade for him)

Rex Grossman - who knew? Doubt he keeps it going, but maybe.

Denarious Moore - 5th round rookies shouldn't be this good. He is.

Darren Sproles - I've liked this kid since his days at KSU, but who expected him to be top 10? Probably will fall some with Ingram gaining reps.

CJ Spiller - I expected better

Mario Manningham - is he the biggest bust so far? He is from my teams. Somehow I expect him to pull it together. Buy low!

 

[todisco1]

Good thread. I'm surprised at how awful Pitt's and the NYJ o-lines are at run-blocking. I didn't think they'd be world beaters, but this kind of ineptitude is epic, especially the Jets.

 

[wiscstlatlmia]

Can't believe we're already 1/4 of the way done with the regular season (sure there are 17 weeks, but 16 games for each team). What are your biggest surprises, what teams will fade, which will rise, and what are the trends that will last?

TEAMS:

Buffalo Bills @ 3-1. While I respect what they've done, this won't last. They'll be lucky to be in WC contention. I won't say it's smoke and mirrors, but they're playing over their heads.

Tennessee Titans @ 3-1. I don't see this lasting either, but as CJ hasn't played his best ball, it's entirely possible that he'll get more room to work as team start to respect Hasselbeck more. Probably not a WC team either but the AFC South is surprisingly weak, they could squeek into the playoffs.

Indianapolis Colts @ 0-3. There's a reason Peyton Manning is a perennial MVP. This season has shown just how important he is. We shouldn't be surprised that the Colts aren't good without him but it still looks weird that they're on the bottom.

Washington Redskins @ 3-1. This team surprises me more than any other. I don't see them winning the division but they should be a WC contender. I'm impressed.

Detroit Lions @ 4-0. Pretty much the opposite situation from Indianapolis. They've kept their "brittle" QB healthy so far and are a very good team because of him. Plus, Calvin is the MVP right now. 12-4 wouldn't be a surprise at this point. WC or division champs.

San Fran @ 3-1. Beating the Eagles is impressive and they'll probably win their weak division.

St. Louis Rams @ 0-4. The record isn't that big a shock, but they've been outscored by a ratio of 2.5:1, have scored less points than any other team (presuming the Colts score a FG tonight), and only the Chiefs have given up more points. I expected this team to improve significantly, I couldn't have been more wrong.

PLAYERS:

Calvin Johnson - we knew he was good, but holy smokes batman. MVP right now and I don't know if it's close. He won't keep it up, but nobody can.

Aaron Rodgers - ok, MVP is a close call.

Tom Brady & Wes Welker - alright, there are a few guys in the running for MVP... I expect these two to continue to dominate.

Cam Newton - a few of us are kicking ourselves for passing on this FF stud. He's a lot better than I thought he would be. Waiting for a 2nd half fall (so i can trade for him)

Rex Grossman - who knew? Doubt he keeps it going, but maybe.

Denarious Moore - 5th round rookies shouldn't be this good. He is.

Darren Sproles - I've liked this kid since his days at KSU, but who expected him to be top 10? Probably will fall some with Ingram gaining reps.

CJ Spiller - I expected better

Mario Manningham - is he the biggest bust so far? He is from my teams. Somehow I expect him to pull it together. Buy low!

 

[FUBAR]

Good thread. I'm surprised at how awful Pitt's and the NYJ o-lines are at run-blocking. I didn't think they'd be world beaters, but this kind of ineptitude is epic, especially the Jets.

I forgot to list the Jets. Hadn't watched them until last night and wow, they are absolutely horrible. But then, I wasn't sure if that was Baltimore dominating or just the Jets ineptitude.

 

[dickey moe]

Steve Smith's resurgence with the play of Newton has to be up there.

 

[drew726]

Mendenhall is the biggest bust by far. At least you know CJ is going to get better. Mendy, looks like he's getting worse.

 

[Zeff]

Mendenhall is the biggest bust by far. At least you know CJ is going to get better. Mendy, looks like he's getting worse.

I've seen no evidence CJ is anything but a CFL player. Mendenhall has disappointed, but his schedule gets ridiculously easy moving ahead. He won't meet expectations, but he's certainly going to improve, barring injury. CJ won't.

 

[FUBAR]

Mendenhall is the biggest bust by far. At least you know CJ is going to get better. Mendy, looks like he's getting worse.

I've seen no evidence CJ is anything but a CFL player. Mendenhall has disappointed, but his schedule gets ridiculously easy moving ahead. He won't meet expectations, but he's certainly going to improve, barring injury. CJ won't.

 

[bonesman]

Mendenhall is the biggest bust by far. At least you know CJ is going to get better. Mendy, looks like he's getting worse.

I've seen no evidence CJ is anything but a CFL player. Mendenhall has disappointed, but his schedule gets ridiculously easy moving ahead. He won't meet expectations, but he's certainly going to improve, barring injury. CJ won't.

He's talking about Spiller, you're talking about Johnson.

 

[comfortably numb]

Mendenhall is the biggest bust by far. At least you know CJ is going to get better. Mendy, looks like he's getting worse.

I've seen no evidence CJ is anything but a CFL player. Mendenhall has disappointed, but his schedule gets ridiculously easy moving ahead. He won't meet expectations, but he's certainly going to improve, barring injury. CJ won't.

Jeff Fisher is an FBG

 

[sports_fan]

Eagles at 1-3 has to be up there.

 

[Sabertooth]

I find the Packers pass defense to be a surprise. They are getting gashed by everyone. Their offense is covering for this huge deficiency right now.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Alex Smith. Yes, the quarterback of the Niners. His qb rating is 97.7 His team is 3-1.

 

[VaTerp]

Mendenhall is the biggest bust by far. At least you know CJ is going to get better. Mendy, looks like he's getting worse.

I've seen no evidence CJ is anything but a CFL player. Mendenhall has disappointed, but his schedule gets ridiculously easy moving ahead. He won't meet expectations, but he's certainly going to improve, barring injury. CJ won't.

Crazy talk!CJ just posted 100 yards yesterday and Tennessee's passing game looks fairly good even without Britt. This should continue to open things up for the run and CJ should have worked his way into game shape right about now.Mendenhall has looked awful, his O-line has been awful, their once great D is looking very average, and now both Mendy and Big Ben are banged up.I am trying to deal Mendenall at all cost right now and looking to buy on CJ.

 

[qimqam]

Denarious Moore - 5th round rookies shouldn't be this good. He is.

Not sure why everyone is freakin out about this guy?

He had 1 good game and has since had 2 crappy games with a completely garbage time TD. His catches and yards have gone down significantly each game

 

[Walton Goggins]

Was laughed at picking Rodgers 6th overall (VICK IS THE BEST!) and laughed at picking CAM late in the draft with Beanie Wells. Rodgers alone almost beat my opponent's entire team this week. Nobody's laughing now.

Put Texans on the list. No way they would have won that game vs PIT if they played typical Texans ball.

 

[zamboni]

CJ Spiller - I expected better

Part of the reason for more disappointment by Spiller is the outstanding play of the vet Fred Jackson, which I would put as another surprise thus far.

 

[FUBAR]

Denarious Moore - 5th round rookies shouldn't be this good. He is. Not sure why everyone is freakin out about this guy?He had 1 good game and has since had 2 crappy games with a completely garbage time TD. His catches and yards have gone down significantly each game

I'm not freaking out about him, but he's a whole lot better than most rookie WRs are, especially 5th round types. Aside from Colston, I don't recall being as impressed by a late round rookie WR.

 

[Reaper]

Good thread. I'm surprised at how awful Pitt's and the NYJ o-lines are at run-blocking. I didn't think they'd be world beaters, but this kind of ineptitude is epic, especially the Jets.

If you told me in Preseason that the Jet OL would lose Mangold, the Pitt Ol would suffer injuries and Peyton Manning would be out I would pretty much nail the output of all 3.

 

[todisco1]

Good thread. I'm surprised at how awful Pitt's and the NYJ o-lines are at run-blocking. I didn't think they'd be world beaters, but this kind of ineptitude is epic, especially the Jets.

If you told me in Preseason that the Jet OL would lose Mangold, the Pitt Ol would suffer injuries and Peyton Manning would be out I would pretty much nail the output of all 3.

...okay then.

 

[jurb26]

Good thread. I'm surprised at how awful Pitt's and the NYJ o-lines are at run-blocking. I didn't think they'd be world beaters, but this kind of ineptitude is epic, especially the Jets.

If you told me in Preseason that the Jet OL would lose Mangold, the Pitt Ol would suffer injuries and Peyton Manning would be out I would pretty much nail the output of all 3.

So you knew that Oline injuries would lead to the NYJ and Pitt to getting gashed on the ground?

 

[schooner44]

Can't believe we're already 1/4 of the way done with the regular season (sure there are 17 weeks, but 16 games for each team). What are your biggest surprises, what teams will fade, which will rise, and what are the trends that will last?

TEAMS:

Buffalo Bills @ 3-1. While I respect what they've done, this won't last. They'll be lucky to be in WC contention. I won't say it's smoke and mirrors, but they're playing over their heads.

PLAYERS:

CJ Spiller - I expected better

The Bills will be in WC contention. To say they would be lucky to do so is absurd. The thing that people fail to realize is that Chan Gailey is an incredible offensive mind. The team is producing as a direct result of the coach and that won't change.Spiller--you expected better? He is playing behind a top RB right now...how much more did you expect?

 

[Reaper]

Good thread. I'm surprised at how awful Pitt's and the NYJ o-lines are at run-blocking. I didn't think they'd be world beaters, but this kind of ineptitude is epic, especially the Jets.

If you told me in Preseason that the Jet OL would lose Mangold, the Pitt Ol would suffer injuries and Peyton Manning would be out I would pretty much nail the output of all 3.

So you knew that Oline injuries would lead to the NYJ and Pitt to getting gashed on the ground?

Whoa.. i thought I just replied to a comment about OL and run blocking / run output...But, i suppose yeah overall, if that OL is that bad, the defense will also be effected.

 

[jurb26]

Good thread. I'm surprised at how awful Pitt's and the NYJ o-lines are at run-blocking. I didn't think they'd be world beaters, but this kind of ineptitude is epic, especially the Jets.

If you told me in Preseason that the Jet OL would lose Mangold, the Pitt Ol would suffer injuries and Peyton Manning would be out I would pretty much nail the output of all 3.

So you knew that Oline injuries would lead to the NYJ and Pitt to getting gashed on the ground?

Whoa.. i thought I just replied to a comment about OL and run blocking / run output...But, i suppose yeah overall, if that OL is that bad, the defense will also be effected.

I misunderstood then. I thought you were commenting on the teams overall struggles, not just offensive.

 

[ponchsox]

Can't believe we're already 1/4 of the way done with the regular season (sure there are 17 weeks, but 16 games for each team). What are your biggest surprises, what teams will fade, which will rise, and what are the trends that will last?

TEAMS:

Buffalo Bills @ 3-1. While I respect what they've done, this won't last. They'll be lucky to be in WC contention. I won't say it's smoke and mirrors, but they're playing over their heads.

PLAYERS:

CJ Spiller - I expected better

The Bills will be in WC contention. To say they would be lucky to do so is absurd. The thing that people fail to realize is that Chan Gailey is an incredible offensive mind. The team is producing as a direct result of the coach and that won't change.Spiller--you expected better? He is playing behind a top RB right now...how much more did you expect?

Buffalo will be fighting the Jets and Titans for two wildcard spots. They will contend for a wildcard because the landscape of the AFC has changed with the demise of the Colts and Steelers.

 

[SacramentoBob]

San Fran @ 3-1. Beating the Eagles is impressive and they'll probably win their weak division.

It's been a while since I've seen a team go out of their way to beat themselves like the Eagles did this last weekend. Wasn't as impressive as it looks in the results.

 

[ThePittbully]

Denarious Moore - 5th round rookies shouldn't be this good. He is. Not sure why everyone is freakin out about this guy?He had 1 good game and has since had 2 crappy games with a completely garbage time TD. His catches and yards have gone down significantly each game

He scored with a minute left in the 3rd quarter to but the Raiders up by 7, yea total garbage time

 

[jonboltz]

Denarious Moore - 5th round rookies shouldn't be this good. He is. Not sure why everyone is freakin out about this guy?He had 1 good game and has since had 2 crappy games with a completely garbage time TD. His catches and yards have gone down significantly each game

He scored with a minute left in the 3rd quarter to but the Raiders up by 7, yea total garbage time

Go back and recheck the game to see what actually happened.

 

[SacramentoBob]

Denarious Moore - 5th round rookies shouldn't be this good. He is.

Out of all the offensive skill positions, WRs are the ones more likely to pan out as a later round draft pick.

 

[FavreCo]

Beanie.

 

[Mr. Fusion]

I won't talk much about the Bills because I'm a but I do think they will be in wild card contention. I still think New England wins the division but after week 4 Buffalo sits on top because of the tie breaker. Next week vs. the Eagles will be very telling. Bet the over in that one.

To me, the biggest surprise has to be Cam Newton and the way he has resurrected this passing offense. I do own Cam in my money league but only because something like 22 QBs were gone and I just wanted to grab a backup with upside. I never thought he would be this good and it's only 4 weeks in.

Perhaps equally surprising is the Eagles and how bad they are. Sure, they don't have any LBs that are any good but they are the most loaded team in every other position defensively plus they retained the offense from last season. I thought they would be in the NFC title game for sure but they may not even make the playoffs.

 

[jojoh07]

Eagles at 1-3 has to be up there.

BY far the biggest surprise of the year

 

[Zigg]

Eagles at 1-3 has to be up there.

BY far the biggest surprise of the year

Is it any different than the free-spending Redskins early in the Snyder years? Has throwing a bunch of FAs together ever worked? Especially when you neglect the O-Line.

 

[Mark Wimer]

Cam Newton has to be the biggest surprise as a rookie QB - Ever. He's doing things that no other rookie QB has ever done in this league. I'm extremely impressed, and I was one of his bigger believers during preseason (happily I took him as QB3 in a couple of leagues - he's QB1 now).

The emergence of Ben Tate while Foster was out was a pleasant surprise (too bad he hurt his groin this week).

The crash-and-burn of Ochocinco in New England so far has to be one of the biggest unpleasant surprises. Only two catches per game (at best?).

Mike Martz actually listening to Jay Cutler and running the ball a ton in week four - that was a true shock (and, presto, they get a 'W', too).

Many more I don't have time to list...

 

[butcher boy]

For me it's the 49ers' 3-1 record. There's no way you'd have convinced me early on that the Niners would win 2 east coast road games in a row. They just never do that. And to come back from such a deficit yesterday was also a shocker.

 

[Warrior]

Denarious Moore - 5th round rookies shouldn't be this good. He is. Not sure why everyone is freakin out about this guy?He had 1 good game and has since had 2 crappy games with a completely garbage time TD. His catches and yards have gone down significantly each game

He scored with a minute left in the 3rd quarter to but the Raiders up by 7, yea total garbage time

fail

 

[drater]

Mark Ingram not looking like a surefire HOFer and there being a full blown RBBC in New Orleans.

 

[Mark Wimer]

Also, undefeated Lions at 4-0. 3-1 I could have seen coming, but 4-0 with a huge comeback win at Dallas? NAW, that is WAY too improbable of a scenario to actually come true...

 

[Shutout]

1. The Raiders. I thought they showed signs last year but made a Hu(g)e mistake in firing their HC. Thought it would set them back..again. But they actually have an identity for the first time in over a decade.

2. Jermichael Finley. It hasn't translated onto the FF scene completely but when you watch him it amazes me how much he affects how teams can play the Packers. With him on the field, teams have no chance; they are simply picking their poision. Jennings, Nelson, Jones, Driver et. al, should buy him a vacation package somewhere (other than Hawaii cause he will be there in feb).

3. Fubar's Icon: I KNOW it is supposed to be Deion Sanders but all I ever see when I look at it is Troy Aikman in a doo-rag.

 

[VaTerp]

Biggest surprises so far IMO-

Cam Newton's performance thus far

Bills being 3-1 and looking very good in the process

49ers being 3-1 with an overtime game away from being 4-0

Eagles being 1-3

Wes Welker being THIS good

Steelers getting manhandled on both sides of the ball

 

[Copeman]

Can't believe we're already 1/4 of the way done with the regular season (sure there are 17 weeks, but 16 games for each team). What are your biggest surprises, what teams will fade, which will rise, and what are the trends that will last?

TEAMS:

Buffalo Bills @ 3-1. While I respect what they've done, this won't last. They'll be lucky to be in WC contention. I won't say it's smoke and mirrors, but they're playing over their heads.

PLAYERS:

CJ Spiller - I expected better

The Bills will be in WC contention. To say they would be lucky to do so is absurd. The thing that people fail to realize is that Chan Gailey is an incredible offensive mind. The team is producing as a direct result of the coach and that won't change.Spiller--you expected better? He is playing behind a top RB right now...how much more did you expect?

the landscape of the AFC has changed with the demise of the Colts and Steelers.

Overreact much? The Steelers are 2-2 and lost to two of the top AFC teams, and their schedule is pretty easy. They still rank second in the league in yds allowed. Granted, their play hasn't been great, but it's a bit early to be saying they are done.

 

[Captain Hook]

Mark Ingram not looking like a surefire HOFer and there being a full blown RBBC in New Orleans.

I really don't understand this. As good as Ingram was in college we all KNEW he was on a team with Sproles added in the off season & Pierre Thomas signed for an additional few years.....HOW could it not be a RBBC?

 

[drater]

Mark Ingram not looking like a surefire HOFer and there being a full blown RBBC in New Orleans.

I really don't understand this. As good as Ingram was in college we all KNEW he was on a team with Sproles added in the off season & Pierre Thomas signed for an additional few years.....HOW could it not be a RBBC?

I'll take the time to find the sarcasm quotes next time...

 

[eakfootball]

Holy cow the season is going fast. So far I'm shocked by Welker. Knew he was a great player, but this is amazing.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

great thread, nice OP

 

[FUBAR]

3. Fubar's Icon: I KNOW it is supposed to be Deion Sanders but all I ever see when I look at it is Troy Aikman in a doo-rag.

my wife saw this the other day and commented that I should change it. I probably will, just haven't thought much about it.

 

[AmosMoses]

By far the biggest surprise is that Shannahan benched his starting RB for another guy.

HOLY CRAP!!!!

 

[az_prof]

Can't believe we're already 1/4 of the way done with the regular season (sure there are 17 weeks, but 16 games for each team). What are your biggest surprises, what teams will fade, which will rise, and what are the trends that will last?

TEAMS:

Buffalo Bills @ 3-1. While I respect what they've done, this won't last. They'll be lucky to be in WC contention. I won't say it's smoke and mirrors, but they're playing over their heads.

PLAYERS:

CJ Spiller - I expected better

The Bills will be in WC contention. To say they would be lucky to do so is absurd. The thing that people fail to realize is that Chan Gailey is an incredible offensive mind. The team is producing as a direct result of the coach and that won't change.Spiller--you expected better? He is playing behind a top RB right now...how much more did you expect?

the landscape of the AFC has changed with the demise of the Colts and Steelers.

Overreact much? The Steelers are 2-2 and lost to two of the top AFC teams, and their schedule is pretty easy. They still rank second in the league in yds allowed. Granted, their play hasn't been great, but it's a bit early to be saying they are done.

I agree with this. The Steelers are not done. They will have a big challenge from BA though. IND IS done.I am going to throw this out there; Houston. I think their D is for real. They have a couple of very good RBs. An above average QB and WR1. Pretty good TE. Not much not to like about this team. Yet, most people were not talking about them as an AFC favorite at the beginning of the year. Right now, they are my favorite to win the AFC championship.

 

[Bri]

There's a bunch of new players and refurbished coaches that create the same old stories.

Ryan Fitzpatrick has been sharp. I remember Martz bragging about him in St. Louis and then how horrible he was in Cincy and even in Buffalo. He's fortunate teams stuck with him. Chan Gailey love earlier in this thread made me smile. I don't agree he's a top offensive mind, but God Bless-you Bills fans deserve to feel that way.

Jim Schwartz needs to run for president or something.

I have had to relook at the standings a few times at the Eagles and Niners. I have yet to get the impression the Eagles lost or the Niners won from articles and fans. The way they talk or write the gist of their article, I'd swear their records are reversed. It's incredible how bad Smith's numbers are and how good Vick's are yet the other one is winning.

I often find myself wanting Jason Garrett to go in at QB and forget he's the coach now.

It's about time for Bradford to overcome the sophomore slump, soph blues etc. OK Ds are all over ya as we expected and it's been rough-now overcome it like the great ones do. I never thought I'd think Clayton and Amendola were big losses.

Kerry Collins' play in Indy is yet another reason to think Heimerdinger was a magician.(RIP)

In the race to digest the NFL info so quickly this year, I wasn't sure who Kafka was. Is VY's career over?

McNabb looks like he should retire.

Either play Tebow at QB or shush already.

 

[Bri]

Denarious Moore - 5th round rookies shouldn't be this good. He is. Not sure why everyone is freakin out about this guy?He had 1 good game and has since had 2 crappy games with a completely garbage time TD. His catches and yards have gone down significantly each game

He scored with a minute left in the 3rd quarter to but the Raiders up by 7, yea total garbage time

fail

Doug Baldwin has been jekyl and hyde for the Hawks and pretty much under the radar as both Tates quickly become WW fodder.