Top Three Teams:
1. The Houston Texans
Matt Schaub capped his career season last year with a trip to the Pro Bowl and the MVP award in the All-Star game. It was no less than the one-time Atlanta Back-up deserved, and has, in light of his not insignificant talents, well overdue.
Schaub and his Herculean receiver, Andre Johnson, helped the Texans to the franchise's first winning record in history. Playing with a young and talented defence, the Texans sneaked a 9-7 and almost into the back door of the playoffs.
That was not to be, but it got the pundits wondering whether to rate this up-and-coming side, or consign their season to the books as nothing more than an anomaly.
Well, two weeks in and the Texans are undefeated. Not only that (as a handful of rubbish teams - Kansas City and Tampa - are also 2-0), but those two wins include a stomping of long-time division bosses, the Indianapolis Colts, and a remarkable come-from behind win against the Redskins in Week 2.
People are starting to sit-up and take notice of this team. If they continue to play like this, with a balanced offense and lively, opportunistic D, then they will win their division by deposing the Colts.
2. The Miami Dolphins
2-0 after battling through some gritty games - Chad Henne and crew are getting the job done, and although its far from pretty, only one stat matters come January.
Brandon Marshall has been productive, but not yet fully utilised by the emerging Henne. When the young QB's confidence spikes, expect to see a lot of Marshall in the End zone.
In a tough division that boasts the Jets and Patriots as division rivals, many - including myself - picked the Fins to finish third. I stand by that (I believe they will fade down the stretch), but there's nothing to stop them grinding out the AFC East title if they keep their heads. Possible? I doubt it, but kudos to the Florida outfit for playing hard and being ready in Weeks 1 and 2
3. The Pittsburgh Steelers
Pretty much everybody wrote this team off. I did at first, but found myself asking why about three weeks in to the preseason.
Okay, so this team has lost a few names and are weakened by Roethlisberger's absence, but the core is largely the same as it was when the team won a pair of Superbowls.
They play in a tough division, too, but they've always been top-dogs. No, I think my reason for writing off the Steelers early, might just be general dislike for their almost fluky success.
They are a good team - always playoff calibre. But did their roster really merit two rings in almost as many years? I don't think so...
The Steelers are playing ugly football, but they are winning without Roethlisberger. They could get a whole lot better when he returns. That could be bad news for opponents at the tail end of the regular season.
And those in need of a Hail Mary...
1. The Minnesota Vikings
2 games, 2 losses, 4 Favre turnovers in an error-strewn display at Miami. What's going on?
Well, the Vikings are playing hurt, but look like dirt. They need to dust off their white pants and get their heads back in the game, or legendary gunslinger, Brett Favre, will be forced to walk away from the sport he loves, surrounded by a grossly anticlimactic storm of publicity.
They will get better (they can't get worse), and their points-scoring ability will improve when the receiving corps is back to strength.
They'd better, or it will be another long offseason for the perennially tortured Vikings' fans.
2. The Dallas Cowboys
Oh, goodness me: The Dallas Cowboys are flopping after months of expectation. Surprised? Don't be. These boys must've spent the summer in a pressure cooker with Coach Wade Phillips controlling the knobs.
Well Wade Phillips needs to put his player's knobs in their own hands and tell them to twiddle them however they damn well please if it'll make them play up to their potential.
There's a certain beauty in following a hapless franchise - wins feel like we made it to the Super Bowl already, and losses are an excuse for a good day out.
I would hate to live in Dallas. I think you get the picture...
3. The San Francisco 49ers
Letting leads slip always hurts. Losing games by the finest of margins is tough to take. Missing the chance to go top of a weak division that is yours for the taking is almost unforgivable.
It's a good job the top-brass have faith in Singletary otherwise his seat would be heating up.
Give them a fortnight to right this careening ship, and give the Seahawks and Cardinals more time to lose ad everything will work out for the misfring 49ers.
Pick up THE HARE newspaper at Night and Day, Bar Centro, Font or Tiger Lounge in Manchester town centre, or the Oakwood in Glossop.
E-mail theharenewspaper@hotmail.co.uk with questions, comments or contributory pieces.
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