3 (Tie) Washington Redskins and Tennessee Titans
Both of these teams are 3-1 because of defense and exceptional quarterback play. The Redskins have been in every game this year and could very easily be 4-0. There defense led by pass rushers Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan hasn't given up more than 21 points this season while Rex Grossman is managing the game and limiting mistakes. The Titans, a team who was also not predicted to go anywhere this year is on a tear. Hasselbeck has been phenomenal even while Chris Johnson has struggled. These two teams will continue to be around come December because of their defenses.
2 Detroit Lions
Some may be surprised why the Lions aren't number one on my list of the biggest surprises thus far, but I am not really that surprised the Lions have played this well. When everyone is healthy, the Lions are lethal at every position on offense and their defense is always going to make the opposing offense work. What makes this Lion team dangerous is that they are figuring out how to win those tight games and this should help them as they continue to battle the Packers for the NFC North.
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| Ryan Fitzpatrick |
This has got to be the biggest surprise. The Bills were a snake bitten team last year and all of a sudden the team is doing everything and anything it has to do to win. Ryan Fitzpatrick has been the engineer of this resurgence, but let's give some props to Chan Gailey who has taken a young and inexperienced team and turned them into a force in the AFC.
3 Biggest Disappointments
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| Tony Romo |
If the Cowboys, well actually, if Tony Romo wouldn't turn the ball over in big situations, this is one of the best teams in the NFL. They were up two touchdowns in New York on a Sunday Night as well as being up 27-3 against the Lions last week. The Cowboys need to figure out how to close out those games.
2 New York Jets
The victim of their own doing in my opinion. The Jets place way too much meaning on certain regular season games and once they start losing, all of their talk doesn't mean anything. If the Jets don't beat the Patriots on Sunday, they will be looking at 2-3 start and they will be behind the 8-ball in terms of the playoff picture.
1 Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are the biggest disappointment thus far and its not even a opinion, it's a fact. The Eagles were hyped to be the dream team and they are 1-3. The loss at Atlanta was understandable, but to come back and drop two straight homes games is ridiculous. The Eagles have to avoid a complete meltdown by winning at Buffalo and stringing some wins together.
Early Awards
MVP
1 Aaron Rodgers, QB Green Bay Packers
Rodgers has been nothing short of terrific. He has been tearing up every defense he has faced and he is the main reason the Packers are 4-0. The Packers are the hottest team in the NFL dating back to last year and Aaron Rodgers has been the best player in the NFL since last December.
2 Calvin Johnson, WR Detroit Lions
3 Matt Hasselbeck, QB Tennessee Titans
Offensive Player of Year
1 Calvin Johnson, WR Detroit Lions
8 touchdowns in 4 games. The Lions put up points and when in doubt, they can literally throw the ball up to Calvin Johnson. He is making jump balls in the endzone look easy, even with two defenders draped over his body. If Johnson keeps this up, he may break records.
2 Aaron Rodgers, QB Green Bay Packers
3 Tom Brady, QB New England Patriots
Defensive Player of Year
1 DeMarcus Ware, OLB Dallas Cowboys
Ware brings relentless pressure on pretty much every play and he is the leader of a Cowboys defense that hasn't been given up many points.
2 Brian Urlacher, ILB Chicago Bears
3 Vince Wilfork, DT New England Patriots
Offensive Rookies of Year
1 Cam Newton, QB Carolina Panthers
Newton has been prolific and he is keeping a weak Panthers squad in games. Andy Dalton deserves some consideration, but so far, Newton has been outstanding for a rookie.
Defensive Rookie of Year
1 Von Miller, OLB Denver Broncos
Miller is showing early signs that he could be the next James Harrison. He will be the centerpiece of the Broncos defense in the future.
Coach of the Year
1 Chan Gailey, Buffalo Bills
He's turned a 4-12 team into a high scoring, potent and dangerous team that could very well make the playoffs.
2 Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions
3 Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers
Predictions for the Rest of the Way
AFC East
1 New England 12-4
2 Buffalo 10-6
3 New York 10-6
4 Miami 2-14
AFC North
1 Baltimore 12-4
2 Pittsburgh 10-6
3 Cleveland 7-9
4 Cincinnati 6-10
AFC South
1 Houston 10-6
2 Tennessee 9-7
3 Jacksonville 4-12
4 Indianapolis 3-13
AFC West
1 Oakland 10-6
2 San Diego 8-8
3 Kansas City 4-12
4 Denver 3-13
NFC East
1 Dallas 10-6
2 Philadelphia 10-6
3 Washington 9-7
4 New York 8-8
NFC North
1 Green Bay 14-2
2 Detroit 12-4
3 Chicago 9-7
4 Minnesota 4-12
NFC South
1 New Orleans 12-4
2 Atlanta 11-5
3 Tampa Bay 9-7
4 Carolina 5-11
NFC West
1 San Francisco 9-7
2 Arizona 9-7
3 St. Louis 6-10
4 Seattle 5-11
AFC NFC
1 New England 1 Green Bay
2 Baltimore 2 New Orleans
3 Oakland 3 Dallas
4 Houston 4 San Francisco
5 Buffalo 5 Detroit
6 Pittsburgh 6 Atlanta
Wild Card Round
6) Pittsburgh over 3) Oakland 24-20
4) Houston over 5) Buffalo 37-35
3) Dallas over 6) Atlanta 27-14
4) San Francisco over 5) Detroit 26-24
Divisional Round
1) New England over 6) Pittsburgh 27-15
2) Baltimore over 4) Houston 30-17
1) Green Bay over 4) San Francisco 35-10
3) Dallas over 2) New Orleans 31-28
AFC Championship
New England over Baltimore 30-23
NFC Championship
Green Bay over Dallas 21-14
Super Bowl XLVI
New England Patriots over Green Bay Packers 35-31
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