Myth vs. Truth

It has only been two weeks, but there already is a separation between what we thought about the NFL going into the season and what really is taking place. Here are five examples, followed by Week 3 picks.

What We Thought: That the Patriots would pick where they left off in 2007 when Tom Brady was last healthy and be un-stoppable.

What’s Really Going On: If Buffalo kick returner Leodis McKelvin decides to take a touchback instead of bringing a kick out in Week One against New England, the Patriots are 0-2. They were completely dominated by the Jets, and both their defense and running game seem to be lost. Brady’s numbers have been pretty good, but then again, he’s already thrown 100 passes (only two other QBs have thrown over 80 passes, only one other with more than 90), so big numbers should be expected. With the Falcons this week, Baltimore next and at the surprise Broncos following that, New England could easily be 1-4 by mid-October.

What We Thought: That San Francisco would be decent with Michael Crabtree and horrible without him.

What’s Really Going On: So far for the 49ers it has been no Crabtree, no problem. San Francisco is 2-0 with wins already against perceived NFC West favorites Arizona and Seattle. It’s isn’t that the team couldn’t use the former Texas Tech star, but since he has chosen to take the idiotic route of holding out because he thinks he should be paid like the fifth player chosen in the draft even though he didn’t go until ten, the Niners are moving on without him. QB Shaun Hill has been solid, but the main offensive threat has been running back Frank Gore. A win this weekend at Minnesota would show the rest of the NFC that Samurai Mike Singletary’s team is for real.

What We Thought: That the Colts would sorely miss the presence of Marvin Harrison.

What Really Going On: Why re-sign an aging future Hall-of-Famer when you have Pierre Garcon. Who? The receiver from Mount Union, who is less than a year older but about a half-second slower than me in the 40 (one of those two previous statements are true), has had a big impact on Indy’s offense. Versus Miami last week he caught only one ball, but turned it into a 48-yard touchdown. With Garcon on one side, All Pro Reggie Wayne on the other, Dallas Clark in the slot and some dude named Peyton at quarterback, the Colts don’t seem to be missing a beat despite the loss of Harrison.

What We Though: That the 2008 Falcons and Dolphins were just a flash in the pan.

What’s Really Going On: Miami and their Wildcat was indeed a flash in the pan; add some bread crumbs, olive oil and you got yourself some fried Dolphin. The Falcons actually are as real as it gets. Matt Ryan has continued his rise along the NFL quarterbacking ladder, proving he’s one of the best in the game. Adding Tony Gonzalez sure hasn’t hurt, with the star tight end grabbing 12 passes for 144 yards and two TD’s already in ’09. Atlanta has a really tough stretch coming up in their schedule - at New England, bye, at San Francisco, the Bears on Sunday night, at Dallas, at New Orleans, Washington, at Carolina and then at the NY Giants. That’s six road games in nine weeks, with all the matchups against potentially tough opponents. So the Falcons are for real right now, but check with me again as the season goes on.

What We Thought: That the addition of Jay Cutler would open up the Bears offense.

What’s Really Going On: New year, new quarterback, same old Bears. Sure, they throw the ball some more, but that has partially been because Matt Forte has never really been able to get going thus far in ’09. But with Ron Turner still calling the offensive plays (for some reason), the attack still sputters along like a little kid trying to learn to walk. Short pass, short pass, run on third down, punt. Or short pass, run, try and go deep, punt. The play calling has usually been along those lines during the first two weeks. Will Turner open it up some more to allow Cutler to make plays? Bears fans can only hope the pre-season prediction will eventually come true.


Now for my week 3 picks, coming off an 11-5 record last week, pushing my season mark to 24-8. My picks in bold.

Washington vs. Detroit

Green Bay vs. St. Louis

San Francisco vs. Minnesota

Atlanta vs. New England

Tennessee vs. New York Jets

Kansas City vs. Philadelphia

New York Giants vs. Tampa Bay

Cleveland vs. Baltimore

Jacksonville vs. Houston

New Orleans vs. Buffalo

Bears vs. Seattle

Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati

Denver vs. Oakland

Miami vs. San Diego

Indianapolis vs. Arizona

Carolina vs. Dallas

And my survival pick of the week - New Orleans and Washington are gone - is Baltimore to whoop up the Browns.