While the Monday night contest has yet to be played between AFC North rivals Pittsburgh and Baltimore, Sunday's week 4 of the NFL season offered some high octane scoring, upsets, and the usual drama that the NFL is famous for. Here are 5 things to take from Sunday's games
5) The Bills are for real. Buffalo had another late come from behind victory, this week beating the win-less Rams 31-14. The Rams entered the fourth quarter with a 14-13 lead, but Bills CB Jabari Greer’s interception for a touchdown on the first play of the quarter would lead to another Rams loss. Buffalo has defeated 2 playoff teams from last year and play only 2 teams the rest of the season that had winning records in 2007. An easy schedule and a battered New England team could mean division title for Buffalo. At the very least a playoff appearance for the first time since '99.
4) Jim Zorn was the right choice for Washington. When Joe Gibbs stepped down last year after the emotional playoff run, a successor was not found for weeks. The Redskins nearly hired Jim Fassel and interviewed several others. Jim Zorn was supposed to be the team's offensive coordinator for 2008 but came away with the head coaching job instead. The hire was criticized primarily due to the lack of experience that Zorn had on his resume. Now that decision should be applauded. The Skin's have won 3 straight since the season opening lost to the Giants and on Sunday had one of the biggest wins of the season as they beat the undefeated Cowboys. Jason Campbell looks like a budding star and the Redskins look to return to the playoffs again, possibly as NFC East champs.
3) Brett Favre is still Brett Favre. Forget the NFC title game interception or the off season feud with the Packers. On Sunday number 4 threw a career high 6 touchdowns and the Jets wearing their throwback Titan uniforms demolished the Cardinals in a high scoring 56-35 route. New York built up a 34-0 halftime lead and kept scoring even after the Cardinals came back within 13 in the 3rd quarter. The Jets lost a couple of tough games against the Patriots and Chargers but found their mojo again on Sunday. Favre has plenty left in the tank and as of right now the Jets are rolling while his former team in the Packers have dropped 2 straight. Oh yea, the Cardinals are still the Cardinals too.
2) The Rams are really bad. Anyone could have guessed this after last year's 3-13 mark, but did anyone think it would be like this? Sure Marc Bulger will return to the starting lineup after a week long benching, but the team is still the same.Scott Linehan was fired today and the team will be placed into the hands of former Saints coach Jim Haslett. At least that is a start to turn this team around, but it still will be a challenge. St. Louis has scored 14 points or less in all 4 games and has given up 30 or more in all the games played so far as well. Running back Steven Jackson claims the team has talent and they have some, but it's not much. It is going to take a big time winning streak to turn this season around, but don't count on it.
1) Tennessee is the best team in the NFL. Dallas? Done with. Denver? They are giving up to many points. New England? Can you say blowout loss to Miami? Through 4 games this season the Titans have lost none and have yet to allow 20 points. Quarterback Kerry Collins is, in my opinion, a major upgrade to Vince Young and the team is responding. On Sunday Jeff Fisher's squad blasted pre-season NFC favorite Minnesota and held stud Adrian Peterson to just 80 yards. Sure the Bengals are Texans have yet to win games this season, but they were supposed to be better than this. Tennessee is off to its best start in years, and with the Colts strangely struggling this year there is no reason to think this team can't win the division, let alone the number one seed atop the AFC.
