MySportsSanctuary

Fall is the operative term when talking about proud teams coming out of the gates in this young NFL season. Although the season (nature) has changed and the leaves are starting to turn, so are our heads about some surprising results already in the books.

Consider: Three division winners who posted a 36-12 record last season are winless (Dolphins, Titans and Panthers). Although their regular seasons were fantastic, none of them won a playoff game. Conversely four teams (49ers, Saints, Jets and Broncos) didn’t make the playoffs a year ago. Ravens, Vikings and the Falcons are feeding off their playoff appearances 9 months ago with strong starts.

But let’s not get hasty here. Can we really count out the Titans or the Panthers after two games? The Panthers maybe, but a win against the Cowboys can put them back into the mix. And speaking of the Cowboys, I think they wished that the field goal kicker for the Giants had ACTUALLY hit their scoreboard at the end.

The Patriots, who seemed to have lost everyone from last season on the defensive side, are stumbling and there is conversation that the aura of invincibility has been smashed. They haven’t lost to the Jets at the Meadowlands since 2000, and Brady is on pace to throw 800 passes this year after missing an entire season. The Jets are in prime form to limit the Dolphins reign on top to being short like leprechauns.

As the Chiefs, Lions, Bucs, Rams, Browns, and Jaguars look for their first win, the Raiders and Bills look to be the most improved teams even with T.O. starting to get his QB killer tirade warmed up.

Alas it is only the second week people, a lot will change and those off to surprising starts, good or bad, will show it was an aberration or the real deal in the coming Sundays. Fall is upon us.