One other NFL week has come and gone and nothing is sensible in any form of approach.
We’ve got random groups thriving, sudden groups collapsing and all types of motion in between.
Fortunately we right here at The Skinny Submit exist to kind via all of it for you. We’re Michael Peterson and RJ Ochoa and we’re all about to have some enjoyable.
Let’s rank the NFL’s remaining undefeated groups from finest to worst. Are any of their sizzling begins flukey?
RJ:
It isn’t sufficient to actually freak out about, however beginning 3-0 is a major factor and all of those groups must be pleased with it. If I needed to, and I suppose I do, rank them right here is how I’d dance:
1. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (duh)
2. Buffalo Payments (sneaky good)
3. Minnesota Vikings (hey now!)
4. Seattle Seahawks (NFC West winners?)
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (let’s be actual)
Clearly the Chiefs are in a stratosphere of their very own and subsequently evaluating anybody to them is foolhardy. My greatest takeaway from the train although is that I believe that I believe the Vikings are legitimately good. Give Kevin O’Connell his Coach of the Yr proper now and let’s quick ahead to the poisonous debate of subsequent spring the place individuals marvel if Sam Darnold ought to stay the starter.
Michael:
It’s solely been three weeks and this season is already barely drunk.
The Vikings — let me reiterate that — the VIKINGS are 3-0! With wins over the 49ers and Texans! You already know, two of the groups that had been each consensus high 10, perhaps even high 5, groups within the NFL getting into this 12 months.
Then there’s the Steelers who’ve ridden a porous offense backed by an elite protection to Mike Tomlin’s first 3-0 begin since 2020. I nonetheless don’t know what magic this man has been blessed with for all these years, however I nonetheless can’t consider it.
After all then there’s the Chiefs, Payments, and to a lesser extent, the Seahawks who’ve taken benefit of one of many simpler schedules so far. Good for them, however I’m not utterly offered.
Now for the rankings. Right here’s how I’d stack these groups up:
1.) Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
2.) Minnesota Vikings
3.) Buffalo Payments
4.) Seattle Seahawks
5.) Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are the flukiest group amongst the undefeated squads. I’ll give them the win over the Falcons whom I nonetheless assume extremely of. They then beat the Broncos and rookie Bo Nix earlier than beating the Chargers on Sunday solely after they misplaced 4 first-round picks within the first 35 minutes of regulation, all of which play essentially the most pivotal and premium positions on a soccer area (quarterback, edge rusher, each offensive tackles).
In the event that they proceed to make it occur towards the very best groups, then I’ll eat these phrases, however I’m simply not shopping for it this early.
Now let’s rank the 0-3 groups. Ought to any of them nonetheless have hope?
Michael:
I really like a subject like this since you assume you’ll have sufficient groups to make a good checklist and then you definately understand it’s simply three groups with two of them being in the identical division.
However for the sake of the subject:
1.) Bengals
2.) Jaguars
3.) Titans
I don’t know what’s happening with Will Levis, however he certain likes to do wacky issues with the soccer that in the end flip him right into a meme. It certain looks as if they’re lacking Derrick Henry, too. Free Jeffrey Simmons! He’s too good of a defensive deal with to be on a group that may’t win a sport. Possibly commerce him to a group that additionally wears some powder blue?
Yeah? Who says no?
Alright positive. On to the Jaguars.
So what’s the take care of this group? They’re 0-3 with some actually good gamers on their group. Trevor Lawrence is a reliable quarterback. Travis Etienne appeared to be the most effective younger backs within the league as not too long ago as final 12 months, and Josh Allen-Hines simply bought paid like a high go rusher. So what offers?
Effectively, as a Chargers fan, I perceive the way it feels when groups fall wanting followers’ expectations. This simply looks as if a tough begin to the season and I consider the Jags will come again from it because the 12 months goes on.
Lastly, it’s so unusual seeing the Bengals at 0-3 with each Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase on the group. Just like the Jaguars, they’ve additionally bought a superb edge rusher in Trey Hendrickson. Seems like they’ve sufficient items to win constantly sufficient, however one thing simply isn’t clicking right here. It was comprehensible to lose to the Chiefs like they did. However to the Commanders? Now I’ve bought actual issues.
RJ:
In the end I believe that is fairly commonplace.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. Tennessee Titans
The Bengals and Jaguars each have franchise quarterbacks, which can at all times put them forward of the sport. On the opposite facet of issues, I’ve completely no thought what Will Levis is doing or how he has at the least one awkward and clunky second on a weekly foundation.
I’m nonetheless excessive on the Houston Texans, however let’s do not forget that we’re dragging the Jaguars and Titans once we discuss Houston’s dominance in a couple of months. That’s my most important request.
Are you shopping for the pattern that the NFL is now leaning again in direction of a operating league?
RJ:
We’re deep sufficient into the season (not deep, however nonetheless) to the place I positively purchase this a bit.
Passing is down. Dashing is up. Amazingly, the Miami Dolphins have the fewest dashing yards over anticipated and should have been only a bit too early to this pattern and snakebitten by accidents when it actually bought going.
The discourse over two excessive safeties final week was wild on the web and I’m not going to faux to behave like I can predict the traits that the NFL will face. However this has been a quarterback league for a very long time and I might count on the waters to stabilize to a sure extent sooner or later.
For now although… we run.
Michael:
Operating. Backs. Do. MATTER!
Not less than, via the primary three weeks of the season.
I personally am loving it. My fantasy groups although? Effectively, I certain would love greater than 10-12 factors from my quarterbacks, however at the least soccer feels…contemporary? I do know that sounds dumb because it’s identical to an old style pattern coming again into prominence, however I don’t care. Viva la run sport!
Are we not giving Matt LaFleur sufficient credit score for what the Packers are doing?
Michael:
I noticed a tweet on Sunday that confirmed the Packers offense previous to a play towards the Titans and the caption was itemizing out the tactic during which the Packers acquired their gamers. Malik Willis was clearly JUST traded for, each offensive tackles had been Day 3 alternatives, and the operating again was Emanuel Wilson, a former undrafted free agent.
That’s fairly dang good! Makes for a wholesome cap scenario if you happen to can fill out your roster for subsequent to nothing and nonetheless win video games. I believe Matt LaFleur deserves a lot extra credit score than he’s been given. Their skill-position group continues to be one of many youngest within the NFL. Their receivers should not excessive draft picks, both.
LaFleur has performed wonders with what he has and I’m extremely impressed each time I’m reminded of what the Packers have on the offensive facet of the ball.
Give him all of the credit score for preserving the Packers aggressive in a division with the Lions and the surging Vikings.
RJ:
It has been wild to see how the Packers have performed within the aftermath of Jordan Love’s harm.
Is the competitors questionable given who Indianapolis and Tennessee are? Possibly.
However I’m not going to take something away since successful with no franchise quarterback is insanely tough. We’re in the course of a season the place the NFC seems bizarre and I’m beginning to develop into increasingly more satisfied that Matt LaFleur’s Packers are going to return out on high.
