5 Big Surprises Through NFL Week Three
Is three games enough to make some snap judgments on the NFL season? Of course! Here are some things to freak out about in the NFL through three weeks.
1. Turmoil in Ninerland
San Francisco started the season behind the eight ball, missing three key starters (Navorro Bowman and Anthony Davis to injury, Aldon Smith to suspension) and adding three new starters to the secondary. After an easy week one win in Dallas, the team's lack of depth was exposed in the two subsequent games. The 49ers have scored just three points in the second half all season, despite leading at halftime of all three games. What's more, the 49ers lead the league in penalties by a long shot, eliminating an already-slim margin for error.
2. The Best Team In The AFC Resides In... Cincinnati
The Bengals are one of three unbeaten teams remaining, and their point differential of +47 through three games leads the league. Their defense is suffocating, and a healthy AJ Green turns any offense into a world-beater, even with Andy Dalton and Marvin Lewis calling the shots.
3. The Packers Are Falling Apart
The Packers are 1-2, and save for a second-half collapse by the Jets, they'd be 0-3. Green Bay has the best quarterback of his generation in Aaron Rodgers, and have decided that keeping him upright for the next ten years is not a priority, based on how they've assembled the offensive line. The Packers have weapons on both sides of the ball, but lack the size up front to compete on a weekly basis.
4. Derek Carr Might Be Competent
Oakland might be winless, but they've been competitive in two of the three games. We knew they wouldn't win a ton anyway, especially when they handed the keys over to a rookie quarterback. Carr hasn't been a disaster, however, and although the offense has struggled to put up points, Carr has looked comfortable and has played largely mistake-free (albeit conservative) football.
5. Arizona Is For Real
Thanks to the emergence of Michael Floyd, a strong performance by a stout defense that's missing their best player (Darnell Dockett), and the 49ers' inability to field their entire roster thanks to legal issues and injuries, the Arizona Cardinals have taken advantage and are off to a 3-0 start - despite not having their starting quarterback in two of those victories. The road doesn't get any easier from here, as they still have to face Seattle twice, and San Francisco will make a run at some point this season, but the Cardinals appear to be a budding force in the NFC West.