What an exciting weekend in the NFL! Sone really good match-ups between the Panthers and Seahawks, the Patriots and Colts, the Bengals and Bills, and the still as yet unplayed game between the Giants and the Eagles. And some really well-played, exciting, close games that went into overtime between the Broncos and Browns, as well as the Lions and the Bears.
Unbelievably, we have three 6-0 teams, and there are still five undefeated teams in the league right now. I can only remember once other season when there were three 6-0 teams in a season (that being the 2009 season, when the New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, and Minnesota Vikings also all started off at 6-0). It is a different cast of faces and franchises that remain unbeaten now, and three of those undefeated teams (the Packers, the Broncos, and the Bengals) have bye weeks next weekend, assuring that they will have navigated September and October with perfect, unbeaten records. Two of those teams, the Broncos and the Packers, will meet one another in two weeks, in a huge battle of the unbeatens.
So, let's start off a review with those five undefeated teams:
Cincinnati Bengals 34, Buffalo Bills 21 - This is a rivalry that was among the very first, and most impressionable, since I became an NFL fan. The Bengals beat the Bills in the AFC playoffs in the 1981 season, and again in the AFC Championship Game. Both teams are looking like legitimate playoff contenders again, and this was an exciting meeting (for me). The Bengals started to look like they were dominating this game after recovering from an early touchdown by the Bills to go up 7-0. After that, it seemed like it was all Cincinnati. I knew the Bengals were good, but admittedly, they are looking a lot better even than I realized. They get to enjoy a bye next weekend, and will next get ready for a trip out to Pittsburgh next. That will be a real test. The last time the Bengals started off 6-0 was back in the 1988 season, and they went to the Super Bowl and almost won it!
New England 34, Indianapolis 27 - The Patriots are starting to look scary good, once again. They survived a very tough first half that saw the Colts playing extremely well in order to survive and outlast Indy, securing the win and remaining unbeaten at 5-0. Next up for New England, a home game against the 4-1 Jets.
Denver 26, Cleveland 23 (OT) - Well, I was mentioning the AFC rivalry between the Bengals and Bills before, how about this one? The Broncos beat the Browns in each of the three AFC title games that these two franchises met in during the 1980's, although the Broncos, in turn, kept losing all of those Super Bowls. Here once again, the Broncos won this game, although it was a very tight contest that really could have gone either way, finally being decided in overtime. What a game this was! Denver can rest right now, before hosting the Green Bay Packers in two weeks.
Green Bay 27, San Diego 20 - I tuned this in and saw the score at 17-3 in favor of the Pack, and turned it off, assuming that Green Bay had the game well in hand, and were on their way to a decisive victory. But Philip Rivers had an incredible day passing for 502 yards, and the Chargers were on the verge of an amazing game, before Green Bay's defense held to preserve the win. The Packers will get a bye week before going off to Denver for a huge battle of unbeatens in two weeks!
Carolina 27, Seattle 23 - This was the one that I was not expecting! Seattle is a damn tough place to play, even if the Seahawks have not been playing have not yet found their normal level of intensity yet this season. But this was a huge win by the still undefeated Carolina Panthers, who match their franchise best start ever at 5-0. A huge road win for Carolina, who will now face the Eagles at home next weekend.
Detroit 37, Chicago 34 (OT) - Another really great, back and forth game. A division rivalry, with the Bears desperately trying to remain in the ranks of contenders, needing this win to pull off a third straight victory. But the Lions played some inspired ball today, and finally managed to earn their first victory, which means there are no more winless teams remaining in the league now this season.
Miami 38, Tennessee 10 - Man, did I ever get this one wrong! Having predicted the Titans to win, it was quite shocking to see the Dolphins not only take the lead, but keep pouring it on, pounding Tennessee into submission to earn their second win of the season, and easily their most impressive win to date!
Houston 31, Jacksonville 20 - I do not actually have many thoughts on this one, although the Texans earned an impressive road, divisional win at Jax. Another disappointment for the Jaguars, who I thought had improved far more than they have shown thus far, proving me wrong.
San Francisco 25, Baltimore 20 - The Ravens are off to the worst start in franchise history, losing yet another game to sink down to 1-5. Right now, the playoffs are essentially out of reach, although the Ravens would do well simply to put together a solid win and try to get back on track again. The 49ers, in the meantime, earned their second win of the season, ending a four game losing streak.
Minnesota 16, Kansas City 10 - Another game between two mediocre teams. Well, the Vikings are supposed to be contenders, although they have not looked great to this point. The Chiefs, in the meantime, look horrible, possibly the worst team in the league right now, dropping their fifth straight. If Any Reed has any miracles, he better pull them out of his sleeve now.
Pittsburgh 25, Arizona 13 - The Cardinals looked like they just might win this game for much of it, but the Steelers came to life when it counted the most, with a new quarterback at the helm. It was enough to earn Pittsburgh a comfortable victory. Still, by virtue of the Seahawks loss, the Cardinals stay well ahead in the NFC West.
NY Jets 34, Washington 20 - The Jets were really struggling in the first half, but boy, did they ever come to life with an explosive third quarter, to essentially put Washington on the ropes. A tough defense never really allowed them back in it, and the Jets raised their record to 4-1, with a tough road trip to New England now on tap.
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