NFL Week 5 is over and done. What have we learned?
1) Until now, there have been only three possible outcomes of a game – Win, Loss, or Tie. After watching the Baltimore Ravens implode under the weight of their own bonehead penalties, I think we should add a fourth category – Give-Aways. It’s hard to argue that the Bengals actually won that game; it’s more like the Ravens refused to win. I’ll talk to Commissioner Paul Tagliabue about getting Give-Aways added as an official stat for 2010 next time we have lunch.
2) As I’ve said before, there are some definite haves and have-nots this year. Four teams still are undefeated. Four teams are still winless. The other 24 are interesting.
3) The Philadelphia Eagles have whooped three bad teams by double digits and lost to one good team by a whole lot. But the loss came without their franchise quarterback, and the wins were over three teams with a combined 1 win amongst them through 5 weeks. So, what do you know about the Philadelphia squad? Not much. And with gimmees against Oakland and Washington coming up, we really won’t know what kind of team they are until sometime in November.
4) Similar story in New England, with two losses against two good teams and a barely-won against Buffalo (that game came very close to falling into the “Give Away” category). Is Tom Brady still Tom Brady, or have injuries and the knocking-up of supermodels taken their toll on the Patriot’s uber-QB?
5) The Wildcat is here to stay… for now. Some have wondered whether this is a bona fide trend or just a passing fad. The seven people across the country who stayed up to watch the end of MNF this week know that Miami still believes. Of course, the Dolphins are the team that introduced the Wildcat to professional football, but it has been catching on around the league. I’d bet that Rex Ryan and the rest of the New York Jets believe now, too.
6) Throwback uniforms were thrown back for a reason. I thought I was going to have seizures from watching the vertical brown and yellow striped socks flailing about during the Denver Broncos game Sunday night. I’m not sure why the league insists on continuing these throwback games. What’s the point? It can’t be a big money maker for the teams. I don’t think anyone went out and bought a 1960 vintage replica jersey after seeing that.
