The NFL is a funny cup of tea.
When you think you know, you realize you don’t have a clue.
The Buffalo Bills were drinking the Andrew Luck Kool-Aid to start the year. He’s the Stanford quarterback that is presumed to go No. 1 overall in next April’s NFL draft.
The motto “Suck for Luck” was being adopted by the fan base.
Five weeks into the season, the Bills have knocked off traditional powers New England and Philadelphia and are 4-1. Out of thin air, their Harvard-educated quarterback and mountain man Ryan Fitzpatrick has turned into more than a useful field general, but one that fantasy football team’s desire.
Outside of Clemson’s C.J. Spiller and Coastal Carolina’s Tyler Thigpen, there’s probably not too many names average fans from the Carolinas recognize on Buffalo’s team.
But the 17.7-ppg offense from a year ago, second worst in the AFC, has turned into 32.8-ppg robust machine.
The offense is clicking, the defense started to create turnovers (+11 turnover ratio is best in the NFL) and the team started believing.
But remembering back-to-back-to-back-to-back Super Bowl failures, this is exactly where the Bills will begin their collapse. In 2008, Buffalo started 4-0 only to limp to a 3-9 record the rest of the way.
With games against the N.Y. Giants, Washington, N.Y. Jets and Dallas ahead on the schedule — Bills fans are probably still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I know I am.
Captain Comeback
Which team with a losing record right now will still be playing in January?
My pick: Philly.
I understand the Eagles need to learn how to tackle — but these guys are NFL players, it will eventually happen.
The Eagles blew a couple of fourth-quarter leads at home and have lost four straight. But Philly still has an explosive offense. Michael Vick isn’t a guy who’s going to quit on the season. LeSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson are too fast for most defenses to contain.
I don’t believe in the Redskins; the Giants just lost to the hapless Seahawks and the Cowboys’ luck will soon run out. I think Philly wins the division with a 10-6 record.
Dalton does work
For the second straight week Cincinnati’s rookie quarterback, Andy Dalton, led the Bengals to a win with a fourth-quarter drive. Dalton’s Bengals are now 3-2 on the season and the former TCU quarterback has 1,047 yards and six touchdowns while throwing five interceptions.
Dalton, along with the efficient numbers that Carolina’s Cam Newton is putting up, is showing how quick college quarterbacks can make an impact in the professional ranks. Coming from the Mountain West Conference, Dalton is paving the way for Boise State’s Kellen Moore to get a shot in the league.
In his collegiate career, Moore has thrown for 116 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. Before writing him off because of a slow throwing motion or lack of arm strength — give him a chance. Winning doesn’t come because of luck.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement