1. Which 0-2 Team is Most Likely to Bounce Back and Make the Playoffs?
Of the eight teams that find themselves at 0-2, I'm giving the Redskins the best chance to come back and sneak into the playoffs. The primary reason for this is because of how weak the NFC East is this season. The Cowboys are an accident waiting to happen so I just can't believe that they will keep it together long enough to make the postseason. The Giants, another team currently 0-2, have absolutely no running game to go along with a sub par defense which means they have to rely heavily on the arm of Eli Manning. The result of this is that he has thrown six interceptions in just the first two games. Arguably the best team in the division is the Eagles. They have proven to have an electric offense (which I will be discussing more in depth later) that has the ability to put a lot of points up on the board in a hurry. Their defense, however, is positively abysmal which puts a lot of pressure on the offense to score a lot. Another thing to keep in mind is that if history has shown us anything, it's that it's only a matter of time until Mike Vick gets hurt. Essentially, all other teams in that division have major flaws and the Eagles and Cowboys are tied for first each with a record of 1-1, putting the Skins only a game back of first. Additionally, I'm confident that RGIII is going to get better and better as the season continues, giving them a fairly good chance of making it to the postseason.
2. Which 2-0 is Most Likely to Miss the Playoffs?
Let me preface this by stating that I'm not saying the Chiefs will not make the playoffs this year, simply that out of all the 2-0 teams I think they are the most likely to miss out. First of all, I have absolutely no doubt that the Broncos are going to win that division, so if the Chiefs make the postseason it will have to be as a wildcard. My primary reason, however, for choosing Kansas City is just because I haven't seen enough from this team to buy in. In their first game they beat the Jaguars...there are no words to accurately describe quite how bad the Jags are this season...but anyway, the point is beating Jacksonville doesn't exactly prove that you're a good team. Then they went on to play and beat the Cowboys, one of the most inconsistent teams in the NFL. It is also important to note that Andy Reid, as the previous coach of the Eagles, knows the Cowboys like the back of his hand, giving them an advantage. While I have no doubt that the Chiefs are greatly improved from last year, I will have to see a bit more before I endorse them as a playoff team.
3. Eagles Prolific Offense
One of the biggest questions coming into this season was what would the Eagles offense be like under the direction of new coach Chip Kelly. Well that question has been asked and answered even after just two weeks. The answer is that the Eagles have a prolific offense that quickly marches down the field big chunks at a time. Their offense is a must see for any football fan that appreciates that side of the ball, as one can't help but compare this unit to the 2000 Rams, also known as the Greatest Show on Turf. To put into perspective how high-powered this offense is, take into consideration that they currently have the leading receiver and leading rusher in the league (DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy respectively). It's rare to see one team with leaders in those two categories. To take it a step farther, Jackson is on pace to obliterate the single season record for receiving yards that Calvin Johnson set a year ago by over 400 yards. While the defense certainly needs some work, this offense is simply fun to watch and will give fans a show week in and week out.
4. Trent Richardson Traded to the Colts
Just yesterday the Cleveland Browns made the most peculiar decision of the season. Despite being competitive in each of their first two games, it appears that they have thrown in the towel for this season as they traded away Trent Richardson, their best player, for a first round pick in next year's draft. So now there is literally no reason to pay attention to the Browns this year as they are essentially and automatic win for anyone who plays them. Now on to the part of this trade that actually has an impact on this season. The colts have been looking for a good running back ever since they got rid of Edgerrin James after the 2005 season. They finally have that in what seems like a match made in heaven between Richardson and Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. Since drafting Luck with the first overall pick last year the Colts offense has been more than serviceable, but has been missing one crucial part to being a consistent offense. That missing part was a consistent running game. With the addition of Richardson, I think we are going to see a much more balanced offense that gives defenses a lot of trouble moving forward. I recognize that Richardson has not exactly been a stellar player, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry during his short career, but in his defense he was on the Browns. He was the only offensive player on that team that defenses were worried about. I think we are going to see a major boost in productivity for him, as well as a boost in efficiency for Luck. Watch out league, the Colts are not to be trifled with.
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