Written by Isaac Barber. Media by Joe Hubbs.
The first three weeks of the NFL have been really exciting and really shocking. We have already seen records broken, fantasy teams destroyed, and fans left with many questions. Here are my winners and losers of the first three weeks.
Losers:
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are 0-3. They have yet to win a game, and they have also not shown fans a sign that they are getting better. The injuries on this team seem to be mounting up fast, the team cannot protect their franchise quarterback in Big Ben Roethlisberger, and they cannot run the ball. The Steelers have made an identity of being a team that is tough and gritty. However, they seem to lack the toughness that people have seen over the past few decades.
Media by www.gazettenet.com
Eli Manning
Poor Eli. He has been sacked 11 times, thrown 8 interceptions, and has a horrendous running game to rely on while his stuff is shaky. Let’s not forget to mention his team is also 0-3. He just looks uncomfortable in the pocket and his defense can’t stop anyone. The team’s struggles aren’t his entire fault, but Eli Just can’t catch a break this season. Maybe the two time Super Bowl champ needs to watch some of his brother’s film to get him back on track.
Colin Kaepernick
Coming off of a spectacular season, the San Francisco 49ers had a tough decision to make. Keep Kaepernick or Alex Smith. Seeing that Colin Kaepernick led them to a Super Bowl appearance, San Francisco decided to let go of Smith (like most teams would). That being said, ‘Niner fans were expecting big things from their quarterback, and he has not delivered for the city of San Francisco. He has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns, his team is not winning football games, and the guy they let go is doing exceptionally well in Kansas City. Granted, it is only the first few weeks of the season, but he must figure out these issues before it is too late.
Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Winners:
The Denver Mannings
Peyton Manning is always a winner in my heart. Twelve touchdowns in three games are always worth mentioning. He has the most dangerous receiving corps, a running game that will be good enough when he is not slinging the ball downfield, and a top ten defense. It is Super Bowl or bust for this team, and the way they have started the first three games, it looks like a Super Bowl.
Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins
Both the Chiefs and Dolphins are 3-0.Given their struggles of the past couple years, it is really hard to believe that these two teams are worth talking about, but they are. Both teams have efficient offenses and are playing really solid defense. As mentioned before, Alex Smith is showing us why he should not be backing up Kaepernick , and Ryan Tannehill looks like he could finally be the franchise quarterback Miami has been looking for since Dan Marino retired. Both teams are looking to for playoff berths this year, and maybe even a Super Bowl is on the horizon?
Drew Brees
Last year the New Orleans Saints struggled heavily when they lost their leader and head coach Sean Payton. Now that he is back, the Saints show glimpses of a New Orleans team that won the Super Bowl a few years back. Brees is throwing touchdowns and Jimmy Graham is catching ‘em. The city of New Orleans has a lot to be excited about early on this season.
Trent Richardson’s Family
Trent Richardson, for those of you who don’t know, was recently traded to the Indy Colts from the Cleveland Browns. Richardson found out via the radio…classy, I know. However, through all of this his family is the big winner here. 1) It is really hard to take pride in a relative that plays for the Cleveland Browns. 2) I would much rather live in Indianapolis than in Cleveland, or anywhere else in Ohio (Just Saying) .3) The chance that the Colts making it to the Super Bowl in the next 5 years is much higher than the Browns chances means an all-expense paid trip to the Super Bowl, which will usually be held in a place like Miami, San Francisco, or some other big city that people could only wish they were at, but can’t because they have to work. So you are welcome Richardson clan.
AND…
Greenville College Panthers
The biggest winners of the first 3 weeks are our very own Panthers. They are 3-0 for the first time in a long time. Gotta love those Panthers!
