The NFL 1st Quarter Report: AFC

Best Offensive Player: Peyton Manning - I’m eventually going to get tired of saying this, but Peyton’s playing at an MVP level. As if he could smell his brother getting more publicity for winning a more recent Super Bowl, he’s made everyone remember who the better Manning is so far this year. I’d say the Colts have won 4 games this year, but they haven’t. Peyton Manning has won 4 games this year.

Best Defensive Player: Elvis Dumervil – He may not lead the league in tackles but 8 sacks in 4 games is nothing to shake your nose at, whatever that means. That he has those sacks along with 17 tackles for the league’s leading defense is pretty impressive too. Ever wonder why opposing quarterbacks have been useless against Denver so far this year? Its because they know odds are this linebacker will materialize out of nowhere and put all of his 260 lbs. directly into their spleen twice each game. How many touchdown passes have been made against Denver this year? Oh yeah, none.

Most Surprising Team (In a good way): Denver Broncos – Yeah, I have no idea either. Maybe it’s training at that high altitude, maybe its new head coach Josh McDaniels, or maybe its just a boatload of steroids but no matter what caused it, the Broncos have definitely taken a big step in the right direction this year. Their defense is leading the league and somehow Kyle Orton hasn’t thrown a pick yet. Impressive to say the least.

Most Surprising Team (In a not so good way): Tennessee Titans – Well their talent level finally caught up with them. Kerry Collins I’m really just looking in your direction though. Vince Young may never be the stud he was at Texas but considering the alternative I think he deserves another chance.

Current Playoff Picture:

Lookin’ good

Denver – Who knew all they had to do was trade Jay Cutler and shaft Mike Shanahan? From the looks of things, those two must have been in cahoots in sabotaging last year’s defense. The broncos went from having the worst scoring defense in their conference last year, to the best this year.

Indianapolis – I’ll be brief since I’m done talking about anything related to Peyton Manning. Not too shabby Colts, none too shabby at all.

battling it out…



Baltimore – Joe Flacco may look like an inflated version of Eddie Munster but the man can throw. Considering how far their defense got them last year the Raven’s are a legit playoff threat this year. The only thing Baltimore has to worry about now is the team getting so good that they can afford to leave for a better city.

Cincinnati – How a team won at New England one weekend and then lost to St. Louis at home the next is beyond me. That’s really the only reason they’re on here. I guess unpredictability can work for then.

Jacksonville – Maurice Jones-Drew has yet to reach his true potential as an offensive weapon but his next two games are against teams with rush defenses in the bottom half of the league. Look for him to be the main reason they go into their bye week 4-2. And everyone thought Reggie Bush would be the best running back in the 2006 draft…tisk tisk.

New England – I miss the “Brady to Moss” 2007 season, back when the Pats would crave up opposing pass coverage schemes like a turkey on Thanksgiving Day.

New York Jets – I don’t people who have gone U$C, but I do like people who’ve pissed off Pete Carroll. That Mark Sanchez has done both has put me in a bit of a pickle although I have to say I’m pulling for him. Nothing on Stafford but my money’s on Sanchez being the best Quarterback taken in the 2009 draft.

Pittsburgh – Provided Troy Polamalu can get healthy soon the Steelers can make a solid turnaround and do some damage in the AFC North. Ben Rothliswhatver finally has the stats to back up the hype he gets (sort of) but without Polamalu their fabled defense turned to a feeble one awfully fast for the defending Super Bowl champion.