Three weeks in the books, what are the surprises in the NFL so far?....

[Fat Homer]

Giants and Jets 3-0
Washington 1-2...I like that one... http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/tongue.gif
The Chiefs starting and playing rookies...
Duce Staley...(at least in week one)
Tiki Barber...(no wonder NYG are doing well)
Kerry Collins...
Brian Griese....(ouch)...I could like him if he didn't play for the Broncos...
Daunte Culpepper...
Tim Couch...

Some of the negative surprises...Did I mention the Redskins?....Ha, Ha... http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/tongue.gif

Green Bay...Brett Farve...
Pittsburgh...worse then I thought they'd be..
and Cowher looks more clueless then any KC
coach...
Corey Dillon...would he playing better if he were here?...his stock is going down quickly...
The Chiefs Coaching staff...(until last week)

just of few of the ones I thought of...

------------------
joe

"The word "genius" isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
-Joe Theisman, NFL football quarterback and sports analyst

[Phobia]

St. Louis does not appear invincible.
Washington's SB team.
The increasing amount of ACL injuries.
Holmgren's Seahawks...where are they?
Tampa's offense...juggernaut?

[Fat Homer]

Good ons Titus...If Tampa gets a consistent offense...they may be the team to beat in the NFC...

And while the Seahags are a surprise...that's one I can live with... http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/biggrin.gif



------------------
joe

"The word "genius" isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
-Joe Theisman, NFL football quarterback and sports analyst

[Shootr]

Cris Berman on 'NFL Prime Time' said that he wouldn't be surprised if the Rams are still undefeated at the beginning of November again this year. Granted here is their schedule:

Mo 9/4 DENVER 41-36 W
Su 9/10 @ Seattle 37-34 W
Su 9/17 SAN FRANCISCO 41-24 W
Su 9/24 @ Atlanta Noon
Su 10/1 SAN DIEGO Noon
Su 10/8 Bye Week
Su 10/15 ATLANTA Noon
Su 10/22 @ Kansas City Noon
Su 10/29 @ San Fran 3:05pm

I think it would be difficult to win both Atlanta games and of course the Chiefs game.

------------------
bk

[This message has been edited by bkkcoh (edited 09-19-2000).]

[Phobia]

It's amazing that the SB Winner's strength of schedule goes from 29th hardest to 30th hardest in the offseason.

The only reason that they will remain undefeated is for this very reason.

KC, on the other hand, goes 9-7 misses the playoffs and their schedule strength goes up to near the top of the league.

[Fat Homer]

No ****...based on the Rams schedule, I can see them losing possibly only one game in the next few weeks and that's to the Chiefs...There are benefits for playing in what is arguably the weakest division in the NFL...

But I think Atlanta might pull it off...at least once...they seem to have regained some of their SB form...and SF will play them tough at home...

Rams must die...if they do win all or most of these games it won't be because of their D.... http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/tongue.gif

------------------
joe

"The word "genius" isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
-Joe Theisman, NFL football quarterback and sports analyst

[Iowanian]

Dion "I'm the best in the world at everything I do" Sanders getting eaten up last week. I would love to see him lose his starting job.

------------------
TWB
He cannot ravish, he can only woo

[redbrian]

The reason the Rams schedule is weak is because the division they play in is HORRIBLE and their out of conference games are against the worst division is football... the AFC West.

Technically, they are playing a first place schedule, it's not their fault that the AFC and NFC West suck arse.

KC on the other hand is playing a second place schedule. While the division they play in is terrible from top to bottom, it is tough because all the teams are so closely matched. They do get games against the weak *** NFC West however.

[Phobia]

Cannibal: you lost me there. Explain to me again how playing the AFC West, decreases St. Louis' strength of schedule while it increases ours. If the 'strength' is based upon last years season records, I dont see how you can play both sides of the coin.

Maybe it's because the Chiefs actually play more Playoff teams from last year than the SB champs, huh? Maybe playing Indy and Tenn might have something to do with it as well.

[redbrian]

I'm not talking about some bogus number placed on schedule strength, I don't put much stock in those. Teams that sucked last year can improve this year and teams that played great last year might suck this year.

But one thing we DO KNOW is that the AFC West and NFC West both suck. But the Chiefs are a somewhat weak team that will have trouble with it's division opponents, while St. Louis is a strong team that should go undefeated while playing those same AFC West opponents.

[TheBigChief]

Titus nailed it: Tampa's O is dominating!(?)! http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/eek.gif

[Fat Homer]

The toughest game on the Rams schedule, on paper...is the Tampa game in the 15th week...
At least they will have one loss by then, to KC...<BR>

[Rausch]

Denver...Anderson & Griese http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/eek.gif
New York, Neewww YorrrrrrrKK!!
Chiefs rookies. ;d
Bucs O!!
Redskins price tag. ouch!! http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/tongue.gif
Couch & Cleveland
Seattle!! http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/cool.gif (hope, Tongue likes his new team)Can't wait for Miller time at Arrowhead!:d

<BR>

[Rausch]

http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Rausch]

http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Fat Homer]

Sorry Cannibal I disagree about the AFC west...The NFC west is definitely the weakest...but the AFC west is not even second weakest in my opinion...I look to the NFC East...

In order from strongest to weakest..

AFC East
NFC Central
AFC West
NFC East
AFC Central
NFC West

That's my story and I'm sticking to it...I will be happy to explain my selections if asked and I did not pick the AFC west so high just because I'm a Homer.....

St. Louis has played 3 games...two against AFC west opponents and they barely won...they could have easily lost against the 49s if "Hail Mary" Kurt wasn't so dame lucky or if his receivers weren't so good...



------------------
joe

"The word "genius" isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
-Joe Theisman, NFL football quarterback and sports analyst

[TheBigChief]

LOL@Joe's signature!! http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/smile.gif

[redbrian]

I disagree here's I would rank the divisions minus the homer glasses…

1st - AFC Central

Jags - Ravens - Titans

Two legit contenders for the Bowl and a playoff contender.

2nd - AFC East

Colts - Bills - Jets - Dolphins

Two Superbowl contenders and two playoff contenders.

3rd - NFC Central

Bucs - Vikes - Lions

Two Superbowl contenders and solid playoff contender.

The rest of them should [AFC West, NFC West & NFC East] probably all be tied for the worst in football.

But at least the NFC West and East will have one strong team in each division. The AFC West is full of mediocre teams that have no shot at the Superbowl. Also, the talent level on the offenses in the AFC West leave a lot to be desired. In the West you'll one division winner and no Wild Card, with the division winner making a first round exit from the playoffs. <BR>

[Phobia]

Sorry, Cannibal. It makes no sense. While you may have that opinion, that does not explain the assertion that St. Louis 'strength' of schedule weakened by playing the AFC West while it improves our strength of schedule.

The only point of reference you have is last years playoff teams and W/L records. If you go by that, the Chiefs opponents had a better W/L record than St. Louis' opponents in 2000.

[redbrian]

I told you why that the win/loss records differ in an earlier post.

The reason is because the Rams are lucky enough to play in one of the worst divisions in football and their out of conference games are against the worst division in the AFC and possibly the worst in football.

That's 12 pretty much automatic wins right there, 8 division games and 4 non conference games.

[Phobia]

Oh, so #7 was not the 'reason' why St. Louis gets an easier schedule, it was just your opinion. Fine. I have trouble following the logic, but I think I understand why the double standard.

[Fat Homer]

The AFC Central does not impress me...the Jags are overrated...The Titans have no offense and the Ravens are yet to really prove themselves...

I might switch the AFC Central and NFC East...but that would be it...

The AFC west has 5 teams that can beat anyone at any time...my opinion, homer or not... http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/tongue.gif

------------------
joe

"The word "genius" isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
-Joe Theisman, NFL football quarterback and sports analyst

[redbrian]

Shockey,

Some might not agree, but the Browns will have good shot at finishing 8-8.

The AFC Central is going to have 4 teams finishing .500 or above with two of them fighting it out for Superbowl contention.

The Titans would be better served to start Steve McNair though.

[redbrian]

Shockey,

Some might not agree, but the Browns will have good shot at finishing 8-8.

The AFC Central is going to have 4 teams finishing .500 or above with two of them fighting it out for Superbowl contention.

The Titans would be better served to start Steve McNair though.

[redbrian]

Titus,

If you look at the "out of division-in conference" games you'll see that St. Louis is going to have a few tough games. But the schedule makers can't really do anything about the division the Rams play in.


St. Louis:

@ Tampa
Minnesota
Washington
@Giants<BR>

Sure they can...they can make them play tougher non-division opponents.

Why didn't we get to play the Bengals or Browns instead of Tennessee? Why did we play Indy instead of New England?

Yes the Rams play in the NFC West, and they play the AFC West for their inter-conference. But why can't their other 4 games be against the 4 toughest teams from last year? That's what the Chiefs got, and we didn't even make the playoffs.

------------------
Parker
ChiefsPlanet Administrator
Jimmy Raye for President...anything to get him out of Kansas City
[i]More Moreau</I>

[redbrian]

The Rams got the three toughest out of division-in conference games.

@Tampa
Washington
Minnesota

The Chiefs got the same...

Indy
@Tenn.
Buffalo

It's not whether you make the playoffs or not. It's how you finish in the division. The Rams finished first in their division, while the Chiefs finished second.

I don't really see why this matters anyway. The Rams are still a great team. When they defeat the toughest teams in the playoffs they will be vindicated.<P>

[Phobia]

Cannibal: based upon last night, I wouldnt consider Wash all that 'tough'.

[redbrian]

Washington will get it together IMO. But they do need to put George in ASAP. Brad Johnson's long balls looked horrible. He also made some bad decisions.

[kcfan67]

I finally understand Cannibal,
He is a Rams fan, not a Chiefs fan. Now I understand his huge negativity.

Now Canny, don't give me any crap about how you are a chiefs fan. A chicken can call itself an eagle all day, but that don't make it so...

http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/eek.gif

------------------
GO CHIEFS!!!!

[redbrian]

No way b!tch!

I am not a Rams fan. But I do know a good team when I see one and I see no reason to bash them just because they have their sh!t together unlike our Chiefs.

So clam up and get back to the potato field.

[kcfan67]

OOOOOOO, THAT STUNG!
http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/tongue.gif http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/tongue.gif http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/tongue.gif

------------------
GO CHIEFS!!!!

[Dr. Red]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Helvetica, verdana, ariel">quote:</font><HR> Why did we play Indy instead of New England? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

MNF 12/04/00<BR>

The problem is that the schedule makers use the divisional delineations as a template. In the day and age of free agency and parity, it just doesn't make sense anymore. But there's no need to chuck it just yet, realignment will fix alot of it.

------------------
Parker
ChiefsPlanet Administrator
Jimmy Raye for President...anything to get him out of Kansas City
[i]More Moreau</I>

[WarPaint]

Some of you are surprised by Tampa's newfound offense. If you had listened to me during the offseason, you wouldn't be. They were my offseason pick to go to the SB, and still are. I picked them because of the hiring of Les Steckel as OC, and said that just might be the biggest addition to this team. Add the addition of Keyshawn and the development of King, and they have an offense that can average 21-24 points a game, and that will get better as the season progresses. With that D, that should be enough.

------------------

Red Eyes
Chinn Up.

[b]The SitCom must die!!</B>

[Joe Seahawk]

Les Steckel! He couldn't coach points out of St.Louis awesome offense. I am however a Buc's supporter except against the Chiefs.

[Lurker Brett]

Something that has struck me strange in the Chiefs schedule. I thought as it can be determined the day after the regular season ends, at least it used to. Why do we play three AFC East teams, Indy, Buffalo, and New England, and yet only one, Tennessee, from the Central. This goes against everything from the past. I thought we would be playing Indy, Buffalo, Tennessee and Baltimore, or Buffalo, New England, Tennessee and Jacksonville. Some new rule I guess. In answer to the question though, besides the Tampa O, the New York teams have been my biggest surprise.

[WarPaint]

I wouldn't want Steckel as OC in places like Minn, Indy, or STL, where they like to air it out, but in a conservative run oriented offense like Tenn and Tampa, he mixes up the play calling and gets the most out of his players.

------------------

Red Eyes
Chinn Up.

[b]The SitCom must die!!</B>

[Clint in Wichita]

We just gotta keep in mind that it's not how you start, it's how you finish. New England started off 4-0 last year. We started off 4-1 in our 7-9 year. St Louis started 4-0 in Rich Brooks' second year I believe it was. The Chargers started off 0-4 before winning the division with an 11-5 record. Houston started off 1-4 or something like that before winning 11 in a row in that year we went into Houston and kicked their asses in the playoffs. Dallas started off 0-2 including a humiliating rout by the Redskins and new coach Richie Pettibon (whatever happened to him?) on MNF before winning the Super Bowl.

So who knows? The Bengals might be the AFC champs this year... http://www.ChiefsPlanet.com/ubb/smile.gif