The New York Giants missed a glorious opportunity to distance themselves from the rest of the NFC East when they were thoroughly dominated by the Cleveland Browns on Monday night. The Giants’ loss leaves the Tennessee Titans as the NFL’s only unbeaten team at 5–0 after six weeks of play. Who would’ve predicted that at the start of the season?
The Giants had arguably been the best team in the NFL leading up to the Monday night loss, racking up 11 straight road wins and boasting the league’s best offense. Eli Manning was playing with confidence, the Giants were running the ball effectively, and their defensive line was racking up the sacks despite missing key personnel.
The Cowboys and Redskins were both bitten by the upset bug last Sunday. The Cowboys lost in OT to the Arizona Cardinals, who at 4–2 have to be considered somewhat of a surprise story being first in the NFC West by two games. And the red-hot Redskins lost at home to the previously winless St. Louis Rams on a last-second field goal. Unbelievable!
The New England Patriots, at 3–2, clearly miss Tom Brady. No revelation there. But it’s their two losses that really have to make you scratch your head.
After backup QB Matt Cassel put out a cautious but effective performance in a week two win over the Jets, the Pats got pasted at home by the Dolphins 38–13 and last Sunday 30–10 by the inconsistent Chargers. All of a sudden, nothing’s working for a team that went 16–0 in last year’s regular season.
Peyton Manning and the Colts got off to a slow start this season losing two of their first three games. Over the past three regular seasons, the Colts have averaged 13 wins. It will be a struggle to keep up that average this year with two games coming up against the Titans and trips to Pittsburgh, San Diego, and Jacksonville still remaining.
With Manning and wide receiver Marvin Harrison starting slowly—but rediscovering each other after last Sunday’s 31–3 blowout of the Baltimore Ravens—the Colts are starting to look like their former selves.
So how are the Titans getting the job done? The defense has been outstanding in limiting opposition to 11 points-per-game through five weeks. Also, Kerry Collins has only been sacked once and the rejuvenated QB’s experience is helping him win games.
The Titans travel to Kansas City to face a team that will be eager to pull off an upset after a 1–4 start coming off a bye week. Take nothing for granted in the NFL. The first six weeks of the season is all the proof you need.
