4-0 and counting....
Through 4 weeks of play, there are 4 undefeated teams: DAL, GB, NE and IND. Perhaps most of you expected the Colts and Pats to be undefeated at this point in the season. Many expected the Cowboys to do well (including this site as our pre-season pick to win th NFC East). However, less expected them to dominate their competition the way they have.
The biggest surprise though has been the Packers. Even more surprising is how they've done it. Their defense is one of the best and most underrated in the league. But they've managed to win every game thus far despite having the worst offensive rushing yards per game in the NFL (54.3 ypg).
Let's take a look at the next quarter of the season for the 2 NFC unbeaten teams:
Dallas Cowboys: Speculation about how Romo would recover from a botched snap has been answered. Without Terry Glenn, Romo's rapport with T.O. and Witten has grown and both are near the top of stats for WRs and TEs, respectively. Defensively, DeMarcus Ware continues to improve, Terrence Newman and Greg Ellis are back and the Cowboys are tied for the league lead in INTs with 9.
Here are the Cowboys next 4 games (bye: week 8):
at Buffalo: In our all new Domination Index, the Bills rank 31st in the NFL. The Cowboys will beat up on the Bills setting up a match-up between 2 unbeatens in week 6.
New England: Although the season is early, this could be a Super Bowl preview. Randy Moss has been the most dominant WR in the league, getting 100+ yards in all 4 of his games with NE. No other WR has started his career with that much success with a new team. This game is a 4 p.m. game and before the part of the season that the NFL institutes their flex scheduling. I feel sorry for anyone that doesn't have this as their local game and doesn't have the Dish. The Pats get Rodney Harrison back for their week 5 game vs Cleveland and will likely have Richard Seymour back for this game. This will be the game of the year up to this point and (although it pains me to say this as a Cowboys fan) the Pats will remain undefeated.
Minnesota: Adrian Peterson has started his career as well as anyone could have expected and the Vikings have a great run defense with the Pat and Kevin Williams clogging up the middle. But that's not enough to stop the best team in the NFC at home. The Cowboys will win this game. (Not to mention that the Cowboys are undefeated when I'm in the stands and I'll be flying into town for this game - hehe.)
at Philadelphia: The Eagles are better than their 1-3 record indicates. I can't write them off yet. If the 'Boys beat the Pats week 6, this will be the next big test. The Eagles should be healthy by then and have Westbrook and Dawkins back. But based on how both teams look at this point, the Cowboys are a much stronger team and will emerge victorious.
After week 9, the Cowboys will be 7-1.
Green Bay Packers: Brett Favre now holds the career record for most passing TDs. He's going to break Dan Marino's passing yards record this season as well. He entered the season needing only 3,851 yards to do so and at a 300+ ypg pace, he will break it in his 13th game. The running game, however, has been non-existent. The Pack rank dead last in the NFL. The defense, however, is young and getting better.
Here are the Packers next 4 games (bye: week 7):
Chicago: At home, they should beat the Bears who can't seem to do anything right (Devin Hester excluded). They start Griese over Grossman to manage the game better (i.e., not turn the ball over) and he throws 3 picks. They give up 34 points in the 4th quarter, an NFL record and not the good kind. Although this game has the potential to be a trap game, the Packers will win at home as Favre lights up a decimated secondary.
Washington: The 'Skins are tougher than I thought they would be, but I think it will tough to win at Lambeau. The Packers should win this game setting up a big MNF game where they will be 6-0.
at Denver: This will be a tough test for the Packers. It's difficult to win at Invesco. The Broncos have a great secondary and the Packers can't run the ball. Can Favre & Co air it out vs Champ Bailey and Dre' Bly? I don't think so. Not on the road anyways. The Broncos will hand the Packers their 1st loss.
at Kansas City: It's tough to win at Arrowhead. After beating the Chargers last week, the Chiefs have showed that they aren't as bad as most people thought. Dwayne Bowe is having a great rookie season and LJ is starting to get things going. At Lambeau, I would say the Packers would win. At Arrowhead, I think the Chiefs will prevail.
After week 9, the Packers will be 6-2.
Check back tomorrow for a preview of the next quarter season for Tom Brady and the Pats and Peyton Manning and the Colts and see if we predict an undefeated first half for either team...
