A very insightful read indeed Chance. However, I disagree with your Jets, and Packers plays though.

Packers, Texans and Lions among pleasant surprises

09/21/2007 09:54 AM
By: Chance Harper

The season's third week finds several teams with 2-0 records who weren't picked to still be undefeated, including the Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans and Detroit Lions. On the other end are the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles who weren't supposed to be sitting 0-2 at this early stage.

Some surprises are more pleasant than others. Not too many people expected Houston and Detroit to start the NFL season at 2-0; even more shocking, the Eagles and Saints are both 0-2.
Packers, Texans and Lions among pleasant surprises

Two weeks into the NFL season is way too early to jump to conclusions. But it’s also plenty of time to confirm some of the suspicions handicappers have harbored since the offseason. We’ll apply those lessons in this look at four of the games on the Week 3 schedule.

Miami at N.Y. Jets (-3)
Sunday, Sep 23, 1:00 p.m. (ET) CBS

These AFC East rivals are also stuck at 0-2, struggling at just about every facet of the sport, especially running the football. New York has managed a mere 64.5 yards per game, while Miami is even worse at 63.5 yards per game. That’s about where the similarities end. New York’s first two opponents were the Patriots and Ravens, who sport two of the best run defenses in the NFL.

The Dolphins were also excellent in that department in 2006, but this is a whole new ball game with Cam Cameron coming in from San Diego as head coach and installing Dom Capers as his defensive coordinator. Miami is currently 27th in the league in rush defense, albeit against the potent 1-2 combos in Washington and Dallas.

Capers is usually more concerned about pass defense, so Thomas Jones can expect to see some daylight for a change when these two clubs meet. And Chad Pennington will be back under center after missing last week’s 20-13 loss to the Ravens. Jets fans may not like him, but handicappers were delighted when he led the team to a 10-6 record SU and ATS last year.

San Diego at Green Bay (+5½)
Sunday, Sep 23, 1:00 p.m. (ET) CBS

You think the Dolphins and Jets have problems? After two games, Chargers RB and reigning league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson has a grand total of 68 yards rushing. That’s not acceptable on any team, let alone one that has no significant pass threat outside of tight end Antonio Gates.

Coaching change once again appears to be the culprit. This is the first year for the Chargers under Norv Turner, and although he originally installed this San Diego offense in 2001, a transition period can be expected on both sides of the ball. This is also Turner’s first shot at coaching a quality team after forgettable stints in Washington and Oakland.

For now, the Packers can make hay. Their front seven is almost as good as the ones in Chicago and New England that stuffed Tomlinson in the first two weeks. Green Bay will be able to take advantage of San Diego’s wideout deficit by flooding the box with linebackers, making LT’s job that much harder. The Packers could be 3-0 when this one wraps up.

Arizona (+8) at Baltimore
Sunday, Sep 23, 1:00 p.m. (ET), FOX

One coaching change that drew rave reviews was the hiring of Ken Whisenhunt in Arizona. Whisenhunt worked at the feet of Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh for five years before getting his first head-coaching job with the Cardinals. Whisenhunt brought Russ Grimm with him as an assistant to work on the offensive line. You can see their results after just two games; the line is jelling after years of embarrassing results, and Edgerrin James was back in business last week with 5.3 yards per carry against Seattle.

Getting thrown to the wolves will be a true test for Arizona. Not only will the Ravens bring that vaunted defense, but Sunday should also see the return of QB Steve McNair and OT Jonathan Ogden to put some spark back into the offense. Ogden is the key here; Kyle Boller was just fine in relief against the Jets, but Ogden’s presence gives the Ravens superior pass protection.

Dallas (+3) at Chicago
Sunday, Sep 23, 8:15 p.m. (ET) NBC

Our coaching carousel stops in Dallas, where Wade Phillips beat out Turner for the opportunity to replace Bill Parcells. It might be the easiest job in the league. Parcells and owner Jerry Jones built a solid team, but the players bristled under the Big Tuna’s iron fist. Phillips is there to create a positive work environment more than anything.

It’s working. Dallas is 2-0 SU and ATS, and the offense is clicking with Tony Romo at quarterback, although the defense could still use some improvement. Fortunately for the Cowboys, Chicago poses little to no threat on offense as long as Rex Grossman is running the show. Dallas should win this game straight up.