1. Maybe they aren’t who we thought they were
We raved about the Patriots in this space last week. They looked great against the Bengals in Week 1 and appeared headed for a run at the AFC East title.
It’s safe to say our confidence is more than a bit shaken.
Sunday’s 28-14 loss to the Jets was decidedly un-Patriots-like. They committed stupid penalties, didn’t protect Tom Brady as well as usual and couldn’t adapt well enough on offense.
(And don’t even get us started on the secondary.)
Things will surely get better. But it looks like this year’s New England squad is an early-round playoff team — and nothing more.
2. The Steelers might be the real Ravens
They’re an AFC North team with a mind-blowingly good defense, an underappreciated
starting quarterback and a 2-0 record.
Two weeks ago, you wouldn’t have guessed that would be the Steelers and not the Ravens.
Even without Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh is making itself out to be the team to beat in its division. While Baltimore came up short against Cincinnati in Week 2, the new Steel Curtain slammed shut on Chris Johnson (inset) and the Titans.
3. We wrote some guys off way too soon
Michael Vick should — but probably won’t — be the starting quarterback in Philadelphia for Week 3 and beyond.
LaDainian Tomlinson is slashing, leaping and catching passes out of the backfield for the Jets.
Yes, the NFL has apparently turned back the clock to 2006. The guys you were dominating with in Madden on PS2 are again some of the NFL’s impact players. We’re not sure either can keep up their Week 2 pace — especially LT, who ran over the Pats — but we’re happy to see them try.
