Tuesday, October 08, 2002
Power shifts to West; AFC looking best
After five weeks, there are some big surprises
By Dave Goldberg
The Associated Press
When the Miami Dolphins beat the New England Patriots 26-13, it sorted out the AFC East for now - the Dolphins have the edge.
Yes, teams have played four or five games, but division leaders and league flops are being established in an NFL that's been nutty so far.
Example: Two preseason favorites, the Pittsburgh Steelers and St.Louis Rams, have won one game between them. And the AFC North, which includes the Steelers, might be won by a team that's 8-8 or worse, perhaps the Baltimore Ravens.
One trend: As in most sports (the NBA, the NHL, major league baseball), the power is in the West. The AFC West, for example, has the league's only unbeaten team, the Oakland Raiders, and the Kansas City Chiefs are last with a 3-2 record.
A look at how the NFL shakes down five weeks into the season:
AFC
It's quite possible that both wild-card teams will come from the West, where Oakland is 4-0, and the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers are each 4-1. If the Chargers are a contender, the loser of the Miami-New England race in the East could miss the playoffs.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, another surprise team, look bona fide after beating the Philadelphia Eagles 28-25. It looks like the Jaguars will battle the Indianapolis Colts for the AFC South title.
“We're still a work in progress,” Jacksonville coach Tom Coughlin said. “This team has to understand that. It's early, and we're excited. I told the players to be inspired by the win, and be inspired to play at the next higher level.”
The New York Jets, who were supposed to be a contender, have struggled and the Buffalo Bills are exciting but a year away from challenging.
Most intriguing is the North, which was supposed to be a runaway for Pittsburgh. Yes, quarterback Tommy Maddox produced points in place of Kordell Stewart, but the defense gave up 32. This is the same defense that led the league allowing just 13 points per game last season, but has given up 26 in starting 1-3.
“I think you have to go out on defense and set the tempo,” Steelers coach Bill Cowher said after Sunday's 32-29 loss to the New Orleans Saints. “We're just not getting off the field and playing the way we're capable of playing.”
And who's the division leader? Baltimore, at 2-2, after being written off as a salary-cap casualty before the season.
NFC
St. Louis is dead. The Rams probably hit rock bottom in San Francisco on Sunday, and even if quarterback Kurt Warner returns early, it's over.
That means the 49ers are almost a lock in the West, although the Arizona Cardinals are getting lucky. On Sunday, quarterback Jake Plummer, after being stripped of the ball, picked it up and completed a pass to set up the winning field goal in Carolina.
The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears headline the North - another division that could be won at .500 or less. The Detroit Lions might be improving a bit with rookie QB Joey Harrington, but they aren't ready yet, and the Minnesota Vikings are bad.
The Atlanta Falcons are pesky, but it looks like a Tampa Bay-New Orleans race in the South, with the loser a decent bet for a wild card. The Buccaneers' Warren Sapp is rejuvenated in large measure because Anthony McFarland has emerged as a second force at defensive tackle.
The Carolina Panthers? Rodney Peete, at 36, isn't a playoff quarterback. Kudos to coach John Fox for keeping Shayne Graham after he shanked a 24-yard game-tying field goal in Green Bay. He made a 48-yarder Sunday.
Despite its loss in Jacksonville, Philadelphia is the class of the East, even though the Eagles are tied with the Giants for first at 3-2. New York can be dangerous - the Giants have the look of one of those Jim Fassel teams that performs when it's not supposed to.
Washington Redskins coach Steve Spurrier might have his QB in rookie Patrick Ramsey, although he'll have problems when opponents get tape on him. The Dallas Cowboys are competitive, but Quincy Carter has to hit wide-open receivers with the game on the line after missing a wide-open Antonio Bryant on Sunday.
Conclusion: The NFC is weak. Conclusion II: The power is in the West.
Bengals Stories
Reassignment irks Rodgers
FSN, Reds working to add 15 TV games
A postseason to warm misers' hearts
Bonds has nothing to prove
Braves endure another postseason disappointment
Underdogs shake up baseball's postseason
Cardinals not optimistic about Rolen's return for NLCS
Twins, Angels savor their moment in sun
Twins' Hocking out with injured finger
ALCS preview
NLCS preview
Mets given OK to interview Randolph for manager post
DJ fired for on-air prank
Familiar figure is preparing to coach
UC's bowl chances rest with road performance
Southern Miss-UC game moved to 1 p.m.
Musketeers addressing questions
Four RedHawks earn weekly honors
Louisville is hot, Memphis is not
UK Wildcats refocus after much-needed off-week
College football Top 25 schedule
USOC chief will work 'aggressively' for female members at Augusta
Wall Street financier has all the right connections
Blue Jackets sign top pick Nash
Penguins move Kovalev to center
Knicks fine Sprewell $250,000, order him away from team
Silvis eyes goal for record
High school polls
High school results
• Return to Bengals front page...
Power shifts to West; AFC looking best
