So, the NFL season is four weeks old and the only remaining undefeated team is, you guessed it – the Kansas City Chiefs.
Wait a second. Really?! You didn’t guess that? Neither did I. Nobody did. But it got me thinking of how the rest of my predictions I made a few weeks ago have gone so far, so I’d like to revisit them and see how accurate I was.
• Can the New Orleans Saints repeat?
“History isn’t on New Orleans’ side. As long as they can allow less than 30 points per game on defence, they will have a great opportunity.” Well, Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas are out right now and the Saints could easily be 1-3, rather than 3-1, after close wins at San Francisco and at home to Carolina. But they still find a way to win.
• Will Brett Favre be a factor like he was last season?
“Offseason ankle surgery, and more drama on whether he would return or not, must have had an effect on his mindset.” Favre has yet to impress this season, but a bye in week four may help him out.
• Will Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens’ Batman and Robin tandem impress or implode?
“I’m probably one of the few people who think this may actually work.” The Bengals are 2-2 in the tough AFC North division. Owens has 374 receiving yards, good for fifth in the league, and Ochocinco has 296, good for 14th. Having two guys in the top 14 is a good start, but it’s still early.
• Will Chris Johnson run for 2,000 yards again?
“If anyone could do it, I could see Johnson doing it.” Johnson has 354 yards after four games. He needs 1,646 yards in 12 games. That is an average of 137 per game and remains a possibility. You may also want to double-check my math, as I prefer words to numbers.
• Will Randy Moss’ mouth keep the Patriots from returning to the NFL’s elite?
“I think if he continues to focus on his personal situation rather than the team’s success, it will become a huge concern for coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.” The team is 3-1, but Moss was traded to the Minnesota Viking after an extremely slow start.
• Will Kevin Kolb keep his new starting quarterback job for the Eagles, or will Micheal Vick return to prominence?
“As much as I don’t like him, or what he was guilty of doing in the past, he does deserve the chance that fell upon him. What he does with it is up to him.” Well, Kolb got hurt and Vick looked phenomenal in two-plus games before he got hurt. Looks like a major quarterback controversy is about to unravel once both are back to 100 per cent.
• Will Pittsburgh be affected by Ben Roethlisberger’s four-game suspension?
“Being a .500 team would be considered a good start without your starting quarterback.” The Steelers are 3-1 and have a bye week before getting Big Ben back. Things are good in the Steel City.
• Will any rookie QB make an impact?
“Very doubtful.” Sam Bradford has looked great and has led the Rams to a respectable 2-2 record thus far. Jimmy Clausen looked overmatched in his first start last weekend and Tim Tebow hasn’t taken a snap.
• Who will be the league’s worst team this year?
“Oakland, St. Louis, Detroit and Kansas City should all battle for this dubious honour.”
Detroit is 0-4, so is Buffalo, San Francisco and Carolina. Oakland is 1-3, St. Louis is 2-2 and the Chiefs are – for real – 3-0.
• Can any team go 16-0?
“I can’t foresee anyone doing it this year, as league parity, tougher scheduling, travel, injuries and other factors provide too many arguments against.” The 1972 Miami Dolphins can probably put the champagne on ice, as Kansas City plays Indianapolis and Houston on the road in the next two weeks.
• Who will be this year’s breakout star/team?
“Arian Foster and the Houston Texans.” Foster leads the league with 537 rushing yards and the Texans are 3W-1L.
• Who will win the Super Bowl?
“I’m going with a Baltimore/Green Bay final, with the Packers prevailing.” Green Bay and Baltimore and both 3-1. And it’s not like there are still 13 weeks left in the season before a tough playoff slate. Should be a lock.
