Observations after Week 4 - written by a non-expert

[Bomber]

The AFC East is already a two horse race, with the Pats and Jets at 3-0, the Bills at 0-3 and Miami at 0-4. You would think the Jets could be a good chance of getting a wildcard spot even at this early stage.

Pittsburgh currently lead the AFC North (with Baltimore still playing their Monday night game) at 3-1. Cleveland appear to have performed above themselves, so perhaps we should not get too carried away with their 2-2 record. I'd expect Baltimore to win this division but stranger things have happened.

The real topsy turvy division thus far has been the AFC South, with the Colts and Jaguars sharing first spot at 3-1, the Texans at 2-2 after winning the last two in a row and the Titans languishing in last at 1-3. Is this the beginning of the end for the Titans? This is clearly a division to watch closely.

The Broncos currently lead in the AFC West, where the biggest surprise has been San Diego, who are 2-2 after going 4-12 last year. Oakland also looks much improved, whilst the Chiefs have already lost as many games in 2004 (0-3) as they did in 2003 (13-3).

Philadelphia rule supreme in the NFC East, whilst the Giants have won their last three. Dallas look solid, whilst for all their hype Washington still appear to be getting out of first gear at 1-3. Eagles to win this division in a canter.

The Lions are the surprise leaders of the NFC North after four weeks, along with the Vikings (tied at 2-1), whilst the Bears and Packers are stinking it up at 1-3. Green Bay have lost their last three games and recently did their first mid-season trade in 26 years (if the NFL website is to be believed). The tea leaves are pointing to a Minnesota division title.

Best QB in the NFL or not, Michael Vick's Falcons are on fire in the NFC South, where they lead by two games over the Saints. The Panthers are in deep, deep trouble (at least on paper) after starting 1-2. Is it really only 20 months ago that the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl? What happened since then?

The Seahawks (or the Shawks - pronouced Sorks - in my household) appear to have a stranglehold on the NFC West at this early stage. Their only serious contender for the division title, the Rams, are sitting at 2-2. The Cardinals (despite their win against the Saints)and 49ers can start planning for 2005.

Week Four predicitions:

AFC Division winners - New England, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Denver
Wildcards - Jacksonville, NY Jets

NFC Division winners - Philadelphia, Minnesota, Atlanta, Seattle
Wildcards - NY Giants, St Louis

What are your predicitions?

 

[BuffaloRules]

Your division picks are looking pretty good at this stage, but its still early days...

I'm not convinced about the Vikings yet, they have had even better starts before and missed out, but their only real oppostion in the division are the Packers who are not travelling too well....

Owens might have been the last piece the Eagles needed to finally win the NFC.

Colts and New England to play the AFC title game ( again...)

 

[OZ_Falcon]

Still way to early to tell but they are your picks are looking ok so far. Still Dont know about the Giants they still havent convinced me that they mean buisness this year.
I think that even though Carolina are looking shaky thus far this season they should be able to bounce back and clinch a wildcard provided the team stays healthy.

 

[Paullyboy]

Minnesota will find a way to stuff up, I mean, what other team has 3 great running backs but never seems to have more than 1 available at a time?

 

[Eelectrica]

I think in the NFC the Seahawks and Eagles are on collision course for the NFC championship game.
The class of the AFC still seems to be the colts and Patriots. I think the Jets will fall in a heap once they start playing some good teams.

 

[Bomber]

Thanks for the comments so far. I was ready with a shield to deflect all the rotten tomatoes but so far, so good. 8)

I pretty much chickened out on the divisional winners, as all but Baltimore and Minnesota are winning their divisions at the moment.

Still early days yet, but which teams would you rate as the most improved and the most disappointing as at Week 4?

I would probably have to say Jacksonville have improved out of sight, although they have won the close games, yet they did beat Denver by 7-6 or some ungodly score.

Staying in Florida, and the Buccaneers have fallen right off the radar with four straight losses. Miami are playing like crap as well but that could probably be put down to Williams' departure.

 

[canberra_raiders2k2]

The problem with the packers is that we have no real corners...Al Harris was a nickel cornerback at the eagles and for the rest of the season he will be our number 1 cb..which isnt a good thing.

Harris lacks speed, his biggest strength is his strength lol..and with the rule changes and his roughing of the recivers will draw alot of flags.

Ahmad Carroll who is a rookie but he is one of the fastest players to come out of the draft hasnt really played..Hawthorn our other corner started off ok this year but is begining to show why he isnt starting material..

The packers defense is a laughing stock, and our current running game has been a real let down after last seasons 2558yards rushing (team).

Im probably one of the few people but id like to see Mike Mcmahon from detriot take the starting job over harrington, but either way the lions look alot better..they probably have a great shot at the NFC north division tittle.

 

[from1st2last]

Colts and New England to play the AFC title game ( again...)

But in Indy this time, if so ill be there!

 

[camsmith]

indy? broncos will be looking for revenge.. ;-) im hoping we can go one or two steps futher to the SB this year.. other than that i think those predictions are about right.