2008 Woodie Awards
The Vikings just one of the many surprises in the NFL this year
Ball Talk
Mike Miller
Issue date: 10/4/05 Section: Sports
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The NFL is full of surprises this year. Four teams are undefeated so far this season: the Cincinatti Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins.
The surprising thing about these teams is the way they are winning.
The Bengals went 8-8 last year and didn't even make the playoffs. The Bengals team this year is made up of mostly the same players as last year, and that's why it is a surprise. They have the same quarterback, running back, wide receivers and tight ends from last year. Players in those four positions are doing amazing things this year. Quarterback Carson Palmer, running back Rudi Johnson and wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh were not standouts at all last season. However, this season they are making a statement as they humiliated the Vikings in Week Two, 37-8.
The Bucs went 5-11 last year and didn't make the playoffs either. However, they picked up one of the best running backs in the draft, Carnell Williams, who is setting rookie rushing records. The Bucs made the Vikings look horrible as well. Led by quarterback Brian Griese and a veteran wide receiver, Joey Galloway, the Bucs are strong contenders already for NFC bragging rights.
The Redskins went 6-10 last year. This year, they are led again by Mark Brunell at quarterback and Clinton Portis at running back. Santana Moss and James Thrash are the key wide receivers on the team. So essentially, the same cast of players are doing much better this year.
The Colts went 12-4 last year and had one of the most potent offenses in the league. It's just too bad their defense was one of the worst in the NFL. The difference this year is it's not as much about Peyton Manning and the offense, but more about the Colts' defense. The defense is winning the games.
The big surprise facing many of us, and the question that we all ask ourselves is, "How can Minnesota be so bad?"
Is it because of the quarterback? Is it because of the coaching? Or is it because of the absence of one of the most explosive players in the league: Randy Moss?
The surprising thing about these teams is the way they are winning.
The Bengals went 8-8 last year and didn't even make the playoffs. The Bengals team this year is made up of mostly the same players as last year, and that's why it is a surprise. They have the same quarterback, running back, wide receivers and tight ends from last year. Players in those four positions are doing amazing things this year. Quarterback Carson Palmer, running back Rudi Johnson and wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh were not standouts at all last season. However, this season they are making a statement as they humiliated the Vikings in Week Two, 37-8.
The Bucs went 5-11 last year and didn't make the playoffs either. However, they picked up one of the best running backs in the draft, Carnell Williams, who is setting rookie rushing records. The Bucs made the Vikings look horrible as well. Led by quarterback Brian Griese and a veteran wide receiver, Joey Galloway, the Bucs are strong contenders already for NFC bragging rights.
The Redskins went 6-10 last year. This year, they are led again by Mark Brunell at quarterback and Clinton Portis at running back. Santana Moss and James Thrash are the key wide receivers on the team. So essentially, the same cast of players are doing much better this year.
The Colts went 12-4 last year and had one of the most potent offenses in the league. It's just too bad their defense was one of the worst in the NFL. The difference this year is it's not as much about Peyton Manning and the offense, but more about the Colts' defense. The defense is winning the games.
The big surprise facing many of us, and the question that we all ask ourselves is, "How can Minnesota be so bad?"
Is it because of the quarterback? Is it because of the coaching? Or is it because of the absence of one of the most explosive players in the league: Randy Moss?