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| Matty Ice has been the clear cut MVP a quarter into the season. |
I don't know about you guys, but these first four weeks of the NFL have flown by, though not lacking serious drama. The debacle with the officials has been duly noted by every single person that writes or talks about sports, so while that had been the main issue for the first quarter of the season it wasn't the only thing to talk about. So let's give out our First Quarter NFL Awards:
Super Squad:
Houston Texans
There are three undefeated teams remaining in the NFL. Eliminate the Arizona "we're really not so sure about them" Cardinals and you have two teams competing for the top of the NFL ranks right now. Matt Ryan has led the Falcons to a pretty impressive 4-0 start behind a solid defense and an explosive passing game with Roddy White putting up monster numbers. But let's not forget the most important aspect in any championship calibur team, defense. The Houston Texans have a viciously good defense, so far in four games they've only allowed 56 points evening out to a 14 point-per-game click. Offensively, Arian Foster and Ben Tate are carrying the offense with 136.5 yards per game, good enough for ninth in the league. They're not going to blow you away with their air attack or their ground game, but the offense's balance makes them a formidable opponent. Combine that with their disgustingly good defense and you've got the league's best team. Don't forget the sleeping giant that is Andre Johnson (15 catches, 268 yards, 2 TDs). If he awakes it could be a scary run to a Super Bowl. Remember this same team did advance to the AFC divisional round with T.J Yates under helm...
First Quarter Offensive MVP:
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
A lot of people have been waiting to welcome Matt Ryan into the realm of the elite quarterback. We've known his talents and witnessed some great moments out of him, but there has been far too much inconsistency in his big game performances for him to truly be "elite". Well now we might be able to give him that title. Ryan has slaughtered the league with nearly 70% completion percentage, 11 TDs and a mere two INTs for a best-quarterback-in-the-NFL 112.1 rating as opposed to his career rating of 90.0. He out dueled Killa Cam last week in one of the season's most exciting games. Ryan is seriously in control of an offense that has the Falcons buzzing at 4-0. Matty Ice should go off once again this weekend against a less-than-stellar Redskins pass defense.
First Quarter Defensive MVP
DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys
Ware has been the driving force behind the Cowboys #1 pass defense with five sacks, three forced fumbles and the sack-happy linebacker has even added 21 tackles. Dallas might be 2-2 but Ware has been absolutely stellar, using his supreme athleticism to its max at this point. He had a monster performance in the Cowboys Week 3, 16-10 victory in a defensive slugfest by garnering two sacks and two forced fumbles. Ware had 19.5 sacks last season and is well on his way to another 18/19/20/ 21 sack season.
First Quarter Dud Squad
Detroit Lions
Last season when the Lions broke their 11-year drought, it looked as if they were primed to take off this year. After a shaky 27-23 win over the St. Louis Rams, we weren't sure what direction the Lions were going to go. Was it first game jitters? Was it pure rust? Well after dropping their last three games including a demoralizing OT loss to the lowly Titans, the Lions look all the makings of a 6-10 team. Though Stafford has the Lions
First Quarter Surprise Squad
Arizona Cardinals
I was the first person to say that Kevin Kolb is terrible and overpaid and I'll be the first person to say that he has totally proved me wrong this year. Though the Cardinals don't rank higher than 15th in any important team category (passing yards, rushing yards, pass defense and rush defense) they still are 4-0 and are fifth in turnover differential. Kolb's TD-to-INT ratio is an impressive 7:2 and the Cardinals defense led by Calais Campbell and Daryl Washington has been solid enough for an undefeated first quarter of the year. You can't even point to Arizona's schedule for their success, they've beaten both Philadelphia and New England (on the road). I will say I'm still a Cardinal doubter because of their mediocre stats across the board, but not turning the ball over is a key to any underdog's success.
First Quarter Surprise Stud
C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills
Before Spiller left the Bills Week 3 game against Cleveland with a separated shoulder, he was on a torrid pace that had Buffalo fans reminiscing on Thurman Thomas. He returned for an ineffective Week 4 matchup against the Patriots, but you could say that about everyone on the Bills. His 8.3 yards per carry on 41 carries is mind-blowing. He's also added a few big-play receptions as well giving his fantasy owners instant excitement. If he returns to full health and continues to be the big-play back the Bills drafted ninth overall in 2010 then the Bills could live up to their darkhorse expectations.
First Quarter Dud
Brandon Lloyd, New England Patriots
Lloyd was supposed to finally put forth the breakout season that matched all the talent he had (he's never played with a good QB). So far this season he has been more of a disappointment than anything else. It may be a result of the Patriots more balanced attack, but Lloyd is only averaging 11.5 yards per catch and hasn't pushed the docket like we thought. His longest catch of the season is only 27 yards. When the Patriots got a hold of Lloyd we were thinking more along the lines of a catches of 50+. And don't blame this on double teams, their are other receiving options on the Patriots that have shown their clear worth. Lloyd might simply need more time to gel with Brady, but for now I think he has severely underperformed to his potential.
First Quarter Overblown Storyline
Cam Newton's under performance and maturity
Newton was publicly taken behind the woodshed by his teammate and top target Steve Smith two weeks ago when he was seen sulking on the sidelines after a 36-7 whomping by the Giants. Yeah, Newton hasn't had the greatest season throwing 4 TDs to 5 INTs, but he did respond to the criticism nicely in Week 4. Unfortunately his solid 2 TD, 0 INT, 119.3 rating performance wasn't enough to defeat the freight train that is the Atlanta Falcons. Should we be overly concerned with Cam? I don't think so, it's early in his second season and he's probably getting over the growing pains that he somehow avoided in his sensational rookie campaign. Everything is going to be overblown when you strut around like Newton does, but through 20 NFL games (even including the duds this year) he still has been impressive. Let's see if he can rebound once again next week against the Seahawks, I have faith.
First Quarter Under Covered Storyline
The Chiefs are unreasonably bad
Am I the only one that is perplexed by the Chiefs ineptitude? They have a sensational running game led by Jamaal Charles, they have one of the most explosive players in the league Dexter McCluster and the connection of Matt Cassel to Dwayne Bowe is a phenomenal one. Defensively, they've been solid enough (14th in total yards allowed). So the issue certainly doesn't like in their production. However, the Chiefs do have an abysmal -13 turnover differential, but even at that, this team's offensive talent makes me question why they're so bad, like worst team in the league bad (-13). Two years ago the Chiefs were 10-6 and AFC West champs, now there looking like 1st overall pick status. While the Saints 0-4 season is probably the overwhelmingly big storyline because of their off-the-field shenanigans, this Kansas City squad's bad play is really alarming.
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