Projections of a three-team race between Green Bay, Chicago and Detroit might still pan out. If it does, it won't be because all three are dominating opponents.
Detroit (3-2) and Chicago (2-3) are the teams that need to settle down. Statistically, the Lions are among the league's best. Yet they really aren't consistent and few expect their defense to remain staunch.
Give Carolina's coaching staff tons of credit. The Panthers (3-2) seemingly lost the offseason, their talent base appeared diminished, and they've had a major distraction, too, in the Greg Hardy case. Other than having 10 takeaways, the stats don't look like much.
Neither the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks (3-1) nor their archrivals — fair to say archenemies considering the dislike in both camps? — the 49ers (3-2), have been consistently at their best yet. Still, they are winning even though Seattle knows it certainly can cause more turnovers (only three so far) and San Francisco recognizes its passing game hasn't been on-target.
New Orleans has blown too many close games and is unreliable away from the Superdome. Atlanta is 0-3 on the road and can't stop the run, offsetting a good offense. Tampa Bay has gone the other way from Carolina, aggressively adding free agents, but then going bust.
What was supposed to be the NFC Least has three winning teams.
The keys to success — and failure — are pretty obvious:
The Cardinals (3-1) are more injury-plagued than any contender, but like the Seahawks and Niners, they are well coached, with an effective scheme on both sides of the ball.
NFC EAST
—After an 0-2 start, the Giants, especially Eli Manning, began finding comfort with their new,NFL Jerseys Authentic China, West Coast-style offense. They stopped committing a bunch of turnovers and began forcing them. Mostly, while their public was panicking, Tom Coughlin and his staff and players remained calm.
The only losing team in this division so far is Washington, even though most prognostications saw the Eagles as the only likely playoff squad. Some thought the Cowboys would be down where the 1-4 Redskins are.
Still, the way the NFC divisions have shaped up through five weeks ranges from predictable to stunning.
The Packers (3-2) have come on the past two weeks, or since QB Aaron Rodgers told everyone to "relax." They have the playmakers on offense — Jordy Nelson has been the league's best receiver so far — and that could be enough to overcome a spotty defense.
"I think we've seen plenty of times one game isn't going to define your season at this point," says Romo, off to a strong start following back surgery. "However, there are very important games and you know this game is a game that is a great test for us. It's going to be good to see our team come out with great energy and great enthusiasm and really see how we stack up. Normally no one stacks up very well there against them. So I'm anxious to see how we do."
Yet they appear steadier than the Saints (2-3),Wholesale Jerseys Store, Falcons (2-3) and Bucs (1-4).
Here's a breakdown of the NFC, division by division:
Just some early season machinations or a trend that will continue into the colder months?
While not as potent as last year, this remains the best division and, barring injuries, should be the rest of the way.
—Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray is making like Emmitt Smith, with at least 100 yards rushing in each of the first five games. And a defense with no stars has allowed the fewest points in the division.
Minnesota (2-3) has had turmoil with the Adrian Peterson case, and lots of injuries.
St. Louis (1-3) is the biggest disappointment in this sector. Like Arizona, it's been ravaged by injuries, but the guys on the field have underperformed.
The Bears win or play it close when the Good Jay Cutler shows up. They have little chance when Bad Jay is behind center, and their defense, despite all those offseason moves, remains so-so.
Nothing is more surprising than this sector,Sale NFL Jerseys, where Dallas (4-1) heads to Seattle on Sunday with a chance to establish itself as a true contender. And later that night, the Giants (3-2) visit the Eagles (4-1) in a tantalizing, albeit early, showdown.
NFC WEST
The Eagles also don't panic when down; they're the first team to rally from at least 10 points behind to win their first three games. Twice, they were down by 17.
It's ludicrous to make long-range judgments about the entire NFL season in early October. The way things have gone in recent years, such assessments often don't fit even in early December.
Tony Romo doesn't want to
