After the first five weeks of regular season play in the NFL, things have gotten off to an unusual start. Unlikely players have stepped up and are now league leaders within their positions, and teams who are used to being on the top of the charts have already picked up some unexpected losses.
Brett Favre has found success with the New York Jets after several people, myself included, questioned his abilities to connect with a set of new receivers, learn a new offense and find himself at home with a new team. I definitely thought he was too old and out-of-shape to strap on the helmet and pads and find his way to the top of the quarterback chart after coming back from his quasi-retirement. Favre currently leads the NFL with a quarterback rating of 110.8 and 12 touchdowns.
Another individual who has started the season off strong is Atlanta running back Michael Turner. This sleeper leads the league with 543 total yards, averaging out to 108.6 yards per game. He also is tied with Miami running back Ronnie Brown with six touchdowns on the season. Turner spent the last four seasons rushing for San Diego and only scored six touchdowns with that franchise, finishing with only one score and 316 total yards last season. After only five games, Turner has already compiled higher statistics than any other year playing professionally.
Wide receiver Greg Jennings of Green Bay has also stepped up for his team this season. Jennings leads the league with 569 total yards and has found the end zone three times. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' success will rely heavily on his receivers this year, and he made the right decision by making Jennings his main target in his first year as a starter.
Aside from these three position leaders, few players have had breakout seasons thus far. It surprised me to see the top 18 scoring leaders currently on the charts are place kickers, so I never want to hear anybody tell me they aren't important.
To look at the bigger picture rather than looking at individual statistic leaders, I find it important to note that the Super Bowl champions from last season, the New York Giants, are still undefeated. In fact, the Giants are the only team in the NFC to not have picked up a loss yet. The Tennessee Titans stand alone with no losses in the AFC.
New England is trying to build an intimidating offense, but without the arm of Tom Brady, it has already dropped a game early in the season. The Patriots lost at home to Miami in Week 3 by an embarrassing score of 13-38.
But perhaps the most disappointing team so far has not been New England. What has happened to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts? Surprisingly, the Colts have picked up both of their road games, but have dropped two home battles. In Week 1, Chicago took control of the game and pulled away with a 29-13 victory. Jacksonville had a more intense contest with the Colts in Week 3, but earned the win 21-23.
New England and Indianapolis are two teams used to being on the top of their divisions and will have to pick up the slack rather quickly. It's amazing how fast the football season can seem to unravel, especially if a team has to work from the bottom up. Besides, I don't think either of these teams will be satisfied if they do not make it to the playoffs after being main contenders in the post-season last winter.
The Packers, who lost to the Giants last year in the NFC title game to earn a spot in the Super Bowl, also need to get things figured out. To see Green Bay players all on the same page would be a miracle to Packers fans right now. The way I see it, Jennings and Rodgers are on chapter seven on how to rebuild an offense while everybody else is just finishing up chapter two. Besides, I'm sick of seeing my beloved Packers ranked below the Bears. That's when you know things have gone down hill.
If you think the Patriots, Colts or Packers have what it takes to make it to the Super Bowl this year, e-mail Crystal at crowns@wisc.edu.
