Toro Times Roundtable: What has been the biggest surprise in the NFL?
Oct 6, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) reacts after throwing an interception in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
This week’s Toro Times Roundtable discussion has the question: What/who has been the biggest surprise in the NFL this season and why?
Here are the answers by staff writers Bruce Matson, Caitlin Ryan and editor Stephen Forsha.
Bruce Matson, Staff Writer
The Cleveland Browns have been the biggest surprise. I think everyone’s chin is still bruised from when their jaw hit the floor during the Trent Richardson trade.
The majority expected the Browns to cash in the season and enter the “get slaughtered and draft Teddy Bridgewater campaign” after the Richardson transaction with the Indianapolis Colts.
Since the the Browns have reeled off three-straight wins, and they look like a competitive football team.
Caitlin Ryan, Staff Writer
I certainly would not have predicted the Kansas City Chiefs to start out the season 5-0.
Two weeks ago, they had more wins than they did all season last year. While of course they have a long way to go, and could potentially still end the season with a losing record, a perfect record five games into the regular season is a huge improvement from last year’s 2-14 mark and the dubious honor of being the worst team in the NFL.
Head coach Andy Reid was clearly a good fit for the team, and this season so far has been a bright spot for fans after two disappointing losing seasons marred by Jovan Belcher’s murder-suicide, coaching changes, tying the record for fewest wins in franchise history and many, many disappointing games.
Stephen Forsha, Editor
My surprise of the season after the first five games are the New York Giants. They are 0-5 to start the season and look like they could be one of the worst teams in the NFL.
The team looks stale and my worries with this team is it could get even worse as they will face the Chicago Bears this Thursday.
Here is how bad it is for the Giants … this past Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, Eli Manning was 24-for-52 for 334 yards and two touchdowns. In today’s NFL, no quarterback should ever throw the ball 52 times.
Their leading rusher in the game was Brandon Jacobs with just 37 yards on 11 carries. The Giants are 20th in the NFL in yards per game on offense with 337 yards per game and have scored 82 total points (16.4 ppg).
This season just isn’t what I thought the Giants could achieve this season, especially in a weak NFC East division. Sadly, the Giants still have a shot in the division, as the leaders of the East (Dallas Cowboys and Eagles) are just 2-3 overall.