Column: Could I have been any more wrong?

By By Josh Taylor / staff writer
Sept. 21, 2003
There, I admitted it. Last week, I said that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tennessee Titans were the two toughest teams in the NFL. I also said that the New York Giants would beat the Dallas Cowboys in a blowout.
As it turns out, I was wrong on all three. What can I say, it happens.
The defending champion Bucs got thrown a 12-9 upset defeat at the hands of the Carolina Panthers. The Titans dropped a 33-7 pounding to the Indianapolis Colts. And yes, The Cowboys beat the Giants 35-32, in overtime.
If you are a New Orleans Saints fan, which most people in these parts are, the Panthers victory was a nice surprise. Carolina is the only undefeated team in the NFC South at 2-0. The Saints, Bucs and Falcons all carry a 1-1 record.
A battle that featured two of the top defenses in the league was expected to be a low scoring game. What was not expected was Carolina running back Stephen Davis' 142 yards of rushing. Davis is currently the number two top rusher in the NFL behind Baltimore's phenomenal Jamal Lewis.
The Bucs and the Titans are still two of the NFL's toughest teams, but no on is unbeatable. Honestly, I still don't have a clue how the Cowboys defeated the Giants.
Domination
Currently two teams are dominating the NFL, the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs are not surprising. With superstar running back Priest Holmes having a Pro Bowl season, the Chiefs are on the right path. Off-season additions of offensive tackle Willie Roaf (yes, the one from the Saints) and defensive end Vonnie Holliday have made a big impact on this team. Along with the ultimate comeback quarterback, Trent Green, the Chiefs have a lot more wins on front of them.
The Chiefs' toughest obstacle will probably be their AFC West rival Denver. Both teams currently carry an undefeated 2-0 record. Look for this matchup in week five.
The Bills. What can I say about a team that went to four straight Super Bowls and didn't win a single one?
Well, these ain't the same Bills.
This Bills team is led by former New England star Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe seemed to be a causality of Tom Brady's mammoth run at a Super Bowl title two years ago, but this veteran from Washington State isn't done yet.
In 2002, Bledsoe's first full season with the Bills, he threw for more yardage than eight of his nine seasons with Buffalo. He also had a better quarterback rating than eight of his nine years with Buffalo.
Bledsoe has definitely become a quiet sensation in the NFL.
Bledsoe's favorite target so far this season has been former Mississippi State standout Eric Moulds. Along with the likes of defensive tackle Sam Adams, linebackers London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes, and running back Travis Henry, the Bills are definite contenders for the Big Show.
Blowups
No one is really surprised that Cleveland, Cincinnati, San Diego and Arizona are all currently 0-2. What is surprising is the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles carrying 0-2 records, also.
The Jets and Eagles were both picked preseason playoff favorites. Right now, Donovan McNabb can't buy a victory. Both of these teams have had early season blowups.
How important is winning your first two games, not very. The last team to go undefeated in the NFL was the 1972 Miami Dolphins. These early losses should be a wakeup call to both of these teams.
Philadelphia does get a break this week with a bye. Maybe the Eagles can spend this time watching the movie Rudy' a few hundred times. I heard they were even considering resigning Ron Jaworski to fill in for McNabb.
The Jets' loss of Chad Pennington probably had a bigger impact than anyone thought. Vinny Testaverde had not been the starter for a long time for good reason. Things don't get any easier as they must face division foe New England today.
Game Of The Week
There are a number of heated
battles brewing this week. The first is Minnesota at Detroit. Both of these teams have shown an ability to play good football. The regional aspect should make this one a watcher.
Despite the loss of Michael Vick, the Atlanta Falcons still have a good team. They will play host today to Tampa Bay, a team that is sorely looking to avenge last week's loss.
The New York Giants are heading to Washington D.C. to try and stop the winning ways of Steve Spurrier's Redskins. This battle features two of the oldest teams in pro football.
Finally, Buffalo makes its way down south to take on a tough Miami defense. The Dolphins are looking for some respect while the Bills are looking to win. There is a chance for a snoozer, but it should be a good game.
I realize that my garbage of the week last time turned out to be an overtime thriller, but I will try to do better with this one. If you need a good three hours to do some laundry or mow the lawn, Cleveland and San Francisco are set for a 4:15 scrimmage. Also on at the same time, Green Bay at Arizona.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x