Most surprising team so far?

[Bengalsrocket]

Originally Posted by Timbathia

People seem very fixated on the "freaky lucky bounce" that allowed Denver to beat Cinci. Denver kept the Bengals scoreless for all but the last minute, and dominated the game without being able to score a TD (which was excusable as it was their first game running the new offense). Lucky bounce or not, Denver was the better team in that contest so writing it off because of the freak play seems a bit silly IMO.

Carson Palmer has pulled that last minute touchdown move at least once in every game so far this year, that's his style. It's been his style since he got here, the guy can run the hurry up offense like a champ. Back in 06 and a little in 07 we ran a no huddle offense for about a series every single quarter because of it.

I don't care what we call it, skill or luck, but Cinci didn't get out played for four quarters. We held Denver to six, then Carson did what he does best and it worked.

[Timbathia]

Originally Posted by PalmerToCJ

We dominated you all the entire first half, the second half was a draw. We were the better team that game, although not by much. We just couldn't finish when we got on your side of the field (INT, botched FG snap, missed FG).

I'm going with the Titans. I didn't think they'd be as good this year but after their battle at Pitt, I figured they would still be fine.

There was only the botched FG snap, there wasnt another missed FG. Talking about not finishing on the other teams side - if Orton didnt brain explode and take that last quarter sack, then the Broncos kick the FG and Benson's TD wouldnt even have mattered. Cinci only got into the redzone once in the first half, so I dont believe that counts as dominating anyone.

[MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)]

Originally Posted by Timbathia

There was only the botched FG snap, there wasnt another missed FG. Talking about not finishing on the other teams side - if Orton didnt brain explode and take that last quarter sack, then the Broncos kick the FG and Benson's TD wouldnt even have mattered. Cinci only got into the redzone once in the first half, so I dont believe that counts as dominating anyone.

I think the thing you can call the Denver-Cinci game is a close one. Of course, at the time, everyone was like "what a terrible game, both these teams suck. How the hell is Cincinatti's offense blowing hard against Denver's ass of a defense?" But now, with Cincinatti getting two very quality wins, Denver sitting at 3-0 with only one TD against, it puts the game in another perspective. It was a struggle between two very possibly good teams.

[The Dynasty]

I went with the Niners becaue I didn't expect them to be 2-1 and actually should be 3-0. They performed very well against the Vikings especially in the 2nd half. They won't go away. I am shocked about the Titans and Steelers poor starts to this season. I did not seeing that coming. Cincinnati I think most of people had them as a sleeper pick this year so I am not that surprised that they have performed well. Then I feel the Broncos 3-0 and surprising record is being blown out of proportion. They have played the Bengals(would have lost without the miracle play), Browns and the Raiders. Two of those teams look absolutely terrible this year because of Quarterback play and the Bengals lost on a fluke play pretty much. I can't buy the Broncos. I wouldn't be surprised to be 3-5 after week 9. After they play Dallas, New England, @ San Diego, @ Baltimore, and Pittsburgh.

[vikes_28]

Titans no question. I picked them to be superbowl champs before the season started. I even stated in their forum that I am confuzzled about them being 0-3. Another team that I am surprised about, Arizona. They are not doing so hot either. And the Madden curse has struck Pittsburgh already, it's only a matter of time before it strikes Arizona.

[Job]

I'm surprised at the Jets.

[aNYtitan]

I'm going homerish and saying that I would have never thought the Titans would be 0-3 after last years season, but I agree with TH, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that the Jets would look so good and their defense so dominant.

[abaddon41_80]

I would say the Bengals closely followed by Pittsburgh. The Broncos being 3-0 does not surprise me because I expected them to be 3-0 to start the season, I thought the Bengals, Browns, and Raiders would be amongst the worst teams in the league.

[killxswitch]

Broncos, not just because of their wins but because I thought their D would be way worse than it has been. It is weird to think that we might look back on the Broncos - Bengals game as a matchup between two solid teams with winning records, when most people thought they'd both be terrible this year.

[Bucs_Rule]

Jets. Never would have expected them to start 3-0 and have beaten the Pats and the Titans.

[wicket]

depends on suprising how. when looking at record I'd say the broncos (or carolina), when looking at the level at which they played im going for the niners.
Since I am voting on the record im doing the broncos

[MetSox17]

Honestly, i'm most surprised by the Bungles. The Titans have played well in all their games, so, eh, they've had a bad run of luck. The 9ers were a solid football team last season schematically, so i'm not surprised with them either. The Broncos are my second choice cause i really didn't see them being 3-0, but i thought the Bungles were just gonna be absolutely awful, and they've played extremely well, along with beating the defending champions.

[yourfavestoner]

Originally Posted by MetSox17

Honestly, i'm most surprised by the Bungles. The Titans have played well in all their games, so, eh, they've had a bad run of luck. The 9ers were a solid football team last season schematically, so i'm not surprised with them either. The Broncos are my second choice cause i really didn't see them being 3-0, but i thought the Bungles were just gonna be absolutely awful, and they've played extremely well, along with beating the defending champions.

They haven't won since stomping on the Terrible Towel. Hmmmmm.

[nrk]

Originally Posted by Bucs_Rule

Jets. Never would have expected them to start 3-0 and have beaten the Pats and the Titans.

Yeah, Jets is my answer also. Although Titans being 0-3 is a surprise as well.

Originally Posted by yourfavestoner

They haven't won since stomping on the Terrible Towel. Hmmmmm.

Towelie put a jinx on them.

[Rosebud]

I don't really find the bungles surprising, that D was actually good last season and Benson gave them a consistent runner to pound the ball with like they had when that offense was lighting it up. Add a healthy Carson Palmer to the mix and an improved OL and you have the 2-1 Bengals we see today. Now if they go on to win a Wild card spot, then I'll be surprised, but seeing them playing well isn't shocking me at all.

[wogitalia]

Gotta say the Jets are the most surprising to me, followed closed by Pittsburgh.

Jets have beaten a couple of solid teams, I didn't think it was at all far fetched that they could have started 0-5 when it was posted(didn't expect it but wouldn't have been surprised if it did happen basically). Sanchez looks really poised, but more surprising to me is that the defense hasn't just been good, it has been dominant. That said, I still remain a doubter that a defense built on excessively heavy blitzing will have long term success, I actually quite hope to be proven wrong as I love blitzing, but I would still be surprised.

Pittsburgh to me are the surprise. I would have had them at worst to be 2-1 after 3 with the only "losable" game being the Titans game that they won. Basically I'm shocked they lost to the Bengals and possibly even more surprised they lost to the Bears.

Bears have been a little surprising, didn't think they really had a shot against the Steelers or Packers so to shoot themselves in the foot against the Packers and beat the Steelers is a bit of a shock.

Titan's had a tough start but to have not won is surprising but I still thought they should beat the Texans and Jets comfortably, so expected 2-1, so 0-3 is a shock.

Bengals are also a surprise, though they always have that caveat with them that if Carson is healthy they are a totally different team, of course I could have probably got 50-1 that he would still be healthy after 3 weeks it has been that rare over the last 5 years, especially after they lost the guy I thought would be their best linemen before he played(Smith). Surprising team for sure.

[TitanHope]

Originally Posted by yourfavestoner

They haven't won since stomping on the Terrible Towel. Hmmmmm.

So what you're saying is that the Titans are sooooo good, the only explanation for their losing is a Turrable (/Charles Barkley) Towel curse...makes sense to me... :D

[fenikz]

I don't see how the Bengals could be bad with Brian Leonard on there team

[neko4]

Im not incredibly suprised that SF and CIN are succeeding. SF has a great coach and CIN has always struck me as a team that underachieves, but had good potential. Im fairly suprised PIT is 1-2. Im very suprised that TEN is 0-3, but they could easily have been 2-1 I think. Im stunned that Denver is undefeated at this point.

[Rosebud]

Originally Posted by fenikz

I don't see how the Bengals could be bad with Brian Leonard on there team

Seriously, without his great leaping they never convert against the steelers and keep that game winning drive alive. MOST. UNDER-RATED. PLAYER. IN. THE. NFL...lock, 2 win. evolution. championship.

[scottyboy]

it won't let me rep fenikz, but rest assured, I came when I saw his post.

Again, I called it before the season:
Palmer, Ocho, Coles and Leonard make a good offense and I like their improved D. I also called Leonard being a key 3rd down/recieving back and was laughed at and scoffed. NEVER QUESTION MY LEONARD LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE <3

i pride myself on knowing more about RU football players than you do about anything...and that goes to everyone

[Shiver]

I would say the Bengals. They are one fluke, once in a lifetime, play away from being 3-0. What is most impressive is how their defense has played, this isn't the same Bengals team that won by trying to mimic the Colts back in 2005.

[Shane P. Hallam]

To me it is the 49ers. Very close to 3-0, and I thought they would be crap this year.

[NotRickJames]

I believe it's the Broncos. They came in with huge questions at the quarterback and wide receiver positions, not to mention there were some Bronco fans already calling for McDaniel's head.

I am not surprised by the 49ers.

[Hurricanes25]

After seeing that post by fenikz, I think Scotty needs a new pair of pants.