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View From The Sidelines: NFL Week 3

By IRA KAUFMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 23, 2008

The Chiefs haven't drafted a franchise QB in their entire storied history. Next April would be a good time to change that. ... Even without Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, the Giants possess a formidable pass rush. If you don't believe it, ask Carson Palmer when Cincinnati's sore QB emerges from the trainer's room. ... You can see the confidence of QB Trent Edwards growing each week for the 3-0 Bills, who face the Rams and Cardinals before a bye week. ... The Jon Kitna era in Detroit has run its course. ... With each pick thrown by Matt Schaub, and there's been five of 'em through two games, Sage Rosenfels is a little closer to that starting job in Houston. ... A week after frustrating Brett Favre, the Patriots appeared helpless against Chad Pennington. .

No team has a better defensive tandem up front than Tennessee's Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch. ... Coming into Sunday's matchup at Tampa, Aaron Rodgers of the Packers hasn't been picked off in 99 pass attempts. ... If defense matters, the Eagles and Steelers will still be playing in January. ... A year ago, the Browns threw when they wanted. Now, Derek Anderson is throwing way too often.

Granted, Donnie Jones of the Rams is having a heck of a year, but it's a bad sign when your best player is a punter. ... Now that's the kind of nasty defense Minnesota fans expected once Jared Allen was acquired from K.C. ... Bears CB Charles Tillman played a dynamic game against the Bucs on Sunday with 11 tackles and a forced fumble, but all he'll remember is that OT flag on the ground. ... Don't be overly dazzled by the star power on the Cowboys. Tony Romo, Marion Barber and T.O. are difference-makers, but it all starts with that majestic offensive line. ... By any name, Chad Johnson is off to a forgettable start in Cincinnati.

Falcons DE John Abraham, showing what he can do when healthy, is averaging two sacks per game. ... Since the Bucs crushed 'em in the Super Bowl, the pride and poise Raiders have lost 63 of 83 games. ... If Champ Bailey is such a shutdown corner, why can't the Broncos stop anybody? ... Peyton Manning is struggling, yet the Colts are passing on 70 percent of their snaps. That's not smart football. ... If the 2-1 Redskins can split on the road against Dallas and Philly the next two weeks, Washington will be in good shape facing the Rams, Browns and Lions, who have combined for zero wins.

The Saints rolled up 502 yards while committing only one turnover and allowing only one sack at Denver. That kind of efficiency is commendable, but losing in a shootout is an ominous sign for a suspect defense already showing signs of weakness. ... Great to see Miami RB Ronnie Brown play so well against New England. Brown was off to a superb start in 2007 before suffering a torn ACL last October - against the Patriots. ... Something has to give Sunday at Cincinnati, where the Bengals face the Browns in a matchup between winless Ohio clubs. Somehow, a scoreless tie feels appropriate. ... By rediscovering a dormant running game at Indy, the Jags may have salvaged their season. ... Want a clue why Buffalo and Baltimore are both unbeaten? Opponents have attempted 65 third-down conversions combined against the Bills and Ravens and have succeeded only 12 times.

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