Surprising records after three games of NFL season

WHAT'S TRENDING

After three weeks of play, New England, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Denver, Detroit and New Orleans have one or zero victories. Houston, Atlanta and Arizona are the only 3-0 teams. It's a year in which the field is so bunched up, it's hard to say how the thing will shake out. In previous years, the Patriots or Steelers or Packers may have lost a game they should have won at this point, but losing two of their first three is pretty surprising. According to the NFL, the 27 teams that are either 2-1 or 1-2 are the most through three weeks since realignment in 2002. If you're going to start out slowly, this is probably the best year in a while to do it.

ON DECK

This will be the first full slate of games since the first week of January that the league's unionized officials will be on the job. One thing to look for - and it was pretty evident in the Cleveland-Baltimore game Thursday night - is that the pace should be far more even than it was with the replacement officials. For teams who run the no-huddle offense, the return of the pros should be beneficial since they rely on calls being made decisively and the ball being placed quickly. Baltimore ran some no-huddle Thursday night and Denver, Atlanta, New England and Green Bay, among others, will be running it this weekend. It might be worth keeping an eye on those teams to see if their offenses play any better with officials who aren't constantly discussing every play with an on-field league representative.

NORTHERN EXPOSURE

The Minnesota Vikings are flying high after knocking off San Francisco last week and head into Detroit having lost 11 straight NFC North games. They're catching the Lions at a good time. Detroit suffered a demoralizing loss at Tennessee and quarterback Matthew Stafford has a leg injury, the seriousness of which has been hidden all week by coach Jim Schwartz. Opponents are doing a decent job keeping Calvin Johnson (24 catches for 369 yards and one touchdown) from dominating games, but he's always a threat. Chicago is heading down to Dallas, where it's going to have to focus on protecting quarterback Jay Cutler, whose 58.6 passer rating ranks 31st. The Cowboys rank second in pass defense and 19th against the run.

STAT OF THE WEEK

Of the 32 teams, 17 have had an individual rush for 100 or more yards during the first three weeks.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Teams: New York Giants (2-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)

When: 7:20 p.m. Sunday (NBC).

Point spread: Eagles by 2 .

Key injuries: Giants - T David Diehl (knee), CB Jayron Hosley (hamstring), WR Hakeem Nicks (foot, knee) and LB Keith Rivers (hamstring) are out; CB Michael Coe (hamstring) and S Antrel Rolle (knee) are questionable. Eagles - T King Dunlap (hamstring) and LB Akeem Jordan (hamstring) are out; S Colt Anderson (knee), WR Riley Cooper (collarbone) and C Jon Dorenbos (ankle) are questionable.

Player to watch: All eyes will be on Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, whose position as leader of the team is being undermined by his poor play. Vick ranks 29th in passer rating with a 66.2 mark.

Recent history: The Eagles have won six of the past seven, but they got beat badly at home last year, 29-16.

Key statistic: The Eagles' LeSean McCoy has averaged 107 yards rushing per game in his last three home games against the Giants.

Bottom line: The Giants love it when everyone has counted them out. They were without RB Ahmad Bradshaw and Nicks last week and still clobbered Carolina. The injury situation is getting worse though, with the Giants saying Saturday that Nicks would miss this game, and Diehl, Rivers and Hosley also ruled out. In addition, Rolle (knee) and Corey Webster (hand) are hurting. The offense played well behind backup running back Andre Brown and quarterback Eli Manning. The Eagles are lucky to be where they are and looked terrible against Arizona. They're healthy and their defense has been outstanding. They just need Vick to start playing like a starting quarterback.

GREEN BAY

59.04 Percent the Packers pass the ball on first and 10.

7.33 Percent above the league average the Packers rank in frequency they give up a sack.

9.77 Yards per catch wide receiver Greg Jennings (right) has averaged over his last seven games.

86.7 Percent kicker Mason Crosby has converted field goal attempts in his past 16 games (26 for 30).

6-9 Combined record of the team's next five opponents.

NFC NORTH

70.1 Minnesota quarterback Christian Ponder's completion percentage, second-highest in the NFL.

0 Runs of 20 or more yards the Vikings defense has allowed this season, making them one of five teams not to have allowed one.

4 Consecutive games in which Bears cornerback Tim Jennings has had an interception.

179 Consecutive regular-season games Detroit's Jeff Backus has played in, the most of any current tackle in the NFL.

42 Combined quarterback hits the Packers (22) and Bears (20) have allowed this season.

NFL

75.7 Percent of teams who won their first three games who have made the playoffs since 1990.

7 Games that were decided in the final minute of regulation or in overtime in Week 3, matching the high in Week 6 of 1995.

17 Teams that already have suffered a home defeat, including all four teams in the AFC West.

13 Consecutive games the Baltimore Ravens have won at home, the longest current streak in the NFL.

248 Touchdowns scored in the first three weeks of the season, the most to open the season in league history.

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/09/30/3027160/surprising-records-after-three.html

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