NFL Week 5 Preview

Expect the unexpected. As cliché as it may sound, the age-old phrase aptly summarizes the first four weeks of the 2010 season. The Indianapolis Colts, a team picked by countless experts to return to the Super Bowl, sit at a mediocre 2-2. The Detroit Lions, despite a 0-4 record, show marked improvements from seasons past, and dynamic wide receiver Randy Moss is returning to Minneapolis to catch passes from Brett Favre.

What is going on in Indianapolis?

Outside of a statement win in Week 2 against the New York Giants, the Colts have looked mediocre all season. First they gave up 231 yards rushing to sophomore running back Arian Foster in a Week 1 loss in Houston. Then, even in a win against the Broncos, Denver quarterback Kyle Orton torched their defense for 476 passing yards. Lastly, this past week the Colts lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars on a last-second 59-yard field goal by Josh Scobee.

To clarify, the problem is certainly not quarterback Peyton Manning. Through four games Manning has completed 69.8 percent of his passes for 1,365 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only one interception. In addition, he possesses an unprecedented 112.2 passer rating.

Despite a dreadful rushing unit that ranks 29th in the league, averaging only 75.5 yards a game and 3.2 yards per carry, the offense is still ranked third in the NFL, compiling 411 yards per contest.

As always with the Colts, the problem lies on defense. Of course, injuries to stud-safety Bob Sanders and backup safety Melvin Bullitt do not help the unit’s cause.

In total defense, the Colts are ranked 24th in the league, giving up 367 yards to opposing offenses every Sunday. The team is also fourth worst in third down defense, surrendering a first down to the opposition in 46 percent of these situations.

The Colts’ rushing defense, which is third worst in the league allowing 5 yards per carry, will face a major test this Sunday when they welcome the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs to Lucas Oil Stadium. The Chiefs are the NFL’s third best ground attack, with a healthy 160.7 yards per game average behind the duo of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones.

Though it will be a tall task for an undermanned defense, look for the Colts offense to expose the Chiefs’ 25th-ranked pass defense on the way to a decisive home victory.

Lions’ 0-4 Record Wildly Misleading

Sometimes in the NFL win-loss records can be deceptive, as is the case with this year’s Detroit Lions. Despite a Week one injury to 2009 first overall pick and starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Shaun Hill-led Lions are staying in games until the final buzzer. The Lions have lost the four games by a combined 24 points. They have been able to move the ball well through the air; ranking seventh in the league with 254.2 pass yards per game.

Although the team’s rushing offense is less than stellar, largely due to minimal opportunities, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan has illustrated a desire to get the ball in the hands of his most skilled playmakers, particularly wide receiver Calvin Johnson, running back Jahvid Best and tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler.

This past Sunday the Lions dominated the Green Bay Packers, dinking and dunking all game on Dom Capers’s defense. Detroit converted 58 percent of their third down attempts and possessed the football for a stunning 37 minutes and 37 seconds. Furthermore, the team’s 431 total net yards vastly exceeded the Packers’ measly 261 offensive yards.

If not for a Jahvid Best fumble deep in Lions’ territory or a Charles Woodson interception return for a touchdown, Detroit would have most likely won in Lambeau Field for the first time since 1991.

With its stacked defensive line featuring rookie tackle Ndamukong Suh, three-time Pro Bowl end Kyle Vanden Bosch and others, the Lions are only some linebacker and secondary help away from being a viable NFC North contender. Yes, that is a major portion of the defense, but with disgraced ex-general manager Matt Millen no longer around to make the team’s draft selections, Detroit’s future looks really bright.

This Sunday look for the Lions to put it all together when they host the 2-2 St. Louis Rams at Ford Field.

Randy Moss Returns to Minnesota

From 1998 to 2004 there may not have been a wide receiver that placed as much fear in defensive backs as Randy Moss. During this tenure with the Vikings, Moss accumulated 90 receiving touchdowns, six 1,000+/-reception yard seasons and five trips to the Pro Bowl.

That being said, Moss never seemed to have his head properly attached to his shoulders, as he was frequently subjected to accusations of playing with a lack of effort. In his final season with the Vikings, Moss even left the field of play late in the fourth quarter when his team was lining up for an onside kick in a Week 17 road loss to the Washington Redskins.

On March 2, 2005, Moss was shipped to the Oakland Raiders for linebacker Napoleon Harris and multiple draft picks, including a 2005 first-rounder. After two atypical seasons for Moss in Oakland, he was traded to the New England Patriots, where in 2007, he set a NFL record with 23 touchdown receptions during an unbeaten regular season. Earlier this fall, in the final year of his three-year contract with the Patriots, Moss complained about not being wanted in New England.

This week, the Patriots found a taker for Moss in the Minnesota Vikings, acquiring a third-round draft pick in return.

The addition of Moss will add much needed life to a dismal Vikings receiving corps that is without Pro-Bowler Sidney Rice for at least the first half of the season. The Vikings, coming off the bye week, stand at 1-2 after a Week three win over the Lions.

In 2007 it was current Vikings quarterback Brett Favre who pushed Packers general manager Ted Thompson to trade for Moss. Now Favre finally has his wish, and Moss will give the future Hall-of-Famer the best receiver he has ever played alongside.

Expect Moss and Favre to develop a quick chemistry, which will first be on display in primetime on Monday Night Football against the New York Jets this week in the new Meadowlands Stadium.