JT the Brick

The most important games on the NFL regular-season schedule are Weeks 2 and 3. After three games, we all should have a good understanding of every team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Elite teams understand the importance of starting strong. Pretenders make excuses about their strength of schedule, all the while getting ready to throw in the towel.

Heading into Week 4, close to 10 teams are making early preparations for the 2010 draft, while the power teams are positioning themselves for the playoffs.

AFC West
Chargers: My pick to win the AFC is off to another lackluster start. They should have lost their first game in Oakland, and their second win came over the hapless Dolphins. This Sunday will be a huge test for Phillip Rivers and San Diego’s offense in Pittsburgh. They should easily win the AFC West.

Broncos: It is tough to evaluate this team after their miraculous win in Cincinnati in Week 1 and easy wins against Cleveland and Oakland. The No. 1-rated defense in the NFL has give up a total of only 16 points, and Denver has a surprisingly balanced offense. The Broncos have a tough schedule coming up and could lose the next five games.

Raiders: After a promising start to the season, Oakland flopped at home against Denver last week. JaMarcus Russell is the lowest-rated quarterback in the league (39.8) and is at a crossroads in his career. The Raiders must run the football if they want to be competitive.

Chiefs: They could be the worst team in the NFL and after losing in Week 2 at home to the Raiders, the Chiefs don’t have much fight left. They need to completely rebuild their offensive line and bolster their defense. They will regret dealing for quarterback Matt Cassel.

AFC North
Ravens: The toughest team in football could also be the most balanced, with a stifling defense and an improving offense. Quarterback Joe Flacco is getting better by the minute. Their toughest road game of the season is this Sunday at New England. They are the team to beat in the Central from here on out.

Bengals: They should have beaten the Broncos in Week 1 and were fortunate to beat Pittsburgh in Week 3, but I’m most impressed with their road win at Green Bay. They have a great defensive line led by Antwan Odom, and Chad Ochocinco is acting like a leader instead of a clown.

Steelers: The defending Super Bowl champs could easily be 0-3. Coach Mike Tomlin will get his team back on track after a brutal early schedule, but if they lose to the Chargers this Sunday, a wild-card birth will be their only shot at the postseason.

Browns: A complete disaster with no leaders on the roster. The offensive and defensive lines are horrible, and the Browns will be lucky to win three games. They will be lucky to win three games all year. Coach Eric Mangini should have passed on this job.

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