The Best and Worst of the Worst and Best

The 2013 NFL season is on the eve of its third week of play. So far, there are eight unbeaten teams in the league with a record of 2-0. There are also eight teams in a heap of trouble at 0-2. Today we'll discuss who's the real deal, who's fool's gold, who should not yet push the panic button and who may already be on the clock in the 2014 NFL Draft.

BEST OF THE BEST

At this moment, the Seattle Seahawks are the best team in the NFL. This is a team with no weaknesses, a lot of youth, an oppressive home field advantage and a ton of upside. Head Coach Pete Carroll's team was a last second field goal surrendered to the Atlanta Falcons away from playing in the NFC Championship Game last year. So far, they appear ready to complete some unfinished business.

The statement game for this team was its 26 point shellacking of the defending NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers last week on Sunday Night Football. The running game was punishing. Seahawks running back Russell Wilson operated with surgeon-like efficiency. The Seahawks' defense was an impenetrable fortress.

Cornerback Richard Sherman (1 INT, 1 TFL) and defensive end Cliff Avril (1 sack, 1 FF) have been swarming presences on a defense that is surrendering an average of just over 100 passing yards per game and only 5 points per game. Seattle is the real deal until someone steps up and shows otherwise.

Richard Sherman got his twerk on with the Seahawks cheerleaders after picking Colin Kaepernick off. 1

THE WORST OF THE BEST

The New England Patriots have the ugliest 2-0 start out of any of the unbeatens, so far. Having needed a field goal in the final seconds to beat the Buffalo Bills and an interception in the final minute against an inept New York Jets team, the Patriots have been winning "without no alibi"...U-G-L-Y!

Opponents continue to run all over the Pats, whose defense has not been a real force in several years. Quarterback Tom Brady has struggled to keep his team's head above the water against two mediocre opponents. It isn't his fault. All of his key receivers either left the team via free agency, arrest for murder, or have been out due to injury. Brady will possibly be getting a big boost this week as Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski reportedly  may make his first start of the season this week after missing months of team activity due to an arm injury. The return cannot come soon enough for Patriots Fan.

Belichick had to help throw people out of last week's game before the Patriots could seal the deal against the Jets.

THE BEST OF THE WORST

You are what your record says you are, but the New York Giants level of talent is far beyond that of an 0-2 football team. The Giants did everything they possibly could to help out the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 by turning the ball over six times. The Giants still had opportunities to win the game until Giants quarterback Eli Manning threw a pick six to Brandon Carr of the Cowboys in the final two minutes.

Last week, the Giants were completely overwhelmed by the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning, who is playing like he is still in his twenties so far this season. The Giants committed several turnover against the Broncos, too, though most were in the fourth quarter when trailing and taking bigger risks on offense.

The Giants are not going to go on a turnover bender every week. They aren't going to face Peyton Manning every week.They do appear to have a serious problem on their hands in the running game, dead last in the NFL. Still, this ship will turn around sooner than later.

Giants running back David Wilson may be on borrowed time as the starter in the Big Apple. 3

THE WORST OF THE WORST  

The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't been able to run the ball and their best player is running back Maurice Jones Drew (72 yds., 2.9 avg. in 2013). They can't pass the ball. They can't stop anyone from running on them. Their passing defense is ranked #2 in the NFL, but that is because nobody has to take the risk of putting the ball in the air when the Jaguars aren't a threat to score or stop teams from scoring under (seemingly) any circumstances.

Most TV stations apologize for failing to televise the home team. This station is apologizing for having to show the Jaguars. 4

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1) Image from www.bleacherreport.com
2) Image from http://nfl.si.com
3) Image from http://ihatelupica.blogspot.com
4) Image cited in a prior Hat Trick posting.