Saints, Vikings, Giants Separate From NFC Pack
Dennis Dillon - SportingNews.com
Oct 19, 2009
NEW ORLEANS -- After six weeks, three NFC teams have separated themselves from the pack. The Saints and Vikings remain unbeaten, and the Giants are just a step behind after suffering their first defeat Sunday.
Here's a look at the NFC's Big Three:
1. New Orleans Saints
Reasons for optimism: They have become more balanced on offense -- Drew Brees and the passing game is now complemented by a solid committee of running backs -- and the defense has improved under new coordinator Gregg Williams.
Reason for concern: Special teams. After giving up big chunks of return yards to the Giants' Domenik Hixon in a 48-27 win, that unit needs a tune-up.
Fullback Heath Evans says: "We've got a lot to prove. Games in this league really don't count until November and December."
2. Minnesota Vikings
Reasons for optimism: Brett Favre is playing like a younger version of himself -- he threw three more TD passes without an interception Sunday in a 33-31 win over Baltimore -- and Adrian Peterson still is the best running back in the league and the defense remains stout.
Reason for concern: They play back-to-back road games at Pittsburgh and Green Bay the next two weeks.
Brett Favre says: "All I know is we're 6-0. I know it's a long way to go, but it's a good start."
3. New York Giants
Reasons for optimism: Eli Manning won't have many mediocre games like he did against New Orleans, and running back Brandon Jacobs is bound to break out soon.
Reasons for concern: The secondary is beat up, and the offensive line could be without right tackle Kareem McKenzie (groin) for a while.
Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce says: "Everyone looked at this game (at New Orleans) as the Super Bowl, but it's only Week 6. There's another 10 games to get ready for."
Tier 2
Atlanta Falcons: A Week 8 game at New Orleans will be a good measuring stick.
Green Bay Packers: As long as they can give Aaron Rodgers time to throw, they're contenders.
Philadelphia Eagles: We've learned to never dismiss them, but losing at Oakland wasn't one of their finer moments.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com. Clifton Brown contributed to this report.
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