Unexpected Undefeateds

Naptime Huddle regulars will recall that the 1972 Miami Dolphins is the only NFL team in history to have an undefeated season.  They will also remember that a core group of players from that team pop the cork on a bottle of champagne when the last undefeated team of the season suffers its first lost.  With the 2011 season only two weeks old, it isn’t surprising that certain teams still have a “0” in the loss column (i.e., New England, Green Bay, New York Jets).  However, there are a few teams whose so-far undefeated season is raising eyebrows.  Will any of these teams be the one that keeps the bubbly on ice the longest?

Buffalo Bills: The Bills haven’t faced the League’s toughest teams yet, but their opponents certainly aren’t doormats, either.  The Kansas City Chiefs won their division last year with a 10-6 record and the Oakland Raiders batted .500 last year.  More surprising than being undefeated, though, is how they have accomplished it.  Buffalo kept its spotless record against the Raiders yesterday with an amazing second half.  Down 21-3 at halftime, the Bills came out swinging in the second half, scoring touchdowns on all five of their possessions, coming back to win 38-35.  Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a touchdown pass to David Nelson with just 14 seconds left in the game.  The Bills host New England next week, so this fairy tale may not last.  But what if it does???

Detroit Lions:  There may be people that say that the start of the Lions’ season isn’t unexpected because of the talent the team possesses (i.e., QB Matthew Stafford, who was out most of last season due to injury and WR Calvin Johnson).  So, let’s just say that seeing the Detroit Lions at 2-0 is…unfamiliar.  The Lions haven’t had a winning season since 2000, and they started last season with four losses.  So far they’ve beaten Tampa Bay Buccaneers and struggling Kansas City; they face the winless Minnesota Vikings in Week 3.

Washington Redskins:  The surprise here is that the Redskins have managed to win games despite their best efforts to lose.  Yesterday, the Redskins dominated the Arizona Cardinals in yards gained and time of possession.  However, because of turnovers, penalties, a blocked field goal attempt and injuries, they found themselves losing 14-10 at the start of the fourth quarter. They had a solid win against the New York Giants in Week 1, including a touchdown by the defense, but they need to correct their mental mistakes before they face division rival Dallas Cowboys in Week 3.