Winners from Pre-Season week 3

Pre-Season doesn't count for anything (just ask Dennis Green), but this week's games have seen a clearer picture emerge regarding the state of the NFL.

Here's our take on the winners of Pre-Season week 3. We'll have the losers shortly.


The Carolina Panthers

Entering 2008, the Panthers have not been a trendy pick to make the Playoffs, especially playing in a division where the Bucs and Saints have monopolised the title since 2004.

All that could change after last night's dominant 3-47 win over the lacklustre Redskins. The team's running game, in particular, was impressive, with both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart amassing 100yd games. Indeed, both backs did it in around 10 carries, and had very similiar stats, despite being very different types of runner. The tandem are both competing to replace DeShaun Foster as the starter, but no matter which player starts, you can guarantee that the other will be productive.

The situation is reminiscent of the Jaguars, who have Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor sharing the load. The differing styles of each runner help keep the other fresh, which in turn often leads to big gains late on in games.

The team will sorely miss Wide Receiver Steve Smith, but if Jake Delhomme continues his solid recovery from elbow surgery and can get the team through those two games that Smith is suspended for, then the Panthers could have a very good chance of finishing atop the NFC South.

The Miami Dolphins

No, do not adjust your monitor. We mean it. The 'fins were almost the worst team in NFL statistical history last season, and were lucky to get their one victory in overtime against the Ravens.

But Bill Parcells has once again rescued a big-market team from the doldrums, and some of his personel decisions look a lot better after last night's shutout of the Chiefs. Ok, so Kansas City are hardly going to be challenging for a Superbowl this year either, but you can only beat the team you play on any given week, and the Dolphins did so emphatically.

Chad Pennington looks to have hit the ground (or the air... if that's possible.) running, and his measured play could acrually help the team win some games this season. Certainly, he is getting more from receiver Ted Ginn jnr, and even Ricky Williams has turned up this year. According to one team source Williams is 'the best player on this team' - something that gives the Dolphins a credible ground game with which to establish control over games.

Drew Brees

This week saw a few Quarterback performances that deserve a mention. Matt Schaub was once again good for Houston, while Pennington, Tony Romo, and Aaron Rodgers all proved their doubters wrong.

However, no QB has been as impressive as Brees, who continues to establish himself in the top tier of NFL signal-callers. While most players seem sluggish at this stage, Brees has thrown for nearly 400yds, 4 TD's, and crucially, zero interceptions. He is completing almost 70% of his passes at a time when he is not always throwing to first team receivers, and last night put up nearly 200yds in the first half alone against Cincinnatti.

If the Saints Secondary can improve to the level that the rest of the team currently plays at, the team might get another shot at the playoffs and beyond this year.

Kickers

With the odd short miss excepted, kickers have been impressive this week. Many games have descended into tit-for-tat kicking affairs, while teams are also giving their players a chance from longer range as they try to establish where their comfort zone is.

But it's not just the Starters making plays, it's the backups. Detroit's Dave Rayner was 4/4 last night, and even though he will not supplant Jason Hanson, he has likely earned himself a chance at making another roster next week after he is cut. The same goes for Minnesota's Steven Hauschka, who has made 8/8 in the pre-season, despite having zero chance of making the team's roster.

Indeed, Hauschka is not the only Rookie Kicker making an impact this year, in what seems a very strong class of Kickers compared to the rather barren past few years. Miami seems set with Dan Carpenter, while Jason Reda of Cleveland, Adam Crosset of Indy, and John Vaughn of Tennessee all have done enough to earn tryouts after they are inevitably cut next week.

Nowehere is Kicking so vital, however, as the AFC and NFC West. The changeable weather conditions and altitude issues that face kickers in these divisions can make or break a career. Justin Medlock, a 5th round draft choice of the Chiefs last year, is almost certain to be unemployed next week after the Rams brought in Seattle's Josh Brown.

Brown, Jason Elam, Lawrence Tynes, and Jeff Wilkins. It's not often that kicking stability is thought of as a neccesity, so entering this season with none of these players at their usual homes could be a wild card element to the season. As we mentioned, Brown swapped the Qwest field winds for the dome in St. Louis, while the clutch Elam was released by Denver and caught on with Atlanta. Wilkins retired, and the Chiefs have been in a state of flux since trading Tynes to the Giants last season.

All three will enter the season with an inexperienced player at the position. The Seahawks seem to be set with Rookie Brandon Coutu, while the Broncos will likely go with Matt Prater, who has been 7/9 through 3 games. The Chiefs, as always, are completely hapless at the position, and will probably keep former Dallas kicker Nick Novak around, though Rookie Connor Barth is 2/2 for the pre-season.

Whatever happens, look for the swirling winds in both divisions to cost more than one team a victory this season.