Some thoughts and some numbers regarding Week 6 of the 2011 season…
Jim Harbaugh’s offense has awoken in San Francisco. After a very sluggish start, the 49ers have amassed 860 yards of total offense and 8 offensive touchdowns in their last 2 games, after totaling just 641 yards of total offense and scoring 5 offensive touchdowns in their first 3 games this season. And since falling behind the Eagles, 23-3, in the third quarter in Week 4, Harbaugh’s club had outscored the opposition a combined 69-3 over the last 5-plus quarters…
While QB Jay Cutler’s performance and subsequent trials and tribulations of escaping opposing pass rushes gets plenty of attention, there has to be some concerns about the Chicago defense, which has had some issues following an impressive showing against the Falcons in Week 1 when they gave up just 12 points and 0 offensive touchdowns. Since then, the Bears have allowed 24-plus points in 4 straight
games. Including last season’s playoff split with the Seahawks and Packers, Chicago allowed 24-plus points in just 4-of-18 games in 2010…
On the other end of the spectrum in Cincinnati, which has given up the fewest yards per game in the league after 5 weeks of play and been consistent in this area all season to date. The Bengals have allowed fewer than 300 total yards of offense, including fewer than 100 yards rushing, in 3 straight games and 4-of-5 games in ’11. Thanks partly to an emerging defensive line that is proving to be deep, Marvin Lewis’ team is 1 win away from matching last season’s victory total (4)…
The Redskins have had two weeks to prepare for the struggling Eagles, who have lost 4 in a row. Meanwhile, Washington has parlayed a solid running game and an improved defense to a 3-1 start. And while their quarterback has had his moments, he’s still struggled with ball security as Redskins’ QB Rex Grossman has committed 15 turnovers (9 interceptions, 6 lost fumbles lost) in 8 games with the Redskins (7 starts) dating back to last season. This season, Mike Shanahan’s team has committed 7 turnovers in 4 games, all by Grossman (5 INTs, 2 lost fumbles)…
This offseason, the Giants made some changes to their offensive line after injuries were a factor in 2010. And it’s been a slow start in terms of pass protection for Tom Coughlin’s team as the Giants have allowed 14 sacks in 5 games this season, one year after giving up just 16 sacks in as many games (tied for the fewest in the NFL in 2010). And while New York appeared to be off to a better start in terms of turnovers this season (4 in the first 4 games), QB Eli Manning and company coughed up the ball 5 times in last week’s 36-25 loss to the Seahawks…
