Early Season Review: Part 1

The Inscrutable Drama Kings have always been the undisputed "better" division until recently. With the Battle Angels dominant run last year, the tables may have turned. Three of the Drama Kings have the lowest scoring teams in the league -- and by a wide margin. While the Drama Kings do boast the two highest scoring teams, the rest of the division is looking a bit weak. Still, there's a lot of football left to be played isn't there?

Chunky Monkeys (3-1)
After one week with a losing record, the Monkeys have righted the ship and ripped off three straight wins to find themselves at a familiar position, at the top of the standings. There's a changing of the guard however as the team is in clear transition. QB Peyton Manning has stepped up and been better than ever (or just as good as normal) with nine TDs to only three INTs so far. The big change is the fact that LaDainian Tomlinson is reaching the end of his stardom. He's been hurt and has posted only nine points through the first four weeks. New franchise back Chris Johnson had a huge game in WK2 but has been only middling otherwise. WR Anquan Boldin has been quieter than normal but Evan's selection of Percy Harvin (24 pts) and Jerricho Cotchery (51 pts) has picked up the slack -- especially with Anthony Gonzalez still injured. The big question is what is happening to Matt Forte? Is he a franchise back? Or will it be Fred Jackson who turns out to be the better performer? Either way, the Monkeys have depth and Peyton and that has proven to be plenty.

Ante Up (2-2)
Here's something, Jae looks to be making the push into playoff status early. Behind first round pick QB Aaron Rodgers, Ante Up has been putting up the points with a balanced attack led by Reggie Wayne (68 pts), the remergence of Chad Ochocinco (49 pts), and dual threat running back Steve Slaton. There's still some holes on this team though. Brian Westbrook has been dinged up early and his backup LeSean McCoy hasn't really stepped up. Also, there's no third receiver on this team as Devin Hester and Antonio Bryant have been clear disappointments. Still, the season is young and Ante Up has a statement to make this year.

Buffy (2-2)
This is going to sound redundant but here's another team being carried by their quarterback. Philip Rivers has been hot hot hot and he's bringing TE Antonio Gates along for the ride. The problem is that big names Roddy White, TJ Houshmandzadeh, and Donald Driver haven't been performing (Buffy stalwart Torry Holt was finally, unceremoniously, released). Roger's team needs to get his receivers up to speed and then hope that RB Marion Barber gets healthy quick. Without him, the team has been relying on Willis McGahee, Julius Jones, and Ahmad Bradshaw to run the ball. Those three have only combined for 46 points total.

Dirty Birds (2-2)
After starting off with two wins, the Birds have crashed back to Earth and are sliding back to the pack. All world Adrian Peterson has been bottled up except for WK1 and has been increasingly average. QB Matt Ryan was looking terrific until being shut down by the Patriots but he should continue to be a franchise player. What is really hurting the Birds is their receivers. Larry Fitzgerald has been decent but Braylon Edwards, Wes Welker (injured), and whoever Jon has nabbed off the waiver wire have been pretty terrible. With Steven Jackson racking up the yards but not the TDs, the Birds need some WRs to step up to get out of their slump.

Tiiite End Jammers (1-3)
Despite losing three straight, the Jammers actually look okay on paper. QB Tony Romo has been effective, the "other" Steve Smith has made a name for himself, Joseph Addai and Santonio Holmes have both been serviceable, and the rest of the team have had their moments. The problem though is that they don't have any explosiveness. Aside from a 130 point outburst in WK1, they've only topped 80 points once. That and they've had a rough schedule, soaking up back to back poundings from division leaders Chunky Monkeys and Ante Up in WK2-3. The Jammers have some things to look forward to as big names Clinton Portis, Dwayne Bowe, and Roy Williams have underperformed a bit and can only improve.