First quarter of NFL season in the books

Greg Calarco
Staff Writer

Four weeks of games are in the books and the first quarter of the 2012 NFL season is complete. The league has already seen some crazy performances and upsets in its brief season. Dolphins wideout Brian Hartline had a 253 yard receiving game, Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles had a 233 yard rushing performance, and Giants quarterback Eli Manning had a 510 yard passing display. September provided much excitement and flare with 36 nail-biting, one-possession games. 

A major storyline from the first month of games is the job evaluation of the replacement officials. Many coaches, players, and fans were outraged at the performance by the temporary referees. Broncos coach John Fox and Patriots coach Bill Belichick received fines of $30,000 and $50,000, respectively, for disrespecting the NFL-inexperienced refs. The officials were under constant scrutiny and many people gave them even less respect than the normal refs. Most fans made it seem like the regular referees were perfect and much better than the replacement refs. The regular refs have made large blunders in the past, exemplified in the tuck rule game in 2001 or the Calvin Johnson nullified touchdown in 2010. Nevertheless, the entire league and fans are thrilled to have the regular refs back, after they finally agreed on a contract with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell through 2019. 

Quite a few teams have surprising records after the first four weeks. The Arizona Cardinals are one of three teams with four wins, along with the Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons, while the New Orleans Saints are still frantically trying to grab hold of their first victory without suspended head coach Sean Payton. Amidst all the turmoil, Saints quarterback Drew Brees managed to tie Johnny Unitas’ 52-year-old record by throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games. Only one team since 1990, the 1992 San Diego Chargers, has reached the postseason after a 0-4 start. Even if Brees continues his level of play, it will be a struggle to reach the playoffs. The Saints are not the only top dog struggling though. The New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers are both hovering around a mediocre record of 2-2. However, the Patriots did succeed in breaking the record for most points scored in a second half after they trumped the Buffalo Bills with 45 second-half points. 

Meanwhile, after week two, a record 20 of the 32 teams owned a record of 1-1. The standings are closer than ever and only five teams are either undefeated or winless while six of the eight divisions are separated by one game or less as of now. The Philadelphia Eagles illustrate the competitiveness of games in this young season. Their record is 3-1, but due to three extremely close wins and one blowout loss, their point differential is negative 17. Games are coming down to the wire, as three week three games needed overtime to determine the outcome. The points are piling up as well. A total of 3,633 points have been scored in the first four weeks of the season, the most in NFL history. Whatever the rest of the year holds, the start of the 2012 NFL season has been one for the record books.