Realistically, it's too early in the 2011 NFL season for middling teams around the league to push the panic button. That being said, these three squads could use a boost to their morale, and their records, in Week 6.
Philadelphia Eagles
It's tough to say whether or not the Eagles have hit rock bottom yet, though they've certainly come darn close to it. At 1-4, Michael Vick and his talented teammates have already fallen far short of their great expectations, undone by poor offensive line play, a porous defense and a seemingly never-ending series of questionable decisions by head coach Andy Reid.
As bad as things may seem, Philly still has plenty of time to get back on its feet and contend in the moribund NFC East. A win at Washington on Sunday would go a long way toward getting Vick and company back on the right side of the conversation.
On the flip side, if the Eagles aren't successful, they'll go into their bye week with five consecutive losses and too much time for their wounds to fester before getting back to basics against the Cowboys in Week 8.
Atlanta Falcons
Like the Eagles, the Falcons were expected to compete for a division title after a highly successful 2010 campaign and some key additions in the offseason. Instead, Mike Smith's squad has stunk up the joint to the tune of a 2-3 record and might well be winless if not for Vick getting knocked out for the Eagles in Week 2 and a missed field goal by the Seahawks in Week 4.
Matt Ryan will look to get his team back on track against the up-and-coming Panthers. Carolina rookie quarterback Cam Newton has feasted on lousy defenses this season, and few are lousier than Atlanta's, which ranks 28th against the pass in the NFL.
Otherwise, the Saints may well run away with the NFC South, especially after the Dirty Birds are forced to fly into Detroit in Week 7.
New York Jets
The Jets have looked like anything but Super Bowl contenders in the early going. Rex Ryan's crew has dropped its last three games, all against AFC playoff contenders. Brian Schottenheimer has done a shoddy job of coaching up Mark Sanchez and the rest of the Gang Green offense, while the run defense has been nothing short of porous up to this point.
A Monday night game against the winless Dolphins provides the Jets with the perfect opportunity to regain their swagger by beating up on a lesser opponent. Failure to do so will put New York well behind the Patriots and the Bills in the race for the AFC East crown and the Raiders and the Steelers in pursuit of a Wild Card berth.
Kobe Braynt Andrew Bynum Jordan Farmar Derek Fisher Pau Gasol Lamar Odom
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