You can find a lot of things in an NFL weekend, such as poise, athleticism, determination and, oftentimes, failure.
But the virtue of patience is nowhere to be found in this era of high-speed Internet, fast-food and knee-jerk quarterback changes.
More than five quarterbacks were removed from the lineup last weekend because their teams were struggling with them on the field, a roll call that included the Raiders’ Jason Campbell, Titans’ Vince Young, Cardinals’ Derek Anderson and the Jaguars’ David Garrard. There was a time when most or all would have been allowed to finish things out and work through the rough spots because they carried the title of starter. No more. Not when “What have you done for me lately?” can simply mean the last drive.
Must-see game of the week
Cowboys at Texans 11 a.m.
The skinny: In a place where being state champion has always meant a little something, the Texans have a chance to move to the league’s front burner in this one. In the season’s first two weeks Gary Kubiak’s guys have shown themselves to be young, driven and on the cusp of primetime. The Cowboys already have players going public with their concerns things are too lax, a charge that has followed Wade Phillips in all of his head coaching stops. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ plan to be the home team in a Super Bowl played in his home stadium is in serious trouble.
The difference will be: Which team cracks first, with Dallas facing so much pressure as a Super Bowl favorite in its own estimation just three weeks ago and the Texans facing the prospect of their first 3-0 start in franchise history in their quest for their first playoff berth. In home games against NFC teams, Texans QB Matt Schaub is 5-0 with 10 touchdowns and just one interception.
The call: Texans 27-23.
Catch them if you can
Falcons at Saints 11 a.m.
The Saints have won seven of the last meetings between these two division rivals, including a season sweep in 2009. If the Falcons have designs on an NFC South title, this is the kind of game they have to win. Drew Brees is 7-1 against the Falcons as the Saints’ starter, and since the start of the ’08 season is 15-4 in home games, with 50 TD passes in those 19 games.
The call: Saints 31-28.
Steelers at Buccaneers 11 a.m.
Tampa Bay has leaned on second-year QB Josh Freeman in its surprising start. Freeman wowed plenty of offensive coordinators before the ’09 draft with his football smarts and he has shown why over the last two weeks. Freeman has won four of his last five starts.
The call: Steelers 12-9.
Eagles at Jaguars 2 p.m.
Philadelphia coach Andy Reid is rolling the dice, having spent years saying a player couldn’t lose his starting job to injury and then benching QB Kevin Kolb because he got injured. So Michael Vick is now the Eagles’ QB of the near future. But with Philly’s troubles up front, it may not be long before Kolb is in the lineup once again.
The call: Eagles 21-13.
Jets at Dolphins 6:20 p.m., KUSA-9
The Dolphins have won the last three meetings between these teams, including last season when then-Dolphins wide receiver Ted Ginn returned kickoffs 100 and 101 yards for touchdowns. Miami is 31-13-1 in home openers all time.
The call: Jets 17-14.
Quick hitters
Browns at Ravens 11 a.m.
The Ravens have designs on being in the race for the AFC’s slot in the Super Bowl, but they will have to clean up their act. They are already minus-6 in turnover margin this season.
The call: Ravens 24-10.
Bengals at Panthers 11 a.m.
The Panthers are a different team at home — usually — with a 13-4 mark since the start of the ’08 season. But their offense has been largely remedial at this point with rookie QB Jimmy Clausen thrown into the pool.
The call: Bengals 27-20.
49ers at Chiefs 11 a.m., KDVR-31
The 49ers have been pretty solid on defense this season — second in the NFC — but have nothing to show for those efforts. If they stick to that in this one, they should get their first win.
The call: 49ers 14-9.
Lions at Vikings 11 a.m.
The Vikings have won 15 of the last 16 meetings between these two teams. But with rookie Jahvid Best in the offense, the Lions will have a puncher’s chance.
The call: Vikings 28-21.
Bills at Patriots 11 a.m.
Ditto on the streak deal here. The Patriots have won the last 13 times these teams have played and there is no reason to think the Bills have what it takes to change things in this one.
The call: Patriots 33-14.
Titans at Giants 11 a.m., KCNC-4
The Titans need QB Vince Young, who will start today after being benched in last week’s dismal loss to the Steelers, to be the mature, focused player he has said he is.
The call: Titans 24-21.
Redskins at Rams 2 p.m.
Washington coach Mike Shanahan may not have the roster he wants just yet, but he has certainly changed the culture around the Redskins.
The call: Redskins 27-7.
Raiders at Cardinals 2:15 p.m.
The Raiders benched QB Jason Campbell — Bruce Gradkowski will get the start in this one.
The call: Cardinals 20-14.
Chargers at Seahawks 2:15 p.m.
The Seahawks, averaging just 290.5 yards per game, are going to need far more offense than they’ve shown.
The call: Chargers 35-17.
