Chapter 762: The League Takes Notice
"...No, no, no, I'm not denying the significance of their victory. I'm just emphasizing that it was a victory for the whole team, and not all the credit goes to the quarterback..."
"So, can I understand that you still believe Lu Ke is just an average quarterback, at the league average level? Even though he has completed a record-breaking rookie season and defeated two playoff teams in the first two games of his second season? You still think so!"
"Spencer, you are misinterpreting what I'm saying. I'm just emphasizing that giving all the credit to Lu Ke is incorrect and unfair."
"Charles, you are still avoiding my question. No matter what Lu Ke's quarterback rating is, and no matter how he performs on the field, you have never recognized his performance on the field. My question is very simple: do you think Lu Ke is an above-average quarterback?"
"...Let's put it this way. If I were to personally select the top eight quarterbacks in the league, then Lu Ke would not be on my list."
"Oh! Charles!" "Sly Charles!" "You know that's not true!" "Answer Spencer's question, you can't keep avoiding it!" "This is not you, Charles. This is not you." "Let's be honest, you are just being a contrarian and have no intention of acknowledging Lu Ke."
"Chuck? Chuck!"
Chuck Lerrer felt a tap on his shoulder. He took his eyes off the TV screen, turned his head, and saw his colleague's head poking out. "The league is calling again to rush you. How much longer do you need? My God, you actually have time to watch 'Inside the League' here? If the editor of the official website finds out, he'll probably come over and give you a cross-body chicken wing!"
Chuck seemed to not have heard the second half of the sentence at all. He just said with a smile, "ESPN must be doing it on purpose. Charles Davis is targeting Lu Ke again. This shtick is never-ending. In today's show, Charles and Spencer are entangled again. Neither of them is willing to back down. Haha, the show is so interesting."
"Chuck! The article!" The colleague knew Chuck. If he responded, the conversation would go on forever. But now there wasn't much time left until the deadline. He had to fulfill his important taskโto relay the message to rush the article.
Chuck waved his hand casually and said with a smile, "Give me fifteen minutes, and I'll be done. I'm collecting data now, and it's very important."
"Fifteen minutes!" The colleague repeated. Without saying anything else, he turned and left.
Unable to find anyone to talk to, Chuck turned his attention back to the TV. The episode of "Inside the League" was still on, but there wasn't much new content. So, he turned off the TV, opened his computer, settled his thoughts for a moment, and began to write today's article.
Chuck Lerrer, the writer of the NFL official website's weekly power rankings this year. To maintain a fresh and professional feel, the official website changes analysts and commentators to write the rankings every year. This year, Chuck Lerrer was responsible for this task.
Chuck was not yet thirty-four this year. Compared to the average age of analysts and commentators, which is over forty, he was undoubtedly very young. For the second consecutive year, the league's official website used a relatively young writer. The purpose was very clear: to attract a young demographic, use social media, increase the league's affinity, embrace various possibilities, and maintain youthfulness.
Sitting in front of the computer, Chuck's thoughts were racing. He wasn't lying just now. He was indeed collecting data.
After the second week of the regular season ended, the NFL's 2012 season was showing a different trend. Among the thirty-two teams, only a mere six teams remained undefeated. The number was far below expectations. At least, from the overall situation so far, the competition this season is more open.
Among the highly anticipated teams, the New England Patriots lost to the Arizona Cardinals at home, which was a minor upset. The Denver Broncos lost to the Atlanta Falcons, which was not unexpected but still a variable. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens also lost.
The strong teams aren't that strong, and the weak teams aren't that weak. This is the overall trend after two weeks.
Among the teams that are currently undefeated, there are only two in the AFC: the Houston Texans and the San Diego Chargers, which is absolutely a shocking result. In the NFC, there are four: the Philadelphia Eagles, the Atlanta Falcons, the Arizona Cardinals, and the San Francisco 49ers. This result is also not what was expected.
Among the twelve playoff teams from last season, only the Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, and San Francisco 49ers are still undefeated. Of course, the season has just begun, and the current situation doesn't say too much, but this start to the season is indeed a minor surprise.
The most interesting part is that the NFC West, which was generally considered a weak division last season, is currently the only division with two undefeated teams. At the same time, the four teams in the NFC West were also the only division to remain undefeated in the second week of the regular season. This was definitely not the expected situation before the season started.
For the San Francisco 49ers, this doesn't seem to be good news. Everyone in the league is jokingly saying, "For the second consecutive year, the 49ers seem to be caught in a situation where their opponents are also improving. What kind of effect is this? The San Francisco effect?"
With his thoughts racing, Chuck placed his hands on the keyboard and began to type quickly.
"Number 1: San Francisco 49ers.
Yes, the number one team in this week's power rankings is the San Francisco 49ers."
For Chuck, he hesitated for a moment between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers, but in the end, he chose the latter. One of the most important reasons was the difficulty of their schedule.
Among the six undefeated teams, the San Francisco 49ers are the only one that has faced two playoff teams from last season in consecutive weeks. The opponents of the other five teams are generally not as strong, and there is a bigger difference in the difficulty of their games and the strength of their opponents, which proves the quality of the San Francisco 49ers' victories.
"From being the underdog last season to a strong team this season, this young and vigorous team has shown an unparalleled competitive spirit. The primary reason they can be at the top of the list is, of course, the strength of their opponents. Facing two playoff teams from last season in consecutive weeks and achieving a clean victory is truly impressive.
But the more important reason is the overall improvement in their strength.
The defense, with Aldon Smith, Justin Smith, NaVorro Bowman, and Patrick Willis, has shown the most dominant defensive performance in the league since the season began. Their run defense and the number of turnovers they've created both rank first in the league.
Last season's regular season MVP, Aaron Rodgers, and last season's Comeback Player of the Year, Matthew Stafford, neither of these top quarterbacks was able to get an advantage.
The offense's offensive line, receiving corps, and running back lineup have all been upgraded. Their current scoring rate, sack rate, third-down conversion rate, and offensive efficiency are all ranked at the top of the league. What's more important is that at the quarterback position, Lu Ke's ability to read and control the game has also made amazing progress.
The only regret is that the two defenses they've faced so far have not been strong enough to provide more of a test.
As for the special teamsโby the way, David Akers just made a sixty-three-yard field goal, tying the record for the longest in history.
The entire team is now on the right track and has the potential to become a top-tier team. The only question is, last season, this young and energetic team always had unstable issues on offense and defense. Many of their games, from the regular season to the playoffs, were fought until the last minute, with them barely winning by a small margin. What about this season?"
The 2012 season had just begun, but in the second week's official power rankings, Chuck brought a huge surprise.
Although the San Francisco 49ers had achieved unparalleled success last season, overall, this year was only the second year of this young team's reintegration and restart. People were still used to thinking of them as a dark horse or an unstable disruptor. Now, Chuck has taken a firm stance at the beginning of the season and given the team the title of a "strong team."
This was undoubtedly a breakthrough!
When the NFL's official website announced this week's power rankings, it caused a huge uproar inside and outside the league, sparking widespread discussion, or rather, controversy.
Does one season's success mean a team can be reborn as a strong team? Even if this team has defeated two playoff-level teams again at the start of the new season, it still seems insufficient. So, is the league's high praise for them too exaggerated?
This topic undoubtedly became the focus of discussion this week.
ESPN's "Inside the League" also discussed this in a later episode. This time, Charles Davis's opinion successfully won the support of most people.
"Time! We need more time and more tests! The current San Francisco 49ers are not a strong team. Yes, they are in great form now and can always beat their opponents in the right way at the right time. But the long season has just begun, with only two games. How long can they maintain this form? Not to mention the playoffs, at the very least, we have to question whether they can continue this form into the second half of the season!"
Even Spencer Larson could not deny this. He didn't argue but said objectively, "We need to be careful with our words. Potential. The San Francisco 49ers have the potential to become a strong team. Not every young team with potential can grow into a towering tree. These young men need to be vigilant, there's no doubt about it."
The transformation from a team with potential to a truly excellent team is a long and arduous journey that can only be reached after much tempering. One season's accumulation is far from enough.
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