Cardinals, Falcons, Texans Remain Only Unbeaten Teams, Highlight Parity in NFL

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Sep 23, 2012

Cardinals, Falcons, Texans Remain Only Unbeaten Teams, Highlight Parity in NFLThe 1972 Dolphins might as well break out their champagne glasses early, no one's going undefeated this year.

Perhaps you could have seen the Texans as one of the final three unbeaten teams in the NFL, but Arizona and Atlanta? Not unless you're a Falcons or Cardinals homer.

The Texans have got the job done so far playing an awful schedule. The Broncos were their biggest test this week, and they still let them sneak back into the game in the fourth quarter. The Texans have a well rounded team, who can get the job done through the air, on the ground and on defense. They have one of the best young players in the league in defensive end J.J. Watt, who after Sunday's game against the Broncos has 5 1/2 sacks on the season. That's not easy to do playing defensive end in a 3-4 alignment.

The Cardinals' defense had been carrying the team prior to Sunday's win against the Eagles when their offense perked up. Kevin Kolb stepped up against his former team and threw for 222 yards and two touchdows, while finally getting All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald involved with 114 yards on nine receptions and one touchdown. That's not to say the defense didn't step up as well. The Arizona defense forced three fumbles, sacked Michael Vick five times and scored on a 93-yard-play.

The Falcons marched into San Diego on Sunday and shut the Chargers down on the back of safety Thomas DeCoud, who had two interceptions. The Chargers had looked at least decent prior to Sunday's matchup, and are by far the most impressive victory of the season for Atlanta. The Falcons have the best one-two punch in the league at wide receiver in Roddy White and Julio Jones. Their third and fourth options — Tony Gonzalez and Jacquizz Rodgers aren't half bad either.

It's only been three weeks, but this season seems especially difficult to pick out the good teams from the bad. With the NFL's strict salary cap, this kind of parity is exactly what the league wants. While they may never get their dream of 32 8-8 teams, this year is looking to be headed that way.

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