Last Place Update

Welcome to the first Last Place Update for the 2012 NFL season. Things are definitely much different than they were at this time last year.

   Although there are two 0-4 teams, this week's Kings of the Cellar go to the New Orleans Saints, who have gone 0-4 for the first time since 1996. This is a team that should be at least 2-2, or even 3-1, but after four games, the defense has allowed more yards than the 1-15 1980 team, 1,853 to 1,517. Because of the sheer amount of talent on the team, with a grossly underachieving defense and mediocre running game, I've chosen my beloved Saints to dominate the cellar.

  The other 0-4 team, the Cleveland Browns are by far a worse team than the Saints, but they're expected to lose. Once the Saints win a game, the cellar will belong to the Browns. What's worse than being 0-4 is that Cleveland have lost 13 of their last 15 games, including 10 straight. The last time Cleveland beat a team with a winning record was in Week 9 of the 2010 season when they beat the New England Patriots 34-14, handing the Pats their second and last loss of the regular season.

   This week's honorable mention goes to the 1-3 Detroit Lions. After winning their first game of the season, the Lions have lost three straight, making them the lone occupants of the NFC North cellar. As with the Saints, Detroit is a better team than their record indicates. The Lions losses are by a touchdown or less. On a positive note, they have a bye this week.

   Next Loss...

   The Saints will host the San Diego Chargers in the Superdome on Sunday night. This is my Upset Special. The Saints' defense had its best outing of the season against a high powered Green Bay Packer offense, losing on a missed field goal attempt. Drew Brees shines in prime time and he is playing his old team.

   Cleveland will go to The Meadowlands to face their former NFL Century Division rivals, the New York Giants. The Browns won their last meeting in 2008, but they won't this time. Their best chances are if Eli Manning has a bad day or if the Browns' defense rises to the occasion. This should be an easy loss for the Browns.