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The NFL has a new cliché.
Teams that start 0-2 and win their third game have officially "saved their season." Add an exclamation point and a radio voice if you like.
Blame the cliché on the 1993 Cowboys, 2001 Patriots and 2007 Giants. Each went 0-2, won their third game and went on to win the Super Bowl.
I did some research Thursday. Here's a stat I uncovered:
From 2003 to 2007, 15 teams started 0-2 and won their third game. Fourteen of them missed the playoffs, and seven of them finished last in their division.
Maybe we need another new cliché. Maybe one of these:
MN +3 at TEN: Titans by 7
The referees/officials/umpires/etc. are out to get us! Wait, that's an old cliché in Minnesota.
DEN -9 at KC: Broncos by 14
Brandon Marshall needs to bring his "A" game ... and an attorney, just in case.
HOU +7 at JAC: Jaguars by 3
The AFC South is in the zone. The hospital zone.
ARI +1 1/2 at NYJ: Jets by 6
Records are made to be broken, and so are 38-year-old quarterbacks who unretire.
SF +5 at NO: Saints by 10
The best defense is a good offense, except in New Orleans, San Diego, San Francisco ...
ATL +7 at CAR: Panthers by 10
The Falcons have stepped up to the plate, answered the bell ... and beaten the Lions and Chiefs.
GB +1 at TB: Buccaneers by 3
These two teams are on the same page. Neither one really wanted Brett Favre.
BUF -8 at STL: Bills by 14
There's no quit in this team, unless, of course, you're talking about St. Louis.
SD -7 1/2 at OAK: Chargers by 10
With a stiff upper lip, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin has decided to take it one erroneous national Internet report at a time.
WAS +11 at DAL: Cowboys by 7
NFL teams do it the right way. Unless the Cowboys win it all, in which case all bets are off.
PHI -3 at CHI: Eagles by 7
Finish strong. Step on their throats. You know, all the things the Bears don't do.
BAL +5 1/2 at PIT: Steelers by 6
The Ravens have risen to the challenge, proven all you media geniuses wrong ... and beaten the Browns and Bengals.
UPSET SPECIAL
CLE +3 1/2 at CIN: Browns 30, Bengals 24
Whichever team gives 51 percent and leaves a little bit of it out on the field will win the game.
Last week: Jaguars 20, Colts 17 • Result: Jaguars 23, Colts 21 • Record: 2-1
Last week
13-3 / 7-9 vs. spread
Season
31-15 / 22-23-1 vs. spread
