Week 3 NFL wrapup

Lost in the awe of great starts by the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots and the shock of the return of the days of the Aints in New Orleans Saints is the debacle known as the St. Louis Rams.

The Rams have scored just 32 points this season, the third-worst in the NFL behind Buffalo and Atlanta. And the defense has struggled, despite being seventh overall in the league, which proves that rankings can be deceiving. While St. Louis has the third-best pass defense in the NFL, the Rams's secondary has zero interceptions, which may explain why the team is minus-3 in turnover ratio. The Rams have committed eight turnovers this year, likely giving its opponents short fields to drive and score on.

Worse yet, Steven Jackson will be out for at least this week's game at Dallas, which bodes badly for a floundering team facing one of the league's best in the Cowboys.

At the moment, the best news for St. Louis is that struggling New Orleans and sinking Atlanta are both still on the schedule, and the Rams have to win a game some time this season...right??

But the news isn't all bad for the "local" teams.

The Kansas City Chiefs got their first win of the season Sunday against Minnesota despite scoring just 13 points. And that's the problem with the Chiefs -- lack of offense. Kansas City has no rushing touchdowns this season and Larry Johnson -- fresh off of a huge contract extension -- is on pace to rush for less than 750 yards after running for almost 1,800 yards in 2006.

Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans continue to amaze and surprise the so-called experts. Entering 2007 with questions about the defense, running game and receiving corps, the Titans have quietly become one of the league's best running -- and run-stopping -- teams on their way to a 2-1 start. Vince Young continues to steadily improve, the running back tandem of LenDale White and Chris Brown has helped the team rank second in the NFL in rushing and third-year wide receivers Brandon Jones and Roydell Williams are emerging as productive pass-catchers.

But, the big story has been the defense. Tennessee has allowed just 46 points this season, and 22 of those were against defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis. The Titans are ranked ninth in the league in total defense and No. 2 in run defense, trailing only Baltimore in that category.

Kennett high school football coach Kirk Welch has often said that to win in football, you have to be able to run the football on offense and stop the run on defense. The Titans have done a great job of both this season.