We are only three weeks into the 2012 NFL season, yet only five teams still have a shot at a perfect record. Let’s take a look at the contenders and break down their chances.

Houston Texans (3-0)

The Texans’ upcoming games are Tennessee at home and the Jets on the road. Assuming they win both of those, they’ll be 5-0 heading into the toughest stretch of their schedule: the Packers and Ravens back-to-back at home. If they get through that, the only remaining potential stumbling blocks are games at the Lions and at the Patriots -- although both of those teams are 1-2 and therefore bordering on being embarrassments to all who know them.

Can they do it? Possibly. The Texans are a balanced team that also has the ability to make big plays when they’re needed. It’s a long season, though. Even the best teams can suffer a letdown. The Texans need something to play for that will inspire them week after week. They need to play in memory of Matt Schaub’s lost ear chunk.

Arizona Cardinals (3-0)

Arizona might have the easiest remaining schedule of the undefeated teams. The Cardinals play the Dolphins, Jets and Bills next, which means we could live in a world in which the Arizona Cardinals are 6-0. (Hashtag: 2012EndTimes.) Weeks 8-11 will be make-or-break for the Cardinals, with games against the 49ers, Packers and Falcons. But they’ve already beaten the Patriots and Eagles back-to-back, so who are we to doubt them?

Can they do it? What? Are you serious? No. It’s the Cardinals. It’s more likely they go 3-13.

Atlanta Falcons (3-0)

Here’s the rest of their schedule: Panthers, Redskins, Raiders, Eagles, Cowboys, Saints, Cardinals, Buccaneers, Saints again, Panthers again, Giants at home, Lions, Buccaneers again. They may be favored in every game.

Can they do it? It’s not out of the question. Mercury Morris had better start brushing up his bitter old man act.

New Orleans Saints (0-3)

The Saints have games against the Packers and Chargers coming up and then a bye. Sitting at 0-5 with free times on their hands, they may completely give up, allowing them to get steamrolled during a late-season schedule that includes the 49ers, Giants and Falcons twice.

Can they do it? Probably not. Drew Brees was sounding all determined to win after the game. That’s disappointing. If the Saints had a real coach, he no doubt would pull Brees aside and tell him to go for history instead of fighting and clawing just to get to 8-8 or 9-7.

Cleveland Browns (0-3)

The Browns will breeze to 0-6 off their upcoming losses to the Ravens, Giants and Bengals. Then they’ll have a big test against the Colts with draft position on the line. After that there is a late-season stretch against the Raiders, Chiefs and Redskins, all with the potential to outfail the Browns on any given Sunday. Believe it or not, 0-16 won’t be easy.

Can they do it? No. That late-season stretch will probably do them in, plus Brandon Weeden will turn 29 for Week 6 -- the prime age for an NFL quarterback. So he’s due a decent game or two before his skills start to decline. The Browns probably will finish 2-14, but at least their fans will have hope for the future. There’s always next year for 0-16.

Quote of the Week

"Can someone please tell these f---ing zebras foot locker called and they’re needed Back at work !!!! "

Brandon Spikes, LB, Patriots, via Twitter

You have to agree 100 percent with Spikes here. It is a breaking point. We simply cannot take another replacement ref/Foot Locker employee joke. Enough is enough!

Quote of the Week, Part 2

“I thought after Noah’s Ark & the great flood, God said he wouldn’t punish us again..well how do u explain what happen 2nite ?!”

Spikes, also via Twitter

Spikes raises an interesting and powerful theological discussion: How could an all-knowing, all-powerful, all-good God allow replacement officials? Perhaps the Biblical passage he refers to can provide some insight.

In Genesis 8:21, it says: “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood.” But four verses earlier in Genesis 8:17 we find: “Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you -- the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground -- so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number upon it.” Every living creature. So even the “f---ing zebras” that Spikes refers to. We have our answer.

Stat of the Week

1-2

At 1-2, the Patriots are under .500 for the first time since they started the 2003 season at 0-1 -- a period of 145 games. Ahhh! Panic! PANIC!

That 2003 team finished 14-2 and won the Super Bowl.

Oh. Whoops. Just let me put out a few small fires I started here and we’ll get on with the rest of the column. OK. Moving along ...

Misleading Stat of the Week

1-2

The Redskins are 1-2. With Rex Grossman under center, they opened the 2011 season 3-1. The Broncos are 1-2. In Tim Tebow’s first three starts last season they were 2-1. Clearly, these franchises are going in the wrong direction with RG3 and Peyton Manning!

This Week's Horrible Fantasy Team That Crushed Your Team

Christian Ponder, QB, Vikings -- 21-for-35, 198 yards, 2 TD, 33 rushing yards, TD

Andre Brown, RB, Giants -- 130 total yards, 2 TD

Mikel Leshoure, RB, Lions -- 134 total yards, TD

T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts -- 4 catches, 113 yards, TD

Cecil Shorts, WR, Jaguars -- 1 catch, 80 yards, TD

Kyle Rudolph, TE, Vikings -- 5 catches, 36 yards, 2 TD

Photos of the Week