When Mike Shanahan was let go, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen decided to stick with an offensive-minded coach in a similar mold capable of developing QB talent. Yet, it was the Denver defense that Shanahan for years was never able to repair through free agency or the draft, continually overspending on pricey talent that seldom panned out and shuffling through defensive coordinators.

Shortly after his arrival, Josh McDaniels turned the defense over to former 49ers head coach Mike Nolan and together they made a big priority of overhauling the personnel, converting to an odd front, plugging in six new starters from free agency and getting contributions from many more new faces in rotations.

While the Dolphins continued to be victimized by the deep ball against San Diego Sunday, like they had been against Indianapolis six days earlier on "Monday Night Football," Broncos CB André Goodman and FS Renaldo Hill continued to fly around the field and excel in coverage, both grabbing picks against Oakland. Another former Dolphin, DL Vonnie Holliday, is bringing strength to the trenches in rotation. 

Elvis Dumervil, with his very long arms and great initial quickness, is making two sacks per game in his new rush linebacker role, having run circles around Browns ORT John St. Clair in Week Two and continually getting upfield against the Raiders.

No addition might have been as valuable, however, as the new heartbeat Brian Dawkins has instilled, bringing the type of leadership Nolan had in Baltimore when Ray Lewis was commanding his defense. Nolan was kept from succeeding as a head coach in the Bay Area because of the inability of QB Alex Smith to stay healthy and the revolving door at offensive coordinator. However, Nolan put his signature on the defense when he was in Baltimore and has the Broncos' "D" playing at a high level, as eight or nine white jerseys often swarmed to the ball against Oakland.

Through three games, the Broncos have allowed a measly 16 points, 17 fewer than the Jets' stingy unit led by another former Ravens defensive coordinator, Rex Ryan. The Broncos have had the luxury of facing a relatively easy schedule the first three weeks, as they rattled off wins against Cincinnati, Cleveland and Oakland. Nolan and McDaniels will be tested the next five weeks, when they square off against Dallas, New England, San Diego, Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

• Vincent Jackson was not known as a blazer coming out of college, and he remains more strong and physical than fast, but he is showing an extra gear getting down-the-field and has appeared more explosive, gaining a step of separation and commanding more double coverage early in the season.

• The Lions' offensive line has received its fair share of criticism, but through the first three weeks of the season, it has fared well, doing a solid job of protecting QB Matthew Stafford. It has been even better as a collective unit opening running lanes. Kevin Smith is an average back with little burst. Detroit could open up the offense more if it found a better back to pair with Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson.

• The Bears are not the Monsters of the Midway, but they still play a very physical brand of football. Historically, teams have a difficult time responding after they face them. The Bears fell to the Packers in Week One, but the following week, the Packers were handled by the Bengals. After defeating the Steelers in Week Two, the Bengals followed up with a victory over the Steelers in Week Three. Being without defensive leader Troy Polamalu might have had just as much to do with the Steelers' struggles the past two weeks, but if the trend holds, the Colts should benefit in Week Four when they face the injury-riddled Seahawks, who are coming off two physical contests against the Bears and 49ers. As long as a strong cast of starters remain inactive for the Seahawks, including seven this past week, they will be mightily handcuffed.  

• It has taken four years, but 49ers TE Vernon Davis finally got what he may have needed most — a healthy dose of Mike Singletary. The freakish talent made two leaping catches in traffic down the seam and is emerging as more of the playmaker that the Niners expected when they drafted him sixth overall in 2006.

• The difference between a game changer and a game manager can often be noticed most on third down, when a quarterback must produce to keep a drive alive and the sticks moving. Against Minnesota's pressure defense, 49ers QB Shaun Hill was 0-11 on third downs. 

• Mention the name Jerricho Cotchery to NFL evaluators and most will cringe and talk about all of his limitations — he's too tight, he's too slow, he has no special qualities — but all the guy seems to do week in and week out is produce. He is crafty, knows where the sticks are, runs sharp routes and plays smart.

• Questions existed about whether the Seahawks could draft a linebacker in the top five who has not proven he could rush the passer, as Aaron Curry was not asked much to do at Wake Forest, but he easily ripped past Bears TE Greg Olson to notch his first career sack in the fourth quarter, at the same time jarring the ball loose from Jay Cutler's hand. With Leroy Hill and Lofa Tatupu both out with injuries, Curry has become the new rock of the Seattle LB corps.

• Eagles backup QB Kevin Kolb looked like a deer in headlights a year ago when he replaced Donovan McNabb briefly near midseason as Andy Reid sought to spark the offense. Against the Chiefs, Kolb appeared much better prepared, showed much better composure and saw the field well, making good decisions and taking care of the football.