By Dean Michaels, NFL Writer

Fine Finishes

Close games have been a staple of the 2012 season as 28 games have been decided by eight points or fewer, tied with 1988 for the most such games through a season's first three weeks.

If 10 games in Week 4 are decided by eight points or fewer, it will mark the most such games through the first four weeks of a season in NFL history.

It's Still Early

In the first three weeks of 2012, 30 of the 32 clubs (93.8 percent) earned one or more wins, including 27 (84.4 percent) which own a 2-1 or 1-2 record. Both are the highest such totals in a season through three games since realignment in 2002.

The 30 teams with at least one victory through Week 3 tie 2005 (30 teams) for the most through four games since realignment in 2002. If CLEVELAND (at Baltimore on Thursday Night Football) or NEW ORLEANS (at Green Bay) wins this week, 2012 will have the most teams with one or more victories through four games since realignment.

Persistent Passers

Last week, New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES recorded his 46th consecutive game with at least one touchdown pass, while New England quarterback TOM BRADY extended his streak to 35 games.

With one touchdown pass at Green Bay, Brees can tie Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHNNY UNITAS (47) for the most consecutive games with a touchdown pass. Brady can tie BRETT FAVRE (36) for the third-longest such streak when the Patriots travel to Buffalo to face the Bills.

Scores Galore

NFL teams scored 731 points in Week 3 to bring the season total to 2,287 points, the most scored in any three-week span of an NFL season. Teams combined to score more than 725 points in three consecutive weeks (791, Week 1; 765, Week 2) for the second time in NFL history (Weeks 10-12, 2010) and the first time to begin a season.

With 675 points in Week 4, the 2012 season will feature the most points of any four-week period in NFL history. The current record is 2,961 in 2004 (Weeks 12-15).

If 725 points or more are scored, it will be the first time the mark is reached in four consecutive weeks.

Top Cards

Sparked by the team's best start (3-0) since 1974 (7-0), ARIZONA can become the ninth NFL franchise to reach 500 regular-season wins with a victory against Miami on Sunday.

The Cardinals, who have won 10 of their past 12 games, can also reach 4-0 after starting the 2011 season 1-3. With the win, Arizona would become the 11th club in the past nine years to start a season 4-0 after beginning 1-3 or 0-4 the previous year. Nine of those 10 teams qualified for the playoffs.

Charging Charles

Kansas City running back JAMAAL CHARLES rushed for 233 yards and a touchdown (91 yards) in the Chiefs' 27-24 overtime win at New Orleans. Charles, who rushed for 259 yards on January 3, 2010, has two career games with at least 230 rushing yards. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer JIM BROWN (three) has more.

Charles followed his first 230-yard rushing game with 92 rushing yards and one touchdown against San Diego in the 2010 season opener. In this week's game against the Chargers, he looks to surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer O.J. SIMPSON (203 rushing yards) for the most rushing yards following a 230-yard performance.

 

NFL Football 2012 - What To Look For in Week 4