Numbers and statistics can lead us to believe certain untruths. Especially in the world of sports where numbers often are given special treatment in how we decide or judge players or teams.

That leads us to some of the misleading stats early in the 2015 NFL season were reality doesn’t match the production or statistics leaving us with a false impression on the truth.

Below are some of the number-oriented morsels of false identity for those who crave the delicacy and geek-dom of NFL statistics.

Sorry ‘Matty Ice’ But Freeman Is The Man

Perception – The Falcons are at their best with Matt Ryan tossing around the football.

Reality – The numbers indicate the Atlanta Falcons are at their best with a potent running back lined up behind quarterback Matt Ryan. It is why the emergence of second-year running back Devonta Freeman is so critical to the success Atlanta is currently experiencing (5-0).

The Falcons enjoyed their most success over the last decade when former Falcons running back Michael Turner was churning out gigantic 1,000 yard single season rushing totals. In the four seasons the Falcons reached the playoffs with Ryan under center, Turner eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark in three of those four years with 1,699 (2008), 1,371 (2010), 1,340 (2011) and 800 (2012).

Freeman leads the league in rushing/receiving touchdowns (8) and ranks second-overall in rushing with 405 yards, only behind league leader Matt Forte (438). The Falcons are a perfect 5-0 and relying on a heavy dose of Freeman to carry the load and helping Atlanta return to playoff caliber football.

Stafford Needs Some Ruby Red Shoes 

Perception – The Lions possess a potent offense.

Reality – The cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz was looking for courage and Lions in Detroit are looking for offense.

There may not be a more talented offensive unit in the NFL than the Lions, yet they rank 26^th overall in offense and 29^th in points scored. The same offense that includes a healthy Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, Ameer Abdullah and emerging Eric Ebron.

How bad have things gotten in Detroit?

Franchise quarterback and former No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford (2009) was benched Sunday at home as the Lions were defeated by the visiting Arizona Cardinals, 42-17. Stafford tossed three picks and found himself sitting on the sidelines as Detroit slipped to 0-5.

To add insult to injury for Stafford, he also was fined $5,787 for wearing blue shoes against the Seattle Seahawks.

No “Black and Blue” In 2015

Perception – The NFC North was going to be competitive.

Reality – Decades of intense battles helped the division earn the moniker, “The Black and Blue Division” but that is not the case this year.

Without the Green Bay Packers calling the NFC North home, this division arguably is the worst in the entire league.

The Chicago Bears (27^th), Detroit Lions (29^th) and Minnesota Vikings (30^th) rank near the bottom of the NFL in points scored. To make things even worse for both the Bears and Lions, not only are they inept at scoring points but also stopping opponents as the Lions rank 26^th and the Bears rank 28^th in points allowed.

Do you still need some persuading?

The Green Bay Packers are already 5-0 and have more wins than their three division opponents have combined (4).

The Misfits On The Lake

Perception – Cleveland lacked the play-makers to be competitive on offense this season.

Reality – This is Josh McCown’s world and we just are privileged to live in it.

McCown became the 308^th NFL passer to throw for over 400-yards in a single game (457) in their Week 5 overtime victory against the Baltimore Ravens.

The only thing Cleveland lacks offensively are household names because they rank sixth-overall in total offense.

It all begins with perennial back up quarterback Josh McCown, who enters his 13^th season in the NFL and his first in Cleveland. Since returning from a concussion he suffered in the Browns Week 1 loss to the New York Jets, McCown returned in Week 3 and has thrown for over 300 yards passing in every game.

The team’s scrutinized starting quarterback is now 1-2 over the last three games.

McCown has been Peyton Manning-ish in his role of pumping up the statistics of the players lining up at the skill positions in the Browns offense.

Tight end Gary Barnidge has emerged as the go-to-guy of choice by McCown with 25 targets over the last three games which leads Cleveland in the category. He has already set career highs in receptions (24), yards (374) and touchdowns (3), after only five weeks of action in the NFL.

Receiver Travis Benjamin is the team’s deep threat option while their by committee approach in the ground game is helping the offense thrive.

McCown is helping the Browns go down the yellow brick road to success.