Tape-Delay Weekend

ACL, Octoberfest, and just general Texas bye week means late night Saturday night for yours truly watching the better games on DVR. That's the commitment I give to you, my faithful readers (see info below for donations).

Although it's a much-needed bye week for the Horns (I actually wish it was late October/early November as I think they'll need it) I do realize some of you, my raving fans, follow other teams at times so you're in luck - there are a whole lot of hum-dingers this weekend. Before we get to the games, want to sound off on a topic that never fails to pop up at some point each year and now is as good of a time as any....

The problem with Style Points. This popped into my head late Saturday evening as I listened to some talking heads ask the question, "should Tebow have even been in the game?". Of course hind sight is 20-20, but a fair question nonetheless. If I'm not mistaken, I believe Florida was up 31-7 at the time of Timmy's injury (By the way, little side note here, what a horrible looking injury that was. The hit was great; clean, below the head and textbook-like, but that sight of his head hitting that dude's knee was awful. Obviously we all hope he's going to be fine and it sounds like he will). So couple of things on the injury and whether or not he should have been in the game.

First and foremost, when have you ever known Urban Meyer to NOT put up a lot of points when he can. He's like Spurrier in that sense - the guy who invented that style in Gainsville. Second, that injury could have happened anytime in the game - it didn't happen to Tebow because he was in during the late part of the 3rd quarter. And finally, wasn't Colt McCoy in the game at the beginning of the 3rd quarter....when they were up by 40, about to go up by 47? Just because Tebow got hurt and Colt didn't doesn't mean he should or should not have been in - sh*t happens sometimes and that's that. If it were 51-7, that would be another story, but they were up by 24 points - not really a "run up the score" kind of score we've become accustomed to with Meyer and company.

Here's the issue with style points - is the fact that you beat someone 70-7 any more impressive than if you beat them 30-7? I mean, at the end of the day you've held your opponent to one score (which is a HUGE feat in college football more times than not) and you've thoroughly wupped 'em. I just don't understand how if you have 2 teams playing equal opponents and one of them wins by 25 and the other wins by 45, the team with the larger margin of victory will get a "leg up". But nevertheless, here we are yet again discussing a mindless aspect of CFB that will never change. The fact remains that the media and pollsters reward running up the score (especially with such darlings as Tebow and Florida), so teams will continue to do it. Do you praise Mack for standing by his principals so to speak? Sure, but it just may cost him a shot at the big one (and it just may have last year).

Now on to the games - where oh where to begin....

Would you rather be rested or tested when facing a week 5 big game? That question will be answered when the rested Sooners visit the much tested Hurricanes. I imagine Stoops and company aren't thrilled with the fact that Miami is coming off such a bad loss. Everyone has certainly stopped gushing over the resurgence of The U, and that may be the best thing that ever happened to them. When teams get too comfortable with themselves, they can get both cocky and complacent. However, when you go into a BIG game and get your ass handed to, it gives you motivation. This is where Miami's schedule can work to their advantage. When you play a four-game stretch like Miami will have played to start the year, you can afford to lose one of those games because you'll have an opportunity to erase that loss so to speak. Just look at what Oregon did over the weekend - after that Boise State loss, people wrote them off. Then, they quietly went in and beat Purdue and Utah, and then dropped the hammer with a dominant win over Cal. Now look at them - they control their own destiny in the Pac 10. Don't sleep on Miami just because of what you saw in Blacksburg - Virginia Tech is a damn good team and they are one of the best at home...and it was a monsoon. Not making excuses, but Miami's level of competition has been head and shoulders above that of OU. And OU has not seen speed like this since....well, since they played Florida last January and we all know how well that worked out....and they had a month to prepare.

With that said, it's still OU and I don't want to discount what Stoops and coaching staff are capable of doing with a week off. They'll have their work cut out for them, but they've pulled off wins like this before. I honestly don't know if we know anymore about OU after their games against Idaho State and Tulsa, but what really came out of those games is time. Time for Landry Jones to get comfortable with the offense in real-game situations. When you're breaking in a new signal caller, those opponents are good to have. But the jump may just be too much for the kid - like I said, Miami's speed on defense will be like nothing he's seen...ever. The Canes secondary is vulnerable as we've seen, but Stoops HAS to establish the run to have any chance of winning this game. And from the looks of the Hokie game, that won't be too much of a stretch.

At the end of the day, the offensive line still concerns me and honestly, I feel like if Stoops was really confident in Jones to handle this schedule, there wouldn't be this level of interest and focus on Bradford's situation. They have a brutal schedule remaining, including this weekend, and I would hate for Bradford to further jeopardize his chances at the next level. I say Bradford sits for one more week (just smoke screens by Stoops) and that Miami takes this one in a redemption game. Even if Bradford were playing, I still would probably take Miami.

Miami - 33
Oklahoma - 24

Meanwhile, out on the left coast, we get a match up of two teams who fall into the "I THINK they're pretty good" category: USC visits Cal. After seeing how Cal laid an egg last weekend, I really just don't know about this one. I mentioned this earlier this week, but I have to think that Cal was looking ahead just a bit. Nevertheless, we've seen this from Cal before - start the season on a very high note and go on to lose 4 of your next 6 games. This team could wind up 11-1 or 7-5 and I wouldn't at all be surprised one way or another.

The good news for Cal is I'm pretty sure USC is a shell of what we've become accustomed to. With their starting QB nursing a sore shoulder and their backup RB (who has been very productive thus far) recovering from some pretty serious surgery, this team is more than vulnerable. For the first time in what seems like a loooong time, Pete Carroll is being challenged in his ability to simply reload. Make no mistake about it - this is a Trojan team more than capable of losing 2-3 more games this year. After this game they get Notre Dame on the road and then they visit Eugene, OR on Halloween night. That's a fairly tough slate right there.

I'm giving the advantage to the Golden Bears here as I think last week's loss will be motivation enough for them - here's hoping Jeff Tedford has figured out how to motivate after a loss.

Cal - 31
USC - 21

Big game for the Big 12 North this weekend as Nebraska visits Missouri. You've heard me reference Missouri quite a bit this week, but I wholeheartedly feel they are for real. I'm not suggesting they're going to run the table or anything, but they are a very dangerous football team offensively. This will be a good match up of the Missouri offense (ranked 16th nationally in total offense) against an increasingly tough Nebraska defense ranked 22nd nationally (3rd in points allowed including a trip to Blacksburg).

Nebraska has a pretty darn good offense too, and will likely be the toughest test for this Missouri defense yet. All in all, these teams are evenly matched and I expect to see a tough game. Unfortunately this is a "bigger" game for Missouri as a win over a ranked Nebraska team and they'll be back on the national radar. Meanwhile, a win by Nebraska will allow them to stand pat in the rankings. I will again go back to who's been tested. Nebraska is coming off of a very impressive home win over a very mediocre Louisiana-Lafayette team while Mizzou is coming off of that road win at Nevada. But, let's not forget Nebraska out played (they just lost the game) Virginia Tech and they believe they can play with anyone. I'm taking Missouri here by a hair, but if I were setting the lines it would almost be a pick 'em.

Missouri - 31
Nebraska - 30

Anyone else remember the good old Southwest Conference Days? Good, well get ready to jump in the delorian and juice up the 1.21 gigawatts of electricity because we're going old school. Former conference foes Texas A&M and Arkansas kick it off in Jerry Land on Saturday evening for what I believe to be a very intriguing game. Let's start with the aggies - like many, many teams thus far, they've played next to nobody. However, they are averaging over 570 yards per game which is really something else. Needless to say they are ranked at the top of the conference AND the nation in that stat, but trust me friends, that will change very quickly as the season progresses. On the flip side, they are giving up over 350 yards per game and that really doesn't make me feel good considering the competition.

Arkansas on the other hand is a bit of an enigma. They're 1-2 right now with their lone win coming against Missouri State. But, they're two losses are a close one to Georgia and this past week to Alabama - two very tough, early games for an "up-in-coming" team. I'll be interested to see how the Razorback defense handles the now seemingly formidable Aggie offense. This will most certainly be the best team that the Aggies have faced all year, but likely the third best team Arkansas has faced and not to sound like a broken record, but I'm a believer in good, tough test games early. Ryan Mallet and company are more than capable of putting up some gaudy numbers and given the struggles of the "Wrecking Crew" (are we going on 20 years now since that's been a relevant term for the Aggie defense?), I can see them picking the Aggie defense apart.

At the end of the day I think this Arkansas team battle tested and oh-so hungry for a relevant win. Meanwhile the Aggies have seemingly been on cruise control through the likes of Utah State, UAB and New Mexico. I'm taking Razorbacks here, but I'm VERY interested to see the Aggies up close and personal - and especially this Jerrod Johnson kid. It doesn't look like he's faced much adversity thus far this year, so we'll see what happens if he throws a pick or takes a sack or two. He'll certainly be challenged.

Arkansas - 34
Texas A&M - 28

A tale of two teams - one is ranked well beyond it's resume while the other is probably a little better than it's ranking. You tell me which is which...

In it's first four games, Georgia has played at Okie State, at South Carolina, at Arkansas and at home against Arizona State. They lost to Okie State as we know, but that's it. Meanwhile, LSU has gone to Washington (not bad), to Mississippi State, and had Vandy and Louisiana-Lafayette at home. Tell me LSU's 4-0 record is better than Georgia's 3-1 - you can't do it.

Because it's LSU, you never know when a big, impressive win is just around the corner....and because it's Les Miles, you never know when a bonehead loss is just around the corner. They *should* have lost to MSU last week, but that's another story.

This brings me to my main point on Les Miles. When he came to LSU I remember railing on the program for bringing this guy in as I got to see him up close and personal at Oklahoma State and frankly I'm not positive he's not just an older, more polished Mike Gundy. Then he goes out and wins a national title so I ease up and give him the benefit of the doubt. But now, in hind sight, I can't help but to wonder: are we seeing the REAL Les Miles as we move farther and farther away from the Nick Saban years? I mean, he won 2 years after Saban, right? So in essence, he was playing with Saban's money. I think the next two years will be very telling as to what LSU fans really have with Mr. Miles.

I also think LSU will be so enamored with taking down Big, Bad Florida the following week that they'll take their eye off the ball and subsequently get spanked. Again, going with the more tested team here.

Georgia - 26
LSU - 20

And if you're really hard up this weekend - here's a look at the monster Texas Tech/New Mexico match up. Yours truly is taking Tech, coming off of a rare 2-game losing streak, to win by, ohhh, about 60. But that's me - let's leave it to the expert: http://wisdomofthecrowd.blogspot.com/

NFL Notes and Preview:

• The Lions ride a winning streak into Chicago....I hope they enjoyed it. But seriously, how awesome would it be if the Lions went into Chicago and knocked of the Bears? I'll never not root for the Lions.
  
• Dallas may have gotten a must win against Carolina last Monday night, but they didn't get a pretty win. Very interesting game coming up at Denver this weekend. Both teams really need a statement win. I know Denver has played a relatively easy schedule thus far, but winning 3 straight games in the NFL is very difficult, at any time. Look at the other 3-0 teams - they are all the more "elite" teams. Of course you could argue that the Jets aren't an elite team just yet, but they are very good. Denver isn't in a league with those other teams - I think this illustrates how difficult it is for a young, rebuilding team to do it. A win against the Cowboys this weekend and they will certainly be "on the radar" to say the least. I think Denver pulls out a tough, scratching win. I have no faith whatsoever in Jason Garrett and Wade Phillips. Should be a good game.
  
• Speaking of Jason Garrett - remember when that completely fabricated perception was out there that he was some genius head coach in the making? What was that? I think he had like one interview (Rams maybe?) and then he fell off the radar. They have so many crazy talented weapons on offense and they just look like a general mess, but happen to fall ass backwards into big plays ever 9-13 snaps.
  
• Pretty exciting Monday Night game - Packers at Vikings. Believe it or not I think Green Bay wins this game close. It will be a bigger deal for the Pack than the Vikings in the "drama" sense and I think Favre is due a struggle game. I just want Percy Harvin to score like 4 TDs.....which is hard when you're listed as questionable. Damnit.
  
• FANTASY UPDATE: I don't know, the wheels may have fallen off in a sense I'm never happy with my roster. I'm resigning to the fact that I'm a juggler. Maybe that's normal, I don't know, but it's more stressful than it should be. I've got two starters that have question marks on playing and only one other player to replace either and he's on a bye week. Ugh - looks like more shuffling. I'm happy with QB - Eli at KC. I'll take that. I'm also taking a look at one Pierre Garcon for Indy. The way Peyton is throwing the ball, I could probably grab 6 catches for 80 yards. Either way, I get the sneaking suspicion that I have no idea what I'm doing.
  
• Game of the week - gotta be Jets at Saints. Two undefeated teams square off - will be interesting to see if Ryan can slow down the Drew Brees variety show. I'm betting yes, but not enough. Saints at home. Sanchez is clearly a very good football player, but he ain't Drew Brees. Shockey may murder someone, I don't know. I'm just saying.
  
• Yeah, that's it Mangini, Anderson will make the difference.....still going with 0-16 season for Browns. Write it down.
  
• I have to think the Steelers go into this game against the Chargers thinking "must win".
  

Non-Sports Thoughts...

• I just read that the latest numbers showed that 47% of folks didn't pay taxes this past year. Someone explain that to me. I mean, anyone who thinks this is not crazy, explain that to me.
  
• Gotta say, The Cleveland Show was pretty good - lots of promise there. The combo of the "3 buddies" is pretty weird, but real funny. I've got the DVR set so we'll give it a few weeks. The new stepson is pretty damn funny too.
  
• I think I'm about ready to give up on Parks and Recreation though. Looks like it should be funny and some of the characters are good, buut...nah.
• Nothing beats Mad Men.
• Just so I have this right - Roman Polanski was arrested for and pleaded guilty to having sex with a 13-year old (when he was like 45)? And before being sentence, he flees to France to avoid arrest, right? And now he's been arrested on an international warrant for this crime. Sooo....what's the f'ng problem? He still had sex with a 13-year old when he was 45, right? I mean, what the hell is going on - am I missing something? Why are people so up in arms about him actually being punished for the crime he admitted to? This is nuts. HE RAN AWAY. It's not like he was exiled to some rock in the middle of the ocean, or Siberia or Fort Lauderdale, he was in f'ng France. My gosh, what in the world is going on here?
  
• I think this up-and-down market fluctuation is going to be the norm for like 6-9 months, before any real momentum is sustained. No facts or insights to back this up - just my gut feeling. Yeah, I'm that guy.
  

It's late - my brain is empty and got nothing left. Enjoy the weekend - maybe I'll see you at ACL on Saturday....or Octoberfest on Sunday in Fredericksburg. Just because it's ACL, don't neglect the great, great football that is being provided to you, cable and dish subscribers.

Polls Schmolls

So much for pre- and early-season polls. For those of you keeping score at home, we've now seen 9 different top ten teams fall in the first four weeks. I've said it before and I'll say it again - you shouldn't have any formal poll any earlier than the first weekend of October. Nevertheless, that ain't how it is and as such, will be very interesting to see how it all shakes out on Sunday. Let's look at observations and assumptions after week 4.

Who will get screwed and who will unjustly benefit, those are the big things to look at when the polls come out. Two teams who will most certainly benefit and will most certainly be over inflated are LSU and Boise State. LSU is a hugely average team that should have lost to the Bulldogs (how do you not put it in the end zone with first and goal from the 3?). Boise State is a bit tougher to call - they had that win over Oregon that all of a sudden seems more impressive, but it was week 1. Unfortunately, we won't know exactly what we have with Boise State because they really don't play any real credible opponents the rest of the way. Hell, the way things are going, these guys may cruise right into the national title game. Yeah, right. Ahhhh, the mid major conferences....

One team in particular I hope to see in the top 25 is Missouri. With the departure of Daniel and Macklin no one is really paying much attention to the Tigers, but they are looking pretty good. They had a very obscure Friday night game this week where they beat a very credible Nevada team on the road. It's a tough call and unfortunately they are in that zone of your rise in the ranking have more to do with what other teams do than what you do. Ahhhhh, college football.

Memo to Aggie fan, next weekend is a BIIIG weekend. Texas A&M has put up some impressive numbers of late (defense is still a question mark), but no real tests...much like many teams. But next weekend, everyone will get to see these Aggies up close and personal as they take on Arkansas in Dallas. Arkansas has taken a couple of beatings, but they've played some very tough opponents thus far. Will be interesting to see if Arkansas will be able to contain this now fierce offense from the Aggies. Win this one and people will start to keep an eye on Texas A&M.

Now there's a complete game Texas fans. I'll get to the nitpicking in a bit, but can't deny this was a very complete offensive game. Nice comeback game of sorts for Colt - 80% completion and should have been 90, but there were 4 blatant drops (one for a TD) by the receivers. Nevertheless, I'll take that all day long. I can't believe the year that Jordan Shipley is having thus far - he seems to be continuing to fly "under the radar", but he has been Mr. Consistent. Hell, put his ass on the heisman list.

Defensively, I love seeing the takeaways and the swarming to the ball that I'm seeing. They'll certainly get some tough tests from some very good offenses over the next 8 games, but I like the hand we've got on the D side of the ball. Great game by the secondary.

Now on to the nitpicking - and before I get into it, settle down Texas fans, I'm not bashing them, but I do believe in looking at what could be better....even in a 57-point stomping. When you play teams like OU, Mizzou, Okie State and others, you can't throw a Chris Simms-like pick 6; you can't drop first down and touchdown catches when they hit you right in the hands/numbers; and you sure as hell can't miss extra points and expect to win. You just can't. The good news is (and bad news if you consider the BCS) is that UTEP may be one of the bottom 10 teams in the country. Seriously. All in all a really good game and now there's a bye week to work on getting healthy and tightening things up. They get Colorado at home and then it's a pretty brutal 3-game stretch away from DKR: OU in Dallas, at Missouri and at Okie State - if they're going to lose a game, it will likely be in that stretch. We'll see.

No sleep for Purdue coaching staff on Saturday night. Purdue should have beaten Notre Dame and for all intents and purposes, gave the game away. Two plays in the Irish final drive stand out: the Boilermakers had the Irish at 3rd and 12 and rushed only 4 which gave Clausen about 50 seconds to find a receiver. The second play will now be known as the timeout play. ND had no timeouts left and was 3rd and goal from about the 4. The Irish (very stupid) tried to run the ball in and were stopped. Rather than let the clock run and force ND to hurry up, Purdue.....calls a timeout? Good call coach, rather than rush them, let's give them a chance to draw something up.

Notre Dame is an extremely mediocre team and Purdue is a really bad team. Notre Dame will likely rise into the top 25 after this victory, but they don't deserve to even sniff the rankings.

My two recommendations for improving BCS, because it isn't going away. First, reward/penalize teams based on scheduling. If you schedule a division II school, you lose a quarter point. Schedule BCS conference teams and earn a quarter point. This ties into my second recommendation, but you could also give partial points for scheduling teams in the top 20, top 30, and top 40. Something like that. I know strength of schedule is somehow factored in, but it's very indirect. This way, you are making folks look more closely at scheduling more challenging teams. Of course this would hurt the Louisiana-Monroe's and Troy's of the world who won't be able to cash in on the big pay day. Oh well.

Secondly, I think in this age of BCS scoring (which is very mathematical), you should extend the rankings to include the top 40 (50 at the most). Point being, many times folks will complain about some team "not playing anyone", but in reality, they have been playing a bunch of top 40 teams. I mean, there are like 120 teams in division I football - playing teams in the top 40 is a good thing, right? Case in point is my aforementioned Missouri example - they went on the road and played a pretty darn good Nevada team. Let's say they were ranked between 35 and 40 - that's a good road game in my opinion. Probably won't happen, but that's the dream.

Teams that I just don't think are that great include LSU, Boise State, Houston, Oklahoma State, and USC. I can't get over LSU climbing to number 4 and USC climbing up to number 7. Good news for Texas fans is OU is now back in the top 10 with a tough one in Miami next week.

Another big game to look forward to is USC visiting Cal. You think the Bears may have been overlooking Oregon just a bit? Sheesh, that was an ass whoopin'. I imagine Cal will be pretty motivated in this one, coming off of a performance like that. And let's be honest, USC is still a pretty suspect team. Can't wait to see this line, but I'm taking Georgia by two touchdowns over LSU next Saturday. I believe it's in Athens and this is a big look-ahead game for the Tigers because the Gators come to town the next weekend and I imagine Les Miles and company won't be too upset should Tebow need another week or two of rest.

Now on to the NFL...

Fantasy Update. Absolute abysmal day for Joe Theisman's Leg yesterday. My heart breakers for the week: 5 points from Darren Sproles playing for an injured LT; 1 point from Santonio Holmes playing at Cincy; 5 points from Mario Manningham playing at Tampa; and 7 points from Larry Fitzgerald playing against Indy. What has happened to Arizona and more specifically, Larry Fitzgerald? This Cardinals team just looks out of sync. Who knows. I need to regroup this week - the Steelers are absolutely killing me - their defense looks soooo mediocre right now. Meanwhile, nice little run by the Bengals - they beat Green Bay on the road and Pittsburgh at home in consecutive weeks. Wow.

The most complete team in the league just may be the Baltimore Ravens. For the longest time (dating back to their super bowl win even), this team was defined by it's defense. Period. When the offense scored (and it was rare), it was usually because the defense had given them a short field. Now, with second-year Joe Flacco who's anything but a fluke, and a core of reliable offensive weapons, this Ravens team just maybe the best team in the league....at least for now. The combo of Ray Rice and Willis McGahee is as good as any in the league - they got 21 of their 34 points on Sunday from these guys. And Flacco seems to be averaging Peyton Manning-type numbers in the passing game. They're good. They're real good. With Pittsburgh seemingly having the post Super Bowl hangover, this could be a good year for Baltimore to get back to the big game.

And here come the Lions folks. Winning streak: 1 and counting. Seriously, you really have to love seeing this. What an awful year plus it's been for Lions' fans and I'm glad some of them may be smiling this morning. Pretty impressive offensive game - no turnovers for the team (more importantly, the young QB went INT free). I honestly believe that the bulk of what's needed to break a streak like that is just one win - point being, don't expect Detroit to go 1-15 this year. I'm thinking 3-4 wins is definitely doable for these Lions. Meanwhile, you can almost pencil the Cleveland Browns in as a very possible 0-16 team.

My quick-hit thoughts on this past week's games:

• As bad as things have gotten in Washington, I can't imagine Jim Zorn losing his job anytime soon - unless there's someone on the staff who Snyder feels could conceivably be the next head coach. You don't jump to that conclusion after 3 games without having a backup plan in place....and I just don't think Washington has one right now.
  
• Speaking of Snyder - anyone else notice the similarities between Dan and Jerry Jones? I know, I know, it's not hard to see, but talk about some ego maniacs. How many years do your teams have to be disappointing before you realize a) you don't know sh*t about building NFL teams, and b) you can't just put any coach in there with a bunch of piece-meal talent. It's frustrating watching such good business people make such bad decisions over and over again when it's plain to all of us that they have no idea what they are doing.
  
• I'm going to keep saying this until he's no longer starting - there is not a QB in this league, starter or backup, who's as bad as JaMarcus Russell. Brilliant move cutting Garcia this year guys - you're everything we've come to expect from the biggest joke of a franchise in all of pro sports....yes, that includes the Clippers.
  
• LOVED seeing Mark Sanchez dive for the end zone in that 14-yard scamper. It's early, but this kid looks for real.
  
• Two coaches who have made an undeniable difference to their respective teams: Mike Singletary and Rex Ryan. Tell me these two teams don't reflect the aura and personality of their coaches? They do...and I firmly believe both teams will be in the thick of the hunt come playoff time.
  
• Philly fan has to be very happy about one thing - you've got your QB of the future NOT in Michael Vick, but in Kevin Kolb. That dude made some good, tight throws on Sunday. Looks like another one and done for Jeff Garcia this year.
  
• Speaking of Garcia, is there a QB that you can remember who's been as solid as he is, but has also been the gypsy that he's been? I just don't know why he can't stick. I bet you Tampa Bay and Oakland are really wishing they had held on to him when they had the chance.
  
• Matt Cassell was 14 of 18 (nice percentage there) for 90 yards? What? 14 completions for 90 yards? That's what you see when a team like Troy plays a team like Florida. You're not supposed to see that in the NFL. Ever.
• How frustrated are Houston Texan fans right now? What a weird, painful team that is to watch.
  
• Barring Peyton Manning shattering his femur, I'm going to go ahead and pencil in the Colts to win the AFC South. They have played 3 games....and have a 3-game lead over Tennessee - the only team expected to challenge them for the top spot.
  
• One more Fantasy note - I sat Percy Harvin this week when I expected a tough San Fran defense to slow him down...which they did....until they kicked off to him and he scampered (untouched mind you) for 101 yards and a TD. Meanwhile, Larry Fitzgerald is still waiting for someone to throw him the ball. I really need to regroup.
  
• Game of the week next week: Green Bay at Minnesota. I imagine the Packers' defense will be eager to welcome Favre to the NFC North. I also imagine the Packers are feeling a little bit better about their loss to the Bengals - no one is talking about it anymore because they're all talking about the Bengals over the Steelers.
  
• Depending on the extent of Pennington's injury, and in looking at the stat sheet, I imagine the Dolphins offensive coaches may not be too hesitant to give Pat White a shot. Perhaps it was first-time jitters, but I read nothing in the stats that made me think Henne is going to be "the guy" while Chad rests up.
  
• Game of the week II next week: Jets at Saints. If anyone can at least slow this Saints' offensive machine down it's Rex Ryan and company.
  
• I don't know how happy he is, but the Saints just look like a better, more fluid offense when they don't try so hard to get Reggie Bush the ball. It'll come, just let it come.
  
• Tough call tonight when the Panthers, desperate for a win, visit Dallas who's desperate for a HOME win. I just think Dallas is more talented, but because I recently dumped Steve Smith, I'm guessing he goes off. The question is - which Tony Romo shows up. I'll take Dallas in a tight one: Dallas 27 Carolina 21

Non-Football Thoughts for the Week:

• Great, great, great way to end the season Lefty. I think most were pulling for you. Too bad it came during football season so only like 3 people saw it.
  
• Is baseball season over yet?
  
• Memo to Rachel Zoe of The Rachel Zoe Project. Listen closely - you may very well have the least important job on the face of the earth. People pay you (and handsomely I imagine) to help them find something to wear to parties, etc. Literally, that's all you do. So if you could please, stop acting like your life is soooo important and that what you do is soooo stressful. I think I may very well hate this woman more than any other douche bag on television and there are A LOT of douche bags on television. A couple of more little tidbits of bad news Mrs. Zoe - first, you are uglier than sh*t run over twice....and you're in fashion (ahhh, the irony). Second, I hate to be the one to break this to you, but your husband is gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that, there's not, but I imagine it can be a problem when you are married to him. Of course, it wouldn't at all shock me if you were once a man. Sooo...I guess it's all a wash in the end.
  

That's what I got guys - enjoy the week.