Week 6 Reflections

After watching NFL football for 32 years, this league continues to amaze me. I'm beginning to realize that I haven't seen it all and may never see it all. This insitution continues to find ways to make itself unique and incalcuable. Every single NFL Sunday, the identity of a game or team can transform right before your eyes leading to this hardcore truth.

Anything can happen to anybody anytime.

Week 6 showed that every now and then you can forget parity. Certain storylines, unexpected performances, injuries, and hidden records are just a few examples of things that can make you sit back in your recliner when the final gun sounds ending the final game of the week and just shake your head.

Vinny Testaverde's story is approaching the level of NFL folklore. On October 10th, the Carolina Panthers signed Vinny (who turns 44 next month) to serve as the backup to David Carr who was Jake Delhomme's backup at the start of the season. Delhomme went on injured reserve after an elbow injury two weeks ago and Carr injured his back last week so they needed some insurance.

They called Vinny the day after he turned down the Arizona Cardinals backup job after injuries to Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner (yeah, stunning I know.) Four days later, Vinny is starting against Arizona and beat them 25-10 behind 20 of 33 passes for 203 yards and one TD. He'd been out of football for 5-6 weeks after getting cut by New England this year and was laying on the couch last Sunday watching when Carr got hurt.

In this game, he threw a pass to rookie WR Dwayne Jarrett who was born the year Testaverde won the Heisman Trophy. His backup entering the game was rookie QB Matt Moore whose father is 2 years older than Vinny. He's also four years older than his offensive coordinator and has thrown more passes and won more games as a QB than Carolina has accomplished in their history. Panthers WR Drew Carter remembers watching Vinny quarterback the Cleveland Browns. He was 7.

This is just one of many amazing plots and events that unfolded Sunday.

• In their 16-9 loss to the Eagles, the NY Jets had no penalties. It marked the 10th time this decade that a team was not penalized. The Jets have done it three times.
• Other records Sunday: Brett Favre has now thrown more INT's than any NFL QB. Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez broke the record for most TD receptions by an NFL tight end. Pats QB Tom Brady set a personal career high with 5 TD passes while LaDainian Tomlinson tied his personal best day by scoring 4 TD's. It was the third time he's done this and the first time at home.
• Vikings rookie RB Adrian Peterson accumulated 361 all-purpose yards vs. Chicago. It was the third-highest total in NFL history....and he's a rookie. Did I mention he was a rookie?
• The San Diego Chargers have woken up from their deep slumber by exploding for 69 points in their last two games. They are now 3-3 on the season and have jumped right back in the AFC race.
• The New Orleans Saints won their first game of the season by somehow beating Seattle on the road.
• Tampa Bay and Carolina are each 4-2 which is astonishing considering that Tampa Bay's running back corps and Carolina's QB situation (despite Vinny's fairy tale game) are very shaky. Both coaches appear to be saving their jobs.
• All four of Carolina's victories have come on the road which means they've lost both their games at home.
• With Dallas' loss and Green Bay's win, the NFC is evening out a bit. These two teams meet Nov. 29th.
• St. Louis, Miami, NY Jets, Cincinnati, and Atlanta need a miracle to save their season if they have visions of making the playoffs.

GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON IN WEEK 7
Tampa Bay at Detroit, Tennessee at Houston, Kansas City at Oakland, Chicago at Philadelphia, Pittsburgh at Denver, Indianapolis at Jacksonville

NFL Forecast: Week 6

I don't know about you, but my blood flow is picking up the pace about this time of year every NFL season which is saying a lot because it's already been rushing like a Rocky Mountain river after a 3-day thunderstorm. As I approach each Sunday, my feet also begin to tap a little faster in anticipation of seeing which teams will impress or depress. I've already gone through one pair of tennis shoes.

Yes, it is still officially early in the season and pretty much anything can happen, but after five weeks of NFL battles, the identity of this year's NFL season is beginning to take shape. Teams such as New England, Dallas, and Indianapolis appear to have every aspect of their squad in a higher gear than everyone else.

Pittsburgh and Green Bay are playing solid ball and are currently a threat to win their divisions.

The jury is still out on some other 1-loss teams in Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Washington as they still need that one game to announce that they have arrived. The next few weeks are crucial to the teams hovering around .500 if they want to be taken seriously. New Orleans, Miami, St. Louis, Buffalo, NY Jets, and Atlanta are having seasons that are putting them on the fast track to having a top-ten pick in the 2008 draft.

Every now and then, there's a game that comes along that is capable of putting fanatic NFL fans in I.C.U. It's a defining moment that makes you pause and pay tribute to heart and excellence which are critical factors for the success of a NFL franchise and are also important elements of the league's uniqueness.

Dallas and New England are operating on both this season from the coaching staff on down. The Patriots are on a level of superiority that makes it very hard for opponents to expose so Dallas will have their hands full. The Cowboys are coming off one of the wildest comebacks in team history, but they will need to be in the right mindset, mentally acute, and want it more if they intend on dropping their anchor at this elite level.

Enjoy Week 6, football fans...and don't forget your blood pressure medicine.

• St. Louis Rams (0-5) at Baltimore Ravens (3-2): FOX, 1pm EST - Some things never change. The punchless Rams are still looking for their first victory, and Baltimore's offense needs personality. EDDIE'S PICK - BALTIMORE
• Washington Redskins (3-1) at Green Bay Packers (4-1): FOX, 1pm EST - Coach Joe Gibbs has this team believing in themselves and in their new young leader, Jason Campbell. The Skins are coming off a bye week and could really use a win to stay near the top of their division considering who Dallas plays this week. Green Bay lost to Chicago in Lambeau and won't be ready to let that happen twice in a row. EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
• Minnesota Vikings (1-3) at Chicago Bears (2-3): FOX, 1pm EST - An emotional, come-from-behind victory in Green Bay has Chicago believing that it can salvage its season. Beating teams that they're supposed to beat will certainly help starting this week vs. a Vikings team that must step it up on the road. EDDIE'S PICK - CHICAGO
• Philadelphia Eagles (1-3) at NY Jets (1-4): FOX, 1pm EST - Both teams are struggling this season due to injuries and inconsistency. Philly thrives on creating turnovers, pressuring the QB, and stopping the run. This is not good news for the Jets who just might pull Pennington if he doesn't get off to a good start. The Jets have never beaten Philadelphia. EDDIE'S PICK - PHILLY
• Tennessee Titans (3-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2): CBS, 1pm EST - Just how good are these teams? Vince Young finds ways to win and that Titans defense appears to be for real. Tampa's running game is decimated due to injuries but their defense is regaining its intimidating form. This is a crucial game for Tennessee as they look to stay on the heels of Indianapolis and in the playoff hunt. Tampa QB Jeff Garcia has not thrown an INT this season. EDDIE'S PICK - TENNESSEE
• Cincinnati Bengals (1-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-3): CBS, 1pm EST - The league's worst run defense and 29th-ranked overall defense just might be the elixir that KC needs to stay in the thick of things in the tight AFC West. RB Larry Johnson must run buck wild while the Chiefs D mustand keep the Cincy offense out of the red zone where they are 100% in scoring inside the 20. It will be interesting to see how the Bengals respond to coach Marvin Lewis' tirade after last week's blowout in New England. Oh, and another Bengal was suspeneded for violating the league's substance abuse policy. EDDIE'S PICK - KANSAS CITY
• Houston Texans (3-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1): CBS, 1pm EST - This is a crucial AFC South match-up for both teams being in the same division as the Colts. J-town continues to improve each week vs. the run and that is dangerous considering they allowed a franchise-low 10 yards last week vs. KC's Larry Johnson. Houston's offense will have a very tough time moving the ball so the key will be for Houston's defense to rattle QB David Gerrard (no INT's this season) and get shorter fields to operate. EDDIE'S PICK - JACKSONVILLE
• Miami Dolphins (0-5) at Cleveland Browns (2-3): CBS, 1pm EST - Highly-touted Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn was passed up by Miami in the 2007 draft who decided to begin the Cam Cameron era with a fragile Trent Green at the helm. Cleveland then drafted the hometown kid to become their future. Quinn is now #2 behind the hot Derek Anderson who should find success vs. this 24th-ranked defense. EDDIE'S PICK - CLEVELAND
• Carolina Panthers (3-2) at Arizona Cardinals (3-2): FOX, 4:05pm EST - Both teams are playing very similar football this year as they are about average on defense and have had struggles keeping consistency at QB. The Cardinals offense has been more productive overall and will start Kurt Warner in place of Matt Leinart who's out with a broken collarbone. David Carr starts for the Panthers who must run the ball effectively and move the chains if they plan on leaving the desert with a win. EDDIE'S PICK - ARIZONA
• Oakland Raiders (2-2) at San Diego Chargers (2-3): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Last week, the Chargers finally tasted victory for the first time in a month by destroying Denver in Mile High and it was very good. They welcome the much-hated Oakland Raiders who should find it hard to establish any rhythm against a defense that is finding its groove back. The winner has the inside edge for leading the AFC West. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
• New England Patriots (5-0) at Dallas Cowboys (5-0): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Where the hell do you start? Brady vs. Romo, T.O. vs. Randy Moss, and Belichick vs. Phillips. Both teams possess great lines in the trenches and are the top two scoring offenses in the league. This was not a colossal game when the NFL schedule first came out, but due to resiliency and talent, both teams are undefeated and are simply playing for NFL superiority through Week 6. This is only the fifth time in NFL history that two undefeated teams with at least 5 wins have faced each other. You can expect a raucous Texas Stadium crowd as they welcome Moss who has scored at least 2 TD's in every game that he's faced Dallas. Expect a close game. New England has never won in Texas Stadium. EDDIE'S PICK - DALLAS
• New Orleans Saints (0-4) at Seattle Seahawks (3-2): NBC, 8:15pm EST - If the Saints want to explode out of their dismal season, then it starts on the road vs. a Seattle team that is still smarting from their shutout loss to Pittsburgh last week. The Seahawks have won the past three meetings by a combined score of 68-27, and coach Mike Holmgren is 5-0 vs. the Saints in his career. EDDIE'S PICK - SEATTLE
• NY Giants (3-2) at Atlanta Falcons (1-4): ESPN, 8:30pm EST MNF - I would imagine that Michael Vick, not Joey Harrington, was the catalyst that drove the league to schedule this game on national TV. Harrington was sent a message last week when he was pulled for Byron Leftwich towards the end of Atlanta's loss to Tennessee. Considering the Giants massive pass rush capability, I expect Falcons fans might see the Leftwich era begin before halftime. NY has not lost in Atlanta since 1978. EDDIE'S PICK - NY GIANTS

BYE: BUFFALO, DENVER, DETROIT, INDIANAPOLIS, PITTSBURGH, SAN FRANCISCO

STANDINGS

Cris Collinsworth: 12-2, 54-22
Eddie Chinn: 11-3, 50-26
Bob Costas: 10-4, 49-27
Chris Mortensen: 12-2, 49-27
Cris Carter: 10-4, 48-28
Dan Marino: 12-2, 48-28
Sean Salisbury: 12-2, 45-31

Week 5 Reflections

Have you gotten your breath back? Is your heart rate back to normal? Has your voice returned?

Week 5 was saturated with everything that is great about this league and this game.

There is something very impressive about a defense that pitches a shutout in today's game so for Pittsburgh to stifle a decent Seahawks team was amazing and confirmed that the Steelers are a true threat in the AFC. Speaking of defense, Washington put on perhaps the best performance of the week by squeezing the flowing Detroit offense to a drip.

Home fields that historically have a winning aura around them had the breath knocked out of them this week. Arrowhead Stadium has traditionally been inhospitable to visiting teams, but Jacksonville showed up and had a good time dominating Kansas City. I remember when Mile High was a pot hole to opposing teams but this year (after barely beating Oakland), Jacksonville and San Diego have glided across the Bronco turf with ease. It appeared that Lambeau Field had regained its mystique after solid defeats of Philly and San Diego but Chicago came in last Sunday and slipped away like a greased pig with a W.

And, how about those game-winning field goals as time expires? This week showcased three such thrillers, and each of them were decided by 50+ long field goals. Houston's Kris Brown tied an NFL record with three field goals of 50 yards or more by nailing kicks of 54, 54, and the game-winner of 57. Carolina's John Kasay crushed a Saints comeback effort with a 52-yarder as time expired.

Which leads to the wild night in Buffalo to cap off an exhilarating and heart-stopping weekend.

The resilient Dallas Cowboys stayed undefeated by paralyzing Buffalo with a dramatic win after rookie Nick Folk drove it home from 53 yards....twice. Dallas recovered a beautifully executed on-side kick, completed two passes, and then turned it over to Folk who nailed it from 53. Buffalo head coach Dick Jauron called timeout just before the kick to rattle the youngster, but gained about 20 more gray hairs after Folk did it again.

Unbelievable.

Other notes and observations from Week 5:

• Buffalo became the 2nd team in NFL history to score on two INT returns and a kickoff return for a TD in one game.
• Vince Young is flying under the radar this year as a QB who finds ways to win. VY registered a 34.5 passer rating while throwing 3 interceptions yet beat Atlanta 20-13. Keep your eye on Tennessee.
• Carolina is 3-0 on the road and 0-2 at home. This is not a typo.
• "Invincible" (not the movie) comes to mind when I think of Indy and New England. Randy Moss is shutout of the end zone and the Patriots still roll. The Colts are without WR Marvin Harrison, RB Joseph Addai, and SS Bob Sanders and still steamroll the Buccaneers 33-14.
• What a great storyline St. Louis! Kurt Warner comes in after Matt Leinart broke his collarbone to lead the Cardinals to victory against his former team on his old playing turf.

GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON IN WEEK 6
NEW ENGLAND AT DALLAS, WASHINGTON AT GREEN BAY, OAKLAND AT SAN DIEGO, CAROLINA AT ARIZONA

NFL 2007 Forecast: Week 5

Vince Lombardi once said, "Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing-the result."

NFL head coaches and their staffs are judged by the results of their jobs and that could be anything from their substitution decisions during the game, their play-calling on a certain drive in the third quarter, the flow and chemistry of the team from week to week, and their accomplishments.

Back in the days when the Great Lombardi patrolled the sidelines, team owners paid attention to the product that the coaches and players worked together to create and produce, but they weren't as trigger-happy as today's NFL owners when it came to dealing with "the result."

Gone are the days of Tom Landry, Chuck Knoll, Paul Brown, Bill Cowher, and Mike Shanahan.

Today, teams are based on the same principles and philosophies as that of Fortune 500 companies, to the point that head coaches are better off renting than owning their own homes.

While it is still a little early to start labeling a team as a failure for this season, the performances and "results" on the field are beginning to reflect whose ear pads on their headsets might be more soaked in sweat as they look up to the owner's box.

• Brian Billick - Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome and his scouting department do an outstanding job in finding superb talent for Coach Billick and Co. It's his job to utilize that strength and produce bankable success. Not happening.
• Tom Coughlin - The last two wins could very well be a last-minute climb to a higher altitude before the plummeting continues. A loss to the cross-town Jets will have many fans looking for a parachute.
• John Fox - Carolina fans are turning against him, but what else is new. Every NFL team has fair-weather fans that want the coach to take the fall, but Mr. Richardson may have his hand forced to find a new coach if this team doesn't start winning and that starts with its defense playing with passion and heart.
• Scott Linehan - St. Louis is a franchise that has taken a really bad wrong turn and is now lost. Yes, Linehan has the credentials as a great O-coordinator which should always mean that you are going to be a great head coach. Right, Norv Turner?
• Norv Turner - For the third time......STAY IN THE COACH'S BOX!

This is a critical week for several teams as they frantically search and reach for anything that will keep them from succumbing to the quicksand's suction.

• Cleveland Browns (2-2) at New England Patriots (4-0): CBS, 1pm EST - An intriguing coaching battle takes place in Foxboro as ex-Pats defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel returns to his old stomping grounds and faces his former partner-in-crime Bill Belichick who started his coaching career in Cleveland. I expect Cleveland to keep this one very close....within 3 TD's. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• N.Y. Jets (1-3) at N.Y. Giants (2-2): CBS, 1pm EST - The Battle of the Big Apple pits a Jets team that can't find its identity on defense or at QB vs. a Giants team whose D-line is playing lights out. EDDIE'S PICK - N.Y. GIANTS
• Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-2): CBS, 1pm EST - Both squads have their defenses clicking, but K.C. has the momentum and returns to their fortress after a huge road win last week in San Diego. J-town has had trouble stopping the run which is excellent news for Larry Johnson. EDDIE'S PICK - KANSAS CITY
• Miami Dolphins (0-4) at Houston Texans (2-2): CBS, 1pm EST - This has been a very frustrating season for Miami who has shown zero consistency at any position. Houston has only faced Miami twice and won both times. In a very competitive AFC South division, the Texans can't afford to lose ground. EDDIE'S PICK - HOUSTON
• Carolina Panthers (2-2) at New Orleans Saints (0-3): FOX, 1pm EST - Go figure this one: Carolina is 0-2 at home and 2-0 on the road. They enter the Superdome to face a Saints team that knows they are on the brink of a lost season and have had two weeks to think about it. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ORLEANS
• Atlanta Falcons (1-3) at Tennessee Titans (2-1): FOX, 1pm EST - Joey Harrington vs. Vince Young. I'm sorry, I don't know what else to say. EDDIE'S PICK - TENNESSEE
• Seattle Seahawks (3-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1): FOX, 1pm EST - I think this is probably the most exciting game of the week as this Super Bowl XL rematch pits a Seattle team that is the most balanced team in their division vs. a Pittsburgh team that is very hard to beat at home and possesses a running attack anchored by Willie Parker. The Steelers have won 8 straight games vs. NFC opponents at home. EDDIE'S PICK - PITTSBURGH
• Arizona Cardinals (2-2) at St. Louis Rams (0-4): FOX, 1pm EST - Before the season began, I would have guessed that these records would be reversed. The Rams are simply playing pitiful football mostly due to injuries and shaky depth which is typically a lethal combination. Arizona has the elements to become a well rounded squad, and RB Edgerrin James should have a huge day. EDDIE'S PICK - ARIZONA
• Detroit Lions (3-1) at Washington Redskins (2-1): FOX, 1pm EST -You hear about the chess match between coaches and the war in the trenches, but a battle between WR's and a secondary does not get much press. The super-sized receivers of Detroit up flying among the Skins secondary, which features four #1 draft picks, will be like a dogfight in the sky. Detroit is 0-20 on the road vs. Washington and coach Joe Gibbs has never lost to Detroit posting an 11-0 record. EDDIE'S PICK - WASHINGTON
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) at Indianapolis Colts (4-0): FOX, 4:05pm EST - This will be a great litmus test for the Bucs as they face the elite world champions on their home turf. The jury is still out on how solid and serious this Tampa team is and losing RB Cadillac Williams and LT Luke Petitgout only compounds things. The Bucs defense has allowed a league-low 11 points/game and will enjoy facing Manning and Co. EDDIE'S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS
• San Diego Chargers (1-3) at Denver Broncos (2-2): CBS, 4:15pm EST - A very disappointing early season has befuddled the Chargers, and the Broncos are struggling to stop the run while also dealing with drug issues concerning RB Travis Henry. Jacksonville proved two weeks ago that Mile High Stadium is penetrable so expect L.T. to lead a Chargers resurgence as they take a step forward to save their season. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
• Baltimore Ravens (2-2) at San Francisco 49ers (2-2): CBS, 4:15pm EST - If there's a weakness to the stout Baltimore defense it's the 19th-ranked secondary which faces ex-Ravens QB Trent Dilfer who led Baltimore to the Super Bowl in 2000. The Niners offense though is ranked last in the league and must have one amazing performance by RB Frank Gore for them to have a prayer. EDDIE'S PICK - BALTIMORE
• Chicago Bears (1-3) at Green Bay Packers (4-0): NBC, 8:15pm EST - I don't care what the records show. Both teams could be 0-15, and this historic NFC North rivalry is still pure magic to watch. This week's battle takes place in Lambeau Field and the mystique is back! EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
• Dallas Cowboys (4-0) at Buffalo Bills (1-3): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - And you thought Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII were overpowering? EDDIE'S PICK - DALLAS

STANDINGS
Cris Collinsworth: 7-7, 42-20
Eddie Chinn: 6-8, 39-23
Bob Costas: 8-6, 39-23
Cris Carter: 5-9, 38-24
Chris Mortensen: 10-4, 37-25
Dan Marino: 5-9, 36-26
Sean Salisbury: 5-9, 33-29

BYE: PHILADELPHIA, MINNESOTA, CINCINNATI, OAKLAND

Week 4 Reflections

The first tidal wave of upsets swelled up and came crashing down with thunderous authority in Week 4. The repercussions of such a jolt in Week 4 typically doesn't spell doom for a team on the rise since the season is early, but it can serve as an awakening agent for a struggling team and redirect them going the other way.

Teams that showed they could be coming out of their cocoon are Kansas City, Arizona, and Cleveland. Those that shouldn't be fazed with their loss are Pittsburgh, Houston, and probably Denver.

Cincinnati, San Diego, Chicago, St. Louis, and Atlanta are in serious jeopardy.

Other observations from Week 4:

1. Do you think the San Diego Chargers are regretting letting Wade Phillips go to Dallas?


2. The QB of the future for Chicago is currently not on the team.


3. One of the raps on Brett Favre last season was his riskiness which led to 18 INT's for the season. This year he has two and has maintained his high level of competitiveness.


4. Daunte Culpepper rushed for 3 TD's last week and threw for 2 more. The jury is still out on whether his career can be revived to a level higher than he's experienced, but expect many teams to come calling for his services in the off-season.


5. The season-ending injuries to RB Cadillac Williams and LT Luke Petitgout could turn out to be the tentacle that grabs Jon Gruden and the Bucs around the leg and pulls them back under water.


6. I found a flaw in New England's machine. They are ranked 32nd in punting net yards.


7. It's like peanut butter without jelly, a McDonald's minus the Big Mac, and Roger Ebert with no thumbs as Peyton Manning is very likely to be without Marvin Harrison this Sunday after his knee injury.

NFL 2007 Forecast: Week 4

Before every baseball season, you can always count on the Red Sox, Yankees, Angels, Mets, Cardinals, and any National League West team vying for the post-season. The NBA has sixteen playoff spots so unless your team has a very frugal owner and/or players that are more concerned about how many tatoos and videos they can produce, then you're in.

One of the greatest characteristics of the National Football League is its parity. That unpredictable and shifty element is what adds to the thrilling and unbridled nature of this hallowed game. All it takes is an injury, attitude, or uncanny timing on or off the field to alter the landscape of the NFL from week to week.

From prognosticators to fantasy football owners, decisions and forecasts during every off-season are governed by hype and what is perceived to be common sense until this mercurial factor slithers in unrecognized and then strikes when you aren't looking.

Yes, it's frustrating and tempts you to rear back like Roger Clemens and fire your beer bottle through your TV set, but that is exactly what makes this game very unique and irresistible.

While New England, Indianapolis, Denver, Buffalo, Atlanta, and Cleveland (Oh, don't bring up the 51-point fiasco!) are strolling down the path many thought they were, there are others on the other side of the ridge that are sliding towards the cliff's edge. New Orleans and St. Louis at 0-3? Chicago and San Diego at 1-2? The jury is still out on the 1-2 Eagles as they might have blasted their way back to prominence after last week's clubbing of a very good Detroit team.

Every week in any NFL season, anything can happen.

What will happen this week?

• Green Bay Packers (3-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-2): FOX, 1pm EST - Pandamonium is sweeping across Cheeseland as The Pack are undefeated, and their immortal field general Brett Favre is having a historic season and playing like he's 25. One more TD pass, which should come vs. this Vikings bleak secondary, and he'll break Dan Marino's all-time record. Too bad it couldn't be in Lambeau. EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
• Chicago Bears (1-2) at Detroit Lions (2-1): FOX, 1pm EST - A potent offense in Motor City? As hard as it is to believe this unit is ranked #3 in the league in total offense and appears to be getting sharper with each game, but they face a Bears defense that is historically smothering. Oh wait, that is exactly what was said last week before the Dallas game. EDDIE'S PICK - DETROIT
• St. Louis Rams (0-3) at Dallas Cowboys (3-0): FOX, 1pm EST - This maimed Rams squad limps into Texas Stadium to see if they can catch the Cowboys sleeping. This is the same Dallas team that bludgeoned some Bears over the weekend. What do you think they'll do to a flock of wounded sheep? EDDIE'S PICK - DALLAS
• Baltimore Ravens (2-1) at Cleveland Browns (1-2): CBS, 1pm EST - The old Browns visit the new Browns as RB Jamal Lewis welcomes his former team to his new home turf as a denizen of the city of Cleveland. It's going to be very difficult for the Browns to run against the top-ranked run defense in the league so they will probably try to air it out like they did against Cincy. Not a good idea either. EDDIE'S PICK - BALTIMORE
• Oakland Raiders (1-2) at Miami Dolphins (0-3): CBS, 1pm EST - Now, this is just plain mean. QB Daunte Culpepper is rumored to be starting his first NFL game for the Raiders vs. the team that dumped him last season and allowed him to sign with Oakland. Dolphins QB Trent Green is 10-2 against the Raiders from all those years with KC in the AFC West. Both teams have sputtering offenses and average defenses while Miami has won the last six meetins. EDDIE'S PICK - MIAMI
• NY Jets (1-2) at Buffalo Bills (0-3): CBS, 1pm EST - If Buffalo loses anymore players to injury (and I'm not including Kevin Everett), there will be no one left on the sidelines but the coaches. EDDIE'S PICK - NY JETS
• Houston Texans (2-1) at Atlanta Falcons (0-3): CBS, 1pm EST - A very risky decision occurred earlier this year when the Falcons traded back-up QB Matt Schaub to the Houston Texans. Had they been able to look in a crystal ball and see Bad Newz Kennels, they wouldn't have made the deal. Instead, Schaub is leading a revitalized Texans team and faces his former teammates who are blessed to have Joey Harrington. EDDIE'S PICK - HOUSTON
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) at Carolina Panthers (2-1): FOX, 4:05pm EST - These two NFC South squads are having very similar seasons in the early going. Both offenses have been effective relying on the run while each defense has held its own despite some serious holes. Carolina's defense needs to plug the leak where points are streaming in at a 22.3 points/game pace, and Tampa has had some difficulty stopping the run. Carolina has won seven of the last eight. EDDIE'S PICK - CAROLINA
• Seattle Seahawks (2-1) at San Francisco 49ers (2-1): FOX, 4:05pm EST - The game plan is simple for the Niners as they welcome their division rival who they swept last season: Give the ball to Frank Gore. Seattle's run defense isn't great and QB Alex Smith is digressing. But, Seattle has the more balanced team and will hope that Shaun Alexander's broken wrist won't come into play. The Niners offense is just pitiful. EDDIE'S PICK - SEATTLE
• Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) at Arizona Cardinals (1-2): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Barring any type of serious injury to a key player or a complete meltdown, Pittsburgh should dominate this battle in the desert. Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt grew as a coach under Bill Cowher but was spurned when Mike Tomlin was hired to run the Steelers. QB Ben Roethlisberger is 11-1 vs. the NFC in his career. EDDIE'S PICK - PITTSBURGH
• Denver Broncos (2-1) at Indianapolis Colts (3-0): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Denver is the luckiest and maybe the worst 2-1 team in the league right now. You have to stop the run (or have one dynamic offense like Indy's) to win in this league. They are giving up 166 yards rushing/game, and the last I heard there was a guy by the name of Joseph Addai who is finding the end zone this year and has a horseshoe on his helmet. EDDIE'S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS
• Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) at San Diego Chargers (1-2): CBS, 4:15pm EST - After three games last season, the Chargers had given up 23 points. So far this year, they've allowed 72. The cure to this drainage just might lie playing at home vs. an inept KC offense. San Diego's squad isn't exactly dazzling either, and they'll find it difficult to change out of their Clark Kent costumes and get those capes flying vs. the league's #4 ranked defense. The Chargers are also missing their blue-collar instinct but time will tell if it's just lost or gone forever. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
• Philadelphia Eagles (1-2) at NY Giants (1-2): NBC, 8:15pm EST - The G-men are on life support already playing with banged-up receivers and unproven RB's led by a lukewarm QB. Their defense is riddled with holes, and the team is being coached by a man on the hottest seat in sports. Not to mention, they get to play their hated rival who are red-hot coming off their offensive explosion last week. This could get real ugly. EDDIE'S PICK - PHILLY
• New England Patriots (3-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-2): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - For Cincy to prove to their fans and America that they are to be taken seriously as one of the AFC's elite teams, they must take care of business against the smoking hot Patriots. I was laughing just typing that. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND

BYE: TENNESSEE, WASHINGTON, NEW ORLEANS, JACKSONVILLE

STANDINGS:
Cris Collinsworth: 11-5, 35-13
Cris Carter: 11-5, 33-15
Eddie Chinn: 13-3, 33-15
Bob Costas: 10-6, 31-17
Dan Marino: 10-6, 31-17
*Sean Salisbury: 7-9, 28-20
Chris Mortensen: 9-7, 27-21

*Joe Thiesmann has been removed from the ESPN expert picks list for some reason. I am not complaining a bit and will replace him with Sean Salisbury in the standings. Salisbury is an ex-NFL QB who is cocky and thinks he's an actor.

Week 3 Reflections

Losing is a disease.

Naturally, a team shouldn't be giving up hope in only Week 3 if they are 0-3, but it is a big enough hole to start wondering if you have the right tools to get out of it. Some teams do and might even make the playoffs, but most end up facing reality that it is going to be dark and cold the rest of the year.

Terrell Davis said on NFL Network, after losing their first four games on the 1999 season on the heels of winning the Super Bowl, "We had the same players on the team, but everyone could just feel it, we didn't know where it came from, and didn't know what to do about it." Denver ended the season 6-10.

In 2007, the expectations were very high for the New Orleans Saints after a Cinderella season in which they reached the NFC Championship Game only to lose to Chicago. This year, they have not found the win column.

And, then there are those were destined to be home in January before the year began. Buffalo, Miami, St. Louis, and Atlanta are also 0-3 and sinking. Others like San Diego, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Chicago were not planning on being at 1-2 at this point of the season, but they have the experience and talent to turn things around.

Here are some observations from Week 3 looking ahead to Week 4:

• Chicago QB Rex Grossman was pitiful against Dallas and will have at least a week (maybe more) to get his head straight if that's possible. Brian Griese will start this week in Detroit.
• Donovan McNabb had a career game vs. Detroit completing 81% of his passes and throwing for 381 yards and 4 TD's. Maybe he should be on HBO more often.
• There were four kickoff returns for TD's in Week 3. It was the first time this has happened since Week 15 in 1998.
• One more TD pass and Brett Favre will have the all-time NFL record for TD passes.
• NY's win in Washington was impressive, but it won't slow Tom Coughlin's walk on The Green Mile.
• Tom Brady doesn't need Randy Moss. Randy Moss needs Tom Brady.
• In Week 2, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan called time out milliseconds before Oakland's game-winning field goal. The ensuing FG missed and eventually Denver won. Last Sunday, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin did the same thing to Cleveland and won the game in the same manner. It was such a Skywalker-Obi Won moment.
• Pittsburgh, Dallas, and Green Bay have my attention.
• It was good to see Kurt Warner out there heaving the pigskin around like he was 30 years old...and not getting hurt.
• Kansas City is 21-4 since 1995 vs. NFC opponents at Arrowhead.

GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON IN WEEK 4
Seattle at San Francisco, Tampa Bay at Carolina, Denver at Indianapolis, Green Bay at Minnesota