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2010 Fantasy Sleeper – Devin Aromashodu

Aug 25

Posted by Bob Noyes in Fantasy Football | No Comments

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Knox and Hester are the buzz, but Aromashodu will be a good late pick in most fantasy drafts

Knox and Hester are the buzz, but Aromashodu will be a good late pick in most fantasy drafts

Oh, it’s an easy sleeper pick.  The Bears move to Mike Martz on offense and BAM – suddenly the media expects good things from a receiving corps they’ve bad-mouthed for years.  WRs Hester and Knox have been hyped to fit the offense spectacularly due to their speed and will likely be drafted a bit too high in some fantasy leagues.  My money is on Aromashodu.  He’s big and athletic, the type of receiver that will go up and grab an errant pass from QB Jay Cutler – which is why he became a late-season favorite last year.  Aromashodu should be drafted somewhere near round 10 (or later – a good waiver wire pick up), and has been projected by the experts to nab near one hundred fantasy points for the season.  Sure that’s nothing to write home about, but someone you may want for bye week starts and handcuffing opponents.

The Bears WRs will be the experts and analysts’ favorites for fantasy sleepers and supposedly under-the-radar stars in 2010 – just make sure you get the right one.

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NFL 2009 WEEK 10 PICKS: YTD – 85-44 (66%)

Nov 12

Posted by Nick Thomas, NFC North resident in Pro Football Picks | Comments off

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MARQUEE

 

NEW ENGLAND at INDIANAPOLIS:  When I picked the Colts to lose last week to the Texans, I did so because I honestly thought that Houston’s pass game would overwhelm Indy’s No. 1 overall defense, which I considered a mirage.  This week, the Patriots come to town, toting the No. 2 overall offense and the 4th-ranked defense.  So I don’t think I have a choice.

 

Tom Brady. online photo, no source available
Tom Brady on acid

 

In Weeks 6 and 7, leading into their Week 8 Bye, New England had the privilege of clobbering Tennessee and Tampa Bay in consecutive weeks, which I think inflates their offensive standings a bit.  And speaking of mirages, the average offense they’ve faced through 8 games is 19th, so how legit is Belichick’s defense?  The Ravens have the best offense they’ve beaten this year; they rank 10th.  They haven’t faced a top-5 passing attack like Peyton Manning’s since Rodney Harrison and Teddy Bruschi retired.

 

But I still like the Patriots.  The Colts got off easy last week playing Houston without TE Owen Daniels, who is the Texan’s ‘size-matters’ red-zone threat.  While the Colts are certainly an elite and surgical offense, they’ve struggled the last two weeks.  And there still seems like there is something soft about them, and that the Pats will have their way.  New England 34, Indy 24.

 

CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH:  I like this game.  Clear lines are drawn, if you follow traditional NFL thought: Good vs. Evil = Steelers vs. Bengals.  But I like both of them.

 

I like Carson Palmer.  I like Chad Ochocinco.  I don’t like Cedric Benson, but I can appreciate how he fits in with the rest of the Cincy locker room.  As for the Steelers, I’m not a big fan of too many Pittsburgh players, but I do like Mike Tomlin.

 

Mike Tomlin. online photo, no source available

 

Tomlin is a rare mix of old school and new school, where the players love him but he also stresses toughness and accountability. Tomlin doesn’t just do that without being a d*ck, he makes it cool.  He sets the tone for his team.  He’s young enough to find common ground, yet he maintains his authority.  He’s straightforward and can be blunt, but without being pretentious like Parcells or Gruden.

 

I’ll take all that character and goodie-goodieness over the skeleton-closeted Bengals – Pittsburgh 30, Cincy 26.

 

PHILLY at SAN DIEGO:   I was disappointed in the Eagles last week not being able to take care of business at home against Dallas.  Donovan McNabb looked pedestrian, and when he stalls the whole offense stalls.  I’d like to think that a nice little trip to San Diego will serve McNabb and the Eagles well, because the Chargers have yet to beat a legit team.  It’s tough to classify the Eagles as legit, but they might be partially legit and I don’t like Phil Rivers.  Have I mentioned that I don’t like Phil Rivers before?

 

Eagles win a road squeaker, 24-21.

 

DALLAS at GREEN BAY:  Whatever, I don’t care about this game, because I’m not supposed to like either of these teams.  I kinda like the Packers, but that’s only because I hate the Vikings.  I want to pick the Packers, but I can’t see Aaron Rodgers not getting dropped at least five or six times in this game.

 

I’m picking Dallas because of their defense, which has given up more than 21 points only once so far in 2009. At the end of the day, they’re both either mediocre or overrated or both. Dallas 21, Packers 14.

 

MISMATCHES

 

A total of four games look to be either big blowouts or big upsets this week, and I’m picking the obvious favorite to win 34-10 in each of the following games:

 

DETROIT at MINNESOTA
NEW ORLEANS at SEATTLE
BALTIMORE at CLEVELAND
BUFFALO at TENNESSEE
DENVER at WASHINGTON, D.C. FOOTBALL FRANCHISE

 

I know, I snuck that Bills-Titans game in there towards the end. Even with the garbage status of both of these teams, it should be a rout for Tennessee, who brings the 2nd-ranked running game against the Bills’ league-worst run defense.

 

And I know there’s been a lot of chatter about Denver “being exposed” the last two weeks, but they played two good teams, and they’re a squad with a rookie head coach and a first-year QB – they’re going to be fine.  The R*dsk*ns will be just the remedy they need.

 

COULD BE GOOD, COULD SUCK, PROBABLY BORING

 

JACKSONVILLE at NY JETS: The Jets are so hard to pick this season. They’re hard to pick in their own division – they’ve beaten the Pats and lost to the Bills. They lost to Miami twice. The Jags are the same story. They beat Houston and lost to Tennessee. Seattle beat them 41-0. That’s why I’ll pick the Jets, who in reality will probably lose this week, only to go to Foxboro next week and win. J-E-T-S 26, Jags 13.

 

TAMPA BAY at MIAMI: I gotta say the Bucs grew on me last week. I like Josh Freeman. He’s big, he looked confident, he looked accurate. He didn’t look scared. Not being scared won’t make you a good QB (look at Jay Cutler), but it helps if you have other intangibles, which I think Freeman might have. I’ll still take Miami, because Freeman can’t help Tampa’s defense, which is giving up over 160 rushing yards a game. Dolphins 24, Bucs 17.

 

ATLANTA at CAROLINA: Carolina leads the league in turnovers with 24. Atlanta hasn’t lost to a bad team yet, and they won’t this week. Falcons 28, Panthers 17.

 

SEATTLE at ARIZONA: Yeah, I just can’t seem to find the enthusiasm for this one. Neither Arizona’s drubbing of my own team last week or Arizona’s Super Bowl appearance do a thing for me. I know Seattle is probably still terrible enough to lose big in this one, but who knows? I’ll say Seattle for the hell of it, S’Hawks 23, Cards 22.

 

WEEK 10 TOILET BOWL: K.C. at OAKLAND: Uhh…I’ll say the Raiders. A score isn’t really too necessary.

 

contact email: nick.thomas@flyingpigskin.com

 

 

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NFL 2009 WEEK 5 PICKS – YTD: 45-17 (73%)

Oct 7

Posted by Nick Thomas, NFC North resident in Pro Football Picks | Comments off

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So, in August, when I was trying to determine the voice with which I would write about the NFL, I wanted to be entertaining without being disrespectful to the sport. I have an enormous amount of respect for anyone who can make a career out of playing professional football, as it is a brutal, intense, high-pressure game that requires intelligence and physical conditioning that I am incapable of on either side. But to put it simply, the 2009 NFL has shown itself to be full of turds. Tampa Bay, Washington, Kansas City, Cleveland, Tennessee, Buffalo, St. Louis, Oakland, Carolina, and even Dallas have been not worth watching, let alone worth following and trying to dig up relevant stats for prediction purposes. I know there will always be bottom-feeders, but it seems like every week is full of either total mismatches or complete duds of matchups, with a couple-three good games on the slate if we’re lucky. Week 5 is no exception:

MISMATCHES/DUDS

MINNESOTA at ST. LOUIS: As much as I want this to be a trap game for the Vikings, it won’t be.  The 2009 St. Louis Rams may be one of the worst teams to ever participate in an NFL season, and I think the players know it.  There’s absolutely no hope for this team.  And even though I do believe that the Rams will win at least one game this year as it is too improbable for two teams to go winless in consecutive seasons, it isn’t going to be this one.  Vikings, 31-13.

Rams. online photo, no source available.
I don’t even know who this is, and I don’t care.

DALLAS at KANSAS CITY: Both these teams need a win to stave off firings of coaches and GMs.  This game will be far more competitive than any Cowboys fan wants to believe, and if I was really ballsy I’d pick K.C. to win.  I do think that Tony Romo is headed for a meltdown of epic proportions, but the Cowboys likely have enough talent elsewhere to win this game.  Dallas still brings two very good tailbacks and a defense with a chip on its shoulder.  If Romo doesn’t defecate himself, the Cowboys win; 24-20.

Matt Cassel. online phot, no source available

WEEK 5 TOILET BOWL: CLEVELAND at BUFFALO: So the Browns hung around like a stray dog last week in a forgettable OT game vs. Cincy, and the Bills were run into the ground by the Dolphins.  I don’t know what to think of this game, and honestly, I don’t care.  I’ll take the Browns in an upset because Bills coach Dick Jauron is a man I’ve lost all respect for.  He’s chosen to excuse away bad losses because of injuries and when the coach takes that approach, so does the rest of the team.  The Browns really, really want a W anyway, so they travel to Buffalo and get one.  Cleveland 20, Buffalo 14.

WEEK 5 TOILET BOWL (II): WASHINGTON at CAROLINA: The single-most interesting aspect of this matchup is that the R*dsk*ns brought in a gentleman named Sherman Lewis as an “offensive consultant”.  According to this Chicago Tribune article, Lewis was preparing to act as a Bingo-barker when Washington called on his obviously overlooked offensive prowess.  How can this not work?  D.C. Football Franchise in an upset, with Sherman Lewis earning a Gatorade bath:  ‘Sk*ns 23, Panthers 17.

TAMPA BAY at PHILADELPHIA: The Bucs travel to Philly at the wrong time.  While Kevin Kolb has filled in for Donovan McNabb admirably, Don takes his seat back ahead of schedule and RB Brian Westbrook follows suit.  Look for rookie RB LeSean McCoy to still carry most of the load this week, but Westbrook will see spot action and be effective against a Tampa defense who has only proven one thing: it can not tackle.  At all.  Easy, laid-back win for Philly, 27-9.

Ryan Sims. online photo, no source available
Keep praying, dude. You’re gonna need it.

CINCINNATI at BALTIMORE: Some may dispute the categorization of this game, as the Bengals have been a surprise this season thus far.  But the Ravens are furious and frenzied after the razor-thin loss in Foxboro last week.  Tom Brady’s womanly actions alone will drive this Baltimore team to pummel Cincinnati.  Ray Lewis may injure someone.  Joe Flacco and the Ravens RB’s will destroy a bad Cleveland defense.  Ravens 34, Bengals 17.

OAKLAND at NY GIANTS: Come on.  Don’t expect me to waste time on this game.  Giants 34, Raiders 10.

HOUSTON at ARIZONA: Here’s what I know about these two teams: Houston has WR Andre Johnson, who has the capability of dominating a game by himself, and the Cardinals are statistically terrible against the pass (30th overall). That being said, AZ is coming off a bye week and are 0-2 at home this season and must win in Pink Taco Stadium or whatever its called at some point. I still just don’t buy Houston as being able to win a game when it really needs to. Cardinals 32, Texans 23.

PITTSBURGH at DETROIT: This is not the easy game for Pittsburgh that people are myopically assuming that it is. The Lions will show high-wire offense against the Steelers, who are still missing Troy Polamalu (he hopes to play next week). Although Pittsburgh will not allow WR Calvin Johnson to pop off quite the way he did against Chicago last week (133 yds, 123 in the 1st half), he will still have to be accounted for. Of course, this whole theory goes down the crapper if Matt Stafford is replaced by Daunte Culpepper at QB. To Culpepper’s credit, he no longer is having to pour himself into a Honolulu-Blue circus tent in order to don a Lions uniform. Steelers 25, Lions 18.

GAMES RANGING FROM MILDLY INTERESTING TO MARQUEE

JACKSONVILLE at SEATTLE: This is a sneaky-good game disguised as a Toilet Bowl.  Seattle, although injury-depleted, is still tough at home, and Jacksonville may be hitting their stride and playing with a bit of a swagger.  The Jags put up 442 yards of total offense last week against another injury-depleted team in Tennessee.  Seneca Wallace is a better QB for Seattle than Matt Hasselbeck is with LT Walter Jones out again.  Wallace can neutralize a pass rush to some extent with his mobility and is more accurate than he is given credit for.  This is a toss-up, but I’ll give it to Seattle:  Seahawks 24, Jaguars 21.

INDIANAPOLIS at TENNESSEE: Most observers at this point would dismiss this game as an easy win for the Colts, but I tend to think otherwise.  Acknowledged is the fact that the Titans are winless, but I refuse to think that this team plays without self-respect.  For Jeff Fisher’s Titans, this is a divisional home-game, and Indianapolis, despite the high level of astuteness and IQ, are capable of overlooking a team that is starving for a win.  I can’t believe I’m about to do this, but I’m picking the Titans in an upset:  Tennessee 24, Indy 21.

NEW ENGLAND at DENVER: Well, for those Broncos doubters that say they still haven’t faced a team of relevance yet in 2009, Week 5 provides concrete proof of exactly where Denver stands on the NFL ladder.  If this game were being played in New England, I wouldn’t really give Denver any chance at all.  But Tom Brady and the Patriots will face a very hostile Denver home crowd and a Broncos team wanting to truly show it’s worth to the rest of the NFL.  Denver and former Pats coordinator Josh McDaniels will be full of piss and vinegar, and even Tom Terrific has to be ashamed of his actions versus Baltimore last week.  If I was writing the line, this game would be a push.  But because I’m not, I’ll take the Pats in a road squeaker – N.E. 26, Denver 24.  And it will most likely be because of some BS penalty, and my boy Kyle Orton will outplay Brady.

ATLANTA at SAN FRANCISCO: Best game of the week, hands down.  Atlanta is fresh off a bye week, and the 49ers are pretty much fresh off a bye week after whipping the hapless Rams.  These teams are tied for 2nd in points allowed – edge to San Fran, who did an outstanding job against the Purple Jebus two weeks ago.  A look at the truest tests these teams have faced thus far both reveal losses – SF at Minnesota (in a game they should have won) and Atlanta at New England (a game they got legitimately beat in).  Plus, Atlanta’s defensive stats are skewed because of the early Bye Week.  I like the 49ers at home, but in a well-played game.  Frisco 24, Atlanta 20.

NY JETS at MIAMI: Look for the Jets to overload against the run and force the Michigan darling Chad Henne to beat them with his arm, which he won’t be able to do.  In Henne’s pro career, he has attempted 41 passes.  What you need to know is that he has been sacked 7 times already.  Not too mobile, this one.  The Jets defense will be itching for some sacks – their last two games versus New England and New Orleans yielded none – and Miami will oblige after giving up six of them to Buffalo last week despite winning by four TD’s (and four extra points).  Jets put on a show on defense:  Jets 22. Dolphins 12.

contact email: nick.thomas@flyingpigskin.com

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WILL SOMEONE PLEASE TERMINATE THIS THING

Sep 29

Posted by Nick Thomas, NFC North resident in Armchair QB | 4 Comments

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FOX football robot. online photo, no source available

Seriously, this robot has to go.  Is there any moron out there who watches the Sunday Fox NFL broadcasts that thinks, “Man, the NFL just wouldn’t be the same without this dancing robot.”  Sadly, I can only assume that there is.

The aspect of the graphic that irks me the most is perhaps that the NFL allows the thing to go on.  I’m no Media Law professor, but Fox obviously has a contractual agreement with the league itself to broadcast games.  And while I’m sure the league grants it’s TV outlets creative leeway on how they produce and direct their broadcasts, doesn’t this just really p*ss off Roger Goodell?

This robot is imitating end-zone celebrations that would be flagged every time for taunting or excessive celebration if performed by a player.  How is that okay?  Would Goodell be just fine with the robot imitating, say, an illegal crackback block?  Or how about spearing a QB robot in the back?  Or for that matter, how about a dive at the knees of a QB robot, followed by a nauseating and totally classless hogtie sack dance?  All of these actions would incur the same penalty as what the robot is doing.

fox robot. online photo, no source available

An open plea to Roger Goodell:  Please, sir – in your infinite wisdom and swift-judgment of disciplinary issues, I implore you to direct the Fox Broadcasting Network to can this graphic.  I cannot believe that its absence from my TV screen every Sunday will in some way diminish the awesome power of the sport you preside over. Furthermore, Fox already punishes its viewers enough with the 17 jock-sniffing ex-players it crams into it’s pregame studio to bellow with laughter at each other’s jockular hilarity.

Thank you, Mr. Goodell.  And perhaps while you’re at it, you could also have NBC ditch the country-girl music videos that we are subjected to prior to Sunday evening broadcasts.  It is my understanding that those videos were test-marketed on captured Iraqi insurgents circa 2004-2006.

contact: nick.thomas@flyingpigskin.com

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NFL 2009 WEEK 3 PICKS – YTD RECORD 23-9 (72%)

Sep 23

Posted by Nick Thomas, NFC North resident in Pro Football Picks | Comments off

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Okay, so I went from 15-1 in Week 1 to 8-8 in Week 2. Week 3 doesn’t look to be much easier; almost every conclusion drawn comes strictly from opponents played – there are no comprehensive answers through 2 weeks of the season. But I vow to redeem myself. There are a couple of easy games, so let’s start there.

GIMMIE No. 1 – CLEVELAND at BALTIMORE: What’s to think about? Joe Flacco has a 96.1 rating with 5 touchdowns through 2 games. Brady Quinn has a 66.9 rating with 1 TD. With Baltimore playing at home, there needs to be no other reason to pick the Ravens. Baltimore, 27-12.

GIMMIE No. 2 – GREEN BAY at ST. LOUIS: Green Bay losing to Cincinnati was unfathomable. But even after allowing 5 sacks to DE Antwan Odom (6 sacks overall), and allowing Cedric Benson 144 yards (including three 12 yard rushes on the Bengals’ opening drive), Green Bay came close to winning. The Pack recovered an onside kick, drove to the Cincy 10-yard line, then attempted a fake snap when a false start penalty ended the game with less than 10 seconds left. Defensive snafus for GB included allowing a 3rd and 34 to be converted on a screen pass, and playing LB Nick Barnett a total of 0 snaps in the 4th quarter. Those same mistakes won’t be made; Packers, 21-10.
Packers-Bengals. online photo, no source available

WEEK 3 TOILET BOWL: WASHINGTON at DETROIT: It’s time. Detroit must, at some point, awaken from their slumber and beat an NFL team. The R*dsk*ns are low on karma after 6th round rookie Robert Henson insulted working class fans for booing his garbage football team via Twitter. The Lions, on the other hand, have exerted more effort in losing 2 games than the R*dsk*ns did in beating 78th rated St. Louis. Lions fans rejoice: your seasons of discontent mercifully come to a close this Sunday. Lions 17, D.C. Football Franchise 13.

SAN FRANCISCO at MINNESOTA: In many ways these two teams are mirror images of each other: both have very, very good running backs, both have mediocre quarterbacks, both have pass protection issues, and both precariously lead their divisions. Both of these teams will see their first significant challenges in terms of quality opponents. SF owns the first real linebacker that the Vikings have faced in Patrick Willis. Minnesota provides the first real offensive threat in Adrian Peterson that coach Mike Singletary has had to deal with. Two major differences – rushing defense, with the 49ers 3rd overall and MN 15th; and health. Vikings LB E.J. Henderson and the Purple Jebus are both hampered with back injuries to varying degrees. I want to pick San Francisco, so I will. San Fran, 24-21.

ATLANTA at NEW ENGLAND: Atlanta rides into Foxboro high as a kite and New England enters the game looking like Eyore from Winnie the Pooh. ATL QB Matt Ryan makes his homecoming leading a team 9th in points scored and 18th in yards. In contrast, Tom Terrific leads the team that is 9th in yards, but 23rd in points. And although Brady took no sacks versus the Jets in Week 2, he was hassled to the tune of 7 hits and countless hurries, forcing him into key incompletions and poor decision-making. Alas, the Pats will remind everyone that they are still a very formidable opponent. New England 26, Falcons 19.

TENNESSEE at NY JETS: Toughest choice of the week for me, the Jets enter a home game ranked 1st overall in total defense while the Titans gave up 34 points to the Houston Texans last week. Tennessee sports the 32nd ranked pass defense so far, after allowing Matt Schaub to throw 4 TDs and no picks in Week 2. The most telling stat? The next touchdown the New York Jets allow on defense will be their first. It is hard for me to pick against Tennessee because of their 2008 rep, but I will, even though it seems too trendy and easy: Jets 17, Titans 14.

KANSAS CITY at PHILADELPHIA: Philly QB Kevin Kolb is likely to get his 2nd start of the season against a winless Chiefs team. Never mind who the Eagles played last week, it’s irrelevant. All you need to know is that Kansas City, despite dominating total yards (409-166), time of possession (38:39 to 21:21), and first downs (25-11), still lost to the Raiders at home, 13-10. Not helping KC was going 0-2 in the red zone, 9 flags for 70 yards, and 2 turnovers to Oakland’s zero. Losing to the Raiders at home means you don’t beat Philly in Philly. Eagles, 20-9.

NY GIANTS at TAMPA BAY: I am ready to pick the Giants based solely on their heroic spoiling of Dallas’ new-stadium opener. 110,000 people went home very unhappy deep in the heart of Texas. I tried to find some stat that says the Bucs will challenge, but they won’t. This one comes down to sheer offensive star power: Mario Manningham and Steve Smith combined for 20 catches and 284 yards against the Cowboys. Tampa Bay, on the other hand, only got 18 carries for 57 yards out of its supposed talent-laden RB corps. Don’t over think this one. Giants win, 34-13.

JACKSONVILLE at HOUSTON: Normally division games would lead one to the conclusion that it will be a mildly interesting and scrappy contest. And while this may turn out to actually be the case, I can’t find the energy to dig up relevant stats for either of these teams. I do know that Houston passed for 4 touchdowns on Tennessee last week and that Jacksonville has lost 2 close games to quality opponents. My intuition says that Jacksonville is better than they’re viewed and that Houston is worse. Jacksonville in a road upset: 22-18.

NEW ORLEANS at BUFFALO: I will not pick against the Saints again this season until they let me down. Let the record show that I have learned my lesson – New Orleans has scored 12 TDs in 2 games, and will certainly not be cowed by Dick Jauron’s 28th ranked defense. Although Buffalo ranks 6th in scoring to the Saints first, the disparity in points is cannot be ignored (93-57). Saints win easy, 37-20.

CHICAGO at SEATTLE: Seattle WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh has chosen this week to open his mouth. Sayeth Housh: “Man, the Bears ain’t even holler at me…so I’m going to show [them] Sunday.” Interesting for a player who currently ranks 3rd on his team in receptions and with zero TDs – despite being a handsomely-paid free-agent. He is currently being outpaced by the luminescent 2nd year TE John Carlson. On top of that, QB Matt Hasselbeck, among others, is not likely to play with a fractured rib. Injured Seahawks roll-call: OT Sean Locklear, CB Josh Wilson, OT Walter Jones, WR Deion Branch, and MLB Lofa Tatupu. Chicago RB Matt Forte is desperate for a statistically relevant performance – his mouth will water at a Seattle defense who gave up 209 yards to Frank Gore in Week 2. I don’t even need to mention that the Bears are coming off an emotional, confidence-lifting defeat of the NFL Champs. Bears 28, Seahawks 12.

MIAMI at SAN DIEGO: I would love to pick a team I like (Miami) over a team I don’t like (the Chargers), but I am not going to. It’s possible the Dolphins’ offense will simply be gassed after being on the field for 45:07 on Monday night. While the defense will be fresh, San Diego’s offense will be pressured to perform. Miami’s brand of throwback, low-risk offensive production ain’t gonna fly against the speedy Chargers defense. As much as I don’t like it, SD 23, Dolphins 16.

PITTSBURGH at CINCINNATI: Pittsburgh goes on the road for the 2nd week in a row against a team that it is supposed to beat – Steelers fans can rejoice in Chicago mustering a measly 44 yards rushing at home in the rain, but should be weary of how drunken loser Cedric Benson gashed the 3-4 defense of Green Bay for 144 yards. But Pittsburgh isn’t about to lose a division game against an inferior opponent regardless of who that opponent beat last week. Cincy still sucks and will show it. Steelers, 24-13.

WEEK 3 TOILET BOWL (II) – DENVER at OAKLAND: Denver once again qualifies for flushable status, drawing the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are without the supposedly important OG Robert Gallery with a broken leg and won’t be able to win with another 107 yard performance from QB JaMarcus Russell, who languishes with a 46.6 QB rating on the season. Kyle Orton isn’t Superman, but he is good enough to beat Oakland. Sheriff McDaniels 16, Sheriff Al Davis 10. Denver becomes the NFL’s crappiest 3-0 team.

INDIANAPOLIS at ARIZONA: Many “insiders” are going to pick the Cardinals in this game, and will show their foolishness. Don’t listen. The Colts won last week despite only having the ball for a little more than 14 minutes. Peyton Manning proved he can beat you if you blitz him, and also if you don’t. Arizona is not likely to produce an adequate defensive scheme with which to defeat the elder Manning brother. My first inclination is to predict a shootout, but I am quickly stifled by the Colt’s #1 pass defense ranking (139 yards per game); AZ ranks 18th. Indy wins easy, 31-17.

MONDAY NIGHT

CAROLINA at DALLAS: Dallas again takes the field in their spanking new stadium, but this week they face an opponent seemingly determined to squander virtually every opportunity presented to them. Although PWT QB Jake DelHomme proved he wasn’t completely worthless against Atlanta in Week 2, he still qualifies for JaMarcus Russell status, quagmiring along with a 45.3 QB rating (actually, JaMarcus Russell qualifies for Jake DelHomme status). Don’t look for that to improve against a Dallas team who needs a win worse than anybody in the NFL. Yes, Tony Romo was GARBAGE in the Cowboys’ home debut, throwing for 127 yards and 3 INTs. But Marion Barber made it respectable, averaging 7 yards per carry, along with Felix Jones’ 13.7 yards per carry. Dallas held the formidable Giant’s rushing attack to 97 yards while running for 251 of their own. Cowboys 24, Panthers 10. (Tony Romo has to work off a $1,300,000,000 new- stadium debt, as he is now dating Jerry Jones instead of Jessica Simpson).

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