FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Hello everyone.  It was a wild and fanstic week in the NFL, with some incredible plays and some even better finishes.  Now let's take a look back at the week that was in the NFL, Week 3:

Browns 3 @ Ravens 34 (I know that the Rams look bad so far, but come on, is Cleveland not the worst team in the NFL?  The offense is terrible, the defense can't stop anyone, no one likes the head coach.  It is a trainwreck.  The other sideline though is in pretty good shape with regards to the Ravens.  Their offense looks almost unstoppable.  Their defense still needs to play a little better, but so far, Baltimore looks like they are the team to beat in the AFC outside of Indianapolis.)

Redskins 14 @ Lions 19 (To anyone who reads this that is a Lions fan, I want to apologize to you.  I wanted to pick the Lions like I mentioned in my preview blog, but said they needed to win before I start to pick them.  Well they did.  Congrats Detroit on your first win since December of 2007.  For Washington, Jim Zorn's seat just got hotter and this team looks awful.)

Jaguars 31 @ Texans 24 (Some teams you just don't get, and though it's early, the Texans are that team.  After a huge road win against the Titans, their defense once again comes up empty against the Jaguars.  For a team that many, myself included, thought would make the playoffs, they certaintly don't look like they have the players or the scheme to do it.)

Falcons 10 @ Patriots 26 (Michael Turner needs to come out of his shell and play like he did last year.  Yes, the Patriots defense came to play on Sunday against the Falcons, but Turner has looked subpar this year.  If the Falcons want to make it deep, Turner must step up.)

Packers 36 @ Rams 17 (Both Rams QBs, Marc Bulger and Kyle Boller are going to struggle with no wide receivers to throw to.  Steven Jackson can't do it on his own.  They have been plagued by injuries.  What a catch by Donald Driver too.  He has played really well this year and that will help the Packers offense.)

Giants 24 @ Bucs 0 (86 yards.  That is all the yards of total offense that the Bucs could muster against the Giants.  If the Giants had wanted to, they could have the game by at least 40.  They are legit.  The Bucs have a legit shot to not even get to 3 wins this year.)

Titans 17 @ Jets 24 (Mark Sanchez continues to play good.  2 TDs through the air and one on the ground helped lead the Jets to a 3-0 start.  The Titans, 13-3 a year ago, are now 0-3.  No one would have thought that a month ago.)

Chiefs 14 @ Eagles 34 (Kevin Kolb has played really well these last two weeks.  He has proven he can play in this league.  DeSean Jackon is a beast and it was nice to see Michael Vick back on an NFL field.  The Chiefs by the way are awful, but you didn't need me to tell you that.)

49ers 24 @ Vikings 27 (Game of the week, hands down.  Play of the week, hands down.  What Brett Favre did is exactly why the Vikings got him.  Jackson and Rosenfels would never have been able to make that throw.  What a catch by Greg Lewis.  Welcome to Minnesota.  Even in a loss, the 49ers are very impressive and are headed in the right direction.  They are a force to be reckoned with.)

Saints 27 @ Bills 7 (The performance by the Saints and Drew Brees shows that they can win even when Brees has an off day.  The defense played really well and did not allow a completion to Terrell Owens ending his 185-game streak with at least one reception.  He held his tongue, for now, but you can bet Mt. Owens will erupt soon if he doesn't get more passes thrown his way.)

Bears 25 @ Seahawks 19 (Jim Mora Jr.'s post-game rant on Olindo Mare missing two field goals may have been justified, but you should never call a player on your team out in a press conference before talking to him.  The Seahawks, who have been riddled with injuries this season played the Bears tough, and those two field goals would have tied the game.  Maybe that is where Mora's frustration comes in.  Who knows.)

Steelers 20 @ Bengals 23 (The Steelers must miss Troy Polamalu a lot.  Maybe the Bengals are just that much better than anybody thought they would be.  Regardless, it was a heck of a win for the Bengals who won after entering the fourth quarter trailing 20-9.  This team is a fluke catch away from being 3-0.  The Bengals are for real.  Watch out.)

Broncos 23 @ Raiders 3 (The Broncos defense is legit.  What has been a sore spot for them the last few years is now a strength.  Sure the Raiders are just awful and JaMarcus Russell is completely inaccurate, but give credit to the Broncos.  Nobody, myself included, thought this team would be 3-0.  They have a good chance to be 4-0 this weekend when they play the Cowboys.)

Dolphins 13 @ Chargers 23 (Terrible news for Miami that Chad Pennington is out for the season with a bad shoulder.  That guy cannot catch a break.  Hard to believe this is the same team that won the AFC East last year.  They just don't have enought talent to win many games this year.  The Chargers get a good win to stay a game behind Denver.)

Colts 31 @ Cardinals 10 (So much for the defense being tired after playing more than 45 minutes on Monday night and then flying cross country.  They were everwhere and tormented Kurt Warner.  Dwight Freeney was all over the field.  And Peyton Manning, what else can you say about him.  4 TDs and he had command right from the start.  This team is going places, that is for sure after a win like this.  Arizona needs to wake up from their Super Bowl hangover in a hurry if they want to win the NFC West.)

Panthers 7 @ Cowboys 21 (It was a pretty sloppy game, but the Cowboys rushing attack was too much for the Panthers defense.  Jake Delhomme's two interceptions may not have been his fault, but he still has 7 interceptions on the year.  The Panthers are in trouble.  They won't make the playoffs.  The Cowboys still have a good shot if they stick to a gameplan like they did Monday night, they will win a lot of games.)

Overall, not a bad week of picking games.  I went 11-5, with an overall record of 34-14.  The games though were so much better.  We'll be back Thursday with a preview of week 4 and I think there just might be something about Brett Favre facing his former team in there.  Until next time, c ya.)