Houston @ Cincinnati If you haven't read Rick Reilly's review of Chad Ochocinco's book, please do so. But be prepared to endure the disappointment that comes with realizing one of the most lovable figures in pro football is really not a good guy. Pick: Bengals [...] Continue reading → | nfl odds week 6, nfl predictions, nfl week 6, nfl week 6 predictions

Here are the updated NFL Power Rankings now that the first quarter of the 2009 NFL season in the books. 32. St. Louis Rams 0-4 (preseason ranking: 24) It’s hard to play football without an offense. 31. Cleveland Browns 0-4 [...] Continue reading → | NFL power rankings, NFL updated power rankings, NFL week 5 power rankings, NFL week five power rankings

Detroit @ Chicago Som egood news for the Bears is that Jay Cutler has a passer rating of 110.4 over the past four quarters, and Devin Hester has caught at least four passes in all three games this year. While the passing game is working, surprisingly enough, Chicago can't move the ball on the ground. Matt Forte is averaging a paltry 2.5 yards per carry. He hasn’t been getting to the second level, which means he hasn’t had an opportunity to showcase his marvelous fluidity. An [...] Continue reading → | Ben Roethlisberger Raw, Ben Roethlisberger WWE, Brett Favre vs. Packers, NFL week 4, NFL Week 4 predictions

Ever have one of those epiphanies that's just so radical you spend the first few days in a soft state of shock, waiting for the new truth to be disproved and for your world to restore its familiar order? Every person's life has at least a few of these epiphanies. (The one we can all relate to is the childhood revelation about Santa Clause.) I had one of these epiphanies after the Dolphins-Colts game last Monday night. As I rose from my chair and headed out the door to run some postgame errands, I found myself thinking “Gee, running the ball truly does not matter anymore.” I’ve long [...] Continue reading → | Chiefs starting quarterback, michael vick eagles, NFL greatest moments, NFL week 3 games, NFL week 3 previews

Click here to read the Week 2 edition of my weekly New York Times feature on the Top 7 Most Noteworthy Things from Sunday. [...] Continue reading → | Fifth down blog, Mark Sanchez, NFL Sunday, NFL week 2 analysis, Tom Brady

Houston @ Tennessee........These clubs have replaced the Panthers and Jaguars as the two teams most often mistaken for one another. Their only similarity in Week 1 was that they both lost. The Titans looked good against Pittsburgh, particularly in the passing game (which was a result of solid pass protection). The Texans looked utterly inept against a Byzantine Jets defense. A slow start (0-4) killed Houston last season. It’s never easy to get off the snide on the road, but at least the Texans defeated Tennessee (in Reliant Stadium) last December. [...] Continue reading → | NFL week 2, NFL week 2 odds, NFL week 2 previews, week 2 predictions

Generally, my free agent assessments come later in the spring after I’ve had a chance to break down the film (my film study starts next week). But the buzz is loudest right now. So, that said, here are some initial impressions on the NFL’s big offseason moves thus far. Albert Haynesworth – Washington Redskins [...] Continue reading → | Albert Haynesworth, Bart Scott, Brian Dawkins, Jay Cutler, Matt Cassel, NFL free agent signings

This goes down as the second greatest Super Bowl of all time. Super Bowl XLII still has the edge because of the magnitude of the Giants upset and New England’s perfect season. At around the fourth quarter’s 2:30 mark, I found myself praying that this game wouldn’t go to overtime. The worst thing that could happen for the league would be to have the game go to an extra period and be decided on the first possession. [...] Continue reading → | Arizona Cardinals, Ben Roethlisberger, James Harrison, NBC Super Bowl coverage, Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl XLIII recap

Arizona Cardinals 32, Philadelphia Eagles 25 The story of this game was Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley out-coaching Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. Aside from the third quarter, Haley was one step ahead of Johnson’s blitzes all afternoon. Those who know Haley from his days as the receivers coach in Dallas can see that he has a far more authoritative demeanor on the sidelines. He’ll be the hottest head coaching candidate on the market this time next year…assuming he doesn’t get a new [...] Continue reading → | AFC championship recap, Cardinals, NFC championship recap, Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers Key vs. San Diego Offensive balance. The Steelers have not exactly been their usual running selves this season. They ranked 23rd in the league in rushing during the regular season. Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore, neither of whom is a power runner, combined for just 1,379 yards on the ground. Compensating for the [...] Continue reading → | AFC championship preview, NFC championship preview, NFL divisional analysis