Week 4 picks

Bengals over Browns: Someone has to win! I feel like the Bengals have some momentum after playing the Giants tough last week. The Browns look like a completely different team from 2007. Just make the switch to Quinn already Romeo.

Vikings over Titans: Low scoring defensive struggle will go the Vikes way. The Titan play the game right and the defense has been outstanding (29 points against this season). I just feel like the Vikings need the game.

Broncos over Chiefs: The Chiefs are bad. I'm not going against Cutler right now. He has torched Kansas City in the past and he may be playing at the highest level of any QB in the league right now.

49ers over Saints. With Colsten and Shockey out, Brees is running low on weapons. The Niners are playing with confidence right now and should be able to out score the Saints. This time last season, did you ever think you would hear that statement.

Jets over Cards: I'll take homefield here. Even with Favre gimpy, I don't trust the Cards on the road...yet. I can see both QB's throwing for 300 and the Jets scoring twenty something to egde the Cards twenty somthing.

Packers over Bucs: The Bucs could pull this one out. I never feel like they have a lot of talent but they always seem to be decent. I'll go with the Pack because I think they can score on the Buc's D and they should be mad after a butt kicking by the Cowboys.

Panthers over Falcons: The Falcons are much, much better than expected but Delhomme and Smith will be too much. Matt Ryan will make some mistakes this week with Julius Peppers in his face all day.

Jags over Texans: Texans just look bad right now. Even though they have the Jag's number (Texans have won 3 out of the last 4) Jcksonville will squeak by in this one. Sage Rosenfel may replace Shaub at some point in this game. What a waste of 50 million Shaub looks like.

Chargers over Raiders: SD should really be 3-0. They'll be 2-2 after beating a dysfunctional Raiders team. LT is getting healthier and Philip Rivers is playing at a high level. The Raiders just can't keep up with them.

Cowboys over Redskins: The Redskins are getting better but I'd take the Cowboys over anyone right now. Their offense is just too good. I think this game will be close though.

Eagles over Bears: The Eagles are a legit superbowl contender. Will Westbrook be effective? The Bears fall to a tough to take 1-3.

Steelers over Ravens: Pitt will rebound after getting abused by the Philly D. Flacco will have trouble against that Steeler D. I just don't think Baltimore can keep winning with that offense.

Parker Hurt, Burress suspended

I can't remember a season where so many players have been hurt and/or suspended. From Tom Brady to Marques Colston to Steve Smith to the Colt's line injuries (which affect Peyton Manning) 2008 has been a year like none other. Anyway, add Willie Parker and Plaxico Burress to the list. Parker will miss the game against the Ravens this week. He has a sprained knee. Burress on the other hand is healthy as can be but was suspended for 2 weeks today by the Giants for no showing and not giving a reason. He will effectively miss 1 game because the Giants have a bye this week.

Fantasy Impact: Mendenhall is good play in Parker's absense. He should be the feature back this week and finally get a chance to show what he can do. What does this mean for the long run? Well is he plays well, he should see more touches. That will hurt Parker's value. If he plays poorly and continues to have the fumbling problems he did in the preseason, Parker will resume getting almost all of the touches.

As for Burress, owners lose him 2 weeks in a row because of the bye. If you need to pick someone up, Amani Toomer should get a lot of looks in his absense. Wide Receiver is a thin position. You might just have to play someone on a hunch and hope they have a nice game or two. For example, Antonio Bryant had over 120 yards for Tammpa Bay this past weekend. He might be someone to take a flyer on.

Mr. Monday Night

The award goes to Philip Rivers who is really picking up the slack with L.T. banged up. He put up 3 more scores Monday against the Jets raising his season total to 9. Rivers is a hard player to root for with his childlike antics on the field but he is really coming into his own. For all of the 1st round QB busts we see, 2004 is looking like a terrific class. Manning and Roethisberger have won superbowls and Rivers may not be far behind. Compare that with the class of 2006 when the big 3 were Leinart, Young and Cutler. Cutler looks to be the next great NFL QB but Leinart and Young may both be on their way to bust status.

I know this is going off on a tangent considering this is only the Mr. Monday Night Post, but it's good to see the next crop of NFL QB's starting to step up. There are a lot of mediocre to bad QB's in the league which is amazing to me considering that it is the most glamorous position in sports (see Brady, Tom). You would think that it would be easy to find a capable QB. It's not...not even close. Roethisberger, Cutler, Rivers, Eli, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Tony Romo and Trent Edwards (yep. I said Trent Edwards) will continue to carry the league as Brady, Peyton, Favre, Hasselback and McNabb get older. I even like what I have seen from Matt Ryan so far. I'm hopeful for the future of the position. I hope the Jason Campbell's continue to improve, I hope the Jake Delhomme's continue to be steady and underrated, and I hope the Kurt Warner's (and maybe J.T. O'Sullivan's) continue to come from no where. Nothing is worse for the NFL and their franchises than bad QB play, just ask a Kansas City Chiefs fan right now.

Week 3 in review

Studs:

Drew Brees: While I wanted to throw my remote through the TV every time the Saints ran in a touchdown, Brees still ended up with a monster day because of 421 yards passing. He only thew for 1 touchdowns but 421 will make up the points.

Marion Barber: I told everyone who would listen that he was a top 8 pick this season. 142 yards on the ground and a score...just another week for Marion. Just hope that he can hold up. He takes a pounding because of his straight up, make the tackler pay running style.

Frank Gore: It's fun to watch Gore when there aren't 8 men in thr box. 130 yards rushing and a score.

Michael Turner: I really didn't expect Turner to play this well. He carried his owners on Sunday with 3 touchdowns.

Larry Johnson: I've been all over LJ this season so I need to give him props for his 121 yards and a touchdown.

Ronnie Brown: 5 total touchdowns is a monster week for anyone. Now only if he wasn't on most owners benches...

Reggie Bush: It's about time Reggie! 148 total yards and 2 scores.

Brandon Marshall: Cutler to Marshall looks like the new Manning to Harrison. 150 and a score in week 3. Now if he can just stay out of trouble.

TJ Houshmazadeh: The Bengals offense showed some signs of life on Sunday. TJ jad 12 catches for 146 and a score.

Duds:
Brian Westbrook: Not his fault that he got injured. He may be the best all around back in the game today. But 0 points is 0 points.

Peyton Manning: Again, probably not all his fault but owners who took Peyton in the 1-2 round range want more than 1 td and 2 picks.

Rams Offense: Rams are a mess. Even Steven Jackson is looking like a shaky play. I would still ride Holt and Jackson due to their track records but Bulger is nothing more than a bench player right now.

Roy Williams/Calvin Johnson: Combined for 6 catches and 58 yards against the Niners. I'm thinking they wish they still had Martz calling their plays.

Andre Johnson: Houston is digressing. 2 catches for 29 yards for their top target.

Ben Roethisberger: Philly was all over Big Ben to the tune of 8 sacks. They held the Steeler's QB to 131 yards and 0 scores. The Steeler have 1 touchdwon in the last 2 games.

Derek Anderson: See below.

Steady as he goes:
Marshawn Lynch: Lynch has scored in each of the first 3 games. 2 more touchdowns on Sunday gave him 4 for the year.

Should have started:
Steve Slaton: He looks to have a hold on the # 1 back slot with 116 yards and a touchdown.

Pick me up!
JT O'Sullivan: He looks poised and comfortable in Martz's offesnse. 2 touchdowns on Sunday.

Drop me like I'm hot!
Derek Anderson: Everyone saw this coming. Anderson has been horrible this season. after 3 picks on Sunday he has 5 for the year. He has thrown for 405 yards and 2 touchdowns. Thats down right bad. If the Browns don't go to Brady Quinn this weekend they are dumber than I thought.