NFL Week 7, Results vs. the Spread and Week 8 Picks

Ha, I bet you thought you escaped my weekly NFL email. Since I'm off from work for this week and next, I haven't had the ungodly amount of time I normally have to think up mindless NFL ravings. Fear not, for I have made time this afternoon. Next week is my bye week. I'll be out of town.

Everyday I wake up and run to check the internet for one or both of the following headlines:

"Chiefs Fire Worst Head Coach in the NFL! Herm Edwards to be buried underneath 'I' in north endzone!"

"Texans Fire Worst Defensive Coordinator in the History of Man!"

Unfortunately I wake up and don't see those headlines. Oh well, at least I woke up one day to see that Matt Millen was fired. I'll have to wait to the offseason for the other two stories.

To quote Jimmy Johnson,"How 'bout dem Cowgirls?" To quote Nelson from the Simpsons,"Ha Ha!"

The preordained, annointed Super Bowl Champ Cowgirls are falling apart at the seems. Terrell Owens is being shut down. Mr. Jessica Simpson's wee wee is hurting (or pinky). Roy Williams is out for the season. So they traded half next year's draft for Detriot's Roy Williams (you can never have to many Roy Williams. I hear that if you keep an open box of Arm and Hammer near a Roy Williams it will keep him fresh for a few years). Losers of the last three of four games puts the hurting girls in a big hole look up at the Giants and Redskins.....Ha Ha!

It's time to once again revisit the 2006 draft. Mario Williams, Reggie Bush and Son of Zeus Vince Young. Once again, who drafted the best player? Hands down the Texans. Williams is just tooling along with his six sacks despite the double teams and no help from the rest of the defense. He'll be good for a few more multi-sack games and will be among the league leaders. Bush is out for 3-5 weeks, once again proving he can't survive the game to game rigors fo the NFL. The Titans are right where they thought they would be after they drafted Son of Zeus Vince Young. I'm sure though that they didn't envision Son of Zeus Vince Young would be such a basketcase, crybaby. Who would have thought it would be Kerry Collins leading the last undefeated team of season Titans?

Once again I'll state for the record that Son of Zeus Vince Young will prove to be one of the most overrated draft picks. Ugly throwing motion, low completion percentage and the intelligence of a tomato won't cut it in the NFL. It still amazes me that there are VY apologists out there. Rich Lard, Richard Justice and Jerome Solomon continue to sing praises to Son of Zeus Vince Young and any negative but truthful comments on the Houston Chronicle message boards will draw the ire of people who would line up to be VY's fluffer. Even more amazing is that there are folks that still berate the Texans for not taking Young.

My Player of the Week: St. Louis Ram RB Steven Jackson. Jackson had 160 yards on 25 carries for 3 TDs and an average of 6.4 yards per carry in the Rams 34-14 rout of the Cowgirls. Ha ha!

The Joe Piscarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week: KC Chief's RB Larry Johnson. Johnson had 0 yards on 0 carries for 0 TDs. Johnson was suspended for last week's game against the Titans for undisclosed reasons. The undisclosed reasons are that he allegedly pushed a woman at a night club. The incident has the cops involved on some level. It's not Johnson's first clob shoving incident.

My favorite special team player of the week is the Texans punter Matt Turk. During the game I turned to my buddy and said the coffin corner kick was a lost art. Turk didn't nail the coffin corner but he placed three beautiful punts inside the five in the last quarter to help the Texans defeat the Detroit Lions 28-21.

Sunday is the last of four home games in a row for the Texans. It's been fun going to games every Sunday. Unfortnately the price for it is only one home game in November.

Have a good week and I'll have my ramblings back after my bye week next week.

NFL Week 7 results vs. the Spread
Not a good week against the spread. I lost 6-7.

Highlights on the ledger, on the losing side I thought the Dolphins were going to put up enough points to beat the Ravens by more than three. Didn't happen and it hurt the bottom line. Another game I whiffed big on was taking the Cowboys over the Rams. The wheels are falling off the bandwagon faster than I thought. I thought they were hold out until December. The Saints and Colts get blown out to make it no contest and put another two marks on the losing side. I picked the Texans to beat the spread but they almost imploded and won by seven. The half point in the Bucs-Hawks game made a difference. Bucs won by ten and they were a 10.5 favorite.

On the winning side, I went with obvious picks like Titans over the Chiefs and Steelers over the Bengals. The only dog I went with was the Browns over the Redskins. Skins won but didn't cover so it put up a win for me.

Week 8 Picks vs. the Spread

Raiders(+7) @Ravens - It's feast or famine with the Ravens offense. JeMarcus Russell has been a major disappointment so far. Ravens

Chargers(-3) @Saints - Reggie Bush is out but Drew Brees is playing like an MVP. The Saints defense is suspect though. Chargers

Chiefs(+13) @Jets - Larry Johnson is out again due to team suspension. Jets

Bills(-1.5) @Dolphins - Bills should put up plenty against the Fish. Bills

Buccaneers(+1.5) @Cowboys - Former Bucs QB goes against the team he won a Super Bowl against. Cowboys are the walking wounded and the Romper Room of the NFL. Bucs

Falcos(+9) @Eagles - Eagles are trying to put it together for a run in the tough NFC East. +9 is to generous to the once hapless Falcons. Take the points and the Falcons

Rams(+7) @Patriots - The Pats put up some points on the Broncos last week. The Rams are resurgent under new interim coach Jim Hasslet. Ram RB Steve Jackson is hurt. I'm taking the Pats to win but the Rams will keep it close.

Cardinals(+4) @Panthers - Kurt Warner is having a pretty good year. I think they win. Cardinals

Redskins(-7.5) @Lions - Lions pulled it close to the Texans to beat the spread. I don't think they will against the Redskins.

Browns(+7 @Jaguars - I'm not a trend player but I have gone with the underdog Browns the last two weeks and it's paid off. Why not make it three for the Browns.

Giants(-2.5) @Steelers - Steelers are very tough at home but the Giants are playing with the same us against the world mentality that they took the Super Bowl. It will come down to the Giants d-line vs. Steelers o-line. I think the Giants win the line battle.

Seahawks(+5) @49ers - The Seahawks are the walking wounded of the NFL. 49ers

Bengals(+9.5) @Texans - Texans can't stop anyone all game long. Bengals

Colts(+4) @Titans - I thought the Colts were back but Green Bay exposed them. Titans have the defense and the running game that will prevail against the Colts. Titans

Week 6 vs. the Spread results, Week 7 picks

Week six results were decent. Let's just say I'm not going to make a living moving out to Vegas and gambling football. This week's total was 8 wins and six losses.

On the upset side of the ledger, it paid off taking the Falcons and the Browns. I didn't really expect the Browns to win and I was kind of counting on some kind of Giants let down. I figured the Giants would fail to cover but still win. That's mainly why I went with the Browns. The other dog that paid off for me was the Packers (+1.5). With the Seahawks ailing I couldn't figure out why the Packers were underdogs. I know there is some concern about Aaron Rodger's shoulder but last week he proved he could still play well.

On the opposite side, which dogs got up and bit me when I picked the favorites? The Vikings, Redskins, Broncos and Cowboys were all favorites that I went with and they lost. The stunner was the Vikings and Redskins. I thought the Vikings would just blow out the Lions and the same with the 'skin against the Rams. Taking the Broncos is always a risk given that the defense is so shaky. The Cowboys are becoming a risk now that the circus is in town. Romo's status seems uncertain after initially being reported out for four weeks. Add in Pacman Jones' suspension, T.O. being shut down and the unknown factor of how Roy Williams will pan out and the Cowboys are a big question mark.

The only game that I picked a winner but failed to cover was the Texans over the Dolphins. The Texans won 29-28 but failed to cover the 3 point spread. Even if they had converted the 2-point try at the end of the game it would be a push at best.

Now a day late with the week seven picks vs. the spread.

Titans(-9) @Chiefs - The line opened at +7.5 Chiefs and has moved to +9. I didn't watch when the line moved but I guess it was on the announcement of Larry Johnson's suspension. Titans

Chargers @Bills - It's a pick 'em with no spread. Usually the home team will get -3 just on the fact of home field advantage. There is some concern about the after effects of a concussion to Bills quarterback Trent Edwards. I think the Bills will be good enough for the home win.

Steelers(-9.5) @Bengals - It looks like Carson Palmer will be out again this week. Regardless I don't think it made a difference on the line. The Bengals are a mess and Marv Lewis is more than likely gone after the season. Steelers

Ravens(+3) @Dolphins - The Ravens were pummelled by a resurgent Colts offense. Miami's Wildcat accounted for one of their touchdowns against the Texans and nothing else. The Ravens don't have an effective offense to help out the defense. Going with the home team Dolphins.

Cowboys(-7) @Rams - The line dropped from an open of -10.5 for the Cowboys. Like the KC-Titans match up, I don't watch the lines day to day so I'm guessing the line moved on the news of Tony Romo's broken pinkie. The Cowboys are a mess right now and the Rams won their first game of the season last week at the Redskins. Even though the 'boys are much more talented than the Rams there are to many questions surrounding them right now. This is the toughest game for me to pick this week. Brad Johnson? Give me a break but I'm going with the talent here. Cowboys

Vikings(+3) @Bears - The Vikings have been a major disappointment this season. I don't see any reason to select them. Bears

Saints(+3) @Panthers - Panthers didn't look potent against the Bucs last week. I don't think they'll look any better against the Saints even if they are playing at home. I hate the Saints and it pains me to take them since I want them to lose but never bet with your heart. Saints

49ers(+10.5) @ Giants - I selected the Browns to make it close to where the Giants wouldn't cover but didn't think they'd pull off the win. This week I don't think the Giants will struggle against the 'niners. Giants

Lions(+9.5) @Texans - The Texans offense is actually pretty scary sometimes and I mean that in both a good and bad way. When they are clicking they seem unstoppable. When they are getting brain farts they look awful. I think the Texans will look scary good more often than scary bad against the listless Lions. Texans

Browns(+7.5) @Redskins - This was the second toughest match up for me to make a pick. After the upset the Browns pulled off and the Redskins loss to the previously winless Rams, I thought about putting the names in a hat and drawing a name. Once again I'm going with the theory the Browns will make a game of it but still lose and the Redskins failing to cover. Browns

Colts(-1.5) @Packers - The Pack have been playing well some games and flat other games. The Colts seem to have found their stride after coming back on the Texans two weeks ago. If Packer RB Ryan Grant were running better I'd go with the Pack. Instead I see the Colts putting up another good effort and beating the Packers. Colts

Seahawks(+10.5) @Buccaneers - Oh boy, this one is a sicky. I don't know what to make of the Bucs with coach John Gruden and his quarterback carousel. Seahawks are just a bad team with injuries right now. Buccaneers

Broncos(+3) @Patriots - I think the odds makers are being generous in this match up. No way I take the Pats and their aging defense and listless offense against the Jay Cutler's arm and the Broncos. Broncos

NFL Week #6

What a difference a week can make in my moods during football season. After last week's embarrassing loss, the Texans bounced back to win this week.

Holy crap, it pains me to admit this but the freaking Steelers and Titans are the best two teams in the AFC. The big question for the Steelers is how the offensive line will hold up the rest of the season.

The Titans defense might be the best in the league. What's funny is that the Titans are doing it with out the Son of Zeus Vince Young, the most overrated player to come out of the draft in a long time. The Titans are marching through the season with out Young. Quick note on a theory circling the message boards: Many say Bud Adams made the Titans stick it to the Texans by drafting Young. That theory makes no sense. How can they stick it to the Texans when the Texans had the first pick and took Mario Williams? The Titans had the third pick and took Young. The Texans could
take anyone they want and nobody could have stuck it to them.

This week's middle finger goes to Adam Pacman Jones. He of season long suspension for six arrests and twelve police incidents. He did it again this month. NFL Commish Roger Gdodell lifted the suspension before the season but laid out conditions to his return. Jones had to be on his best behavior or Goodell promised he would punish him. Goodell reminded Jones that playing in the NFL is a privilege not a right. Well, Goodell kept true to his word and suspended Jones four games starting this week. Goodell also reserved the right to add to the suspension if Jones doesn't complete certain conditions by November 16th.

Chris Henry, the league's other problem child, made me laugh with his quote: "I guess the commissioner really ain't putting up with anything, especially being in his (Jones) situation and my situation." Over the same period of time, Henry was suspended two games in 2006 and eight in 2007 for his five arrests. Henry's quote about his conversation with Jones also is a bit of a peak in to Jones' mind: "When I did talk to him, he just told me he didn't think it would be anything, really." To me it's revealing that Jones thought he could get away with more even though Goodell stressed to him how serious any violation of his return conditions were.

My Player of the Week is Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. He's coming along nicely and leading the resurgent Falcons back from the dark days of Michael Vick's dog fighting scandal and cowardly Bobby Petrino's sudden resignation. Having Michael Turner as a running back isn't hurting matters but the fact remains Ryan is a rookie fresh off the Boston College campus. I think this week was his best with 22/30 passing with 301 yards with a TD against a very good Bears defense. To top it off, with six seconds remaining he delivered a perfect pass to put the Falcons in field goal range with one second left on the clock.

And this week's Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week is Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky. In the first quarter with his team backed up against their own endzone, he lost complete track of where he was. He stepped back deep for a pass and stepped out the back of the endzone for a safety. Costly too. The Lions lost 12-10.

As usual, I save my Texans take for last. Man what a roller coaster of emotions Sunday's game put me through. Two early long TD plays, one out of the Wildcat formation, and Matt Schaub's two interceptions had me thinking it was going to be a long and embarrassing afternoon. The boo birds were out early for Schaub and the "We want Sage" chants started after the second INT. The Texans pulled it together and put together drives that at least netted field goals. It was Jacoby Jones' electrifying punt return for a TD that turned things around. The game was a back and forth affair after that. It was Texan's miscues that actually kept the game from being a blowout. The Texans simply cannot continue to turn the ball over and
expect to win. This week it was two fumbles lost and two interceptions.

I still take issue with Gary Kubiak's game day play calling. The Texans were knocking the Dolphins around by pounding the ball with Steve Slaton and Ahman Green. Instead of keeping at it and wearing the 'phins down, they went to the air and didn't use much clock. Kubiak's clock management again comes into question. At the end of the half, instead of running down the clock or forcing Miami to burn a timeout, the Texans punt with 22 seconds left on the play clock and 40+ seconds left on the game clock. They could have run it down to under 20 seconds and left Miami no time to do any damage. After being burned twice by long plays, you'd think the Texans would want to keep Miami's offense off the field as much as possible.

Tomorrow I'll post my week seven picks vs. the spread and my results from week 6.

NFL Week #5, Week #6 fo Unkle Monkee vs. the Spread

NFL Week #5
After Sunday's melt down by the Texans, I'm not in my usual mood to write about the NFL. So this is a very abbreviated version of my weekly NFL idiocy.

Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week: Sage Rosenfel. Three turnovers in the final minutes of what looked to be a Texans victory allowed the biggest collapse of a football game I've witnessed in person. Congrats to the Texans. That took some real creativity to blow a lead like this one. A big middle finger to the Texans last week.

Regardless, I'll be there again this Sunday. I plan on being there every year even if I have to pay someone to wheel me in there when I'm old and drool is running out of my mouth.

Week #5 vs. the Spread Results
This week I did much better than the previous two weeks with a 7-3-2 record. The Titans and Broncos tied the line so those two games were a push. I don't see any really big shockers other than the Chargers losing to the Dolphins. I had a hard time in taking the Cowboys to cover at -17 but the Bengals have been terrible. Should have gone with my gut. The only other game that I lost was the pick 'em between the Bills and Cardinals. I went with the Bills.

In the Redskins vs. Eagles, I figured the 'skins would at least cover if
they didn't win and that worked out for me. I knew -3.5 for the Bears at
Lions was to small a line.

Week #6 Picks
Last week I some what reversed a downward trend. Hopefully I can continue the upward trend.

Raiders(+7) @Saints - Very few things make me happier than a Saints loss. Believe me if you've ever been around their fans you'd understand. Unfortunately I think the Raiders will be trampled by the Saints.

Raven(+4) @Colts - This was a tough choice. The opening line was -6 Colts but since tightened up. I think the Colts just might have enough to overcome the Ravens defense. Colts

Bengals(+5.5) @Jets - I'm surprised the line is this low. I'd expected a higher spread given that Brett Farve is liable to go off against a shaky Bengals defense. Jets

Panthers(+1) @Buccaneers - To me this comes down to how the Bucs defense holds up against the Panthers running game and Steve Smith. Panthers

Lions(+13) @Vikings - Lions are in complete disarray. Getting your ass kicked by Kyle Orton is embarrassing. Take the Vikings.

Bears(-3) @Falcons - This might be my upset special. I'm going with the Falcons

Dolphins(+3) @Texans - The Dolphins bring Ronnie Brown and the Wildcat formation to Houston. The Texans still have to be spinning from the major collapse against the Colts. It will be interesting on how they respond. Texans

Rams(+13.5) @Redskins - Why is there even a spread on this game? Redskins

Jaguars(+3.5) @ Broncos - Another slugfest for the Broncos and opponent. I figure like the other shoot outs that the Broncos win.

Eagles(-5) @49ers - I think the spread is to low. I think the Eagles win by a healthy margin.

Cowboys(-5) @Cardinals - Cowboys cover but lose. That's what I hope and never bet on hope. Cowboys

Packers(+1.5) @Seahawks - Aaron Rodgers doesn't seem to be bothered by his injury and the Hawks are still short of quality receivers. Packers

Patriots(+5) @Chargers - Pats are mediocre at best without Tom Brady and Chargers' LT is hobbled. Chargers though have enough other firepower to overcome a shaky and aging Pat's defense. Chargers

Giants-(9) @Browns - Giants are due to stumble soon but not this week. Browns

Hey Cubs and Cub fans!

The Curse of the Billy Goat Lives! All is well in the World by the latest Chicago Cub choke job. So once again I say

Unkle Monkee vs. the Spread Week #4, Week #5 picks

Not unlike my grades in my first years in college, my score against the spread is sinking quick. This week I went a pathetic 4-9 against the spread.

The only games I managed to win were the Panthers, Saints, Redskins and Bills. I whiffed big time on every other game. The Broncos had a big let down against the Chiefs. The Cards took an unexpected woodshed beating by the Jets. The Vikings continue to tailspin out while the Titans continue to improve. The Bears defense is going to make picks involving the Bears tough.

I'll try better this week and see if I can reverse my downward trend. There would be nothing more embarrassing that a goose egg.

On to the games!

Colts (-3) @ Texans - My heart is telling to go with my hometown Texans. My head tells my heart to shut the f*** up. I listen to my head, Colts

Titans(-3) @ Ravens - QB Joe Flacco looked great in that first half. This will be the toughest defense the Titans face to date. I originally circled the Ravens on my cheat sheet but am having second thoughts. Flacco was rattled in the second half by the Steelers defense for a bit. He did recover but enough damage was done. I expect the same from the Titans. This is a tough choice but I'm going sticking to my pick of the Ravens.

Chargers(-6.5) @ Dolphins - The Chargers defense is no Patriots defense. Ronnie Brown doesn't go off on the Bolts. Taking the Chargers easily.

Chiefs(+9.5) @ Panthers - The Chiefs played well for one week and upset the Broncos. The Broncos defense is made of pappier mache. Panthers are tougher. Panthers

Redskins(+6) @ Eagles - This hinges on if Michael Westbrook is fully healthy. My guess is that he plays in a big divisional matchup. Jason Campbell has improved light years since the opening loss debacle to the Giants. The Eagles defense is more physical than the Cowboys. I see the Eagles winning this one straight up but not covering. I take the road dog Redskins again.

Bears(-3.5) @ Lions - I think -3.5 is to low even for the inept Bears offense against a hapless Lions. Matt Forte leads the charge as the Bears win handily.

Falcons @ Packers - no line on this one so far. I don't know if one will be set or why one isn't set yet. I can't pick if there is no line to pick against.

Seahawks (+9.5) @ Giants - Giants a playing some mean football and the Seahawks are barely getting their receivers back. Giants

Buc(+3) @ Broncos - The Broncos offense was only held in check by Jay Cutler miscues. That doesn't happen this week. The offense is scary good but the defense is scary bad. Regardless I'm taking the home favorites. Broncos

Bills (PK) @ Cardinals - It's a pick 'em with a slight favorite to the home team. Bills have been more impressive as of late than the Cards. Taking the Bills to win straight up.

Bengals (+17) @ Cowboys - Whew that's a nasty spread. Cowboys are that good early on and the Bengals are that bad. Don't even know if Carson Palmer will play. Take the Cowboys and the large spread.

Steelers(+4) @ Jaguars - Jags had a difficult time against the Texans offense. The Steelers though are with out Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall is out for the year. This is another tough one but I'm going with the Jags.

Vikings(+3) @ Saints - Vikings have been a massive disappointment and the Saints are hurting. The Saints don't have much of an defense in my opinion. Look for Adrian Peterson to put up some big numbers. Vikings

NFL Week #4

What was that in week four that seemed so different than previous weeks or seasons? It's the first week in the NFL with out the stench and smell of Matt Millen polluting the NFL. Unfortunately his taint is still all over the Detroit franchise and will be for a few more years. But here's a big middle finger to Millen and a bigger middle finger to Old Man Ford for taking so long to fire Millen.

Another big middle finger goes out to, who else, but Worst Coach in the NFL Herm Edwards. To quote Edward from Sport Illustrated's Peter King,"I told Mike Shanahan,'You've got a hell of a football team. But we were better today..." The last person in the league that should be talking any smack is Edwards. This the Chiefs first win since October of last season. Edwards instead should be looking over his shoulder for Owner Hunt sneaking around Arrowhead Stadium with a gun looking to pop one through Edward's eye. It happened down the road to Scott Linehan in St. Louis. Edwards should be next.

While I'm passing out middle fingers, I'll throw one at Terrell Owens. The Owens Waahmbulance is in full force. After the Cowboys were upset by the Redskins, TO cried that not enough plays were called for him. Here's an interesting stat: Tony Romo threw the ball towards TO 17 times and he had one end around. Now a baffling stat: the Cowboys only rushed 11 carries with 8 going to Marion Barber. Even more baffling was not getting Felix Jones more involved. He was limited to kick returns only.

Sadly, the George Costanza vs. Emperor Palpatine sitcom has been cancelled. Palpatine finally used force lightening on Costanza. Lane Kiffin joins the ranks of Art Shell, Norv Turner and Mike Callahan as a short term head coach in Oakland. Ever since Chucky left and Callahan accidentally took the Raiduhs to the Super Bowl, it's been down hill. It is my opinion that Al Davis is just growing senile by the day. Of course he has a colossal ego. The best thing, short of selling the franchise, Palpatine can do is hire a GM and let him run the show. It won't happen.

The Toilet Bowl game between Cincy and Cleveland gets Carson Palmer another middle finger from me. So far Palmer leads the league in middle fingers from me this season. Despite a win, Marv Lewis remains on the hot seat in Cincy. I figure though that Lewis resigns before he gets fired. I think he gets fed up with GM Mike Brown and quits. The beginning of the end was probably when Brown overruled Lewis in bringing back problem child Chris Henry.

Things are no better for Romeo Crennell in Cleveland. I'm guessing that we see Brady Quinn pretty soon. Starting QB Dave Anderson isn't producing and Quinn is a first rounder sitting on the bench. At this point he's got nothing to lose.

Player of the week: Brett Farve? Larry Johnson? No, it's Matt Bryant the kicker from Tampa Bay. His three month old son died last week and buried him on Saturday. Everyone mourns differently and it would have been perfectly understandable if he chose not to play. Instead he does play, saving a player from getting cut for one week to replace Bryant on the roster and had three field goals including the game winner with 2:56 left to play. After the kick he wiped his eyes and looked to the sky.

FoxSports.com's John Czarnecki makes an interesting point in his column. He asks why doesn't the NFL grant a one game exemption to allow a team sign a player in extraordinary situations. Like in Bryant's case, a player would have to be cut in order for the Bucs to sign a kicker. Why not allow him time off and not have to cut a player to sign a one game replacement?
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8619724

Now this week's Joe Pisarcik/Carson Palmer Player of the Week. There's a reason Palmer shares the title with Pisarcik on this dubious distinction and that's because Palmer has just been a dud this year. Palmer earns the award this week for not playing. He's hurt but it wasn't announced until game time. Thanks @$$h0le. Cost me my fantasy game this week. Just a step below Palmer as a dud has been Pittsburgh Steelers TE Heath Miller. All I needed from him was four more lousy points I'd have won despite Palmer's goose egg. I dangle my genitals in their general direction.

Speaking of the Steelers, that was a hell of a game Monday night. They were just flat out beat in the first half and they looked deflated. Quarterback Brent Musburger rallied the troops after convincing coach Mike Tomlin to let him call the plays. It was a costly game though with rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall and starting right guard Kendall Simmons are out for the season. Watch out if there are anymore Steellers with two "Ls" in their name. It might be a season ender.

And finally the Texans. Please owner Bob McNair, GM Rich Smith or coach Gary Kubiak, please fire defensive coordinator Richard Smith. The defensive effort was pathetic Sunday. With the game on the line, David Garrard was able to scramble for a crucial first down and then for the go ahead touchdown. On the TD run, no one was spying the QB. He could have crawled into the endzone. After that first down run, someone should have stayed home to watch Garrard.

The special teams were equally inept. How the hell does no one call timeout when it's obvious the Jaguars are going for it on fourth? Instead the Texans scrambled around like a Chinese fire drill. Hell I was screaming timeout at the TV. A really good clue is when the Jaguars lined up in punt formation with no punter. It was pretty disgusting.

I don't think Kubiak's job is on the line yet but inept plays that cost games if not corrected will add up. Kubiak is in his third year. Plays like those, especially the special teams debacles, shouldn't be happening. If things continue like that for the season, I will have to question Kubiak's already shaky game time decisions. I'm not calling for his head by any means but I am starting to really question his game day choices. Some of them are bothersome and a troubling trend is starting to show. Some things a third year coach shouldn't be doing anymore.

Regardless I'll be a season ticket holder until the day I'm called to the great football stadium in the beyond.

Fuck Baseball.