Wow. I’m still trying to get a handle on the Green Bay/Arizona game.  Combined, the two teams racked up 1,024 yards of offence, and despite terrible play throughout the game, we saw that defence wins in the playoffs. As we start to get ready for next weekend’s games, here’s a few of my takes from the weekend that was in the NFL.

NY JETS/CINCINNATI

The Jets just keep proving me wrong. I said heading into the playoffs that they were the worst of the twelve team field. And despite their win, I still feel that way. But I’ve got to hand it to them, and especially Mark Sanchez. His stats read an unimpressive 12 of 15 for 185 yards and a touchdown, but it was what he didn’t do that defined his game. He didn’t turn the ball over, and that was the key to the Jets win. Darrelle Revis didn’t play as well as I thought he would, and he was beaten by Chad Ochocinco on a few plays (penalties included). Revis’ job won’t get any easier, he’ll get 6′5 Vincent Jackson next week.

PHILADELPHIA/DALLAS

This wasn’t even a game. Right from the opening kickoff, this was Dallas’ game. Tony Romo played mistake free football, while the Eagles turned the ball over four times. Dallas has done such a great job incorporating Felix Jones into it’s offence, he’s far too dynamic of a playmaker to be kept on the sidelines. Marion Barber will need to be used more next week to break down the Minnesota defence, but for now, top marks to Dallas. The receiving core also looked quite good, and I don’t know why, but I’m getting the feeling that Roy Williams is in line for a big game soon.

BALTIMORE/NEW ENGLAND

Another snoozer. So much for the ‘evolving’ of New England’s offence without Wes Welker. I told anyone who’d listen this week that you can not replace 123 catches out of your lineup. As for Baltimore, what a rushing attack. It’s nice to see Willis McGahee getting touches on a consistent basis, he’s a key part of the offence again. Joe Flacco, however, was simply atrocious. 4 of 10 for 34 yards and a pick? Those numbers had better improve when the Ravens meet up with Peyton Manning and the Colts.

GREEN BAY/ARIZONA

Once again, wow. I feel bad for Aaron Rodgers, having a fantastic game end on his fumble. Reports on ESPN.com claim that Kurt Warner is set to retire following the season. Based on his play earlier today, why? 29 of 33 for 379 yards and five TD’s – simply amazing. Get ready for another shootout next weekend when the Cardinals travel to the Superdome to dance with the Saints.

TWO POINT CONVERSION

- Pete Carroll to Seattle… didn’t see that one coming

- Eric Mangini gets another year in Cleveland. I guess Mike Holmgren wants another top ten pick next year

College of Sports Media Game of the Night:

The last time Chicago played San Francisco the Bears jumped out to a 41-0 halftime lead and coasted to a 41-10 landslide victory at Soldier Field. That was back in 2006. Tonight the two teams meet in San Fran as the NFL kicks off its weekly Thursday night games. The 49ers (3-5) come into this one losers of their last four and are tied for second in the NFC West, two games back of the division leading Arizona Cardinals (5-3). Week one starter Shaun Hill has been replaced by former number one draft pick Alex Smith. Since signing rookie receiver hold-out Michael Crabtree the team has gone on its losing streak, although the wide out has played well. In four games Crabtree has caught 14 balls and is averaging 11.9 yards per reception. Chicago is in a similar situation. The Bears (4-4) are tied for second in their division, while the Minnesota Vikings sit atop at 7-1. Last week the Bears were romped 41-21 by the Cardinals. Chicago’s defence was horrible. The team gave up touchdowns on each of Arizona’s first four possessions. On a positive note tight end Greg Olsen had a break out game. He had five catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns.

If hockey is you thing, its a battle for supremacy in the Atlantic Division, as the Pittsburgh Penguins host the New Jersey Devils. The Devils are on fire. They’ve won six straight and are a perfect 8-0 on the road. The same can’t be said for Pittsburgh. They started off hot, but since losing Evgeni Malkin to injury the team has struggled and have lost their last three (the last two have been back-to-back shut outs).

For all you hoop heads, the two top teams in the West go at it tonight, as the Phoenix Suns (8-1) are in LA to take on the defending champ Lakers (6-1). Guard Steve Nash has already had two 20 assists games this season and last night the Suns hit 13 treys, becoming the first team in NBA history to hit 100 threes in fewer then 10 games. By the way, Phoenix torched the New Orleans Hornets 124-104.

With Week Nine in the NFL almost behind us, I’m left wondering yet again how teams fighting for playoff positions can come out so flat. I’m going to leave San Francisco and the New York Giants out of this (today), and focus on Baltimore, and the pathetic NFC North tandem of Chicago and Green Bay.

Last week Baltimore completely dominated Denver, handing them their first loss of the season, a 30-7 drubbing. Yesterday they traveled to Cincinnati to exact some revenge for a narrow Week Five loss to the Bengals. Yet what ensued was 60 minutes of lifeless football – with the Ravens not even mustering their score until the fourth quarter. Cincy was up 14-0 nothing before the Ravens even knew what was happening, and they were able to set it to cruise control for the rest of the game. Joe Flacco was dreadful, going 18-32 for 195 yards and two picks, and Bengals’ corners Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph had his receivers blanketed all day. Forgot the Ravens competing in the AFC North – they’ll be lucky to make the playoffs if they keep showing as little fire as they did Sunday afternoon.

When Tommie Harris missed Chicago’s Week Seven game against the Bengals, the Bears were pasted 45-10. I said it then, without Harris and Brian Urlacher in the middle of the defence, the Bears are useless. Well, just four plays into yesterday’s tilt with the Arizona Cardinals, Harris had a brain cramp and punched guard Deuce Lutui in the face – immediate ejection. Arizona went on to score on its first sixpossessions, en route to a 41-21 cake walk. Head Coach of the Bears Lovie Smith took over defensive play-calling permanently at the beginning of the season. After yesterday’s debacle, it’s amazing the Bears haven’t pulled a Daniel Snyder and stripped him of the responsibility. Jay Cutler and the offence tried, but they just couldn’t keep up. The Bears are a complete mess right now, and sit three games back of Minnesota in the NFC North. And just think Bears fans, the team doesn’t own its top two draft picks in 2010.

And then there’s Green Bay. I don’t care how composed Josh Freeman looked/played in his debut – you do not lose to the 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. No team in the NFL should have lost to this years’ Bucs, they’re simply terrible. But Green Bay, attempting to keep pace in the NFC North, allows a rookie quarterback to toss three touchdowns and lead his team to victory, even after they’d taken a 7-0 lead under three minutes into the game. Let’s just hope the Packers didn’t make people in Tampa all superstitious - or else we may be in for more of the creamsicle jerseys.

TWO POINT CONVERSION

- how can people consider New Orleans a better team than Indianapolis? New Orleans was down 24 points at half to Miami two weeks ago, and down 14-0 in the first quarter to Carolina yesterday. If they even try that in the playoffs, they’re going to get bounced by a team that knows how to finish

- I know Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger have both won the Superbowl, and they’re both good-to-great players, but Philip Rivers is the best quarterback from the 2004 draft class. Week in, week out he’s simply outstanding, and watching his game-winning, last-minute drive against the Giants was a thing of beauty

This week wasn’t so much about teams that proved their worth to me, more about teams that fell far below my expectations. If Cincinnati wants to be taken seriously in the AFC North, they need to beat Houston at home. The New York Jets cannot lose to the Buffalo Bills at home, it’s simply inexcusable for a team that knocked off the New England Patriots just a few weeks ago. And then there’s Philadelphia and Washington….

But there were some solid performances to speak of as well, so that’s where we’ll start.

THE GOOD

The New Orleans Saints are looking like quite the NFC powerhouse right now. I did not expect them to beat the Giants, let alone embarrass them.  Drew Brees shredded the G-Men’s secondary for 369 yards and four touchdowns, and Marques Colston caught eight passes for 161 yards and a score. Even with Minnesota remaining undefeated, the Saints are a far better team due to the way they’re winning games. That’s two undefeated New York teams in three weeks to travel into the Superdome, and two New York teams humiliated.

The Arizona Cardinals went a long way to proving they weren’t just a one year wonder by thoroughly handling the Seattle Seahawks. In a key NFC West matchup, in the harsh atmosphere of Qwest, scored an early touchdown, and never looked back. Kurt Warner completed 32 of 41 passes for just under three hundred yards and a pair of scores before Matt Leinart (remember him) came in for mop-up duty. But the key figure of the game that stood out to me – Arizona allowed only 14 rushing yards. I know the Seahawks aren’t big-time running team anymore, but that is one impressive number.

THE BAD

I knew Tennessee was bad this year. I didn’t know they were that bad. I gave them a very small chance to go winless based on the talent that still remains on their roster, but yesterday was just plain wrong. Was Tom Brady playing against a scout team? Jeff Fisher should make the switch and go with Vince Young for the rest of the season. Who knows, maybe he can get them a win or two.

Sticking with the same game: when your quarterback has just set an NFL record with five touchdown passes in a quarter and you lead 45-0 at half, you do not send said quarterback out to start the second half. It’s called sportsmanship Mr. Belichick.

Neither the Atlanta Falcons nor Chicago Bears looked like serious threats Sunday night. Costly interceptions, fumbles from the goal line, and stupid penalties (way to cost your team a chance to win Orlando Pace) occurred far too often in the game, and each team needs to: a) get their running games back on track, and b) stop having their defences give up long scoring drives

THE UGLY

What can I possibly say about the Washington Redskins? They beat the St. Louis Rams by two points. They become the first team to lose to the Detroit Lions in almost two years. They defeat Tampa Bay by a measly field goal. And then they lose to the Kansas City Chiefs. The combined record of their last four opponents is 2-22. Jim Zorn should pull a Bobby Petrino and quit midseason to bolt for college. Oh wait – I don’t think there’s a college program that would be interested.

The Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Oakland Raiders. There’s no need to go deeper into that one.

TWO POINT CONVERSION

- the New York Jets suffered another huge loss today, literally. 360 pound nose tackle Kris Jenkins will be out for the season according to the NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi. The Jets should call the Browns immediately about Shaun Rogers. Eric Mangini has already given his former team Mark Sanchez and Braylon Edwards, maybe he’d be willing to do another favour

- the trade deadline’s tomorrow, and it’s the one time of year I wish the NFL was more like the other North American professional sports leagues. Nothing would make me happier than somewhere in the neighbourhood of 20 trades with at least four star players changing teams. It won’t happen, but I can dream

Each week of the NFL season, I will preview matchups, give my point-spread predictions, and offer fantasy advice for the day ahead.

Week 2 is always tough – It’s easy to draw conclusions from opening week performances, but those can be misleading. Don’t forget, the Giants were 0-2 in 2007, and heading for a third straight defeat against Washington. Suddenly, they’re Super Bowl champs. Similarly, players can significantly impact expectations in Week 1. Yes, Mark Sanchez dominated the Texans, while Andre Johnson struggled. I’m seeing some changes in the immediate future.

With that said, here are the 1 p.m. game previews. Picks are in bold:

Oakland at Kansas City (-3)

Despite the Raiders heartbreaking loss to San Diego, I was impressed. Richard Seymour made an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball and Oakland’s running game looked good. Michael Bush and Darren McFadden should combine for nice totals in their platoon against a Kansas City defence that struggled to stop Baltimore’s rushing attack in Week 1. Considering this will be Matt Cassel’s first game back from a sprained MCL, it’s hard to recommend any Chiefs player aside from Larry Johnson. Dwayne Bowe caught a touchdown against Baltimore and should have a nice season, but it might take a game before Cassel is back in rhythm. JaMarcus Russell has a strong arm but the majority of his passes will be short tosses to Bush and McFadden, while tight end Zach Miller caught six balls against the Chargers.

Houston at Tennessee (-7)

It’s a tough spread to pick, because it’s hard to believe Houston will replicate Week 1’s bad offensive performance against the Jets. Still, the Titans had plenty of chances to beat the Steelers in Week 1 and will be fired up for their home opener. Tennessee should cover, but barely, since they love to pound the ball on the ground. It’s an especially good idea against a weak Texans defence as Chris Johnson and LenDale White should do plenty of damage. Justin Gage has been a favourite of Kerry Collins and should continue to provide solid numbers. Kevin Walter returns for Houston and will help free up Andre Johnson, who was quiet in Week 1. And while Tennessee smothered the Steelers’ running game, Steve Slaton was surprisingly effective against the Titans last season. I would play Slaton in most formats, but especially if your league counts points-per-reception.

New York Jets at New England (-3.5)

New England was lucky to escape with a win against Buffalo and will be fired up against a division rival and rookie quarterback. Sanchez looks headed for plenty of future success, but I would stay away against the experienced Patriots. The running game should be plenty effective, though, as Thomas Jones and Leon Washington provide the Jets with a formidable tandem. While their stats looked similar last week, Washington was easily the better back throughout the game, but Jones is the better play in touchdown-centric leagues that ignore points-per-reception. Tom Brady will throw a ton on Sunday, making Randy Moss and Wes Welker must-starts, while Bejamin Watson and Kevin Faulk could make an impact. Faulk is a great play in points-per-reception leagues.

Cincinnati at Green Bay (-9)

The Bengals offence was stagnant in a rough Week 1, as Laveranues Coles failed to produce as the No. 2 receiver. I got burned playing Chris Henry but I’m sticking with him against the Packers. After Chad Ocho Cinco, Henry should be Carson Palmer’s second favourite target. Cedric Benson had a decent game against Denver but will struggle against the Packers’ defence. Green Bay has a habit of making things interesting, but Aaron Rodgers and the offence should provide plenty of fireworks. Expect big things from Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and Ryan Grant.

Minnesota (-10) at Detroit

The Lions will win a game this year, but it won’t be this week. Look for Adrian Peterson to manhandle Detroit, while Chester Taylor will make a nice flex play and most likely see the endzone. With a big lead, don’t expect to see Brett Favre air it out, but pay plenty of attention to rookie Percy Harvin. I was glad I used Harvin in Week 1 and he will continue to line up all over the field against the Lions. With Favre sticking to short passes and screens, look for Harvin to break at least one huge play. He also has a history of relying on tight ends, meaning Visanthe Shiancoe could be useful. I wouldn’t hesitate to play Bernard Berrian either – yes, there are plenty of options when you are facing the Lions. Calvin Johnson is still an obvious play for Detroit, while Kevin Smith will have the ball in his hands all game and will produce especially well in points-per-reception leagues.

New Orleans (-1.5) at Philadelphia

Philly plays at home and dominated the Panthers in Week 1, but I like the Saints to keep rolling against the Kevin Kolb-led Eagles. Barring a surprise start from the injured Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia should lean even heavier than usual on Brian Westbrook, while DeSean Jackson and the rest of the receivers won’t have as much value against an improved Saints’ defence. Drew Brees isn’t facing the Lions anymore but should still be successful against Philadelphia. Jeremy Shockey already has two more touchdowns than last season and will be targeted plenty, while Marques Colston is the best of New Orleans’ deep receiver corp. I wouldn’t touch any of the Saints’ running backs, considering Philly has success defending the run, while a three-way platoon is tough to read. If I had to choose, Mike Bell is the short-term favourite to get redzone carries, but every TD came through the air in Week 1.

Arizona Cardinals at Jacksonville Jaguars (-3)

The Cardinals played nothing like the 2008 model in Week 1, as Kurt Warner and the vaunted offence struggled in a loss to the 49ers. I expect Arizona to rebound against a Jaguars squad that allowed Peyton Manning to complete over 70% of his passes last week. Larry Fitzgerald is a stud, but he and Warner will be impacted by the health of Anquan Boldin, who is questionable with a hamstring injury – keep an eye on his status. Running back Tim Hightower caught a boatload of passes against San Francisco, but that was probably an aberration. I would expect Jacksonville to try and run the ball with Maurice Jones-Drew, who is an absolute monster in points-per-reception leagues, while producing very well in other formats. Still, I expect the Cardinals to stack the box and force the Jags to throw – something I think results in Arizon’s first win.

St. Louis at Washington (-9.5)

The Rams really stink and I think Washington dominates this game. Jason Campbell struggled to find his rhythm against the Giants but should have more time to throw against a defence that will have trouble stopping Clinton Portis. I wouldn’t normally recommend Campbell, but this would be a good time to use him if your other quarterback has a bad matchup. I love Chris Cooley against the Rams, while Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El should have plenty of opportunities to make plays. In touchdown-centric leagues, Ladell Betts would be a solid flex option and has a good chance to see the endzone. There’s not much to like about St. Louis aside from Steven Jackson – He was solid in Week 1 and continues to be one of the most productive players in any format, especially point-per-reception leagues. Tough luck for those who invested in Donnie Avery… it appears that Laurent Robinson is Marc Bulger’s favourite target and is a threat to make a big play on Sunday.

Good luck.

-DL

Here is RotoRob’s latest column.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, resting most of their regulars, failed to tie the NBA record with their 40th home win on Wednesday night. But make no mistake: Quicken Loans Arena has become the hardest place for a road team to come away with an NBA win. And get this: apparently, images designed to whip the home town fans into a booing frenzy are put up on the video screen when opponents go the free throw line. Among the hate-inducing shots: Michigan, Boston Red Sox and John Elway pics seem to do the trick best.

Speaking of Elway, did you hear that his son Jack left the Arizona State football program last week? Apparently, ìheís just tired of football and wants do something else with his life,î according to ASU coach Dennis Erickson. Something else? Like what? Be a trust fund baby? Hey! Actually, thatís my goal as well.

While weíre talking Sun Devils football, theyíve got this young new quarterback this year named Brock Osweiler. Heís 6í8î! And that is one serious rarity for a QB. The only signal caller that tall to ever play in the NFL was failed first rounder Dan McGwire, brother of Mark. Gonzaga tried to recruit Osweiler to play basketball, but he ultimately decided heíd rather play football.

With the NFL draft less than two weeks away, weíre heavily into mock draft season. Iíve seen a couple where the Oakland Raiders are projected to take Missouri WR Jeremy Maclin with the seventh overall pick. This guyís speed with JaMarcus Russellís arm could be a great combination down the road.

The 2009 NFL schedule is out now, by the way. Just over 150 days to go before the start of the season. Are you ready for some football?

With Nate Washington gone, Martin Nance could be a player to watch on the Steelers. Ben Roethlisbergerís former college teammate is looking to stick as a third receiver for Pittsburgh.

Now that Mark Sanchez has decided to enter the draft, there will actually be a competition for the QB job at USC for the first time in over half a decade.

How the hell do the Steelers win the Super Bowl and wind up getting an easier schedule the next season? What a crock of shit.

The New Orleans Saints, who got back to .500 last year, should vault over that this season, as they too have an easier schedule in 2009.

On Thursday, the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame will induct four new members, the first new entrants since 2002. Among the inductees: Bob Horner and Darren Woodson. Horner burst onto the scene, going directly to the majors after the draft. He enjoyed a great rookie year, taking home NL ROY honours right after winning the Golden Spikes as college baseball’s top player. Injuries cut Horner’s career short, but he still wound up driving in 685 runs in 1,020 career games.

The Arizona Cardinals are listening to offers for Anquan Boldin. If he winds up in Dallas, as rumoured, RotoRob football writer Andy Goldstein ñ a long-time Boldin man-crush victim who relocated in Dallas a couple of years ago ñ might die from sheer pleasure.

How about the season debut of MNF this year? Terrell Owensí debut as a Bill and Tom Bradyís comeback game, not to mention the old AFC East rivalry juices that be flowing — now that’s a recipe for a classic.