Atlanta Falcons 26, Houston Texans 16

Matt Schaub played well in his return to Atlanta without weapons Andre Johnson or Ahman Green.  However, his replacement Joey Harrington played even better in an unexpected Falcons win.  Win, lose or draw, I’ll bet Arthur Blank and Co. wish they’d have waited on pulling the trigger on the Schaub trade.

Buffalo Bills 17, New York Jets 14

In a game between Patriots’ also rans, the Bills were able to pull out the victory with backup rookie QB Trent Edwards, out dueling Jell-O armed Chad Pennington.  It still amazes me when I see 100 yard receiving games from Jericho Cotchery out of North Carolina State, as I never expected him to make an impression in the NFL.

 

Cleveland Browns 27, Baltimore Ravens 13

I don’t know if it’s more surprising that the Ravens actually lost this game or that Chris McAllister got toasted “So Krispy” (c) Kinfolk Kia Shine, by Braylon Edwards for a 78 yard TD in the first quarter.  It was one of those plays where the DB got beat so bad, not only did he give up on recovering, he gave an Oscar nomination worthy performance of a fake limp so we wouldn’t feel so bad for him for taking himself completely out of the play.  Not buying it Chris.  They should dock his Madden rating two overall points just for that play.

Dallas Cowboys 35, St. Louis Rams 7

Cowboys. Look. Good. 

 

And who is this Tony Romo guy?  I mean really, enough already.  So basically, he’s got Troy Aikman-like accuracy, Brett Favre-like creativity, and Mike Vick-like escapability?  I really want to say I’m not buying it, but you kind of have to buy in at some point.

 

Speaking of Madden ratings, Patrick Crayton is a Madden anomaly.  For some reason for the past 3 years they’ve given Crayton 90+ catching, a rating usually reserved for elite receivers.  However, Crayton and his immaculate hands have only managed to amass 76 rec. for 1,097 yards and 7 TDs, for his career.  Basically, his career number amount to a slightly better than average receiving single season. 

 

I joked last week after watching him drop numerous passes against the Bears, that Crayton may have the most BS rating in video game history.  Surely because I dissed him last week, Crayton recommitted himself this week in practice and had a monster 7 rec. 184 yard, 2 TD game.  I’ll just be quiet from now on.

Detroit Lions 37, Chicago Bears 27

This week the Bears benched Rex Grossman seeking to get smarter, turnover free football from the QB position.  They turned to Brian Griese who threw 3 picks and fumbled twice.  Looks like its Orton or bust for the Bears.

 

Oakland Raiders 35, Miami Dolphins 17

The new Dante Culpepper has patterned his game after Tim Tebow.  5/12 75 yards passing and 3 rushing TDs.  On top of that, I’m still trying to figure out what this running back “Fargas” did with the Justin Fargas we have all come to know and love.  22 car. 179 yards is unheard of from this guy.

Green Bay Packers 23, Minnesota Vikings 16

Terry Bradshaw said today that Brett Favre is the greatest QB he’s ever seen play the game.  He may win the numbers argument, but, I’d take Elway and Montana over him without a second thought.  Outside of that, is there anyone who believes the Packers have any chance of coming out of the NFC? 

 

On a side note, what’s up with that hitch in Adrian Peterson running style?  He runs like he has a DuPont leg.  I guess it works, because today was probably the first time I’ve seen anyone catch him.

 

Arizona Cardinals 21, Pittsburgh Steelers 14

 

Despite this being a huge win for the Cardinals, it looks as though their quarterback situation is still in complete disarray.  Matt Leinart was given the keys to this high powered offense to start the season and Kurt Warner has been the designated driver for the second straight week.  Although the Cardinals ultimately ended up winning, they have to be concerned about how much better the offense has looked with Warner at the helm and how the lack of confidence in Mr. Leinart will affect him in the long run.

 

Seattle Seahawks 23, San Francisco 49ers 3

 

This game rounds out two straight tough games for the 49ers.  A win in either would warrant considering the 49ers a threat to make the playoffs.  The 49ers lay eggs in both games.  Is it too early to say “maybe next year?”

 

I challenge anyone to name a worse Super Bowl winning QB than Trent Dilfer in Modern NFL history.  12-33, 128 yards 0 TDs and 2 INTs is Rex Grossman-like futility.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, Carolina Panthers 7

 

Either the Bucs are for real or the Panthers have some serious issues on offense.  It looks like if you give Gruden an old, smart, accurate QB, with a paper thin arm, he’s golden.   It also looks like we cursed Cadillac Williams last week, as after seeing the gruesome injury he suffered in this game, I would be surprised if he plays another game this season.

 

Indianapolis Colts 38, Denver Broncos 20

 

I think I understand why Dre’ Bly resisted going to Denver when the trade was announced.  He knew that regardless of how well he’s played in the past that teams would target him in the passing game more often than not.  He did a great job covering Reggie Wayne most of the night.  Ultimately the Broncos inability to stop the run or Dallas Clark spelled doom for them.

 

Kansas City Chiefs 30, San Diego Chargers 16

 

Every Chargers loss like this gives me more and more hope that the Patriots may just not be as good as everyone is hyping them up to be.  I route for the Chargers, and it hurts me to see them lose games they should win on paper in consecutive weeks.  (Chiefs and Packers)  However, unless they can get pressure on the QB or learn how to cover, its going to be a long season. 

 

Rookie Dwayne Bowe had a breakout game (8 catches, 164 yards, 1TD), proving he is doing his part and leaving it up to Bobby Sippio to get off that practice squad to form that dominant receiving core they promised us on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”

 

New York Giants 16, Philadelphia Eagles 3

Blickees readers and Eagles haters get a treat this week:

 

Live Blog of Eagles v/s Giants

 

New England Patriots 34, Cincinnati Bengals 13

Every week I try to convince myself that the Patriots are overrated and this run is just an early season fluke.  They respond every week with another convincing victory.  Maybe if I just tip my hat to them, we can get some L's from these guys.  The most impressive thing about this game is that the Patriots defense was able to put the clamps on the high-powered Bengals offense.