No better place to start in the early games than in Cincinnati where the Bengals completed a season sweep of the Baltimore Ravens. Chad Ochocinco sent deodorant to the Ravens secondary so they could “get a little closer” to him.  Years ago if someone did that to the Ravens, they would have broken someone’s shoulder.  (See Rashard Mendenhall last year) This year however, not only did they lose, they gave up 100+ yards to Cedric Benson yet again and only managed 7 points against the Bengals defense.  What “Hard Knocks” Curse?

Well the Eagles put up another stinker against the Cowboys.  The story was the same as it’s been the last two years.  The defense was stout, the offense couldn’t sustain drives and couldn’t pick up short yardage.  Am I mad? Of course.  Do I think this is the end of our season?  Absolutely not.  We’ve still got tons of Tony Romo fumbles and interceptions, many injuries and many other huge plays from Desean Jackson to go before this season is over.

I’m really tired of this halfhearted effort from Reid to integrate Mike Vick, although I understand his dilemma; why pass it with him when you’ve got McNabb?  The other side of that coin is, when he comes in to run the Wildcat, even my wife knows he’s running, so what makes you think those that make a living as defensive coordinators don’t know it?  There is no threat to pass with Vick in the game, which raises the question; why put Vick in the game?

The Texans had another opportunity to win a game that would make everyone take notice that they have arrived.  In customary Texans fashion, they took a late lead, gave it right back, and missed a game tying FG from gimme range. Maybe next year for the Texans? Or the next year? How about 10 years from now when this franchise moves to Bumdung Idaho because they can’t sustain a fan base?

Giants fans have to be hurting right now.  They went from looking like world beaters to letting the world beat them down.  The Chargers don’t look too tough either with a washed up LT, but they pulled it out because of Phillip Rivers.  You can’t bet against a QB with so many mouths to feed.

Oh the irony in Vince Young being 2-0 as a starter.  Yeah he had an emotional breakdown last year, but he looks like he’s over it.  How does Jeff Fisher feel?  Does this mean Vince Young is the “man” in Nashville again?  Does Kerry Collins go to his 20th different team?  Vince isn’t turning it over and he’s extending plays with his legs.  It’s a little too late for the Titans at this point, but it will be interesting to see how they handle this situation in the offseason.

Green Bay should have petitioned the league to not allow Tampa to bring the cream sickle uniforms back.  By far the ugliest uniforms in league history, the minute the Pack saw those things they had to think it was an easy win.  Those uniforms represent some of the worst football ever played on any level.  What happens when they pull them out?  They get off the snide.  Hilarious.

New Orleans started the season blowing everyone out, now they’re coming from behind to win every game.  Hopefully the next phase is a second half collapse.  Their 8-0 at this point, so worst case they’re probably looking at 12-4 or 11-5 so I don’t know what good that will do.

The Cards pasted the Bears in their first meeting since Dennis Green uttered the infamous words: “If you wanna crown them, then crown their asses, but they ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE and we let em off the HOOK!”  The Bears still are who Denny thought they were, but the Cards sure aren’t who they were.  I saw a replay from that game and couldn’t help but notice that Matt Leinart was starting.  The question now is whether this guy will ever start again. 

The Dolphins couldn’t beat the Patriots and it has become abundantly clear that their receiving core is probably one of the worst in the league.  No one has any fear for their passing game out of shotgun or from under center so they stack 8 sometimes 9 in the box.  The Wildcat was born because the Dolphins couldn’t run very well out of traditional formations for that very reason.  2 years later?  They still can’t run out of traditional formations and the Pats seem to have a pretty good handle on how to stop the Wildcat. 

Is it just me or is Tebow a better fit to run this thing than Pat White.  The Dolphins would look like idiots if they drafted another Wildcat QB, especially after this Pat White experience doesn’t seem to be working out.  (Although they did score off of a spread option play with him in the game.)  White is suffering the same problem that Vick is in the Wildcat; the inability to complete a meaningful pass.  So the same question arises, if you can’t complete a meaningful pass why put a QB back there.  Can you honestly expect a backup who gets no reps and has no relationship with his receivers to complete a pass?  I think not.

         Finally, the Monday night game features the surprising Broncos and a Steelers team that no one has figured out yet.  Are they primed to repeat or are they going downhill.  Is anyone going to give Hines Ward a taste of his own blindsiding medicine?  One thing is for sure, that Cutler trade is looking real good for Denver.