BuffOrange

Actually I think the #'s show they're better vs. the run this year, or at least they did a week ago. Not sure why they can't cover anymore, though it may have something to do with Will James starting.

As for Del Rio what specifically did he do? I pretty much always like what I see from a coaching standpoint when I watch Jax games. That they're not realizing expectations this year I think has a lot to do with their talent level being overrated as a result of previously overachieving. Their biggest strength is at one of the least important positions in RB, they have zero playmakers on the perimeter, a still young QB, no pass-rushers, and their OL is no great shakes even when healthy which they're not. I like that he has some gamble in him too in a coaching world that is way too conservative.

Is this a Crayonzesque level? The guy would get outcoached by Rich Kotite.

Screw Jax/Denver and all these murky wildcard scenerios. Division or bust.

I was calling for a draw to Slaton & was surprised to see them go empty backfield (which is frequently an obvious QB draw for mobile QB's...didn't think Schaub would do it). And yeah, Andre Johnson is a stud.

Bills bye week and there's really nothing that I like I'm just going to mini-wager a couple road dogs that I don't love but I think have a good shot to win outright. Somehow didn't get to Jax +5.5 @Indy a few weeks ago - I like the way the Jags play on the road and Indy's homefield was overrated in the RCA dome to begin with - that appears to be magnified with the new stadium this year. So this week we'll go with a hybrid of the two since I think Denver is a fraud. I know the could've/should've game is easy to play in the nfl but the Ravens really should be 4-0 and the Colts 0-4. Week 6 Baltimore +4 @ Indy Jacksonville +3.5 @ Denver Last Week: 1-1-1 YTD: 11-5-1

I don't like JP as a QB. Honestly, if you guys want to rip JP fanboys you're better off searching the archives after the Pittsburgh game last year. The running game was uncharacteristically productive in picking up 4 yards on 1st down, the protection gave him all day to throw, and JP couldn't convert a 3rd&5 to save his life. After the game JP blamed playcalling and penalties even though we had like 3 penalties the whole game. Meanwhile the TBD cliq ridiculed Holcomb's Arm, myself, and anyone who thought JP was more responsible than Fairchild or the defense which gave up FG drives. The guy playing QB today wearing Losman's uniform kept us in the game in the 1st half; and this game is not on him unless Trent's pass-rushing skills are better than I think.

[x] TD drive trailing 21-7 in the 2nd Qtr. [ ] Sustained drive of consequence.

Those of us without screen names of specific players generally put more onus on the guy earning the fattest check playing against a garbage OLman.

I am referring to the first 40 minutes - not 2 plays.

Mike Gandy is their LT? WTF Schobel - earn your freaking paycheck.

Why don't they just make intentional grounding not a rule if they're never ever going to call it ever? Seriously

What is that based on? Their home/road discrepancy is less significant than most teams.

Anyone who ever chalked up both games was drinking kool-aid with extra sugar. It's a road game in the division.

How does Cottrell still have a DC job? Apparently his good D here was all Wade given that he's since sucked in NYJ, Minny, and now SD.

I've been watching the Redzone channel mostly, which means I haven't seen much of that game. I do have a small interest in the Ravens +3 line however.

One of them was a tipped ball.

Redzone channel for the win. How are Nance/Simms not doing Titans-Ravens?

I think underthrowing some 9 routes is more of an accuracy thing than an arm-strength issue since every QB in the league can throw it 40 yards when they want to. I think that's a mistake lots of people make (particularly non-Bills fan Evans-owning fantasy geeks) make - thinking that deep ball = arm strength. To me the true test of good enough NFL arm is the Parrish TD vs. Oakland - throwing the intermediate out when you're getting hit in the mouth. Furthermore I like that despite not having the cannon, he utilizes all of the field horizontally. Did anyone else ever watch highlights of other games on a weekly basis the last 3 years showing 10-20 yard crossing routes and wonder why JP never threw a ball near the hashmarks in his life?

Meh, I'm not a big fan of this. I understand being undefeated and not liking your team since I currently feel the same way. However I do think being 4-0 gives you the cushion to think long-term as opposed to figuring out a way to win the next couple weeks and it just looks like you've done the latter. The value of those Saints WR's certainly goes down considerably when Colston/Shockey come back. Mc'Lain looks like a nice player and all, but his fantasy value as a bye week filler is next to nothing compared to Johnson who you can start with confidence when he has better matchups than Jones/Turner. I suppose the huge TE upgrade in addition to Palmer ---> Favre makes it not terrible.

I'd go with Taylor as well; though Galloway is tempting if he is healthy.

True. I don't think you can ask a rookie in his 1st road start against a good defense with a marginal running game to perform any better though. Compare it to JP @Tampa in '05....

I hate most studio analysts/hosts but I actually like everyone on NBC's cast of thousands except Tiki & Bus. Honestly, I don't get the hate for Collinsworth. Sure he looks goofy but so what.

Thanks KD - yeah Choakland not covering +9 with a 12pt 4th Qtr lead was ridiculous. Week 5 Detroit +3.5 vs. Chicago - You're getting points at home coming off a bye, which is a winning formula. Getting the FG+hook with what should be a juiced up crowd in the 1st game of Post-Millen is a bonus. Baltimore +3 vs. Tennessee - Monday night convinced me that Football Outsiders was right in saying the Ravens were the most underrated team going into the season. They look like the best team in the division. The Titans are another team I think is generally undervalued ATS but the Vikings to my surprise played them to a relatively even game despite the final score. New England -3 @ SF - My first road favorite of the year - kind of a "hedge myself" pick since I'll be delighted if NE is in fact done and their defense is in fact too old to not get run over by Gore. I'll take my chances w/ the resilient Pats coming out with a chip on their shoulder after hearing about how much they suck for 2 weeks. This line would be so much higher if not for the Ronnie Brown show; so I'll wait another week before declaring them done. Other unofficial leans which I may add to the mix later in the week if the lines move a half point: Houston +3 vs. Indy, Seattle +7 @NYG, TB +3 @Denver, Minny +3 @NO. Tempted to continue fading Atl on the road as well, but that's off the board for now presumably due to Rodgers' injury. Saturday edit: None of these lines have moved, so we're going to lay off. The one game that has moved is Ten-Balt, which is now down to 1; so glad we got in on that early in the week. Last Week: 4-1 YTD: 10-4

TD may be an idiot, but you really think he drafted him because he saw espn footage of him on the phone? That's absurd.