Six winless franchises, 5 undefeateds, and a big trade in the small town

Six teams come into Week 5, winless, while 5 teams are undefeated. Again, the Tennessee Titans have failed to put up a W. Who knew the Jaguars would score 37 on the once mighty Titans? Of course, losing a defensive game changer to free agency does not help. Nor does having an aging QB, who was previously written off in many experts' minds, at the offensive helm while a young and healthy QB rides the pine, one capable of changing the game with his legs. The 'Skins kept the Bucs winless, and the Broncos are 4-0? It has been a very strange NFL season so far.



Usually at this point I make some sort of comment about Plaxico Burress being in prison but I think I will give him a reprieve until next week. I mean the guy probably hasn't had a shower in a few days so let's let him alone.

Kyle Orton wins. He is the epitome of the 'game managing QB.' When Orton was on the Bears, he was giving the starting job because of a QB who I dare not name went down with an injury. One of many. In his rookie season, KO went 10-5 as a starter. Not bad for a rookie QB whose leash did not extend 10 feet beyond the fire hydrant he was chained to. Now he is with the Broncos, and, at 4-0, I am still questioning if they are for real. The Pats come to Invesco Field this weekend in a game that promises to have a Student facing Master in a battle for AFC domination feel to it. Belichick, I am sure, hopes to teach his former student that "no matter how much you studied me, I will always hold back that one trick, that one secret, that will help prevail."

The over-hyped Minnesota vs. Green Bay game, while living up to expectations, is not a topic I would like to touch upon for it seemed to be the talk of the week and continues. Brett Favre this, Brett Favre that. He is a great QB and will go down in history as one of the best to ever play the game, however, he has tainted my soul because of his lack of dedication to the Packers, discipline to mean what he says and basically the way he has toyed with the media, the organizations and better yet, the fans. Then again, I am looking forward to the Vikings/Packers matchup at Lambeau on November 1st. What kind of reception will the fans have in store for him?

Last week, the Steelers running game got a huge boost from 2nd-year running back Rashard Mendenhall. He had 29 rushes for 165 yards and 2, count 'em, 2 TD's. This week, the Steelers ride their bus into Ford Field to play a hapless Lions team who could not create a 2 game winning streak, ultimately bowing to the Bears 48-24 which included a helicopter dive, a la John Elway, into the endzone by Jay Cutler. I'm going with the Steelers in this game. We know they have an above average passing game and last week they showed they can run the ball. Hard to pick a Lions team who, well who just plain stinks. Mendenhall should have another big game against this weak Lions D. Look for Big Ben to hand off to Rashard 25-30 times while gaining 120-130 yards and at least one touchdown.

PICK: Steelers PLAY: Rashard Mendenhall BENCH: Matthew Stafford

Was anyone else glad to see Mark Sanchez have a bad game last week? The Saints tore him a new one all game, picking him off 3 times and also sacking him in the endzone while fumbling then falling on the ball for a TD. This week the Jets head to sunny Miami for a showdown with a Miami team who has not lived up to expectations thus far. Chad Pennington is out for the season with yet ANOTHER shoulder injury and replaced by Chad Henne. That's a lot of Chad on one team. I wonder if Chad Hutchinson is their 3rd string QB? Even bigger news is that the Browns traded Braylon Edwards to the Jets for Chansi Stuckey and LB Jason Trusnik. With Edwards in a contract year, will he and Sanchez get on the same page and maybe make a deep playoff run? Stay tuned! I think Miami gets the better of the Jets this week whether or not Braylon Edwards plays and Sanchez will have his second bad showing in as many games.

PICK: Dolphins BENCH: Chansi Stuckey, Mark Sanchez

Philadelphia hosts the Bucs this week in a game featuring an injured McNabb starting after a 3 game absence. As bad as the Bucs have been this season, their struggles will continue and McNabb will come out throwing. So look for Eagles receivers to put up some big numbers. My Sleeper Pick this week is Eagles receiver Jason Avant. He has quietly and regularly been making catches and gaining yards. He may not be a WR1 or even 2, but he runs his routes well and has good chemistry with McNabb. Look for him to have a big game this week.

I find myself singing Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and thinking about the NFL teams without a win. Titans, Buccaneers, Browns, Chiefs, Panthers and Rams. Of these teams, all of them, with the exception of the Rams, I feel, have a good shot at winning at least 1 game. The Titans will most likely come out of this group with the most wins but at this point even that is uncertain. Which brings me to song number 2: Toby Keith's "As Good As I Once Was." Last season the Titans had the NFL's best record at 13-3. This season, an exact switch is the most likely of scenarios. Song number 3? You will have to read next week's post but if I have as much luck as I had the previous 2 weeks, it may look something like Beck's "Loser" or CCR's "Bad Moon Rising."