Random thoughts from this week's games: You've got to appreciate how Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger gutted out the pain of a high ankle sprain in Monday's 20-3 loss to the 49ers, but as the game wore on it became increasingly unpleasant watching him take a beating from the unrelenting San Francisco pass rush. Leading the charge was Aldon Smith, the 49ers' first-round pick this year out of Missouri and our choice for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Smith was too much for left tackle Max Starks and was seemingly in the Pittsburgh backfield all game. In the process, he broke Charles Haley's team record for most sacks in a season by a rookie. With two regular-season games still to be played, Smith has 12.5 sacks. He is a talent that appears headed for greatness. If the 49ers can continue to complement their aggressive defensive play with the balanced offensive attack they … [Read more...]

Random thoughts from this week's games: Two head coaches were sent packing on Monday: Kansas City's Todd Haley and Miami's Tony Sparano. Neither was a shock. With the Chiefs coming off another uninspired performance in a 37-10 loss to the Jets and reports continuing to surface that Haley and general manager Scott Pioli weren't on the same page (something Pioli denied at the press conference announcing Haley's firing), Kansas City decided to make a change and install defensive coordinator and former Browns coach Romeo Crennel as field general on an interim basis. The season was in grave danger following the early season injuries to running back Jamaal Charles, tight end Tony Moeaki and defensive back Eric Berry; it was officially DOA when quarterback Matt Cassel went down. With those pieces missing, Haley had an uphill battle to get the Chiefs back into the playoffs. With … [Read more...]

Random thoughts from this week's games: The Packers' 38-35 win over the Giants gets our vote for best game of the year thus far this season. With more than 700 yards of passing amassed by Aaron Rodgers and Eli Manning, big performances by a half-dozen receivers, the controversial non-touchdown taken from New York's Jake Ballard and the clutch final drives by both teams, this one had it all. With home games against the Raiders, Bears and Lions and a road tilt with the Chiefs, the Packers look like they're on the way to an undefeated regular season. Meanwhile, the Giants must be heartened by their performance against Green Bay after the pounding they took the week before in New Orleans. It would be no surprise if only one NFC East team made it into the postseason, so New York's two games against the Cowboys in the final four weeks will likely decide the division winner. By … [Read more...]

Random thoughts from this week's games: The Jaguars' 20-13 loss proved to be the undoing of head coach Jack Del Rio, who was fired Tuesday at the same time original owner Wayne Weaver announced he was selling the team to Illinois businessman Shahid Khan. At 3-8, the Jags were going to miss the playoffs. Del Rio knew before the season they had to get in if he were to be back for a 10th season. Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will run the team while Khan and general manager Gene Smith search for a new leader. On the bright side, the Jaguars-to-Los Angeles rumors will now likely fade away. A condition of the reported $760 million sale was that the team remain in Jacksonville. While Jim Caldwell remains for now as coach of the 0-11 Colts, his defensive coordinator Larry Coyer was sacked Tuesday. Meanwhile, quarterback Curtis Painter's tenure as starting quarterback is over. … [Read more...]

Random thoughts from this week's games: The Packers and Lions were challenged by their opponents on Sunday and then both teams put it into overdrive with solid offensive performances in the second half. Thursday's Thanksgiving game between the two division rivals figures to be a feast for passing enthusiasts with a shootout between quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford highly likely. Last week, Stafford threw for 335 yards and five touchdowns against the Panthers while Rodgers continued his MVP-caliber season with 299 yards and three TDs against the Bucs. It's obviously hard to bet against the undefeated Packers but this will be a statement game for the Lions. Usually Thanksgiving doormats on their home field, Jim Schwartz's team has a chance to jolt the Packers and the rest of the NFL with a win on national TV. If Stafford can duplicate the success Philip Rivers … [Read more...]

Random thoughts from this week's games: Quarterback injuries are beginning to multiply throughout the league and could have a significant impact on the playoff picture as we get deeper into the latter half of the season. Perhaps most significant is the foot injury to Texans' quarterback Matt Schaub. The team is saying it's holding out hope Schaub can return for the playoffs but a source told ESPN the Lisfranc injury—a fracture of the foot in which one or all of the metatarsals are displaced from the tarsus—will end his season. The previously underachieving Matt Leinart takes over in Houston. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger confirmed Tuesday he broke the thumb on his throwing hand in Sunday's win over the Bengals. The Steelers are on a bye this week so Big Ben will have extra time to recuperate. He is steadfast about playing Nov. 27 against the Chiefs but if he can't go, … [Read more...]