A slight change in format as we offer random thoughts on this weekend's games: Will it be the Giants or the Cowboys from the NFC East? Neither has looked like a playoff team on a consistent basis and this week's winner-take-all game at the Meadowlands features two squads just lucky to be in the postseason conversation. Tony Romo will play for Dallas with his swollen passing hand while Felix Jones will carry the bulk of the rushing load. Meanwhile, Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora looks like he may return this week from the injured ankle that's kept him on the sidelines. His return alongside Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul in the defensive front would be a significant lift for the Giants. Receivers Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham did not practice on Wednesday, giving the Giants something to worry about on offense. Congratulations to the Saints' Drew Brees for breaking … [Read more...]

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...]