Ray Lewis, Ed Reed of Baltimore Ravens won't be fined for remarks - ESPN

No one on the Ravens is getting fined for their comments. Which I simply cannot believe, as a Ravens fan. I guess that means we know where the league stands...

they know Brady is a pussy? :lol:

Dude, the Bengals season has been unreal thus far. Cedric Benson, as many Chicago fans may know, was a laughing stock of a running back for more than two years as a starter; next, he lands in Cincy last year, does nothing but look awful gaining 3 yards per carry; but with an improved O-line, he has turned heads with his tough, grind-it-out running style, and perhaps changed minds, as he is now the top rusher in the league after a quarter of the season. It may not seem like much after 5 weeks into this early season, but again, this is Cedric Benson! And also to ponder: he gained 120 yards on the ground against the Ravens today, and wore down Pittsburgh's vaunted defense weeks earlier. These are two consensus top-5 defenses returning from last year, and yet he, still is productive against them. He is like a focused lawnmower or something.

Also, Carson Palmer may not be putting up huge stats, but he has executed and delivered in all 4 victories thus far with successive game-winning drives. That is the quality and trait of an elite quarterback in which each game you are in, you always have a chance to capitilize with a comeback win. He is making the most of what he has, and it shows; he has rejuvenated his rapport with Chad Ochocinco, and he is making great strides with fellow team receivers in Caldwell and Henry.

Here's his take: Bengals QB Carson Palmer said Wednesday he isn't playing up to his capabilities. He's completing 57.7 percent of his attempts for six TDs and five INTs. "Not good enough," he said. "Not good enough to win a championship. I can't give myself a letter grade, but I haven't played up to my own expectations." Coach Marvin Lewis had a different take on Palmer's subpar performance against the Browns (23 of 44 for two TDs and an INT while the offense didn't gain a first down for 37 minutes). "I think he's playing better and better each week. His decision-making was as good as it's been this year."

Setting aside the Broncos undefeated streak for a moment, this outcome for Cincinnati and within the league is the real feel-good team of the year. Also, they are truly just one "immaculate deflection" away from being an undefeated team. Besides winning close, all 5 games that the Bengals have participated in have been decided within the last 25 seconds of the game, both wins and losses. This is an incredible team. In my opinion, this is perhaps one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NFL this season, hands-down.


Here's the article, via CBSSports:

In a duel for first place in the AFC North, the Bengals found another way to win a close game. Carson Palmer threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Andre Caldwell with 22 seconds left to cap an 80-yard drive, and the Bengals escaped with a 17-14 victory over the Ravens on Sunday. All five of Cincinnati's games this season have been decided by seven points for fewer. It appeared as if the Bengals (4-1) were destined to come out on the short end of this one until Palmer masterfully directed the final drive -- with the help of three yellow flags. An illegal contact penalty against the Ravens' Chris Carr and an unnecessary roughness call against Ray Lewis preceded the topper, a pass interference penalty against Frank Walker on third and 16 from the Baltimore 30. On the next play, Palmer found Caldwell over the middle for the winning score. Palmer finished the game going 18 for 31 passing for 271 yards. The Caldwell score was Palmer's lone TD pass of the game. He was also interecepted by Ed Reed who took the pick to the house.

And yet another: First-place Bengals pull upset special in Baltimore

I'd like to thank the Raiders for giving the Giants a bye this week.

What are you talking about? All three AFC West teams that played today forced their respective games into overtime.

The only exception is that the Oakland Raiders declared they were shot at 14:32 in the first quarter when they were tied with the New York Giants at 0-0; as soon as the first score was up, the game was over. But on a technicality, it was an immediate sudden-death that just happened to go on for a brutal 58 more minutes, with mininal stats and an opposing touchdown mixed in. They were basically a turnstile of a team.

Moving on:

The Chiefs forced the overtime; the least they could have done was capitalize on it.

Just like the Broncos, the new "America's Team".

Raiders i predict 0-16 so any team on there scheldule will be awarded a second bye week. Or they should be labeled the nfl's practice squad

If I told you to go fuck yourself, would you take it personally? :lol: ;)

Seriously though, that was a brutal game for the Ravens, and I give Cincy all the credit in the world for beating us. They are legit, even if I don't believe they are really as good as Baltimore.

At least there's no refs to blame today (although they did royally screw up a spot by five yards early on which affected a drive, the Ravens had SO many more chances it was irrelevant).

Alright, I take back everything bad I've said about Kyle Orton. 5 games in and the only interception he has is a meaningless interception on a hail mary to end the half. And he led 90 and 98 yard drives for touchdowns against New England. 5-0, I know I did not see the Broncos doing that. Although they do have a miserable schedule coming up, San Diego twice, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, NY Giants, and Indianapolis. They should win at Washington, and against Oakland and Kansas City at home. They could still be 8-8 team at the end of the season. Still they have won more games so far than many people thought they would win all year.

the SD games are wins without a doubt. SD will choke 2nd half and Orton will just pick em apart. Pitt could be really tough and I think that will be the first loss. I still can't predict between Denver and Giants. that game is just way too close. for the colts, unless joseph addai has a total breakout game, I don't see manning scoring enough points against the broncos to overcome a relentless 2nd half assault.

Orton could have had this kind of playability in chicago if it weren't for the ineptness of Ron Turner.

That and he didn't really have anywhere near the quality of receivers to throw to the last few years.

NFL Week 5 Scores
 

Worst team in the NFL, how do I define thee?

I see 2 (Rams and Raiders) that could be mortal locks in any other year - including last year. I could make a case for a third (Bucs). It's entirely possible that neither the Rams nor the Raiders could win a game. I don't think they play each other this year, so.....

The Bucs are probably more of a case of bad luck than anything else, but, man do they suck.

Ja'Marcus Russell - the next Todd Marinovich or the next Trent Green? You be the judge. I don't see any reason for any loftier expectations than that.

The Raiders beat the Chiefs this year, so at worst, they will go 1-15.

Really? The Chief have shown competence and ability to move the ball in non-garbage time. The Raiders, not so much. Even the Rams moved the ball better on Sunday than the Raiders (although a lot of those yards came after the decision was glaringly apparent). The Chiefs lost on a 4th quarter drive. The Raiders haven't even been close in the 4th quarter all season.

I think that the Raiders lose both games unless there's some sort of quantum shift in the organization.

I must be interpreting what you are saying incorrectly. It sounds like you really do think the Raiders are going to go winless this year, even though they already won a game against the Chiefs 13-10 in week 2. Plus the Raiders gave the Chargers all they wanted in week 1. The Raiders are a disaster without doubt, but they won't be winless this year.

I hope you are right about this, but the Broncos usually struggle against the Giants (The Giants were the team to end the Broncos perfect season in '98) and I don't know if they ever won a game in Indy, I do know they got blown out a lot in Indy, even before the Manning era. Maybe the new stadium there will change the Broncos luck.

Sorry - that should read "the next game" instead of "both". That will be the Raiders only win. The Rams won't win one. The Chiefs will win at least one, probably another one (San Diego, Buffalo or Cleveland are the likely candidates, but they could get overlooked by Denver at the end of the season).

And Tampa will win at least two (Miami and one of their two last games against Atlanta and New Orleans. If one of those has locked a playoff bearth, the game will be a scrimage.).

The Raiders didn't look awful their first two games. Hell, in that Monday night game Russell came back into the game after getting knocked out for a series, on 4th and 15, and threw a 50-yard in-stride strike to Louis Murphy in the end zone like it was a ten-yard slant. By the way, if anyone wants to know why he's going to keep getting chances even if he never turns it around for the Raiders (and it doesn't look good), that play is why.

They look worse than last years' Lions right now, though. I can't see them winning another game.

question of the week segment (I may try this for a few weeks, maybe it works)
 

For those of you fortunate enough to have seen it:

'The Battle of the Purples' (Vikings host the The Ravens, week 6 of the 2009 season):
your thoughts of the game? Was it everything you hoped for and more? considering both of these teams were playoff teams just last season, and both still look right in the thick of making it back there again this year, did it make it more special? Who do you think had the best quarterback play throughout the game? What ultimately surprised you about the game?
And a final ponderance: Had this been a Super Bowl game, where would it rank for you, hypothetically, of all the past permformances you've seen in your lifetime?

I was working Sunday and wasn't paying much attention as the Ravens fell behind, but I managed to arrive home right as the comeback started and watch to the end.

From what I saw and what I have read and heard I don't think there's any doubt about Joe Flacco anymore. He's for real.

0-7 here we come. The Patriots are going to destroy the Bucs. :|

Nope. I'm calling a Tampa Bay upset this week!

Just watch...

Heh, three Tampa Bay bucs fans in a row, and I don't know what to say.
They should have won that game last week; they kept it competitive throughout, and then just let up when it counted the most.
It looks as though my March prediction of the over/under for Bucs to have a successful season would translate to at least 6 wins was much too generous.
The play they are exhibiting now would mean they would have to get lucky in order to get at least 3 good wins this season.

Since nearly all the teams that I declared I'm following are not really panning out, and both of my deep-seated teams (Tampa Bay and Washington) seem to have the most dysfunctional coaching, general manager, ownership, and player personnel quagmires in all the league, perhaps even worse than the Raider or Rams or Browns at this point, it looks like a lost cause all over.

But, I'm an optimist, I think... so, I'm becoming a more well-rounded NFL fan because of the failings of my cherished teams the general level of outstanding play by the top teams, which supercedes all other stories.

So, in that vein, what's your featured match of the week for this Sunday?
(I know no one thinks the Monday game of Eagles/Redskins is gonna produce much hype, and as well it shouldn't, but so far this season, not a one of the Monday Night Football games have disappointed. Perhaps the riveting play can still continue?)

Mine might be the Cardinals visiting the Giants at the Meadowlands. It's a re-match game from last season, and for a lot of interested stakes, I hope at least Kurt Warner keeps the Cards competitive throughout. He was embarassed last season against the Giants, and although I admit that the Giants are a superior team in nearly all facets, I still think Warner has a chance to spark a competitive game in New York, if not capitalize on it entirely, and pull off a tremendous upset. From what the stats are telling me, this may be very well be the highest-scoring game of the week, yet somehow, I don't think the rushing totals for either team goes over 120+ yards. Turnovers, well, to be honest, I think Arizona needs at least +2 in their favor to have a good chance to win.

I also think hope Pittsburgh hands Minnesota its first loss on the season. As much as I detest Pittsburgh and their fans, I abhor even more runaway hype trains, especially when they combine the elements of undefeated, the "leading-rusher in the NFL", and Favre. But, I don't know. I think this is a lose-lose situation for me, as I can't root for either team. Best case scenario is a tie, I guess.

Anyone have any additional info on that hit from Dante Wesley on Cliffton Smith? A quick google search turned up that he got a one game suspension. For a hit like that? :/

I hope he gets fined as well then, because that hit was totally unnecessary.

I hope the Vikings with this week but they are on the road, playing the steelers, and Harvin, Winfield, and Peterson are all hurt. 3 of their best players are hurt, Peterson will likely play but i'm not sure about Harvin or Winfield.

I haven't heard a fine handed down, as of yet.

Maybe a little off but they are singing in Cincy and cryin in Shitsburgh and Cleveland....




31 pts in the first half against Chitown... ahahahahahaaha.....

It was blowout central throughout the entire league, with just a few competitive games sprinkled in.

Let's see if we can survey the carnage from week 7:

Bengals dominated the Bears, 45-10
Packers humiliated the Browns, 31-3
Chargers obliterated the Chiefs, 37-7
Colts dismantled the Rams, 42-6
Patriots blew back the Bucs, 35-7
Jets crushed the Raiders, 38-0

and the "competitive blowouts":
Cowboys strangled the Falcons, 37-21 (only a late TD in the 4th kept Atlanta's final score tally seem somewhat respectable in the loss)
Texans stomped on the 49ers, 24-21 (but... nearly lost it late with the insertion of Alex Smith and his 3 TDs to TE Davis)
New Orleans rallies 40+ pts in less than 30 min. to stun the Dolphins, 46-34.

Favre and the Vikings sweep the Packers!

I still wish the Big Tuna would get rid of him.. but at least Ted Ginn Jr. did something positive yesterday and put the 'Phins over the Jets.

Hey, I just want to confirm something. If a local team is being broadcast as a special NFL Network game, and I don't get the NFL Network, will it still be broadcast over a local channel? (I'm specifically looking at the Giants/Denver game on Thanksgiving evening.)

That's usually how it works.

It should be. At least I'm pretty sure ESPN games are broadcast on local networks.

That was an unbelievable performance by Ginn. Still, I thought he'd break out by now, but he still hasn't learned how to catch a ball, now three years in.

Here's a link you may find enlightening: Miami Dolphins' Ted Ginn Jr.'s role under review - Football - MiamiHerald.com

I would be ok with Ginn Jr. being used as a return man and a decoy against defenses. The kid has super speed, but his hands just aren't there. The Dolphins need a consistent receiver..not a guy who may or may not catch the ball that wins the game.

Rough couple of games for the Broncos. At least they have the Redskins this week, hopefully they can get back on track.

2009 NFL Week 9 Scoreboard
 

Baltimore and NY Giants have to be the biggest disappointments of this season.

Never thought I'd see TB get their first win of the season in the throw back orange.

Josh McDaniels has finally hit the rookie coach wall I think...

The Redskins were thought to be a contender early in the preseason because of their improved defense (well, they were ranked 4th all-purpose last year, even if it was a sort of "shadow" / "bend-but-don't-break" sort of defense) and what could be the maturation of Campbell under Zorn, but what happened last year (midway through) has happened catastophically early this season: their aging O-Line collapsed again (Chris Samuels is thought to retire soon because of what might have been a career-ending injury), Portis wore down really fast with injuries (he was the NFL's leading rushing at this time last year with 1,006 yards thru 8 games, but couldn't muster another 500 the remainder of the season), and Jason Campbell unlearned how to effectively hold onto the ball (well, he does hold it too long anyway, but now he's fumbling and throwing INT at an alarming rate once again).

Both offenses have alot of trouble scoring, and both defenses are ranked in or near the top five in the major categories. I don't see the point total for this game being any higher than 30 combined. It has all the hallmarks of a typical "16-9" game.

So far... it''s only midway through the season, and both of those teams were highly overrated anyways. Both their QBs, while showing poise and elevated play at the beginning of the season, regressed back to their mean and typical ways (both of them are mediocre-above average signal-callers); as far as being two "elite" defenses, both these teams secondaries are in shambles, and vulnerable to multiple big-plays every game—if it wasn't for their still decent pass rush, they'd be in the bottom 10 defensively against the pass.
And although wide receivers were thought to be an issue for both teams since the end of last season, outside of Derrick Mason (who is 35, btw) and Steve Smith (Eli's answer to Peyton's Dallas Clark this year), the rotation and general "green-ness" of the other options has both QBs stumped for viable (and reliable) options when called on to facilitate a score in a deficit, aka 2-minute offense.

"There is no such thing as no such thing." While impressed by Freeman's first win, I still think they gave up way too early on Byron, and when Josh Johnson took over, I thought to myself, "What has Jon Gruden done? He drafted one of the most athletic and mobile quarterbacks I've seen outside of Aaron Rodgers (who is getting "creamed" by the way, to the tune of 35+ sacks in only 8 games!) and he hasn't even developed him yet!" I hope the Redskins (if in an a perfect world where their organizational skills, scouting coaches, GM, and OWNER weren't so inept) key on him and make a viable bid to acquire him via a trade, free agency, whatever. I think "the other Josh" has a real chance to thrive in this now "Wildcatty" league as a true playmaker.

I love "Bucco Bruce". And Orange Creme. Honestly, I was worried for the Bucs for a while; I thought their first chance for a win slipped away when they faced carolina a few weeks back, and then they'd go reeling until they faced Miami this week, and put up a decent shot to win. Let's go, Bucs. I don't know how you're going to win in the future, but I'm still rooting for you to do so (miraculously, if needed).

Well, of the coaches from the Belichick tree, he seems to be the only one who has a real chance to surpass all others before him. It's not that he hit the wall, I think, as it is more that he is short of ideas of how to teach Orton to throw touchdowns, instead of three straight completions for 11 yards, and then three straight wobbly ball incompletions. Also, it'd help if their running game could eclipse 60 yards a game sometime soon. Hell, even 30 yards is too tough for the rookie (Moreno) and the journeyman (Buckhalter). They combined for less than 25 yards rushing against the Steelers on Monday Night. That's no way to balance an offense, especially if you are counting on the skills and experience of Orton to entertain any semblance of a comeback.

As a Vikings fan, I must say that Sunday was a fairly pleasing day.

The GMen suck ass :(