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Here are some random thoughts and observations about the Sunday games this week:

I don't know how to put this any other way but if you had Aaron Rodgers and the Ravens defense in your lineup this week and lost ... well ... let's just say it might not be your year.

I still can't believe people had Michael Vick ranked higher than Rodgers going into the season. Still. Can't. Believe. It.

Last night's game may very well have been the ugliest high-scoring game in NFL history. Guess that's what happens when two defenses combine to score roughly 25 touchdowns.

Give or take.

I had high hopes for him coming into the season but it may be time to bail on Shonn Greene. I know the Jets have offensive line issues but we're three years into his career and it's still not happening. At some point you have to wave the white flag and wonder if maybe the guy just doesn't have what it takes to be a legit starter.

Calvin Johnson is the only player in the NFL who cannot be defended. If you think he can be, there are 31 defensive coordinators in the NFL who would love to hear from you.

Since proclaiming himself "The Black Wes Welker," Nate Burleson has caught four passes in two games. That's 21 fewer than Welker has caught

As for the real Wes Welker? He's now on pace for 160 receptions this season. I don't know about you, but I'm not betting against him.

The Patriots' defense, meanwhile, is truly wretched. I'm still trying to figure out how they allowed a 99-yard scoring drive to the Raiders in about three seconds late in Sunday's game. Through four games they've yet to show they can rush the passer, force turnovers or score defensively. Other than that, they're terrific.

Welcome back, Chris Johnson. You've been missed.

Wasn't Josh McDaniels supposed to help the Rams' offense?

Cam Newton has thrown for more than 350 yards whenever he hasn't played in a monsoon.

Jimmy Graham is good at football.

First Tim Hightower. Then Roy Helu. Now Ryan Torain. This is why fantasy owners curse Mike Shanahan.

I watched Andre Johnson go down untouched on what likely would've been a touchdown and thought his season was over. The Texans are praying that's not the case because their offense has no electricity without him. Yes Arian Foster was in full beast mode against Pittsburgh but you're not going to beat many teams attempting two-yard passes and running the ball 50 times a game. Not this season anyway. You have to throw to win and without Johnson, the Texans went into a shell and very nearly lost a game they should've won going away.

Matt Schaub wasn't the only quarterback apparently afraid to throw to his wide receivers on Sunday. I love me some Philip Rivers but I can't figure out why he won't throw target his wide receivers more - especially with Antonio Gates out. I realize Vincent Jackson was en route to a huge game before getting hurt Sunday, but the Chargers' passing game is still all about the running backs right now. At some point that's going to change and Rivers is going to start attacking defenses downfield, right?

Right?

Hold on, the Ravens' defense just scored again.

Denarious Moore. Yeah, he's the real deal.

Mark Sanchez and the Jets should pay close attention to what happened to Ben Roethlisberger on Sunday. Sanchez could be next.

For all of us who started the Texans' defense on Sunday, I have just one word ...

Ugh.

Full disclosure - that isn't the word I used yesterday.

Wasn't the Eagles' secondary supposed to be a strength?

Think this game can't turn quickly? Tony Romo was magnificent for three quarters and awful for one. Unfortunately, the one awful quarter was the fourth and his poor play resulted in a Dallas defeat.

I preached caution on Twitter Sunday about starting Dez Bryant given how hobbled he looked last week and considering he hadn't finished a game yet this season. Boy was I wrong. He was in full stud mode. Going forward, if he plays you start him. End of story.

The San Francisco 49ers are 3-1 and in first place in the NFC West. The San Francisco 49ers are 3-1 and in first place in the NFC West. I had to type that twice because I still can't believe it.

Ladies and gentlemen, Jared Cook has finally arrived.

He may never play a full season in his entire career, but it sure looks like the light switch has been flipped on for Beanie Wells. He's been terrific this season and he was nothing short of superb on Sunday in the loss to the Giants.

Hello Victor Cruz. Goodbye Mario Manningham?

Ryan Fitzpatrick was bound to have a stinker at some point - he's simply not an elite talent. But don't despair Fitzgerald owners. That's still an offense that will get plenty of chances this season if for no other reason than I don't trust their defense.

David Nelson caught 20 passes in the first 10 quarters of the season. He's caught two in the last six. That's why it's so often difficult to trust No. 3 WRs in fantasy.

Unless they're Jordy Nelson apparently.

C.J. Spiller should study Darren Sproles game tape because that's who he could be if he figures things out.

Maybe Sidney Rice's fantasy value isn't in the toilet in Seattle after all.

Apparently, Julio Jones was getting tired of people saying A.J. Green was the best rookie WR in this year's draft class.

Stevan Ridley. Hmm ...

Maurice Jones-Drew rushed three times in the first half on Sunday. He rushed eight times for 84 yards in the second half. Here's a thought - maybe the Jags should've used him more in the first half.

And lastly, tonight is all about Mike Williams. It just is. Accept it. Pray for it. Believe in it. Or all of the above.

[ October 03, 2011, 09:53 AM: Message edited by: Tom Kessenich ]

Tom,

Great stuff as always and once again this is my favorite read of the week!

I had Rodgers slightly ahead of Vick this year but Vick did average 32.6 points per game last year which was 5.2 per GAME more than Rodgers. I wouldn't consider that some kind of insane ranking.

How about Stafford - are you buying now? I think I could even lob the ball up in the air to Calvin!


Wayne

Originally posted by Coltsfan:

I had Rodgers slightly ahead of Vick this year but Vick did average 32.6 points per game last year which was 5.2 per GAME more than Rodgers. I wouldn't consider that some kind of insane ranking.

The thing is Wayne - what Vick did last season was well beyond his typical norm. What Rodgers did wasn't. So for me, it was easier to see a regression of some kind coming for Vick. Plus, you had his durability concerns. Rodgers simply was a stud in a great offense who has consistently put up stud numbers. Slam-dunk call for Rodgers in my opinion. And that's not a homer call either.

How about Stafford - are you buying now? I think I could even lob the ball up in the air to Calvin!


Wayne I've always believed in Stafford's talent. His question was durability. He had been brittle his first two seasons and he had to prove he could play a full season. I was on record as saying he had stud talent so that was never my concern with him. He's been healthy and Megatron is a stud. I'm not surprised Stafford's doing well. He still needs to prove he can stay healthy for an entire season but it's all coming together for him right now. He's a fantasy stud.

Tom,

Awesome stuff as usual.

Do you think if the Steelers and Jets combined their offensive lines, they could give their respective QB's more than 2 seconds to throw?

Originally posted by BillyWaz:
Tom,

Awesome stuff as usual.

Do you think if the Steelers and Jets combined their offensive lines, they could give their respective QB's more than 2 seconds to throw? Billy,

When you say combine, do you mean take the best player from each team and start the best 5 OR do you mean play all 10?

I would say no to the first way and yes they could get possibly to 2 seconds using all 10 at once.


Wayne

Originally posted by BillyWaz:
Tom,

Awesome stuff as usual.

Do you think if the Steelers and Jets combined their offensive lines, they could give their respective QB's more than 2 seconds to throw? Against those two defenses? Nope.

Against the Patriots' defense?

Absofreakinlutely.

We'll find out next week too because the Jets and Patriots meet at New England. I wouldn't be surprised to see Sanchez have a huge game. In fact, if I had to pick a sleeper QB right now for Week 5 just off the top of my head he'd be the guy.

Right now, I would start any QB against the Patriots or Packers. Yeah, I said the Packers. I know Green Bay picked off Orton three times and had a Pick 6 but one of the INTs wasn't Orton's fault and despite the three INTs he still threw for 273 yards and 3 TDs. Green Bay's pass defense is horrible right now.

Originally posted by Coltsfan:
quote:Originally posted by BillyWaz:
Tom,

Awesome stuff as usual.

Do you think if the Steelers and Jets combined their offensive lines, they could give their respective QB's more than 2 seconds to throw? Billy,

When you say combine, do you mean take the best player from each team and start the best 5 OR do you mean play all 10?

I would say no to the first way and yes they could get possibly to 2 seconds using all 10 at once.


Wayne [/QUOTE]Yes, I meant all 10 forming a double wall. I imagine Terrell Suggs or Demarcus Ware could get around them in about .8 seconds.

C'mon Tom no mention of the Saints two 1st & goals from the 1 and Ingram nowhere to be seen? As well as a 1st & goal from the 3 later on that Thomas got the carry?

Time to get off the bus.

[ October 03, 2011, 10:59 AM: Message edited by: mattjb ]

Originally posted by mattjb:
C'mon Tom no mention of the Saints two 1st & goals from the 1 and Ingram nowhere to be seen? As well as a 1st & goal from the 3 later on that Thomas got the carry?

Time to get off the bus. Ingram was on the field for both plays. They split him out wide on the TD by Collins and he was on the field for the TD flip to Graham. I am a little concerned about Thomas getting that goal-line look but Ingram got 19 touches yesterday. That's a huge positive. His touches are increasing which I anticipated. What hasn't happened yet are the TD runs. He definitely needs those to justify the belief I've had in him.

He does need to do more with what he's getting. No doubt about that. And there's no denying Payton is head over heels about Sproles (and understandably so). But it's a long season and way too early to abandon ship on Ingram in my opinion.

Did Sidney Rice leave the game yesterday? those catches came fairly early then nothing.