We’d like to welcome in Mets fans to our regular Monday feature. We figure they’ve got plenty of time on their hands after the Mets choked their way out of playoff contention, and they need a diversion to help ease the pain. We’re here to help. 
Jet of the week: CB Andre Dyson. Had a nice interception in the endzone to stop a Bills’ scoring drive. One of the few bright spots on an otherwise dismal afternoon for Gang Green. (btw, we hate that nickname Gang Green, so this will be the last time you ever see it in this space).
Giant of the week: Osi Umenyiora. Michael Strahan said it best. It’s not every day you see a guy go from last in sacks to first in a single game. But that’s what happens when you get six – count ‘em, six – sacks against the Eagles. Think Chad Pennington isn’t worried right about now?
Team in trouble. Bears. It’s not just the quarterback. The defending NFC champs saw that Brian Griese wasn’t much better than Rex Grossman. All of a sudden, they’re 1-3 and going nowhere.
Dominating performance award: Cowboys beating Rams 35-7. Isaac Bruce of the Rams guaranteed a victory over the unbeaten Pokes, but Tony Romo answered with yet another scorching offensive performance to keep Dallas atop the NFC East.
Player of the week: Umenyiora. Remember when former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi refused to pull the trigger on the Eli Manning-for-Philip Rivers trade when the Chargers demanded Umenyiora as part of the package? Wise decision.
Player of the week, Part II: Brett Favre, Packers QB. He breaks Dan Marino's career touchdown pass record, and then celebrates by hoisting receiver Greg Jennings over his shoulder in a fireman's carry. How do you not love this guy - 37 years old and still acting like a kid.
Comeback player of the week: Daunte Culpepper, QB, Raiders. Playing against the Dolphins, the team that threw him out on his ear during the off-season, Culpepper passed for two TDs and ran for three more. Looks like the knee’s fine.
Coach on the hot seat: Norv Turner, Chargers. Turner has the dubious distinction of winning our award for a second straight week. Come to think of it, let’s just keep him here until he wins another game. Bolts just too talented to be losing at home to the Chiefs.
Best play: Tony Romo recovering a botched snap 33 yards behind the line of scrimmage and evading a handful of Rams defenders and turning the play into a four-yard gain. Amazing.
Worst play: Pennington’s interception in the final minute with the Jets driving into Bills territory to set up what would have been the tying field goal. A few more like that, and we might be seeing Kellen Clemens in the lineup.
Surprising performance: Chiefs beating Chargers on the road. This one had Chargers bounce-back written all over it. Guess we should realize that the Chargers just aren’t what they used to be now that Marty Schottenheimer isn’t on the sidelines.
Disappointing performance: Steelers losing on the road to Arizona. Ben Roethlisberger was too consumed with beating Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt, his former offensive coordinator. Turns out the two had a much frostier relationship in Pittsburgh than either man had let on. (Memo to Black N Gold: anxious to hear your thoughts on your beloved Steelers).
Disappearing act of the week: Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, who was supposed to take on more of a leadership role this season. How about zero sacks to set the tone.
Best supporting role: Justin Fargas, RB, Raiders. After LaMont Jordan went down with back problems, Fargas came on and rushed for 179 yards against Miami.
Unsung hero: Patrick Crayton, WR, Cowboys. With the Rams intent on keeping Terrell Owens in check, Crayton was Romo's go-to guy with seven catches for 184 yards and two TDs.
Rookie of the week: Tony Ugoh, T, Colts. Have you noticed we haven’t spent a lot of time this season picking apart the Colts’ pass protection? Ugoh is a big reason. He has stepped in for the retired Tarik Glenn and done a magnificent job protecting Peyton Manning’s blind side. And backside, for that matter.
Best coaching move: Ken Whisenhunt rotating his quarterbacks. It’s a risky proposition when you yank starter Matt Leinart and put in Kurt Warner for the two-minute offense. But it worked wonders against the Steelers.
Worst coaching move: Andy Reid for not giving left tackle Winston Justice any double-team help once it became clear that Umenyiora was unstoppable.
Deal of the week: Tampa Bay signing Jeff Garcia in the off-season. He may be 37, but his gritty style is infectious and has been a major reason the Bucs are 3-1.
Coming tomorrow: Week 4 power rankings
Comments (4)
I'd like to suggest a few Mike Shanahan blunders for runner up in the worst coaching decisions of the week category.
Firstly, benching 300-pound goliath Sam Adams and Amon Gordon to play a front of four defensive ends clearly was a good move for a whole five minutes at the start of the game.
I'm normally a huge Shanny backer, but I also couldn't understand why he continued to run the ball once the team was down by two scores late in the third quarter. I wish he would let Cutler develop into the gunslinger he truly can become.
Ah, at least there are the Rockies tonight. Did I just say that out loud?
Bob, Steelers looked terrible for sure. I don't know if it was an issue of trying too hard to show up Wisenhunt, or just absolute inability to execute.
The O-Line couldn't block a kindergardener running for the playground at recess. The
Defensive line gave both of AZ's QB's more time tahn our justice system gives a serial killer. The worst was Big Bens insistence in trying to throw into double coverage. I don't think he ever checked off his primary all day. (Who does he think he is Brett Farve?).
The only bright spot for Steelers fans is that a loss gives the Steelers an opportunity to refocus and realize their competition is getting tougher as the season moves on.
I for one, am excited to see how Mike Tomlin handles adversity. Watching him so far this year I'd say the odds are that he handles it well.
Lance, point taken. Not sure if Shanahan will ever beat the Colts in Indy.
Black & Gold:
I expected nothing less. You owned up to that sad performance in the desert, and you took it like al oyal fan is supposed to.
Chelsea Scum!!
Manchester United are way better than them.