ATBNG

I suppose #1 will be the same for most, but what do folks think of the rest of the NFL? My rankings: 1. Indianapolis 2. Carolina 3. Denver 4. Seattle 5. Pittsburgh Best sleeper: Jacksonville Most overrated: The New York Giants

Is that why he always agrees to be "miked up?"

You agree that "carried to the Super Bowl" references the games leading up to the final game, right? So, what is your point? I'm sorry their loss in that game made you sad. Me too.

The New England defense, which did not exist apparently, gave up 0 touchdowns in their two AFC playoff games in 1996. You really can't be serious.

I love how no one wants to answer. It's brutal. I have Johnson and Tomlinson. I've been chalking up this week all year, but now my opponent lost TO so it is winnable. I'm going with Rhodes and Peterson because they're playing in games that their teams should win easily, so the end of the game should hopefully feature the backup rushing attack running out the clock. Peterson may end up starting. SF and Houston both are in the bottom five in the league in giving up rushing TD's. Shipp, though a starter, has not scored all year and Detroit has one of the stingiest rushing defenses in the league. Arrington looked good last week and probably should get a lot of work. My gut tells me to bench him. Pass is out. Gordon and Faulk - can't see those games working in their favor. If I get 10 points, I'll be happy.

Nope - we're not a open waivers league. Have to pick two from what is listed. All of those guys are on teams anyway - we have a 14 team league.

Which two RB should I start in week 10? Marcel Shipp Marshall Faulk (has an issue) Patrick Pass (questionable) Lamar Gordon Dominic Rhodes Adrian Peterson

For my money, Ray Lewis orchestrated one of the two greatest Super Bowl performances in history (Rice's absurd 200+ yard game the other one). Age has caught up to him, but the guy was an unreal player in his prime, and he's still pretty good. Moulds was a fine, fine pick though - unfair to judge him in this manner.

Angry, LABF?

Peter King said on the radio this morning that he thought the two most likely landing places for TO were Dallas and Washington. Dallas because Parcells might be able to keep him under wraps (and Jones would likely be interested), and Washington because "Dan Snyder has yet to meet a loud mouthed free agent that he didn't love." I personally think that ESPN is his most likely landing place to get paid - those two drama queens were made for each other. I'm so sick of this guy lashing out at his teammates.

Facts. Until they beat NE once, I'm not impressed by the kings of fantasy football. I'd be curious to see how many times Indy has been favored in this streak too. If the world wants to overhype a 7-0 team that has played exactly one team with a winning record, let 'em.

Regularity....well, so far this century..... January 16, 2005 - Pats 20 Indianapolis 3 September 9, 2004 - Pats 27 Indy 24 January 18, 2004 - Pats 24 Indy 14 November 30, 2003 - Pats 38 Indy 34 October 22, 2001 - Pats 38 Indy 17 October 1, 2001 - Pats 44 Indy 13 I had to edit my post - very funny.

I would say that there is a 99% chance that the Patriots will sell out every home game they have in the next fifty years as they have for the last 12. 50,000+ fans are on the season tickets waiting list, which you have to pay $50 to join. For the rest of the public, you have about 45 minutes each year to buy the leftover tickets on a Saturday morning toa game or two, so better be sure not to miss it. History is utterly irrelevant.

ESPN and 'EEI could have a field day competing to see who could broadcast the most melodrama. Speaking technically, I thought Bruschi's game was fine, and all things considered quite good although the screenplay being optioned would be a bit much. Wilfork had a pretty miserable game (and Green is just not that good against the run), and starting a fourth string strong safety also was a factor.

On the two controversial plays, I don't think that Branch caught the ball. It hit the ground as he rotated and he didn't have control. I was quite surprised it was upheld. Moulds though - I thought that he should have been flagged. There's a "right way" to push off, and he didn't do it - he extended his left arm into Samuel right in front of the ref and in the middle of the field. I like Moulds a lot (and he played a heck of a game), but I think he's enough of a veteran that he should know to be more subtle. Not a well played game by either team, truth be told.

I like the Pats to win, but not by 9 - took Buffalo in my pools. Head, not heart.

I'm definitely a little concerned about Tedy returning to the field. But when MBD predicts he'll get injured, it makes me feel a lot better.

If I had to guess, I'd say Starks is 100% likely to play. Gay is probably in the 75% range to play at least a little bit (he seemingly had a setback this week although he played sporadically in Denver after missing a few games), and I'd put Sanders more at 25% (hasn't yet practiced).

Nice preview Lori. Real impressed with your comments on the Pats - you have a good sense of where they're at. One thing to watch for on defense is what New England does at MLB. Vrabel played the second half of the Denver game at ILB due to Chad Brown's ineffectiveness, and they may be looking at starting McGinest/Vrabel/Bruschi/Colvin and trying to work Chad Brown back outside as a reserve to spell WM and RC. Brown's been ineffective inside all season - I thought he would be a bubble player for the roster after his preseason perormance, and he still hasn't yet done much of anything. You noted the lack of depth at RB (I doubt you'll see more than 5 two back sets of any kind) - they also have a strange situation at safety with Guss Scott going on IR (Poole also went on IR today). They signed Hank Poteat for corner help, and they probably will play Arturo Freeman quite a bit at safety Sunday night. Last year they dropped MLB Don Davis back at strong safety quite a bit when they were think at corner (moving Wilson to corner and dropping Harrison back to FS) but these types of improvisations seemed to be effective in part based on having Harrison back there to make sure things went according to plan. Wilson's a good player (Peyton gave him a Pro Bowl vote last year) but he's introverted and not the type of guy to get in others' faces - thus far he seemingly hasn't exactly exhibited premier veteran leadership, although he has big shoes to fill in that respect. Big plays are up and turnovers are almost nonexistent. I think they have to make the move to take Bruschi off of the PUP list on Saturday at some point, but all indications are that he will be starting and playing some special teams. The NE kick coverage teams are probably slightly worse than last year so far. Brutal isn't too strong a word. Their return game is better with Johnson and Hobbs - Hobbs has a lot of promise as a kickoff return guy. This is one area where Buffalo really needs to make a play or two Sunday night early to counter the emotion in the stadium. Miller's numbers understate how well he's done - he's had at least three punts already this year that he's bounced off the G-2 yard range and hopped up downing inside the five.

Pioli just signed an extension to stay in New England this past summer after turning down a lucrative offer (3 million per year was reported) to be #1 in Seattle and then reupped to continue in his New England role. It doesn't mean he'll "never" take a GM position with another team, but I didn't suggest that. The point is that he's not a viable candidate now. I honestly don't know how much TD makes...is it anywhere near 3 million?

The NFL is never going to cease to be a business - they have to schedule the Jets and Giants at different times and spread out the home and away games since they share a stadium. Monday night games help mitigate that. I still like the Jets D and don't see them going away until mid-December. Mawae's injury really was a killer on top of the QB situation.

I still think the jury is out on Mularkey. I really think the guy is getting a bit too much of the blame on here. Donahoe's tenure is lengthier, and is farther into the realm of darkness I suppose, but he just signed an extension. Same goes for Pioli, for those who are suggesting him as a candidate. Seattle offered him big bucks and he turned it down to stay in NE. A guy I like as an upcoming GM prospect is Jason Licht, formerly of the Pats and now with the Eagles. Young guy who has pretty much seen nothing but success and has learned from the best in his time in the NFL.

FYI - Dillon's no lock to play next week. He still isn't practicing. Definitely a tough schedule the rest of the way....

Is anyone else surprised by the point spread? I would have guessed that it would be a pick 'em or that Buffalo would be a slight favorite, especially with Moss probably on the shelf.