GO FOR 2

Who’s Number 1 Now?

Well, 28 minutes into the Saints-Dolphins game yesterday I was mulling the idea of giving this award to the bye-week Broncos. The way I like to imagine it, Sean Payton knew I was struggling and told the Saints to quit sandbagging it and go for the win. New Orleans incredible come-from-behind victory keeps them in the top spot this week, and in many ways its the most impressive victory I’ve watched them post yet.

The Saints have won games with ridiculous offense (Week 2 at Philadelphia: 421 yards of offense and 48 points), they’ve won with suffocating defense (Week 4 hosting the NY Jets: forced 4 turnovers and scored 14 defensive points), but this is the first time we’ve seen the play from behind (they never trailer entering week 7), and its the first time we’ve Saints put everything together in order to secure a come from behind win – on the road no less. The way in which every single piece of this team plays his part really showed in the second half. Tough, between-the-tackles running by Bell and Thomas, Darren Sharper logging his 3rd pick six on the season, Reggie Bush scoring with a SIX YARD DIVE on that reverse….this team is simply going to be hard to stop because there isn’t one area an opponent can focus on shutting down.

Back to the Bottom

Well, the Titans weren’t playing this week, so I won’t put them here (hey, its the first week they haven’t recorder a loss!). Instead, I’m sending the Raiders to the bottom of league after the 38-0 clubbing that the struggling Jets laid on on Oakland in the bay this week proved last week’s win over the Eagles was clearly a fluke. Who do the Raiders have to thank for the resurgance of their inability to play football? JaMarcus Russell, of course. Now, after the game Russel actually said “I don’t think it’s my fault, though…do you?” First, JaMarcus, the reporters are there to ask you questions, not the other way around. And second, yes, every single person alive thinks this was your fault.

Russell coughed up a fumble, and heaved two picks, one of which was just a real beaut’. Russell dropped back under pressure, and got rid of the ball to a wide open…Jim Leonhard…who plays for the Jets. Yeah, you’ve heard that joke before, but it’s never been more applicable. Leonhard was the only guy within 10 yards of the ball. Literally. And its not like this was some downfield heave…its more like Russell actually thought that was his check-down man who was just wearing a different uniform for fun.

Player of the Week

Jairus Byrd, S, Buffalo:  Ok, so you’re thinking pretty much anybody could stand downfield and pick of a Jake Delhomme pass at this point…and you’re probably right. But Byrd picked a great time to snag his first two career interceptions, and the Bills finally won a game they can feel proud about (yeah, the Browns are that bad).

Scapegoat of the Week

Chester Taylor, RB, Minnesota:  No, I’m not just being nice to Brett Favre on this one, the stip-sack on the previous series shouldn’t have happened. But the fact is that on that last drive Minnesota had an easy shot at the tie, and a good shot at the win, and Taylor flat missed that pass. Sure, it looked a little high, but it was a screen pass…those are going to be high every time because the QB is often throwing over a defensive end or linebacker. So the punchline is: Taylor had every reason to expect the ball would be high (not in the chest), he got his hands on it, and rather than just dropping it he re-directed the ball right into multiple defenders. I guarantee you Taylor is going to have a read headache when he watches this footage.

Embarrassment of the Week

William Gay, CB, Pittsburgh:  Yeah, his team won the game, but Adrian Peterson went through him like he was cardboard box and then walked on his face. Peterson caught the ball, turned, lowered his shoulder, and just went right through the waiting Gay. Not only did Gay get planted, but Peterson then chose to walk right over the top of him and keep going en-route to a first down. Gay may be one of the only guys on a team that won this week who won’t be turning on SportsCenter until after next Sunday.