NFL Week 2: Games to watch

By Dan Rodgers

Last week I was 2-1 in my "games to watch" predictions. This week, we have two great games and one interesting one.

Game 1

Ravens at Bengals - This game is very interesting because the Bengals played like crap in the first half last week and their defense got absolutely destroyed by the Pats. The Ravens also didn't look too good, but a pathetic Jets offense couldn't take advantage. The Ravens could to anything in the running game, so look for them to try and establish that early on. The Bengals should try and do what the Jets couldn't and attack a vulnerable Baltimore seconary. Look for the Cinci receiving core to have another good day if they can give Carson Palmer any protection. Baltimore's favored in this game, but I like Cinci to win straight up at home.

My Prediction: Bengals (+2.5) 27 Ravens 24

Game 2

Pats at Jets - This game is much more important to the Jets than the week one game against Baltimore. They face New England at home in an early season division game. The Pats came out last week and lit up the Bengals supposedly solid secondary. The Jets cornerbacks (minus Revis) got completely owned last week by an above average Ravens receiving core. Cromartie and rookie Kyle Wilson will have to step up against a Pats passing offense that boasts Randy Moss (to be stranded on Revis Island), Wes Welker, Julian Edelman (Welker Jr.), and the best tightend trio in the NFL (Crumpler, Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski). It will be interesting to see how the Jets' secondary plays in this game. Also, look for Mark Sanchez to try and open up the field a bit more against another suspect secondary.

My Prediction: Pats (-3) 23 Jets 16

^What I think will happen, what could happen?: Jets (+3) 17 Pats 16

Game 3

Giants at Colts - Oddly enough, the Colts have already been defeated in the 2010 season, while the Giants look to go 2-0. This is a battle of the Manning brothers and you better believe that Peyton is in F.U. mode. It doesn't matter that this game is against

his little brother, the Colts will bring it beyond anything we've seen from them recently. Coming off an embarrassing loss to the Texans, the Colts need to step up and show everyone who's boss. The Giants simply got unlucky, and they're not that good. They will probably try to run the ball given what Arian Foster did against Indy last week. It probably won't work since they focused on that this week in practice; hopefully that means Nicks gets a lot of touches for my fantasy team. Regardless, Peyton easily takes this matchup and the Colts get back in the win column.

My Prediction: Colts (-5) 38 Giants 23

Enjoy another wonderful Sunday in the NFL, and be sure to root for my fantasy!

Rodgers That

Elite QBs, not yet Joe

By Dan Rodgers

ESPN Analyst John Clayton came out with a list of the NFL QBs that he thinks are on the elite level, and I disagree with a lot of them. Let us break down the list and see where we stand.

AFC

• Tom Brady, New England Patriots
• Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
• Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
• Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
• Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
• Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

Tom Brady, unfortunately, is a three-time Super Bowl champ. So clearly, he should be on the list. However, Joe Flacco has two years of experience on a team that is built primarily on the rushing game. This will be an important year for him because of all the weapons he now has on offense (i.e. Anquan Boldin/Donte Stallworth). Flacco is just too inexperienced to be given a crown yet, sorry bud.

No one will argue with Peyton Manning, end of story. Carson Palmer is on the edge for me because he is so talented, but he has yet to reach the next level. He hasn't done anything in the playoffs or put up 4,000 yard and 30 touchdown seasons every year, so this will be a make or break year for him. Top 10 yes, but not yet elite.

Phillip Rivers is definitely one of the best young QBs in the league, and if I had a top 10 list he would be on it. However, if I had an elite list, he wouldn't be on it. Roethlisberger has to be on it because he is a two-time Super Bowl champ. Schaub is a tough one though. I love this kid and all the amazing work he did for my fantasy football team last season, but given a few wasted seasons in Atlanta and then back to back injuries in 2008 and 2009, he has only put together one amazing season (4,700 yards and 29 TDs). If he can do it again, and again, he should be on the list but not yet.

NFC

• Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
• Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings
• Donovan McNabb, Washington Redskins
• Eli Manning, New York Giants
• Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
• Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
• Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Drew Brees is amazing and just continues to put down all of the critics, I absolutely love him. Favre, even though he screwed the Jets over, I can definitely admit is a great QB and most definitely elite when he is on the field. McNabb is someone you might not think about, but he only had one losing season his entire career in Philly and that should tell you something. He is a playmaker with his legs and his arm and will possibly bring some life to a dead Washington team.

Eli Manning I'm not really a fan of, but I do give him credit because he beat the Pats in the Super Bowl when people were talking about that New England team being the best of all-time. Not elite yet though...sorry. Aaron Rodgers is the man. He is a gun-slinger and reminds me of Favre. He is a playmaker and is only getting better, sitting on the bench behind Favre for a few seasons couldn't have hurt. He definitely belongs on the list.

Ever since Romo took over in Dallas he has done nothing but put up very impressive statistics, for an undrafted free agent nonetheless. The only question mark that could leave him off the list is what has he done for me lately...in the playoffs. He took it one step further last season and I think he belongs on the list because Dallas is a contender with him at QB.

Matt Ryan, see Joe Flacco.

So, in conclusion I've decided that John Clayton should be much tougher in his decisions and not just give it out to make sure the list if full. Just because a QB belongs in the top 10 doesn't mean he is elite.

Elite QBs:
AFC - Brady, Manning, Roethlisberger
NFC - Brees, Favre, McNabb, Rodgers, Romo

Top 10:
1. Manning - The Best
2. Brees - Showed he can play with and beat the best
3. Favre - Who knows how long he'll play
4. Brady - Shown can be beaten...and embarrassed
5. Roethlisberger - Gosh he is ruining his career
6. McNabb - Sucks he hasn't won a Super Bowl...and got traded to Washington
7. Rodgers - Arguably the best young QB in the league
8. Romo - Proved he can win the playoffs...kind of
9. Rivers - Can't take over a game...yet
10. Palmer - This is his year...or he could be done

Rising: Brees, Rodgers, Romo, Rivers

Falling: Favre, Brady, Roethlisberger, McNabb, Palmer

Rodgers That

NFL Saturday Recap

By Dan Rodgers

I just want to apologize to the Dallas Cowboys and their fans for the lack of faith I had in them. I do want to say I was thoroughly convinced that they can win in the playoffs now with that blow out win over division rival Philly. Not only did the Cowboys win, but they did so over a division foe for the third time this season. Beating a team three times in one season is extremely difficult to thing to accomplish.

AFC Wild-Card:

New York Jets (+2.5) 24 Cincinnati Bengals 14

My prediction: Jets 26 Bengals 17

I would say that I was fairly accurate in my prediction with this game. I said that Mark Sanchez was the difference and I was right. He completed 12 of 15 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, he did not turn the ball over, and he wasn't even close. Sanchez played smart football and handed the ball off like a pro. Thomas Jones had limited action due to injury, but they Jets didn't miss a beat because rookie Shonn Greene ran for 135 yards including a 39-yard touchdown. I also said the defense would have to control Benson, which they absolutely did not. I have to give Benson credit because he is the only one that showed up. He had a phenomenal game breaking the Bengals franchise post-season record for rushing yards in a single game. Carson Palmer was the lesser of the USC quarterbacks as he only completed 18 of 36 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown to ex-Jet Laverneous Coles and an interception to Darrelle Revis.

Simply, the Jets outplayed the Bengals (again) in every aspect of the game. Look for an interesting matchup next week against either the Colts or Chargers.

NFC Wild-Card

Philadelphia Eagles (+4) 14 Dallas Cowboys 34

My prediction: Eagles 30 Cowboys 23

Basically, I expected the Eagles to show up. Plain and simple, they didn't. The Cowboys dominated the entire game on both sides of the ball. Tony Romo looked as good as he's ever looked and even Roy Williams contributed. The Cowboys won their first playoff game since 1996 and have been on fire of recent. They really proved that tonight with their domination over a division rival for the second time in as many weeks. I was correct with a 40-plus yard touchdown but it was to Jeremy Maclin and not DeSean Jackson. Jackson did catch a meaningless three yard touchdown. On a note for next week's games, I love the Cowboys to upset the reeling Vikings. Minnesota has been inconsistent of recent, especially the play of Brett Favre, who thankfully didn't win MVP this year.

Look out later for Sunday's predictions.

Rodgers That