NFL Overview

Each week Coach Tom and I will review a couple selected games as well as the Packers and Bears. A cheesehead to the core, I get the honor of covering the Packers. Let's get it on.

Packers 36- Rams 17
Coming off a very frustrating loss to the apparently new and improved Cinny Bengals, the Packers rebounded well against possibly the worst team in the NFL. While it is frustrating to see the Packers move the ball in the first quarter but only get 3 Mason Crosby field goals to show for it, the Pack figured it out from the second quarter on. The biggest problem for the Green and Gold this year has been their inability to protect Aaron Rodgers. Right tackle Allen Barbre has looked like an overweight T-Rex trying to block Adewale Ogunleye and Antwan Odom the past two weeks. Allen, you CAN put your hands on an opponent in the National Football League. However, Rodgers was only sacked twice this week. While the desired number is always zero after 10 sacks allowed the past two weeks, I'll take it. The Packers also looked to focus on the ground this week as they ran 37 times and passed 23. Rodgers did run 8 times though. Anything you gotta do to avoid another sack Aaron! Not to be lost though is the fact that RB Ryan Grant only gained 3.8 yards per carry. The only thing holding the Pack back this year is the inability of the O-line to open holes and hold blocks (without holding). Meanwhile, the D forced 3 turnovers, including Charles Woodson's third interception of the season. The former Heisman winner looks to be enjoying Dom Caper's new 3-4 more than anyone else. Look for him to make his 6th Pro Bowl this year. With a trip to Minnesota coming up next week the Pack needs the D to do all it can as the Packers face their first big test of the year. Hopefully the O-line Gods work some magic this week for the Pack. As CT said, the Packers might not have what it takes in the trenches to contend with the Viks.

For the Rams, QB Marc Bulger went down in the 1st quarter and didn't return. No surprise, Bulger is the most sacked QB in the NFL over the past two seasons. Ravens castoff Kyle Boller did well in relief but the Rams have little hope going to San Fran next week. With what is now the longest losing streak of 13 in a row, the Rams are on the clock.

Ravens 34- Browns 3
My Super Bowl team keeps rollin'! Joe Who Needs A Major College Football Squad Flacco passed for a career-high 342 yards and a TD in a romp. Gaining over 100 yards on the ground for the 3rd time this season the Ravens finally have a complete offensive attack to complete the still Ray Lewis led D. Forcing 4 turnovers, the game was never in question. The Browns could only muster 71 yards on the ground and that is the key to this Ravens D. The Larry Johnson led Chiefs running game accounted for a meager 29 running yards week 1 and the Chargers claimed a mighty total of 53 ground yards week 2. When the offense can get the D a lead early and you can't run early against the Ravens the game is over quick. With the Pats up next for Baltimore the Ravens are in position to claim early favorite status. Stay tuned....

Patriots 26- Falcons 10
Speaking of those Pats, they never lose back-to-back games. Ever. I mean Week 9 and Week 10 in 2006. So I wasn't surprised to see the Pats come out on top against a good Falcons team in Atlanta. Again the story of the game was the Pats' ability to run the ball and the Falcons' inability. Michael Burner Turner only ran for 57 yards while Fred Taylor showed he still has something with 105 yds. Brady was good but not yet Bradyesque with a 25/42 day. He's definitely missing his safety blanket Wes Welker who was out for the second straight week. The Pats' D only forced 1 turnover and never sacked reigning ROY Matt Ryan. The offense has one more stride to make and I'm not quite sold on the Pats' D. The picture will be a lot clearer after next week's Ravens matchup. The Falcons dropped their first game of the season as Ryan showed he can't do it all without Turner on the ground. The Falcons have a bye coming up next week and face the 49er's week 5. This team is solid and I expect them to rebound with a W after this loss and an extra week to focus on San Fran. Tony Gonzalez was one of the best offseason moves.

Watch for TBG's weekly NFL picks for next week.

TBG