Observations and Predictions...

Last weekend the Cowboys saved their season. The return of Romo and Terrence Newman were exactly the shot in the arm that this team needed. Although it took the offense a while to get going, once the fourth quarter came, Marion Barber took over. Barber who led the league in fourth quarter rushing last year (this year he ranked 32nd coming into the game) touched the ball on nearly every play in the fourth as the Boys pulled one out against the Redskins. 

The Jets looked good in pulling out to a big lead, and then not so good in letting the Pats back in, they won a close one in New England to grab a hold of first place. The Steelers came back to win a weird one against the Chargers. Giants spanked the Ravens... ran all over them. Denver extended their lead out West in beating the Falcons. Packers beat a very flat Bears squad. The Eagles disappointed in playing to a tie against the Bengals (yes Donovan, a game can end in a tie).

Top Performers of the Week

QB-Peyton Manning: 300+ yards and two scores helped the Colts beat the Texans. Had the Pats found a way to beat the Jets, Cassel would have been an easy pick. I just think Peyton and the Colts have it clicking right now.

RB-Marion Barber: 150+ total yards and a score as well as complete domination of the Redskins top 5 defense in the fourth quarter. 

WR-Anquan Boldin: Has any receiver been better this season. 185 yards in a big game out West.

TE-Dustin Keller: Quickly becoming Favre's go-to-guy. 

Special Teams-New York Jets: Leon Washington ran a score back for TD and a game winning kick in OT sealed the deal.

Defense-Green Bay: Kept the good Bears offense out of the endzone in allowing 3 points.

This week the Cowboys play the Niners which should be a closer game then most expect. The Niners have played tough as of late. I expect a healthier Romo to be the difference. I think the Steelers will beat the Bengals on Thursday night (oh, wait... that game already happened). Titans over the Jets in a very close game. Pats over the Fish in a close one as well (I think this weekend will have lots of close games). Cards upsetting the Giants at home. Warner gets his revenge. Colts over the Chargers on Sunday night.

The rest of the week should play out this way (10-5-1 last week). Browns beating the Texans. Bills over KC. Ravens beat a struggling Eagles team. Bucs over the Lions. In the disappointment bowl, the Vikings over the Jags. Bears over the Rams. Broncos over the Raiders. Panthers over the slipping Falcons. Redskins beat the sorry Seahawks. Packers over the Saints on Monday night. 

Fantasy Picks of the Week

QB-Kerry Collins: Teams have been stacking up to stop the run. Kerry has taken advantage as of late. The Jets have given up a ton of passing yards recently.

RB-Ryan Grant: Looked great last week against the Bears. The Saints defense is a little more welcoming. 

WR-Eddie Royal: Had a field day opening night. Nnamdi will lock up Marshall making Royal a much more inviting target. 

TE-Ben Watson: Starting to round into form after battling all kinds of ailments this year. The Dolphins put a lot of pressure of the QB, I expect Cassel to be checking down to Watson and Welker all day long.

Special Teams-Chicago: This is the weekend we see a big return from Hester.

Defense-Bucs: The Lions are awful. Bucs should tee off.