5th Down: Week Three

My fantasy team--as I predicted--were crushed this weekend, the victor winning by over sixty points. And then--and then--Willie Parker--my star running back--goes and gets himself hurt. Jeesh! I didn't all that well in my predictions this week, either (at least not as well as last week).

Falcons 20, Chiefs 9 - Win. Tyler Thigpen, the Chiefs' rookie--and third-string--QB looked worse than I thought he would, and the Chiefs played terribly in all facets of their game. Long year for them. They may win three. MAY. Actual Score: Falcons 38, Chiefs 14

Bills 17, Raiders 13 - Win. Bills QB Trent Edwards engineered a great last-minute victory. The Raiders improved, though. Actual score Bills 24, Raiders 23

Buccaneers 13, Bears 10 - Win. Bucs run game did diddly, but Brian Griese threw over sixty passes--and twenty-three in a row--to eke this one out in OT. Actual score: Bucs 27, Bears 24

Panthers 24, Vikings 21 - Loss. Boy, that Vikings run defense is tough, and Frerotte looked much better than Jackson did at QB. Actual score: Vikings 20, Panthers 10

Patriots 10, Dolphins 9 - Loss. Dolphin RB Ronnie Brown scored five total touchdowns: four running (three from the single wing!) and one passing. Last time that happened--over fifty years ago. Actual score: Dolphins 38, Patriots 13

Giants 27, Bengals 10 - Win. Cincinnatti looked much better, but it wasn't good enough to top the champs, who still play solid football. Actual score Giants 26, Bengals 23

Titans 20, Texans 13 - Win. Tennessee defense is smothering, as Schaub had no way to win. Actual score: Titans 31, Texans 12

Cardinals 24, Redskins 17 - Loss. The red birds turned it over twice, and the skins D battened down the hatches at the end. Actual score: Redskins 24, Cardinals 17

Broncos 31, Saints 20 - Win. The Broncos won, basically, because they had they were the last ones with the ball. Second week in a row for this to happen to them. They won't make it to the Super Bowl like this. Saints won't either. . Actual score: Broncos 34, Saints 32

49ers 27, Lions 24 - Win. Another great game for both J.T. O' Sullivan and Frank Gore and the 49er offensive line (who didn't surrender a sack the entire game). Actual score: 49ers 31, Lions 13

Seahawks 14, Rams 3 - Win. Pity the poor Rams. They benched Bulger today, and they're starting Trent Green instead, hoping to get a win or two from the change. Won't happen. Actual score: Seahawks 37, Rams 13

Ravens 13, Browns 10 - Win. Braylon Edwards did play, and didn't make a bit of difference, because the Ravens defense played better than any defense I've seen so far this season. Actual score: Ravens 28, Browns 10

Colts 20, Jaguars 10 - Loss. Jacksonville's offensive line is hurting terribly, and they still managed to rush for over two-hundred yards against the Colts. Actual score: Jaguars 23, Colts 21

Eagles 24, Steelers 20 - Win. Ben Roethlisberger was sacked eight times. This game wasn't as close as the score indicates. Philly's defense played a monster game. Actual score: Eagles 15, Steelers 6

Cowboys 24, Packers 20 - Win. Cowboys have too many weapons for the Green Bay D to cover. Actual score: Cowboys 27, Packers 16

Chargers 21, Jets 17 - Win. Bolts offense was dynamic, but their defense still gave up over four touchdowns' worth of points. Actual score: Chargers 48, Jets 29

Record this week: 12-4
Record this season: 35-12