Trav's Thoughts

My Dodgers stumbled today. Greg Maddux gave up 2 hits in 7 innings, but Colorado won the game in the bottom of the 10th.

But the Reds beat Arizona, also with a run in the 10th inning. So the Dodgers remain 4.5 games ahead of the D'backs for the NL West division, and the magic number should now be 10.

So Matt Cassel proved today that he can avoid any major mistakes, manage the game, and give his team a chance to win. New England also proved today that it still knows how to win in what ever way it can. On the other hand, Brett Favre proved again today that he's willing to take any risk and live with the consequences, good or bad. So he throws an interception that costs the Jets, and the Jets prove that they are not quite ready for prime time.

Cassel was 16 of 23 for 165, no TDs but no interceptions and no major mistakes. Favre was 18 of 26 for 181 and 1 TD, but also a costly interception. No single player is responsible for winning or losing a game. I merely point out that having a potential hall of fame QB is no guarantee of success. Sometimes you can win with a guy who is starting his first game since high school.

NE (2-0) hosts Miami (0-2) next, while the Jets (1-1) go to San Diego (0-2).

I think we can now put to rest any question about whether Aaron Rodgers can replace Brett Favre in Green Bay. Rodgers was 24 of 38 for 328 yards and 3 TDs in a 48-25 win over Detroit. The Packers ran the ball effectively, led by Brandon Jackson's 61 yards on 7 carries.

I know, I know. It's only Detroit and the Lions are a perennial bad team. But Rodgers is 42 of 60 for 506 yards in his first 2 games, both against division opponents. He has 4 TD passes, no interceptions, and his QB rating is 117.8.

GB (2-0) hosts Dallas (1-0) next, while Detroit (0-2) goes to San Francisco (1-1).

My Raiders beat Kansas City 23-8 today. I wish I had been able to see it. RB Darren McFadden had a break out game, with 21 carries for 164 yards and his first NFL TD. He also fumbled twice, and that needs to be corrected. Michael Bush also ran the ball well for Oakland, with 90 yards on 16 carriers and a TD and a fumble.

QB JeMarcus Russell only threw for 55 yards, which is a problem. But the defense got a couple of interceptions, one off Damon Huard and the other off Tyler Thigpen.

Oakland (1-1) goes to Buffalo (2-0) next, while Kansas City (0-2) goes to Atlanta (1-1).

SF got a big divisional win today at Seattle. QB JT O'Sullivan was 20 of 32 for 321 yards, the first SF QB to throw for over 300 yards in awhile. WR Isaac Bruce caught 4 balls for 153 yards, and WR Bryant Johnson caught 6 for 78 and a TD. The running game wasn't great, but Frank Gore did get a TD and 61 yards on 19 carries.

O'Sullivan hung in against tremendous pressure all day. He was sacked 8 times, but managed to guide the team to 2 late drives, one to tie at the end of regulation and the other to win in OT.

The defense hung tough also, getting an interception return for a TD from LB Patrick Willis, and another pick from DB Walt Harris.

San Francisco (1-1) hosts Detroit (0-2) next.

Seattle got plenty of pressure on SF throughout the game, and they forced a fumble that was returned for a TD. But they couldn't quite get it done when it counted in those last two drives.

QB Matt Hasselbeck struggled with a bunch of new receivers this week. His main reliable target was TE John Carlson, who caught 6 passes for 78 yards. But Hasselbeck was only 18 of 36 for 189 yards, no TDs, and the 2 critical interceptions.

RB Julius Jones had a great game, with 127 yards on 26 carries. He scored a TD and RB TJ Duckett had another TD on the ground.

Seattle (0-2) hosts St Louis (0-2) next.

The Colts can win in a lot of different ways and today they had to win ugly. They staked Minnesota to a 12-0 lead, then worked to get back in the game in fits and starts. Indy didn't get its first TD until the 3rd quarter, then outscored the Vikings 11-0 in the 4th quarter to win 18-15.

This just in...you better get touchdowns against the Colts.

Peyton Manning was only officially sacked twice, but it seemed like he couldn't get a clean pocket all day. He managed 311 yards passing on 26 of 42 with a TD and 2 interceptions. WR Anthony Gonzalez was a dependable target, catching 9 passes for 137 yards and a key 58 yard bomb that set up the first Colts TD. WR Reggie Wayne caught 5 balls for 93 yards.

But the Colts only managed 25 yards rushing, while the defense gave up 160 yards to Adrian Peterson. That's the second week in a row Indy has allowed a 100 yard rusher.

Indy (1-1) hosts Jacksonville (0-2) next, while Minnesota (0-2) hosts Carolina (2-0).

In other games of interest...

Eli Manning continues to play as though he has turned his back on the inconsistent QB he used to be. Manning threw for an efficient 260 yards, 20 of 29 and 3 TDs. He was supported by a strong running game led by Brandon Jacobs with 93 yards on 15 carries, as well as 58 yards from Derrick Ward and 52 yards from Ahmad Bradshaw. The Giants beat St Louis 41-13.

The Giants (2-0) host Cincinnati (0-2) next, and St Louis (0-2) goes to Seattle (0-2).

Denver QB Jay Cutler threw an interception in the endzone, and appeard to fumble in the red zone at the end of the game. But the whistle had blown the play dead, so there was no fumble and Cutler threw a TD on the next play. The Broncos were successful on the 2pt conversion to beat SD 39-38.

Denver jumped out to a 31-17 lead before the Chargers came storming back with 21 points in the second half. The Broncos needed the late break to get a chance at the win.

Cutler was 36 of 50 for 350 yards, 4 TDs and the one pick. SD QB Philip Rivers threw for 377 yards, 21 of 33 for 3 TDs and an interception.

Denver (2-0) hosts New Orleans (1-1) next, while San Diego (0-2) hosts the Jets (1-1).