Late Game NFL Notes

> I'd like to thank my local Fox affiliate for not televising the Seahawks game in HD. Those lime green monstrosities might have broken my set. (In other Karmic News, they lost.)

> In his third year in the NFL, JaMarcus Russell is, without a shadow of a doubt, the worst starting QB in the league, and the Broncos continue their utter mastery of the Raiders in Oakland. Today's abomination: 12 of 21 for 61 yards and 2 picks. He did also run for 22 yards. If Jeff Garcia was still with this team, I think Raider Fan would be crying for him. As is, they have to be wanting Bruce Gradkowski, which is a sentence that has never before been written in English.

> So much for this rivalry being all about the vengeance of Mike Shanahan. Denver is now the worst 3-0 team in the history of the world, but with the Raiders and Chiefs looking so utterly horrible and the Chargers in Year Three of Wasting Talent With Norv, maybe they are a 10-win playoff team. And if so, I can not wait to wager against them in a home playoff game...

> I love Darren McFadden's talent, but as long as he wants to put the ball in the ground in the red zone, he's going to make me love it less. For a team with as little quality QB play as the Raiders get, there is no way you can be less than perfect in any other area of the game.

> The shot of LaDanian Tomlinson on the sidelines was accompanied by the announcers talking about how he might not be back for next week's game against Pittsburgh, either. I think I can speak for all of his fantasy league owners when I say take your time, sir. It's your time of the month, and we'd hate for you to come back when you are not so fresh.

> I'm not sure I'm ready to live in a world where Cedric Benson provides value even in tough matchups, or looks like he's got the talent that you might associate with the #4 pick in the draft. But his 23-yard fourth quarter touchdown killed me in one league, helped me in another, and didn't shock me in either. He's something now.

> I'd like to thank Big Ben for diversifying the offense with throws to rookie Mike Wallace. It made my investment in Santonio Holmes so very, very happy. (And in other Karmic News, they lost.)

> If you've ever though unkindly towards Chad Pennington, you are not familiar with the magic that is Chad Henne. Having him in the game made the Charger defense actually looks like the squad that you might want in your roto league.

> Who knew that the Bills had it in them to inspire a downright boring game from Drew Brees? The touchdowns went to the running backs, Brees threw for an utterly ordinary number of yards, and the defense spent the day sacking Trent Edwards and more or less amusing themselves. The Saints are becoming downright intriguing.

> With the game on the line, Carson Palmer converted two fourth downs, with the second coming on the play of Brian Leonard's life. The Steeler defense looked gassed and overmatched physically -- yes, Mr. Polamalu is missed -- and suddenly and shockingly, the Bengals have a team. That's the first time since 2001 that the Bengals won at home against Pittsburgh. Had the Stokely Miracle not happened, a 3-0 record and an awful lot to like about themselves. Wow.

> On the road in Seattle, Jay Cutler was 21 of 27 for 247 yards with 3 TDs, 1 INT, and a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, leading your team to a comeback win after being down 13-0.

But remember, Kyle Orton is 3-0. He must be better.