Week 8 Recap: “Guess it was a bye week for me too”

(As mentioned in the previous entry I didn’t write one on Tuesday, so I’m gonna write this as if this was last week.  Thank you.)

This was The Bengals bye week this week so there isn’t really much to talk about here.  Normally we’re not that good after bye weeks so hopefully there will be a different tune.  Anyway since there isn’t much to talk about lets get to the week in review and head on to my Mid-Season Report cards and Awards.

-NFL video of the week…Ted Ginn, Jr.

- Favre finally got what he wanted, so now maybe he can retire at the end of the season for real…don’t count on it…

- The Eagles are looking very nasty now…

- but the Giants, not so much.

- Chicago needs a WR bad.

- Larry Johnson’s career is now probably over because of a gay slur.  So Living Like Larry is not the business

REPORT CARD TIME!!!!!!!!

AFC East:

New England Patriots (A+):  Ok, so playing Tennessee and Tampa Bay back to back is like having practice.  The thing is though, you’re supposed to dominate the teams that you are far more superior than, and that’s what the Pats did.

New York Jets (C):  Lost mad steam after a tremendous start.  The D still looks pretty good, but the O(h) isn’t looking consistent.  Hopefully Braylon Edwards can be that reliable target that Mark “Dirty” Sanchez needs.

Miami Dolphins (C-): Played New Orleans tough and pulled out a nice win against the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets.  Still this team needs some improvement in the consistency department.

Buffalo Bills (D+):  Wanted to give this team an F, but Russell Copeland used to play for them.

AFC South:

Indianapolis Colts (A+): Still looking like the class of the conference, but if they want to be a big player come Dec./Jan. they need to get this running game going.  Then again if they have home-field, then that statement could end up being null and void.

Houston Texans (B+):  You remember that consistency I was talking about four weeks ago?  I think they’ve found it.  Still a long ways from being elite status in the division.

Jacksonville Jaguars (C): Probably thee most mediocre team in the conference.  Every time they seem to have it together they always seem to come back the next week and lay the egg.  If they want Tebow next year though and sell some tickets, they need to be less mediocre than they are, lol.

Tennessee Titans (F): Asiatic Prince Vince is back!!!!!!!!! But can they run off ten in a row?

AFC North:

Cincinnati Bengals (A+): The game against Chicago sealed the + in this grade.  Not because of the blowout, but because they were able to regroup quickly after getting embarrassed by the Texans the week before.

Pittsburgh Steelers (A+):  As I mentioned before this team was gonna be back.  I know better than to write them off.  Great game against the Vikings, but that offense is beginning to look a little suspect in my eyes.  The defense won that game for them.  Typical Steeler ball.

Baltimore (B):  Right when people started to write them off they come out and play stellar against the undefeated Broncos, handing them their first loss of the season.  Could move up to an A if they can go into Cincy and pull of one next week.  That D looks back to normal.  They were very aggressive against Orton.

Cleveland Browns (F):  How ironic!!! I give the Cleveland (Brown) Show the same exact grade!!!!!

AFC West:

Denver Broncos (A-):  Was riding high until the Ravens brought them back to normal.  Didn’t look comfortable at all against a tough aggressive D.  Next week will prove even tougher was they face that Steeler D next.

San Diego Chargers (C):  Its still hard for me to see the team as “elite”.  They may win, but they just don’t impress me personally.

Oakland Raiders (F):  Its really time for Al Davis to let this go.  “Just Win Baby” no more.  That “Commitment To Excellence” just isn’t there.

Kansas City Chiefs (F):  Larry Johnson…smh sad face.

NFC East:

Philadelphia Eagles (B+):  Would’ve been an A, but…you lost to the Raiders?  Desean Jackson is the Ultimate Weapon in the league now.

Dallas Cowboys (C):  I’m sorry Cowboy fans, one win against a team with a winning record just won’t cut it for me.  Got a big one against Philly next week though….that’ll show me.

New York Giants (C-):  Went from the class of the conference to losing three straight.  Maybe that early soft schedule was an advantage…

Washington Redskins (F):…then again having a soft schedule early means nothing, right Washington?

NFC South:

New Orleans Saints (A+):  I’m buying by stock high here.  I know…I’m late, but hey I bought my Bengals stock early and its paid off.  They’ve won every conceivable way.  They are damn good.

Atlanta Falcons (B-): Still a good team.  Huge loss to Dallas and New Orleans, but could get back on track against Washington this week.  I still think they could win the division, though.  Not backing off my prediction.

Carolina Panthers (F):  Its time for the Panthers to get ready to rebuild.  Delhomme is not the answer.  At least they have a good running game to build around with a new QB.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (F):  So…you’re the last ones, huh?

NFC North:

Minnesota Vikings (A+):  Take back a phantom tripping call, this team is easily 8-0.  Favre is looking damn good so far this year.  Big mistakes late in the game to an opportunistic Steeler D sealed their fate.  Rebounded nicely in a big division game against GB, establishing themselves as the front runners in the division.

Green Bay Packers (B):  I like this team, I want to give them a C, but I got a feeling they’re better than that.

Chicago Bears (C):  The game against the Bengals have deflated them.  They need a big time wide receiver in the draft or in free agency.

Detroit Lions (D):  Seven teams got Fs, Detroit isn’t one of them.  That’s saying something.

NFC West:

Arizona Cardinals (B-): Five INTs Kurt?  Don’t know if you all really deserve this B-.  Fitz isn’t looking so great this year so far either.

San Francisco 49ers (C): I think they are still the best in the division, but this division is the worst in the league.  That’s not saying much.

Seattle Seahawks (D):  Still can’t get those horrific alternate jerseys out of my head.

St. Louis Rams (F):  My bad Detroit…Eight teams got an F…eight teams…eight…

Mid Season Awards:

MVP: Peyton Manning, Colts

Comeback Player of the Year: Cedric Benson, Bengals

Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees, Saints

Defensive Player of the Year: Darren Sharper, Saints

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Percy Harvin, Vikings

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jarius Byrd, Bills

Coach of the Year: Marvin Lewis, Bengals

Fantasy Football: 1st 48 (2-6), finally ended the skid. Got my best players on a bye next week so I may have to enjoy this win.