This week in Studs and Duds it features both young guns that showed tons of promise and has the old guys still showing that they can get it done for a fantasy team.

STUDS:
Matthew Stafford: I know it was against the awful Browns defense but he still became the youngest player in NFL history to throw for 5 TDs. If Drew Brees did this we would be raving about him, so I think Stafford should be praised. He did turn the ball over 3 times but 422 yards and 5 TDs will put anyone in the top of the Studs category for any week. That and him being a complete beast by staying in the game and making the game winning throw with a separated shoulder. That wins my respect and hopefully the respect from his fans and teammates.

Ricky Williams: Every pothead’s favorite player because he proves that he is still a very good running back even when he took time off to go smoke in the mountains. And there’s nothing better for a pothead then to prove he’s still useful after being stoned for years. Williams single handedly won a huge game against the Panthers who everyone thought was going to win. Looks like he is going to pick up where Ronnie Brown left off and the wildcat will still confuse defensive coordinators across the NFL. Owners who held onto Williams all year long are going to find a solid fantasy starter for playoff time.

Brett Favre: I hate this man but he continues to not disappoint his fans and fantasy owners. He was 22 for 25 and had 4 TDs on Sunday. He has dismantled defenses and his totals are 21 TDs and 3 INTs. He is not only now a frontrunner for the MVP, but he is a very solid starting QB for a fantasy team where he was probably drafted as a backup. I’m not sure if Favre will continue the numbers or even have to continue them, but one thing is for sure, Favre is back.
Other Notables: TO, Sidney Rice, Eli Manning, and my boy Matt Schaub

DUDS:
Tony Romo: What is wrong with the Cowboys offense? They look awful until the last two minutes of the game. Romo only had 8 points against a Redskins pass defense that has been torn apart in previous weeks. He had only 158 yards, a TD, and an INT against the Redskins who gave up double digit points to Captain Neckbeard, Kyle Orton, in a single half. It seems that Romo and the Cowboys offense go up, then down all year long. Hopefully for Romo’s fantasy owners, the down period for the offense is over and he hooks up with Miles Austin again to get it going.

Adrian Peterson: Before all you AP lovers out there who have him carrying your team start yelling at the computer screen, answer this. Were you disappointed with AP getting only 82 yards on 24 carries against the Seahawks defense? I’m going to guess most of you are. When a usual stud like AP goes against the injured Seahawks defense in Minnesota he should at the very least put up double digit points. I’m not worried that AP will bounce back against my Bears next week and probably make me eat my own words, but still, AP should’ve been better than 9 points this week.

Vincent Jackson: Where has he been the past two weeks? A total of 5 catches for 56 yards in those two weeks is not the stud wide receiver that he was 3 weeks ago. Fantasy owners have got to be disappointed that Jackson has been in this mini slump. Heading into the playoffs Jackson has to have a big game against the Chiefs this week. Rivers had a very average game last week but he still should be hooking up with his favorite target all the time.

Other Notables: All Cowboys pass catchers, Roddy White, Broncos Offense, and Mark Sanchize.

Get your NFL jerseys discounted now on Amazon.com by clicking here

Play and Win Fantasy Football with the National Football Post – Buy Now

Use Fantasy Football Commissioner for all of your FF needs at www.fflcommish.com/.

Your favorite NFL teams and players gone big – Fathead.com

Order the Madden NFL 10: Official Strategy Game Guide by clicking here.

It is official, even the NFL hates Eric Mangini. Check out the highlights of a shootout between the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns in NFL Week 11. Matthew Stafford of the Lions attempts a typical desperation Hail Mary pass with a very untypical result. The refs call pass interference in the end zone on the Cleveland Browns and give the Lions the ball with 0:00 left on the clock for one play at the one-yard line. Matthew Stafford completed a touchdown to Brandon Pettigrew for the win in a 38-37 thriller.

The pass is only part of the story. Stafford was nailed as he threw the pass and went to the sidelines. Stafford showed a ton of courage running back onto the field bad shoulder and all, taking the snap, and completing the pass. After completing the pass, Stafford went back to the sidelines and looked to be in excruciating pain. Not only was Matthew Stafford clutch, but he was truly an NFL warrior. For Lions fans, this was a Motown Miracle. The Lions improve to a whopping 2-8 while the Browns fall to 1-9.

The other story here is the continued bad luck of Eric Mangini and the Cleveland Browns. It is commonplace to see a number of NFL teams attempt a ridiculous long pass as the clock winds down with hopes of getting a pass interference call in the end zone. It is extremely rare for a team to ever get that call. Not only is Eric Mangini hated by his team and its fans, but it appears that the entire NFL has it out for the coach as well.

It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

Place your NFL bets with Bodog.com or BetUs.com.

Get your NFL jerseys discounted now on Amazon.com by clicking here

Play and Win Fantasy Football with the National Football Post – Buy Now

Use Fantasy Football Commissioner for all of your FF needs at www.fflcommish.com/.

Your favorite NFL teams and players gone big – Fathead.com

Order the Madden NFL 10: Official Strategy Game Guide by clicking here.

Looking back at NFL Week 3 we finally got to see the 2009 NFL Season begins to take shape. Confidence is starting to grow in some locker rooms while urgency is growing in others. “Hot seats” are getting warmer and new coaches are getting a heroes welcome. Quarterbacks have lost their jobs and teams are feeling the Super Bowl hangover. These are the Top 5 stories coming out of Week 3 of the 2009 NFL Season.

5. The Denver Broncos are 3-0.

This by far is the most surprising 3-0 team in all of football. Let’s be honest Kyle Orton is not the best Quarterback in Football by far and I’m not sure if Denver is 100% behind their Quarterback still. I’m sure Denver loves that they are 3-0 but let’s be honest, most Broncos fans would prefer Sam Bradford or Colt McCoy lining up at center in 2010. If the Broncos have a winning record by Week 6 (next three games are Dallas, New England & San Diego) then we can consider the Broncos as a team to be reckon with in the AFC.

4. The Patriots finally look like the Patriots.

It has taken 8 years for Patriots fans to see the calm, cool and collect Tom Brady to lose his mind during a game. The usually laid back and quiet leader in the Patriots locker room clearly had enough of his team looking like trash the last 2 ½ weeks of the 2009 season as he gave a reported inspirational speech heading into the 2nd half of their game with Atlanta. As finally New England fans were able to see the team they know & love come out and outplay & outscore a very dominant Atlanta Falcons team.

The Patriots quickly reminded all of the NFL what this team is capable of and that the first two weeks of football this year were clearly them cleaning out the rust. For a team that has been atop the NFL Mountain for so long they are starting to play with a large chip on their shoulder because they know they can repeat what they accomplished in 2007. Patriots fans are hoping they can carry the same energy & swagger into Week 4 and beyond.

3. The Pittsburgh Steelers & Arizona Cardinals are 1-2.

In the history of the NFL there have been times where the runner-ups in Super Bowl struggle the next season (i.e. 2007 Chicago Bears, 2003 Oakland Raiders for example), sports writers refer to it as the “Super Bowl hangover. It now appears for the first time in a while that both teams from the following year Super Bowl are dealing with this hangover.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were considered a favorite heading into this season, most writers saw them either repeating or at least appearing in this year’s Super Bowl. No one figured that by Week 3 we’d be looking at a 1-2 Steelers team, a team that could have been 0-3 if not an overtime victory in Week 1 against the Titans.

The Steelers have the same team on paper from the Championship team minus an injured Troy Polamalu who is clearly suffering from the Madden cover curse. Could it be that this Steelers team had to much “swagger” heading into the 2009 season figuring that they would just dominate every team in their path towards another Super Bowl Championship? Or could it be that the off-season distractions (that the media for some reason has blown off) from Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger truly did affect “Big Ben.” I’m sure guest hosting Monday Night Raw will rejuvenate this Steelers team…

As for the Arizona Cardinals this start is a little bit more believable then the Pittsburgh Steelers. When you have a Quarterback that is 78 years old lining up under center every week you can’t expect the same results from “the greatest show on turf” era or even the Kurt Warner from last year’s playoffs. The clock is ticking on the Matt Lienart era in Arizona like a countdown to St. Patrick’s Day in an Irish pub. It’s only a matter of time before we see the “American Bad Ass” Matt Lienart carry this Arizona team back to the top of NFC.

2. Brett Favre does it again.

Despite not having the NFL ticket I was able to watch the end of the very competitive 49ers/Vikings game on Sunday. For the time being Brad Childress looks like a genius for splitting his locker room in half and pissing off two capable starters (Sage Rosenfels more then Tarvaris Jackson) in the NFL to enjoy their headsets & clipboards for the year.

Brett Favre drove his team down the field yet again to give them the win with little time remaining. When ESPN does another Brett Favre highlight reel when he retires this will be one of the plays that captures the “gunslinger.”

The Vikings beat the toughest team they have faced on their schedule thus far as they head into the very emotional Week 4 Monday Night game against the Green Bay Packers. But what many people seem to not be talking about is how many times the 40 year old Quarterback coming off of shoulder surgery threw the ball.

Brett Favre went 24/46 for 301 yards. If Brett Favre wasn’t hurting after Sunday’s game and wishing he could take painkillers again he’d be lying as if he was on the couch of Joe Buck Live, talking into Rachel Nichols microphone or text messaging Chris Mortenson. How many more games does Minnesota think Favre can play this season if he continues to throw the ball this much? Thankfully they have the running game to protect ol’ #4 but I wouldn’t bet on Brett playing every game this season.

1. FINALLY…The Lions Win.

The largest travesty to come from this game was that the fans of Detroit could not watch it. I’m sure that helps the economically stricken area of Detroit’s morale when they can’t watch their beloved Lions team finally win a game since December 2007. Great job NFL, way to play to your fans and not the owners of the NFL!

For that moment in time Lions fans were able to take the paper bags off their heads, turn their frowns upside down and not drink so heavily after a Lions game. The Lions BARELY beat a self-destructing Washington Redskins team, but a win is a win and the Lions finally won.

It was by far the best moment & story from Week 3 as the Lions fans were able to go out and celebrate with their fans following the game thanking them for hanging in with them through thick and thin. Matt Stafford is shaping into a hero for the time being and Detroit fans aren’t wishing they drafted Mark Sanchez…yet.

Cheers to Detroit and the state of Michigan. At this point in Week 3 of the NFL season you have the same record as the two teams from last year’s Super Bowl and have better records then two teams (Titans & Panthers) who had first round byes in last year’s playoffs.

Congrats to the Detroit Lions and the Lions faithful on getting that large winless monkey off of your back!

Jeff Peck is the producer for the “Wheelhouse Radio” program that airs every Sunday – Thursday @ 8pm ET/5pm PT at www.blogtalkradio.com/thewheelhouse

You can visit The Wheelhouse’s official website where you can download “high quality” shows & see all the latest happenings with the show at http://wheelhouseradio.wordpress.com.

If you would like to subscribe to “The Wheelhouse” on iTunes simply subscribe for free at iTunes by typing in “Wheelhouse Radio!”

You can follow Wheelhouse Radio! on Twitter by visiting their page @ www.twitter.com/thewheelhouse and you can e-mail them @ wheelhouseradio@gmail.com.

Read the Football Outsiders Almanac 2009: The Essential Guide to the 2009 NFL and College Football Seasons by clicking here.

Place your NFL bets with BetUs.com or Bodog.com.

 Get your NFL swag discounted on Amazon.com now by clicking here

Play and Win Fantasy Football with the National Football Post – Buy Now

Use Fantasy Football Commissioner for all of your FF needs at www.fflcommish.com/.

Your favorite NFL teams and players gone big – Fathead.com

Order the Madden NFL 10: Official Strategy Game Guide by clicking here..

Going in to week #3 of the NFL Season, there are 9 teams that are on pace to once again embarrass themselves, their hometowns and their fans. The pressing question as we prepare for kickoff: Which teams have the die-hard basement staying power and which surprising, slow-starting contenders are headed for the disappointment of an above .500 season?

Most have toasted their league records with a swig from the keg of mediocrity. Some have held their solemn frosty mugs of failure high in a toast heralding not so much as one victory. In any case, lets investigate which team has the inability to succumb to disappointment, win and move up the Wild Card food chain and which team has the wherewithal to embarrass and frustrate their fans for the remainder of the season?

- Tennessee Titans: Who are we kidding? Even IF Kerry Collins were leaving happy hour at TGIFriday’s to drunkenly drive one of Vince Young’s many personalities over to the stadium to assume control the Titan’s offense for the rest of this season – this team has too much talent – despite whatever QB train wreck comes their way. By default, this team has to win. It’s just not in their DNA to go 0-16. Worst Case: 2 wins just by the fact that they play the Jags twice.

- Miami Dolphins: It’s hard to follow up a perfect 1972 season with anything less than perfection. Yet, since Ace Ventura, Dolphin’s fans have managed to see the team through disappointment-colored glasses. The same could be said for anyone following Jim Carrey’s career. Unfortunately for the Dolphins they clinched the division last year and have two guys who will not let a long-term losing streak prevent them from claiming their .500 season: Ronnie Brown and Bill Parcells. Hurray for average!

- Jacksonville Jaguars: Ewww…and fresh off their attempts to freeze the Fred Durst wart off the Ol’ Jacksonville genitals. Who am I kidding? Florida is the wart on the taint of America…point here is that while M.J.D. HAD it, the remainder of that team is devoid of any true, useful talent. That’s a good start. So there IS hope for a long-term stay in the “OH-FER” history, but because of M.J.D., their hopes at a “OH-FER” season will be shut down faster than an erection within 13 feet of Kathy Griffin.

- Kansas City Chiefs: WOW…the one team that year in/year out, make Lions fans happy they are in the league. Yet, last year, managed to score 2 wins and celebrate like Milli Vanilli winning a Grammy: excited, but praying hard that nobody noticed their mammoth lack of talent. A future “OH-FER” Hall Of Fame organization! However, despite the acquisition of a solid back-up QB, look for a repeat nod of their Grammy Award Winning performance.

- Carolina Panthers: I don’t know about you, but I feel like I have been watching this team’s demise in slow motion since it was first stillborn into existence. It’s hard to comprehend how the Cardiac Cats manage to make it through a season without an implosion that would make Tori Spelling’s chest look like the sweet baby Jesus did the implants himself. They have brought us a few names that have scored HUGE points in Fantasyland, but little real talent to help them win games. They have the desire and drive to lose for 45 minutes that somehow forget about it in the 4th. No amount of cheerleaders having sex in a bathroom with each other will keep this team under 3 wins, no matter how hard they try.

- Tampa Bay Bucs: WTF? How did Tampa go from one of the most dominant defenses with Warren Sapp to an offense that looks like it was pieced together by Michael Jackson’s plastic surgeon? Thin, weak and somewhat black. It always seemed to be that Tampa was able to throw together some yards, a few touchdowns and a couple of wins along the way. Tampa’s return to “OH-FER” Greatness – and the standard by which all others are judged – are truly screwed if Ward can get it together. The bad news there is that they’ll be able crap out a win. In spite of the Byron “Wave The White Flag” Leftwich pick-up.

- Detroit Lions: Tight race here for the worst of the worst. Tough to argue with the “hey, we’ve been there”mentality of the record breaking 0-16 Lions. Tough to find flaws in the “how many years have we done this?” logic of putting all of your eggs into a rookie QB’s basket. The Lion’s undoing will come in the form of hope, luck and the Rams. There will be a sad, sad “OH-FER” battle brewing in Week 8 (see: “St. Louis Rams”)

- St. Louis Rams: One year from now, every last one of you will be saying “..Stephen who?” Add those to the list of every NFL team that his people will be contacting to take on his hefty, worthless contract and all of a sudden, Shawn Alexander is starting to look good. This team is for real. They will make a run at – the very least – an 0-7 start. Look for the battle of “Well…Someone HAS to Win” to take place November 1 in Michigan.

- Cleveland Browns: In my humble opinion, this is the only real team with the chemistry, leadership and talent to solidify the longest “OH-FER” streak the 2009 NFL season will see. They turned the heads of perennial cellar-dwellers by losing by 3 TD’s to Denver last week. Their chemistry is so bad, that they make the creators of the Antonio Banderas cologne look like Nobel Prize Winners. :Week 11 they have Detroit. The final week of the season they have Jacksonville. With an 0-10 start, the Cleveland Dawg Pound will be thankful that a man like Mangini will skillfully and handedly lead their team over that annoying “possible victory hurdle” in Week 11 to keep the dream alive.

A lot can – CAN happen in the next 24hours. And as we have seen (Cincinnati V. Green Bay) parity is all aflutter in the NFL. One thing we know for sure, one thing that remains true and reminds us that the more things change, the more they stay the same: Lions fan’s will always have hope. Despite their last win on December 23, 2007.

Bower is a host for the “Wheelhouse Radio” program that airs every Sunday – Thursday @ 8pm ET/5pm PT at www.blogtalkradio.com/thewheelhouse

You can follow Wheelhouse Radio! on Twitter by visiting their page @ www.twitter.com/thewheelhouse and you can e-mail them @ wheelhouseradio@gmail.com.

Read the Football Outsiders Almanac 2009: The Essential Guide to the 2009 NFL and College Football Seasons by clicking here.

Place your NFL bets with BetUs.com or Bodog.com.

Get your NFL swag discounted on Amazon.com now by clicking here

Play and Win Fantasy Football with the National Football Post – Buy Now

Use Fantasy Football Commissioner for all of your FF needs at www.fflcommish.com/.

Your favorite NFL teams and players gone big – Fathead.com

Order the Madden NFL 10: Official Strategy Game Guide by clicking here..

Never let it be said that “The Shark” does not know how to eat crow! The first installment of “Beat The Shark” was downright ugly, unless of course you were rooting for our winner, Miss Denise St. John. Denise was an impressive 3-1 on the day as she picked the Giants, the Jets and the Saints. Her only loss was the Steelers who lost in the closing seconds to the Bears. “The Shark” however was soaking in misery watching the Packers, the Patriots and the Seahawks all go down, and it took the suprising Broncos to bail him out of a winless day. Ok so score the first week for the ladies, but don’t expect to see that very often. Denise had a field day yesterday sending all types of smack talk messages to “The Shark” and even this weeks contestant chimed in! Huh, I don’t advise making such a big fish so angry! Despite that I do need to say “well done” to Denise and now it shows the other ladies that it’s not so tough after all. Good luck next week!

Ok so onto my Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down portion of the weekly wrap up. I like to take time to praise some efforts from the past week or bash some people who say or do silly things. So here is how I saw it play out this week:

Thumbs Up:

To New York Jets cornerback Darelle Revis. Revis was heavily hyped this off-season by new head coach Rex Ryan, and all he has done to show for it was to silence 2 of the games superstar receivers, two fellas named Randy Moss and Andre Johnson, perhaps you’ve heard of them. Revis and the Jets are making believers out of NFL teams real quickly. The offense still needs some work, but it can’t be denied that Ryan knows how to set a defense.

To Titans running back Chris Johnson. Everyone has Adrian Peterson on the lips constantly when talking about the best back in the game today. Well slam on the brakes Peterson followers, Johnson can do it all! 197 yards of rushing plus 8 catches and 91 yards of receiving, plus 3 TDs? Maddening results for the guy who actually has to “share carries” with a slow footed LenDale White. Johnson proved to any nay-sayer that his rocket feet are for real. Despite another Titans loss this guy is quickly becoming one of the best in the game.

To 49ers coach Mike Singletary: The 49ers are actually 2-0 on this young season. Yes Singletary had his awkward moments after taking over mid-season last year, but he motivates these guys and has them believeing in themselves. He did not take the easy way out and go with Alex Smith at QB, despite all San Fran has wrapped up in him. No Crabtree, no problem. This team moves the football well and plays pretty good defense. Not sure what the future will bring but Singletary is a feel good story so far.

To Bears injured MLB Brain Urlacher: We see NFL players get hurt all the time. Alot of the time they will sit in a press box, or walk the sidelines like a 5 year old in a department store, bored stiff! Not Urlacher. Watching him pacing the sidelines, biting his nails, and pumping his teammates up during the Bears 17-14 win over the Steelers was downright inspiring. In these times of “in it for the money” type athletes, you get a great feel of passion and an all-out love of the game from Urlacher. He plays in the same city and same position once held by Mike Singletary (see above) and appears destined to follow his coaching footsteps as well.

Thumbs down to these clowns:

To the Detroit Lions: Losing 19 straight ball games is one thing, but to fall fast asleep in the second half 2 straight weeks is appauling. It looks as if they are more then satisfied to keep losing. They clearly had Minnesota on the ropes in this game through the first half then suddenly their (sarcasm inserted) Lionesque instincts took over. It was as if they worked all training camp just to be there that day to be spectators to what Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson could do. Its entering the realm of purely pathetic!

To Steelers coach Mike Tomlin: For the first time ever I have to say he looked totally confused. Last week he let Big Ben carry the team on his back and pull out a big win against the Titans. This week he tried to smash mouth and settle for a field goal late in the game against the Bears. He didn’t know who to put at RB and watched his offensive coordinator dial up 2 yard plays on 3rd and 8s etc. One of the most fiery coaches in the league allowed his team to finish punchless in this loss.

To Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown: Ok so Brown was very vocal in his displeasure with the team this off-season. Ok so he made up for it with a good week one performance. Although at first it made me chuckle I ended up throwing my thumb way down at his decision to wear a “Jason” mask out of the tunnel and run onto the field with it. Not that it was’nt fun, but you chose to do so against the toughest offense in football and in return the Saints dropped 48 points on you. you have to know somewhere that Sean Payton and his club are looking at that and mocking you heavily!

To the Saints running back Reggie Bush: This has nothing to do with living in Philly and watching this game first hand. I recall a few years back when Bush was laid out during a playoff game on a huge hit by Sheldon Brown. So what does Bush do for an encore? He makes every attempt he can to injure any Eagle he could. Going up high on an Eagle defender after an interception, lunging hs body uselessly out of bounds after a run and falling on the head of a defenseless Asante Samuel, and taking a swat at an Eagle player after a punt return that went nowhere. There were a few other bits that Bush tried to show his moxy, and it was totally pathetic. Your team was whooping it up so you now decide to play tough guy? Try staying off the IR and stop kissing Kardashian butt, then you can act tough!

Don’t forget to catch my “Flash and Crash” reports this Thursday as well as my “Beat The Shark” contest this Friday and as always thank you for taking the time to visit us here at CamelClutchBlog.com.

If you’d like to hear anything else from me on topics or ideas I can be reached at phillyphan1971@yahoo.com

Read the Football Outsiders Almanac 2009: The Essential Guide to the 2009 NFL and College Football Seasons by clicking here.

Place your NFL bets with BetUs.com or Bodog.com.

Grab a Brett Favre Alternate Reebok NFL Replica Minnesota Vikings Jersey now by clicking here.

Play and Win Fantasy Football with the National Football Post – Buy Now

Use Fantasy Football Commissioner for all of your FF needs at www.fflcommish.com/.

Your favorite NFL teams and players gone big – Fathead.com

Order the Madden NFL 10: Official Strategy Game Guide by clicking here..

Week 1 is in the books and my Football hangover is finally wearing off. I’m now going to take a look back at Week 1 and how I fared with my picks that I wrote last week. But if you think you can fare better then me or the rest of The Wheelhouse Radio crew join us every Thursday Night during our live broadcast at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thewheelhouse you will have the chance to win a “prize pack” (some of which will include stuff from our good friends at EA SPORTS!). All you have to do is beat our weekly NFL Pick Em’ guru…Copernicus! You beat him that week you get a prize pack from us! For more info visit our official website at http://wheelhouseradio.wordpress.com.

Now onto how I faired…

Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins

My Prediction: Atlanta Falcons

Result: Falcons win 19-7

Matt Ryan looked good and had fun throwing to his new Tight End Tony Gonzalez. Michael Turner and Roddy White did not have huge games but that will soon change as the season progresses. The Falcons are one of my favorites in the NFC this season. Big win for the Falcons over a well coached Dolphins team.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs

My Prediction: Baltimore Ravens

Result: Ravens win 38-24

Last season’s AFC Championship runner up started off the season well over a new look Kansas City Chiefs. Now granted Kansas City did not have new starting Quarterback Matt Cassell leading the helm for the Chiefs but it really didn’t matter as Baltimore seemed to be clicking throughout the game. Joe Flacco led the way with throwing over 300 yards while Fantasy Football sleeper Ray Rice ran for over 100 yards.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Carolina Panthers

My Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles

Result: Eagles win 38-10

Now I stated last week that the Panthers would be a surprise team simply for the fact no one takes them seriously this season and they showed why people don’t take them seriously this past Sunday. Jake Delhomme was the passing leader for the Panthers with a huge total of 73 yards passing. That is not a typo. Obviously the big news from this game was McNabb getting hurt. Philly fans shouldn’t have to worry as Jeff Garcia will lead them in Week 2 and a Vick/Garcia combination leading the way in Week 3.

Cleveland Browns vs. Minnesota Vikings

My Prediction: Cleveland Browns

Result: Vikings win 34-20

I went with the upset pick, so much to say that the Browns would be a surprise team this year in the AFC. With Brady Quinn behind center and Braylon Edwards looking to bounce back, well I wrong in Week 1. I did not predict Adrian Peterson averaging 7.2 yards per carry, but then again that’s why he’s the #1 pick and made my Michael Turner argument look foolish. Still not convinced yet by Minnesota but if Peterson can stay healthy all season long…watch out.

New York Jets vs. Houston Texans

My Prediction: New York Jets

Result: Jets win 24-7

Mark Sanchez looked great in his NFL debut going 18 for 31 throwing for a total of 272 yards with 1 TD & 1 INT. His pocket presence was great throughout the entire game, his arm strength is great for a rookie quarterback and that Jets defense made Matt Schaub look horrible. This Jets team could be a great sleeper in the strong AFC East.

New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions

My Prediction: New Orleans Saints

Result: Saints win 45-27

Drew Brees throws for 6 touchdowns and convinced me for at least one week he could make a run at Tom Brady’s touchdown record for a season, by far the best performance in Week 1 for any player in the NFL. Matt Stafford un-memorable debut going 16/37, 205 yards, 3 INT, for the time being in appears Mark Sanchez may have been the better available Quarterback from this year’s draft.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

My Prediction: Indianapolis Colts

Result: Colts win 14-12

If I’m a Colts fan and they played the way they did this week in Week 2 I will be highly concerned. Now granted the Tony Dungy era in Indy is over and the Jim Caldwell era has begun but I’m sure the fans did not expect the weak Jaguars to make a run at them like they did. The Colts are lucky the stuffed MJD on that 2-point conversion. The Colts just looked flat and need a bounce back badly in Week 2.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

My Prediction: Dallas Cowboys

Result: Cowboys win 34-21

Dallas won but it wasn’t all that pretty. The post Terrell Owens era in Dallas has begun and they look a tad bit happier on the sidelines without their former VH1 television “star” (I use that term loosely) T.O. Patrick Crayton may become the new #1 Wide Receiver in Dallas catching for 135 yards. Will be interesting to see what his numbers are in Week 2.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos

My Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals

Result: Broncos win 12-7

By far the best play of Week 1 and possibly the season when it’s all said and done. It wasn’t pretty but the Broncos won. Welcome to Denver Josh McDaniels and Kyle Orton. The Bengals need to bounce back from this heartbreak of a loss or it will soon be farewell to Marvin Lewis before you know it.

New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins

My Prediction: New York Giants

Result: Giants win 23-17

This was a very interesting game going into Week 1 because the Giants just haven’t been the same since Plaxico’s arrest (they went 1-3 without him). Eli threw the ball to a lot of different receivers with Steve Smith looking to be the #1 Wide Receiver in New York for the time being. The Giants almost let Washington win this game, if I’m a Giants fan I’d be worried heading into Week 2. If the offense can click with the flawless defense they already have the Giants will be the leading favorites in the NFC.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals

My Prediction: Arizona Cardinals

Result: 49ers win 20-16.

Arizona fans are hoping this is just a case of a small Super Bowl hangover. But to me I think this could be the story for the Cardinals 2009 season ahead. I still believe Kurt Warner won’t finish the year as the starter and Matt Lienart will. Fantasy owners are hoping Larry Fitzgerald has a bounce back week for sure.

St. Louis Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks

My Prediction: Seattle Seahawks

Result: 28-0

It’s going to be a long season for St. Louis. I wonder who they would want with the #1 pick in the draft. Good to see Matt Hasselbeck return as he attempts a comeback season after last season was shortened.

Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

My Prediction: Green Bay Packers

Result: Packers win 21-15

The Packers looked good on Sunday Night while Chicago maybe wondering where their season is heading with their leader Brian Urlacher out for the season with a dislocated wrist. Aaron Rodgers look great in the pocket and the 3-4 defense lead by new coordinator Dom Capers could help make the Packers a NFC North contender this season for sure.

New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills

My Prediction: New England Patriots

Result: Patriots win 25-24

This game the Patriots did not win, the Bills lost it. With less then 2 ½ minutes left in the game and a 14 point lead the Bills blow the game. If they come up a game short of making the playoffs it will be because of this game. The Bills surprised the NFL on well they played and Trent Edwards looked to prove the NFL that he is a Quarterback to contend with. The Patriots played well but should have lost, clearly. Tom Brady is still shaking out the cobwebs. I think the AFC East may be the most competitive division in the NFL this season by far.

San Diego Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders

My Prediction: San Diego Chargers

Result: Chargers win 24-20

Another close Monday Night game that showed that the Raiders may have a decent season after all, that or the Chargers just aren’t that good anymore. LT is hurt again and listed as Questionable which is frustrated for fantasy owners. It’s Week 1, hopefully the Chargers show why they belong as a top team in the AFC this season.

Record for Week 1: 12-3

I will have my Week 2 predictions later this week!

Send me your picks and let me know what you think! And if you want to win a PRIZE PACK courtesy of us join us for our LIVE show on Thursday’s by going to www.blogtalkradio.com/thewheelhouse for your chance to win! Check us out and see you inside the Wheelhouse!

Jeff Peck is the producer for the “Wheelhouse Radio” program that airs every Sunday – Thursday @ 8pm ET/5pm PT at www.blogtalkradio.com/thewheelhouse

You can visit The Wheelhouse’s official website where you can download “high quality” shows & see all the latest happenings with the show at http://wheelhouseradio.wordpress.com.

If you would like to subscribe to “The Wheelhouse” on iTunes simply subscribe for free at iTunes by typing in “Wheelhouse Radio!”

You can follow Wheelhouse Radio! on Twitter by visiting their page @ www.twitter.com/thewheelhouse and you can e-mail them @ wheelhouseradio@gmail.com.

Read the ESPN Fantasy Football Guide 2009 week to week for tips by clicking here.

Place your NFL bets with BetUs.com or Bodog.com.

Grab a Brett Favre Alternate Reebok NFL Replica Minnesota Vikings Jersey now by clicking here.Play and Win Fantasy Football with the National Football Post – Buy Now

Use Fantasy Football Commissioner for all of your FF needs at www.fflcommish.com/.

Your favorite NFL teams and players gone big – Fathead.com

Order the Madden NFL 10: Official Strategy Game Guide by clicking here.