Week 4 Recap:
For The Week
vs. W/L: (9-4)
vs. Spread: (7-6)
vs: Aggregate: (3-10)

For The Season:
Vs. W/L: (45-15)
Vs. Spread: (37-24)
Vs. Aggregate: (29-31)

Vs. “The Sportsline Experts”:

PFN: 37-24-0
Richard: 36-24-0
Judge: 34-26-0
Madden: 32-28-0
“SpiN”: 31-29-0
Harmon: 28-32-0
Prisco: 27-33-0

Still holding down that top spot against the “Experts”, but it was another “Any Given Sunday” week in the NFL. If anyone had any questions regarding Denver’s road performance, their loss against KC was an affirmative response…To no one’s surprise Coach Linehan took the fall for the Rams’ pathetic start. Jim Haslett will step up and play the sacrificial lamb role for the rest of the year. There were a couple of frightening injuries on Sunday requiring the players to be removed by ambulance. Anquan Boldin’s was the sort that you didn’t need a replay from which to turn away. Jets' defensive back Eric Smith hurled himself into Boldin like a missile as Boldin tried to catch a pass in the end zone. Hopefully the offender will get a hefty fine and a couple of games off to think about how he nearly killed his opponent. (He was fined $50K and suspended for one game) Patriots’ fans have always been very sensitive to helmet-to-helmet hits since Tatum paralyzed Darryl Stingley (rest in peace). There’s a world of difference between a tough, legal hit and deliberately trying to injure an opponent. Smith’s hit occurred in the final seconds of the game and New York was already ahead by three touchdowns. What was there to prove? Thank God Boldin did not suffer a catastrophic injury.

The Titans and Bills are 4-0, which is a fantastic start for both teams. Considering that the Titans have done this well without Young in the lineup is quite an accomplishment for Coach Fisher and his team. We’ve been high on Buffalo for quite awhile now, and they look like they’ll run away with the AFC East.

The Redskins had an impressive win in Dallas, beating the Cowboys on both sides of the ball…and B.O. was chirping after the game (what else is new?)…maybe Son of Bum and the Cowboys were too busy reading their press clippings to properly get ready…There are problems in Viking Land, and the powers that be ought to be working the phones to find a quarterback right away, as it’s obvious that Gus Frerotte will lead them nowhere. There has to be somebody out there who can move the offense. Defenses are now putting their focus on stopping AP because there’s no one else who can push the ball forward for the Vikes. Maybe Childress is not the right guy for the job…The Bungles are now 0-4. Palmer was a late scratch, and (Harvard’s Own) Ryan Fitzpatrick stepped in and gave a workmanlike effort in the 23-20 loss to Cleveland but the Bungles are so (messed) up that it’ll take more than a Harvard Man to fix things…the Pack seemingly have more guys out of the lineup with injuries than healthy players. The latest casualties are Rodgers and Hawk. Their availability for next week is up in the air.

Game Balls: Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay. For summoning superhuman strength to stand let alone play a game of professional football after having to suffer through a parent’s worst nightmare. Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to Matt and his family. May they be comforted by the outpouring of support from all across America.

Larry Johnson, KC: For one afternoon at least, LJ had the mojo back and it was great to see him trample over the Broncos all afternoon.

Coach Zorn and the Redskins: 45 for 60, great job!

Da Bears D: For stopping McNabb & the Eagles cold with a textbook goal line stand with the game on the line late in the 4th. Mr. Halas and the Real Monsters of the Midway are all smiles.

Brett Favre and the New York Titans: We New Englanders are certainly no fans of the green and white, but we respect tradition. Annually, the Jets break out the Blue & Gold of their AFL forebears who used to roam the Polo Grounds in the early ‘60’s (Something the Patriots should do at least once a year). This year, they did the Titans of Old proud by demolishing the Cardinals (some traditions never change) and Favre tied Namath’s franchise record with 6 touchdown passes. Though New York’s pass defense allowed almost 500 yards to Warner, it was a breakout day that was marred by the stupidity of one knucklehead…

Knucklehead of the Week: Eric Smith, NY Jets (see above).