Wow, now THAT was a game last night. I almost felt sorry for Tony Romo when he was making his SIXTH turnover of the game. Almost. Maybe that will quiet down all the talk of the Cowboys as the best team in the league, but from looking at some of last week’s postings, I doubt it. After five weeks, I think it’s time for some fans to ask themselves some difficult questions, such as:

How good is Tony Romo?
Ok Cowboys fans, you can’t sit behind your computers and tell me that Tony Romo is anywhere near the quarterback he has been hyped up to be, AT THIS POINT in his career. Now he could get better, and I suspect he will. There are things I love about Romo: his intensity, the fact that he seems to actually be having fun playing football, his ability to avoid a sack in the pocket and find the open man, and his ability to throw on the run, outside of the pocket. However, he isn’t Tom Brady/Peyton Manning/Brett Favre. He has yet to complete a full season as the starting quarterback. On Sunday night, John Madden was describing Brett Favre’s scrambling abilities as a “Romo-like"  play. Come on John that is just blasphemy. In Romo’s last ten games he has 18 TD and 16 INT. In between those regular season games, he was able to blow a playoff victory by dropping the snap on an extra point. So why all the love, Cowboys fans?

Are the Steelers an elite team?
Absolutely. Their defense is something special to watch, the way the fly to the ball and wrap up. If you want to know how to form tackle correctly, all you got to do is watch a Steelers game. I’ll give them a pass in the Arizona game since they were going against their ex-offensive coordinator. Mike Tomlin sure looks like a good coach from everything I’ve seen and read about him. His intensity makes me want to lace them up and go out on the field. And Big Ben doesn’t get nearly enough credit. He’s poised in the pocket, mobile enough to move around to avoid a sack, and is an accurate quarterback with a good arm. How many quarterbacks in this league can you really save that about? Eight? Five? If I’m the Patriots or Colts, this isn’t a team I’m anxious to face in the postseason.

Should the Lions even bother flying to Washington or just forfeit the game?
This is just incredible to me: in the history of the Detroit Lions, not once have they gone to Washington and beaten the Redskins. It’s been 21 games! And it’s not like the Redskins are that dominant of a team. Unbelievable.

How bad are the Rams?
Abominable. I came across this nugget of information yesterday that made me sick to my stomach: in the past 17 seasons, the Rams have had a total of four winning seasons. Yes, FOUR. And it doesn’t look like they’re going to have many more if some changes aren’t made soon. The offensive line is old, and the young ones they do have are pathetic. Alex Barron, now there’s a wasted pick. He HAS to have more false start/holding penalties then any other lineman in the league the past couple of years. Orlando Pace has now been lost for almost two full seasons. The receiving core is getting older, and I can only wonder how much longer we’ll have the thrill of watching Torry Holt catch a pass over the middle and then dive down at a defender’s feet so he doesn’t get tackled. It’s called football. Take the hit and try to break it or get some extra yards. Madden said it perfect Sunday night: there’s no sense in running out of bounds when one cutback could mean a touchdown. Meanwhile, the defense doesn’t have one player on the roster that I would want on my team. There are no impact players. And Scott Lineahan looks like he should be doing my taxes, not coaching a football team. Needless to say, it’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

I had a couple of good laughs reading the responses from last week’s post. Cowboys fans can sure give it good when things are going good. Let’s hope you all return next week after getting a little slice of humble pie, courtesy of the Pats.

On to the picks… (Home team in CAPS)

JAGUARS over Texans
After losing to the Titans to open the season, the Jags have quietly won all three of their last games. That two headed monster of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew is something to be reckoned with. Garrard doesn’t seem to make drive killing mistakes, and when you can sustain drives for eight, nine, ten minutes and score, you’re going to be tough to beat. By the way, check out the AFC South. Bet you didn’t think there wouldn’t be a team under .500 through week 5.

Bengals over CHIEFS
It’s getting awfully ugly in KC. Through five games, Larry Johnson has 275 yards and no TD. Not exactly Earl Campbell-like stats.

BROWNS over Dolphins
Cleveland looks to not be all that terrible after all. Between Edwards, Lewis, and Winslow, the Browns have some offensive weapons. Although not what it used to be, it’s still tough to win at the Dawg Pound.

Eagles over JETS
You simply don’t rat on your former mentor/coach. The football god’s don’t like it.

Redskins over PACKERS
Ok, I’m starting to believe. Gregg Williams is a defensive genius after all. There’s just something inherently right with a hard-nosed team that likes to grind it out. It may not be flashy, but show me a team that can tackle and run the ball, and I’ll show you a playoff contender.

RAVENS over Rams
Ferrotte-Leonard-Bennett. It drives fear into the hearts of opposing coaches…

TITANS over Bucs
They just win. It’s that simple.

BEARS over Vikings
Even with half their defense injured, the Bears defense just finds a way to create turnovers. Their players just know how to strip the ball, and their always making plays. When you can’t kick the ball to Devin Hester, you’re giving the Bears good field position to start each drive with. Even if the offense doesn’t go anywhere, you’re still going to be pinned back deep in your own territory, and its next to impossible to go on 80-yard drives routinely against this defense, no matter how banged up. No one’s talking about Chicago anymore, but look out. I’m surprised there’s not more Bears fans on here.

CARDINALS over Panthers
Delhomme is hurt, and I love Kurt Warner.

CHARGERS over Raiders
They finally put it all together last week in Denver, but the Broncos aren’t as good as people think. They shouldn’t have much trouble with the Raiders at home.

Patriots over COWBOYS
I can not wait for this game. The atmosphere at Cowboy Stadium will no doubt be electric. However, the Patriots are as good a team as I have ever seen. And for all you that think Romo is amazing, I urge you to watch Tom Brady on Sunday. He does not lose on a big stage. Best QB EVER. And I will defend this statement, should anyone challenge it…

SEAHAWKS over Saints
Seattle might be overrated, but the Saints are atrocious.

Giants over FALCONS
This is the Monday night game? Really? This seems about as entertaining as painting my room.

Last Week: 8-6
Season: 47-30