John Tortorella

Chris Drury

Henrik Lundqvist

Jason Arnott

Dan Ellis

Notes:

POST-GAME QUOTES

John Tortorella on the team…

“When you are trying to crawl out of a hole and trying to gain some consistency in your game, your structure of your team concept and your discipline, at all times, at this time of year, is so important.  We are not good enough not to be dead on with that stuff there.”

Henrik Lundqvist on his play…

“I felt good.  There were a lot of breakaways tonight.  They created a lot around the net.  I knew, going into the game, I can’t afford any mistakes.  I think the D played really well around the net.  It is really tough.  We play as good as we can in our end, still let up a couple of breakaways, but I still think we played pretty good in our end.  It comes down to scoring.  You can see how you feed off of a goal.  As you score we get energy and some speed but then they score and we lose that energy a little bit.”

Chris Drury on the team…

“We have just been trying to play the right way. We have been playing the right way for the most part. It’s just such a fine line in this League, the smallest little mistake, whether it’s a penalty or just not finishing a great chance, or just the bounce of the puck can cost you the game and can get you spinning in the wrong direction.”

For more information contact Bob Trainor at trainorcomm@gmail.com.

Consider it symbolism for the arena’s home team as the Islanders are desperately looking to find the right direction. The Islanders failed to generate much offense against a goalie making his NHL debut in a 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night.

Justin Peters made 34 saves with his family looking on. Only Frans Nielsen’s short-handed goal prevented the shutout as the Islanders saw its season-high losing streak extended to seven games. Coach Scott Gordon saw his team fail to score more than two goals for the eighth straight game, completing a 1-7 stretch in which the team has scored 11 total goals.

“I can go through the whole game and list plenty of chances,” Gordon said. “It’s obviously frustrating.”

The two-week Olympic break can’t come soon enough for the Islanders. But four games remain before the respite, including Tuesday’s home matchup with Nashville followed by a road game against the defending Stanley Cup-champion Pittsburgh Penguins the following night.

Jussi Jokinen continued his career-best season, notching goal No. 20 to open the scoring off a deflection 14:32 in. Jokinen, who posted a 20-goal season for the first time in his five-year career, took advantage of a loose puck after DiPietro deflected a centering pass right to the open winger.

The Islanders power play woes continued. After failing to score on a 28-second 5-on-3 chance, Matt Moulson’s right-post shot appeared to jar the puck past Peters and into the open net with the single-man advantage. The officials waved off the goal, blowing the whistle before Moulson’s scoring attempt sent the puck over the goal line.

Nielsen got the tying goal at the 9:25 mark of the second period, capitalizing on Blake Comeau’s penalty kill work. Comeau forced a turnover behind Carolina’s net before passing it to Nielsen for his eighth goal.

Patrick Dwyer responded with a goal near the left post almost five minutes later for the go-ahead score. Joni Pitkanen, who assisted on Jokinen’s goal, added the insurance marker with one minute left as DiPietro tried to skate to the bench for the extra attacker.

A winless four-game road trip preceded a meeting with a Carolina squad that entered with the Eastern Conference’s fewest points. The Islanders have not won since Jan. 21 despite out-shooting the Hurricanes, 35-25.

“You shouldn’t have to play a perfect game to win,” Gordon said. “That’s the way it’s feeling right now.”

Peters, recalled from the AHL when starter Cam Ward sustained an upper body injury earlier in the week, blanked Comeau on a breakaway just two minutes into the final period. The netminder’s sliding pad save stopped Comeau’s attempt and Carolina killed off two power plays in the third to split a four-game road trip with wins over Buffalo and the Islanders on back-to-back days.

DiPietro said a young Islanders (23-27-8) team has the maturity to end a losing streak before it falls out of contention for the eighth and final playoff spot. Just 24 regular season games remain.

“These are the slides you try to avoid but we have a strong group in here mentally and we have to keep pushing and keep getting better,” DiPietro said. “I think it’s human nature for anyone to press when you get in a situation like this. There’s some added pressure but you have to fight through.”

A struggling Islanders power play unit produced seven shots but no goals in five chances. The team is now 1-for-24 on the power play in the last six games.

New York Sports Day Islanders vs. Carolina Audio Report Feb. 6, 2010

Brady and Moss not N’sync (yet)….

Even though Tom Brady has passed for more than 300 yards in two of his last four games, over that stretch Moss has not caught more than five passes for more than 67 yards in any one of those games. Even though the two seem to be slightly disconnected, they have managed to hook up 69 times, including nine times for scores this season. With Moss coming off one of his worst games to date, it would be too premature to write off “The Freak.” The Patriots are still in the hunt for the post season and will be one of the AFC’s more dangerous teams with Moss and Wes Welker (105 receptions this season). Brady and his deep threat may be out of step, but it’s just a matter of time before these two again find their rhythm.

Warner and Cards got plucked Monday night….

The Cardinals were expecting to lock up the division on Monday night, but instead they found themselves right in the middle of a buzz-saw. One of the Cardinals short-comings this season has been their struggling ground game and now suddenly it has a case of fumble-itus. On Monday night the backfield coughed up the ball three times and in its last three games has rushed for less than 86 yards. With the unreliable rushing attack, this could be a big indication that the Cardinals will have to turn to Warner and the passing game going forward. Warner has had his struggles, but before the Monday night fiasco he had thrown 14 touchdowns in his previous five starts. Expect Warner to lead the way down the stretch and throughout the post season.

More fantasy Notes

Although the Colts don’t appear to have much to play for from this point going forward, don’t expect Peyton and company to ease off the gas. This is a team capable of doing as much damage in a single half as most teams do in a full game. That will be the concern of many fantasy owners looking toward Week 15, but one they may not need be so worried about. The Jaguars defense(ranked 26th against the pass) is in shambles with injuries and poor play. This Colts team is lead by Peyton and the passing game and he could easily post winnable fantasy numbers by half, so owners should not consider sitting him this week.

The Cowboys defense struggled terribly against the vertical attack of the San Diego Chargers and remember the Saints are no breeze either. With (WR) Marques Colston and (TE) Jeremy Shockey presenting very easy to find targets with their huge stature, and the Saints very animated about their pursuit to keep winning fantasy owners can bet Brees will be “bringing it” to the Boys on Saturday. The Saints quarterback has turned into a touchdown maker with 13 scoring throws in his last four starts. His (Brees) recent play make Colston, Meachem, and Shockey inviting plays this week too.

The Eagles are facing a tough divisional matchup on Sunday against the Redskins, but don’t expect them to wander to far from the formula that is working well. On Sunday night against the Giants, without Brian Westbrook and rookie receiver Jeremy Maclin, McNabb has made the most of what he has and got the most from his best weapon; DeSean Jackson. The Eagles second year receiver has been electric this season with eight touchdowns of 50 yards or more. Jackson leads the club with 947 yards receiving and will undoubtedly be targeted heavily against the Redskins. Fantasy owners can expect Reid to keep the plan simple; put the game in the hands of his playmakers. McNabb has been solid the past five weeks throwing eight touchdowns and averaging 290 yards passing per game.

How could they not, after finally ending a four-game losing streak with an overtime win over Atlanta last week and licking their chops, thinking of feasting on a Denver Broncos team that was on a bad four-game slide of its own?

After an embarrassing 26-6 loss in Denver however, the Giants (6-5) will be most grateful if they can simply remain a legitimate contender in the NFC playoff race by the time the December holidays arrive.

If that happens, Giants’ head coach Tom Coughlin might be thanking any player on his team who could help prevent another performance as dreadful as the one he witnessed at Invesco Field at Mile High on Thursday night.

“We didn’t have any tempo and we didn’t make any plays,” Coughlin said. “We keep talking about winning the physical battle and controlling the line of scrimmage. We thought this would be the night and it wasn’t.

That was the understatement of the evening for Giants fans who probably wished Big Blue could have at least swapped places with one of the NFL teams which played its game earlier in the day. Seeing their team get physically dominated in the trenches the way it did in a Thanksgiving nightcap must have made it tough for Giants supporters to keep down their turkey and all of the trimmings.

The Giants managed just a pair of Lawrence Tynes field goals against a Broncos squad that allowed between 27 and 32 points in each of its previous four games.

New York tight end Kevin Boss (two receptions for 22 yards), who caught two key touchdown passes last week, said “We really wanted this one. We needed this one. We felt like we were starting to play our type of ball again [after last week] and for whatever reason we just came out here and laid an egg. We never got into a rhythm and we were just flat.”

Offensively, that was true right from the start, as the Giants stumbled out of the gate, with their six first-half possessions resulting in five punts and a fumble, going an anemic three-and-out on four occasions.

Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning (24-40, 230 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT), who threw for a career-high 384 yards and three touchdowns only four days prior, was routinely pressured as the Giants’ ineffective offensive line let the floodgates open on its often unprotected quarterback.

Although New York made the final statistics respectable — the Broncos outgained the Giants 373-267 and finished with just six more first downs (21-15) — the first half numbers, which set the tone for the rest of the game, told the real story, as the Giants could get very little going offensively and didn’t make enough defensive stops early on, to stay in the game.

Denver (7-4) held a huge advantage (213-38) in total yards (including 149-9 net yards through the air), had twelve first downs to New York’s three, and limited Manning to just six completions in thirteen attempts, for 28 yards in the opening two quarters.

A frustrated Osi Umenyiora was seen scolding his teammates on the sideline during the first as the defensive end seemed to be, like many Giants this season, left without answers as to why his team can often look so good at some points, and during others, as bad as it showed against the Broncos, this season.

After punting on its first possession of the game, Denver drove deep into New York territory on its next two trips, but settled for field goals each time. The first, a 26-yarder from Matt Prater, gave the Broncos a 3-0 lead with 2:28 left in the first quarter. Prater then made it 6-0, Denver, from 32 yards out, with 10:46 remaining in the opening half.

The Broncos would score on their next two possessions though, to take control of the game. A fumble by Giants’ running back Danny Ware was recovered at the New York 38-yard line by safety Brian Dawkins (who used to plague the Giants for years as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles before coming to Denver this season).

The Broncos took advantage quickly, needing just four plays to find the end zone, as Denver wide receiver Brandon Marshall (team-high 6 catches for a game-high 86 yards) made a nice leaping, one-hand grab on a pass from quarterback Kyle Orton (18-28, 245 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) for a 28-yard gain. Three plays later, rookie running back Knowshon Moreno (Ware‘s fellow Georgia alum, who racked up a game-high 88 yards on 19 carries), scored on a one-yard touchdown plunge to put the Broncos comfortably ahead, 13-0, with 7:17 left in the half.

A 15-yard facemask penalty on Giants’ cornerback Corey Webster put Denver in field goal range on the Broncos next possession, allowing Prater to connect again, on a 47-yard field goal, 3:28 before halftime, to give Denver 16-0 lead, a margin the Broncos would take into the locker room.

The Giants showed signs of getting back in the game on both sides of the ball in the third quarter. They held Denver scoreless in the period and mounted scoring drives the first two times they touched the ball in the quarter.

But, each of those possessions ended in field goals (third-quarter kicks of 39 and 52 yards from Tynes) rather than touchdowns, something that Coughlin pointed to as the last blown chances for the Giants to come away victorious. “We came away with field goals rather than touchdowns.” he said, “Which could have given us some gas un our tank… and a chance to win.”

The Giants went quietly in the final quarter after Tynes’ second field goal trimmed the Broncos’ lead to 16-6 with 31 second remaining in the third period.

Denver took the ensuing possession 64 yards, finishing a nine-play drive in 5:16 on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Orton to wide receiver Brandon Stokley, who caught a pass wide open over the middle and scored untouched, to put the Broncos up 23-6, with 10:15 left in the game.

Prater closed the scoring, finishing his perfect night with his fourth field goal, a 24-yarder, with 5:02 remaining.

History has been traditionally unkind to NFL road teams traveling on a short week, distances of at least as long as the Giants’ trip to Denver. However, Coughlin didn’t blame the schedule makers. He said his team’s meetings, preparation, and organization during the week were all fine. He simply concluded, “We played very poorly tonight, there was no excuse for it… no short week, none of that stuff… We just did not play well.”

Coughlin came back to losing the battle at the line of scrimmage, particularly losing the battle with the running game on each side of the ball. “That’s where football starts,’ he said. “Stopping the run and running the ball.”

That issue for the Giants was evident by the play calling. Although New York had a slightly higher yards per carry average (3.6 to 3.5), the Broncos, who were in control, were able to rush the ball 40 times (for 138 yards) out of 68 offensive plays. In sharp contrast, the Giants, playing catchup, were forced to abandon their running game earlier than they had originally planned, rushing just 16 times in 56 offensive plays.

The loss was a big missed opportunity for New York, which could have been playing Dallas (8-3, Thanksgiving Day winners over Oakland) for first place in the NFC East at home next week.

Giants’ running back Brandon Jacobs said of his team’s overall effort, “We didn’t want it bad enough.” He remains optimistic though, despite the Giants’ fifth loss in six games, saying, “We’ve got a lot of talent and we know at some point it’s going to pick up. We’ve got to really get our engine going for the next couple of weeks.”

They still may, but as Coughlin alluded to, the Giants must now hope there’s enough gas in the tank for that engine to get them where they’d still like to go.

Biron logged 20 saves and Matt Moulson scored a late third period goal. But the Isles still fell to the Los Angeles Kings, 2-1, in front of a matinee Nassau Coliseum crowd Monday to fall to
0-1-3. All four defeats have been by a single goal.

“We played safe,” Biron said. “We played an OK game but OK in this league is not going to work. We have to play a little harder and go for it a little bit more.”

The Islanders posted a 29-22 shot advantage and had a chance to tie it at the one-minute mark. Moulson tallied his season’s second goal with 1:55 remaining and the Islanders generated a good scoring chance after pulling Biron for the extra attacker.

Kyle Okposo collected the puck on the penalty-box side boards and fired a cross-ice pass for an open John Tavares. But Tavares, who was open below the right circle, fanned on the chance as the Kings improved to 4-1.

Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty scored for Los Angeles. The contest mark the first time this campaign the Isles failed to pick up a point following a pair of shootout losses and an overtime defeat.

Jonathan Quick registered 28 saves, including all in the first period when the Islanders forged an 11-4 advantage in shots through 20 minutes.  The Islanders are winless through the opening four games for the first time since 2000. That club finished the year in last place.

“We don’t have to keep the morale up. We got to kick each other in the butt and go play 60 minutes,” Islanders captain Doug Weight said. “We really controlled the beginning of the game and we’ve done that in a lot of games so far.

“It’s how we react. We need to start reacting better.”

Los Angeles opened the scoring 18:33 into the second period when Justin Williams slid a touch pass to his left for an open Kopitar, who wristed a shot over Biron’s right shoulder for his fourth goal. Former Islander Ryan Smyth, who heard boos nearly every time he touched the puck, picked up the secondary assist on the power play tally.

Doughty launched a 40-foot shot through traffic to beat a screened Biron 5:31 into the third period for a 2-0 Los Angeles lead. Tavares, the 2009 first overall draft pick, had just one shot while Doughty, the No. 2 pick in the 2008 draft, notched his second goal of the season.

The Islanders blew a third period lead against Pittsburgh and squandered a three-goal third-period advantage against Boston in the two shootout losses so far. Okposo said the team needs to eliminate its propensity to produce bad stretches in order to win the close games.

“We need to stop and dig deep in those times and really find a way to win those hockey games,” Okposo said.

Moulson ended Quick’s shutout bid with a backhand shot from the slot that went heavy traffic in front of the crease. The Kings avoided giving up the lead, improving to 2-0 on its ongoing six-game road trip.

“There’s no smokes and mirrors with our team,” Weight said. “We know what we have to do. We have to play pretty perfect for 60 minutes and we have to be moving.

“Whether it’s the atmosphere of the building or getting down or having a team flurry at us; we haven’t reacted well to it. We just have to get better in those areas. We have to remedy it quick.”

Notes: The announced attendance was 12,145…Islanders forward Joel Rechlicz fought Raitis Ivanans almost midway through the opening period…Smyth, acquired by the Islanders at the 2007 trade deadline before signing as a free agent with Colorado in the subsequent offseason, did not get off a shot in 22:05 of ice time…The scoreboard’s video display malfunctioned six minutes into the second period.

It was supposed to be Jaromir Jagr, but he was never the same after his shoulder was dislocated in the 2006 playoffs. And Scott Gomez never clicked with anyone he played with on his line.

Chris Drury was supposed to be clutch, but the drain of being a sniper was never his forte.

The Rangers needed a scorer. Everyone knew it. And it took a couple of years for general manager Glen Sather to find one.

And now Marian Gaborik is paying instant dividends.

Take last night’s 4-3 win in Washington. After Washington tied the game on a very bad let-in by Henrik Lundqvist and then went ahead on a power play goal, the Blueshirts looked sunk.

But enter Gaborik, the play-maker, who scored two to give the Rangers two – points, that is.

“That’s what makes players like him so special,” Drury said, as reported by Newsday. “They can change the game on one shot and they can win a game on two plays and two shots.”

Those two shots came almost immediately. Just 18 seconds after the Capitals went up on Niklas Backstom’s tally, Gaborik came in with slap shot past Jose Theodore. And then beat the Washington netminder 2:33 later with the gamewinner.

“That’s a goal-scorer for you,” Henrik Lundqvist said to reporters. “That’s why we signed him.

“I owe him dinner”

Many heads shook when the Rangers dished out $37.5 million over five years for the oft-injured Wild star. Was this just another Blueshirt blunder or could Gaborik become the player the team craved.

“I don’t think he was playing all that great up until that point, but that’s the difference when you have this type of player, a gamebreaker – at a key time he ends up producing,” said coach John Tortorella to reporters. “That’s what he has to be about.”

Sure it’s only been four games into the season, but Gaborik looks right at home on Broadway. His skills have translated into Tortorella’s system and has paid immediate dividends.

Yet, his health is still a concern. The Rangers were smart to keep him out the first week of camp, just in case and then used him sparingly in the games he did play. Now the 27 year-old looks like he’s on his way to his best season, after missing most of 2008-09 with a hip injury.

And with that type of top line, Lundqvist can make all the mistakes he wants, because he knows, that Garborik will be there to back him up.

The New York Jets agreed to acquire Braylon Edwards from the Cleveland Browns to bolstering an anemic passing attack.

New York dealt special-teams player Jason Trusnik, wide receiver Chansi Stuckey and undisclosed draft picks to Cleveland for the pro bowl receiver.

There have been many New York sports acquisitions that have carried more baggage than Edwards. Still, that doesn’t mean Braylon’s bags aren’t loaded.

Edwards has been involved in several off-field incidents in recent months. Recently, he was accused of assaulting a friend of Lebron James, the NBA’s most valuable player, outside a Cleveland nightclub two days ago. The case is still under investigation by the National Football league. He also was out with former Brown receiver Dante Stallworth in Miami the night of his drunk driving incident that killed a pedestrian.

Edwards also received a fine for driving at 120 miles per hour. He was assigned 30 hours community service last November.

Edwards on the year has 10 catches for 139 yards and no touchdowns in four games for the winless Browns.

He has 238 receptions for 3,697 yards and 28 scores in five seasons with Cleveland. He made the Pro Bowl in 2007 but has failed to return to form since then.

The Jets certainly hope he can be a deal breaker for their offense and the outlet Mark Sanchez needs to get the job done.

Week 4

CONTENDERS:

#1  NEW ORLEANS SAINTS                   4-0              Wk 3:  #1                  Wk 4: Beat NY Jets, 24-10

The Saints remain at #1 for the third straight week, and they’re starting to become more of a complete team each week. We knew they could pass, but they’ve shown a strong running game and a great defense, too.

#2  NEW YORK GIANTS              4-0               Wk 3:  #2               Wk 4: Won at Kansas City, 27-16

Steve Smith has emerged as the go-to receiver the Giants were seeking. Hakeem Nicks showed why the Giants used a 2009 number one pick on him, burning the Chiefs for his first career touchdown on Sunday. And, the D has been strong.

#3  INDIANAPOLIS COLTS           4-0               Wk 3:  #5               Wk 4: Beat Seattle, 34-17

Like a fine wine, Peyton Manning is getting better with age. Four 300-yards games in four games, all Colts’ wins, 9 TD’s and only 3 picks. Very impressive, even by Manning’s standards. Indy can all but end the Titans’ season on Sunday.

#4  MINNESOTA VIKINGS            4-0               Wk 3:  #7               Wk 4: Beat Green Bay, 30-23

Speaking of getting better with age, in his final game in his 30’s, Brett Favre had a terrific game against the franchise that he’ll represent in the Hall Of Fame. As expected, Jared Allen has been a force with 18 tackles and 6½ sacks.

#5  DENVER BRONCOS               4-0               Wk 3:  #6               Wk 4: Beat Dallas, 17-10

Dallas may end up a .500 team this year, but by beating them, the Broncos eased some questions about the legitimacy of their staying power in the AFC, at least for now. And, their defense has allowed a league-low 26 points (6.5 ppg).

#6  NEW YORK JETS                  3-1               Wk 3:  #4               Wk 4: Lost at New Orleans, 24-10

After three impressive weeks, Mark Sanchez and the Jets were dealt a huge case of reality down in the Bayou, but they only fall two spots after losing to #1 on the road, and because the defense for the most part, remains solid.

#7  NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS     3-1               Wk 3:  #16             Wk 4: Beat Baltimore, 27-21

A big jump of 10 spots after beating last week’s #3 team. New England has righted the ship with a pair of solid home wins over Atlanta and Baltimore after raising a lot of early questions with poor showings against the Bills and Jets.

#8  BALTIMORE RAVENS            3-1               Wk 3:  #3               Wk 4: Lost at New England, 27-21

The Ravens have still been pretty good overall, and thus, they’re still in the top 8, but losing a competitive game at New England, Baltimore falls from one of the elite teams down to one notch below the Patriots, for now.

#9  SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS                  3-1               Wk 3:  #8               Wk 4: Beat  St. Louis

The Niners are still that one late Favre-to-Lewis Week 3 Minnesota Miracle pass from being a perfect 4-0. With everyone else in the NFC West under .500, San Francisco clearly looks like the best out west in the NFC.

#10  CHICAGO BEARS                            3-1               Wk 3:  #15             Wk 4: Beat Detroit, 48-24

The Bears have shown some mettle, rebounding from a tough season-opening loss in Green Bay, to win three straight. With 11 fewer first downs, 122 fewer yards, and 13 fewer minutes holding the ball, the Bears beat Detroit 48-24 (?!).

#11  ATLANTA FALCONS             2-1               Wk 3:  #12             Wk 4: Bye

Matt Ryan looked sharp in a couple of home wins against poor competition (Miami and Carolina) but a trip to New England exposed some Falcon flaws. Coming off a bye, Atlanta will be tested again going to San Francisco next.

#12 CINCINNATI BENGALS            3-1               Wk 3:  #10             Wk 4: Beat Cleveland, 23-20 (OT)

The Bengals are one of the league’s biggest enigmas thus far. The blow a game to Denver at home and struggle to beat the lowly Browns, yet they win at Green Bay and beat Pittsburgh. It all adds up to a good 3-1 start at the quarter mark.

#13  PITTSBURGH STEELERS                  2-2               Wk 3:  #17             Wk 4: Beat San Diego, 38-28

If the Steelers could maintain their focus for a full 60 minutes each week, they’d rank in the top five. But, that problem let two road games Pittsburgh should have won get away, and instead of a perfect 4-0, their only at .500

#14  PHILADELPHIA EAGLES                  2-1               Wk 3:  #13             Wk 4: Bye

The Eagles’ bye bought Donovan McNabb the final week of time he needed to recuperate and return to the lineup on Sunday. Games against three bad teams (Tampa Bay, Oakland, and Washington) ease McNabb back into things.

MIRED IN MEDIOCRITY:

#15  DALLAS COWBOYS               2-2               Wk 3:  #9               Wk 4: Lost at Denver, 17-10

At 2-2, Dallas looks to be on the path to 8-8. What they do well one week, they may not do the next, particularly with an inconsistent Tony Romo missing Terrell Owens. Dallas gets an easy one in Kansas City next, before the bye comes.  

#16  JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS      2-2               Wk 3:  #20             Wk 4: Beat Tennessee, 37-17

From 0-2 to 2-2. Is Jacksonville better than expected or did Tennessee already quit on the season after three tough losses? Maybe both. David Garrard has played well enough for the Jags to open it up more with the passing game.

#17  SAN DIEGO CHARGERS                   2-2               Wk 3:  #11             Wk 4: Lost at Indianapolis, 34-17

The Chargers reach the bye and will remain in this area of the rankings until they can raise their game to match that of better opponents. So far, wins over the bad Raiders and Dolphins, but missed chances against Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

#18  GREEN BAY PACKERS           2-2               Wk 3:  #14             Wk 4: Lost at Minnesota, 30-23

Sure, Favre won the big showdown, but bigger picture, Jarred Allen has 4½ sacks, and Cincinnati’s Antwan Odom had five sacks in Green Bay’s other loss. Until they can fix their offensive line woes, the Pack won’t challenge in the NFC.

#19  HOUSTON TEXANS               2-2               Wk 3:  #21             Wk 4: Beat Oakland, 29-6

The Texans have been inconsistent week to week, as shown by the L, W, L, W result. The Raiders at home were the perfect medicine for what was a very shaky defense that allowed a bunch of yardage over the first three weeks.

#20  ARIZONA CARDINALS            1-2              Wk 3:  #19             Wk 4: Bye

The Cards would have been wise to use the bye week to work on their defense after Peyton Manning torched them in the desert. Warner and Arizona were great in Jacksonville but they’ve yet to play well at home in two losses.

LOOKING TOWARD THE 2010 DRAFT:

#21 WASHINGTON REDSKINS                  2-2              Wk 3:  #25             Wk 4: Beat Tampa Bay, 16-13

With Redskin-of-the-teeth wins over awful St. Louis and Tampa Bay, and a loss in Detroit, Washington is about as unimpressive a 2-2 as a team can be. The defense has been okay, but the Skins are still waiting on Jason Campbell.

#22  MIAMI DOLPHINS                  1-3               Wk 3:  #27             Wk 4: Beat Buffalo, 38-10

Starting 0-3, looking pretty bad, and losing their starting quarterback to his latest season-ending injury, the Dolphins seemed to be going nowhere. Then, a 38-10 thrashing of Buffalo. That’s the unpredictability of the NFL at its best.

#23  BUFFALO BILLS                             1-3               Wk 3:  #18             Wk 4: Lost at Miami, 38-10

Now the flip side of that unpredictability. The Bills play well enough to win in New England, lose to the #1 Saints (understandable), and beat Tampa Bay easily. So, 0-3 Miami without Chad Pennington? Naturally, a 38-10 loss. Huh?!

#24  SEATTLE SEAHAWKS            1-3               Wk 3:  #22             Wk 4: Lost at Indianapolis, 34-17

Now that we’ve got the NFL’s unpredictability down, here lesson 2: how quickly fortunes can change. After crushing St. Louis, the Seahawks lose three straight and go from #3 on this list all the way down to #24.

#25  DETROIT LIONS                             1-3               Wk 3:  #24             Wk 4: Lost at Chicago, 48-24

Could it be? Two wins in a row after 19 straight losses? Trading touchdowns in a 21-21 half in Chicago, the Lions made that thought possible. But, then that pesky 27-3 second half came and Detroit became the Lions we’re used to seeing.

#26  TENNESSEE TITANS             0-4               Wk 3:  #23             Wk 4: Lost at Jacksonville, 37-17

What is going on down in Tennessee? From the only 13-3 team and a number one see a year ago, to an 0-4 start this season. So, no more Haynesworth, but way too much talent on the field and on the coaching staff to be winless.

#27  CAROLINA PANTHERS           0-3               Wk 3:  #29             Wk 4: Bye

Good news for Panthers fans! Jake Delhomme didn’t turn it over last week. Oh right, Carolina was off. Ever since last year’s regular season ended, Delhomme has not been the same quarterback. At 0-3, he’d better find it again soon.

#28  OAKLAND RAIDERS              1-3               Wk 3:  #26             Wk 4: Lost at Houston, 29-6

Jamarcus Russell has completed a shade under 40 percent of his passes and there’s talk of head coach Tom Cable being arrested for breaking the jaw of one of his assistants. The Raiders are a mess right now, but at least they have a win…

#29  TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS     0-4               Wk 3:  #31             Wk 4: Lost at Washington, 16-13

Which bring us to the winless bottom four, and we start with the Bucs, who early on, couldn’t stop anyone while moving the ball some. Now that the defense has improved a little, the offense has disappeared. Long season in Tampa.

#30  CLEVELAND BROWNS           0-4               Wk 3:  #32             Wk 4: Lost to Cincinnati, 23-20 OT

The Browns nearly got a… well, not a win, but almost a tie. Hey, gotta set you sights somewhere before you get better.

Cleveland did play Cincinnati tough after three bad games, so maybe there’s a some hope for a little improvement.

#31  KANSAS CITY CHIEFS            0-4               Wk 3:  #30             Wk 4: Lost to NY Giants, 27-16

All you need to know about the Chiefs so far this season, besides losing to three good teams each by double digits, is that when they statistically dominated the bad Raiders at home, they still managed to lose that one as well.

#32  ST.LOUS RAMS                    0-4               Wk 3:  #28             Wk 4: Lost at San Francisco, 35-0

And, bringing up the rear this week, falling four spots to get here after a horrid performance in Frisco, are the Rams. Two shutouts already? Just 24 points in four games? St. Louis is the NFL’s version of minor-league football right now.

As the season continues one wonders how long will it be before Kerry Collins gets benched in favor of Vince Young? The fans and media alike will start the arguments across the football land. The Titans however are in a bind much deeper as they stick by the quarterback that led them to the best record in the league last year at 13-3. Now they find themselves in a hole called 0-4 with games against Indianapolis and then at New England. So 0-6 is more the reality at this time because this team does not look like one that can get up enough to beat their next two opponents. The offense was a repeat of weeks past. They cannot count on the run because Chris Johnson seems to get a big run or next to nothing. Collins is under more pressure than normal and his passer rating is getting lower than the average high temperature in the fall. The secondary is getting worse by the week and now with the injury to Nick Harper Tennessee will have to turn to rookies to get it done. Jags quarterback David Garrard torched them as he went 27-37 for 323 yards with three touchdown and no picks. He had time to throw and room to get the ball to his receivers. Mike Sims-Walker used his speed and skills to burn the Titans for 91 yards on seven catches good for two touchdowns. It was 30-3 five minutes into the third quarter and the game was essentially over. Johnson got 83 yards on 16 carries but could not become a factor in a game he could not win by himself. One of the few bright spots continues to be rookie receiver Kenny Britt as he had seven catches for 105 yards and after four games is the team’s leading receiver with 17 grabs. He also got his first NFL touchdown and turned a short pass into a 42-yard gain in the fourth quarter. Collins finished 29-48 for 284 yards, one touchdown passing, one rushing and two interceptions. He continues to struggle with his receiving corps. They have not found that timing from last year mainly due to new faces on the field. In the meantime Young continues to wait on the bench for his turn. The followers will call for his reinstatement to the starting job and say that now is the time to inject the offense with a spark. An argument was made that said that the Titans wouldn’t be turning the ball over to a rookie. They would be giving the ball back to the player they picked third in the draft a few years ago. They would be asking him to earn his rightful place back if he can. It’s not like he would be replacing a star. He would be replacing a 15-year veteran that is on the last legs of his NFL career. If things go bad against Indy next week why not give your huge investment a chance to see if he still has it? Do it soon before it’s too late and he is lost for good.

Indianapolis 34 Seattle 17

This one was over by the end of the first half as Peyton Manning threw for two touchdowns and the Colts had a 21-3 lead. Then to put a stamp on it they scored 13 points more in the second half to increase the lead to 34-3. Manning was a terrific going 31-41 for 353 yards and has his team at 4-0. He has a new set of receivers to go with Reggie Wayne and he doesn’t miss a beat. He continued his rise in the record books as he tied Fran Tarkenton for number three with his 342^nd touchdown pass. He joined Dan Marino as the only quarterbacks to throw at least 55 touchdown passes to two different receivers. Next week they go to Tennessee looking to put the dagger into a dismal season for the Titans. Indy’s run defense was solid, as Seattle backs had no place to go. They sacked Seneca Wallace five times and hurried him plenty more. With the defense playing well and Manning at the helm the Colts look ready to play in January and it’s only October.

Houston 29 Oakland 6

The story here was how would JaMarcus Russell do against this Texan defense and it turned out bad. They shut him down and held him to 128 yards on 12-33 passing. They held the Raider running game to 45 yards and the offense had a good day. Steve Slaton had a touchdown run of 32 yards and also caught an 18-yarder for another score; Jacoby Jones returned a kickoff 95 yards for another touchdown, as Houston outclassed the Raiders. Matt Schaub started quickly and then tapered off finishing 11-22 for 224 yard and one touchdown. The offense put up 329 yards but had to punt seven times to stall drives. Now Houston has a chance to go 3-2 next week if they can pull one out in Arizona in a game they should feel good about.

“It’s nice to get back and we are ready and need 11 more,” said Johnny Damon as the Yankees christened their new clubhouse with what they hope is the first of three more celebrations and a 27^th world championships.”   Last year the Yankees missed their first post season in 13 years under manager Joe Girardi who also wears number 27 on the back of his uniform.

In the middle of the champagne celebration was Nick Swisher, a key acquisition that General Manger Brian Cashman made during the off-season, “It’s nice to come here and do what we were capable of doing,” said Swisher who was mobbed by his teammates, including pitcher Mariano Rivera who got the last out and recorded his 44^th save in the Yankees 4-2 clincher over the Red Sox.

The Yankees, who took control over first place the Al East On July 21^st, have also secured home field advantage in the playoffs. They may also see Boston again in the American League Championship Series. If Detroit does not lose their slim division lead to Minnesota, New York would open the first round of the ALDS against the Tigers.

The Red Sox, on the verge of clinching the AL wild card will open their series against the impending Al west champion Angels, so the Yankees could see Boston again, or even the Angels who eliminated the Yankees in five games in the ALDS in 2005 and in four games in 2002.  There years ago it was Detroit eliminating the Yankees in four games in the ALDS

“Everything is clicking now,” said winning pitcher Andy Pettitte (14-7) who will probably get the ball and follow 19-game winner CC Sabathia as the third pitcher in the opening round playoff series. “When you miss out it makes you a little more hungry to get back there,” he said referring to the Yankees missing the playoffs last season.

As the Yankees celebrated, with what they hope is the first of three more, they realize there is much more work to be done.  The stigma of losing in the opening round of their last playoff appearance to Cleveland in 2007 remains, so they very well know that the playoffs are a different season.

“This is a fun group and exciting group,” commented Girardi who makes his first appearance as a playoff manager after being a part of the Yankees championship teams under former manager Joe Torre. “The way last year ended left a bad taste in our mouth and we worked to get here since spring training,” he said.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com