The Ravens lost on Monday night to the Packers. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong. My evening would have been a total wash, had it not been for my dad and uncle getting into a heated argument about how good/bad the Ravens are.

When things go bad, my uncle thinks the world will end and everyone on the team is horrible. My dad is the realist, but with a slight more optimism. My uncle sees the glass half empty; my dad, half full. So when you get two opposites in a room and their favorite team, still in the hunt for a playoff spot, loses..... well, let's just say it can get rather ugly- or comical, depending how you look at it. It was the latter for me.

-Play Of The Week: Robert Meachem saves the Saints undefeated season with a strip fumble for a fumble. One of the best plays of the year, actually.


-Upset Of The Week: Clearly Oakland's victory over the Steelers. The Raiders offense has been pretty awful.... until Sunday. Bruce Gradkowski threw for 308 yards and 3 TDs- all in the 4th qtr- and the final TD took the lead with 9 seconds remaining. I really turned my nose up to this game, even during game time. But the Steelers let the Raiders hang around, and they came out with the victory.


- Who would've thought, the 2 worst looking games on paper, would turn out to be the 2 best games of the week. The NO/Was and Oak/Pit games were nothing short of exciting, all the way through. You have to love football for parity.

-I said on the GGals vlog last week, that I didn't think Mike Vick would be a huge factor in his homecoming game against his former team, the Falcons. But I guess Andy Reid had another plan. Vick scored two TDs- 1 rush, 1 pass- in Philly's rout over Atlanta, 34-7. The Eagles looked to shut out the Falcons in their own home, something that hasn't been done in over 20 years, but Atlanta did put up some garbage points in the 4th Qtr as time expired. Fans even started chanting, "We Want Vick", as the 4th qtr was underway. Welcome Back Vick!


-New England is in trouble. After Miami defeated them this past Sunday, 22-21, the Dolphins are only one game behind the Pats for 1st place in the AFC East. This cannot be good for the Belichick Boys. The Pats have lost 2 straight and is winless in opponents stadiums. The Pats' D is playing poorly right now, and they are fighting for their playoff lives. This is definitely something to watch out for.

-Minnesota has been pretty untouchable this season. But Arizona brought them back down to earth a little, in their 30-17 win over the Vikings. The "Geriatric Bowl" was in full effect, with Favre and Warner being two of the oldest starting QBs in the league right now. Favre went back to his old, gunslinging ways, by forcing throws in tight spots and throwing 2 INTs in the game. The Cardinals look to be ready to get their playoff push underway. They looked great.

*extra point* My thoughts and prayers go out to Vikings LB EJ Henderson. EJ had a devastating leg injury and will be out for the rest of the season. Watching it happen in real time was extremely painful to witness. If you saw Willis McGahee's leg injury in the 2003 BCS Championship game, it was along those lines. Henderson is a former Terp, so I have extra love for him. I hope he has a full recovery.

-Guess I was wrong about Tennessee ending the Colts' winning streak. Hey, I can't be awesome all the time, I do have flaws.

-Congrats to LaDainian Tomlinson, who passed Jim Brown for 8th on the all-time rushing list. LT also scored his 150th TD, and did such a feat faster than the likes of Hall Of Famers Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice. LT has been one of the greatest players this decade. Even after the injury plagued seasons, he's still churning, running and scoring TDs. Good things happening to good guys is always story. And LT deserves it


*extra point* Philip Rivers, I still love you boo!

Raiders NFL CB Nnamdi Asomugha isn't just known to be a shut down corner. He's known to help those in need. The high profile NFL player helping Kenneth Chancey, a homeless teenager, who's a straight A student as well as an athlete.

Asomugha created the Asomugha College Tour for students, in which he picks inner city kids and takes them on a college tour, all expenses paid.

This is a great video to watch. Of all the things NFL players do, getting college degrees is something that's not considered newsworthy. Asomugha, a college grad himself, is doing a great thing. Not only is he easy on the eyes, he's educated and doing what he can to help others follow his family's footsteps, all of whom are college grads.

Asomugha, The NFL Chick loves you, not only for being awesome on the football field and a cutie pie, but for your charitable contributions off-the-field.

Or lack thereof.....

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Former NFL head coach Tony Dungy talks about the lack of minority coaches in BCS universities. Dungy states that the numbers support the theory of institutional racism. He also states that there is currently one minority coach out of 65 major BCS schools (Randy Shannon, University of Miami).

Minority head coaches have been an issue that the NCAA football has been going through for quite sometime. Some coaches feel their best chance at filling a head coaching vacancy would be in the NFL ranks. Bucs head coach Raheem Morris is a good example of an assistant coach who couldn't get a head coaching job in the college ranks, but instead received an opportunity with Tampa Bay, after John Gruden was fired.

It was only a year ago that Charles Barkley called out Auburn for hiring Iowa State's Gene Chizik over Buffalo's Turner Gill, who is black. Gill had turned the program around and took the school to their first MAC Championship, while Chizik had a 5-19 record in 2 seasons at Iowa State.

Some people believe that a "Rooney Rule" should be in place throughout the NCAA, which would mandate at least 1 minority interview per vacancy. But in my opinion, that will not happen anytime soon. Boosters and alumni play a HUGE role into the head coach hiring and lot of universities are just not ready to place a minority into such an authoritative position. The NCAA needs to do better, one in 65 teams is beyond unacceptable. Hopefully Dungy's words will help get the ball rolling on doing something about the lack of minority head coaches.

A court restraining order was filed against Ravens LB Terrell Suggs. According to the MD court database, it was cited as a domestic violence dispute.

Suggs told the Baltimore Sun,

"I won't have anything to say. It's a family matter, and family matters should be kept personal. But all you guys [in the media] know me and my character, and, hopefully, at the end of the day that stands for something."

The woman identified as Candace Williams, filed the complaint on Friday in a Baltimore district court. It is reported that Williams isn't his current girlfriend. Suggs was a guest correspondent on the ESPN show, "Rome Is Burning", and acknowledged that he was engaged, but it is unclear whether Williams was his fiancee'.

The only other incident Suggs has been involved in was a 2003 brawl in Phoenix, AZ, in which he was charged for aggravated assault. He was acquitted 2 years later.

This will be an interesting story to watch, as the Ravens are looking to make a playoff run down the stretch. While Suggs has been out with a knee injury, he has said he expects to be back on the field before the season ends. If Suggs has charges filed against him, there may be a suspension handed down by the commissioner, either this season or the beginning of the next.

Stay tuned..........

Pictures of Suggs and his accuser, Williams, at a pre fight party in Las Vegas, earlier this year:

Rams at (-9)Bears- The Bears seem like the easy pick. But the way they've played lately, I wouldn't be surprised if St Louis gives them a run for their money. But Kyle Boller is still starting, so I'm picking the Bears by default

Lions at (-13)Bengals- Bengals

(-6)Broncos at Chiefs- Broncos, but don't be surprised if KC puts up a fight

(-5)Patriots at Dolphins- Miami better watch out, New England might be out for blood after the azz whupping they received from the Saints last Monday night. I don't think this will end up well. Pats.

Raiders at (-15)Steelers- Big Ben is back, which will help the Steelers get back on track. The Raiders have won against unlikely opponents twice this season (Cincy and Philly), and Pittsburgh lost to the lowly Chiefs. But I still expect the Steelers to win at home.

(-10)Saints at Redskins- The Redskins have a good enough defense to the point that, I don't think Brees will have a field day in scoring. When playing away, he's had slow starts. But the Redskins offense can't score points. And the Saints' D has really stepped their game up. I'm picking the Saints but in a closer game than many think it will be

Buccaneers at (-6)Panthers- Picking the Bucs. Why not?! I flipped a coin, tails won......

Texans at (-1)Jaguars- Texans

(-14)Chargers at Browns- My boo Rivers is gonna have a field day. Shaun Rogers is on IR and that is a HUGE blow to the Cleveland defensive front. Expect another good day from the Chargers offense.

49ers at (-1)Seahawks- *yawn* even Vegas doesn't know how to pick this game, just look at the line. 49ers.

The heated debate begins.. Drew Brees or Philip Rivers? Ed The Sports Fan gives his take on who he thinks has the edge.

Pigskin Loving Lady talks about "The Unbeatens", Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints. She shows their remaining schedules and takes a look of how they may fare.

Now that Charlie Weis has been given his walking papers, who does former NFL WR Tim Brown want to be the next coach of Notre Dame?? Click here to find out.

What do the Ravens have to do in their upcoming game against the Packers to win? The City That Reeds gives us keys to a Baltimore victory at Lambeau Field.

A good non football story to read. The sporting world was taken back when the news that Tiger Woods' was in fact, human and made a mistake by cheating on his wife. Find out why Black Sports Online says we should stop being so naive and grow up.

Week 12 already.... 5 weeks remaining... I'm starting to get sad. While there's a lot of football left, there's nothing like being able to pick from 16 games to watch. I'm excited about the playoffs and what they will bring. But then that also means the end of a great season....

The games this weekend did nothing to show me who are real playoff contenders. The following teams in the playoff hunt make me scratch my head about how good they really are:
Denver, Giants, Eagles, Falcons, Steelers, Jaguars and Ravens

Some of these teams won this weekend, others tanked and looked bad. But I just don't know how to call it. Are they just average or are they really ready to make a playoff run??? Too hard to tell at this point...

-I think it's safe to say that the Steelers D misses Troy Polamalu, more than anyone else on the Steelers- including Big Ben. While they are still a top defense, they miss Polamalu's versatility and play making ability. Offenses have been able to get a little more breathing room in the pass game. The Steelers are on a 3 game losing streak, and they need Troy to get back soon or else they are in trouble.

*extra point* I don't care who played, who didn't play, or why the Steelers lost... I'm just glad the Ravens got that monkey off their backs and won against Pittsburgh. It was a great game to watch. My heartburn was in full effect, especially in the 4th quarter and OT. But a win is a win. I'll take it anyway I can get. Pardon me while I dance a jig.


*2-pt conversion* Bye Bye Charlie Batch. Looks like Dennis Dixon has earned the backup spot on that team.

-I've never been a fan of Vince Young from a football perspective, and later from a personal perspective. But he is really starting to prove myself and the other naysayers that he can be a good QB in this league. I'm all for turn around stories and, in my opinion, Young should be a Comeback Of The Year candidate. I'm really hoping that he makes a non-believer, like myself, a believer. In a weird way, I'm rooting for him now. I love Rudy-type stories.

*extra point* But let's be clear... VY may not be coming back from anything without #28 on his team. Chris Johnson.... is..... freaking.... AWESOME!

-Ladies and Gentleman, T.O. has FINALLY arrived to Buffalo! He's had more receiving yards and TDs in the last 3 weeks than the previous 7 weeks combined. Glad you could join the party, T.O.


-Jay Cutler and Jake Delhomme are having a race on who can have the most INTs in a single season. Winner officially gets the "Ultimate Charity Case" Award, since their teams both threw a boatload of money at them to do absolutely nothing.

-How does the Texans get in good position to beat the Colts, then end up on the losing end of the spectrum once the game is over? Time and time again, Houston finds a way to be competitive until the final 10 mins in the 4th qtr, then it becomes, "let's hand the game over to Indy" time.

They gave the Colts 14 points on defense, both turnovers happening with under 9 minutes left in the game. This is why the Texans can't find a way to get over the hump. They will always be considered middle of the pack until they can win a game against the Colts.

-I'd cry in the car if I were a Bucs fan. To have a game pretty much in the bag, without Matt Ryan, then to lose in the final seconds of the game, has to hurt bad as hell. Sometimes, football is heartbreaking, especially if it's your team. That was a heartbreaker for Bucs fans. I would tell you to keep your head up and live to see another week... but y'all know at this point I'm just trying to be nice. Well, there's always next year *shrugs*

-The Saints are by FAR the best team in the NFL. They slapped the Patriots around like a pimp does his worker on "Hookers At The Point". Bill Belicheck started the game by back handing the Saints defense, going for it on two 4th down plays and converting, one for a TD. But Drew Brees made them pay, throwing for 5 TDs in a Monday night rout over the Pats, 38-17. I don't know who is going to stop them during the regular season. Right now I can only see Minnesota giving them a run for their money.

*extra point* A picture of one word: OWNED!!!!!!