Bucs, Lions have good chance to earn first victories

Only in America! Bruce Gradkowski, who was playing in Mount Pleasant and Ypsilanti and Athens a year ago, outduels Carson Palmer. Gradkowski's got some mettle.

Rod Marinelli deserves better than 0-5. This is the week he gets off the schneid. It's about time the running game (59.6 yards a game, which is what most teams average in a half) starts taking some pressure off quarterback Jon Kitna.

Best use of a bye week this year: The Falcons should get John Abraham (groin) back at nearly full speed. In the first game of the year, Atlanta's manhandling of Carolina, the Abraham/Patrick Kerney bookend pass-rush crushed Jake Delhomme.

So you don't believe in the Saints yet? Drew Brees is throwing for 17 yards per game more than Carson Palmer. Reggie Bush has more catches than anyone in football. The defense has surrendered fewer yards than New England. Not a bad little ball club, Coach Payton.

The Seahawks defense has to rise up to win this one, and I think they do a good job stopping Steven Jackson.

"We're a work in progress right now," a weary Jim Fassel, Ravens offensive coordinator, said the other night. Hurry up, guys. After acquiring Steve McNair and Mike Anderson this offseason, this team shouldn't be 29th in total offense.

Clinton Portis licks his chops at a Titans D missing its best run-stopper, Albert Haynesworth. Then he goes out and stomps on them for 189 yards.

You want some balls this week, T.O.? You'll get 'em. Lots of 'em. So will Terry Glenn.

If you look at this matchup in terms of California baseball, the Chargers are the San Diego Padres and the 49ers are the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. Not that Mike Nolan doesn't have a bunch of good young players; he does. But the Niners aren't ready to play in the Chargers' league yet.

With a glum Daunte Culpepper looking on from the sideline, Joey Harrington leads the Dolphins to two fourth-quarter touchdowns and stakes his claim to this crazy quarterback job. The Jets sure do play some wild games.

The Steelers aren't dead and Ben Roethlisberger is competent. Bill Cowher is at his best when he simplifies things and gets this team down to the basics, which is what he's been doing all week. For example, the offensive line has to start protecting better.

Remember when this used to be a good rivalry?

You've probably heard Dennis Green's shots at the offensive line and how they're pros and they've got to block better than Tempe High, or whatever belittling analogy he used. Well, wait until the Bears' front gets a hold of this line. Memo to ESPN cameramen: Focus on Green all night. Particularly the ears. You'll see steam rising from them. By the way, a loss makes Green 12-25 as Cards coach.