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Line of Scrimmage: Week 4 - Rex Is Not Our Quarterback

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Can you feel bad for a guy that is due more than $2 million in 2007, that got to live out every young boy's fantasy by being a starting quarterback in the Super Bowl, that was able to live most of his 20's as a multi-millionaire in Chicago, perhaps the greatest city that God invented?

Well maybe I shouldn't, but I feel kind of bad for Rex Grossman today.

Bears head coach Lovie Smith finally did what he absolutely had to do, benching his team's former first-round pick after Grossman piled another miscue-laden performance onto a heap of malodorous previous outings. All of Chicagoland and everyone in the Bears organization wanted Grossman to finally be the signal-calling answer the team has been looking for lo these many years spent in the quarterbacking wilderness.

But Sunday night's nationally-televised blowout at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys was Grossman's last stand, not only as a Chicago Bear, but probably as someone that at least part of the world views as a viable NFL quarterback.

Smith can't go back to Grossman now, not really. If the Bears wish to salvage their season, they have to put their full support behind Brian Griese for the rest of the year, just like they did for Grossman in recent seasons. Griese is a veteran with a track record, and he'll do okay, though anyone who thinks that he is a long-term solution at anyone's quarterback position doesn't know a heck of a lot about Brian Griese. He's just a guy, and Bears fans have seen a lot of average quarterbacks just like him working by the shores of Lake Michigan for a generation or so.

There were many of those folks who once thought that Grossman could be more than just a guy, which is why this changing of the guard is so sad for all involved parties.

He raised expectations as a rookie, playing relatively well in three starts as the curtain fell on the woebegone Dick Jauron era. But Grossman got hurt three games into what was supposed to be his first full season, 2004, then was injured again in the 2005 preseason and didn't return until the tail end of the year.

Grossman was Jekyll-and-Hyde in 2006, proving himself just as capable of a scintillating performance as a complete meltdown. There was enough strong play along the way to get the Bears to their first Super Bowl in two decades, but when Grossman played poorly for most of that rain-soaked loss to the Colts, even a casual observer had to acknowledge that things could not go on like this forever.

A season-and-a-half worth of starts was a more than adequate sample for Grossman to show the world whether he had the goods or not. He didn't. He doesn't. There's no great shame in it, most players don't have what it takes to play that position at such a high level. It's just that so many Bears supporters wanted Grossman to be their savior, only to discover too late that he was a false idol. That's why it hurts.

What now for Grossman? Well, his contract is up at the end of the year, at which point you can expect him to seek employment elsewhere. Both the Bears and their former first-round quarterback are in need of a fresh start, and we'll bet that Griese and current third-stringer Kyle Orton enter 2008 training camp competing for the No. 1 job.

And as much as people with a heart will hope that Grossman picks up the pieces of his career and eventually becomes a star, it's more likely that he now becomes Joey Harrington, David Carr, someone's plan B. His confidence may be irreparable, and that's before you get to the fact that he has very obvious problems figuring out coverages, and that his physical skills don't make scouts salivate.

At the ripe old age of 27, Grossman is now damaged goods. His life certainly isn't bad in a Darfur-military camp kind of way, but that doesn't change the fact that he probably woke up Wednesday morning feeling about as lousy as he has in those 27 years.

In light of that suffering, it's more than acceptable to feel some sympathy for the man that just lost his job. Although maybe not for the quarterback who, justifiably, lost his position.

Let's take a look at the week that will be in the National Football League:

NFL POWER POLL

The Sports Network's updated NFL Power Poll, which ranks all 32 league teams, can be found at:

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/misc/nfl- poll.htm

FANTASY - FIVE TO START

Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay (at Minnesota) - Packers will throw on basically every down against a Vikings team that does nothing better than it stops the run.

Joey Galloway, WR, Tampa Bay (at Carolina) - The Panthers secondary is brutal with a capital B.

Chris Chambers, WR, Miami (vs. Oakland) - Dolphins are due for a strong performance in all facets, and the Raider defense has been exposed as a fraud.

Ben Watson, TE, New England (at Cincinnati) - Bengals are going to be so concerned with stopping Randy Moss, everyone else on the field will be open.

Nick Folk, K, Dallas (vs. St. Louis) - It's been a while since I saw a rookie kicker that looked to have staying power in the NFL.

FANTASY - FIVE TO BENCH

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle (at San Francisco) - Something's missing on this Seahawks team, and the 49er secondary is a solid group.

Jamal Lewis, RB, Cleveland (vs. Baltimore) - He'll start sulking the moment the Ravens stop him on consecutive plays,

Edgerrin James, RB, Arizona (vs. Pittsburgh) - Steelers front seven is back to its '05 form.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit (vs. Chicago) - His back is bothering him, and he's the Lions' third receiving option at this point.

Torry Holt, WR, St. Louis (at Dallas) - With Orlando Pace no longer protecting Marc Bulger, Holt has no time to get downfield and make plays.

SUICIDE POOL PIX

1. San Diego (vs. Kansas City) - Chargers will take out their frustrations on the worst Chiefs team to come down the pike in awhile.

2. Dallas (vs. St. Louis) - Rams are just punchless at this stage.

3. New England (at Cincinnati) - Bengals match up poorly with the Pats, even worse than most teams.

THE GAMES

I was a solid 11-5 in my picks last week, even turning in my first on-the-nose performance of 2007 with my prediction of a 13-10 win for the Chiefs over the Vikings. I'm 32-16 in my straight-up selections through three weeks, which it says here means I'm right two-thirds of the time.

My picks against the spread last week? 4-10-2. My eight-month-old daughter? 8-6-2. I'll spare you the nausea that comes with seeing my '07 season record with the line involved, but I can tell you that Infant Moss is now 26-17-5, which is still three games better than any member of The Sports Network's 16- man group of "Pigskin Prognosticators."

Houston (2-1) at Atlanta (0-3), Sunday, 1:00 (Houston -3)

Storylines: Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, a member of the Falcons from 2004 through 2006 who was traded to Houston in the offseason, faces his former team...Falcons are one of five winless teams as Week 4 begins, along with the Bills, Dolphins, Rams, and Saints...Atlanta last started 0-4 in 1999, when it lost its first four before finishing 4-12 under Dan Reeves...Texans wideout Andre Johnson (knee) unlikely to return to the lineup for Sunday, but running back Ahman Green (sprained knee) expected to play despite leaving last week's 30-24 loss to the Colts... Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall will play despite drawing 67 yards in penalties, including a personal foul and unsportsmanlike conduct infraction, on the decisive drive of the Falcons' 27-20 loss to Carolina last week...Atlanta quarterback Joey Harrington completed 31-of-44 passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns against Carolina last Sunday...Texans lost center Steve McKinney (knee) and defensive tackle Cedric Killings (neck) for the season in last Sunday's loss to the Colts.

Fast Fact: Current Atlanta quarterback Joey Harrington completed 18-of-25 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns in his only career start against the Texans, a 28-16 win for the Lions on Sept. 19th, 2004.

Prediction: Schaub has something to prove, and Falcons have already proven they're going nowhere. Texans 21, Falcons 17.

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N.Y. Jets (1-2) at Buffalo (0-3), Sunday, 1:00 (N.Y. Jets -3½)

Storylines: Buffalo rookie Trent Edwards expected to make his first NFL start in place of the injured J.P. Losman (sprained knee)...Bills are one of five winless teams as Week 4 begins, joining the Dolphins, Falcons, Rams, and Saints...Bills trying to avoid first 0-4 start since 2004, when they lost their first four before rallying to finish 9-7 under Mike Mularkey...Running back Thomas Jones (110 yards in last Sunday's 31-28 win over Miami) can become the first Jet since Curtis Martin in October of 2004 to rush for 100 yards in consecutive weeks...Buffalo lost linebacker Paul Posluszny for the season due to a broken forearm suffered in last week's 38-7 loss to the Patriots...Bills are dead last in the league in total offense (200 yards per game), scoring offense (8 points per game), passing offense (92 yards per game), and are the only team in the league without a touchdown strike through three games... Buffalo is also last in NFL total defense (458.3 yards per game), rushing defense (177.3 yards per game), and passing defense (281 yards per game)... Jets are the only team in the league that has yet to lose a fumble in 2007.

Fast Fact: Bills receiver Lee Evans had a total of 198 yards on 10 catches in two meetings with the Jets last season.

Prediction: Jets can't be expected to roll, but should make enough plays against a rookie making his first NFL start. Jets 20, Bills 10.

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Baltimore (2-1) at Cleveland (1-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Baltimore -4½)

Storylines: Browns running back Jamal Lewis, who amassed 7,801 rushing yards with the Ravens from 2000 through 2006, faces his former team for the first time...Cleveland (51-45 winner over Cincinnati in Week 2) seeking first back- to-back wins in the same season over AFC North opponents since 2002... Baltimore quarterback Steve McNair (groin), who has yet to finish a game this season, expected to start for the Ravens...Baltimore defensive end Trevor Pryce (wrist) remains out, and tackle Jonathan Ogden (foot) and cornerback Samari Rolle (illness) are questionable...Browns tight end Kellen Winslow (bruised shoulder) expected to play despite getting banged up late in last week's 26-24 loss to the Raiders...Baltimore running back Willis McGahee seeking his first 100-yard rushing day with the Ravens...Cleveland is allowing a league-worst 35 points per game, and has surrendered an NFL-high 11 passing touchdowns through three contests...Ravens are allowing a league-low 61.7 rushing yards per game.

Fast Fact: Current Ravens running back Willis McGahee carried 27 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns in his only career meeting with Cleveland, a 37-7 Buffalo win in Week 14 of the 2004 season.

Prediction: Cleveland has a way of playing Baltimore tough, but look for Derek Anderson to make a key mistake late to cost Crennel's team. Ravens 16, Browns 13.

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St. Louis (0-3) at Dallas (3-0), Sunday, 1:00 (Dallas -13)

Storylines: St. Louis running back Steven Jackson (groin) will not play, and rookie Brian Leonard (Rutgers) expected to start in his place...Dallas tries to open 4-0 for the first time since 1995, when it won its first four before finishing 12-4 and winning the Super Bowl under Barry Switzer...Cowboys are one of five remaining unbeatens, joining the Colts, Packers, Patriots, and Steelers in that category...Rams are one of five winless teams as Week 4 begins, along with the Bills, Dolphins, Falcons, and Saints...Rams last opened at 0-4 in 2002, when they fell in their first five en route to a 7-9 finish under Mike Martz...Cowboys are averaging a league-best 38.7 points per game...Dallas running back Marion Barber III is tied for the NFL lead in touchdowns (5) along with Plaxico Burress and Randy Moss...Cowboys cornerback Anthony Henry has a league-best four of Dallas' NFL-leading eight interceptions, and Dallas leads the league in turnover margin (+7)...Rams and Chiefs are only two NFL teams without a rushing touchdown through three weeks, and are tied with a league-low two touchdowns overall...The Rams are 4-0 in Dallas, including a playoff win, since last losing there in the 1981 campaign.

Fast Fact: The road team has won the last six installments of the Rams/Cowboys series, with a 29-10 win for the Rams in Los Angeles in 1986 ranking as the most recent game to buck that trend.

Prediction: Look for the hangover effect after Dallas' big primetime win, but also expect the Cowboys to hang on. Cowboys 27, Rams 17.

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Chicago (1-2) at Detroit (2-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Chicago - 2½)

Storylines: Quarterback Brian Griese makes his first start in a Chicago uniform, taking over for the benched Rex Grossman...Two NFC North rivals seeking to recover from Week 4 meltdowns convene in the Motor City...The Bears lost 34-10 at home to Dallas on Sunday night, while the Lions were drilled by a 56-21 count in Philadelphia...Chicago defenders considered questionable for Sunday include tackle Tommie Harris (knee) and linebacker Lance Briggs (groin), while cornerbacks Nathan Vasher (groin) and Charles Tillman (ankle) are out...Bears safety Adam Archuleta (broken hand) expected to play...Lions quarterback Jon Kitna leads the NFL in passing yards (980), and Detroit is tops in the league in passing offense (345.3 yards per game)...Bears and Lions have thrown a league-high-tying six interceptions through three games, and Chicago has an NFL-worst 44.7 passer rating...Bears have a league-worst 11 turnovers through three contests...Detroit line has surrendered a league-worst 15 sacks...Lions defense is tied for the NFL lead in takeaways (10), but has given up a league-high six rushing touchdowns.

Fast Fact: The last five meetings played between the Bears and Lions in Detroit have been settled by six points or fewer.

Prediction: Eagles exploited the porous Lions secondary, but don't expect visiting Chicago to do the same. Lions 19, Bears 17.

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Oakland (1-2) at Miami (0-3), Sunday, 1:00 (Miami -4)

Storylines: Daunte Culpepper, who went 1-3 as a starter with the Dolphins last season before being released prior to 2007, could make his first as a Raider in Miami this week...Dolphins still seeking their first win of the Cam Cameron era, and attempting to hand Trent Green his first win as Dolphins starting QB...Dolphins are one of five winless teams as Week 4 begins, along with the Bills, Falcons, Rams, and Saints...Dolphins last started 0-4 in 2004, when they dropped their first six en route to a 4-12 season under Dave Wannstedt and Jim Bates...Raiders running back LaMont Jordan has rushed for 100 yards on back-to-back weeks for the first time in his career...Status of Miami linebacker Zach Thomas (concussion), who missed last week's 31-28 loss to the Jets, unknown for Sunday...Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown rushed for 112 yards, added 99 receiving yards, and scored three touchdowns against the Jets...Miami wideout Chris Chambers vying for his third straight 100-yard receiving game.

Fast Fact: The Raiders are 0-6 in their last six regular season meetings with the Dolphins, and are 0-4 in Miami since last winning there in 1990.

Prediction: Dolphins know they won't win many, so expect them to rise to the challenge, especially against Culpepper. Dolphins 28, Raiders 21.

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Green Bay (3-0) at Minnesota (1-2), Sunday, 1:00 (Green Bay -2)

Storylines: Surprising Packers seek to keep sole possession of first place in the NFC North...Packers quarterback Brett Favre (420 TD passes) needs one touchdown pass to pass Dan Marino for first place on the NFL's all-time list...Green Bay is one of five NFL unbeatens as Week 4 begins, joining the Colts, Cowboys, Patriots, and Steelers...Packers trying to get to 4-0 for the first time since 1998, when they won their first four before finishing 11-5 in Mike Holmgren's final year with the club...Packers have won seven straight dating back to last season, and last won eight in a row in 1996-97, when they took nine straight decisions including a Super Bowl title...Vikings are likely to start veteran Kelly Holcomb in place of injured quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (groin) for a second straight week...Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson has gone over 100 rushing yards in two of his first three NFL games...Green Bay is 3-0 despite ranking dead last in the league in rushing offense (57 yards per game).

Fast Fact: Each of the last nine regular season games between the Packers and Vikings has been settled by six points or fewer, including six settled by three points or less.

Prediction: Vikings are awful, but logic says to take the team that can run the football and stop the run. Vikings 16, Packers 14.

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Tampa Bay (2-1) at Carolina (2-1), Sunday, 4:05 (Carolina -2½)

Storylines: Early battle for NFC South supremacy unfolds in Charlotte...Tampa Bay quarterback Jeff Garcia meets Carolina for the first time since Week 13 of the 2006 season, when the then-Eagles signal-caller ignited a Philly playoff run by engineering a 27-24 upset victory...The Buccaneers are 1-7 against the Panthers in the last four seasons, with their only win over that stretch coming by a 20-10 count at Bank of America Stadium in Week 14 of the 2005 campaign...Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme (elbow) expected to play despite getting knocked out late in last week's 27-20 win over the Falcons...Panthers backup David Carr completed 3-of-4 passes for 56 yards in relief against Atlanta...Garcia has yet to throw an interception in a Buccaneer uniform... Buccaneers running back Cadillac Williams (ribs) expected to start despite performance by backup Earnest Graham (8 carries, 75 yards, 2 TD) in last week's 24-3 rout of St. Louis.

Fast Fact: Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme has multiple touchdown passes in each of the last five games in which he has appeared.

Prediction: Buccaneers aren't great, but will show this week they're the "least bad" team in the horrid NFC South. Buccaneers 16, Panthers 10.

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Seattle (2-1) at San Francisco (2-1), Sunday, 4:05 (Seattle -2½)

Storylines: Winner of Seahawks/49ers battle will own sole possession of the NFC West heading into Week 5...49ers swept a home-and-home against Seattle last season...Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander expected to play despite cracked bone in left wrist...San Francisco wideout Darrell Jackson, who caught 441 passes and scored 47 touchdowns with the Seahawks from 2000 through 2006, faces his former team for the first time since being traded in the offseason...49ers allowed 205 rushing yards in last week's 37-16 loss to the Steelers...San Francisco running back and 2006 Pro Bowler Frank Gore still seeking his first 100-yard rushing game of the season...Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw TD passes to three different receivers in last week's 24-21 win over the Bengals...Seahawks secondary surrendered a combined 21 catches and 279 yards to Cincinnati wideouts Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh last Sunday.

Fast Fact: In every season since the current configuration of the NFC West came into existence in 2002, the team that has won the first game of the Seahawks/49ers home-and-home has also won the second contest.

Prediction: The changing of the NFC West guard officially takes place on Sunday. 49ers 24, Seahawks 20.

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Pittsburgh (3-0) at Arizona (1-2), Sunday, 4:15 (Pittsburgh -6)

Storylines: Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who served as an assistant with the Steelers from 2001 through 2006, faces his former team for the first time...Steelers in search of their first 4-0 start since 1979, when they finished 12-4 and won the Super Bowl under Chuck Noll...Pittsburgh is one of five unbeaten teams as Week 5 begins, joining the Colts, Cowboys, Packers, and Patriots...Matt Leinart expected to start at quarterback for Arizona despite being outplayed by Kurt Warner in last week's 26-23 loss to Baltimore... Steelers running back Willie Parker leads the NFL in rushing yards (368), and has gone over 100 yards in six of his last seven games dating back to last season...Pittsburgh is No. 1 in the league in rushing offense (198.3 yards per game)...Arizona wideout Anquan Boldin posted career-best 14 catches for 181 yards with two touchdowns versus Baltimore...Steelers have surrendered a league-low 26 points through three games...Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward (knee) is doubtful for Sunday...Cardinals line has allowed a league-low two sacks on the season...Pittsburgh kicker Jeff Reed leads the league in points (37).

Fast Fact: Cardinals running back Edgerrin James has scored at least one career touchdown against every AFC team but the Steelers.

Prediction: Arizona will come out with fire, but isn't physical enough to play with Pittsburgh for four quarters. Steelers 31, Cardinals 13.

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Denver (2-1) at Indianapolis (3-0), Sunday, 4:15 (Indianapolis -9½)

Storylines: Colts look to move to 17-2 in September under head coach Tony Dungy...Colts are one of five unbeaten teams as Week 5 begins, joining the Cowboys, Packers, Patriots, and Steelers...Indianapolis win streak is now at eight dating back to last season...Broncos quarterback and Indiana native Jay Cutler has at least one touchdown pass in each of his first eight NFL starts...Denver wideout Brandon Stokley played with the Colts from 2003 through 2006, catching 139 passes for 1,916 yards with 15 touchdowns...Broncos are allowing a league- low 88.3 passing yards per game...Denver surrendered 186 rushing yards in last week's 23-14 home loss to Jacksonville...Broncos running back Travis Henry totaled 216 yards on 39 attempts in two meetings with Indianapolis last season, both recorded as a member of the Tennessee Titans...Colts enter Week 4 just one game up on Houston, Jacksonville, and Tennessee in the AFC South.

Fast Fact: In his last two meetings with the Broncos, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has combined for 59-of-72 passing (82 percent) for 802 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception in two Indianapolis wins.

Prediction: Colts haven't always made it look easy in 2007, and Broncos are a team desperate for respect. Colts 30, Broncos 27.

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Kansas City (1-2) at San Diego (1-2), Sunday, 4:15 (San Diego -11½)

Storylines: Chiefs and Chargers trying to emerge from a second-place muddle in the AFC West that also includes the Raiders...Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson (130 rushing yards, 1 TD) and Chiefs rusher Larry Johnson (140 yards, 0 TD), both members of the AFC Pro Bowl team and the top two rushers in the NFL a year ago, have struggled to get untracked in 2007... Johnson has failed to score a touchdown in six of eight games dating back to last season...San Diego trying to avoid its first three-game losing streak in a single season since 2003, when it finished 4-12 under Marty Schottenheimer...Chiefs and Rams are the only two teams without rushing touchdowns through three weeks, and are tied with a league-low two touchdowns overall...The home team has won the last five games in the series, and Kansas City is 0-3 in San Diego since last winning there in 2003...Kansas City linebacker Donnie Edwards was a member of the Chargers from 2002 through 2006...San Diego has won nine straight games at home...

Fast Fact: The Chargers' Norv Turner is 0-5 against Kansas City in his career as a head coach.

Prediction: San Diego gets well against a Chiefs team that can't get out of its own way offensively. Chargers 24, Chiefs 3.

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Philadelphia (1-2) at N.Y. Giants (1-2), Sunday, 8:15 (Philadelphia -3)

Storylines: NFC East rivals, who last met in the 2006 playoffs, both seeking to build on their first wins of the 2007 season...Eagles routed Lions, 56-21, in Week 3, while Giants rallied to defeat Redskins, 24-17...New York wideout Plaxico Burress is tied for the NFL lead in touchdowns (5) along with Marion Barber III and Randy Moss...Burress (foot/ankle) is considered questionable for Sunday, while running back Brandon Jacobs (knee) is not likely to see action...Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb (381 passing yards, 4 TD), running back Brian Westbrook (221 combined yards, 3 TD), and wideout Kevin Curtis (11 receptions, 221 yards, 3 TD) all come off huge outings against Detroit...Eagles safety Brian Dawkins (neck) expected to return this week, but cornerback Lito Sheppard (knee) unlikely to return...Eagles defensive end Trent Cole leads the NFL in sacks (5), and Philadelphia is first in the league in team sacks (14)...Road team won both ends of last year's regular season home-and-home.

Fast Fact: Four of Eli Manning's seven career games with three touchdowns or more have come against NFC East opponents.

Prediction: Injury concerns continue to give the edge to whomever is playing the Giants. Eagles 27, Giants 22.

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New England (3-0) at Cincinnati (1-2), Monday, 8:30 (New England -7)

Storylines: Patriots try to keep rolling after outscoring their first three opponents by a composite score of 114-35...New England is one of five remaining unbeatens, joining the Colts, Cowboys, Packers, and Steelers...New England last started 4-0 in 2004, when it won its first six en route to a 14-2 finish and Super Bowl title...Bengals wideout Chad Johnson leads the NFL in receiving yards (442), and fellow target T.J. Houshmandzadeh is tops in the league in catches (29)...Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leads the NFL in passer rating (141.8), touchdown passes (10), and completion percentage (79.5)...New England is No. 1 in NFL total offense (441 yards per game) and has a league-high 15 touchdowns scored already in 2007...Brady has three or more touchdown passes in his first three games of 2007, and wideout Randy Moss has gone over 100 receiving yards in each game...Patriots are also tops in the league in total defense (207 yards per game)...Bengals could be without running back Rudi Johnson (hamstring) and wide receiver Tab Perry (groin).

Fast Fact: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has three or more touchdown passes in three consecutive games, the first time he has achieved that feat in an eight-year NFL career.

Prediction: Bengals won't have much of a clue against the New England offense. Patriots 38, Bengals 17.

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