The Answers

…to the NFL Questions from Week 4…

1) In essence, there wasn’t much the Rams could do. Multiple starters continued to fall from the Ram offensive line (at one point, they were down to their last reserve) and Marc Bulger admittedly played two to three series he shouldn’t have. Despite keeping it close until late in the first half, mainly thanks to a nice punt return for a touch from “The Human Joystick” Dante Hall, the Ram defense nor offense had what it took to stay on the field, losing 35-7, with Tony Romo and the 4-0 Dallas Cowboys.

2) In a word, YES. The Raiders, tied atop the AFC West with Denver and Kansas City at 2-2, are playing quite well under their first year coach. Daunte Culpepper, filling in for injured starter Josh McCown, was praised all week during practice by Kiffin and responded, despite only officially being named the starter on Friday afternoon, with 5 total TDs (2 in the air and 3 on the ground). Producing like that, in Miami of all places, has Culpepper and his fellow Raiders as confident as anyone has seen in recent memory. Even when LaMont Jordan went down early, Justin Fargas stepped right in and compiled 179 yards rushing on 22 carries. By winning the turnover battle and relying on a staunch defensive effort, Oakland may have finally emerged from the depths of depression they were mired in for the past five-plus seasons: in large part to Lane Kiffin.

3) Not so much. In fact, Carr could only complete two measly “passes” to all-world wideout Steve Smith, for 5 yards, for the majority of the game (Smith finished with 5 receptions for 32 yards). Carr was indecisive and altogether ineffective for a 1-3 Carolina Panthers squad that seems miles away from last season’s SI pre-season Super Bowl projections.

4) It shouldn’t have and it didn’t. Favre connected with Greg Jennings for the record-breaking score and added another late to James Jones. The Packers are 4-0 and atop a new-look NFC North. Although I must admit, not surprisingly, that NBC’s Peter King was borderline pathetic in his attempt to draw out the deepest and most innate sympathies and emotions out of Favre during their Sunday Night “interview”. Shameless promotion PK. Nice job handling it Mr. Favre.

5) LT and the Chargers are 1-3. Everything can’t be blamed on Norv either. The defense, under Ted Cotrell, stinks and Phillip Rivers looks beyond awful. Perhaps the Eli deal wasn’t that lopsided after all. As for LJ, he was tough and rugged for the majority of the matchup (despite being stoned early in the game at the goal line). Late in the game, LJ busted open a 38 yarder to ice the Chargers and allow fantasy owners a peak at a game over 100 yards. LT was okay, for LT at least, while LJ remained out of the endzone yet again.

***Extra Credit Question***
Westbrook didn’t play, while Alexander was solid enough, Winslow II had two spectacular receptions during two key TD drives, and Plexico made yet another tough TD catch against the Iggles. Question answered.