Half Time Observations

Week 10 Early Game observations:

Atlanta 17, New Orleans 6: Rookie Matt Ryan is outplaying potential MVP-candidate Drew Brees in this game. I was skeptical about this kid taking over from day one, but he is playing better than most of the veteran starters in the league.

Tennessee 7, Chicago 7: Rex Grossman hasn't completely imploded, with one TD and one INT. Kerry Collins is a surprise with 180 passing yards and a touchdown in the first half. Chicago's plan is clear, they're going to completely shut down the run game and force Collins to beat them through the air. So far Chicago has held Tennessee to -5 yards on 13 carries, but Collins is doing enough to keep the Titans in the game. This one is going to be interesting.

Jacksonville 24, Detroit 7: Culpepper is knocking off some of the rust. He might lead this team to one or two wins this season, but it won't be this week. The Jaguars are taking advantage of Garrards efficient passing and Jones-Drew's 3 TDs.

Baltimore 12, Houston 6: This game can go either way. Joe Flacco is looking as good as Matt Ryan, while Sage Rosenfells is tossing an average game in substitute for Matt Schaub. He has 160 yards, but also threw one INT.

Miami 14, Seattle 7: Miami is a real threat in the league this year with Chad Pennington behind center and Ronnie Brown in the backfield. Ricky Williams has a 51-yard rushing touchdown, 106 yards overall in the first half. Ted Ginn has a 39-yard TD and the Dolphins defense is playing well. The only Seattle score is on an interception return. They have an upfield battle to get back into this one.

New England 10, Buffalo 3: Matt Cassel has his first touchdown run of the season. The Patriots are playing tough defense, but the game is still pretty tight.

New York Jets 40, St. Louis 0: Everyone in the country feels bad for the Rams. Everyone, that is, except Cowboys and Redskins fans. How can such a terrible team win back-to-back games agains two franchises considered contenders in the NFC?

Minnesota 14, Green Bay 10: Minnesota has 2 safeties in the game. One was questionable, one was decisive. Green Bay has 2 interceptions in the first half, though, which has kept them in the mix.

That's the state of the early games at the half.