The Good: Eight weeks in to the NFL season and we are starting to see the contenders separate themselves from the pretenders. We’re down to one undefeated team, the Atlanta Falcons at 7-0. Interestingly though, they are rarely the team mentioned as the best in the NFL. The one loss Houston Texans tend to get more credit, along with the one loss Chicago Bears, and the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants. After a slow start, it looks like New England Patriots are getting their act together. They have three losses on the season, but appear poised to dominate their division.

The Bad: First up on this list is the Detroit Lions. A young, brash team coming off a playoff berth is in last place in the NFC North. The Lions are 3-4 and have been outscored by their opponents so far. Three games out of first and facing a tough schedule makes me think that this Lions team won’t see the postseason this year. We can’t get through the bad without mentioning Philadelphia either. The Eagles are a mess, with controversy around the QB, head coach, and the defense. With Michael Vick and Andy Reid fighting for their jobs, most of the country has already given up on them. Finally, I have to mention the New York Jets. Mark Sanchez isn’t getting it done, but the team is wary of putting in the backup, Tim Tebow, to try and lead a turnaround. Under .500 and in danger of not making the playoffs, this team needs a face lift.

The Ugly: Let’s start with the New Orleans Saints. Sure, there was plenty of controversy surrounding the team this year, and they don’t really have a head coach. However, they still have Drew Brees, and the Super Bowl is in New Orleans this year. I thought that would be motivation enough to contend for the division title and try to become the first team to make the Super Bowl a true home game. Unfortunately, they are 2-5, and their defense looks anything but super. Next on the list is the Carolina Panthers. Cam Newton is having a rough season, and the team is only 1-6. They won 6 games last year, and in the offseason, Ryan Kalil took out a full page ad in the newspaper guaranteeing a super bowl for this team. Nice try Ryan, but you tricked yourself and your fans into thinking your team could get it done this year. Instead, they are among the lowest scoring and most disappointing teams in the NFL.

Good thing there are still 9 weeks left before the regular season ends. Every team still has a chance to change their fortune.

All of the predictions and preseason statistics are out the window now that the ball is in the air and the NFL season is underway. One of the major story lines of the preseason was the use of the replacement refs. I’ll be the first to admit I like seeing Ed “Hercules” Hochuli calling games, but realistically, the refs shouldn’t be a part of the outcome. In boxing, the saying goes “the ref did a great job if you didn’t notice him in the ring.” I feel much the same about football. With the exception of giving the Seattle Seahawks an extra time out last Sunday, I really didn’t notice the replacement refs too much. So that’s a plus for the NFL, but could be troublesome for the referees who are looking for leverage in their negotiations.

So that just leaves me with football to recap. After one week, teams that won shouldn’t get carried away and think Super Bowl, but teams that lost shouldn’t go out and burn their new Nike NFL jersey either. There is plenty of optimism for fans of the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Houston Texans and the Atlanta Falcons. Those teams won convincingly and have fans excited for the season. The next bunch of teams got the victory, but the jury is stil out. Those teams include the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccanneers, and the Denver Broncos just to name a few. Of the losers, fans of the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants, and New Orleans Saints have to be scratching their heads. What went so wrong that they started off 0-1? What if they lose this weekend and start the season 0-2? Since 1990, teams that start the season 0-2 make the playoffs less than 14% of the time. That’s a massive mountain to climb, which means that there are a number of teams that will be essentially playing for their season this weekend.

Best of luck to every team this weekend. I just want to see good football (and a Bears win). Regardless of who you cheer for, we’ll keep you up to date on what’s going on this season, as well as offer you the best selection of fashionable fan gear around. If you don’t believe me, click here to shop your NFL team and see for yourself.

We all knew it had to end some time. The question was whether Brett Favre’s consecutive game streak would end at his (final) retirement, or if an illness or injury would slow him down. Today, we find out that The Streak will end at 297 consecutive games started. Brett Favre is on the Vikings inactive list for tonight’s game against the New York Giants. For the first time since September 27, 1992, an NFL game will start with Brett Favre on the sidelines.

The Streak is the second longest in the history of the NFL, and by far the longest of any QB in league history. Only Jeff Feagles had a longer streak of consecutive games started, which ended last year at an amazing 352 games. I must mention though, Jeff Feagles is a punter… 352 games is still 352 games, but with only one bar on his facemask, it is clear that punters aren’t in the NFL for their tackling ability. I still applaud the longevity and the effort.

Back to Brett though. His 297 consecutive games streak began with the Green Bay Packers, traveled to the New York Jets, and ended up with the Minnesota Vikings after a few more retirement announcements. He has gone on record to say that he will not play again next year. With a sprained shoulder and a team that is out of playoff contention, we may have all seen the last of Brett Favre in an NFL uniform. The Vikings, who started the season as a Super Bowl XLV contender, are now reduced to Tavaris Jackson as their starter, and will probably face considerable QB questions in the offseason. If this is the end, I will say thanks for the memories.

Click here to see all Brett Favre merchandise.

It’s been months since I’ve had a chance to write for the blog, and I’m happy to announce that we’re putting the band back together for a limited release Sold Out Tour. Sold Out probably isn’t the right analogy…let’s say By Invitation Only. So congratulations, valued reader, if you can see this, you’re seat is being held.

After my transition to the purchasing team, I’ve been spending most of my hours at the office practicing my multiplication tables again. I’m now openly searching for a math-only assistant so if anyone knows an out-of-work 4th grader looking to get a foot in the door, give me a ring.

Over the next few weeks leading up to the baseball season, we’ll be executing our three man weave to bring you previews for all 30 teams.

I know what you’re saying…Baseball?!?! In January?

Or

Who are you again?

Well, I understand the NFL is still Homecoming King of this high school, but before we know it football will pass and the nerdy A/V kid (baseball) will get his moment in the spotlight…for seven glorious months.

Personally, as of this morning, my Jets are still alive in the NFL playoff picture. Although, like the most popular man from LaGuardia to Newark, I too thought Gang Green had been eliminated mere weeks ago with their 7th loss of the season. Silly Rex.

Brent has his Vikings going full Favre ahead right now too, so for the time being, we’re both primarily concerned with football, much like the rest of you out there.

Ariel on the other hand…Well…Ariel didn’t have himself a very good weekend.

As with any division of people and goods, we held a draft last week to determine who would cover each team. With the first pick in the 2010 Baseball Preview Blog Draft, Brent selected his hometown Twins. I chose the back to back NL Pennant winning Philadelphia Phillies and Ariel was able grab his Cubbies with the 3rd (read: Last) pick.

While his Cowboys and Cubs aren’t looking so good, Ariel’s future in showbiz is as bright as ever. Check him out HERE.

So we’ll just slowly dive into it with some of the less attractive teams out there. Sorry Nationals, Padres and Diamondbacks, but someone has to be picked last.

Hopefully this will take some of the sting away from a long cold February that doesn’t offer much in the way of sports entertainment. Enjoy the previews as we push right through to Spring Training.