This could’ve been the year for so many teams out in the west.

It was one more chance for Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren to gracefully ride off into the sunset after a playoff appearance. It was a fresh start for Raiders coach Lane Kiffin who acquired college sensation Darren McFadden in the draft. It was Mike Nolan’s time to finally get his 49ers over .500 and back to glory.

This list goes on and on for almost all eight of our teams in this focus (Arizona, Denver, Kansas City, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and St. Louis). Yet the sad reality is that, although the talent level may not have dropped, the efficiency in winning games has fallen substantially. Read more »

Lots of commotion today from ESPN.com and Fox 31 TV in Denver, who are reporting that between “six to ten” players have violated the league’s steroids policy. Only two names have been released thus far - Saints DE Will Smith and RB Deuce McAllister.

Obviously, the name of consequence in fantasy is that of McAllister. He filled the vacancy of injured RB Reggie Bush for roughly five days, then tested positive for the diuretic Bumetanide, according to Fox 31. If reports are true and McAllister does not successfully appeal, league rules dictate a four-game suspension for his first positive test. Read more »

Almost at the halfway point of the 2008 NFL season and we’ve had a lifetime’s worth of parity in just seven short weeks. Now three head coaches have been handed pink slips, the latest being Mike Nolan’s early exit out of San Francisco. Plenty more coaches remain on the hot seat, including Marvin Lewis, Rod Marinelli, and yes, even Wade Philips.

As for the matchups this week, prepare yourselves for big divisional rivalries like Buffalo-Miami, Seattle-San Francisco, and Indianapolis-Tennessee. If you’re fortunate enough, be sure not to miss the overseas game between the Chargers and Saints played in London as well as quite possibly the biggest matchup of the year so far in the “Steel” city. Read more »

Alright, back to square one. After a 5-9 Week 6, I’m back at an even .500 (43-43-2) on the year. All I can say is that if the Rams can win a game, then I can come up with a big week.

Before looking at the picks, let’s all visualize the unbeaten Titans and try to block out the negative energy of teams like the Bengals and Lions who have combined for an 0-11 start to the year. OK, that’s enough visualizing. It’s go time! Read more »

This year’s trade deadline came and went Tuesday afternoon, supplying several familiar faces in much newer places. Easily, the major deal included sending Detroit WR Roy Williams and a few draft picks to Dallas for a slew of similar draft picks, including a first rounder in next year’s draft.

Elsewhere, former MVP Shaun Alexander signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins, joining a club that already boasts the league’s leader in rushing yards, Clinton Portis.

The headline deal that wasn’t made was Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez. The disgruntled future Hall-of-Famer will now finish out the season with Kansas City, for better or worse. Read more »

TV junkies had probably already circled this Sunday night’s game months in advance. The long awaited rematch of New England and San Diego, last year’s AFC Championship Game, although with a different feel, still has the potential to go down to the wire.

Also, former division rivals square off when the Cowboys visit Arizona and the Ravens flock to Indianapolis, and current division rivals duke it out inside a Minnesota dome and in front of a pirate ship in Florida. Read more »

Two more days, and most NFL teams will hit the quarter pole of a 16-game season. Six bye weeks leave this weekend’s slate a little lighter than previous weeks, but there’s still plenty of Week 4 action to obsessively watch.

Divisional rivalries and an in-state shootout headline our top games to watch in this week’s edition of The DVR Report. Sunday Ticket owners with an abundance of choices and those who have the bad fortune of being away from a TV this week, press record for the following must-see games. Read more »

With their first win of the year, the San Diego Chargers can finally build towards a promising season. Brett Favre and the New York Jets may be heading in the opposite direction.

Philip Rivers stole the show with three touchdown passes on a beautiful Monday Night in southern California, as the Chargers defeated the Jets 48-29. Although these teams put up only one less point (77) than the Eagles and Cowboys (78) last Monday Night, this game felt over long before the final seconds expired. Read more »

Rookie fullback Jacob Hester proved himself a worthy backup to LaDainian Tomlinson and a threat at the goal-line, carrying 13 times for 49 yards and 2 touchdowns. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Hester made an even bigger mark when he threw his first career block.

Right now, Hester is the best bet to fill in for L.T., should an unfortunate injury occur, but may have the same kind of struggles as Rams’ hybrid halfback/fullback Brian Leonard had last season. These guys have enough size to be effective in small doses, but not enough speed or agility to be full-time backs. Read more »