Week 9 Judgements: Rookie? Flacco isn't playing like one

1. It's time to take Baltimore seriously ... and not just because of its defense. The Ravens had to rely on a rookie quarterback and rookie running back to overcome a 14-point deficit in the second half. I swear, the more I see Joe Flacco the more I believe the Ravens have their quarterback for the next 10 years.

2. Yeah, Rex Grossman looked good against Detroit, but who doesn't? Let's wait another week before deciding which Rex the Bears have now. He faces unbeaten Tennessee, and tell me that's not perfect timing. The Titans are tied for the league lead in interceptions with 13.

3. Kerry Collins isn't the perfect quarterback for Tennessee just because he doesn't make mistakes; he makes big throws when he has to make them, and rewind the videotape to that 13-yard pass to Brandon Jones at the end of the fourth quarter. Marvelous. So was that entire drive from the Tennessee 8. Bottom line: Collins put Rob Bironas in position twice at the end to win it. Vince Young wouldn't ... couldn't ... have done that.

4. I look at Detroit's schedule, and I can't find a win in there, either. But, trust me, it will happen. It's tougher to go 0-16 than it is 16-0.

5. That does it. You have nothing to lose, Romeo Crennel. Give the ball to Brady Quinn.

6. If it's third-and-2, and I have my choice of running backs, I'm not going with LaDainian Tomlinson or Clinton Portis or even Adrian Peterson. Give me Brandon Jacobs. The guy isn't a running back; he's a runaway semi.

7. Lane Kiffin never looked better than now.

8. For all the grief Denver's defense takes, anyone notice what Jay Cutler and the Broncos' offense have done lately? Uh-huh, zilch. The Broncos haven't scored more than 19 points in any of their past five games, with Cutler throwing seven TDs and eight interceptions in that time.

9. The more I see of Denver and San Diego the more I believe 9-7 ... maybe even 8-8 ... wins the AFC West.

10. It's time to give up on Jacksonville. The Jags can't win at home and can't win in Cincinnati.

11. When Defensive Player of the Year votes are counted, Atlanta's John Abraham will have to be considered. He had three more sacks Sunday and 10 for the season.

12. The Jets knew what they were doing with that big offseason move, only it wasn't Brett Favre who beat Buffalo. It was defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.

13. Look no further than Bernard Berrian for the greatest impact Gus Frerotte has on Minnesota. The Vikes invested millions in Berrian, hoping to create a passing game, but he did nothing until Frerotte appeared in the huddle. Now he has a touchdown catch in four straight games.

14. The Chiefs might be OK with Tyler Thigpen after all, but I can't figure out where: Quarterback or receiver?

15. So Chad Pennington doesn't have the strong arm to get the ball downfield. Any idea who has the most yards passing among Pennington, Favre and Aaron Rodgers? If you said Pennington you get a one-day Mensa pass. He has nine more yards than Rodgers, yet fewer attempts and completions than either Rodgers or Favre.

Just asking but ...

• Which division is worse -- the NFC West or the AFC West?

• What happens to Chicago without Kyle Orton?

• Why couldn't Dallas find a better backup than Brad Johnson?

• Where has Brandon Marshall gone?

• Who's the AFC East favorite now?

Five things I like

1. Getting the Bills back on local TV in Buffalo.

2. The play of Cincinnati defensive back Johnathan Joseph. Not only did he save the day by knocking down a pass for the two-point conversion; he had a team-high 15 tackles.

3. Kurt Warner in St. Louis, no matter what uniform he's wearing.

4. Madieu Williams' debut as a Viking. His end-zone interception saved the Vikings.

5. Peyton Manning looking like ... well, Peyton Manning. Welcome back.

Five things I don't

1. Dallas rookie Michael Jenkins on that Derrick Ward TD. If you're going to watch the game, Michael, stand on the sidelines.

2. Arizona calling on Kurt Warner on fourth-and-goal at the 1. I can understand it if it's a pass; but a quarterback sneak? Please. Warner has one rushing touchdown the past three-and-a-half seasons and three in his career. If he's your best option you're in trouble.

3. Brett Favre throwing across the field with the Jets up by 13 in the fourth quarter. Favre was the only one who could've brought back the Bills ... and he nearly did.

4. Buffalo without Aaron Schobel and Josh Reed. The Bills get crippled on both sides of the ball.

5. Brad Johnson's chances of playing again ... anywhere.

Numbers, numbers, numbers

minus-2 -- Oakland's first-half yardage.
0 -- 100-yard games for Terrell Owens.
1 -- Brett Favre wins in Buffalo.
14 -- Denver yards rushing.
131 -- Yards receiving by Brent Celek. Brent who?
0-2 -- Buffalo's record since Dick Jauron gained a contract extension.
45:15 -- Atlanta's time of possession.
2006 -- Last time Oakland won consecutive home games.

Next weekend's three best games

New York Giants at Philadelphia -- Eagles make a run for the top of NFC East.
Buffalo at New England -- More trouble for Bills: They've lost 14 of last 15 to Pats.
Indianapolis at Pittsburgh -- Another must-win game for never-say-die Colts.

My top five

1. Tennessee
2. N.Y. Giants
3. Pittsburgh
4. Carolina
5. Washington

My bottom five

32. Detroit
31. Cincinnati
30. Kansas City
29. San Francisco
28. Oakland