Join me as I live blog this game on The Score – Link

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PREVIEW

A division game, on the big stage and the Broncos are still undefeated. Yes you read correctly, the Kyle Orton led, 5-0 Broncos head to San Diego for their first Monday night game of the season. They are by far the most surprising team of the young season and tonight is a statement game for them.

The last time these two teams met, the Chargers laid a beat down on the Broncos, 52-21, ending their playoff hopes in the final game of 2008. A coaching change along with getting rid of the QB drama was just what the team needed. The Broncos have found a good balance between their ground and passing game. Their running game is averaging 139 yards and the Chargers give up over 150 rushing yards a game, so the backs need to exploit this. Orton has gotten better each week and he looks settled on his new team.

The Chargers offense is not to be ignored. Quarterback Phillip Rivers can compete with the best of them and has some nice targets in Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates. The ground game has been lacking but coming off a bye week, LaDanian Tomlinson should be well rested to add some punch to what Darren Sproles already brings to the field. After beating the Patriots last week, the Denver defensive unit should be able to come through against a potent Charger offense.

YouTube is known for featuring hilarious videos. And several members of “America’s Team” do not disappoint when it comes to online entertainment. The Dallas Cowboys have featured locker room antics caught on tape by Tashard Choice (not sure how ol’ Jerry feels about them) – and guaranteed they will have you in stitches. (Thanks to Choice’s vids, Marcus Spears is now another favourite footballer of mine. He and his wife are so cute!).

But I’ve bookmarked one channel in particular. With the “Cap’n Crunch” song ringing through my ears (more on that later), I’ve decided the next Man Behind the Mask is tight end Martellus Bennett of the Dallas Cowboys.

I first watched Bennett (or Marty B. as he’s known in fan circles) going through his rookie struggles on HBO’s critically-acclaimed football series  ”Hard Knocks“. Bennett was a first-year footballer living in palatial digs with a sweet little puppy who decided to leave his owner a little surprise to clean up before heading off to training camp. Cute.

Bennett was a second-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. At only 22 years old (dear Lord…twenty-two! I was born in the 80s too…the EARLY 80s. I’ll leave it there) he still has a lot to learn as wears the legendary Cowboys uniform. While working hard to learn the team’s offense he was awarded a four-year contract.

Marty B. chronicles his off-the-field activities through YouTube. Through the online video channel, fans can check out his growing shoe collection, his attempt in culinary arts (check out the dog’s cameo), and watch him get his Motown swag on (a hilarious rendition of The Temptations’ “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”).

But here’s the one that has me singing along.

The Cap’n Crunch vid is one of his highlights. True 80s babies know the Super Mario theme. And Bennett decides to express his love for the popular cereal in a rhyme. Or several.

Knowing his love for the Cap’n, I told him via Twitter that his verbiage regarding the sweet breakfast treat led me to search for Berry variety. Unfortunately, they no longer carry it in Canada. Marty B. responded: “That blows.” Indeed, it does!

Bennett isn’t all play and no work. When he’s not encapsulating his life in a YouTube vid he’s hard at work helping others in his community with The Martellus Bennett Truly Blessed Foundation. It’s also great to see Bennett’s passion lies in not only football and his faith in God – but his family.

In an interview with DallasCowboys.com writer Nick Eatman, Bennett described his plans if he weren’t playing the great game of football: hip-hop star, acting or designing clothes.

Thanks to his marketable online presence, I can see Marty B. excelling in all three.

Maybe he’ll have the Cap’n do a cameo on a song.

You can follow Martellus Bennett on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Jupiters_crunch

I can’t believe its week 5 already. Things have gone as planned for some teams while others are still struggling to find an identity. Week 5 is generally when the great teams start separating themselves from the pack and the games on tap for Sunday should cover the spectrum from blowouts to nail-biters.

Blowout Central

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook will be back for the Eagles after some added rest from the bye week. Their services may not be required for the duration of the game as they go up against a win-less Tampa Bay team. Philadelphia has gotten solid performances from their reserve players and should be able to handle anything the Josh Johnson led team brings at them. (Eagles win 31 – 13)

Dallas Cowboys @ Kansas City Chiefs: Dallas couldn’t have wished for a better opponent after last weeks debacle. Tony Romo has his chance at redemption and the Dallas ground game should be in full force. The Romo-Witten connection on its own should be good enough to keep the Chiefs playing catch up all game. (Cowboys win 28-10)

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Detroit Lions: Rashard Mendenhall had his coming out party last week and should continue to cause havoc against the Lions rush defense. Ben Roethlisberger should have plenty of time in the pocket as well against a Lions team that has given up the most points in the NFL to date this season. The Lions may still be celebrating that victory from a week 3 but this game will prove to be a reminder as to where they belong. (Steelers win 24-9)

Underdog Victories?

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos: The Broncos are 4-0. Kinda crazy and this week they have a chance to upset the Patriots who have shown weaknesses in past weeks. Brian Dawkins has emerged big time on the defensive end for the Broncos and his unit may just be able to rattle Tom Brady enough to slip a few times. Kyle Orton is far from the cream of the crop when it comes to QB’s but he is getting the job done and has won over the fans in the mile high city for now. (Broncos win 28-24)

Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans:The Titans are 0-4. The surprise team from last season has fallen back to earth but things have to turn around soon right? How about this week in a shootout of sorts? I expect this one to be close Titans are going to need to clean up the kinks and come together under the lights. (Titans win 34-31)

New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins:Intriguing game this Monday night. The Dolphins showed some sign of life last week and maybe they build on that enough to hand the Jets a second loss in a row. Rookie QB Sanchez was exposed last week against the Saints who are hardly known for their defense and may not be fully recovered from that. (Dolphins win 21-17)

The Others…

Minnesota Vikings @ St Louis Rams: Vikings win 34-14
Washington Redskins @ Carolina Panthers: Panthers win 21-9
Oakland Raiders @ New york Giants: Giants win 20-10
Cleveland Browns @ Buffalo Bills: Bills win 17-14
Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens: Ravens win 24-21
Atlanta Falcons @ San Fransisco 49′ers: 49′ers win 28-21
Houston Texans @ Arizona Cardinals: Cardinals win 24-17
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Seattle Seahawks: Jaguars win 24-20

Join me as I live blog this game on The Score – Link

*This live blog is accessible through the web, your iPhone/iPod Touch (Details) or Blackberry (Details)*

PREVIEW

After sitting through some blowouts on Sunday, tonight’s game comes loaded with probably the most compelling storyline to date this season. Brett Favre may not be shouting it from the tree tops, but if there was one game he had marked off on his calendar when he signed with the Vikings it was this one. And don’t think Aaron Rodgers is going to just sit back and let this be the Favre show either. He wants to show the fans and the front office that he is still the right guy for the job in Green Bay.

Last week, Favre led his team to a win in a thrilling game that ended with one shot to the endzone. The catch was overshadowed by the throw, but that’s just the way it goes when Brett Favre is on your team. Even though, once again he became the story of the game, playing on the Vikings gives him a luxury that most QB’s don’t have – Adrian Peterson. Peterson, arguably the best RB in the game will get a chance to do a lot of the damage tonight breaking through the weaker Packer line.

The Packers are not talked about much but aside from the ugly loss to the Bengals, they have managed to hold their own. Aaron Rodgers completed 13-of-23 passes for 269 yards including big plays down the field to Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. The Packers D is going to have a much bigger challenge tonight after giving up a lot to the hapless Rams.

Everyone watching the game will be focused on the Brett Favre drama but the main advantage the Vikings have in this one is Peterson. Favre will have his moments, but I don’t think he will be the primary reason the Vikings get the win tonight.

Join me as I live blog this game on The Score – Link

*This live blog is accessible through the web, your iPhone/iPod Touch (Details) or Blackberry (Details)*

PREVIEW

Mark Sanchez has been near perfect as a rookie QB – 4 TD’s and over 600 yards with only 2 interceptions. On this date he will need to be even better in order to compensate for the challenge the Jets D is going to be facing up against the NFL’s best offensive team who also happen to be 3-0. The Jets also need to get the running game going as they are going to need all the offensive weapons they have.

The Saint’s on the other hand, have never trailed in a game this season. A total of 15 touchdowns and a NFL-best 40 points per game makes them a nightmare for any defense. Drew Brees threw 9 touchdown passes over his first 2 games but was shut out against Buffalo. It didn’t affect the team as they managed to get things done on the ground last week.

You can’t stay perfect forever… or atleast that’s the case for one of these teams after today’s match up.