In what has to be on eof the most ridiculous things to ever come out of a professional quarterbacks mouth, Donovan McNabb stated during a postgame press conference, that he was unaware of the overtime rule in the NFL.

The rule McNabb was referring to is of course the fact that an NFL game can end in a tie if neither team scores during the overtime period. This was the case when the Eagles and Bengals played on Sunday ending in a 13-13 tie.

When asked McNabb said, “I’ve never been a part of a tie. I never even knew that was in the rule book. It’spart of the rules and we have to go with it. I was looking forward to the next opportunity to get out there and try to drive to win the game.”

McNabb in a postgame press conference talks about the overtime rule.

I mean this really has to be the silliest thing a professional QB could possibly say. Not only did McNabb not know the rule, but he didn’t help his team much on the field either, turning the ball over 4 times in the contest, the first time he’s done that since 2003.

While the tie does not entirely destroy the Eagles post season hopes it sure doesn’t help. At 5-4-1 the Eagles find themselves in last place in the NFC East and unless they go on a winning streak have little chance at a wild card berth either.

Now to be fair many people have suggested that had McNabb known the rule perhaps he would have played more agrresively in overtime. One, McNabb has been throwing the ball agressively all day long and it resulted in the 3 interceptions. Two, to suggest that he would have some how tried harder to win the game had he known that it would end in a tie is just plain silly. McNabb was out there trying to win no matter what the rule was that’s his job.

The Eagles will move on this season and make no mistake about it, McNabb will be the quarterback, despite Eagles fans calling for his job and possibly his head. What should be noted is that McNabb’s contract is up next season and its likely that the two will part ways. The real question is will head coach Andy Reid remain in Philadelphia if they don’t make the playoffs this season? That remains to be seen, for now the Eagles must refocus their attention on making a postseason run.

It’s been a long while since the New England Patriots were not the number one team in the AFC East heading into week ten. Fortunately for Jets fans that time has finally come.

Lead by a resilient offense that refused to lose despite some questionable defensive play calling the New York Jets defeated the Patriots 34-31 in overtime Thursday night at Gillette Stadium.

The Jets actually led the game 24-6 shortly before half time, but relinquished a 19 yard TD pass from Matt Cassell who connected with Jabar Gafney just before the half ended to make the score 24-14. From that point on it seemed that New England had all the momentum climbing back into the game and eventually knotting the score at 24.

The Jets were able to muster little offense until their final drive in the 4th quarter when Brett Favre led his team on64 yard 14 play drive that ate up 7:50 on the clock. The drive was capped by a Thomas Jones touchdown run after the Patriots committed two fouls on the drive to keep the Jets alive.

After the ensuing kickoff the Patriots and QB Matt Cassel drove down the field in just over a minute, with Jets playing mostly prevent defense, a decision which struck many as odd. Cassel connected with Randy Moss who made a spectacular grab to tie the game at 31 with just one second remaining on the clock.

The Jets sideline looked completely deflated after the touchdown and many, including the games commentator Chris Collinsworth, questioned why the Jets would suddenly change their defense, which had played bump and run on Moss the entire game, and allow him to run free into the end zone.

As is the case with all NFL games that end regulation in a tie the ensuing possession was determined by a coin toss which the Jets won. The Jets took the ball and never relinquished control, getting a huge third down conversion from tight end Dustin Keller on a third and fifteen when they were backed up deep in their own end.

After the Jets drive finally stalled at the Patriots 34 yard line the Jets called on place kicker Jay Feely to seal the victory. Feely’s attempt sailed just inside the right upright giving the Jets a 34-31 victory and sole possession of first place in the AFC East.

The loss nullified a spectacular performance from Patriots QB Matt Cassel, who was 30 of 51 on the night for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also ran eight times for 62 yards, all career highs. Favre was 26-33 on the night for 258 yards and 2 TD.

This marks just the second victory for the Jets in their last thirteen games against New England. The Jets face the undefeated Tennessee Titans next, while the Pats will square off against their other division rival the Miami Dolphins who defeated the Patriots earlier this year.

Ok, by this time in the fantasy football season you’re either a playoff contender or not. Either way there is still satisfaction to be gained. Maybe you knock off one of your leagues top players, or maybe you need a win to secure a playoff spot. Whether you’re a contender or not you’re still going to want to play your best players, so here are the top 5 running backs for this week in fantasy football.

1. Michael Turner- Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have been one of the most surprising teams in the NFL this year. Matt Ryan has played above and beyond expectations and free agent signee Michael Turner has performed likewise. Turner has one of the most favorable match ups in fantasy this week when he faces off against the 27th ranked rush defense of the Denver Broncos. Though the Falcons have been moving the ball well through the air they are more likely to put the ball in Turners hands and work off the play action pass. Turner could have an explosive week and is a must start in every league.

2. Matt Forte- Chicago Bears

Forte is pretty much a must start every week, especially after the performance he put last week against a stout Titans defense. With Rex Grossman taking the snaps Chicago will have to lean a bit more heavily on its running game then they did when Kyle Orton was under center and that’s good news for Forte owners. The even better news is that Forte will be playing a Green Bay defense which has been pretty dismal against the run this year ranking 28th overall and surrendering 154.6 yards and one rushing touchdown per game. Forte has also been getting done in the passing game so he’s a great play this week.

3. Frank Gore- San Francisco 49ers

Gore has had a nice comeback season after his disappointing year last year. He has rushed for over 90 yards in five games this season and is facing the St. Louis Rams this week, a very nice match up for any running back. The Rams are giving up 160 yards on the ground so far this season and Gore could come close to matching that total. Since Mike Singletary took over the head coaching the duties the Niners have shifted from a pass first team, to a power running team which more then compliments Gore’s sweet fantasy match up. If you have Gore he better be in your lineup this week, and if you’re facing Gore…pray.

4. DeAngelo Williams- Carolina Panthers

Williams has been somewhat of an unexpected surprise this season as it was expected that Jonathan Stewart would shoulder the bulk of the carries. So far Williams has performed admirable when given the chance and was one of the few bright spots in last weeks horrific game between the Raiders and Panthers. This week Williams will face off against the dismal Detroit Lions who allow 161.2 rushing yards and 1.56 rushing touchdowns per game. While a split in carries may occur Williams is still in line for a big day and should find the end zone.

5. Chris Johnson- Tennessee Titans

The explosive rookie was stifled last week by Chicago’s run defense and has to be aching to get back on the field and strut his stuff. He will have a good chance to do it this week against a Jacksonville defense which has struggled agains the run all season. Johnson rushed for 93 yards against the Jags in the season opener and added 34 yards receiving and a touchdown. A similiar performance should be expected this week so start Johnson if its an option.

In a decision that was more of a formality then an actual vote, Indians lefty Cliff Lee took home this seasons American League Cy Young award.

Lee had a resurgent season going 22-3 with a  2.54 ERA. He received 24 of 28 first-place votes and 132 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay finished second in the voting with four first-place votes and 71 points. Francisco Rodriguez the record setting closer of the L.A. Angels finished third in the voting with 32 points.

Lee is perhaps one of the most unlikely Cy Young winners in recent history considering his dismal performance in the 2007 season. Lee was an 18-game winner in 2005, but was injured in spring training the following year and performed so poorly he was sent to the minors. Upon his return to the big leagues Lee finished the 2007 season with a 5-8 record and a 6.29 ERA.

Lee earned himself a spot in the rotation this season after a strong spring training and became the American leagues best pitcher from April on. In fact, Lee was so dominant at the beginning of the season that his ERA stood at a miniscule 0.69 following his first 7 starts. At the All-Star break Lee was an impressive 12-2 with a 2.31 ERA and had worke dhis way from fifth in the rotation to ace of the staff.

Perhaps most impressively is that Lee did this with an incosistent Indian club behind him, and though the team rallied late in the season to finish with an 81-81 record none of that would have been possible had it not been for the stellar performance of Lee.

Lee led the AL In ERA and finished second, behind Halladay, in complete games (four) and innings pitched (221 1-3). Lee also finished the season with 170 strikeouts.

Lee is the first Indians pitcher to win 20 games since Gaylord Perry did it in 1974 and is just the third Cy Young winner in franchise history.

1. Donovan McNabb vs. Cincy

The Bengals suck its really that simple and if you’re a McNabb owner you’re probably happy as hell about it because thats who he’ll be facing this weekend. McNabb has been strong since coming off the bye in week 8 averaging about 25 fantasy points per game and tossing multiple TD passes in all but one game. The Eagles are in a must win situation this week and should attack Cincy on all cylinders. Expect McNabb to have a solid day as long as Westbrook doesn’t steal all the thunder.

2.Brady Quinn vs. Buffalo

Quinn made his NFL Debut last week with a favorable matchup against the hapless and Bailey-less Denver Broncos defense and it was a solid debut indeed. With Quinn in the lineup the Browns are much more productive and protective of the ball as Quinn prefers a dink and dunk style offense to the down the field game of Derek Anderson. Buffalo has been absolutely depleted by injuries on the defensive side of the ball and barely even resemble the team that started out the season red hot. Quinn should put together a multiple touchdown effort and throw for good yardage, a good start for anyone who plucked Quinn off the waiver wire.

3. Matt Ryan vs. Denver Broncos

Obviously its good to play the Broncos if you’re a QB and better if you’re a fantasy owner who owns a QB facing them. Ryan has posted three straight multi-touchdown games and has really found a groove with WR Roddy White, and WR Michael Jenkins. Given Quinn’s performance against this defense I expect Ryan to pick up right where Quinn left off and likely exceed Quinn’s totals. A 300 yard multi-TD effort is well within reach.

4. Ben Roethlisberger vs. San Diego

Ok, so Big Ben has come up pretty small in a number of games this year, but I think he has a chance to get back on track against the Chargers this week. After all, the Chargers do have the worst rated passing defense in the league  giving up an average of 266 yards and 3 touchdowns. Given Ben’s lack of protection that may be a bit much to expect but a multi-td 200-250 yard performance is within reach as long as he stays healthy and on the field.

5. Jake Delhomme vs. Detroit

After you see that tag line there should be no reason to wonder why Delhomme is on the list, its simple he’s playing the Detroit Lions. The Lions suck in every single phase of the game and Carolina should dominate the game though they should’ve dominated last weeks horrow show against Oakland and didn’t. However, Delhomme should find the end zone at least twice and should put up over 200 yards passing so its still a very, very good matchup.

Well, what is there really to say about the Oakland Raiders at this point? Talk about a franchise in absolute turmoil, this team seems not to even know which way is up at this point.

The Raiders in usual Al Davis fashion went on a free agent spending spree in the off season and inked corner back Deangelo Hall to a $70 million contract. Apparently the Raiders decided that they didn’t like Hall or the deal all that much and have since released him after just 8 games.

The move is perhaps one of the most shocking moves seen at the half way point of an NFL season in quite some time. It seems to have left a number of Oakland’s own players stupefied, “I’ve never been in a situation where you cut one of the best players,” said safety Gibril Wilson, another of the team’s off season acquisitions. “That’s strange to me. It’s almost like we’re throwing in the towel.”

Granted Hall may not have demonstrated that he was worthy of a 7 year $70 million contract, but he was still adjusting to Oakland’s mainly man-to-man defensive scheme and was showing signs of improvement in recent weeks.

Since taking over for the fired Lane Kiffin, Tom Cable and his coaching staff have made a number of questionable personnel moves. Cable took safety Michael Huff out of the starting lining and has actually relegated him to third on the depth chart. Cable has also relegated Ronald Curry the teams leading receiver the past two seasons to special teams duty, but has stated that high priced wide receiver Javon Walker who has just 13 receptions this year is in no danger of losing his job?

Guess what Tom the only person whose going to be in danger of losing his job is you, especially when you make moves like this that completely destroy the players confidence in your ability to do what is right for the team.

Doing what is right for the team isn’t always necessarily what you think is right for the team, you must also consider how the players in your locker room will respond to the decisions you make and from everything that has been coming out of Oakland it does not look like they are responding positively.

So, as usual things just keep deteriorating in the black hole and I’m betting most players and fans are waiting for the day when Al Davis, or Tom Cable for that fact are no longer calling the shots.

1. The Miami Dolphins:

Chad Pennington leading the Dolphins to a surprising first half record.

The Dolphins may be the biggest surprise of the first half of the NFL season. The team has already tripled their win total from all of last season and has done so in surprising fashion with wins over San Diego, Buffalo, and New England. In fact the way Brett Favre has played of late the Jets might be regretting letting him go, especially to a division rival.  The Dolphins have definitely surprised a few people in the NFL and though they may not make the playoffs this season, Parcells and company seem to have things headed in the right direction.

2. The Atlanta Falcons:

After losing franchise player Mike Vick to a prison sentence the Falcons were a franchise in complete disarray. They seem to have found their answer though in QB Matt Ryan who has exceeded everyone’s expectations in his rookie campaign, and who along with free agent signee Michael Turner has led the Falcons to a surprising 4-3 record. The Falcons face a tough second half schedule, but if Matt Ryan and Roddy White continue to develop their chemistry, and if Michael Turner continues his own success then the Falcons could continue to surprise in the final 8 weeks of the season.

3. The Tennessee Titans:

Titans dynamic rookie Chris Johnson.

At 7-0 the Titans stand alone as the only undefeated team in the NFL and have done so in convincing fashion. The Titans have a stout defense that has surrendered just 88 points so far this year, by far the fewest in the NFL. They also have the NFL’s fourth ranked rushing attack with dynamic rookie Chris Johnson and goal line beast Lendale White. Yet, perhaps the most surprising thing about the Titans season to date is that they have done all this without the services of Vince Young, who has been supplanted by the steady if unspectacular hand of Kerry Collins at QB position. It unlikely that the Titans will run the table, but they have almost gauranteed themselves a spot in the postseason and could be primed for a deep run if everyone stays healthy.

4. Kyle Orton and the Chicago Bears:

Until Orton sustained a high ankle sprain while playing against the woeful Detroit Lions he had looked nothing like the quarterback that many remembered. To date Orton had the 10th best QB rating in the league at 90.8, he had also thrown for 1777 yards with 10 TD and just 4 INT. Meanwhile, the Bears a team who many thought would struggle mightily on offense, have scored the 5th most points in the NFL and lead the NFC North division at 5-3. If Orton can return from his injury in due time look for the Bears to capture the NFC North crown, and be a legitimate threat in the postseason.

5. Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers has finally stepped out from Favre's shadow.

After riding the pine for years behind legendary quarterback Brett Favre, Rodgers finally got his chance to emerge from the “gunslingers” shadow. And emerge he has. Rodgers’ play thus far has given a reprieve to everyone in the Green Bay front office who wanted to start him over Favre, a move which incurred the ire of many a Green Bay fan and was one of the most heavily covered media frenzies since Brett Favre’s last retirement extravaganza. Rodgers ranks 5th in the league with a QB rating of 95.3, he has thrown for 1982 yards with 13 touchdwons against just 5 interception. Though the Packers are just 4-4 they are easily the best 4-4 team in the league right now and could make a nice run to the playoffs in the second half especially if Rodgers continues to play at this high level.

In fact, since 1998 Brodeur has played in at least 70 games during the regular season, hardly ever suffering any serious injuries. Well, it seems that, that streak will be coming to an abrupt end with the elbow injury Brodeur sustained in a game against Atlanta.

Brodeur suffered the injury while making a glove save on a wrist shot that was actually headed wide of the net. While making the save Brodeur said he felt a pop as he extended his arm. The pop was actually his bicep ligament tearing away from the muscle near his elbow.

Brodeur cringes in pain.

And now for the first time in his career and for the first time since Brodeur became the Devils franchise goaltender he will miss significant playing time during the regular season.

The 4 time Vezina trophy winner has been the one contant throughout the years for the New Jersey Devils. The Devils have always been built as a defense first team. However, in the last few years they have lost some marquee players at the position including Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko to retirement and Scott Niedermeyer to free agency. Those key loses were offset by the remarkable play of Brodeur whose skill at the position is perhaps unmatched in history.

In fact, Brodeur was well within reach of surpassing a number of NHL goaltending records this season including Patrick Roy’s career win total of 551 and Terry Sawchuck’s 103 career shutouts. Brodeur is just 7 wins shy of surpassing Roy and 5 shutouts shy of passing Sawchuck.

With Brodeur sidelined to late February, early March it is likely that those records may have to wait until next season to fall.

The more pressing issue for the Devils however, will not be making NHL history, but simply making the NHL playoffs. Without Brodeurs’ prowess between the pipes the Devils face a long, hard fight and now must ask backup Kevin Weekes to fill some pretty large skates.

The Devils currently hold second place (16pts) in the Atlantic Division trailing the red hot New York Rangers by 7 points.  If the Devils have any hope of catching their cross river rivals they must rely on something they haven’t had to rely on in 13 years…offense.

With young players like Zach Parise (9 goals/5 assists ) and veterans like Patrick Elias and Jamie Langenbrunner the Devils could do it. They can also look to the return of the injured Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik to provide an extra offensive boost when they return to the lineup.

Either way, the Devils find themselves in very unfamiliar territory this season. A season the will play mostly without the aide of Martin Brodeur. Where they end up is anyone’s guess at this point.

The NFL season has reached the halfway mark and there have been some major surprises and some huge disappointments heading into week 9. With 8 weeks left to play in the season let’s take a look back at the first half of the NFL season and examine some of the most shocking and disappointing aspects of the season so far.Keep in mind this list is no particular order, just how they came to me at the time I was writing…

1. The Indianapolis Colts:

Manning looking dejected on the sidelines.

The Colts record stands at 3-4 heading into November. This marks the first time under head coach Tony Dungy that the Colts will enter the second half of the season with a losing record. The most surprising and disappoitning fact about this has been the play of Peyton Manning. Manning’s QB rating of 79.0 places him 22nd in the league. Just for a little perspective on that the man right behind Manning is Dan Orlovsky of the Detroit Lions. Manning has thrown 10 TD’s this season, but has complemented that with 9 INT. If Manning doesn’t find his rhythm soon the Colts may be looking at their first losing season since Mannings rookie year. WIth a key loss to the Titans on Monday night the Colts can kiss any hopes of winning their division goodbye and will now have to rely on the Wild Card if they want a shot at the postseason.

2.  The San Diego Chargers:

LT looking upset...perhaps with himself?

The Chargers were a hot Super Bowl pick this season after narrowly missing out last season with a loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Yet, they have played some disappointing football in the first half of the season and hold a 3-4 record with 8 games left to play. Phillip Rivers has played outstanding this season and he’s had to because All-World running back Ladanian Tomlinson has looked like a shadow of his former self while suffering from a toe injury. The Chargers defense has also looked incredibly vulnerable especially in the secondary and are showing all the affects of losing Shawne Meeriman for the season. The Chargers must find their game and find it fast or they like the Colts could be looking at their first losing season in a long time

3. The Dallas Cowboys:

Romo buries his head in a towel as the Cowboys season takes an unexpected turn.

Another hot Super Bowl pick before the season began, the Cowboys have looked anything but since the season started. Granted injuries have decimated the team at key positions, especially in the secondary, and with Tony Romo out with a broken pinkie until after the teams bye week the Cowboys find themselves in dire straits heading into their week 8 match up with the New York Giants. If the Cowboys fail to beat the Giants they will find themselves well out of the division race in the tough NFC East. The team that was all but crowned the NFC Champs in the off-season will now have to fight just for their playoff lives in the second half of the year.

4. The Cleveland Browns:

Derek Anderson...I think the picture says it all.

After a year in which the Browns went 10-6 and still missed out on the playoffs many NFL prognosticators had the Browns picked to equal that mark and make the franchises first playoff appearance since re-entering the NFL in 1999. The Browns began the season with three straight loses and their offense led by Derek Anderson has looked anemic at times. Anderson himself has struggled mightily in the first half of the season and has yet to return to the Pro-Bowl form he had last year. A surprising win against the Giants seems to have sparked some life into the struggling team and they have won three of their last 4 games. Anderson will need to return to form and find his timing with wideout Braylon Edwards or he may lose his starting job to Brady Quinn the Browns first round draft pick two years ago. If Anderson and Edawrds can return to form the Browns could find themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot, if not they’ll keep the franchise streak alive.

5. The Cincinnati Bengals:

Ocho Cinco wanted out...now we all know why.

Easily the most disappointing team of the first half of the NFL season the Cinncinatti Bengals have looked like abject failures in every aspect of the game. Now I understand why Ocho Cinco so desperately wanted out of Cincy, he wanted to be the first rat to desert a sinking ship. It’s hard to imagine that just a few short years ago this team was a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Now they’re duking it out tooth and nail with the Detroit Lions for the worst team in the league. Palmer has been injured for most of the season and Ryan Fitzpatrick is a less then suitable backup, but still this team cannot seem to do anything right. They can’t play defense, can barely move the ball and basically have regressed in every phase of the game. The Bengals will challenge for one thing this season and that is the infamous 0-16 record set by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of yesteryear . Good Luck Cincy.

With rain pouring down on Citizen Bank Park the Phillies clung to a 2-1 lead. If the game had been played during the regular season the game would have been called and the Phillies would have been declared the winner. Yet, despite the terrible conditions the game went on and Carlos Pena’s single tied it up for the Rays.

So the question on most people’s minds is when exactly did MLB decide to change its own rules?

Rain delays Game 5 of World Series

Under Major League rule 4.12(6), the game is suspended with the Phillies due to bat in the bottom of the sixth inning. Selig said that he would not have permitted the game — which could clinch a championship for the Phillies — to be called without nine full innings being played. Both clubs were aware of that fact before the first pitch was thrown.

“I have to use my judgment. It’s not a way to end a World Series,” Selig said.

So, the question really is did Selig make the right call?

In my opinion ABSOLUTELY! I mean anyone who would dare to argue otherwise has to be the most diehard Philly fan of all time. Because if I was a Philly fan (and I’m not) I would no want to win in a game shortened because of inclement weather.

The fact is that had the game been called and Philly declared the winner, it would be marked in the annals of baseball history with a large asterisks. It wouldn’t exactly have been a win as much as it would have been a lucky break from Mother Nature.

With that said, I can still understand why many Philly fans would be upset. The fact is that the Phillies were relying on their ace Cole Hamels to close out the series and now that chance has gone by the wayside. Hamels was looking to become the first pitcher in major league history to win 5 straight postseason starts and has been remarkable thus far this postseason.

Now the Phillies will have to rely on someone else to shut down the Rays for the final 4 innings of Game 5 of the World Series.

Phillies players look on as rain soaks the infield.

Hell, the Phillies must feel like they’ve been cursed by the baseball gods. They’ve come so close to claiming their first championship since 1980 only to watch the Rays be injected with new life by raindrops from the heavens.

Now the Phillies will take the field tonight and will fight not just the Tampa Bay Rays, but whatever cosmic forces seem to be consipiring against them.