Joe Flacco's New Contract: Could this Lead to a Mega-Deal for Rodgers?

If there's one thing we've learned from Joe Flacco's new contract, it's that in order to get a big-time payday all you gotta do is say you're 'the best.'

Friday afternoon the Baltimore Ravens and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Flacco agreed on a new, six-year contract which is reportedly worth $120.6 million. The contract is not likely to be fully complete until this evening or Monday morning, and Flacco will be in Baltimore to sign it on Monday. But the basics of the contract have been reported by FOX Sports' Jay Glazer and ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The new deal will make the five-year pro the highest paid player in league history, surpassing Drew Brees' $120 million contract with the Saints.

The deal comes following a Super Bowl run in which Flacco played nearly flawless football in his three postseason games and the Super Bowl, throwing for 11 TDs and zero INTs in wins over the Colts, Broncos, Patriots and 49ers. The 28-year old has never made a Pro Bowl appearance or been named to an All Pro team, but he's the only quarterback to win a postseason game in each of his first five years and holds the record for most road postseason wins (6).

The numbers show us that Flacco has been just above average in his first four seasons in the league, and was never able to get over the hump until this season. But luckily for him the timing was right. He managed to back the Ravens into the playoffs but got hot at the perfect time.

Now, instead of giving him Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady-type money, the Ravens were forced into making Flacco the highest-paid quarterback. Certainly this will keep Joe happy for the next six years, but will the Ravens end up regretting this decision? It's likely. I'd expect the contract to be restructured to benefit the Ravens after two or three years.

Despite the money being thrown at Flacco, it's still possible that the Ravens will be able to retain key defensive pieces such as Paul Kruger, Dannell Ellerbe and Ed Reed depending on how the contract is structured.

This contract has taught us a lot: 1) timing is everything 2) Baltimore is fully invested in their franchise quarterback 3) Aaron Rodgers needs a better contract.

I don't expect Flacco to hold the "highest paid quarterback" title for very long. Green Bay Packers signal caller has two years left on his contract and we can expect he'd receive an extension before it expires. In 2013, Rodgers is due $9.25 million and $10.5 million in 2014. When compared to Flacco's new deal, Rodgers is highly underpaid with his current contract. Don't be surprised if Aaron uses Joe as leverage in negotiating an extension.

Either way, fellow quarterbacks need to take notice. Perhaps this summer we will hear more NFL quarterbacks come out and reiterate Flacco's now infamous words: "I think I am the best QB in football."

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National Football League Dominates ESPYs

The 20th Annual ESPY Awards aired last night and, naturally, were dominated by the National Football League. The ESPY Awards, for those uninformed, are the equivalent of a Grammy or an Emmy. It's the awards show that has been put on by ESPN since the year 1993.

We live in a country that is surrounded by football. It has become easily the biggest sport in the country, so it shouldn't have come as any sort of surprise that five of the major awards were handed out to NFL players/coaches or "moments."

This year is the 20th year since it was created and was hosted by actor Rob Riggle and I have included a 14 minute video of a few of his jokes from the program last night.

But, before you watch the video here's a rundown of the awards handed out to the NFL:

Record Breaking Performance: Drew Brees' 5,476 passing yards

This is a record that I think will be broken a couple more times, at least, with the way the NFL has been changing. Before the 2011 season, a quarterback has thrown for 5,000 yards in a single-season just twice (Dan Marino and Brees), but that number is now up to five (Marino, Brees twice, Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford).

Although I believe this record will not stand for very long, it's still a well-deserved victory for Brees when you take into consideration the fact that he broke Marino's record by nearly 400 yards.

Other nominees:

*Coach K, career wins

*Mariano Rivera, career saves

*Lexi Thompson, youngest LPGA Tour winner

Game of the Year: 49ers over Saints, NFC Divisional Playoff

You know it had to be good in order to edge out Game 6 of the MLB World Series. And it really was.

With 34 combined points and four lead changes in the fourth quarter alone, the 2011-12 cinderella team (well, almost) pulled off the improbable upset over Brees' Saints thanks to a late 14-yard TD throw and catch from Alex Smith to Vernon Davis. The touchdown turned emotional as Davis ran over and hugged coach Jim Harbaugh. That was the icing on the cake for San Francisco, advancing to the NFC Championship game against the New York Giants.

Other nominees:

*Mizzou at Kansas, CBB

*Rangers at Cardinals, WS Game 6

Best Moment: Tim Tebow's 80-yard GW touchdown pass in OT

No doubt it was a great moment, but I think there were a couple more deserving than this one (*ehem* last day of MLB regular season). But of course it was the finishing touch on a miraculous upset pulled off by Tebow's Denver squad that "stood no chance" against a defense of such gratitude–No. 1 overall Pittsburgh Steelers. Not to mention it was in the postseason and gave Denver the fastest overtime victory in history.

Ok, ok, fine. Tebow's moment deserved to be recognized with an ESPY. Congrats, Tebow. Enjoy it now, because I don't see it getting too much better since you joined the circus in New York.

Other nominees:

*Derek Jeter's 3,000 hit

*Last day of MLB Regular Season

*Bubba Watson's Masters win

Best Coach/Manager: Tom Coughlin, New York Giants

Considering that, yet again, Coughlin was forced to shut his critics up by beating out tough teams in the postseason and Super Bowl to prove to everyone he is a more than capable head coach, I'd say he's pretty deserving of this award.

Haven't people learned by now that Coughlin seems to be best when backed up against a wall? Early in the season he was on the cusp of being flogged by Giants fans and run out of town, but once February rolled around these same fans started praising him and practically crowned him king.

Just goes to show that you're only loved when you're winning.

Other nominees:

*Coach Calipari, Kentucky basketball

*Kim Mulkey, Women's Baylor basketball

*Patrick Murphy, Alabama softball

*Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat

*Darryl Sutter, LA Kings

Best Comeback: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

This really was one for the books. In just 13 starts in two seasons prior to 2011, the No. 1 overall pick in 2009 had been less than stellar (19 TDs, 21 INTs, 3-10 record as starter). But this past season was a whole different story.

Stafford put up the fifth-most passing yards in NFL history (5,038) and a personal-best 41 TDs on his way to a record-season while leading Detroit back to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. With a little help from Calvin "Megatron" Johnson, Stafford put Detroit back on the radar...but this time, it was through the air that Detroit was making plays.

Going from starting three games one season due to a shoulder injury to a full 16 games the next season is a difficult enough task to accomplish as it is. But to not only accomplish that, but to pull a historically losing team out of the dark and into the light of the postseason? That is truly a noteworthy accomplishment.

Other nominees:

*Sidney Crosby, PIT C

*Johan Santana, NYM pitcher

*Maria Sharapova, women's tennis player

Best NFL Player: Aaron Rodgers, Packers quarterback

He was already voted the 2012 season's No. 1 player by NFL Network after posting a 15-1 record this past regular season in Green Bay. Now he receives an ESPY for his spectacular play under center.

What's next for Rodgers, another Super Bowl ring? Perhaps.

Other nominees:

*Drew Brees, Saints

*Rob Gronkowski, Patriots

*Calvin Johnson, Lions

*Terrell Suggs, Ravens

Best Male Collegiate Athlete: Robert Griffin III

Normally I wouldn't include this category on an NFL-based article. But, come on. We all knew this was coming. If RGIII didn't win it, then it likely would have been former Stanford Cardinal, now Indianapolis Colts, quarterback Andrew Luck.

Luck was the No. 1 overall pick, but it appears RGIII may get the last laugh as the flashy quarterback is awarded the ESPY over his counterpart Luck, in addition to three other deserving nominees.

Other nominees:

*Andrew Luck, Stanford football

*Anthony Davis, Kentucky basketball

*Jack Connolly, Minnesota-Duluth hockey

*Mike Zunino, Florida baseball

~ ~ ~

Host Rob Riggle, everyone!

You may view the complete list of ESPY winners here.

Note: I do not own any of the above images (or video). No copyright infringement intended.

Regular Season Award Winners

The Associated Press and National Football League have not released its award winners for the 2011 regular season just yet, but that doesn't mean I, here at All-Out Blitz, can't hand out my seasonal awards.

FYI: These are not predictions, these are simply my award winners. I could care less who the league awards the MVP, ROY, Coach of Year, etc. to...what secret do the voters know that I don't? Exactly. Comments are always welcome in the comment section, of course.

League MVP: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers QB

Stat line: 4,643 yards, 45 TDs, 6 INT, 68.3%, 122.5 QBR

There has been come debate as to whether or not Rodgers and NO's Drew Brees should be given the co-MVP award this season. And I say, no. Not because Brees is less-deserving, but simply because I don't like the idea of giving the award to two different players to share. I'm sure Brees would much rather not win the award than to have to share it with someone else. Rodgers and his 15-1 Packers are a tad more deserving.

People seem to have forgotten that Rodgers' broke Peyton Manning's single-season Quarterback rating record (122.5) in his 15 games, and Rodgers attempted far less passes than Brees throughout the season (502 to 657) which is exactly why he threw for less yards and TDs. Rodgers is more efficient on less pass attempts (68.3%; 9.25 Y/A), and I believe he deserves the award because of that, and because he threw just six INTs.

Runner-ups: Drew Brees, Tom Brady, LeSean McCoy

Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB

Stat line: 5,476 yards, 46 TDs, 14 INT, 71.2%, 110.6 QBR

In most cases, this award would go to Rodgers. Simply because he was league MVP he would most likely be awarded top offensive player as well. But I hate that idea and since the MVP race was so close, I decided to spread the wealth and switch things up. This is what I would view as a second-place award this season. Brees couldn't edge out Rodgers in the MVP, but to show how deserving I think he was, I'll hand him the OPOY award as consolation.

There's no doubt he's the reason New Orleans went through the NFC South (13-3) as easily as they did, and minus two off-days against much less opponents (St. Louis, Tampa Bay) and another loss to the league's top team (Green Bay) the Saints could have been flirting with an undefeated season.

Runner-ups: Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, LeSean McCoy, Calvin Johnson

Defensive Player of the Year: Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens LB

Stat line: 70 comb. tackles, 14 sacks, 2 INT, 7 FF

This award isn't always about stats, although they do play a huge role in it because it shows productivity. In Suggs case though, I believe it is more about his approach and intimidation level against his opponents. Suggs stepped up and became one of the bigger leaders on Baltimore's defensive squad, maybe surpassing the legendary Ray Lewis in that aspect. His 14 sacks and career/league-high 7 forced fumbles made a huge impact on the field. Completely deserving on Suggs' part.

Runner-ups: DeMarcus Ware, Jared Allen

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers QB

Stat line: 4,051 yards, 21 TDs, 17 INT, 60.0%, 84.5 QBR

Newton wasted no time making a great first impression, throwing for 400+ yards in his first two starts. He turned heads from the start, and broke a few records while he was at it: passing yards by a rookie, rushing TDs by a quarterback (14). At age 22, Newton is well on his way to stardom in Carolina, all he needs is a little help from his supporting cast. Hopefully in 2012 the Panthers' defense will be a bit more healthier than in 2011.

Runner-ups: Andy Dalton, A.J. Green

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers DE

Stat line: 37 comb. tackles, 14 sacks, 2 FF

As of a couple of weeks ago, I really didn't have Smith on my radar for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Denver's Von Miller and Arizona's Patrick Peterson had received much of my attention instead. But Aldon has been a huge part of this feisty San Francisco defense, and without him a key piece is missing. Smith has shown off his pass-rushing ability with his 14 sacks, and has made plenty of big plays for the Niners this season. His future is bright alongside linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman as the core of SF's defense.

Runner-ups: Von Miller, Patrick Peterson

Comebacker Player of the Year: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions QB

Stat line: 5,038, 41 TDs, 16 INT, 63.5%, 97.2 QBR

I'm disgusted with how many quarterbacks are being handed my awards, but 2011 truly was the Year of the Quarterbacks (as cliche' as ESPN has made that statement). Stafford became the fourth different quarterback to throw for 5,000 yards in a season and threw for a career-high 41 TDs as his 10-6 Lions made the playoffs for the first time since 1999. He hurt his shoulder and played just three games last season, in his second year as a professional. Successful third year, I'd say, Mr. Stafford.

Runner-ups: Alex Smith, Eli Manning, Frank Gore, Reggie Bush

Breakout Player of the Year: Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots TE

Stat line: 90 Rec., 1,327, 17 TDs, 14.7 YPR

Gronkowski, in his second professional season, has put together the best season by a tight end in NFL history, hands down. Gronk set records for both yards and touchdowns by a tight end in a single-season. He not only led tight ends in touchdowns, but he led the entire league with 17 touchdowns, topping Detroit's Calvin "Megatron" Johnson, and averaged more yards per catch than fellow tight end Jimmy Graham, who was the No. 2 guy among Gronk's position. He may have Tom Brady throwing him the ball, but either way this award was a no-brainer in my eyes, and belongs to Gronk.

Runner-ups: Victor Cruz, Jason Pierre-Paul, NaVorro Bowman

Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers

In just one season, his first as a professional football coach, Harbaugh (Baltimore's HC John Harbaugh's brother, as we are all well aware of by now) has turned the cellar-dwelling Niners in to Super Bowl contenders. His defense is one of the most fierce as of right now, and there's no telling if Green Bay and New Orleans will have as much success against Willis, Bowman and the Smiths as they expect. Harbaugh's intensity and will to win may be the most intriguing part about his approach to the game.

Runner-ups: Mike McCarthy, Gary Kubiak

Photo credit:
Rodgers: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Suggs: Larry French/Getty Images
Gronkowski: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Repeat in Chicago? Chances of a Bears NFC North Division Repeat in 2011

Chicago capped off its spectacular 2010 regular season campaign by winning two of its final three showdowns, bouncing back after being embarrassed by New England's high-flying offense in a week 14 matchup (36-7 beatdown at home).

The team's week 17 loss to division foe Green Bay, 10-3 at Lambeau Field, may have been the result of having no motivation (already clinched division) and facing a team battling for a playoff spot.

Quarterback Jay Cutler threw for 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns for the fourth consecutive season, and while at it he saw his interception total drop from 26 in '09 down to 16. A significant change indeed.

Despite a much improved Cutler and an increased run game led by Matt Forte's 1,069 yards and six touchdowns, Chicago's offense dropped from 23rd overall the year before, to 30th this past season. That's why it was so crucial that head coach Lovie Smith and the Bears' organization revamp the defense.

They did just that over the offseason, adding top tier pass rusher Julius Peppers and promoting Rod Marinelli to defensive coordinator. Overall, the Bears' defense went from 17th overall to cracking the top 10 at No. 9 this past season. They allowed just 286 points in 16 games, good enough for fourth in the league.

With a revitalized Brian Urlacher leading the pack, Chicago allowed less than 20 points on 10 different occasions. If the Bears were losing, it was because of a lack of offensive production on Cutler's part. Going 6-2 on the road surely helped the cause, as well.

Beating out the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers for the division title was quite a feat on Chicago's part, but with Cutler's leadership skills and toughness being questioned after his actions in the Bears' conference championship loss to those same Packers, will Chicago still be able to get things together and repeat as division champs?

When you look at the whole picture, I think it's a simple no. I believe they have the ability to return to the playoffs if Forte can get himself together. The offensive line has huge question marks as well, and will certainly need to be addressed through the draft this April. Allowing a league-high 52 sacks of Cutler surely made a difference in how the season played out.

Improving the offensive line and adding a formidable weapon or two to add to Cutler's arsenal should be Chicago's main concern in the draft. As for the defense, replacing defensive tackle Tommie Harris (released earlier today) seems to be the only troubling thing I can see, other than adding another cornerback. If Brian Urlacher remains in health I think the Chicago defense will be okay.

At this point, Chicago's chances at repeating seem very slim. Not because the improvements needed to be made wont be made, but simply because Green Bay is the team to beat. Any time a team wins the Super Bowl, they are automatically the team to beat the following season.

Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers is just hitting his prime, and with most of his weapons likely to make a return in 2011, I think this Green Bay offense is as dangerous as ever. Not to mention the return of running back Ryan Grant. The emergence of James Starks and return of Grant is enough for Green Bay's run game to set up the play-action very nicely for Rodgers in 2011.

Move over, Chicago. Green Bay is back and ready for a fifth Lombardi trophy at Lambeau.

Photo Credit

Jay Cutler: AP Photo/Klichiro Sato

Greg Olsen: Mike DiNovo/U.S. Presswire

Packers Champions Again; MVP Rodgers Leads the Pack to Fourth Super Bowl Victory

Stepping out of the lurking shadows of a legend in Green Bay, the 27-year old Aaron Rodgers led his Packers to its fourth Super Bowl title. In the franchise's first appearance since falling to Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway and his Denver Broncos in 1998, the Packers wasted no time in taking full advantage of this opportunity in Dallas.

After barley squeezing in to the postseason (10-6) as the sixth seed in the NFC, the one-time Pro Bowl quarterback took hold of his opposition and steered Green Bay to three straight road playoff games by scoring a combined total of 90 points against Philadelphia, Atlanta and Chicago.

Rodgers, in his four postseason games (including the Super Bowl), became just the second quarterback to throw for over 1,000 yards in a single postseason.

Rodgers won the Super Bowl MVP award after the team's 31-25 victory by going 24 for 39 pass attempts, 304 yards and three touchdowns. But it was really Green Bay's top-tier defense whom stepped its game up and led head coach Mike McCarthy to the six-point victory against Pittsburgh.

It wasn't AP Defensive Player of the Year winner Troy Polamalu who made the biggest impact, rather DPOY runner-up Clay Matthews and his clan who made the big plays. Matthews recorded three tackles and forced a costly Rashard Mendenhall fumble.

Defensive back Nick Collins' 37-yard interception returned for a touchdown in the opening quarter of play seemed to set the tempo for Green Bay's defense, putting them up 14-0. (Note: Teams with an interception returned for a touchdown in the Super Bowl are 11-0).

It wasn't until late in the second quarter when the Steelers finally showed signs of life. Down 21-3, two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed a 77-yard drive with a touchdown toss to veteran wideout and former Super Bowl MVP (XL) Hines Ward from eight yards out.

Despite being downright dominated in the first half, Pittsburgh's offense came back out in the second half and outscored Green Bay 15-10, but the early offensive woes were too much to overcome. Roethlisberger finished the game with two INTs and Mendenhall's lost fumble gave them a grand total of three turnovers. All three of those turnovers were turned in to Green Bay touchdowns.

On Sunday the Packers showed the nation that you can win championships with not just great defense (obviously, because "defense wins championships), but also that an effective pass game can do more damage than a running game. Pittsburgh dominated the ground with 126 yards and a touchdown compared to Green Bay's 50 yards and no touchdowns. Making Green Bay one dimensional hasn't worked all season long, why should Super Bowl Sunday be any different?

Rodgers has been very patient over the last five seasons, including three years of warming the bench up for Favre. This championship was certainly much deserved as he brings the Lombardi trophy back to Titletown, USA. Also known as The Frozen Tundra in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

No "Stairway to Seven" will be played in Pittsburgh as Mike Tomlin's crew will be known as Sixburgh for at least another year.

**Packers Capture Fourth Super Bowl title in franchise history; Rodgers Becomes Third Different Green Bay Quarterback with a SB Ring**

("Editor's Note:" The Green Bay loss drops my postseason picks record to 7-4, unfortunately).

Photo credit

Aaron Rodgers: Kevin Terrell/NFL

Packers: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Hines Ward: Kevin Terrell/NFL

Lombardi trophy: Gary A. Vasquez/NFL

Arrival Day for Super Bowl Teams

Sadly, it's been nearly two weeks since I have posted, but today is a big day for football.

One day after the league's top players competed in the Pro Bowl (NFL's version of the All-Star game) in Honolulu, Hawaii, the two Super Bowl teams have arrived in Dallas and will begin the longest six days of their lives.

For veterans such as Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu this will be their third Super Bowl appearance, so they have had this anxious feeling a couple of times already. As for Green Bay, a majority of Packers are first-timers and had to take it all in--taking pictures and videos with cell phones and cameras as they exited the plane earlier today.

With my two Conference Championship game picks correctly predicted, I improved my playoff record to 7-3 (WC: 3-1, Div: 2-2, Conf: 2-0).

We are poised for a fantastic showdown between two of the most balanced teams in the league. Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu and James Harrison and Green Bay's Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson lead the two top five defenses in to Dallas for the February 6 matchup.

Elite quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers are both highly successful playoff signal callers. Roethlisberger's 10-2 record shows experience, while Rodgers' 3-1 record shows how great his three-game playoff stretch this season has been.

Because of Rodgers, Green Bay has already forgotten about the legendary Brett Favre, who handed the Pack their last Super Bowl championship following the 1996 season. Because of Roethlisberger, it seems as though the city of Pittsburgh has put Ben's past behind them and has given him their full support. After all, winning cures everything.

It's obvious that both teams have the talent and ability to win this game, so it may end up being experience that prevails in this game. This is Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin's second Super Bowl, and Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy's first. Green Bay, in fact, has just two players with Super Bowl experience: Charles Woodson and Ryan Picket. Pittsburgh has 25.

Either way, should be a great game on Sunday. My game prediction will be coming later this week.

Photo credit

Ben Roethlisberger: Matthew Emmons-U.S. Presswire
Aaron Rodgers: Jeff Hanisch-U.S. Presswire

Rodgers' Concussion puts Green Bay's Playoff Hopes in Jeopardy

In the middle of a heated NFC North battle with the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay Packers experienced a setback in yesterday's game.

Star quarterback and the team's "face of the franchise" Aaron Rodgers suffered a concussion in the second quarter of a showdown with the Detroit Lions. Before leaving the game, Rodgers was 7/11 for 46 yards and an interception.

Third-year quarterback Matt Flynn, an LSU alum, was forced to step in immediately. Flynn didn't do too bad (15/26, 177 yards, 1 INT), but led Green Bay on only one scoring drive, which added just three points to the scoreboard.

In the end, a superb defensive performance (two sacks, two INTs, 3/15 on third downs, 7 points) was put to waste as the Detroit Lions--with third string QB Drew Stanton making his second consecutive start--came away with its third win of the season, 7-3.

The only touchdown of the game came midway through the final quarter of play as Stanton hit 29-year old tight end Wes Heller from 13 yards out. It was Heller's only catch of the game.

Luckily for Green Bay, Chicago was stomped by the New England Patriots, meaning the Pack are still only one game behind Da Bears for the division lead. Green Bay's matchup with the New York Giants next week is very crucial. Rodgers will likely be able to play, but if he isn't able to lead his Pack to the victory, they may not get the chance to snag a playoff spot.

Hopefully, it will all come down to week 17's Chicago/Green Bay game in Lambeau. Those are always fun, especially if they are both fighting for the division title.

Get ready for a crazy, final two weeks in Lambeau.

Photo Credit

Aaron Rodgers: AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Clay Matthews, Packers' Defense Unblockable in Big Win over Big D

Things just haven't been going Dallas' way this season, and Green Bay's 45-7 shellacking of Jerry Jones' 'Boys tonight have just made matters worse.

Not only was Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers-led offense spot on, but so was the ball-hawking defense of Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson and A.J. Hawk.

Aaron Rodgers threw for nearly 300 yards and three TDs while Green Bay's defense scored two more times, once on a fumble returned by Nick Collins and the other a 62-yard interception return by Matthews. Kitna was pressured all night long and just couldn't seem to get much of anything going, unless of course he was throwing to rookie wideout Dez Bryant, who caught nine passes for 86 yards and the team's only touchdown.

Green Bay doubled Dallas' total yards, 415-205, as the Cowboys rushing attack struggled dearly, running for a mere 39 yards on 14 carries (2.8 YPC).

Jerry Jones has a Texas-sized problem out in Big D, but it isn't likely that he will be firing the 63-year old despite the team's 1-7 record this season.

What else have I learned from this game? Green Bay is a top five team. The last time I posted a top 10 (Oct. 30) I had the Pack at No. 9, but after this week they will certainly crack the top five considering the Pats and Chiefs both lost earlier today.

Photo Credits

John Kuhn: AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Tweet of the Day: Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay's franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers had this to say after NFL Network analyst, and former NFL player, Jamie Dukes left him off his list of top five NFL QBs:

"He's never been a fan of mine. His rankings are about as important to me as the oracle octopus's world cup picks."

Ouch, I know that one hurt , Jamie. This is especially shocking because of the fact that Mr. Dukes included the 33-year old Donovan McNabb in his list. McNabb, of course, has seen better days and will be under center for the Skins this season, which leads to cause of concern for fans everywhere.