Thursday Update: 10 - 7 - 10

Bengals host Buccaneers Preview
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off their bye week. In their last game, they were shellacked by the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, Quarterback Josh Freeman is coming into his own. He is spreading the ball around to various receivers and has a powerful arm. At this point in his development, his game is close to that of Browns Quarterback Seneca Wallace. However, as the Buccaneers are completely devoid of anything even remotely resembling a sustainable, powerful running game, the Bengals should not have a difficult time containing their offense. Expect Ray Maualuga to contain the Buccaneers running attack with the assistance of Keith Rivers. Due to the Bengals hole control at the defensive line, Dhani Jones may not need to make many tackles against the run.

As for the Bengals Offense against the Buccaneers Defense, I will once again recommend a fantasy play of Carson Palmer. Jordan Shipley's presence up the middle will be missed and the fine given to T.J. Ward should have been more severe, but the Bengals still have plenty of targets to allow Carson to have a good day against the Buccaneers defense, who are ranked twentieth in yards allowed per game despite facing weak offensive teams.

All in all, a solid day for the Bengals and a victory, 34-17.

Browns host Falcons Preview
The Browns scored a huge upset against the Falcons the week before, as did the Atlanta Falcons. The Browns secured their victory through an efficient running game and an opportunistic defense, like the Falcons.

Atlanta is a better team here, but the Browns are feeling great right now. They've played close games against all of their opponents and just scored a huge win against one of their division rivals. That said, Atlanta's one loss came against the strongest defense in the NFL. I'm feeling a huge day here for Michael Turner. Don't expect Matt Ryan to have to throw the ball with regularity.

Atlanta wins, 20-10.

Ravens host Broncos Preview
Here's the deal. The Ravens just played a rough, physical game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Broncos played a nasty game against the Titans but did not participate in the festivities. The Ravens moved the ball well but are weak against a strong passing game. The Broncos have the bane of the Ravens.

Broncos win, 17-14.

Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em
For PPR only.

Start:
Quarterbacks Carson Palmer, Sam Bradford, and Eli Manning
Running Backs Fred Jackson, Jahvid Best, and Matt Forte
Wide Receivers Chad Ochocinco, Dez Bryant and Legedu Naanee
Tight Ends Visanthe Shiancoe and Dustin Keller

Sit:
Quarterbacks David Garrard, Vince Young and Mark Sanchez
Running Backs Tampa Bay (Stable), Denver (Stable) and Green Bay (Stable)
Wide Receivers Mike Sims-Walker, Mike Williams (TB) and Roy E. Williams
Tight Ends Todd Heap, Tony Moeaki and Brandon Pettigrew

College Football Pick 'Em
#19 South Carolina over #1 Alabama (Because it has to happen sometime...)
#2 Ohio State over Indiana
#3 Oregon over Washington State
#4 Boise State over Toledo (Because it isn't going to happen until the BCS...)
#5 TCU over Wyoming
#7 Nebraska over Kansas State
#8 Auburn over Kentucky
#9 Arizona over Oregon State
#10 Utah over Iowa State
#11 Arkansas over Texas A&M
#12 LSU over #14 Florida
#23 Florida State over #13 Miami (FL)
USC over #16 Stanford
#17 Michigan State over #18 Michigan
#20 Wisconsin over Minnesota
#21 Nevada over San Jose State
#22 Oklahoma State over LA-Lafayette
#24 Mizzou over Colorado
#25 Air Force over Colorado State

Is it just me or are a lot of non-BCS school teams making it into the Top 25? I have a feeling that the pollsters may be in support of a reform of the current BCS system. Not just Boise State, TCU, and Utah, but now Nevada and Air Force? I mean, seriously, Air Force? Not saying they're a bad team, they're just the kind of team people don't hear about too often. I didn't think they would become popular until they inevitably hired Mike Leach, given the fact that he is an old-school coach and man.

Quick NBA Comments
I've never particularly been a huge NBA fan. But, as of late, I've seen some benefits in a more involved stance on the sport.

Let's face facts. This whole Kobe vs. LeBron thing is just Kobe's simple way of insulting LeBron for deciding to take "the easy way" to an NBA Championship, if there is such a thing (Right there, you can see the lack of balance in the sport). Kobe Bryant is older than LeBron. LeBron is a physical specimen; Kobe is on the tail end (He can still play the 4th quarter, but he can't score 50 anymore). Logic dictates that LeBron would absolutely dominate Kobe.

But, you know what? He wouldn't. Kobe is one a different level than LeBron. Not only that, he's gone from bad guy to good guy as a result of the New Big Three. While people hate to see the Lakers win and play their painful-to-watch, slightly more than non-physical, finesse game plan, what people hate more are people who make a lot of money and don't play for their loyal team anymore. No one in the country particular cares about Chris Bosh. I mean, come on, he played in Canada! And as for Dwayne Wade, people may feel sympathetic towards the fact that he is still going to lead the team and lose all of his spotlight, sort of like Paul Pierce. Nevertheless, LeBron betrayed Cleveland and people are going to go out and by #23 Dan Gilbert jerseys (Oh, sorry, #6 Dan Gilbert, for LeBron admitted he can't keep up with Michael by switching numbers and getting help).

It's not what people wanted to see. But, at the same time, it kinda is. Sports is the greatest story ever told by man. And, as far as drama goes, the NBA has always been at the top.

Quick MLB Comments
What an impressive showing by Roy Halladay. Too bad it was also an atrocious showing by the Reds, which greatly contributed to what happened on Wednesday night. Right now, the heroes for the Cincinnati Reds have to be Jay Bruce, for drawing a walk, and their bullpen. I'm not even sure you can call the bullpen a hero given the fact that the Phillies just weren't bringing it once they realized Roy Halladay was literally unhittable.

The Rangers are one of those rare teams that can actually hit in the post-season. Teams that hit in the post-season tend to go quite far, at least until they face quality playoff pitching. That being said, there are question marks about the Yankees rotation... Did I just skip ahead to the next round? Yeah. I think so.

Quick NHL Comments
The Red Wings are forcing Kirk Maltby to retire. /tear (/sarcasm). I believe "It's about time" is the appropriate response. For too long, the Red Wings have relied on over-the-hill veterans to carry their team to the promised land. When it comes to players who can still bring it on a nightly basis, age really doesn't matter that much. But, the Red Wings fell apart against the Penguins during the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals when they put their veterans in and took their hungry young blood out. With all due respect to the remaining members of the Grind Line and other Wings vets, it's time to fall into the background and allow players such as Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, and (eventually) Jakub Kindl to get involved. Look at what Jimmy Howard did for the Wings last year and tell me its a bad idea... Those men would make great staff members though.

I really love what the Carolina Hurricanes are doing right now. Their young blood is exceptional. For pete's sake, just look at the team's bloodline: Staal, Sutter, Ruutu, Jokinen. Young talent everywhere: Skinner, McBain, previously mentioned Staal and Sutter. They have veterans looking for a resurgence. Cam Ward is their goaltender. Stop talking about the Tampa Bay Hype-ning, because a Hurricane is come through.