TODAY

It’s a Good Thing He Doesn’t Act His Age

Oakland Head Coach Lane Kiffin learned from what veteran Broncos coach and Raider-hater Mike Shanahan did to Oakland in week 2 when he called a very late timeout to “ice” kicker Sebastian Janikowski. The worst first-round pick since Ryan Leaf missed a possible game-winning field goal in overtime after Shanahan called the timeout at the last possible moment.

On Sunday Kiffin called a late timeout of his own when Cleveland kicker Phil Dawson was about to kick a very makeable game-winning field goal. Just like Janikowski last week, Dawson missed it as the Raiders blocked the kick as time expired and won 26-24. Kiffin, in his first year as an NFL head coach, is also the league’s youngest coach at 32. And although he’s younger than some of his players, Kiffin has coached like he’s been in the league for ten years. The Raiders have scored 67 points this season in just three games, a huge jump over last year when they needed six games to get over 60 total points. Now if he could just grow some facial hair and stop ordering off the kid’s menus at the team dinners, the other coaches might take him seriously?

Their Offense has been pretty “Pointless”

The 49ers got steamrolled by the Steelers Sunday 37-16 and Alex Smith looked like he had taken a step back, completing less than half of his passes as the Pittsburgh pass rush harassed him all day. Frank Gore didn’t do much better, and was basically a non-factor with 39 rushing yards. The Niners won’t have much time to lick their wounds as they’ll meet Seattle at home this coming Sunday and then will get a visit from Baltimore. If they don’t learn how to score more points, it’s going to be a long season in San Francisco.

There should be no more excuses for this team because Alex Smith is in his 3rd year, Receiver Darrell Jackson was acquired in the offseason and Frank Gore is a great running back. If the offense can’t get it together at this point, offensive coordinator HYPERLINK “http://www.sf49ers.com/team/coaches_detail.php?PRKey=23” Jim Hostler should be looking for another job next January.

Hate to Say I Told You So?

The Chargers are 1-2 after being beaten by an over-achieving Packer’s team Sunday, 31-24. Brett Favre continues his inexplicable start to the season by leading the Pack to their third straight victory over a playoff team when he should be collecting on his pension already.

The bigger story though is San Diego, which has wasted a very talented team because of the ineptitude of head coach Norv Turner. I find it very difficult to feel sorry for the Chargers, though, who are the mouthiest, cockiest team in the NFL. It seems like poetic justice that after Chargers players talked so much trash over the last few months that they now find themselves in a downward spiral. At this point it looks like the Chargers are headed for 9-7 and a lost season.

And You Thought T.O. Was Bad

Falcons corner DeAngelo Hall lost his mind on Sunday in the Falcons 27-20 loss to the Panthers, getting flagged three times on one drive and costing the team an unbelievable 67 yards. After knocking down Steve Smith to earn a 37-yard pass interference penalty, Hall got flagged for shoving Smith and then again for mouthing off at Smith and an official. He followed those classy acts by getting into an argument with his head coach, Bobby Petrino, on the sideline.

Aside from acting like an idiot, Hall also probably cost his team the game as the Panthers scored the go-ahead touchdown on that drive and never looked back. Hall may not be a Falcon for long and it’s hard to imagine a player could do anything more immature or stupid than what he did Sunday? which means he’d probably be a perfect fit for the Raiders next season.

Apparently He didn’t know it’s Only a Completion if YOUR Team catches it

After Rex Grossman stunk up the joint for three weeks, there’s reportedly finally going to be a quarterback change in Chicago. Grossman plays like a high school quarterback on game day, and looked terrible yet again against the Cowboys Sunday as he threw three interceptions in the Bears’ 34-10 loss.

The Bears have a great defense and are close to contending for a Super Bowl again, but they will lose that opportunity if they don’t make a quarterback switch. They have to let Brian Griese take over (which is really saying something about how bad Grossman is) if they want a real shot at a title this season. As for Grossman, he’s a free agent at the end of the year and I doubt he’ll ever wear that big C on his helmet again. Hope you like sitting on the bench, Rexy, because your days as a starter are numbered.

NFL Picks: Week 4

Week 3 Picks: 3-1; Season Overall: 5-3

Here are some notable games coming up in Week 4 (odds as posted on Yahoo! Sports on Sept. 25):

Green Bay at Minnesota (+1.5) – Old man Favre just keeps on doing it somehow, and at this rate he’s never going to retire. But as long as the Packers keep winning, no one is going to complain. The only reason the Vikings are favored is because the game is in a dome, where grandpa Favre historically doesn’t play so well. I’ll never understand how he can be almost unbeatable in games when it snows, but struggles in climate-controlled domes. He might struggle a little against the Vikings, but not enough to cost his team the game. Minnesota has run the ball well with Adrian Peterson, but the Packers’ defense has been good against the rush and the Vikings’ passing attack is too terrible to win the game for Minnesota.

My Pick: Green Bay 20-16

Baltimore at Cleveland (+4.5) – The Ravens have not played as well as they should have considering how talented their defense is. Cleveland has been somewhat of a surprise, playing tough football in the two games since backup quarterback Derek Anderson took over. Willis McGahee should run all over the Browns, but this game could be very close. Baltimore tends to play down to its opponent’s level and hasn’t won in a blowout all season.

My Pick: Baltimore 23-20

Oakland at Miami (-4) – Oakland should be 2-1 right now and has played well all season, with the exception of the fourth quarter in the game against the Lions. Miami has a great home-field advantage with its muggy and warm climate, which might hurt the Raiders, but the Dolphins are also 0-3 on the season and their defense is not what it used to be. I think Lamont Jordan has a third straight 100-yard rushing game and the Raiders find a way to win late.

My Pick: Oakland 27-24

“Bet the Farm” Lock of the Week: St. Louis at Dallas (-12.5) – Dallas is on a roll right now; with a defense that makes big plays and the highest scoring offense in the league. St. Louis continues to struggle, and now quarterback Marc Bulger is suffering from broken ribs and stud running back Steven Jackson is out for at least a week. This game is going to be ugly, and the Rams are going to be 0-4 for the first time since 2002. If you have Tony Romo on your fantasy team, this would be a great week to start him.

My Pick: Dallas 34-13

Fantasy Game-Breaker: Seahawks Running Back Shaun Alexander vs. San Francisco – Alexander has been playing with a broken wrist and somehow still managed to rush for 100 yards against Cincinnati last Sunday. The Niners haven’t played well against the run this season and don’t score a lot of points, so their defense is going to spend a lot of time on the field. I imagine Seattle will take the lead early and then try to eat up clock in the second half with Alexander, wearing down San Francisco’s defense as the game goes on. 100 yards and a touchdown seem like a lock for him, and I expect he’ll do even better than that.

Contact Fernando Gallo can be reached at [email protected]