Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse? I hate to break it to you 49er fans, but I think those preseason playoff talks were a little premature. San Francisco got pummeled 23-3 Sunday against a solid, but not dominating, Seahawks team. It’s fine to go out and buy a respectable defense, like the 49ers did in the offseason, but the offense continues to be one of the league’s worst.

Alex Smith is now out for at least a few weeks and maybe even the season with a separated shoulder, and Trent Dilfer will start in his place. Before you get too excited about the quarterback change, here’s a quick reminder of how “good” Dilfer is: after helping lead the Ravens to the Super Bowl in 2001, Dilfer was released the next year! This offense is going nowhere in a hurry, and Niner fans better hope the coaching staff can get it fixed during the team’s bye coming up in week 6. Miami faced a Daunte-ing task Things on the other side of the bay continue to look better, as the Raiders beat the Dolphins 35-17 on Sunday. Even though he only had 75 passing yards, quarterback Daunte Culpepper played very well and it looks to me like Josh McCown has lost his job. Running back Lamont Jordan did leave the game with an injury, but luckily for Oakland Dominic Rhodes has just finished serving his four-game suspension and will be available for the team’s next game against San Diego in week 6. The Raiders haven’t been 2-2 since 2002, the year they went to the Super Bowl. As they head into the bye week, they can feel good knowing that they’re actually alive in the playoff picture a quarter of the way into the season. 8-8 or 9-7 seems very possible for Oakland right now, especially since they play in one of the worst divisions in football. Wild, wild AFC West Speaking of that division, how unbelievable is it that the Raiders are tied for first-place right now with Denver and Kansas City, while San Diego sits at 1-3? If someone would have bet you $1,000 that the Raiders would be in first place in October, you would have taken that bet in a heartbeat. Denver is looking like a very mediocre team that’s not quite ready for primetime, and Kansas City has problems at quarterback and the offensive line.

As for San Diego, Norv “franchise killer” Turner continues to drive the team right into the ground. San Diego fans were actually chanting for former coach Marty Schottenheimer during the Chargers’ 30-16 loss to Kansas City on Sunday. Schottenheimer may be totally incapable of winning in the playoffs, but at least he got them there. I am counting the days until we see www.firenorvturner.com, if somebody hasn’t started it already. I think they’re taking this “mile high city” thing the wrong way… Ricky Williams applied for reinstatement into the NFL this week, and is technically still under contract with the Miami Dolphins. With the way Ronnie Brown has been running, though, he would be no better than a second option in Miami. The most important question to ask any team considering taking a chance on him is: why? Why bring this guy to your team when all he does is smoke pot and get caught for it?

While there may not be many teams who can justify acquiring the league-leader in drug violations, at least one group of Denver fans wants him wearing Bronco blue. The group Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER) is putting up a billboard near the Broncos’ stadium, INVESCO Field at Mile High, inviting Williams to join the Broncos because they say the community is more accepting of his social activities. SAFER bases its claim on the fact that Denver residents voted to allow the possession of small amounts of Marijuana in the city.

According to city ordinances, adults 21 or older can legally posses up to one ounce of weed. Now before everyone starts trying to transfer to the University of Denver, please note that police still can and will prosecute drug offenders under state and federal law. Getting caught has never seemed to bother Williams, though. The return of the Bungles? New England trashed its fourth straight opponent on Monday night, making the Bengals look worse than Britney Spears’ parenting skills in a 34-13 beat-down. The Patriots strong play is nothing new, and the Cowboys will probably lose to them by 30 in the Super Bowl. The Bengals, on the other hand, have an incredibly talented offense but are heading into their bye week at 1-3. It’s not too late for this team to get back on the right track, but it’s not looking very promising. Marvin Lewis reportedly screamed so loudly at his team after the game that reporters could hear him from the other side of the closed locker room doors. On top of that, the team’s two biggest stars, quarterback Carson Palmer and receiver Chad Johnson, were seen bickering on the field after Johnson ran an incorrect route on a play just before halftime. Because of the mix-up, Palmer ended up throwing an errant pass that was picked off. The Bengals better use this off-week to get their act together, because Cleveland and Pittsburgh are much improved and Cincinnati could end up finishing last in the division. NFL Picks: Week 5Week 4 Picks: 3-1; Season overall: 8-4 Here are some notable games coming up in Week 5 (Odds as posted on Yahoo! Sports Oct. 3): Baltimore at San Francisco (+3.5) – The Ravens were embarrassed by Cleveland last week in their 27-13 loss and they continue to play below their talent level. As previously mentioned, the Niners are in serious trouble and it’s not going to get any better this week. The Ravens’ defense will be angry and is going to make the 49ers pay for last week’s loss. This game ought to be over midwaythrough the 3rd quarter. My Pick: Baltimore 20-6 Chicago at Green Bay (-3) – Maybe Brett Favre’s dad really hated the Bears or a kid who picked on him in elementary school wore a Bears sweatshirt, because for some reason old man Favre always lights up Chicago like the Vegas strip. The injury-riddled Bears defense will try to put up a fight in this game, but the Packers are on a roll right now. The Bears offense didn’t play much better with Brian Griese under center and unless Devin Hester returns three kickoffs for touchdowns, Green Bay will win this game by a comfortable margin. My Pick: Green Bay 27-13 Detroit at Washington (-3.5) – Washington is coming off of a bye week after being beat by the Giants in week 3. Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell has potential, but he’s still learning how to be a starter in the NFL. The Lions have had only one loss, and compensate for their mediocre defense by daring other teams to keep up with their potent passing attack. The Redskins will keep them under 30, but don’t have enough offensive firepower to beat the surprising Lions. My Pick: Detroit 24-20 “Bet the Farm” Lock of the Week: Tampa Bay at Indianapolis (-10) – Tampa Bay has played very well so far, and the Bucs could win the very weak NFC South Division. Indianapolis, though, is one of the best teams in football and still has the league’s best quarterback in Peyton Manning. In the dome, where the Colts’ defense is faster and more dynamic, the Bucs will be lucky to be down by 10 heading into the 4th quarter. Joseph Addai is a great fantasy play for this game as well, because the Colts will want to attack the soft Tampa run defense late in the game to eat up the clock. My Pick: Indianapolis 27-10 Fantasy Game-Breaker: Titans quarterback Vince Young vs. Atlanta – Vince Young is a little like Michael Vick used to be: he won’t pass for a lot of yards, but he’s reliable for some rushing yards and a touchdown or two. This week he faces an Atlanta team that does not play well on the road, and the Titans are coming off of their bye week refreshed and with a winning record for the first time since 2004. I can see Young throwing a touchdown pass and scoring another on the ground in addition to gaining 225-250 total yards. It’s best to start him while you still can, because that Madden curse has got to catch up to him sooner or later.

Contact Fernando Gallo at [email protected]