NFL Defenses Power Rankings

1. Baltimore - Ed Reed and Ray Lewis... need I say more?
2. NYJ - new DC Mike Pettine (former Ravens LB Coach) allowing only 9 ppg
3. NYG - has recorded only 3 sacks so far, but plenty of playmakers and championship experience
4. Philly - league-leading 9 takeaways and 10 sacks; lots of points given up but they have DeSean Jackson returning punts
5. Minnesota - Jared Allen & Co are hitting on all cylinders (ground-breaking journalism!)
6. Pittsburgh - DPoY Harrison & Co are missing Troy Polamalu's drive-stopping ability
7. Denver - under 6 ppg allowed thus far, albeit vs JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn
8. Chicago - Brian Urlacher out for the season, but they've rallied and will not break
9. Indy - the #1 DE combo and loads of talent in the secondary, but major weakness at LB
10. Tennessee - 71 points allowed in just 3 games has the divisional favorite winless thus far

11. Green Bay
12. Seattle
13. New England
14. San Diego
15. Miami
16. San Fran
17. Dallas
18. Carolina
19. Cincy
20. New Orleans
21. Buffalo
22. ATL
23. Oakland
24. Arizona
25. Tampa Bay
26. Washington
27. Jacksonville
28. Detroit
29. Houston
30. St Louis
31. Kansas City
32. Cleveland

NFL Week 3 odds

Games I'm staying away from:

Cleveland +13½ @ Baltimore

Chicago -2½ @ Seattle

Atlanta +4 @ New England

Games I'm taking but don't love:

Dallas -9½ vs Carolina

San Francisco +7 @ Minnesota

NY Jets -3 vs Tennessee

Houston -4 vs Jacksonville

Green Bay -7 @ St Louis

Games I like a lot:

NY Giants -7 @ Tampa Bay

Detroit +6½ vs Washington

New Orleans -6 @ Buffalo

Pittsburgh -4½ @ Cincinnati

Oakland +1½ vs Denver

Games with lines unannounced:

Indianapolis @ Arizona

Miami @ San Diego

Kansas City @ Philadelphia

Autumnal Equinox

Charlie Weis gets to keep his job another week as Notre Dame barely escaped consecutive last-minute meltdowns from an inferior BigTen Michigan team. The Irish head to Purdue this Saturday after the (1-2) Boilers recently lost to Northern Illinois of the MAC.

The football Hoosiers are still undefeated after rolling over Akron in the 2nd half, 38-21. This is the 3rd time in 5 years IU has started 3-0. Should they beat Michigan Saturday, it would mark the first 4-0 start since 1990. But IU hasn't won at the Big House since 1967 (our last Rose Bowl) and has just a lone victory in the past 31 meetings with the Wolverines.

The Colts return to Miami's LandShark Stadium for the first time since winning SB XLi. Peyton Manning and the Colts will hopefully be back in February for SB XLiV, possibly en route to winning a 4th MVP and solidifying himself as the greatest ever. Since 1999, the Colts have the most regular-season wins (115, the Patriots have 111) and they also have the best win percentage on Monday Nights (.750 in 12 games). After tonight's game, they have another primetime matchup on Sunday on NBC vs the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals. Kurt Warner just set an NFL record with the best completion percentage (92.3%) in a single game. Rookie CBs Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey will likely have their hands full with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston.

Colts claim rookie LB Cody Glenn off waivers

Colts claimed rookie LB Cody Gleen off waivers (via Redskins) and released 4-yr veteran S Matt Giordano. This could be good news regarding the injury status of Bob Sanders, who was recently taken off the PUP list. Either the Colts are confident that #21 will be healthy enough to play, or they really like Cody Glenn. They apparently didn't covet him enough to draft him with either of their two 4th round picks, one of which was used on defensive tackle Terrance Taylor, whom did not make the final 53-man roster.

Cody Glenn actually entered college as RB, but eventually won the starting weak-side linebacker position for Nebraska last year. Although he has very little experience on defense, he has played both OLB and ILB spots. Glenn has prototypical size for a Colts linebacker (basically a slightly bulky safety) at 6' 0", 244 lbs, and he ran a respectable 4.67 40-yard dash at his pro day workout.

Once Ed Johnson's one-week suspension has been served, the Colts will have to release another player. My guess is they'll release backup K Shane Andrus or one of the two backup QBs, Jim Sorgi or Curtis Painter.

Speaking of suspension, Cody was held out of 2 games last year for "violating team rules" which was rumored to be him selling his game-issued tix, but ESPN has reported that was false.

Update #1: Colts just claimed S Aaron Francisco from the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals

Update #2: Colts just waived Cody Glenn. Awesome.

Update #3: Cody Glenn placed on practice squad. Riveting, I know!