VanFulpen's NFL Week 7 Winners

Cincinnati at Atlanta 1:00 PM CBS – WINNER: FALCONS


Washington at Chicago 1:00 PM FOX – WINNER: BEARS

St. Louis at Tampa Bay 1:00 PM FOX – WINNER: BUCS

San Francisco at Carolina 1:00 PM FOX – WINNER: 49ERS

Buffalo at Baltimore 1:00 PM CBS – WINNER: RAVENS

Philadelphia at Tennessee 1:00 PM FOX – WINNER: TITANS

Jacksonville at Kansas City 1:00 PM CBS – WINNER: CHIEFS

Pittsburgh at Miami 1:00 PM CBS – WINNER: DOLPHINS

Cleveland at New Orleans 1:00 PM CBS – WINNER: SAINTS

Arizona at Seattle 4:05 PM FOX – WINNER: SEAHAWKS

New England at San Diego 4:15 PM CBS – WINNER: CHARGERS

Oakland at Denver 4:15 PM CBS – WINNER: BRONCOS

Minnesota at Green Bay 8:20 PM NBC – WINNER: VIKINGS

NY Giants at Dallas 8:30 PM ESPN (Monday Night) –WINNER: COWBOYS

Last Week - 9-5

This Season – 52-38

VanFulpen's NFL Week 6 Winners

Seattle at Chicago 1:00 PM FOX - WINNER: BEARS

Miami at Green Bay 1:00 PM CBS - WINNER: PACKERS

San Diego at St. Louis 1:00 PM CBS – WINNER: CHARGERS

Baltimore at New England 1:00 PM CBS – WINNER: RAVENS

New Orleans at Tampa Bay 1:00 PM FOX – WINNER: SAINTS

Detroit at NY Giants 1:00 PM FOX – WINNER: GIANTS

Atlanta at Philadelphia 1:00 PM FOX – WINNER: FALCONS

Cleveland at Pittsburgh 1:00 PM CBS – WINNER: STEELERS

Kansas City at Houston 1:00 PM CBS – WINNER: TEXANS

Oakland at San Francisco 4:05 PM CBS – WINNER: 49ERS

NY Jets at Denver 4:05 PM CBS – WINNER: JETS

Dallas at Minnesota 4:15 PM FOX – WINNER: VIKINGS

Indianapolis at Washington 8:20 PM NBC – WINNER: COLTS

Tennessee at Jacksonville 8:30 PM ESPN (Monday Night) – WINNER: TITANS

Last Week – 7-7

This Season – 43-33

If the NFL Playoffs started today

We have a long season to go but if the NFL Playoffs started today these would be the teams and how they would be seeded.

NFC
1. Atlanta Falcons
2. Chicago Bears
3. Washington Redskins
4. Arizona Cardinals
5. Tampa Bay Bucs
6. New York Giants

AFC
1. Baltimore Ravens
2. New York Jets
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
5. New England Patriots
6. Houston Texans

VanFulpen's NFL Week 5 Winners

Jacksonville at Buffalo 1:00 PM CBS – Jacksonville is coming off a huge win against the Colts and gets two in a row.

Winner: JAGUARS

Tampa Bay at Cincinnati 1:00 PM FOX – The Bengals won’t lose two in a row.

Winner: BENGALS

Atlanta at Cleveland 1:00 PM FOX – The Falcons are on a role winning close games at the end, but this game won’t be that close.

Winner: FALCONS

St. Louis at Detroit 1:00 PM FOX – The Rams got their first win of the season last year against the Lions, the Lions do the same this year.

Winner: Lions

Kansas City at Indianapolis 1:00 PM CBS – After this week there is no unbeaten teams as the Colts won’t lose two in a row.

Winner: COLTS

Green Bay at Washington 1:00 PM FOX - The Redskins are coming off a huge win against the Eagles and ride that with an upset over the Packers.

Winner: REDSKINS

Chicago at Carolina 1:00 PM FOX – Even without Jay Culter at quarterback the Bears are able to come in to Carolina and get a win.

Winner: BEARS

Denver at Baltimore 1:00 PM CBS - The Ravens are coming off a last second win against the Steelers and keep things rolling this week.

WINNER: RAVENS

NY Giants at Houston 1:00 PM FOX - The Giants defensive line look great against the Bears last Sunday night but don’t think it will have the same effect this week.

WINNER: TEXANS

New Orleans at Arizona 4:05 PM FOX - Arizona is starting Max Hall at quarterback an undrafted rookie free-agent, the Saints defense will get off the bus blitzing.

Winner: SAINTS

San Diego at Oakland 4:15 PM CBS – The Chargers are trying to get things turned around and it helps that they are going against the Raiders.

Winner: CHARGERS

Tennessee at Dallas 4:15 PM CBS – The Cowboys have to stop running back Chris Johnson if they can do that they get to 2-2 on the season.

Winner: COWBOYS

Philadelphia at San Francisco 8:20 PM NBC – The 49ers are trying to get their first win of the season and they don’t have to face Michael Vick.

Winner: 49ers

Minnesota at NY Jets 8:30 PM ESPN (Monday Night) – I beat you anything that Randy Moss has more catches this Monday Night then last, since he didn’t have any in his last game as a Patriot.

Winner: VIKINGS

Last week: 9- 5


Overall: 36- 26

VanFulpen’s NFL Power Rankings – Week 4

1. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) – Only reason they are number in the power
ranking is because they are the only undefeated team.

2. New Orleans Saints (3-1) – They won another close game they are as explosive as they where last year on offense.

3. Green Bay Packers (3-1) – They got back on track against the Lions.

4. Houston Texans (3-1) – Beat Oakland without wide receiver Andre Johnson.

5. Baltimore Ravens (3-1) – Quarterback Joe Flacco was able to lead the Ravens to a last minute win against the Steelers.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) – Lost in the last minute to the Ravens but now they get their quarterback back.

7. New York Jets (3-1) – The Jets keep things rolling against the Bills.

8. New England Patriots (3-1) – The Patriots went down to Miami and look care of the Dolphins.

9. Chicago Bears (3-1) – The Bears could block the New York Giants and couldn’t do anything on offense.

10. Atlanta Falcons (3-1) – The Falcons found a way to win against the 49ers.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) – Had their bye this past week.

12. Indianapolis Colts (2-2) – The Colts lost on an end of the game 59 yard field goal against the Jaguars.

13. San Diego Chargers (2-2) – The Chargers where able to roll against the Arizona Cardinals at home.

14. New York Giants (2-2) – Their defensive line dominating the game against the Bears this week.

15. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) – The Bengals have to get their offense going on their hopes of making the playoffs in back to back season might not be a reality.

16. Tennessee Titans (2-2) – The Titans have been up and down this season and they need to find a way to get Chris Johnson off and running.

17. Miami Dolphins (2-2) – Back-to-back losses at home against divisional teams not a great way to start off the season.

18. Washington Redskins (2-2) – Donovan McNabb was able to go back to Philadelphia and get a win.

19. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) – The Eagles might have lost Michael Vick for a few weeks, if so it could be a rough stretch for the Eagles.

20. Seattle Seahawks (2-2) – The Seahawks are so up and down this season and if they could play consistent they could have a chance to win the NFC West.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) – A huge win at home against the Indianapolis Colts.

22. Denver Broncos (2-2) – The Broncos where able to make enough plays to beat the Titans.

23. St. Louis Rams (2-2) – The Rams have won back to back games, can they make it three in a row, well they are playing the Lions this week.

24. Arizona Cardinals (2-2) – The Cardinals went to Max Hall at quarterback after Derrick Anderson was ineffective against the Chargers.

25. Minnesota Vikings (1-2) – Had their bye this past week.

26. Dallas Cowboys (1-2) – Had their bye this past week.

27. Oakland Raiders (1-3) – Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski just isn’t the answer in Oakland and they will be looking for another quarterback this off-season.

28. Cleveland Browns (1-3) – The Browns were able to steal a win against the Bengals this past week.

29. San Francisco 49ers (0-4) – The 49ers might be 0-4 but in the NFC West they still have a chance but must turn it around this week against the Eagles.

30. Detroit Lions (0-4) – Lions fans can’t wait to get quarterback Matthew Stafford back.

31. Carolina Panthers (0-4) – The Panthers had a chance against the Saints but just couldn’t make the plays at the end to win the game.

32. Buffalo Bills (0-4) – The Bills will play hard this whole season but when it said and done they will be pick 1st in the 2011 NFL Draft.

VanFulpen's NFL Week 4 Winners

San Francisco at Atlanta 1:00 PM FOX – The 49ers need this win and the Falcons are coming off a huge win against the Saints.


WINNER: FALCONS


Cincinnati at Cleveland 1:00 PM CBS – The Bengals should be able to get their offense going this week.


WINNER: BENGALS


NY Jets at Buffalo 1:00 PM CBS – The Bills will fight hard like they did last week against the Patriots but it most like won’t be enough.


WINNER: JETS


Seattle at St. Louis 1:00 PM FOX – The Rams won their first game of the season last week and the Seahawks had a huge win against the Chargers as well.


WINNER: SEAHAWKS


Denver at Tennessee 1:00 PM CBS – Chris Johnson and Vince Young got back on track last week and hope to keep it going.


WINNER: TITANS


Detroit at Green Bay 1:00 PM FOX – The Packers lost on Monday Night to the Bears and should take that out on the Lions.


WINNER: PACKERS


Baltimore at Pittsburgh 1:00 PM CBS – This game should be a hard hitting game as neither team likes each other.


WINNER: RAVENS


Carolina at New Orleans 1:00 PM FOX – The Saints are coming off a loss and are out to prove that they are still the team to beat.


WINNER: SAINTS


Indianapolis at Jacksonville 4:05 PM CBS – The Jaguars are in a tough spot this week and the Colts keep rolling.


WINNER: COLTS


Houston at Oakland 4:05 PM CBS – The Texans played great the first two weeks of the season, and then slipped up last week against the Cowboys.


WINNER: TEXANS


Washington at Philadelphia 4:15 PM FOX – In a huge game as Donovan McNabb return to Philadelphia to face off against the Eagles and Michael Vick.


Arizona at San Diego 4:15 PM FOX – The Chargers are too good of a football team to start the season 1-3 aren’t they?


WINNER: CHARGERS


Chicago at NY Giants 8:20 PM NBC – The Bears go into New York on a role and try to push their record to 4-0.


WINNER: GIANTS


New England at Miami 8:30 PM ESPN (Monday Night) – Both teams have lost their only game of the season to the Jets.


WINNER: DOLPHINS


Last week: 7-9


Overall: 27-21

VanFulpen’s NFL Power Rankings – Week 3

1. Chicago Bears (3-0) – Defensive end Julius Peppers has been a huge addition for the defensive line.


2. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-0) – The Steelers defense has been playing outstanding.


3. Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) – One of the surprise teams of the early season so far but can they keep it up.


4. New Orleans Saints (2-1) – The lost in overtime after missing a field goal that could have won it and keep them undefeated.


5. Green Bay Packers (2-1) – Lost to the Bears on Monday Night in a hard fought NFC North game.


6. Houston Texans (2-1) – Against the Cowboys didn’t play like the had played in the first two weeks.


7. Indianapolis Colts (2-1) – The Colts looked they are ready to roll again this season.


8. New York Jets (2-1) – The Jets where able to go down to Miami and beat the Dolphins.


9. New England Patriots (2-1) – The Patriots got their offense rolling against the Bills.


10. Miami Dolphins (2-1) – Lost at home against the Jets but still should be in the mix for the AFC East crown.


11. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) – The Bengals still haven’t put an great offensive game together but our still 2-1.


12. Baltimore Ravens (2-1) – Quarterback Joe Flacco was able to bonus back and throw 3 touchdown passes this week.


13. Atlanta Falcons (2-1) – The Falcons won a hard fought game against the Saints in overtime.


14. Tennessee Titans (2-1) – The Titans offense has gotten things going yet like they had last year with Vince Young.


15. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) – The Eagles are keep Michael Vick as the starter and right now their offense is explosive.


16. Seattle Seahawks (2-1) – The Seahawks where able to make the plays when it counted against the Chargers to win the game last Sunday.


17. Arizona Cardinals (2-1) – The Cardinals are in the NFC West the worst division in football so they have a chance to win it again this year.


18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) – Showed their true colors against the Steelers this week.


19. San Diego Chargers (1-2) – The Chargers always start the season out slow when it is all said and done they will be in the playoffs.


20. Minnesota Vikings (1-2) – The Vikings got their first win, but still didn’t look like the team they where last year.


21. Dallas Cowboys (1-2) – Quarterback Tony Romo played well, which allowed the Cowboys to beat the Texans.


22. New York Giants (1-2) – Quarterback Eli Manning has to play better then what he did last week against the Titans if the Giants want to win the NFC East title.


23. Washington Redskins (1-2) – The Redskins allowed rookie quarterback Sam Bradford and the Rams to get their first win of the season.


24. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2) – It might time for a house cleaning in Jacksonville.


25. Denver Broncos (1-2) – The Broncos just don’t have the playmakers they used to have in Denver.


26. Oakland Raiders (1-2) – Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski just isn’t the answer in Oakland and they will be looking for another quarterback this off-season.


27. St. Louis Rams (1-2) – The Rams where able to get a big time win against the Washington Redskins this week.


28. San Francisco 49ers (0-3) – The 49ers looked horrible against the Chiefs on Sunday, they fired their offensive coordinator but everyone needs to play better as well.


29. Detroit Lions (0-3) – Lions fans can’t wait to get quarterback Matthew Stafford back.


30. Carolina Panthers (0-3) – Quarterback Jimmy Clausen first start wasn’t great but it wasn’t horrible, they might have something to build on their.


31. Cleveland Browns (0-3) – The Browns need a quarterback and will try to trade for Kevin Kolb this off-season.


32. Buffalo Bills (0-3) – The Bills released quarterback Trent Edwards who started their first two games, but everyone knows they are on the clock for possible Ryan Mallett.

Power Ranking Number 16: Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears offense starts and end with the play of quarterback Jay Cutler, and last season that play wasn’t very good and he needs to play better this season if the Bears want to have a chance to make the playoffs. The Bears brought in Mike Martz as offensive coordinator to help Cutler and open up the Bears offense. Running back Matt Forte production dropped in his second season going from a 1,200 rusher and 12 total touchdowns to a 900 yard rusher and only 4 total touchdowns, he will need to step it up in his third year in the NFL. That is one reason that they signed running back Chester Taylor in the off-season and he will be given a number of carries this season. Wide receiver Johnny Knox had a good rookie season as a receiver and a kick return and end up going to the Pro Bowl as a kick returner. But the Bears still need some receivers to step up this season and make plays for Cutler.

On defense they brought in defense end Julius Peppers as a free-agent and expect him to provide a pass rush of the edge. They get back middle linebacker Brian Urlacher back who missed most of the season last year because of a wrist injury and he should also help the defense. But there are still some major question marks in the secondary and they will need to find some playmakers back there.

The Bears offense should be better this season and so should the defense, the team hasn’t made the playoffs since they lost the Super Bowl, four years ago but they can make a run at it this season, but they need to stay healthy.

Indiana’s Mayberry a linebacker to fit any scheme

Just because you don’t get invited to the NFL Scouting Combine doesn’t mean you have no shot at getting draft. Indiana’s linebacker Matt Mayberry might be one of this year’s players that get drafted that didn’t go to the NFL Scouting Combine.

This past season Mayberry lead the team with 108 total tackles, was second of the team with 11 tackles for loss, also had 5.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions. He is a good overall linebacker who has good instincts, can run and chase and should could play inside in a 3-4 or outside in a 4-3 as a weak side linebacker.

“Before the Pro Day I was mainly hearing from 4-3 teams, now after the Pro Day and teams have seen my speed I have heard from a number of 3-4 teams,” said Mayberry.

Well that is because Mayberry had a great Pro Day, he checked in at 6012 and 235 pounds. He posted times of 4.45 & 4.48 in the 40 yard dash. He also ran a 4.08 in the 20-yard shuttle, a 6.84 in the 3-cone drill, with a 9'11" broad jump and a 31.5" vertical. Mayberry also had 24 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.

“I have always been a fast guy, but training at Ignition, they helped me perform like I did at the Pro Day,” said Mayberry. “A lot of people thought I was going to run in the 4.6 range and I think that I shock them with what I ran.”

Mayberry has worked out for a number of NFL teams personally including the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots, two very different types of defenses. The Bears play a 4-3 defense with mainly Tampa-Two scheme principals, and the Patriots are a 3-4 defense that attack offense in many different ways.

With his speed and athleticism Mayberry will be able to come into the NFL and contribute right away on special teams, so things he like do.

“I think one of my biggest strengths is my focus on special teams and I played on specials every year besides my senior year, and I wanted to but the coaches just wanted me to focus on defense,” said Mayberry.

But Mayberry doesn’t think he has everything figured out and knows what he needs to do to improve his game.

“I think one of the things I need to keep working on is footwork, showing the ability to shed blockers and that is something that I can fix,” said Mayberry. “When I have talked with teams they like my speed, but they have told me I need to shed block better.”

Mayberry is a hard worker and isn’t just resting on his great Pro Day and waiting for the NFL Draft to come around he is still working hard.

“Now the biggest thing is change gears in my training going from more Pro Day training to now more conditioning and football training,” said Mayberry. “I’m still working hard and making sure I am in the best shape of my life.”

Texas vs. the Nation Alumni of the Week

This weeks Texas vs. the Nation Alumni of the week is wide receiver Johnny Knox. Even though the Chicago Bears lost to the Cincinnati Bengals this past Sunday 45-10, Texas vs the Nation alumni Johnny Knox had a good game to continue his outstanding rookie season. In Sunday’s game he has 4 catches for 42 yards, bring his season total to 21 catches for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also had 7 kick returns for 151 yards, bring his season total to 18 kick returns for 522 yards (29.0 average) and 1 touchdown. He has become the Bears number three wide receiver and they see him having a bigger role as the season goes along. He has great speed and the ability to get in and out of cuts and his hands and getting better each week. He has been a pleasant surprise for the Chicago Bears and their fans this season.