In God we trust

Well, what can we tell ya, folks?
We're pretty proud we can call God a regular at the Grill Room. He's well-behaved, a good tipper, drinks only the best stuff, keeps the clientele buzzing with some mind-boggling card tricks, and is patient answering the questions our bartenders often tire of.

Last week, when we asked Him why He hated Michigan, The Big Guy took offense and then pity. Why, He not only saw to it that the Lions ended their 19-game losing streak, but also made sure the most corrupt city in the world was punished for its evil ways.
By sending Washington's team to ingloriously fall at the feet of the lousy Lions, He illustrated with a master's stroke that sometimes punishment can reap rewards.

So, with God at our side, we are looking for more answers around here as Week 4 of the NFL season gets set to unfold.

Answers to stuff like...
Do teams really need a break after playing all of three games?
Here's why we're asking: Because Philly, Arizona, Atlanta, and Carolina get a day off this weekend. This makes the hours Congress works seem strenuous. If the NFL is intent on this silly 17-week schedule, at least move the first byes back a few weeks, so all the teams can benefit from some time off toward the middle of the year. As it is now, bye weeks end after Week 10. If there is sense in this, we are missing it. But how 'bout just getting rid of the bye weeks altogether.

Isn't Broncos' rookie head coach Josh McDaniels owed an apology?
Here's why we're asking: Because after getting tarred and feathered for dumping cry-baby QB Jay Cutler, putting big-mouth WR Brandon Marshall in timeout, and for having the stones to do things his own way despite following Mile-High legend Mike Shanahan, McDaniels has his team off to a 3-0 start. And get this, the Patriots' former offensive coordinator has a defense that has given up a total of 16 points this year! So what if their next eight games look like this: Cowboys, Patriots, Chargers, Ravens, Steelers, Redskins, Chargers, and Giants. Um, er, whoa? On second thought, maybe we should have waited to ask this question...

Did Nike shareholders almost have a collective heart attack this week?
Here's why we're asking: Because on Wednesday, Michael Vick's handlers, otherwise known as agents, announced that their client had struck a new deal with Nike. By Thursday, and faster than you can spell PETA, Nike made it clear that they, in fact, did not have a contractual relationship with the Eagles' QB, who has returned to the league this year after serving 18 months in prison for running a dog-fighting operation. Nike said it is only providing shoes to Vick. Wonder what the agent's cut is...

Take your pick

For informational purposes only...some picks for Week 3 action around the NFL brought to you by folks who most likely know as much about the game as you do:
ESPN
YAHOO!
CBS Sports CNN/SI
NBC
SportingNews
LA Times
AP

College:
SportingNews
CBS Sports
NBC

This Week's Grill Room NFL 100-PROOF lock: San Francisco over St. Louis, minus-9.5
Last week we got plum angry and made a peach of pick when the Eagles thrashed the Chiefs to get us (and you) back on the winning side of the ledger. We've calmed down a bit around here, but we're guessing one of our favorite coaches in the league, Mike Singletary, hasn't after getting Favre-d last week in Minnesota. Mike handled the whole thing eerily well right after the game, though we have it on good word that Singletary later set off the smoke alarm on the plane during the flight back to San Francisco when his hair spontaneously combusted when watching game film.

Good thing for Singletary's No. 9 San Franciscans that the sacrificial Rams will be delivered on a skewer to the Bay Area this weekend -- especially with RB Frank Gore sidelined with a bad ankle (see below).
Look for the 49er defense to snuff out the 30th-ranked Ram's only offensive threat, RB Steven Jackson, and roll big over a team that's averaging all of eights point a game this year.

We'll say, 31-10, but, as always, Coach Mike will have the final say.

(Season record: 2-1)

Tape it up

• If you are wondering how your favorite nicked-up player is progressing, go here.
• Speaking of Favre, it took the 39-year-old QB three weeks to make the Vikes' injury report. This will be a constant until he is finally knocked out, and onto, the inactive list. No way the guy goes all 16 games this year.
• At least the 49ers will be kind enough to serve the Rams Coffee while they are battering them all over the field Sunday.
  

TV Time
If you can't stop by the Grill Room, here's the college and pro football fare that's cooking on the tube this weekend:
(For our U.S. military viewers and their families overseas the games American Forces Network will be showing are in bold.)

COLLEGE:

Friday, Oct. 2
Pittsburgh at Louisville, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Utah State at BYU, 9 p.m., Mtn.

Saturday, Oct. 3
Wisconsin at Minnesota, Noon, ESPN
Alabama at Kentucky, Noon, SEC Network
Arkansas State at Iowa, Noon, ESPN2
Michigan at Michigan State, Noon, Big Ten Network
Northwestern at Purdue, Noon, Big Ten Network
Clemson at Maryland, Noon, ESPNU
East Carolina at Marshall, Noon, CBS CSN
Washington at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m., NBC
LSU at Georgia, 3:30 p.m., CBS
Penn State at Illinois, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Florida State at Boston College, 3:30 p.m., ABC
UCLA at Stanford, 3:30 p.m., ABC
North Carolina State at Wake Forest, 3:30 p.m., ESPNU
New Mexico at Texas Tech, 3:30 p.m., FSN
Air Force at Navy, 3:30 p.m., CBS CSN
Mississippi at Vanderbilt, 7 p.m., ESPNU
Ohio State at Indiana, 7 p.m., Big Ten Network
Texas A&M at Arkansas, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
Tulsa at Rice, 7:30 p.m., CBS CSN
Auburn at Tennessee, 7:45 p.m., ESPN
Oklahoma at Miami, 8 p.m., ABC
USC at California, 8 p.m., ABC
SMU at TCU, 8 p.m., Mtn.
Colorado State at Idaho, 10:30 p.m., ESPNU

NFL:

Sunday Oct. 4
(Byes: Arizona Atlanta Carolina Philadelphia)
Detroit at Chicago 1 p.m., FOX
Cincinnati at Cleveland 1 p.m., CBS
Oakland at Houston 1 p.m., CBS
Seattle at Indianapolis 1 p.m., FOX
Tennessee at Jacksonville 1 p.m., CBS
N.Y. Giants at Kansas City 1 p.m., FOX
Baltimore at New England 1 p.m., CBS
Tampa Bay at Washington 1 p.m., FOX
Buffalo at Miami 4:05 p.m., CBS
N.Y. Jets at New Orleans 4:05 p.m., CBS
Dallas at Denver 4:15 p.m., FOX
St. Louis at San Francisco 4:15 p.m., FOX
San Diego at Pittsburgh 8:20 p.m., NBC

Monday, Oct. 5
Green Bay at Minnesota 8:30 p.m., ESPN
(All times EST)

(Detroit Free Press, photo)