7 down, 9 to go, mercifully.

What do Detroit, Cleveland, Oakland and Kansas City all have in common? They all have more wins than the Tampa Bay Bucs. Way to go Junior. The defense is giving up 29 points per game, with 9 plays over 40 yards in just 7 games. The offense isn't faring much better, scoring just 14 points per game. I guess it could be worse, we could be the St Louis Rams who have lost 17 straight games. The Bucs hold the second longest losing streak, at 11 in a row.

Junior had some great quotes yesterday in the post game presser. The bye week will allow for some self evaluation and the team will get better on fundamentals. He also mentioned that one day the Bucs will return to the playoffs. That's right Junior, they will return when your happy ass is down the road. My jaw hit the floor when he looked at a reporter and said, "We got 9 more games to go here Bro." Bro? This is the head coach not some second year special teamer interviewed in the locker room. His ability to destroy the English language this year in pressers really grates on me not to mention how he rudely walks away from the podium.

Next up for the Bucs is the bye week and then in week 9, the Green Bay Packers will be coming to town as the Bucs wear their throwback uniforms from the 1970/1980's and Tito Jackson made his debut in garbage time yesterday and will most likely be under center for week 9. I'm glad I have the Packers D on one of my fantasy teams.

As we reach the midway point of the season, I have a few observations around the league.

New Orleans Saints- This team is going to be tough to beat and I expect to see them win the NFC crown this year. They are scoring 34 points a game and the defense leads the league in takeaways. They are currently 6-0 and have 6 division games upcoming with Carolina, Atlanta and Tampa. I think they end the season no less than 13-3.

Buffalo- They have won a few games lately, most likely saving Dick Juaron's job until the end of the season, but the three wins they have are over Carolina, Tampa and the Jets. 6-10 final record.

Chicago- What has happened to the offensive line in Chicago? Have they all gone to work for Acorn? Matt Forte is having a horrible season. Cutler is second in the league for turnovers.

Denver- In the preseason, I predicted this team would only win 5 games, and each week I keep waiting for them to fold. This team was in turmoil in the preseason, but Kyle Orton keeps plodding along, continuing to win while under center. It looks like the AFC West is Denver's to lose.

San Fransisco- They started the season out strong, but their youth is starting to show. Singletary has the team going in the right direction, but another year away before they make a serious run at the playoffs.

Cincinnati- Perhaps the best 5-2 team no one is talking about. This could be a dark horse team in the AFC.

New York Giants- The G-men started out of the gate 5-0, but I wasn't buying the undefeated record. The first five victories were against, Washington, Dallas, Tampa, Kansas City and Oakland. Then New Orleans hands them a serious beat down last Sunday and last night, Arizona (who has a horrible record on east coast night games) beats the G-men at home. New York's schedule over the next five weeks will determine their season. Brandon Jacobs is not running with authority and perhaps Eli's heel injury is worse than reported and I wouldn't be surprised to see Dallas or Philly end up winning the division.

San Diego- This is the team I really thought was poised to make a run for the Super Bowl this season. But, just as in years passed, they are failing to meet expectations. LT is really showing his age. Chris Chambers has really lost a step. Sproles is not an every down back. If Norv Turner doesn't get it in gear, he might very well be looking for a job on January 4th, 2010 (along with Junior Morris) And don't be shocked to see Jon Gruden on the sidelines in San Diego next year if Turner gets fired. You heard it here first!