ON THE COUCH: WEEK 1

This week I am introducing a new weekly post: On the Couch. This will highlight the weekend's sporting events and rate each day's total worth to fellow sports fans. My ranking system will include three tiers. First, falling asleep obviously means a lousy day of sports watching; secondly, laying back with a beer will signify an average day, and finally putting on the team colors means a great day in sports.

So without further ado: this week's edition of On the Couch

Saturday: Falling asleep (this will be a long nap)

Usually, there is at least one great matchup in the college football season, especially this late in the year, but I am so bored with this week's matchups. Truthfully the best game may be North Carolina at Maryland because of its ACC implications.

Not a single one of the 11:oo games is worth watching, and the Tar Heels and Terps may be worth skipping too at 2:30. Even the night cap is lowlighted by a Boston College-Florida State matchup, although the recent suspension of 5 FSU wide receivers could make that a closer game.
I've pretty much concluded that Saturday will be my homework day, because the normal routine isn't really worth it.

Sunday: Laying back with a beer

I'm definitely more excited about Sunday's offerings on the tube. In addition to Jimmie Johnson probably wrapping up his third NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship in as many years, there are several great football matchups. I'm predicting some good old fashioned blowouts, and a few hard fought divisional games that have important momentum swings tied to their outcomes.

We'll start with the important divisional games and other games that will affect division leaders.

-Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers: I can't wait to see how the Packers defense does against breakout rookie running back Matt Forte, and you know that both teams will leave it all out on the field this week for a share of the lead in the NFC North
-Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts: Yes, I am aware that the Texans have laid clunkers several times this year, but they have also shown flashes of brilliance, and led the Colts earlier this year before the epic collapse of Sage Rosenfels in a 3 minute span. Steve Slaton is dangerous, but I expect Bob Sanders will do just enough to give Indy a solid hold on second place in the AFC South, and put them well on their way to a wild card berth.
-Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars: Tough, scrappy game that will make your head hurt just watching it, but the Titans are too strong against the run for the Jaguars to win this game. Amazing stat of the day for the Titans: they have outscored their opponents nearly two-to-one with a 220-117 points for-and-against ratio. If Kerry Collins keeps throwing and Chris Johnson is able to get things restarted after a down game last week (darn him, ruined my fantasy week), this could turn into a blowout, but expect the league to be handing out fines for rough hits on Monday.
-Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins: Clinton Portis may be out, but the Cowboys have more questions than a Peter Jennings round of Jeopardy. The Cowboys running game may be the difference this week in a must win game for America's favorite team.
-San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers: Both of these teams are fighting for first place in their divisions. Antonio Cromartie will have to break out of his slump and linebacker Shaun Phillips has to get some pressure on Ben Roethlisberger for the Chargers to pull this one off in Pittsburgh.

There could also be some huge blowouts this week.

-New Orleans Saints at Kansas City Chiefs: As improved as Tyler Thigpen is at quarterback, Drew Brees will have a field day against the cornerback duo of Maurice Leggett and Brandon Carr. Could he throw for 500 yards? Maybe.
-Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers: No explanation needed, I'm predicting 34-7 at half.
-Philadelphia Eagles at Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati is improving, but the Eagles must be peaved about Monday's loss to the Giants. Brian Westbrook will have a big day as the Eagles get back to their screen plays against a weak defense.
-Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins: Somewhere Dan Marino is smiling because people are again saying that the Dolphins will blowout an opponent. But the Raiders offense had -2 TOTAL yards of offense in the first half last week, so don't get too excited about the comeback. Dolphins fans can enjoy this one though.

And finally the Game of the Weekend:
-Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons: Both need the win to maintain a share of the lead in their respective divisions. Matt Ryan got my pro-bowl vote and has been impressive as a rookie, while Denver is battling injuries and a lack of the running game that is almost unheard of on a Mike Shanahan Broncos team. I've got the Falcons because of the home-field advantage where they have been perfect thus far this season.

Enjoy the weekend everyone!