Would there be an outcry about the way he was treated by the Packer organization? Would football fans, who know nothing about him as an actual person, give him the benefit of the doubt time and time again, as he makes himself look more and more like a jack-####? Would he be just another "overpaid NFL crybaby"?

When Terrell Owens breaks out the tears to defend his quarterback Tony Romo, saying that it was not fair for the media to pin the playoff loss on Tony Romo alone, a good deal of people laughed at him and called his manhood into question. Brett Favre whines and makes emotional statements regarding the Packers organization and their unfair treatment of him, and people are undeniably more inclined to put themselves in the shoes of Brett Favre. Where do we get off doing that?

Let's review. Brett Favre retired, breaking down into tears. I thought the amount of time put in was a bit excessive, and all in all, a bit overdone. But he's a legend, right? Fine, give him his due. But he should have been comfortable retiring, no? If he wasn't, he could have came back and if the Packers organization was truly as malicious as they are made out to be, they would have gotten full value for Brett when he did come out of retirement. For the first time. He came back, and he was made the starter. He retired again. He comes back, and the Packers don't want to start him. And from the business end of things, why should they be forced to deal him to an NFC team? Because he's Brett Favre? Outside of individual accomplishments, Favre has only brought to fruition one Lombardi trophy for Green Bay, over a decade ago.

To say that Favre somehow deserves a starting spot on the Packers' roster because of his name is to put him in significantly higher regard than say, the likes of Joe Montana. In a league of business, it was decided that Aaron Rodgers stood a better chance of bringing them a Super Bowl trophy over the next few years than Favre did this year. Sure, Rodgers hasn't won a big game yet, but when was the last time Favre stepped up and performed on a big stage? After 2 years ('05 and '06) in which he threw more picks than touchdowns, he plays awfully in the two most critical games of '07, against Dallas and the New York Giants, and is completely outplayed by all quarterbacks taking the field (Romo, Rodgers, and Manning).

Favre said the Packers didn't care about his legacy, and that's not necessarily true. They didn't want Favre extending his legacy on the team of a division opponent, by beating the Packers. How 20 million dollars to retire could ever be considered an insult is absolutely beyond me, and it's a shame that oh so many refuse to acknowledge the selfish undertone in all of this: Brett Favre wants to prove that he was Green Bay, that he built the Packers, and that he could destroy the Packers. The recent talk about Brett Favre giving plays/signals to the Lions only stands to solidify this theory, as Favre wants the Packers to be nothing without him, while he's still around.

Chad Johnson, a player who has never had legal trouble and whose antics are comparably entertaining to those of Muhammad Ali, did everything he could to get a trade out of Cincinatti. He whined. He complained. We, the fans, didn't like it. However, all things considered, the Bengals organization has proven to be a fairly poor one, and Johnson was one of the few on the team that didn't have a history of run-ins with the law. Apparently, the guy wants to win something before his years run out and knows his chances are slim with the Bengals.

What is he in the eyes of your typical fan though? A whining, overpaid crybaby, right? We afford Brett Favre the benefit of the doubt because we all know him so well, and we know that he is this wholesome guy that simply loves the game of football and nothing more. And we know this as well as we know that Chad Johnson is a self-motivated crybaby that simply craves attention, and he just complains until he gets his way. That's garbage. A man can know another individual for the majority of his life and one day find that he didn't know him at all. So, if your average Joe doesn't know Favre or Johnson, how does Favre so overwhelmingly get the benefit of the doubt when cast in a negative light?

How about Donovan McNabb, who led his team to four NFC championship games in 6 years, the same feat that took Brett Favre, the NFL's King Clutch, all of 17 years? Every year lies the question of whether Donovan McNabb is the right guy in Philly, even though he's the least intercepted quarterback per pass attempt in the history of the game, as it currently stands. Brett Favre holds the record for most interceptions. Why is it an outcry that Brett Favre got the ax after 16 years if  a quarterback like Donovan McNabb's head could possibly be on the chopping block in the eyes of fans, seemingly year in and year out?

Granted, the mind-boggling case that presents itself when talking about Brett Favre is more than likely due to his super-human status than the color of his skin, but it's still an interesting theory to entertain, as racial prejudice is still a widespread problem in this country. But this situation is just so crazy that only extreme suggestions can be offered to rationalize it.  Favre has achieved this nearly untouchable, above everyone and everything type status, and the guy doesn't even have class. For Brett Favre to think that Brett Favre has achieved a status that Joe Montana couldn't (Steve Young was named the starting quarterback over him), in having his "legacy" override the fact that the National Football League is in fact a business, suggests that he is above the game. Conspiracy unfolded on Brett. Alas, the Packers would deal him competitively, and much to the chagrin of the media and many fans, that would mean he would not face his former team twice a year, or even at all. 

While talking quarterbacks, let's compare Favre to the guy he replaced. Just weeks before the season starts, former Jets' quarterback and all-time NFL leader in completion percentage is released just weeks before the season began, to make way for good ol' Brett. What's lost in translation here is that the year the Jets finally decide to get some blocking on the offensive line, they throw Pennington, a good quarterback whose career has taken hits, completely under the bus. Pennington's career has largely been stalled out due to the injuries suffered. That's fine though, and that can be overlooked, because Brett Favre loves to play football, and now he's got a chance. Hey, let's cover that story instead. No malicious words from Chad Pennington, by the way. No conspiracy theories.

Eli Manning won more playoff games last season than Favre has in 10 years.  If he posted a sub-par season this year, he'd be Rex Grossman, and a far cry from the likes of Brett Favre. Did I mention that he has 3 playoff wins in the last 10 years? Gee, that's exactly the amount that Rex Grossman had. In fact, Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning, in 8 seasons combined, have combined for 9 playoff victories, which is three times what Favre has had in the last 10. And they have two Super Bowl rings between them. And this is the Brett Favre that Green Bay needed?

It's comical, in a sick and twisted way, the idea that Brett Favre is the greatest thing to ever happen to football. You would think that anyway, with the way he's portrayed in the media, and everything he does requires extensive media coverage. And if somebody dare report that he's made a fool of himself, then that individual is looked upon in a negative light, and Brett Favre is always innocent until proven guilty in a high-profile sport in which many other players are treated in opposite fashion.

He's not even the greatest quarterback in Packers' history. That honor belongs to Bart Starr. That's why I've ranted on this long. I'm sick and tired of Brett Favre. He's a Hall of Fame quarterback, for sure, and he's still overrated, recent issues not factoring in to that equation. That's not a knock on Favre's ability, but a knock on the media for portraying him as far greater a player than he actually is, and that's an incredible feat to pull off. And if he retires amidst the playoffs this year (assuming the Jets do not make it), it's going to be sickening that actual playoff games are going to be bogged down by Brett Favre talk. That's not his fault. But if he turns out to be a loser as a person on top of all that (which he's looking like more and more of one the longer he stays in the league)? Well, that's just awful.

After a crazy week in the NFL and a dismal week in regards to my picks, I'm looking for a much more sound week. While I did throw down one too many upset specials (by that, I'm referring to my picking of Cleveland over Dallas), the two other teams I picked to upset brought the game down to the final drive, threatening not only in their respective opponent's territory, but threatening with do or die circumstances. Those two teams would be the Dolphins and the Bucs. There were definitely a few games this week that were beyond predictable. The Colts lose at home to the Chicago Bears? The Chargers fall short to the Panthers? And while Buffalo was a reasonable pick to win, I don't think anybody could foresee them putting the lights out on the Seahawks.

One pick I did have going for me was the Green Bay Packers winning at home. Rodgers played just as well as he did at Dallas last year. That was not an upset, but merely just bringing the Minnesota Vikings back down to earth. I will reiterate. The Vikings are reminiscent to the Saints of '07: overhyped and overrated.

This is how the NFL is shaping up for week two:

TEN 20 @ CIN 10: Tennessee is minus Young, but that matters not. Kerry Collins is still a solid QB who can step in and win games. And well, Cincy was looking bad heading into week one, and now they just look awful.

BUF 24 @ JAC 27: One of the tougher games to call, but I'm going with Jacksonville at home over the upstart Bills. The Bills are exciting, but they played a soft-looking Seahawks team. Jacksonville bounces back in a close one.

NO 28 @ WAS 17: The Redskins will take a few weeks before anybody gets a read on what will become of them this year. With the way Jim Zorn ran his two minute offense without that critical hurry-up aspect, don't expect a whole lot.

NYG 27 @ STL 7: In reference to a post I made a few weeks ago, the Giants looked very much like the NFL's Joe Frazier in the opener. They didn't continue to batter the Redskins offensively in the second half, but the defense held on eight of eleven in third down situations and looked strong throughout. Expect much of the same this week in a thoroughly one-sided Giants' victory.

GB 35 @ DET 14: The Aaron Rodgers led Green Bay Packers continue to roll.

CHI 14 @ CAR 24: I'm not hopping on the Bears' bandwagon, but Carolina looks to be tough this year, and they will win by two scores.

IND 31 @ MIN 17: Indy, despite a poor week one performance, lays it to the Vikings, who unexpectedly start the season two games behind Green Bay after just two weeks.

OAK 14 @ KC 20: A battle between two pretty bad teams, and Oakland is the worse of the two.

ATL 17 @ TB 20: Michael Turner was signed to be the spark plug in this Atlanta offense, and he will make the game interesting. However, the Bucs are the better team all around, and they will bounce back this week.

SF 21 @ SEA 27: Wow. A week ago I wouldn't have imagined this one as a tough pick. Seattle at home, but not by much.

BAL 10 @ HOU 20: Rookie quarterbacks have their ups and downs, and the Texans will be looking to bounce back from the spanking they took last week. Texans even out against the Ravens, and Joe Flacco will get a taste a Mario Williams.

MIA 21 @ ARI 14: Call me crazy but I like what I saw from the Dolphins a week ago (minus the lack of a running game). They had a shot to win the game on the final drive, and that in itself is a good sign. Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown will show up big this week, and Pennington will manage a Dolphins victory.

SD 28 @ DEN24: The Chargers lost on the final play to what looks to be a very competent Panthers squad. Denver went out and beat the Raiders senseless, but they are the Oakland Raiders and still a miserable team at that. Still, a good, close game in a Chargers win.

NE 10 @ NYJ 17: The experts are saying not to write the Patriots off, and that makes guys like me look more like an expert every day. As in the preseason, New England just looks like they do not want to be their without Brady on the field. Cassel will soon follow suit once he begins to play decent NFL teams.

PIT 28 @ CLE 27: I'm not sure that will be the actual score, but I'm lending emphasis to how close this game will be. Pittsburgh looked great last week and Cleveland looked awful. But in this rivalry, the games will be exciting and down to the wire, and they will still usually end with a Pittsburgh victory.

PHI 24 @ DAL 21: Hands down, the game of the week. I referred to the Giants/Dallas rivalry in another post as similar to that of Ali and Frazier. Philadelphia looks to be emerging as this year's George Foreman in that context, but there will be no rope-a-dope coming from Dallas. Philly wins in Philly fashion, with Donovan McNabb and Westbrook leading the offense and Jim Johnson masterminding this defense. Johnson's disciple Steve Spagnuolo ended the Cowboys' Super Bowl hopes this year, and the guru will pick up where his protege left off.

Seeing as we have more "weekly predictions" posts than anyone could care to count, perhaps we can organize a community based league to compare records for the purpose of bragging rights. We can also get discussions more centralized to keep a broader range of opinions in one place. If anybody is interested, just say so and post your week one winners, so we can get this going before the game on Thursday. All participants must submit this weeks' picks by 4:00 pm EST on Thursday.

Let's kick it off. I will throw an upset special or two into the mix here, and I look forward to any thoughts an opinions anyone might be willing to share. Crack open a cold one, 'coz it's football season, baby.

WAS 14 @ NYG 31: Giants by seventeen here, as the offense will roll and the defense will look good. The Redskins haven't looked too solid. If Jason Taylor does not play, the 'Skins D will have a difficult task ahead of them.

DET 27 @ ATL 13: Detroit will win and Jon Kitna may feel good enough about it to promise a Super Bowl. But everyone else will know that the Atlanta Falcons are the Atlanta Falcons, Jon Kitna is Jon Kitna, and the Lions are still a .500 team at best.

CIN 14 @ BAL 10: Cincy has a receiver to cover for a hurt Chad Ocho Cinco, but may struggle in the running game. Still, the Ravens have no quarterback. Joe Flacco, did it really come to you already?

SEA 24 @ BUF 20: Seattle is not as tough as they are thought to be, and the impression of a team that barely edged the Redskins in the playoffs last year before getting walloped by the Packers remains. They will still edge the Bills in this one.

NYJ 14@ MIA 17: Everybody will be looking to see Favre light it up, and while that may happen, I have a feeling Pennington will be the story of the week after upsetting his former team. He's about as tough as they come and has more talent (but lacked blocking) than most would care to realize.

KC 13 @ NE 28: Just because the entire New England team as a whole looks as though they don't even want to be out there on the field, my gut tells me to pick against them purely on principle. Against any halfway decent team, I would. But NE is lucky to have KC as a get-it-together game. That could still go both ways heading into week two though, as getting back into the habit of going for it on fourth downs will hurt them.

TB 28 @ NO 20: Tampa Bay, the more well-rounded team will win this one. Looking at players who want it bad, one might be inclined to focus on Shockey. But the moment things don't go Shockey's way, he forgets how to be a teammate and how to just shut up and play his role. On the other hand, we have Jeff Garcia, who just a few weeks ago was more or less told by his organization that he would be Favre's backup. Garcia is an average quarterback, but he can get fired up and playing well. With something to prove, Garcia will have a big game.

STL 10 @ PHI 17: Philly has looked good lately, and they will start the season on a good note against the Rams. The game will be a lot more one-sided than the final score will suggest.

HOU 14 @ PIT 20: Pittsburgh at home. Pittsburgh at home. The Steelers have tough schedule, but this is a game they will win.

JAC 28 @ TEN 17: Jacksonville is a tough team and can move the ball on offense, and I don't think Vince Young will be able to exploit their secondary.

DAL 31 @ CLE 35: Upset special. The Cowboys will be brought down to earth in week one, losing an offensive shootout with the Browns. The Browns didn't look great in the preseason, but they are more liable to show up determined to pull the upset, and they have the guns on offense to do it.

CAR 17 @ SD 24: San Diego, and it will be their playmakers on defense that make the difference. Phillip Rivers may struggle a bit, especially with the impending comeback of Julius Peppers, but he has an MVP in the backfield to bail him out.

ARI 20 @ SF 10: 'Zona, with Kurt Warner at the helm.

CHI 6 @ IND 24: Not even a question, as the Bears are a team that have no upset potential in them. They are a mess, two years removed from the Super Bowl, playing the very team that beat them up pretty good.

MIN 14 @ GB 20: Minnesota are similar to the Saints of '07: overhyped and overrated. Green Bay, a very talented team before even considering the quarterback position, is underrated. Rodgers is the right guy for them to have, as he is young enough to withstand the temperatures at Lambeau in January, something Favre apparently could not do.

DEN 21 @ OAK 7: The Raiders still aren't close yet. Another year of growing pains for Oakland fans.

Is it me, or does it seem that the NFL as a whole is more exciting to watch than in recent years? Sure, the regular season has yet to get underway, but it seems that we have more potential Super Bowl contenders and teams on the rise than we could care to count right now. Hell, even the preseason has been entertaining, and as a football fan, I feel as though there may not be a better time to be one. And while the Favre drama may have been a bit overdone during the offseason and into training camp, for a die-hard, it certainly took some of the pain away from not being able to catch a game of football at least twice a week.

Starting with the comparisons between the AFC and NFC, in recent years, the AFC has been unquestionably the better conference. The Patriots and the Colts had been considered a league of their own, and many went as far to say that their classic AFC championship game match-ups may very well have been the real "Super Bowl". Even right up until Super Bowl XLII had reached it's conclusion, the expectations of the NFC representative were limited.

Even before the Giants had made their postseason run, it seemed as though the so-called experts were merely picking which NFC team would make the game the most interesting, as the Patriots capped off their glorious 19-0 run that was never to be. Some favored Dallas, whose offense could at the very least make the game a high scoring affair. Others seemed to favor Green Bay for the irresistible headline Brady versus the Old Gunslinger Brett Favre would provide. But not many thought the JV team, whoever it may be, would pull through. The NFC is inferior. Let's go ahead and reformat the playoffs so that perhaps the Colts and Patriots can play each other in the Super Bowl. When the Giants had made their claim to be the NFC's representative, it was almost hysterical to the analysts. The predictions were ludicrous and nearly all of them had the Giants being blown out of the water, and this was a team that had played well against the Patriots in the regular season.

The AFC still may have more contenders, but the NFC has certainly made up quite a bit of ground. The rivalry between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys has always been intense, but now these two teams have proven to possess the amount of talent that when pitted against one another, football fans are in for a championship-caliber bout that matches a showdown between the Patriots and Colts. The NFC East as a whole is now right on par, if not half a step ahead of the AFC South in the debate over football's toughest division. The NFC is clearly catching up, and the remarkable thing about that is, the AFC hasn't gotten any worse.

Looking at the quarterbacks representing teams in each respective conference, the NFC has generally been overshadowed by Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. In fact, the entire league has been out of the conversation when it comes to these two future Hall of Famers. Now, Tony Romo has emerged as a top-flight quarterback. Eli Manning has come into his own and made some brilliant plays down the stretch during the Giants' Super Bowl run. Drew Brees generally puts up big numbers, and if the Saints can get back to winning football games, he will certainly be back on the radar. Even the near-forgotten Donovan McNabb is poised to have a big year, and there remains to be mentioned a few others that could certainly make things interesting in the NFC with a big year, such as Jason Campbell, Matt Hasselback, and Jeff Garcia.

In the AFC, David Garrard has emerged as one who doesn't turn the ball over often and can scramble to make big plays. Derek Anderson came out of nowhere to lead the Browns just shy of a playoff berth, and Big Ben Roethlisberger knows how to win games. Jay Cutler and Philip Rivers certainly have the potential to be top quarterbacks in this league. And let's not forget about Favre, who at 38, seems more and more like a kid every day. What's not to like about the way the 2008 season is shaping up?

Football fans can witness several great match-ups on prime time:

Week 1: Giants at Redskins on Thursday Night, Vikings at Packers on Monday Night
Week 2: Steelers at Browns on Sunday Night, Eagles at Cowboys on Monday Night
Week 3: Cowboys at Packers on Sunday Night, Jets at Chargers on Monday Night
Week 5: Steelers at Jaguars on Sunday Night, Vikings at Saints on Monday Night
Week 6: Patriots at Chargers on Sunday Night, Giants at Browns on Monday Night
Week 7: Seahawks at Buccaneers on Sunday Night
Week 8: Colts at Titans on Monday Night
Week 9: Patriots at Colts on Sunday Night
Week 10: Giants at Eagles on Sunday Night
Week 11: Jets at Patriots on Thursday Night, Cowboys at Redskins on Sunday Night, Browns at Bills on Monday Night
Week 12: Colts at Chargers on Sunday Night
Week 13: Seahawks at Dallas on Thursday (Thanksgiving)
Week 14: Patriots at Seahawks on Sunday Night
Week 15: Giants at Cowboys on Sunday Night, Browns at Eagles on Monday Night
Week 16: Jaguars at Colts on Thursday Night, Chargers at Buccaneers on Sunday Night, Packers at Bears on Monday Night

That is a lineup loaded with great games on paper. Fifteen games in sixteen weeks feature match-ups between '07 playoff teams on prime time. Several other match-ups include teams favored to make a serious run at the playoffs this year. In my humble opinion this is as good as it gets for NFL football. The year is 2008, and it is a great time to be a fan.