Leyden's Log - Week Six

Inside This Edition:

- NASA’s next mission

- A first for the Ravens

- A video battle of Spartans

- Politically incorrect matchup of the week

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Now that NASA has blown a hole in the moon (that went over well), I wondered what they’d do next – you didn’t disappoint.

Matt Boyer from Oakland Township, MI got on the board with “After bombing the moon, NASA signed Charlie Weis to take its place. Sadly, NASA grossly overpaid and he’ll only be good for one year.” One point for the number of times Charlie has beaten Boston College. Oh, I’m sorry – that would be no points.

Defending his title well with slow and steady responses, Brian King from Chicago offered, “NASA removes Saturn’s rings and sells them to the Chinese to raise capital for the 2010 stimulus package.”

Jim McManus takes three points with quite possibly one of the best answers of all-time. “Next up for NASA? Fixing the hole in Uranus.”

This week’s question – With Midnight Madness upon us tonight, I ask you – What’s the maddest you’ve ever been at midnight? Why?

Send responses to tleyden@wxyz.com, leave a comment on Facebook or send a response via Twitter to @tomleyden

SONG OF THE WEEK

Ain’t no mountain LOG enough….


FOUR TOPS The best four games of the week

Note - See how Michigan State’s Korie Luscious and Delvon Roe predict the Four Tops in the video player at right.

In a Royal Battle du Purple, the Ravens travel to Minnesota to face the Vikings. It’s the first time in history Baltimore’s made the trip to the Twin Cities. It’s also the first time in 18 years Brett Favre is 5-0. He says this is the best team he’s ever played with, but let’s re-check that assessment in December. I stop short of labeling this a must-win for Baltimore, but three losses in a row from a Super Bowl contender would be a little shocking and quite a setback as they head into a bye-week. I expect tensions and emotions to be high and this one to come down to the wire.

Down in the Bayou, the Saints finish their “Bye sandwich on New York” with a date against the Giants. Two weeks after welcoming the Jets to town, Drew Brees and New Orleans now face the hometown hero Eli Manning and the undefeated G-Men. Could this be an NFC Championship Game preview? Could it be a home-field advantage tie-breaker? Historically, this series has been back and forth, but not close – the last four have gone Giants by 8, Saints by 38, Giants by 17, Saints by 23. By law of averages, that means it will be Giants by 21 on Sunday. We’ll see.

The Sunday Nighter between the Falcons and Bears is the first of two solid prime-time games. What do you make of Atlanta’s 35-point win over San Francisco on the road last week? To me, that has to be the most surprising and befuddling win of the year – who had Roddy White +200 yards receiving? This matchup grabs you because of last year’s finish – remember Atlanta blowing a lead with 11 seconds left, only to field the kickoff, throw one pass and win it on a Jason Elam field goal? It also grabs you because both teams are fighting to be among the NFC elite – who’s for real, here? Atlanta travels to Dallas and New Orleans next, so it’s time for the Falcons to man up.

Wrapping up the Four Tops is the Broncos/Chargers Monday Nighter. Both of my Spartan prognosticators picked San Diego in this one – do you agree? There seems to be little belief Kyle Orton, Josh McDaniels and the Denver D can start 6-0. If they do, put a bow on the AFC West – the Broncos will be three games up. That’s why many suspect the Bolts will use the power of the powder blue to play their best game of the year and squash the yellow and brown. Yes, Denver is scheduled to wear the throwbacks for the second straight week.


OVERTIME Other games to watch

Texans/Bengals – The biggest surprise of 2009 looks to keep it going at home against the team that just can’t be better than .500

Eagles/Raiders – Super Bowl XV Rematch. Jim Plunkett connects again with Kenny King. Ron Jaworski throws another interception to Rod Martin. Raiders win!

Chiefs/Redskins – The Politically Incorrect Bowl

Cardinals/Seahawks – Clearly, a Seahawk would destroy a Cardinal in a one-on-one fight.

Titans/Patriots – How many weeks do we continue to highlight a winless team? Is this the best winless team in history? Nah – the 2008 Lions take that prize.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

@tomleyden - I look forward to the day when Delvon Roe goes head-to-head with Dwayne Wade in an NBA game - A modern day Roe v. Wade

GRAB

Browns/Steelers, Panthers/Bucs, Bills/Jets, bag

PASS

Rams/Jags, Lions/Packers, the butter, please.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Brad Gilbert, Courtney Smith, Grant Nodine, Sammie Payne, Heidi Lee, Brian Torpy, Jenny Martin, Karleen Fallon and Mike Ditka, who turns 70 on Sunday.