Well. … We’re on “fans leaving the stadium” watch.

Player correspondent Keith Brooking and I are marveling at the Arizona defense. They’re playing as complete a game as they could have hoped for.

It’s the end of the first quarter, and player correspondent Keith Brooking believes the Cardinals are doing a great job of moving Larry Fitzgerald around before the snap (something Anquan Boldin usually would do more of when healthy and in the game).

Player correspondent Keith Brooking believes the Arizona Cardinals’ run defense will not be as effective today as it was last week against his Atlanta Falcons.

Two Cardinals sources told NFL Network’s Scott Hanson that WR Anquan Boldin is expected to be active Saturday and will attempt to play with his strained left hamstring. Boldin took part in the team’s final walk-through Friday in Charlotte, N.C.

The howling winds in Buffalo are something that you need to see in person to understand how awesome they are. A point that was illustrated on Stephen Gostkowski‘s ill-fated 26-yard field goal attempt.

The Ravens are leading the Steelers 9-3 at the end of the third quarter.
Yet, it was Pittsburgh that showed how a great defense can withstand even a “critical” turnover. Santonio Holmes‘ fumble in the red zone only resulted in a Baltimore field goal. You still get the feeling that the first touchdown is going to win this game.

The Ravens are up 6-3 at the half. Anyone expect any different? I mentioned the first cliche earlier… here’s another: “Bend but don’t break.”

The Ravens and Steelers were tied, 0-0, at the end of the first quarter. This is why “defense wins championships” is one of the best and most accurate cliches in football.

There is such pressure on the opposing team when a lock-down defense is playing its game. One mistake, one big play by the opposing defense could be the difference between winning or losing.

It’s a good time to find out if Joe Flacco is Ben Roethlisberger. Both are 6-foot-5, both have huge arms. Neither went to a football factory, BCS power school. Both were first round picks by an AFC North team with a great defense. Both were given the keys to the franchise early in their careers.

Both teams trading punches in New Orleans. The Saints hope to hold this slim lead into the 4th Quarter, because history is badly against them. In the Sean Payton-Drew Brees era, the Saints are 0-17 when trailing to start the fourth quarter. The Falcons led to start the fourth quarter, 17-16.

Matt Ryan has shown two things in this game so far. He will make rookie mistakes, but he also will make huge plays.

The Falcons beat the Saints earlier this year, but the Saints are a different team at home. They’ve won three consecutive home games, including two in a row here at the Superdome.