Both the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2009 season facing nearly the same predicaments regarding major changes in management, coaching, systems, and on-field personnel. And yet, both teams couldn’t be any more different from each other, writes the Kansas City Star:

“Two teams that began this season with pressing questions and mounting concerns have since gone in far different directions. Both endured an offseason packed with change, turmoil and tested fan bases. Both have new general managers, head coaches, starting quarterbacks and defensive systems.

After that, the similarities are lost. The Broncos are 6-0, and the Chiefs are 1-5. One team started fast and hasn’t stopped, and the other was one loss from its worst start in franchise history.

As both teams move forward, there is one pressing question: How did one team get tangled in all that change, and how did the other win in spite of it?”

Other stories around the web on Wednesday:

• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Ron Cook says the Steelers aren’t fantasizing over facing Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, and the defense is intent on keeping alive its streak of 28 straight games — including postseason — without allowing a 100-yard rusher.

• Hall of Fame coach Don Shula is a big fan of the Dolphins’ Wildcat offense.

• Charlotte Observer columnist Tom Sorensen says QB Jake Delhomme and WR Steve Smith will have to start connecting, or else the Panthers will endure a miserable season, even with a solid ground game.

• The Jets offensive line is in a rush to take pressure off of rookie QB Mark Sanchez.

• Columnist Monte Poole of Bay Area News Group says 49ers CB Nate Clements has failed to live up to his lockdown hype and big contract.

• The Colts defense has responded strong after short turnarounds.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher might be Colts QB Peyton Manning’s No. 1 fan. OK, maybe Fisher’s admiration for Manning doesn’t go that far.

Still, even though Manning torched the Titans for 309 yards and three touchdowns in the Colts’ 31-9 rout of winless Tennessee in Week 5, that didn’t stop Fisher from donning a blue-and-white No. 18 jersey when he introduced former Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy to speak at the Rally for Rocketown at Lipscomb University in Nashville.

“I just wanted to feel like a winner,” Fisher said jokingly as he revealed the jersey underneath his button-down shirt and jacket.

You can see a photo gallery and video of Fisher in the Manning jersey here, courtesy of the Tennessean.

Ever the fan of expression through his favorite social networking site, Bengals WR Chad Ochocino was at it again on Twitter, instigating an exchange of trash-talking tweets with Bears QB Jay Cutler and DE Alex Brown ahead of Sunday’s matchup vs. Chicago.

Umm, the game is still five days away, Chad.

Nevertheless, in true Ochocinco fashion, he began stirring the pot early, and Cutler and Brown took the bait.

Here’s a sampling of the exchange, courtesy of the Chicago Sun-Times:

“Yesterday, Ochocinco started in on Cutler [exchanges sic'd]:

@jaycutler6 tell your defense I’m gonna run circles around them, I’m mad we lost, peanut Tillman is gonna kiss da baby along with the rest’

To which Cutler responded:

@OGOchoCinco it’s only Monday. Already starting?

The exchange with Cutler continued:

@JayCutler6 Jay I have to get a jump on yall, on a serious note tell Lovie to put Tillman on me all game with safety help, please!!!!”

This ought to make for a fun week. You can read the rest of the exchange by clicking here.

Other stories around the web on Tuesday:

• 49ers rookie WR Michael Crabtree, who made up for lost time during the bye week, looks like he could start in his debut Sunday against the Texans.

• San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Nick Canepa says the Chargers, with so much preseason hype, are nothing more than a dead-average football team in the wake of Monday night’s 34-23 loss to the Broncos.

• Columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor of the Dallas Morning News says this Sunday’s game against the Falcons will be the key to predicting the future of the Cowboys’ season.

• The Raiders upset the Eagles thanks, in large part, to their constant pressure of QB Donovan McNabb provided by their blitz packages. But is that in line with Al Davis’ approach?

• Might be hard to believe, but the Ravens’ priority heading into their bye week will be to shore up — of all things — their struggling defense.

• Saints coach Sean Payton and QB Drew Brees are giving the O-line an ovation.

• Despite Houston’s decreased production in the rushing attack from last season, RB Steve Slaton is still finding ways to gain yardage and score touchdowns.

• The Vikings might be 6-0, but they have shown weakness in their pass defense, something that could get worse now that Pro-Bowl CB Antoine Winfield is injured.

Lost in the nostalgia of Giants QB Eli Manning playing a game in his hometown of New Orleans is the fact that the Saints actually have a pretty good football team. QB Drew Brees and the Saints presented their case to be considered the top team in the NFC with a severe pounding of the Giants.

Times Picayune columnist Peter Finney said that the Saints’ performance on Sunday was a masterpiece by Brees and coach Sean Payton. A true work of art.

The Saints rolled up 493 yards, 369 of which belonged to quarterback/artist Brees, as he joined coach/artist Payton in one of the most impressive Sundays in the history of the franchise.

• NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was in New Orleans for the game. Goodell is encouraged about the rebirth of the city which he said is coming back stronger than before.

• The New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans experienced chilling Week 6 losses.

• The Chargers hope to salvage their season against the Broncos. San Diego staged a furious rally in the final weeks of the 2008 season to win the AFC West. But the Chargers need to win Monday to keep pace with the Broncos, who are off to a perfect start.

• The Broncos are doing things the unconventional way. The team dumped a coach that had 14 years with the team and two Super Bowl rings to go with a hot-shot, 30-something coach. But it is paying off.

• Texans rookie LB Brian Cushing is leading the charge for the Texans’ defense.

• The Cardinals trounced the Seahawks on the road. Finally, the defending NFC champs are looking super again.

• The Rams have lost 16 consecutive games. Can they threaten the Buccaneers’ record of 26 straight losses? Probably not, as the Rams showed some signs of life in an overtime loss at Jacksonville.

• Remember those who were wondering what was wrong with Patriots QB Tom Brady? No need to worry anymore.

The Oakland Raiders are in the midst of a tumultuous season, ranking 32nd and 31st, respectively, on offense and defense, and being outscored 96-16 in their last three games, all of which has the team off to a 1-4 start.

As if the on-field misery wasn’t enough, the Raiders are also forced to deal with legal matters surrounding their head coach, Tom Cable, and whether or not criminal charges will be filed against him for allegedly punching assistant coach Randy Hanson on Aug. 5 at the team’s training facility in Napa, Calif.

The Sacramento Bee explores the issues surrounding the well-publicized case, adding that the off-field drama isn’t what the Raiders need right now.

“The commissioner of the NFL has weighed in with his concerns, blogs are competing daily with “scoops” based on unnamed sources and talk radio shows are swamped with callers asking whether the Oakland Raiders head coach will face criminal charges for allegedly attacking one of his assistants.

The notoriety adds to the woes of what may be the worst team in professional football today, with a 1-4 record so far this season.

As prosecutors move closer to deciding whether to charge head coach Tom Cable in the assault of assistant coach Randy Hanson on Aug. 5, speculation is mounting that the delay may be caused by a deal in the works.”

Even if no charges are filed, Cable could still face punishment from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Other stories around the web on Saturday:

• After combining for nearly 50 sacks in 2006 and 2007, the Chargers pass rushing duo of Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips has been shut out this season.

• Chiefs QB Matt Cassel proves that he’s quite comfortable running a no-huddle offense.

• Lions coaches are putting the pressure on RB Kevin Smith and other rushers to start breaking some long runs.

• Taking after his rough-and-tough father, Buddy, Jets coach Rex Ryan proves the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.

• Whatever his role may be, Cowboys RB Tashard Choice has shown that he’s a great option.

• Even growing up in his native Germany, LT Sebastian Vollmer always preferred American football over fútbol and now tackles the NFL with the Patriots.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (left) insists Wade Phillips' job is secure. (James D. Smith / Associated Press)

The Dallas Cowboys (and their fans) had high expectations coming into the season. But the team’s inconsistent play has resulted in a 3-2 start, which has many pundits pondering the job security of coach Wade Phillips.

According to The Dallas Morning News, owner Jerry Jones insisted this week that Phillips is not in danger of losing his job, and compared the Cowboys’ woes to those of one of Dallas’ division rivals during the 2007 season:

“Two years ago the Giants were seemingly not in disarray, but they were in trouble,” Jones said. “It was also absolutely expected that something was going to happen with the coach, [Tom] Coughlin. … Well, that same year they won the Super Bowl. You’ve got to be mindful that this is a long, long journey. … A lot can happen from the beginning to the end.”

Since buying the team in 1989, Jones has never made a coaching change during the season.

Other stories around the web on Friday:

• The Falcons don’t believe RB Michael Turner has a fumbling issue.

• Carolina WR Steve Smith has history of burning the Buccaneers.

• LB Junior Seau, 40, was pleased with his first practice back with the Patriots.

• Bills rookie Jamon Meredith may get his first start at right tackle against the Jets.

• Rams RB Steven Jackson isn’t happy about his start in 2009.

• Chiefs coach Todd Haley, not satisfied with receivers, makes a coaching change.

• Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker says fixing defense is all about fundamentals.

• Cowboys TE Martellus Bennett sets the energy bar high — even during a bye week.

• The Jets focus on increasing their puny sack total.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook had just eight touches against the Buccaneers last week, a surprising scene to not only fantasy owners and Philadelphia fans alike but to Westbrook himself. Eagles coach Andy Reid has said that Westbook could split more carries with rookie RB LeSean McCoy in the future.

Westbrook told reporters that he understands the situation and he wants to be a good teammate. Via the Philadelphia Daily News:

“I see the plays and how they’re calling them, and in this offense, you call the plays for a lot of your playmakers,” Westbrook said. “This week, we called a lot of plays for Jeremy [Maclin]. In previous weeks, we’ve called a lot of plays for DeSean [Jackson]. I know that at some point we are going to have to run the ball. At some point, they are going to have to put the ball in my hands. For me, I have to be constantly working on my game, constantly getting better every single week, and I’ll have the opportunity to do what I do with the ball in my hands.”

People who lament that Westbrook doesn’t have the same magic as he’s had before might not factor in how touches, and lots of them, lead to that magic.

“You can’t do much without the ball in your hands, as a running back,” he said. “You can block and do different things like that, but you can’t really do too much without the ball. So, I just try to go out, continue to be a leader on this team, continue to try and help the younger guys, whatever I can do to help this team win, that’s what I’ll do.”

Other stories making their way Around the Web.

• Ex-Giant Jeremy Shockey morphs into a team guy with the Saints. The formerly brash, outspoken tight end will face his former team Sunday, but he insists that the game is more about the two teams playing and not him.

• Can Wade Phillips learn a thing or two from U2 frontman Bono? Phillips is implored to think of what Bono would do with the Cowboys’ current situation. Certainly he would start Tashard Choice, right?

• The Bucs don’t have much firepower right now. So the team could turn to its first-round draft pick, QB Josh Freeman, who might receive some playing time.

• LB Junior Seau has returned to the Patriots, and his leadership qualities already are shining through. The one thing that keeps motivating him — that elusive championship.

Are the Cardinals the Phil Mickelson of the NFL? Even when things are rolling, the Cardinals always seem to be wiggling out of trouble and scrambling to stay ahead of their opponents. Can a goal-line stand against the Texans be a springboard to a new identity? Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic asks that question.

“A sense of identity is very important,” quarterback Kurt Warner said Tuesday, two days after the great escape in Glendale. “And when a team responds at a time when momentum switches drastically, at a time when it’s easy to point fingers and pack it in, that’s something you have to feed on.”

• Getting two-minute drilled: Dallas Cowboys ‘D’ faltering of late. The Cowboys have had two-minute drill struggles in recent weeks, allowing the Giants and Broncos to drive for winning scores, and nearly losing to the winless Chiefs.

• Rex Ryan needs bite to match bark for New York Jets to rebound after loss to Dolphins. The rookie Jets coach made headlines earlier this year trading barbs with players, coaches and pretty much everybody else. Now is the time to put up or shut up.

• What is the only thing lower than Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell’s passer rating? It is his confidence.

Time for a quick roundup of reaction from last night’s game, easily one of the season’s best through five weeks:

Running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams certainly deserve much of the credit for Miami’s 31-27 win, but we knew those two could run. It was Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne who, in his second career start, made the biggest statement. Premature or not, Henne has some thinking that the Dolphins’ nearly 10-year search for Dan Marino’s replacement may have finally ended last night.

On that subject, Rex Ryan — who described his defense’s performance as “horrendous” — said the Jets made Henne look like Marino. Perhaps the most impressive part of Henne’s 241-yard, two-touchdown game was the fact that he was constantly shuttled on and off the field for the “Wildcat” formation, which Miami proved will continue to be a staple of its offense. It certainly stole the show from Braylon Edwards, who, less than a week after having been traded to the Jets from Cleveland, made an instant impact in leading the Jets with five catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.

Some more notes from Around the Web on Tuesday morning:

• Eric Mangini is sticking with QB Derek Anderson, leading the Cleveland Plain-Dealer’s Mary Kay Abbot to suggest that benched QB Brady Quinn would welcome a trade before a next Tuesday’s deadline.

• Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco agrees with Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who thinks Ray Lewis should not be fined for his hit on Ochocinco on Sunday.

• The Broncos’ 5-0 start has given way to plenty of accolades for 33-year old coach Josh McDaniels, but overshadowed in all the hoopla has been defensive coordinator Mike Nolan’s impact on what was previously a porous defense.

• Cards coach Ken Whisenhunt was critical of himself, even after his team’s 28-21 win over Houston.

Behind the Cincinnati Bengals’ dramatic road win over the Baltimore Ravens – and their takeover of first place in the AFC North — was a story bigger than a football game. While the Bengals continued to play inspired, selfless football, yesterday they were playing for their defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer, who was standing on the Bengals sideline three days after the death of his wife, Vikki, for reasons unknown. From Paul Daugherty of the Cincinatti Enquirer:

After that, all (Zimmer) really wanted on Sunday was to be with his family. And so he was: His dad, his son, a daughter. . . and 53 players and a bunch of coaches.

It was one hell of an awful way to find inspiration. It was also a heavenly respite from what happened, and what is to come, when the noise dies down, the adrenaline ebbs and the mind has time for pain.

Some other stories of note from around the Web on a Monday morning:

• Joe Biddle of the Tennessean says it may be time to evaluate Vince Young, considering the amount of money the Titans owe him next season and the lack of production from current starter Kerry Collins.

• Speaking of poor quarterback play, Tom Cable says he is concerned with more than just JaMarcus Russell, but Gwen Knapp of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that the Raiders QB looks disoriented on the field.

• An animated Josh McDaniels admitted that the Broncos’ 20-17 win over the Patriots was particularly special to him, wrote Theresea Smith of The Boston Globe.

• Patrick McManamon of the Akron Beacon Journal is searching for positives in the Browns’ ugly 6-3 win over the Bills.

• Jack Del Rio and the Jaguars had to deal with two more off-the-field incidents before Sunday’s game, a 41-0 loss to the Seahawks.

• Redskins players are publicly backing coach Jim Zorn after their latest loss to the Panthers dropped their record to 2-3.

Can you believe they’re using the “f” word in Denver to describe their new quarterback, Kyle Orton?

Let that settle in for a second: Kyle Orton, a franchise quarterback.

By and large, Broncos fans were angered when first-year coach Josh McDaniels drove gunslinging QB Jay Cutler to the point that he wanted out of town, prompting the offseason trade that sent him to Chicago and Orton to Denver. That was then, though. Opinions have changed now that the Broncos are off to a 4-0 start.

Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Tribune writes that what Bears fans didn’t like about Orton as a quarterback, fans in Denver have embraced with open arms. What Orton lacks in style, he makes up for in results. He’s 25-12 as a starter:

“Denver is looking at Orton differently than it did when he arrived in the blockbuster trade that sent Jay Cutler to the Bears. And Denver certainly is looking at Orton differently than many in Chicago did. What lots of people scoffed at in our town — Orton as the dreaded “game manager” — Denver is embracing.”

Other stories around the Web on Saturday:

• Eagles president Joe Banner indicated in a television interview that he expects the team to renew coach Andy Reid’s contract.

• With Fred Taylor sidelined indefinitely, the Patriots’ other running backs are ready to run with the opportunity of more carries.

• The 49ers’ Aubrayo Franklin is playing like one of the best nose tackles in the NFL.

• Miami Herald blogger Armando Salguero writes that the Dolphins would be wise to give RB Ronnie Brown more carries.

• The Cowboys’ two-tight end sets are a work in progress.

• With the offseason departure of Tony Gonzalez, the Chiefs are pleasantly surprised by TE Sean Ryan’s production in the passing game.

The Falcons moved into the Georgia Dome in 1992. Since then, 25 NFL teams have built new stadiums.

Perhaps feeling a bit envious of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones‘ billion-dollar palace, Falcons owner Arthur Blank has said in recent months that he’d like a new place for his team to play.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Blank believes the city needs a modern facility in order to keep up with other world-class metropolitan areas. Of course, a new stadium also would help the Falcons keep their competitive edge:

“The Falcons are falling behind other teams in the NFL in terms of the experience for our fans,” Blank said at the Atlanta Press Club Thursday. “We want the right environment for our fans and for our sponsors.”

Other stories around the Web on Friday:

• New Jets WR Braylon Edwards feels confident that he’ll fit into the team’s offensive scheme.

• The Browns’ wide receivers are minus a star, but they believe that’s a plus.

• Steelers RB Mewelde Moore is proving to be more and more valuable.

• Colts rookie WR Austin Collie and second-year man Pierre Garçon don’t miss a beat.

• The Bills’ scant possession time hurts the defense.

• The Packers’ old practice turf was donated to a Milwaukee youth center.

QB Brett Favre had a dominating performance against his former team. And as you can expect, there area lot of opinions out there following the Vikings’ win. Here is a collection of some of the best stories about Favre’s magical Monday night.

• Favre conquers nerves, then his former team. Wearing his purple No. 4 jersey and an awkward smile, Favre hugged one Vikings teammate after another before he turned to face his beaten foe. For the first time on the same field with the Packers, Favre was glad they lost. MORE

• Packer Smacker: Favre burns former teammates. After a week of trying to convince everyone that facing the Green Bay Packers was nothing special, the Vikings quarterback said he entered Monday night’s game about as nervous as he had ever been in his 19-plus-season career. MORE

• Formidable: Vikings QB Brett Favre shows he still can play. Revenge, vindication, told you so. Whatever it was, Brett Favre got it Monday night. MORE

• Favre: ‘Nervous as I’ve ever been before a game’. Brett Favre figured the best place for him before Monday’s game was in the locker room, away from what he knew would be a circus on the field at the Metrodome. MORE

• Rodgers is guilty of holding. The sight of quarterback Aaron Rodgers holding the football while the Minnesota Vikings pummeled him will be one he and the Green Bay Packers will carry with themselves for two long weeks. MORE

• Favre has now beaten them all. Brett Favre had defeated the other 31 NFL teams before. There was only one remaining. His old one. MORE

• Packers blame loss on mistakes, not Brett Favre, Vikings. The hype seemed interminable, the atmosphere was electric and the losers seemed to collapse under the pressure. The Green Bay Packers, however, declined to bow to the Vikings. MORE

Everybody knows the drill by now. The Cowboys lose a close game and the overreacting begins. Was it the offense? Was it the defense? Jennifer Floyd Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram believes that it is an attitude problem that stems from coach Wade Phillips.

This isn’t an offense problem. This isn’t a defense problem.

The Chargers could not stop the Steelers on Sunday night, though they made it close at the end. RB LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for only 15 yards. LB Shawne Merriman looks like he is still recovering from offseason surgery. But coach Norv Turner is not ready to write the season off yet.

Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson struggled again Sunday night, rushing for only 15 yards against the Steelers. (Keith Srakocic / Associated Press)

San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Tim Sullivan, however, believes there is still plenty to be worried about in San Diego.

Turner is probably right. The Chargers figure to be better as the season progresses, if only because there are no more Super Bowl champions on their schedule. Philip Rivers is a capable quarterback with big-play receivers and he’s going to keep putting up points if playing one-dimensional catch-up does not land him in the hospital.

But if a division title looked to be low-hanging fruit in August, it now appears to be a long, arduous climb. The Denver Broncos are already 4-0, and can extend their AFC West lead against New England during the Chargers’ bye week.

Some other stories of note from around the Web on a Monday morning.