Day 41: Favre's retrun to Lambeau, Rajon Rondo, Yankees and more

HEADLINES

1) Brett Favre threw four touchdowns in his return to Lambeau as the Vikings swept the season series against the Packers. Favre wasn't making as big of a deal of it after the game, but was Brett Favre doing cartwheels on the inside?

Ben: I'm sure he was, and that's what bothers me. He played a great game, but he can't make it be strictly about the game, and his fantastic season so far. He has to make it about what Ted Thompson did two years ago, and how he is better then Aaron Rodgers. Thompson made a business/football decision, it may or may not have been the best decision for the last two season, but in the grand scheme of things, I think it was the right call. Brett has made decisions based on how best to get revenge and hasn't allowed this to die. I think it's time he just got over it and went on to just play football.

Boz: No doubt about it. Favre wanted to play more years as starting quarterback for the Packers but the Packers made it clear that they wanted Brett to retire so that they could finally give Aaron Rodgers his chance as a starting quarterback. Going to the Vikings was his chance to really stick it to the Packers for how they treated him in his final months as a Packer and sticking it to them is exactly what he did. While the Packers aren't upset that they now have Rogers as quarterback, I have to believe that they are upset that they let Favre get to one of their rivals and take them to the top of the NFC.

2) The Boston Celtics finally agreed on a contract extension with Rajon Rondo, giving the point guard a five year, $55 million deal. Is that a good move for the Celtics?

Ben:  Yes. Rondo is one of the best pure point guards in the NBA. He's not going to be a shooter, but he will absolutely lead his team and direct the offense. He can get to the hoop, play solid defense, and can help a team as a role player. Rondo was a steal in the draft and will continue to be a steal at 11 mil a year. He's a keeper.

Boz. Once again, no doubt about it. I wasn't on the Rajon Rondo bandwagon two years ago when the Celtics won the championship, mainly because it was the big three that won them the title. However, since that season two years ago, I've really seen Rondo grow as a scorer. He could always facilitate, giving the ball to either Garnett, Pierce or Allen. He still facilitates, but now Rondo can be depended on to score as well. He'll eventually find his way into the top five point guards in the league.

3) After dropping the opening game in the Bronx, the Yankees have won three straight games to take a 3-1 lead in the World Series. Are you already having the New York Yankees inscribed on the World Series trophy?

Ben: Uh, yeah. That offense is too good -- and while I disagree with the 3-days rest strategy as well as overpaying for all free agents, and basically the entire Yankees organization -- I will say that this series is theirs. The Phillies have missed several opportunities, and the Yankees won't let them back in it.

Oh yeah, how's Brad Lidge now?

Boz: Yeah I am. The Yankees won't win it tonight with Cliff Lee back on the mound. However, the Yankees will close out the series in Game 6 back in New York with Andy Petitte back on the mound, which is what I believe I predicted before the series started. The last time that a team rebounded from down 3-1 was the Royals in 1985. Even though I think they'll win tonight, having to beat both Andy Petitte and C.C. Sabathia on the road is too tough of a task. I have to admit it, Joe Girardi's three-man rotation has really paid off for the Yanks and will win them a championship.

4) After trailing Indiana at home entering the fourth quarter, Iowa put up 28 points in the final quarter to take a 42-24 win over the Hoosiers. The Hawks have three games remaining against Northwestern, at Ohio State, and against Minnesota. If Iowa goes undefeated, do they deserve a shot at the title?

Ben: I think so. But right now, they are the odd man out. With Texas and Flordia/Alabama almost assured of going undefeated, Iowa would stay at #3, with potential to get passed by Cincy or TCU. I think they deserve it, but they might get passed over because the Big Ten is down this year, and the Big Ten has disappointed BIG TIME in the BCS lately.

Boz: It's really hard to say. While Iowa is barely escaping subpar teams, Texas, Cincinnati and TCU are looking stronger and stronger. However, I've always been an advocate of believing that it's not the fashion of how you win, but that you at least get the W. To me, a win is a win. The Hawkeyes really benefit from not having a conference championship game and I think that Iowa will in fact be playing the winner of the SEC in the championship game.

ODDS

1) The Tennessee Titans put up 30 points and are now 1-0 under Vince Young this season. What are the odds that the Titans are above in the second half of the season?

Ben: 100%. I believe in Vince Young and think he can help them get back to a decent overall record.

Boz: 60%. Vince Young has been an above .500 quarterback in the NFL so far and the Titans have a favorable schedule down the stretch with about six or seven winable games. I got to figure they can win at least five of those games, especially if Chris Johnson goes for 200 yards every week.

2) Oregon ran wild over USC on Saturday night in a 47-20 win, giving the Trojans their worst loss during the Pete Carrol era. What are the odds that a 1-loss Oregon team would get into the BCS Championship before an udefeated TCU or Boise State team?

Ben: 0%. They lost to Boise State -- they won't be allowed to pass them in the standings. I think Oregon and Boise State would be a great rematch in a BCS game, but I don't think Oregon gets to the Championship game.

Boz: 90%. We just barely got to the point where the BCS started giving one mid-major team a BCS bowl game. I don't think we are anywhere near giving a mid-major team a shot at the BCS title. The Pac-10 is tough and an undefeated Pac-10 team should get the chance at the title first.

3) The Arizona Cardinals are leading the NFC West by one game but loss to the Panthers at home to drop them to 4-3. What are the odds that the NFC West champion will win 10 games this season?

Ben: 0%. The NFC West sucks. They are always up and down and I can't believe that Arizona will put it together enough to win 6 more games. I just can't.

Boz: 20%. If the Cardinals could figure things out they could have a shot at winning 10 or 11 games. However, they have been very inconsistent through the first half of the season. The 49ers started out hot but their offense hasn't been able to match that defense in the last four games. I got the Cardinals winning the division at 9-7.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Congratulations Detroit Lions. Yesterday you lost to the winless (0-7) St. Louis Rams....at home.....after the bye week. I am as big a fan as you can get, and I stick up for you when I should learn to keep my mouth shut, so if you could avoid putting that kind of performance on the field of play ever again, I'd appreciate it.

Boz: Happy Anniversary Minnesota Timberwolves. On this day in 1990, the T-Wolves opened up the Target Center with a 98-85 win over the Dallas Mavericks. I saw the Wolves play the Mavs at the Target Center but it was in 2003 and the Mavs won.