FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Obviously, Saints fans are thankful for Drew Brees being part of their lives. But the NFL's most overlooked offseason addition of '09 has been New Orleans' signing four-time Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper, currently tied for the NFL lead with 7 INTs (including three returned for TDs).

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Obviously, Saints fans are thankful for Drew Brees being part of their lives. But the NFL's most overlooked offseason addition of '09 has been New Orleans' signing four-time Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper, currently tied for the NFL lead with 7 INTs (including three returned for TDs).
FIRST-HALF CURSE: The only Bayou bummer is that this is not a Super Bowl hosting year for the city.
THIS WEEK: at Rams (1-7)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Even mostly without perennial All-Pro safety Bob Sanders, the Colts have been benefactors of the NFL's best scoring defense in the first half. And oh yeah, that Peyton Manning fellow ain't too bad, either.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Even mostly without perennial All-Pro safety Bob Sanders, the Colts have been benefactors of the NFL's best scoring defense in the first half. And oh yeah, that Peyton Manning fellow ain't too bad, either.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Indy has held its breath after several injuries thus far, but guys like Sanders (at times), Dwight Freeney and rookie RB Donald Brown have been able to play through some pain.
THIS WEEK: vs. Patriots (6-2)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Thank you, Brett Favre. And really, special thanks to Vikings coach Brad Childress for his persistence ... and especially to Packers GM Ted Thompson for helping make this potential Super Bowl run possible.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Thank you, Brett Favre. And really, special thanks to Vikings coach Brad Childress for his persistence ... and especially to Packers GM Ted Thompson for helping make this potential Super Bowl run possible.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: The only real bummer in the first half of the season was falling victim twice to Pittsburgh's TD-happy defense in Week 7. Other than that, the party has definitely been rockin'.
THIS WEEK: vs. Lions (1-7)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: For once, Cincy's overflowing with goodness — from the return of health of former Pro Bowl QB Carson Palmer, the return of commitment by Chad Ochocinco, the gamble that paid off with Cedric Benson and the defensive revival led by new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: For once, Cincy's overflowing with goodness — from the return of health of former Pro Bowl QB Carson Palmer, the return of commitment by Chad Ochocinco, the gamble that paid off with Cedric Benson and the defensive revival led by new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Other than that Brandon Stokley catch and one letdown lesson against Houston, the Bengals have been spotless.
THIS WEEK: at Steelers (6-2)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Mike Tomlin's secret blessing has been an ineffective and worn down Willie Parker, which opened the door to giving second-year Rashard Mendenhall the full-time RB duties.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Mike Tomlin's secret blessing has been an ineffective and worn down Willie Parker, which opened the door to giving second-year Rashard Mendenhall the full-time RB duties. What a gift that keeps on giving!
FIRST-HALF CURSE: The Week 1 ouchie to Troy Polamalu was perhaps the biggest factor in the Steelers blowing fourth-quarter leads twice in losing two of their first three. But their hairy safety is back healthy and wreaking havoc once again.
THIS WEEK: vs. Bengals (6-2)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: The biggest props have to go to the 49ers, who axed former head coach Mike Nolan last season. He has come to Denver and transformed an annually horrifying Broncos defense.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: The biggest props have to go to the 49ers, who axed former head coach Mike Nolan last season. He has come to Denver and transformed an annually horrifying Broncos defense. And special thanks to Brandon Stokley for his Week 1 miracle that kick-started a 6-0 start.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: After being blessed with six great games out of Kyle Orton, is it time to start worrying? In back-to-back losses, Orton has gone without a TD pass and threw three interceptions vs. Pittsburgh.
THIS WEEK: at Redskins (2-6)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Kudos to the doctors who obviously did a fine job fixing and rehabbing Tom Brady's knee. But Bill Belichick deserves praise for adjusting to a more balanced offense after dialing up 100 pass plays in the first two weeks of the season while Brady was still getting his groove back.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Kudos to the doctors who obviously did a fine job fixing and rehabbing Tom Brady's knee. But Bill Belichick deserves praise for adjusting to a more balanced offense after dialing up 100 pass plays in the first two weeks of the season while Brady was still getting his groove back.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Curses only to the schedule-maker. If the Patriots played the Jets now instead of in Week 2, who would win? We'll find out in Week 11 for the rematch.
THIS WEEK: at Colts (8-0)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Duh. No-brainer here, as WR Miles Austin has come out of nowhere to seemingly save the Cowboys' season and possibly Wade Phillips' job over the last four games. FIRST-HALF CURSE: Until Austin's emergence, the Curse of T.O.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Duh. No-brainer here, as WR Miles Austin has come out of nowhere to seemingly save the Cowboys' season and possibly Wade Phillips' job over the last four games.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Until Austin's emergence, the Curse of T.O. lingered with an offense that couldn't find itself. Looking forward, Tony Romo now only faces his own cursed Decembers of the past.
THIS WEEK: at Packers (4-4)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Donovan McNabb can thank Andy Reid for FINALLY giving him some exciting weapons on offense to choose from, with DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy and Brent Celek all 24 years or younger.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Donovan McNabb can thank Andy Reid for FINALLY giving him some exciting weapons on offense to choose from, with DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy and Brent Celek all 24 years or younger.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Philly fans can curse Big Red's skewed run-pass ratio all they want. But injuries up the middle have been the real curse thus far (RB Brian Westbrook, the O-line disaster, MLB Stewart Bradley).
THIS WEEK: at Chargers (5-3)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: We knew TE Tony Gonzalez would be a treat for the Falcons and their young QB. But just as sweet has been LB Mike Peterson in the middle of Atlanta's improved defense.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: We knew TE Tony Gonzalez would be a treat for the Falcons and their young QB. But just as sweet has been LB Mike Peterson in the middle of Atlanta's improved defense.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Second-year stud QB Matt Ryan was cursing himself after his recent three-game slump, but Michael Turner's running helped the Falcons forget Ryan's troubles last week.
THIS WEEK: at Panthers (3-5)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Baltimore fans have been starving over a decade for a legitimate offense to come along. Thanks to QB Joe Flacco and RB Ray Rice, the waiting is over, as the Ravens are top 10 in scoring and have put up 30-plus points in five of eight games.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Baltimore fans have been starving over a decade for a legitimate offense to come along. Thanks to QB Joe Flacco and RB Ray Rice, the waiting is over, as the Ravens are top 10 in scoring and have put up 30-plus points in five of eight games.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Damn you, Mother Nature. Is age starting to creep in on defense? Don't blame elders Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, but instead it was former Raven DBs Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle who couldn't play forever. Their high-priced replacements have not earned their keep so far.
THIS WEEK: at Browns (1-7), Mon.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Chargers fans can thank Eli Manning for his former draft demands to be traded from San Diego, which brought Rivers to the West Coast. San Diego's QB has been the rock holding the Chargers together through a trying first half, but looking solid at 5-3.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Chargers fans can thank Eli Manning for his former draft demands to be traded from San Diego, which brought Rivers to the West Coast. San Diego's QB has been the rock holding the Chargers together through a trying first half, but looking solid at 5-3.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Forget the swine flu, the injury bug played a major part in San Diego's struggles early this season with several stars in the training room (LT, Shawne Merriman, Nick Hardwick, Jamal Williams, etc.).
THIS WEEK: vs. Eagles (5-3)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: More than any other team, the Dolphins are still gifted in the ways of the wildcat, which helped Miami rebound from an 0-3 start with four straight 30-point performances until losing in New England last week.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: More than any other team, the Dolphins are still gifted in the ways of the wildcat, which helped Miami rebound from an 0-3 start with four straight 30-point performances until losing in New England last week.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: What did Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano do to tick off the league's schedule-makers? Seven of Miami's eight opponents thus far own a record of .500 or better, including both remaining unbeatens Indy and New Orleans.
THIS WEEK: vs. Buccaneers (1-7)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Despite their recent skid, QB Mark Sanchez and coach Rex Ryan have provided new juice to a franchise that was lacking in that department. But both should really be patting RB Thomas Jones on the back after a strong first half.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Despite their recent skid, QB Mark Sanchez and coach Rex Ryan have provided new juice to a franchise that was lacking in that department. But both should really be patting RB Thomas Jones on the back after a strong first half.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Both sides of the ball have suffered injury to major pieces of the Jets' puzzle, with DT Kris Jenkins and RB/KR Leon Washington lost for the season.
THIS WEEK: vs. Jaguars (4-4)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Once again, Cardinals fans should thank their lucky stars of course for Kurt Warner's defiance of age and for superstud WR Larry Fitzgerald, but also for playing in such a weak division.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Once again, Cardinals fans should thank their lucky stars of course for Kurt Warner's defiance of age and for superstud WR Larry Fitzgerald, but also for playing in such a weak division.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: The running game has been a curse for too long, although it has shown signs the past few weeks of developing real kick.
THIS WEEK: vs. Seahawks (3-5)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: All the Texans have wanted is for Matt Schaub to stay healthy. For half the season at least, he has and it's paid dividends as the Houston QB leads the NFL in passing yards and TD tosses at the midway point.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: All the Texans have wanted is for Matt Schaub to stay healthy. For half the season at least, he has and it's paid dividends as the Houston QB leads the NFL in passing yards and TD tosses at the midway point.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Grrrrr, if the cursed RBs could hold onto the football (especially near the goal line) the Texans might be closer to 7-2 than 5-4.
THIS WEEK: Bye

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Thanks to a soft early-season schedule including the Redskins, Bucs, Chiefs and Raiders, the Giants were able to bank a quick and painless five wins to start the season.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Thanks to a soft early-season schedule including the Redskins, Bucs, Chiefs and Raiders, the Giants were able to bank a quick and painless five wins to start the season.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: What is a blessing is also a curse, as those five wins proved to be a mirage that has evaporated quickly to reveal a reeling defense hurting with secondary injuries.
THIS WEEK: Bye

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Aaron Rodgers is still able to walk after eight games behind this horrid offensive line. For that, Packers fans should be very grateful, or this deflating 4-4 start could be even worse.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Aaron Rodgers is still able to walk after eight games behind this horrid offensive line. For that, Packers fans should be very grateful, or this deflating 4-4 start could be even worse.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: The Curse of Brett Favre and his season sweep over his former team is beginning to permeate the Land of Cheeseheads.
THIS WEEK: vs. Cowboys (6-2)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Like him or not, you can't blame Jay Cutler too much for the Bears slipping back to .500. The dude's still putting up big numbers. FIRST-HALF CURSE: The addition of Cutler has seemingly cursed second-year RB Matt Forte instead of opening room for bigger ground action, as the coaches scurry for second-half answers to the missing running game.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Like him or not, you can't blame Jay Cutler too much for the Bears slipping back to .500. The dude's still putting up big numbers.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: The addition of Cutler has seemingly cursed second-year RB Matt Forte instead of opening room for bigger ground action, as the coaches scurry for second-half answers to the missing running game.
THIS WEEK: at 49ers (3-5), Thurs.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Well, for one thing, Mike Singletary has not dropped his pants once (we kid, haha). But true thanks go out to the NFC West, against whom the Niners are 3-0 this season.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Well, for one thing, Mike Singletary has not dropped his pants once (we kid, haha). But true thanks go out to the NFC West, against whom the Niners are 3-0 this season.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Come on already, is there some rule that the 49ers can't play EVERY game vs. the NFC West? Wait, there is . . . OK, never mind. Otherwise, the 49ers are cursed with two middle-of-the-road QBs these days while they search for direction.
THIS WEEK: vs. Bears (4-4), Thurs.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: For the most part, QB Matt Hasselbeck has been healthy. And when he plays, the Seahawks generally have a decent shot at winning. FIRST-HALF CURSE: If this team has to rely on a QB playing hurt to throw 51 times in order to beat the Lions at home, they've got bigger problems than any curses.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: For the most part, QB Matt Hasselbeck has been healthy. And when he plays, the Seahawks generally have a decent shot at winning.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: If this team has to rely on a QB playing hurt to throw 51 times in order to beat the Lions at home, they've got bigger problems than any curses.
THIS WEEK: at Cardinals (5-3)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: There have been a few bright spots that kept Buffalo's season from completely going off the tracks, namely backup RB Fred Jackson's sterling fill-in work during the Marshawn Lynch suspension, rookie DB Jairus Byrd's NFL-high seven interceptions and the return to health of LB Paul Posluszny.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: There have been a few bright spots that kept Buffalo's season from completely going off the tracks, namely backup RB Fred Jackson's sterling fill-in work during the Marshawn Lynch suspension, rookie DB Jairus Byrd's NFL-high seven interceptions and the return to health of LB Paul Posluszny.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Is it the Curse of T.O. that is hampering the Bills offense? Other than getting old, likely not actually. Instead it is more the youth of QB Trent Edwards and his growing pains behind a struggling O-line.
THIS WEEK: at Titans (2-6)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Thank goodness both the running game and defense have regained their fire over the past few weeks, or the Panthers may already be playing for a top-five draft pick. FIRST-HALF CURSE: There's no way around it: QB Jake Delhomme is cursed this season.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Thank goodness both the running game and defense have regained their fire over the past few weeks, or the Panthers may already be playing for a top-five draft pick.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: There's no way around it: QB Jake Delhomme is cursed this season. He is a lost puppy in need of a new home where he can start fresh by holding a clipboard.
THIS WEEK: vs. Falcons (5-3)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Who knew the 0-6 start may have been a blessing? It took six straight defeats to start the year for coach Jeff Fisher to resort to giving QB Vince Young another shot as a starter.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Who knew the 0-6 start may have been a blessing? It took six straight defeats to start the year for coach Jeff Fisher to resort to giving QB Vince Young another shot as a starter. Two wins later, hope floats cautiously in Tennessee.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Did former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz work some sort of voodoo on his former players? The Titans defense sure has played like it at times, acting like they forgot how they anchored last year's 13-3 squad.
THIS WEEK: vs. Bills (3-5)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Muchas gracias to the Jaguars front office for giving the full-time RB gig to the man I love to call MJD Light. They showed him the money, and in turn he is showing the NFL that he can handle the every-down pounding while still producing big plays FIRST-HALF CURSE: Even if the Jags work their soft second-half schedule to make a playoff run, will the locals even see it or be blacked out of the whole experience? THIS WEEK: at Jets (4-4)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Muchas gracias to the Jaguars front office for giving the full-time RB gig to the man I love to call MJD Light. They showed him the money, and in turn he is showing the NFL that he can handle the every-down pounding while still producing big plays
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Even if the Jags work their soft second-half schedule to make a playoff run, will the locals even see it or be blacked out of the whole experience?
THIS WEEK: at Jets (4-4)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: They won a game! They won a game! No matter what happens the rest of the way, they've always got the Redskins to thank for ending their pain (for a week, at least). FIRST-HALF CURSE: Jim Schwartz is going to need a few more offseasons to rebuild this cursed defense.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: They won a game! They won a game! No matter what happens the rest of the way, they've always got the Redskins to thank for ending their pain (for a week, at least).
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Jim Schwartz is going to need a few more offseasons to rebuild this cursed defense.
THIS WEEK: at Vikings (7-1)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Well, at least owner Dan Snyder can afford to try buying his way out of mistakes. Now if he could only avoid making them. FIRST-HALF CURSE: Clearly, the offense has been cursed since this point last season.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Well, at least owner Dan Snyder can afford to try buying his way out of mistakes. Now if he could only avoid making them.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Clearly, the offense has been cursed since this point last season. At the midpoint of 2008, the Redskins were 6-2 behind NFL rushing leader Clinton Portis. The have gone 4-12 since, reaching the 20-point mark just twice in those 16 games.
THIS WEEK: vs. Broncos (6-2)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Hmm, well . . . blossoming franchise QB? No. Exciting RB of the future? Not really. Dominant first-round stud WR? Yuck, no way. Thank goodness for the Raiderettes. FIRST-HALF CURSE: As easy as it'd be to put this embarrassment on all the off-field issues surrounding coach Tom Cable these days, the Raiders are marching toward an NFL record seventh straight season with 10-plus losses thanks to an owner desperately living in the past.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Hmm, well . . . blossoming franchise QB? No. Exciting RB of the future? Not really. Dominant first-round stud WR? Yuck, no way. Thank goodness for the Raiderettes.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: As easy as it'd be to put this embarrassment on all the off-field issues surrounding coach Tom Cable these days, the Raiders are marching toward an NFL record seventh straight season with 10-plus losses thanks to an owner desperately living in the past.
THIS WEEK: vs. Chiefs (1-7)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Despite some early struggles, QB Matt Cassel has shown grit minus big-time talent around him, and hard-nosed head coach Todd Haley will keep cutting off any cancer cells like LJ.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Despite some early struggles, QB Matt Cassel has shown grit minus big-time talent around him, and hard-nosed head coach Todd Haley will keep cutting off any cancer cells like LJ.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: The Packers have the Curse of Favre; The Chiefs have the Curse of Jared Allen. Since trading him away before the start of the '08 season, the Chiefs have the fewest sacks in the NFL.
THIS WEEK: at Raiders (2-6)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: There must be a lot of Midwest prayers every Sunday morning for RB Steven Jackson, the team's workhorse who is staying healthy and tied for the NFC rushing lead despite no help around him.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: There must be a lot of Midwest prayers every Sunday morning for RB Steven Jackson, the team's workhorse who is staying healthy and tied for the NFC rushing lead despite no help around him.
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Rams management continues to feel the effects of its loyalty to Marc Bulger. Let's face it, the guy just doesn't have it anymore and the team should have drafted a QB in one of these last two drafts.
THIS WEEK: vs. Saints (8-0)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Did you ever think Tampa fans would be thankful for those hideously beautiful orange jerseys? The Bucs are 1-0 so far going old school, let's make it a weekly thing! FIRST-HALF CURSE: Sure, the Bucs have been cursed with arguably the toughest schedule in the league.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Did you ever think Tampa fans would be thankful for those hideously beautiful orange jerseys? The Bucs are 1-0 so far going old school, let's make it a weekly thing!
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Sure, the Bucs have been cursed with arguably the toughest schedule in the league. But still, with a young team it would have been smart to give rookie QB Josh Freeman the keys to the wagon in Week 1 to accelerate his learning curve.
THIS WEEK: at Dolphins (3-5)

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Eight games down, eight to go. The countdown to the offseason continues . . . FIRST-HALF CURSE: Eric Mangini (deservedly) takes most of the rap behind the nightmare in Cleveland.

FIRST-HALF BLESSING: Eight games down, eight to go. The countdown to the offseason continues . . .
FIRST-HALF CURSE: Eric Mangini (deservedly) takes most of the rap behind the nightmare in Cleveland. But the real problem is an owner who should still have a Lerner's permit.
THIS WEEK: vs. Ravens (4-4), Mon.