What to Watch: NFL Week 14

Here is a rundown on some of the major NFL storylines this weekend:

• N.Y. Giants at Minnesota Vikings: The question of the week is will Brett Favre start against the Giants? Favre has a current streak of starting 297 games in the NFL, but suffered a strained shoulder last week. He has been medically cleared to play, but will he be able to throw the ball effectively even with pain relieving injections? It is unlikely that Favre will let his streak end when the doctors have given him the go ahead. This guy is tough, despite his old age.
• Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers: Chiefs QB Matt Cassel is talking about starting again this week after just undergoing an emergency appendectomy. Is he crazy? Sure, this is a big game where the Chiefs have the opportunity to get control of the AFC West title, but is it really worth the risk of serious injury? The NFL should really be stepping in on this one to regulate Cassel's return post surgery.
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• New England Patriots at Chicago Bears: The Pats are looking unstoppable as of late, but Jay Cutler and his Bears could be the squad able to control Brady's good looks. If Cutler can harness his offense and control his offensive possessions they will have a chance. Truth is, I am still not starting Cutler on my fantasy team.

Discipline Wins Games

The Chicago Bears took out the Green Bay Packers last night in a last second field goal. Despite the win, the Packers clearly dominated, but lost the game due to penalties. The Packers committed a record 18 penalties for a loss of 152 yards!! And two of these penalties were especially costly, one nullifying a Packers touchdown and another nullifying a Packer interception.

So when it comes down to it, you don't have to be the best team to win, you just need to be disciplined to avoid penalties and not lose it for yourself. Case and point - the Chicago Bears: the only NFC team to remain undefeated after week 3.

Monday Night Football: Cutler v. Rodgers

I have known Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler for some time now, since we both attended the fine Vanderbilt University. Jay is a good guy, but when I drafted him in my fantasy football league, I did not think that I was getting a tier 1 NFL quarterback (no offense Jay ;)). Yet, Jay has started off the season with the best passer rating in the league!!! And, he has of course carried my fantasy team through these last few weeks.

But tonight, Jay will face quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers (and coincidentally my fantasy opponent for the week has Aaron Rodgers on his lineup). The Bears were swept by the Packers last season and Jay had four interceptions in one of the games. Jay should be hungry for this rematch and confident, since the Bears are a stronger team right now with the Packers injury list growing.

The two quarterbacks seem to admire each other, which may not last for long since this game could be indicative of a face off of the next round of top quarterbacks (the Peyton Mannings and Tom Bradys wont be here forever). Think Hilary Duff v. Lindsay Lohan or Christina Aguilera v. Britney Spears. And since we know how those battles turned out, the best advice here for Cutler, is to stay consistent and on track.

Tune in tonight 8:30 p.m. on ESPN for the showdown.