Can't detect them on the scanners

Coaches get blamed for everything. Let me stress the word blamed. Yeah, certain guys get credited for team success - just ask Josh McDaniels P.R. man. But how quickly people forget the good because the thought is what have you done for me lately. I don't care if Tony Sparano took the 1-15 Dolphins to the playoffs last year, because 2-3 isn't cutting it.

Beside coaches, it has to be quarterbacks, but for good, obvious reasons. They are the coach on the field. Any good team can end up in the toilet because of poor quarterback play (anyone remember Rex Grossman?). But still, too often overlooked are the field generals who quietly are making a name for themselves in the NFL

Even though they are under the radar, this week's list of five pays tribute to those quarterbacks who deserve credit. And today on the blog, they get it.

1. Ben Roethlisberger - Yeah, he's got two Super Bowl rings already, but he never got respect as a passer. He's always been a good game manager to compliment the running game, and could extend a play into the next decade. But he was never the go-to-guy in the offense. Now, Big Ben's averaging just under 300 yards per game with a 102.6 QB rating (over ten points above his career average). Probably the most telling stat is his 73.8 percent completion percentage to receiver. Ben no longer just wins, but he does it by throwing the football on the 2nd best passing offense in the league.

2. Matt Hasselbeck - In my opinion, Hasselbeck has gotten a bad wrap because people forgot about him so easily. He was injured for most of last year, and never had a chance to get going, which is one of the reasons why Seattle fell from grace. Even though he missed two and a half games, Matt's thrown seven touchdowns to the tune of a 103.1 QB rating. If this performance keeps up, Seattle could catch San Francisco in the race for the West.

3. Matt Schaub - At least Schaub is holding up his end of the bargain. This was supposed to be an offensive juggernaut, which it is in terms of passing is 3rd in the league. He's tied for second in the league with 10 touchdowns. Just imagine if he had a running game to go along with his arm...

4. Joe Flacco - In his sophmore season, the walking unibrow has made the Ravens offense as respectable as the defense. He's 6th in the league in passing while the Baltimore pass game is 7th. He's moving the ball, but also taking care of it. He's breaking a similar mold that Ben grew into, but he's doing it much quicker. Now if he can just beat a good team, then he'll make it to Roethlisberger's level.

5. Kyle Orton - Neckbeard might have found a home in Denver, but more importantly a place as a good quarterback. Say what you want about him, but the team is undefeated. He's 8th in passing with a rating of 97.4. Who'd have thought that? But more than that a 7:1 TD to INT ratio. He's not necessarily winning the game, but he's also not losing the games for them (I knew something went wrong in Chicago). As long as they keep winning, I'm buying into Orton.

Game of the Week - New York @ New Orleans
Without a doubt, the biggest matchup of the NFL season so far. It's very easy to see this being a preview of the NFC championship game. But the difference is in the stats. The Giants have the No. 1 ranked defense and the No. 2 ranked offense. The Saints have the No. 3 ranked defense, but the No. 14 ranked offense. Who would have thought a team that throws more than a baseball pitcher would be ranked 14th? It'll be a competitive game, but I have to go with the G-men. New York 34-24.