This is just a sampling of the treats at Victorian Chocolate Company. The blobby, bubbly heart at the top is the one I dipped.

This morning I got to take look behind the scenes at Victorian Chocolate Company in Lebanon.

There were no Ooompa Loompas or flowing chocolate rivers, but I bet my son is still jealous that I took this field trip without him.

Kelly Reetz creates his handmade treats in the back of the small shop on Grove Street that he owns with his wife Kyla Hague.

I visited for about half an hour, during which time, Reetz showed me the steps involved in making various types of chocolate.  It was sort of a small town version of “How It’s Made.” Reetz greeted me wearing an old sweatshirt, an apron, a net over his beard. Different from the way he greets customers, in a tidy white jacket.

I got to see the sheets of jelly candy that will be cut into sections and dipped in chocolate before being placed with his other creations in the front display case that greets customers when they come in the shop.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, his focus now is heart shaped confections. This morning, Reetz made some fudge centered hearts. He even let me make one – easily identifiable in the photo above by the bubbles on the surface.

Of course, the pieces Reetz made were more appetizing. He’s been at his craft since the 1980s.

This will mark the second time the two will square off in the NFC championship, the first was also a classic that basically ended Joe Montana’s career in the bay, and the 49ers’ attempt at the NFL’s first three-peat during the 1990-91 season.

More recently, the 49ers held off New York’s final comeback attempt deep in the red zone to win 27-20 in Week 10 of this season, and both teams were playing their best of the year at the time, much like they both are currently.

New York, however, was without one of its two-headed monsters in the backfield for the regular season matchup. Ahmad Bradshaw was injured, and his presence has proven to help the Giants when both he and Brandon Jacobs are healthy.

The 49ers top-ranked run defense will have a tougher test with Bradshaw in the lineup, but San Francisco’s pass defense may have to put together a better effort as Eli Manning passed for 311 yards.

San Fran’s secondary, led by pro bowlers Carlos Rogers (who had both interceptions of Manning in the Nov. ’11 game) and safety Dashon Goldson, surprised many against Drew Brees and the Saints in the divisional round, but after surrendering just 17 points through 54 minutes of play, they gave up two long touchdowns to the Saints in the final minutes.

The biggest surprise in that game came with the immediate response of 49er offense.

While settling for field goals in a majority of similar red zone situations throughout the year, San Francisco retalliated with two go-ahead touchdown drives to win.

If both teams put together their best efforts again, we could have another pre-Super Bowl classic.

Fun facts:

The New York Giants are attempting to become the first team in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl after only winning nine regular-season contests. Also; The Packers’ divisional loss to the Giants, Green Bay’s fourth loss in its last six home playoff games, made them the first 15-win team to be one-and-done in NFL postseason history.

The Giants and 49ers have had many memorable playoff clashes in the last 25 years. A 49-3 Giants home playoff win in 1986 was followed by another Giants postseason win in January of 1991, as Matt Bahr’s five field goals ended San Francisco’s run for a third straight NFL championship.

The 49ers came back with a blowout and a close win of their own in the next two postseason matchups, beating the visiting Giants 44-3 in the 1993 divisionals before coming back from 24 points down in the 2002 wild-card to win 39-38.

The 49ers have played in a third of the NFC title games in the last three decades, winning (including the Super Bowl) in 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989 and 1994, while losing in 1983 to Washington, 1990 to the Giants, 1992 and 93 to Dallas, and 1997 against Green Bay.

History: The two have faced off 34 times since their first head-to-head in 1952, with each taking 17 wins. The 49ers hold just a 694-689 all-time points advantage.

New York won three straight meetings in 2005, 2007 and 2008 by an average of 16 points, but the 49ers’ won the last meeting in November of 2011 for their sixth of a seven-game winning streak. That ended the Giants’ run of six win in their previous seven games.

2011: Alex Smith threw one of his five total interceptions against the Giants in Week 10 of 2011.

49ers kicker David Akers made all four of his field goal attempts in that game as well, going on to an NFL record 44.

Quick observation: Both teams converted for a touchdown just once each in seven combined trips to the red zone. While New York was far better in the areas of third-down conversions and time of possession (35 minutes to SF’s 25), San Francisco made up for it with defensive takeaways and field position set up by pro bowl punter Andy Lee.

Forecast: The running game may decide the rematch at Candlestick Park with rain expected for the 3:30 p.m. game on FOX.

While the Giants are ranked in the Top 9 of the NFL in points, passing and total yards, they were last in rushing. The return of Bradshaw for the rematch will help, and expect Frank Gore to do much better than his six-attempt performance that netted zero yards.

Prediction: San Francisco 19, New York 13

2011-12 NFL playoffs: Divisional round previews

AFC

No. 4 Denver Broncos (9-8, 8-8 regular season) at No. 1 New England Patriots (13-3)

Top-seeded New England won the 2011 Week 15 meeting 41-23 to end Denver’s six-game winning streak. Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow was 11 for 22 with 194 yards passing to go with 93 yards and two touchdowns rushing.

The Patriots have lost their last three playoff games dating back to their upset loss to the New York Giants in the 2007-08 Super Bowl. Brady has struggled in eight career games against Denver with a 2-6 record, while going 177-306, 2,178 yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Prediction: New England 27, Denver 17

No. 3 Houston Texans (11-6, 10-6 regular season) at No. 2 Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

Houston went 4-1 against AFC North opponents in 2011, including a wild-card win over Cincinnati last week, but its only loss of those four games came in Week 6 at Baltimore (29-14). The Ravens were 8-0 at home during the regular season, and carry a 5-0 all-time record in against the Texans.

The running game will be key for both sides as Houston is 6-0 when running back Arian Foster has 30 or more rushing attempts. Foster had just 49 yards on 15 carries in the regular season game, and that was when Matt Schaub was still handing him the ball. Baltimore’s Ray Rice struggled in his first two career games versus the Texans, but had 161 total yards in the 2011 regular season meeting.

Prediction: Baltimore 20, Houston 13

NFC

No. 3 New Orleans Saints (14-3, 13-3 regular season) at No. 2 San Francisco 49ers (13-3)

The only divisional playoff game that isn’t a regular-season rematch, the 49ers play in their first playoff game since the 2002-03 postseason.

New Orleans: Won its last nine games, including a second win over Detroit during the wild-card round, in large part to its offense (ranked first in yards and second in scoring) — averaging 34.2 points per game during the entire year; won its last six against former NFC West rival San Francisco (including a 25-22 win in San Francisco last year); 0-4 on the road in playoff history

San Francisco: The 49ers — the second-best scoring defense in the NFL — surrendered 30 total points in their last four home games of 2011; Frank Gore — the lead back of the NFL’s most run-heavy offense — totaled 168 yards (rushing and receiving) with two touchdowns during a Week 2 Monday Night Football loss to the Saints in 2010.

Prediction: San Francisco 27, New Orleans 24

No. 4 New York Giants (10-7, 9-7 regular season) at No. 1 Green Bay Packers (15-1)

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on a four-play game-winning drive in the final minute during their Week 13 matchup; New York won the last playoff meeting, intercepting Brett Favre in his last game as a Packer to win 23-20 in overtime.

Rodgers has a 121.2 quarterback rating in his two career games against the Giants, going 53 for 83 with 773 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception.

Prediction: Green Bay 31, New York 23

2011-12 NFL playoffs: Wild-card round playoff previews

AFC

First-round byes: No. 1 New England (13-3) will host lowest remaining seed in the division round; No. 2 Baltimore (12-4) will host highest remaining seed

No. 6 Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) at No. 3 Houston Texans (10-6) — Jan. 7 at 12:30 p.m. on NBC

Injuries over the second half of the regular season pushed the Texans out of contention for a first-round bye, but Houston endured without star wide receiver Andre Johnson for nine game this year to earn its first playoff berth in the franchise’s 10-year history.

Rookie TJ Yates has been more than serviceable in place of injured starting quarterback Matt Schaub (former No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams is also out for the season) with three victories, but three losses have come since a Week 14 comeback win at Cincinnati. Johnson will be back to help, while playoff-tested veterans Jake Delhomme and Jeff Garcia are available if Yates can’t get the job done again against an underrated Bengals defense.

Quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver AJ Green have exceeded high expectations to be the top rookie connection in the NFL for Cincy, but expect Texans running back Arian Foster and top free-agent corner Johnathan Joseph, a former Bengal, to dictate the final outcome. PREDICTION: Houston 20, Cincinnati 17.

No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) at No. 4 Denver Broncos (8-8) — Jan. 8 at 1:30 p.m. on CBS

The last time these teams faced off in postseason was in January of 2006. That was Denver’s last playoff appearance, while Pittsburgh went on to win the AFC title match before taking its fifth of an NFL-best six Super Bowl victories.

The Steelers’ lost out on the No. 2 seed, and a first-round bye, to AFC North rival Baltimore, and injuries won’t make their road any easier. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be playing through his ankle injury again, starting running back Rashard Mendenhall was lost for the year in the regular season finale, and safety Ryan Clark’s blood condition will keep him off the mile-high field.

After a 6-1 run in second-year quarterback Tim Tebow’s first seven starts, Denver’s struggles on offense have caught up with them. The Broncos have lost their last three games, and Pittsburgh’s top defense (yards and points) will only put more pressure on Denver to keep the game low scoring. PREDICTION: Pittsburgh 17, Denver 10.

NFC

First-round byes: No. 1 Green Bay Packers (15-1) will host lowest remaining seed in the divisional round on Dec. 15; No. 2 San Francisco 49ers (13-3) will host highest remaining seed on Dec. 14

No. 6 Detroit Lions (10-6) at No. 3 New Orleans Saints (13-3) — Jan. 7 at 5 p.m. on NBC

Detroit fell at Matt Flynn-led Green Bay during the final week of the regular season to fall out of the No. 5 seed, thus the Lions will now travel to play the hottest team in the league (instead of New York).

While the Saints offense is among the best in the league, their red zone defense is the second worst coming in against Detroit’s top red zone attack. Matthew Stafford and his favorite target, wideout Calvin Johnson, give the Lions a chance to contend in a shootout, but the team’s first playoff appearance since 1999 likely won’t have them coming out on top.

New Orleans outscored Superdome visitors by an average of 23 points to go 8-0 at home in 2011 (including a 31-17 win over Detroit on Dec. 4), and have won their last four home playoff games. An upset loss at 7-9 Seattle in the wild-card round last year ended the Saints’ hopes for a Super Bowl repeat, so don’t expect record-setting quarterback Drew Brees to fall short again early in this year’s postseason. PREDICTION: New Orleans 31, Detroit 21.

No. 5 Atlanta Falcons (10-6) at No. 4 New York Giants (9-7) — Jan. 8 at 10 a.m. on FOX

The Falcons avoided a third game (and a possible third loss) to NFC South rival and division champion New Orleans by winning handily in their regular-season finale against Tampa Bay. While the Giants have struggled with consistency, they have shown glimpes as being one the the NFC’s elite teams in 2011.

A 6-2 first half for the Giants saw four straight losses ensue, but they rallied to win three of their last four, including two over division-rival Dallas, to be the NFC East’s lone postseason representative.

Atlanta is making its third playoff appearnce in last the four years, but they have never proven to be as dangerous on the road. Of the Falcons’ six losses, four were as visitors, while the other two losses came against Green Bay and New Orleans at home. Expect the Giants to continue their late push for their first postseason win since the 2007-08 Super Bowl. PREDICTION: New York 27, Atlanta 20.

Divisional playoff round predictions (based on previous predicitons)

AFC: New England over Pittsburgh; Baltimore over Houston

NFC: Green Bay over New York; San Francisco over New Orleans

Conference championship predictions

AFC: Baltimore over New England

NFC: Green Bay over San Francisco

Super Bowl prediction: Green Bay over Baltimore

Besides the enticing match-up between two top-tier NFL teams — first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh’s San Francsico 49ers (9-1) playing at John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens (6-3) — it is also the first ever brother vs. brother head coaching match-up in the league’s history that everybody is waiting to see.

As a 30-year member of the 49ers faithful, I’m obviously very excited for the Har-bowl  (5:20 p.m. on NFL Network), but especially so since it will be the first time my Niners will be playing on Turkey Day in my lifetime.

This year’s NFL schedule is also a holiday double-whammy for me, as the Niners play at Seattle on Christmas Eve in a Saturday night game.

Now back to Thanksgiving.

The 49ers have played on Thanksgiving four times since becoming a franchise in 1946, beating the Brooklyn Dodgers 21-7 in the 1947 All-America Football Conference holiday game.

San Francisco also beat the Detroit Lions, who play annually on Thanksgiving (along with the Dallas Cowboys), 41-14 in 1966. The Cowboys were San Francisco’s last two Thanksgiving day opponents, with the Niners coming out on top 31-10 in their final appearance after the teams tied 24-24 in 1969.

The day has always been about food, football and, of course, family, but this year, it’s all about the Forty-Niners.

Much to my mother’s dismay, I politely asked (demanded) that we move up this year’s holiday feast to no later than 3 p.m., in order to give full attention to the last of the three Thanksgiving NFL contests. (My brother-in-law’s Green Bay games have never been an issue. Scheduled in two of the last four Thanksgivings, Green Bay usually starts at 9 a.m.)

Parents Jack and Jackie Harbaugh have already told the press that they will be leaving before the coin toss, as they are torn between cheering for their two sons. They also said it is to avoid the constant on-camera reactions that the Manning family endured when Peyton and Eli Manning faced off.

My family will likely want to avoid me, much like those annoying cameras, during those three-plus hours.

Knowing my football-watching habits, all in attendance at the Rosenberg household will be more than willing to send me home ASAP, and help me “beat the Black Friday rush.”

So, in advance, I would like to say I’m sorry for ruining Thanksgiving this year.  I’ll understand why the leftovers are ready to go by the fourth quarter … and I won’t be offended if you get me 49ers-Seahawks tickets for Christmas.

So, as Black Friday, Cyber Monday and now, Small Business Saturday approaches, I thought it would be a nice story about what deals are around. Are Lebanon businesses open on Black Friday and the Thanksgiving Day weekend? Are they offering holiday deals?

I put out the word to Nancy Chlarson with Partners for Progress and to Shelly Garrett with the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce. They forwarded my requests to the businesses on their email lists. And the special offers and deals poured into my inbox.

It wasn’t long before I realized Lebanon has so many special deals and offers for the holidays, I would not have room enough to print them in the paper! So here I am, in the infinite space of cyberspace, where I can tell you about the local deals right here in Lebanon.

Some of the deals surprised me, and may not be on the top of little Johnny or Jill’s Christmas list, such as David Gillott Tree Service. The offer is one free stump grind with any tree removal, good until up to 30 days after Thanksgiving.

Also on the home improvement front, Way West Upholster is offering Charlotte Fabric Line Fabric’s at 25 percent off, with a handmade soy candle or glycerin soap free on every order.

Solid Mfg & Supply is having a Black Friday special on selected chain saws, trimmers, leaf blowers, mowers and log splitters, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Black Friday. Westport to Willamette Antique and Trading Co. is offering “spin-a-discount.” Customers may receive 10 to 30 percent off their purchases, beginning Black Friday through Christmas Eve.

Gift items range from discounts on alarms, amps and speaker boxes at ProAuto to homemade, hand-spun gifts and yarn at Humming Angels Alpacas, open seven days a week from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with the added bonus of seeing baby alpacas.

Sunflower Hill Farm also offers hand-spun, hand-crafted goods, as well as farm fresh eggs and spinners roving. At Teen Challenge, everything will be 50 percent off on Black Friday and Saturday, Nov. 26. Visit Peggy’s Alaskan Cabbage Patch bed and breakfast for quilts,  quilting supplies and tips.

Downtown, visit the Handcrafted in Linn County store at 605 Main St. This store is a seasonal one, offering art and gifts by Linn County artists and crafters. Speaking of crafters, the American Legion is having its annual holiday bazaar on Friday and Saturday.

Gateway Imprints will be closed all weekend so employees may spend it with family, but will have 15 percent off personalized Christmas gifts the week after Thanksgiving.

Other gifts include Caribbean cruise specials through Sparks Travel Agency. Photography sessions booked on Black Friday through Brandi Varnell Photography are 40 percent off. Book a wedding and receive 30 percent off.

Open a personal checking account at Chase bank in Lebanon and receive a $100 cash reward.

At Stacey’s Clothes Corral, $1 deals can be found on clothes for babies and adults.

Looking for some health and beauty specials? Lebanon has them. Glitterati Crew Salon has Thanksgiving specials, and is by appointment. The Wellness Consultants is offering a detox package for a 10-day metabolic diet, along with a shaker and detox guide.

Food is on special this weekend, too. Mark’s Ridge Winery will have a Thanksgiving Open House from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 25 through 27. You can listen to a live pianist while browsing arts and crafts, eating pulled beef stew and freshly baked breads, and, of course, tasting wines. Entrance is $10. Cases of wine will be 20 percent off through Dec. 24.

Peacock East will feature the band Fate 55 on Wednesday night. They will be open Thanksgiving Day 5 p.m. until 2 a.m. At MegaFoods, you can get a full Thanksgiving dinner for $24.98 through Nov. 29, while supplies last.

Take part in the agri-tourism by visiting the “Holidays on the Trail” event, Nov. 25 through Dec. 24, and enjoy the scenic tour of family-owned farms, nurseries, boutiques and galleries along the way. Find “2 Rivers Country Trail” on Facebook for more information.

These are only the deals that arrived to me on deadline. I am sure there are more local businesses with fantastic deals and gift ideas. Give them a chance.

You Ford fans, however, will have to do the usual and give it up to, the now 35-time manufacturers title winners, Chevrolet. They actually clinched it on Oct. 30 (three days before Chevy’s 100-year anniversary) with three races remaining.

Ford won seven of its 15 total manufacturer titles during a nine-year span in which Chevrolet didn’t financially back a team (1963-1971). Dodge/Plymouth won in 1970 and 1971, respectively, before the bowties started a stretch of 31 titles in the last 40 years. Two of those nine years Chevy didn’t win went to fell0w GM manufacturer Buick (1981 and 1982).

Just a fun fact.

For me, the Ford vs. Chevy rivalry is the reason I’ve watched almost every race since I was a child, and it’s just nice to see that at least one Cup title still goes to the leader of the season-long marathon.

The Chase does offer something different in the drivers point standings, and I have slowly warmed up to the final 10-race “postseason” format since its trial year of 2004.

In the Cup Series’ previous “marathon” format, which most other racing leagues still (sanely) employ, it was rare to have a climactic end in the season’s final stretch.

The season-long points leader usually held his advantage until the end, clinching the points title a week or two before the season finale, or needing only something like a 35th-place or better showing to do so in race No. 36.

Now the season comes down to the top 12 drivers (after 26 races) over the final 10 events of a 36-race season.

Logically, it just isn’t the most fair way of crowning the true champion, but is has consistently provided, as NASCAR hoped it would, a more captivating end to the season.

Johnson’s run of dominance, which has grown stale with fans over the last half decade, was all do to he and crew chief Chad Knaus’ teamwork and ability to come through in the clutch.

It may have gotten old for some to watch the No. 48 Chevy take the crown year after year after year after year … after year, but it was a true display of dominance in a league set up to run equally.

Johnson was eliminated from a sixth straight title last week in Phoenix, coming in 14th while future Hendrick Racing teammate Kasey Kahne won in his penultimate race with the Red Bull Toyota team.

Roush Ford driver Carl Edwards, holding a 3-point advantage over Tony Stewart, ran neck and neck with his closest points rival, beating him out for second place. The 2-3 finish maintained the same gap going into the finale, while also eliminating all other Chase drivers from title contention.

After winning the previous two races to tie a Chase record four total victories, Stewart is now in position for his third drivers title and his first since 2005.

Adding to the storyline, scoring four or more points than Edwards this Sunday would also make Stewart the first owner/driver to win since Alan Kulwicki in 1992.

While Johnson’s five straight championships have deservedly put him in the ranks as one the greatest stock car drivers of all time, Stewart is also considered as one of the most complete and skilled ever.

Despite earning just two titles in 13 years on the Cup circuit, Stewart’s ability to win on any circuit; short-track, super speedway or road course; is why he is mentioned with the best in history. A title as driver and owner would only cement that further.

Edwards has been a championship contender over the last few years, and is just now entering his prime. With just two victories in 2011, it has been consistency that has kept Edwards near the top of the standings throughout the campaign.

Stewart kept pace enough in the “regular season” to make the Chase field, but his final surge has led to another championship push, his first in the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Chevy.

Nearly even in the points race, it all sets up a classic two-driver sprint to the finish, among 41 other cars, for the final 400 miles of the year.

It’s Stewart vs. Edwards.

It’s owner/driver vs. just driver.

It’s the top veteran vs. the best of the new breed.

It’s wins vs. consistency.

But best of all, it’s Chevy vs. Ford.

Arrow up

1. Buffalo Bills (3-1): Coming off an upset victory over New England, the Bills just missed out on a 4-0 start with its loss to Cincinnati last week. If a solid group of starters can remain healthy, the Bills might join the AFC East rival Pats (3-1) in the playoffs by the end of the regular season.

2. Detroit Lions (4-0): The only two remaining undefeated teams reside in the NFC North, but it will be hard for Detroit to keep pace with the defending champion Packers (4-0) as the season goes. With half of its remaining games coming against 2010 playoff teams, including two against Green Bay, the Lions may have to settle for a wild-card berth.

3. Washington Redskins (3-1): Washington currently holds the tie-breaker for first place in the NFC East with its opening-week win over the Giants (3-1). That may be the Skins’ only quality win thus far (Arizona and St. Louis were the other two), but that goes a long way in what looks to be a tight division race to the end. Don’t expect the up-and-down Cowboys (2-2) or the disappointing Eagles (1-3) to fall any further behind.

4. Tennessee Titans (3-1): Like the Bills, the Titans have a worthy group of starters without much depth, so health will be crucial down the road. A surprising win over Baltimore in Week 2 has Tennessee tied with Houston (3-1) atop the AFC South standings, while Jacksonville (1-3), who handed Tennessee its only loss in Week 1, and the Peyton-less Colts (0-4) hold down the basement.

5. San Francisco 49ers (3-1): Despite a tough early schedule, San Fran is just one overtime loss (Week 2 vs. Dallas) away from a 4-0 start. A conservative approach by first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh has still allowed the Niners to take a two-game lead in the NFL’s weakest division, and 2005 first overall draft pick Alex Smith appears to have finally found some continuity after learning seven different offensive schemes in as many years. Over his last 10 games, Smith has 12 touchdown passes and just two interceptions.

Honorable mention– Oakland Raiders (2-2): A second-half comeback by Buffalo in Week 2 is the only thing keeping the Raiders from a first-place tie with San Diego (3-1) in the AFC West. Darren McFadden has provided fantasy owners with a stellar season so far, and Oakland’s otherwise pedestrian passing attack has benefit even more as opposing defenses continually stack the box to try and stop the NFL’s current rushing leader.

Arrow down

1. Philadelphia Eagles (1-3): After an opening-day win over a sorry St. Louis team, Philly has lost three straight games against playoff-caliber opponents. The Eagles schedule doesn’t get any easier, with another six contenders slated over the next eight weeks. The addition of many high-profile players to their roster hasn’t yet paid off, but the paper dream team is capable of a rebound if they can keep Michael Vick under center for the rest of the year.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (1-3): Injuries to young superstars (2010 rushing runner-up Jamaal Charles and second-year safety Eric Berry) have devastated a Kansas City team that was looking for its second straight AFC West crown. The Chiefs have built some depth through the draft in recent years, but not enough put up a fight for a spot in the always top-heavy AFC playoff race.

3. St. Louis Rams (0-4): Steven Jackson’s hamstring injury on his first carry of the year hasn’t helped St. Louis’ slow start. Once a preseason favorite, it will be hard for a young Rams teams to recover as they try to endure the league’s hardest first-half schedule. Luckily, they have all six of their divisional games left to try and make the most of an unfortunate situation.

4. Indianapolis Colts (0-4): The Colts’ winless record proves that the MVP award should be named after Peyton Manning. With Manning’s neck ailments appearing to sideline him for the rest of 2011, the Colts are now in position to draft his eventual replacement as the current leader in the Suck-for-Luck (Stanford University quarterback Andrew Luck) sweepstakes. Even with all of its top-level skill position players, and quality defense, Indianapolis will struggle until it sees (at least) a mediocre effort from its stop-gap signal-callers.

5. Atlanta Falcons (2-2): The Falcons aren’t in the worst position after four games, but both of their wins (vs. 1-3 Philadelphia and Seattle) had to be squeaked out in the end. With seven playoff contenders left in its last 12 regular season games, the Falcons will have to step up in order to stay with division-leaders Tampa Bay (3-1) and New Orleans (3-1).

Honorable mention — New York Jets (2-2): Buffalo looks to have taken New York’s place as the top threat to New England’s AFC East reign. After Dallas’ Tony Romo handed the Jets a Week 1 victory, New York went to 2-0 with an easy win over Jacksonville. Double-digit losses to Oakland and Baltimore followed over the last two weeks, and now the Jets are facing a losing record by mid-season with contests against San Diego, Buffalo, and two against the Pats over New York’s next five games.

The Farmers Market means fresh everything. When it first opened in May, I was excited to see my favorite cookie baker there. This is her first year at the market. Each week, I look forward to that one cookie. It seems to keep me sane. (Is it working?) But don’t stop there, a number of vendors sell enticing, homemade baked goods, from banana bread to fudge to pies.

As the season has progressed, it feels like the Market is in full swing. Tables are loaded down with fresh fruits and vegetables. And I don’t just mean zucchini or blackberries. One merchant has fresh, dark green, lovely, leafy lettuce, with bunches bigger than my head! Sweet onions that are, according to my 18-year-old niece, as big as your brain. Juicy berries of all kinds join cherries and other fruit just waiting to come home with me and be eaten. Or sliced into cereal. Or put on ice cream. Or baked into a dessert confection of my own.

A few vendors carry arts and crafts, from beaded jewelry to paintings. Handmade soaps and repurposed planters and lovely potted plants may also be found at the Market.

But the best part about the market? Seeing the community out dancing to the live music, enjoying the Oregon sunshine and warmth, supporting each other and their local vendors.

You gotta love it, Lebanon.

With this offseason’s lockout all but eliminating organized team activities, fans have added intrigue to witness a whirlwind preseason bring their favorite teams into regular-season form.

All 32 NFL teams are now rushing through the regular preseason process in a fraction of the normal time. The end of the lockout followed with sixth months of player transactions compressed into the first week of free agency. With that, the remaining evaluation time will force coaches and management to emphasize a closer l0ok at potential starters and impact players, as opposed to just building a deeper roster.

Thursday’s opening games, as well as the entire first week, may not portray that as players are still settling in after a long offseason. But I fully expect starters, mainly on the offensive side, to see an uncharacteristically high number of preseason snaps throughout the remaining three weeks.

Each of the 16 regular season contest is crucial in the league’s current state of parity, so finding chemistry with the flood of new additions will be a primary goal for quarterbacks in order to get off to a good start.

The only way to do that is by getting more reps with the expected regulars in the offensive huddle.

While a normal preseason can be a period of anxiety, anticipating the inevitable season-ending injuries, this year’s slate of exhibition contests brings a regular-season feel, and I’m more excited than ever.

Enough of the preseason talk — and on to the first of many regular season predictions.

Rosy’s 2011 NFL regular season predictions — Aug. 10

AFC

North: 1. Baltimore Ravens; 2. Pittsburgh Steelers; 3. Cleveland Browns; 4. Cincinnati Bengals

South: 1. Indianapolis Colts; 2. Houston Texans; 3. Jacksonville Jaguars; 4. Tennessee Titans

East: 1. New England Patriots; 2. New York Jets; 3. Miami Dolphins; 4. Buffalo Bills

West: 1. San Diego Chargers; 2. Kansas City Chiefs; 3. Oakland Raiders; 4. Denver Broncos

NFC

North: 1. Green Bay Packers; 2. Detroit Lions; 3.  Chicago Bears; 4. Minnesota Vikings

South: 1. New Orleans Saints; 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers; 3. Atlanta Falcons; 4. Carolina Panthers

East: 1. Philadelphia Eagles; 2. Dallas Cowboys; 3. New York Giants; 4. Washington Redskins

West: 1. San Francisco 49ers; 2. St. Louis Rams; 3. Seattle Seahawks; 4. Arizona Cardinals