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Sunday, Nov. 4th                                                                                                                                                                     After watching the big matchup between New England and Indianapolis, several points were brought to light:                        1. Even with Tom Brady's worst game this year and over 150 yards in penalties, the Patriots were still able to beat the second best team in the NFL.                                                                                                                                                                    2. It's not a matter of opposing competition, the Colts' defense is much improved over last year's squad.                                 3. Even though they're scoring fewer points, the Colts' offense is more balanced, and thus less predictable and better than they've ever been.                                                                                                                                                                        4. Even though I've been saying it since week two, their is now much less doubt in my mind that New England will go undefeated this year.                                                                                                                                                                    5. What was with the exchange between Bill Belichick and Tony Dungy after the game? Tony Dungy was coyly critical of the Patriots when the story broke, but it still seemed overly cold. Can you imagine what's going to happen at the end of the next Jets' game with Eric Mangini? After all, he's the one who snitched on Belichick in the first place.

Monday, Nov. 5th                                                                                                                                                                         1. Everyone, myself included, is convinced that there are two teams in this league that matter, New England and Indianapolis. However, if Pittsburgh keeps playing the way they have, they very well might enter that equation. I'm just a little concerned about their coming out flat against some pretty poor teams (Arizona and Denver). I realize that both of those games were on the road, but they simply played bad.                                                                                                                                           2. Steve McNair needs to retire immediately. He's beginning to look like Willie Mays with the Mets.                                            3. Does Brian Billick know that he's coaching his last games with the Ravens or is his massive ego getting in the way?

Tuesday, Nov. 6th                                                                                                                                                                        It looks like David Carr and Vinny Testaverde will not play this weekend. So, the Panthers will have to start rookie Matt Moore out of Oregon State - their fourth starting quarterback of the season. Fortunately, he gets the Atlanta Falcons, but it's still going to be very difficult for a guy that has taken very few snaps in practice. I feel for the Panthers, because a promising season has been derailed by injuries at the games' most important position. 2.

Wednesday, Nov. 7th                                                                                                                                                                  Is there a more annoying and bitter group of men in sports than Don Shula and the rest of the 1972 Dolphins? His declaration in a radio interview on Monday that the Patriots' season is tainted because of "Spygate" is one of the more ridiculous things I've ever heard. Here are my reasons:                                                                                                                                         1. The infraction in question occurred in the first half of the first game against the Jets! After watching them the past eight weeks, you would think he realizes that they haven't needed it. Before this past weekend, their closest game was 17 points for crying out loud.                                                                                                                                                                        2. I think the cast of "Grumpy Old Men" are coming to the realization that the Patriots' quest for perfection is much more probable than any team since 1972. Think about it, they have two more significant hurdles - at home against Pittsburgh on December 9th and at the Meadowlands against the Giants on December 29th.                                                                          3. I've always thought that the 1972 Dolphins are one of the most overrated teams of all time. Think about it, when you think of the most dominant teams of all time, where are they listed? They played a weak schedule and rarely beat an opponent soundly. They were led by the most questionable member of the Hall of Fame, quarterback Bob Griese. In the Super Bowl that clinched the perfect season, Griese threw for an all-time low seven times. That's right seven times.                                           4. It's a desperate attempt by, and I'm paraphrasing Patriots' linebacker Mike Vrabel, an old coach and forgotten players to try and draw attention to their sometimes forgotten achievement. Why do you think they publicize their "champagne toast" every year when the last unbeaten team is defeated? When you think about it, it's pretty pitiful.

Friday, Nov. 9th                                                                                                                                                                     There are several matchups this weekend that I think contain very interesting storylines:                                                         1. Dallas and the New York Giants - I hate hearing the comparisons between Tony Romo and Brett Favre. First, it's unfair to Romo. Second, it diminishes the accomplishments of Favre. One of the problems I've seen with Romo is that he makes extremely poor decisions when pressured in the pocket. The very active and quick front line of the Giants could pose a real problem for him.                                                                                                                                                                            2. Tennessee and Jacksonville - Jacksonville's playoff hopes could take a real blow if they don't beat the Titans and that could very well ride on John Henderson. The huge defensive tackle will have to play much better against the run than he did last week. In addition, he has to make up for the loss of Marcus Stroud due to a performance-enhancing drug infraction. If he doesn't, and Tennessee runs the way they did in the first game of the season (282 yards), this game will be over by halftime. 3. Denver and Kansas City - how can you not root for, and feel great about, Priest Holmes and his return to the NFL. He is the perfect example of a guy simply not giving up. After his debilitating injuries, just getting on the field should insure his winning the Comeback Player of the Year.                                                                                                                                                 4. Indianapolis and San Diego - First, will Indianapolis suffer a "hangover" from the painful loss to the Patriots? Second, which Chargers' team will show up?