---- The Colts are beatable, after all, and their defense is simply not as good as their early season dominance led us to believe. They have a terrific and balanced offense, but they are only average defensively, making a living off of turnovers, but not nearly as good at bread-and-butter defense: holding their ground and forcing their opponent to punt.
---- The Chargers, if they weren't already, should be considered armed and extremely dangerous if they make the playoffs. It would be a shame if they come up short for a wildcard berth. Any team that goes into the RCA Dome and beats the Colts deserves a shot to keep playing.
---- After throttling Tampa Bay to within an inch of it's playoff life, it is interesting to note how "defending Superbowl champion" has magically returned to its rightful place preceding "New England Patriots" in most of the post-game stories. The Patriots looked every bit the champion and are peaking just when you need to peak. Their make-shift secondary (four CB's and two Safeties on the IR) has stablized, and is getting a huge boost from the aggressive play of the the defensive front seven. Better pressure from the down lineman and effective blitzing from the linebackers has taken some pressure off the secondary. Richard Seymour looks healthy and is getting plenty of help stuffing the run. Linebacker Roosevelt Colvin is playing his best football as a Patriot, and Teddy Bruschi has returned to Teddy Bruschi form. With Corey Dillon and Kevin Faulk once again healthy and back together, the Patriots' offense regains balance.
Be afraid, playoff teams of the NFL. Be very afraid.
From the Stupid, More Stupid, and Stupidest Files....
Stupid - It may cost the four players charged in the Vikings "Love Boat" charter $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail? Hey, I've been on a party boat, and the only charges I remember were $50 for the rod & reel, $5 to get in the pool, and a couple of bucks for lost hooks and sinkers. Those Vikings sure must be lousy fisherman.
More Stupid - This category is temporarily out of service while we await T.O's first public statement since his apology to the Eagles on November 8.
Stupidest - It would seem that J. Whyatt Mondesire spoke for absolutely no one but himself in his racially-tinged tirade against the ability and character of Eagles quarterback, Donovan McNabb. Too bad the media had to attach "President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the NAACP" to his name. They would have been better served (and the NAACP as well) if they had simply attached "Private Citizen" to his name. He represented no one and nothing, except maybe the First Ammendment - and not very admirably at that.
