49ers at Falcons (-3), 1:00 pm. … A battle to prove who is less irrelevant and who has a leg up on draft position. … 49ers 17, Falcons 21

Bengals at Bills (-2.5), 1:00 pm. … The Bengals have certainly underperformed this year. And you can’t spell “underperformed” without “J.P. Losman.” … Bengals 22, Bills 24 

Broncos at Lions (-3.5), 1:00 pm. … A few weeks ago, while I watched a Broncos game, my girlfriend asked why there wasn’t a team named the Unicorns. I think she was serious. … Broncos 21, Lions 26

Packers at Chiefs (-1), 1:00 pm. … Who will receive their AARP card first, Brett Favre or Priest Holmes? … Packers 21, Chiefs 17

Chargers (-7.5) at Vikings, 1:00 pm. … The greatest running back in the game versus the next great running back. … Chargers 23, Vikings 20

Jaguars at Saints (-3.5), 1:00 pm. … Boy, the Saints have been a disappointment this year, haven’t they? A year after surprising everyone and making the playoffs, they struggle this year. … Jaguars 21, Saints 17

Redskins (-4) at Jets, 1:00 pm. … See above. Replace “Saints” with “Jets.” … Redskins 22, Jets 19

Panthers at Titans (-4.5), 1:00 pm. … Who would you rather have, an injured Vinny Testaverde or an injured David Carr? I’ll take an injured Vince Young, thanks. … Panthers 18, Titans 20

Cardinals at Buccaneers (-4.5), 1:00 pm. … I hate the pirate ship. I hate the pewter. But I like the Bucs in this one. … Cardinals 20, Buccaneers 23

Seahawks at Browns (-1), 4:05 pm. … The number four scoring offense (Cleveland?!) versus the number three scoring defense. Go with the D. … Seahawks 24, Browns 22

Patriots (-5.5) at Colts, 4:15 pm. … Hey, did you know that the Patriots are playing the Colts this week? I was going to work out this elaborate metaphor with the Patriots as the Empire and the Colts as the Jedi. It works well for the Pats -- Belichick as the Emperor (he’s got the hood) and Brady as Vader (he’s got the mask) -- plus, they’re just  plain evil. But I ran into trouble trying to compare Manning to Luke Skywalker, Dungy to Obi Wan, and Freeney to Chewbacca. … Patriots 30, Colts 27

Texans at Raiders (-3.5), 4:15 pm. … I feel bad for all of you who get to watch this game instead of the other one. Have fun with that. … Texans 21, Raiders 23

Cowboys (-3) at Eagles, 8:15 pm. … I’ll take Tony Romo and the Cowboys as long as he isn’t playing against Carmen Electra in anything. … Cowboys 26, Eagles 21

Ravens at Steelers (-7.5), 8:30 pm Monday. … Okay, let’s say that you’re in charge of creating the NFL schedule. Which game do you put on Monday Night Football this week? How many of you said this one? That’s what I thought. … Ravens 15, Steelers 23

 

Few adages are more true than the old one that says the backup quarterback is the most popular guy on the team. Unless he’s the backup for Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, of course, and then no one knows who he is.

 

Who the hell are these guys?

 Whenever an NFL team drafts a great college prospect or signs a hot free agent, fans are quick to call for the head of their starter, even if that starter is a Pro-Bowler who has led their team to a Super Bowl in the past five years.

 Carolina Panther fans are no exception.

From the moment David Carr signed with the Panthers, many Carolina fans have been clamoring for Carr to start over Jake Delhomme. If you read any message boards, or even the comments at the bottom of foxsports.com articles, you’ve seen these rabid Panthers fans calling for Delhomme to be benched. 

 Personally, I believe this to be unfounded. Sure, Delhomme makes bad decisions at times. Sure, he tries to force it and often throws interceptions. But Delhomme is the leader of his team and as such has led them to two NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl since taking over for Rodney Peete in 2003.  

And besides, this is David Carr we’re talking about, people. The same David Carr who has more career interceptions (67) than career touchdowns (61). The same David Carr who has more career sacks (254) than interceptions and touchdowns combined. The same David Carr who led the Texans to absolutely nothing. The same David Carr who the Texans didn’t even bother trading when they signed Matt Schaub; they just let him go. 

David Carr isn’t, at this point in his career, a legitimate starting quarterback. It’s not like the Panthers have Kurt Warner back there. It’s David Carr. You know what Carr’s best at, other than lying underneath a defender after a sack? Standing on the sidelines with his impeccably groomed hair. 

 

David Carr doing what he does best

 

But, these are many of the same people who called for Chris Weinke last season. How well did Weinke do when Delhomme went down with a thumb injury? And again, these fans are going to get what they wished for. Jake Delhomme has decided to undergo elbow surgery, ending his season. Get ready Panther fans, because you’re about to see a lot of David Carr.

Sure, the Panthers beat the Saints this week, but I’m pretty sure the Pittsburgh Panthers could beat the Saints right now. And how much of that victory can we attribute to Carr? His numbers weren’t terrible, going 10 for 17 for 119 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. But he’s not exactly lighting up the scoreboard, is he?  

And more importantly, he’s not doing what any successful Panthers quarterback must do: get the ball to Steve Smith. In the past two games combined, Smith has had nine receptions for 79 yards and one score. Not bad, but not Steve Smith good, either. 

Making things even better, turns out that Carr got hurt last week. Won’t it be great, Panthers fans, if you need a backup for your backup. The guy below David Carr. And who would that be, exactly? Matt Moore. Who’s that? Yeah, you got me too. 

The bright side for Panthers fans: If Carr continues to be Carr, you’ll be in a better position now to draft one of the hot quarterbacks out of Kentucky. But, knowing the Panthers, you’ll probably go with a linebacker.  

 

Quick thoughts on the NFL

Speaking of the Delhomme injury. How many quarterbacks are out now this season? Matt Leinart is being placed on IR today. Trent Greene’s career is likely over. Trent Edwards showed flashes of decency last night in the spotlight, filling in for J.P. Losman. I’m sure there are others I’ve forgotten. Bottom line: good time to be a backup. 

Speaking of the Bills. Last night, Ron Jaworski asked, “What do the Bills need to do to win this game?” I don’t know, score some offensive points perhaps? The Bills had every opportunity to put Dallas away last night, and they failed every time. 

Speaking of Monday Night Football. I watched the first quarter, and then turned my attention to other matters. When I turned it back on in the fourth, I saw Terrell Owens wearing a rally cap. “Can this be,” I thought, “has T.O. really turned into a team player?” I was about to go flush my toilet just to make sure the earth’s polarity had not reversed. And then on the next position, Tony Romo threw his fifth interception, and T.O. went right back to the sideline and started yelling at everyone he could and throwing a general tantrum. And I knew that all was right in the world.