Things that make me question the NFL`s collective IQ in no particular order:

Psssst...Lovie Smith I think Carolina may throw to Steve Smith, so you might wanna have a guy or three on him every play. (Pathetic coaching & coverage Bears!)

Jim Hasslett, despite being recently fired after a miserable 3-13 record with the Saints is a leading candidate for the job in Detroit and Buffalo.(At least Mike Tice won a few games!)

The refs in the Indianapolis game. My new favorite call replacing "He was giving him the business" is now  "There was no penalty or offsides...play the down over." (Troy Polamalu`s pick a close second.)

Why have instant replay if after they review using it they reverse it to the WRONG call?

Peyton Manning pointing the blame on his offensive line. Sure Peyton, you were very calm and in control IN A FREAKIN HOME PLAYOFF GAME!!! There will never be a "next year."

Dan Dierdorf describing that he was a jumbo XL at age 12. Thanks Dan, one more for your Hall of Fame broadcasting resume.

Chump Baily for his "Did anyone get the plate on that Mack truck that smashed me moment?"

Anyone who critacizes Tony Dungy. Players lose games. Waving off the punt team...oh Peyton our hero! How about standing in and making some throws to your playmakers(ie Harrison & Wayne) instead of all the nonsence at the line of scrimage. 

Ted Ferguson Bud Light daredevil- Pah-Lease do you think that dumb #### would have a hot girlfriend?

 

Both games today are definitely alot tougher picks than the trash yesterday. Plenty of people are praising Pittsburgh and the same old running game as reasons it will win today. I think the defense and passing game will get the Steelers a hard fought win in Cinci today. Carson Palmer and his Bengals have had a nice season, and will be back in the playoffs again, but today the Steelers move on. Can they go into Denver or Indianapolis and win next week? Who knows.  Then the toughest game to pick of the bunch Carolina and ex-Giant defensive coach John Fox at the Giants. Sure Julius Jones recently lit up the Panthers for 192 yards and Tiki Barber is a man posesed this year.  I think the Panthers will pull this out with pressure defense on Eli Manning and possibly a defensive TD or punt return by the great Steve Smith. There`s my picks: Steelers & Panthers. If nothing else both games today will be far better than the clunker last night.

I did not watch the Cowboys vs Panthers game yesterday, but after seeing the highlights which included several terrible calls Carolina should be very upset. The ejection of Steve Smith looked like something arogant MLB umpires do when they miss a call. Then the absolute worst call of all was after Billy Cundif missed a potential field goal, the zebras stepped in with a late roughing the kicker call. A Carolina challenge that showed Julius Peppers tipped the kick was ignored or they felt the wind in Carolina must have caused the miss. I sure hope they clean situations like that up before the playoffs. Unfortunately it may cost Carolina a trip to the postseason.