Anybody watching the 10-0 teams? With NE and Baltimore missing their chance to hand Indy a loss, the Colts' schedule looks good for them to go 16-0. It also looks like New Orleans has tougher schedule over the last 6 games with NE and Dallas having the best chances to stop them.

Anybody got any theories about why "perfect" seasons seem to be threatened so often these days? Indy came close a couple years ago and NE had their 18-0 run. I don't remember the record being chased so often in the past, but my memory's not too reliable. Is it happening more often? If so, why?

Well, the Colts sat on a group of great players, and they've been sitting on them for a long time. When Harrison retired, they went and drafted 3 excellent players. QB's tend to play longer than any other position, so if you can find a good one, you'll always be able to build around them for a long time. Manning is one of those guys.

Same thing with the Patriots, although I think their defense struggles from not having Bruschi, Seymour, and Vrabel to build around anymore. And losing all 3 in the same year sucks a lot of leadership out of your team. But they have Brady, and they'll always be able to build their offense around that. He's not going anywhere, anytime soon.

Same with the Steelers, Packers, Eagles, Saints, etc. Good QB's stick around for a long time, and you can build your team around them. Draft picks and veteran players are willing to ask for less money, because they can see what your team can do. Hey, they like money, but they like winning games, too. Let's not forget that extra pay when you make playoffs, and how it increases the more you win, either.

It's for this reason that I expect the Texans to be one of those names in the years to come. The longer they keep Schaub there, (who is frankly going ape#### with his passing game this year, and I couldn't be happier for him), the more likely they'll get some things fixed on both sides of the ball. They'll get him some more receivers, they'll get him even better protection, and Slaton will be told to either shape up or ship out. Because when you have a successful QB like Schaub, you don't put up with meander players anymore. Your players expect better, your fans expect better, and you end up expecting better, too.

And if you don't believe that things can turn around that quickly: Look at what everyone was saying about the Browns, the year DA was throwing like a madman. Look at who they were able to pick up in the offseason. Look at what everyone was saying about the Dolphins, with Pennington under center. Look at who they picked up in the offseason.

This is not a coincidence.

So am I the only one that is dreading the Thanksgiving lineup of games?

The only one that is remotely interesting to me is Giants/Broncos.

Seriously, we don't need the Lions on Thanksgiving any more... though the name "Turkey Day" is pretty appropriate with those guys.

I don't really care either way. Family, turkey, and some football - nothing better.

Can't believe I'm saying this but Oakland does have a good defense - and Cowboys have scored 14 points in the last 2 games. Could be better than what it looks.

If both teams play like they did last week, Dallas will get killed. I agree, this one's one to watch.

Or maybe not.

Well, from a NE fan's perspective, I can tell you that New Orleans looks a lot better than Indy at this point. The NFC looks strong this year. Very strong.

Yeah, I go back to the schedules, again.

And, really, if Indy's opponents understood how to go for the throat at all, they'd have several losses this year. They escaped from Houston twice now. I think they'll escape from a score deficit against the Titans as well. Kinda infuriating, really, to see them get lauded as such a great team, when they play like any of the other 6-5 AFC teams.

QFT, my man. Of course, going in I was much more worried by the Saints than I was by the Colts. However, I thought it would be a little closer of a game than it was. Wow, did NO look impressive.

I just hope that the Football Gods bless us with Vikings/Saints NFC Championship game.

That would be awesome to watch. (Even if the Vikes wind up on the likely short end of the stick.)

I think it'll be Vikes and Saints, Steelers and Chargers. A heck of a December in teams trying to finish and get into the playoffs, an awesome post-season, and a great Super Bowl.

I would not miss the rest of this NFL year for the world.

So what else do you want for Christmas?



In and of themselves I think the respective leagues will have interesting playoffs with the NFC having the higher caliber teams in the end --The Superbowl is looking like it could be a one-sided affair with the NFC championship as the virtual Superbowl.

I disagree. Between the Steelers, Chargers, Bengals, Titans, Colts, Patriots, Ravens, Texans, etc. You have a lot of not-so-impressive records, for some teams that you know could beat a team like the Saints or Vikings. Some of them already have. I really think that both the Saints and the Colts got a cake schedule this year, the Colts getting the softest of all. I'm not saying the Saints aren't the best team this year, they are. But the AFC championship game will be one to watch.

Team I didn't mention? The Broncos. They have no offense at all. I keep hearing people claim that they will get back into the playoff picture, but I do not see how Moreno and Orton are going to score points every game.

Well, the championships are usually the better games than the Superbowl, I'll give you that. Still, the only team to beat the Vikings was the Steelers, and they're having their issues. Aren't they having trouble with their offensive line protecting Roethlisberger? He's slated for a return this week, but it still raises questions about their championship competitiveness going forward.

It's more a problem with Roethlisberger protecting himself, than anything. I've never seen the man QB slide. He's had 5 concussions since his NFL career, 4 of them in games, one of them in his motorcycle accident. I'm getting rather fed up with it, honestly. I love the man, but he's going to be Steve Young in a year, maybe less, if this keeps up.

I had originally been giving the O-Line a bunch of carp, but everything I've seen this season has proven otherwise. 7 seconds or more is too long to be holding onto the football. Plays shouldn't take that long to develop.