Retool

It's tough writing about football on a day where the Glynn's Gangstas 3-year franchise is now officially retired. The men and women who played on this team were warriors. But the NFL does go on, and with five weeks in the books, it's time to forecast what the rest of the season will look like.

I'll start with the Niners, and I suppose there could be a moral victory here for hanging tough with an '06 division champ, but, no. It's a loss. A bad loss at home to a shaky team. Yes Dilfer got us a TD, but when we absolutely needed ten yards for a manageable FG, he couldn't deliver. So now we're 2-3, limping into a much-needed bye week. The saving grace is that the NFC West is once again proving to be a lousy division, what with the Seahawks getting kicked out of Pittsburgh and the Rams giving up 34 points at home to the Cards. Will any of these teams win a playoff game?

Big comeback by the Giants today. I don't get how they flipped the switch for three straight wins, but I still think the Giants are a last-place team. Are they just on a hot streak, or is this a sign of things to come? I'll go with the former. At least the Bye didn't beat the Eagles this week.

How will the AFC look the rest of the season? Pats and Colts, of course. But gigantic wins today for Pitt and SD; the Steelers proving that they are the third-best team in football (yes, over the Cowboys), and the Chargers quieting pundits who thought there'd be a changing-of-the-guard in the AFC West. Still, don't put it past the Bolts to finish a mediocre 9-7, what with Norv Turner and all. It's time to anoint the Titans as a "lock" for the postseason. Yes they're only 3-1 but VY doesn't know how to lose football games. The race for the sixth AFC spot will come down to the Ravens and Jags. The Broncos can take a hike, while the Bengals and Texans aren't ready to compete with the big boys.

Just when you wanna kick em out, the Bears find a way to save their season. Once again that NFC North takes a big twist and turn, and while the Packers sound like a confident pick, the Sunday Night loss will always keep 'em hearing the Chicago footsteps. Then again, I could see the Bears finishing 7-9. How 'bout that NFC East? I had a feeling the Redskins had it in 'em. Tough game for the Bucs, while the Panthers continue to play their strange brand of football. I think Tampa is the more trustworthy team to take the South, while the 'Skins will battle the Panthers, Bears, Seahawks, and Cards for the wild-card spots (yes I STILL like the Niners to win the West).

Last Words: No no New Orleans, no! 0-4? Really? The 'aints? At this time last year, they were 4-1 and playing like an offensive juggernaut. A good portion of the city was brought to life, and for a perennially awful franchise, it was terrific to see some success. But I suppose this year is the hangover, with the Deuce injury and Brees playing like the young Drew Brees. Tough fall for them; maybe they can play the role of dangerous spoiler down the stretch, but I for one miss last year's Saints.