Thanks Bye

Much-needed bye week for the Niners. Looks like ASmith will be healthy despite experiencing some pain. Just hope that pain doesn't spread to the audience on Sunday. Either way, three straight losses to tough teams is not fatal, but also not the mark of a winning team. This upcoming game will be a statement game for both squads.

The other team I'm referring to is of course, the Giants. Now say what you want about this team making the playoffs and winning the division but let's get real now. The Giants' last two wins came against the Jets and Atlanta? Come on. Yes they'll destroy the Dolphins in London too. But I don't wanna hear anything about how this team is a force in the NFL. The schedule will toughen up and I frankly don't expect the Giants to do the same. They have to prove me wrong on Sunday.

Kind of a dry week in the NFL, with the exception of Pats-'Boys. The result is about as self-explanatory as you can get. Yes the Cowboys are still the team to beat in the NFC, but once the Pats get past the Colts on November 4, I mean, the undefeated talk can begin. Dallas fought hard, and I think they'll win the NFC easy, but no one's gonna forget how the Pats dominated on Sunday. Still leaves a stamp of doubt on the Cowboys' title chances.

What's evident now is just how terrible the NFC is. No winning teams in the NFC West. Vinny Testaverde is a starting QB for a "quality" team. The Redskins played a horrible game in Green Bay and lost by just three. The Bears' D gives up 34 points to a Vikings team at home? Honestly, nine or ten of the twelve best teams in football play in the AFC. And yet, the NFC will get five of those postseason bids. Yikes.

You gotta like what the Jags are doing this year, playing smart football and taking chances on offense. What a Monday night game against Indy next week. Good job by the Ravens and Chargers, righting the ship with consecutive wins. VY should be fine; the Titans (not the New York Titans) are still a playoff team. Chiefs and Browns are intriguing. Bengals and Dolphins, not so much. Speaking of the 'Fins, just how horrible of a coach is Cam Cameron?

Last words...if the Pats get by the Colts on November 4, obviously much of the talk will center on the Pats running the 16-0 table. Will Belichick rest his starters, how they overcame the videotaping, the rejuvenation of Randy Moss, etc. But how's this for a thought: this Pats' season may be the greatest season for any NFL team that we'll ever see. This is an absolutely unstoppable offense, and no QB is better at his craft than Brady. The defense continues to grow stronger now that Rodney Harrison is back and Adalius Thomas is making plays. Simply put, there are zero weaknesses. I'd be shocked if they lose, even in Indy. When your only chance to win is to hope for injuries or suspensions, you know you're facing a team for the ages.