Week 12 already.... 5 weeks remaining... I'm starting to get sad. While there's a lot of football left, there's nothing like being able to pick from 16 games to watch. I'm excited about the playoffs and what they will bring. But then that also means the end of a great season....

The games this weekend did nothing to show me who are real playoff contenders. The following teams in the playoff hunt make me scratch my head about how good they really are:
Denver, Giants, Eagles, Falcons, Steelers, Jaguars and Ravens

Some of these teams won this weekend, others tanked and looked bad. But I just don't know how to call it. Are they just average or are they really ready to make a playoff run??? Too hard to tell at this point...

-I think it's safe to say that the Steelers D misses Troy Polamalu, more than anyone else on the Steelers- including Big Ben. While they are still a top defense, they miss Polamalu's versatility and play making ability. Offenses have been able to get a little more breathing room in the pass game. The Steelers are on a 3 game losing streak, and they need Troy to get back soon or else they are in trouble.

*extra point* I don't care who played, who didn't play, or why the Steelers lost... I'm just glad the Ravens got that monkey off their backs and won against Pittsburgh. It was a great game to watch. My heartburn was in full effect, especially in the 4th quarter and OT. But a win is a win. I'll take it anyway I can get. Pardon me while I dance a jig.


*2-pt conversion* Bye Bye Charlie Batch. Looks like Dennis Dixon has earned the backup spot on that team.

-I've never been a fan of Vince Young from a football perspective, and later from a personal perspective. But he is really starting to prove myself and the other naysayers that he can be a good QB in this league. I'm all for turn around stories and, in my opinion, Young should be a Comeback Of The Year candidate. I'm really hoping that he makes a non-believer, like myself, a believer. In a weird way, I'm rooting for him now. I love Rudy-type stories.

*extra point* But let's be clear... VY may not be coming back from anything without #28 on his team. Chris Johnson.... is..... freaking.... AWESOME!

-Ladies and Gentleman, T.O. has FINALLY arrived to Buffalo! He's had more receiving yards and TDs in the last 3 weeks than the previous 7 weeks combined. Glad you could join the party, T.O.


-Jay Cutler and Jake Delhomme are having a race on who can have the most INTs in a single season. Winner officially gets the "Ultimate Charity Case" Award, since their teams both threw a boatload of money at them to do absolutely nothing.

-How does the Texans get in good position to beat the Colts, then end up on the losing end of the spectrum once the game is over? Time and time again, Houston finds a way to be competitive until the final 10 mins in the 4th qtr, then it becomes, "let's hand the game over to Indy" time.

They gave the Colts 14 points on defense, both turnovers happening with under 9 minutes left in the game. This is why the Texans can't find a way to get over the hump. They will always be considered middle of the pack until they can win a game against the Colts.

-I'd cry in the car if I were a Bucs fan. To have a game pretty much in the bag, without Matt Ryan, then to lose in the final seconds of the game, has to hurt bad as hell. Sometimes, football is heartbreaking, especially if it's your team. That was a heartbreaker for Bucs fans. I would tell you to keep your head up and live to see another week... but y'all know at this point I'm just trying to be nice. Well, there's always next year *shrugs*

-The Saints are by FAR the best team in the NFL. They slapped the Patriots around like a pimp does his worker on "Hookers At The Point". Bill Belicheck started the game by back handing the Saints defense, going for it on two 4th down plays and converting, one for a TD. But Drew Brees made them pay, throwing for 5 TDs in a Monday night rout over the Pats, 38-17. I don't know who is going to stop them during the regular season. Right now I can only see Minnesota giving them a run for their money.

*extra point* A picture of one word: OWNED!!!!!!