FanNation - The Republic of Sport

So we are halfway into the NFL season and through with another "game of the century." What have we learned? "A Pat on the Back" Don't pop the cork on those champagne bottles just yet Dolphins fans. The Pats look like they have the gusto to make it through the season undefeated. One thing we learned in last week's Pats-Colts game is that the Colts are definitely in the same atmosphere as the Patriots. But it says a lot about both the Colts and Patriots that New England was able to come back from a 10 point lead. In Indianapolis. In the 4th quarter. I definitely think we will see these two play each other again in the AFC Championship Game. It should be an even better game, assuming Manning doesn't go into shellshock at Foxboro. And it is pretty clear that the Pats are locking up homefield advantage. I think everything we needed to know about the attitudes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning was displayed in those final 5 minutes of the game. Brady didn't play a perfect game by any means, but at no point did he seem flustered. Meanwhile, it seemed like Peyton always had a grimace, especially after losing a fumble that sealed the game. Horrible officiating, by the way, in that game. New England set a franchise record for most penalties, and a large part of that came from botched pass interference calls. Somebody should nominate Reggie Wayne for a Best Actor award. If I see one more wide receiver get beaten on a play and then fall to the ground like a shot deer I am going to scream. This is the NFL, not the World Cup. "How Brees Got his Groove Back" Don't write off the Saints just yet. They have won 4 in a row, and Drew Brees looks like the Pro Bowl QB we saw last year. Reggie Bush, in my opinion, is one of the most puzzling running backs in the league. Just when you think it is time to give up on him he displays the brilliance we saw in his time at USC. The Saints will win the NFC South. Write it down. "Texas Mess" Last year's draft brought a lot of pain for Texans fans. Houston passed on the chance to move up and take Adrian Peterson, because he had too many question marks in terms of his health. And in typical Texans fashion they drafted defense, lose all their running backs to injury, while Peterson proceeds to set the single game rushing record for the Vikings. That means in the past 2 years the Texans have passed on Reggie Bush, Vince Young, and Adrian Peterson. (The Texans had the number 8 pick last year, which they traded to Atlanta. Peterson literally fell into the laps of the Vikings, who had him slated as a backup this season) He has locked up the rookie of the year, but is it time to start mentioning Adrian Peterson in the MVP discussion? He won't win it, that is Tom Brady's award this season, but the guy is phenomenal. He made LT look bad for crying out loud. "Miss Kitna-Detroit Psychic" Remember when we were all scoffing at Jon Kitna's bold prediction of a 10 win season? Don't look now but the Lions are 6-2, and a definite playoff contender in the weak NFC. There is no question that Mike Martz is a genius and has opened up that offense. I look forward to the next Packers-Lions game. "Beasts in the East" Next week's Cowboys-Giants game should be a good one. The Giants are much improved from the team that Dallas destroyed in game 1, and a lot of that has to do with General Coughlin easing up on the reins of the team. The Cowboys defense is suspect but I don't see the Giants being able to break the momentum that this Dallas team has. Tony Romo got paid and looked every bit the part of a franchise QB versus the Eagles. (By the way, will somebody check Donovan Mcnabb's pulse?) "Do NOT Ignore the Men Behind the Steel Curtain" Did anybody expect the Steelers or Big Ben to be playing this well? I was certain that the Chargers were the third best team in the AFC at the start this season, but now it looks like Pittsburgh is taking that position. While I still think they will lose to the Patriots in the playoffs (although Indy is more likely to play them because of seeding) I think you can't say enough about Mike Tomlin's coaching ability. There has been no dropoff since Bill Cowher left. Memo to AFC teams: Do not sleep on the Steelers. Teams that have surprised me on the upside- Green Bay (The feel good story of the year), Pittsburgh (Could make it to the AFC Championship Game by upsetting Indy again.) Tampa Bay (Think the Eagles are regretting letting Jeff Garcia go?) Tennessee (How does Vince Young do it?) Teams that have let me down- San Diego (So much potential...) St. Louis (The Lamest Toes on Turf) Chicago (Cedric Benson, you can officially play like a starting running back anytime now.)