But it’s also time to tell the truth. If it wasn’t for President Bush “strongly” persuading New Orleans owner Tom Benson to “stick it out” in New Orleans for the sake of the people of the city and the state after Hurricane Katrina, the victory parade right now would have been held in San Antonio instead of New Orleans. The Superdome was rebuilt with federal money after the hurricane, tax money from you and me. We should have no problem with that either. If the same thing happened in Dallas or Arizona those stadiums would have been rebuilt as well.

Lets get back to the game now, shall we? Make no mistake here, the people of Cajun land needed this win, maybe more then the good folks of Indiana. It doesn’t mean the Saints are a better team on paper. It just means they were better on Sunday then the Colts were. The coaching was better, the players executed their game plan better, and the breaks went their way. We shouldn’t even be assigning blame here, we should just take it for what it was, a momentary lapse of reason. Brett Farve has them at least 6 times a year, and he’s supposed to be the modern day god of Quarterbacks.

So while everyone down in the bayou is in celebration mode, and all but 11 people showed up at the airport yesterday to welcome the return of the AFC champions home, we need to remind everyone that there much larger issues facing the game of Football right now other then did the better team won the Super Bowl or not.  The game of football is facing several serious issues that have to be faced, not avoided.

One thing Mr. Goodell is right about: there needs to be more communication in the negotiations and soon if a lock out is to be avoided in just under 13 months. The owners may think they will win no matter what because the networks will still fill the NFL treasure chest, but no one really wins if there is a work stoppage, just ask baseball and hockey if they have recovered from their work stoppages yet. The clear answer is no, they have not recovered at all. It’s time for some common sense to take hold here folks. The players are not backing down, and neither is their new union leader, DeMaurice Smith. Maybe the owners thought they were getting a “softie” when this guy took over. They were even selling T-shirts in Florida at all the pre-super bowl events last week for 5 dollars each. It’s time for Joe average fan to be worried.

The last blowout came in January of 2003 when the Bucs manhandled the Raiders, 48-21. So we are unfortunately overdue for a dud.

This game is ripe for just that, too. The Colts are playing fantastic on both sides of the ball and shut down two formidable rushing attacks in the playoffs against the Ravens and Jets. Peyton Manning, who was named the NFL MVP, also has so much experience and won not only a ring but the game MVP in the same Miami venue in Super Bowl XLI.

The Saints did look strong in pasting the Cards, but were outplayed two weeks ago in the NFC Championship Game. The Vikings had a huge day offensively, easily outgaining the home team, 475 to 257 yards. If not for a late interception thrown by Brett Favre, the Saints would not have had the opportunity to win the game in overtime by a field goal.

The Colts are favored by four points in this game, and that seems like a low number, all things considered. If the weather turns wet, both teams play in a dome. But it was a torrential downpour when Indianapolis beat Chicago three years ago and they didn’t miss a beat. Even with a banged-up Dwight Freeney (at best), the Colts still have the horses to run away with it.

At least you can still follow your boxes.

It was a cold day in Nashville as the game began and the Titans started the same, as Vince Young’s first pass, on the first play of day was picked off. It set off a chorus of boos from the crowd that knew how important this game was. These were two teams playing for the playoffs and the Dolphins had been on a roll lately. Miami stood at 7-6 and Tennessee at 6-7 with the loser falling another notch in the wild-card race. So on the possession set up by the interception, the Dolphins were able to get a field goal for a 3-0 lead. Now it was time for Young to make up for that mistake. The thing that has been so noticeable about Young has been the improvement in his decision-making. Last year and before he would quickly throw the ball away or run when it was not beneficial to his team. He was unable to find the consistency to keep defenses honest. This year he was put in a situation unlike he ever faced in his life on the football field. He had to prove himself and earn the trust of those around him. So the Titans found themselves needing to win out and needing Young to continue his evolution into an NFL quarterback. What he showed on this Sunday was just that as he made some of the prettiest throws of his career. He hit Justin Gage on touchdown passes of 22 and 21 yards that were unlike any he has ever thrown. His third touchdown pass was another beauty to Nate Washington but the 24-6 lead from that play would not hold up. Now critics will come up with reasons as to why they let the Fins back in the game, but it was simply because they took their foot off the gas pedal. They got complacent with the lead and let Miami back in and tie the score when Ricky Williams ran in the two-point conversion. So it was 24-24 and the Titans got the ball back but had to punt it after a three-and-out. Punter Brett Kern came in did his job putting the ball on the two-yard line with little time for the Dolphins to get down the field. What they did was run the ball so they could run out the clock. At that point the Titans had three time outs and the fans let the boos fly as Fisher allowed the clock to run. He said it was a gut feeling of his not to use the timeouts. Lucky for him he was right or the media would have eaten him alive this week. In the game Chris Johnson’s pursuit of 2,000 yards took a hit as he once again had a tough second half. Last week he had 16 carries for 30 yards and this week had 15 for 33 in the second half.  Teams are keying hard on him now but he said that he might have a 200 or 300-yard game left in him. He will have to average 135 yards per in the last two to get to that elusive mark (2,000) and needs 376 yards to pass Eric Dickerson’s NFL mark of 2,105 yards. He wound up with 104 yards on 29 carries. He will continue to get the ball in the last two games so hang on for the ride. In the game the Titans lost the heart and soul of their defense when Keith Bullock hurt his knee and he must now have season ending surgery. Also gone for the year is LB David Thornton, as he will go under the knife for a shoulder problem he has had. So there are two more games left and Tennessee needs a lot of help from other teams. They must also win out as well. One thing ought to be a sure thing and that would be votes for Jeff Fisher for coach of the year. No matter how the season ends you have to give credit to this coach and team for coming out of a 0-6 hole to .500 after week 15.

Indianapolis 35 Jacksonville 31

Even when it looks like the Colts are going down in defeat, they find a way to win. Peyton Manning continued to stake his claim for MVP as he went 23-30 for 308 yards and four touchdowns. He started early on this night as he hit Dallas Clark and Austin Collie in the second quarter for a 21-17 halftime lead. It was a first half that also saw Maurice Jones-Drew score twice, when he caught one from nine yards out and ran another in from three in that second quarter. The teams had traded scores in the first half and the theme would continue in the second. Jacksonville was sharp as was QB David Garrard and they came out and scored at the 8:32 mark of the third to take the lead back. Just like the sun rising is a sure thing so is Manning as he directed his team down the field and hit Clark again for a 27-yard touchdown. That made it 28-24 and it looked like that would all the Jags could handle. Well they forgot to tell Jacksonville and they answered the Colts right back when Mike Thomas pulled in a 13-yard pass from Garrard to make it 31-28 Jags with 47 seconds left in the third. Jacksonville just wishes there was that much time left in the game because a whole quarter is too much time for Manning to do damage. So the fourth quarter got underway and two teams that had not punted in the first half punted five times. No one could get the advantage until Manning finally put the dagger in the Jags when he hit Reggie Wayne down the left sideline for 65-yards and the winning score. So now the Colts are 14-0 and the only undefeated team in the league after the Saints lost to Dallas. Manning now has thrown for 4,000 yards or more in a season 10 times. The closest one to him is the great Dan Marino with six. As for the Jags, well they have now lost control of their destiny and will need help to get into the postseason. At 7-7 they find themselves in the pack with other 7-7 teams. Jones-Drew finished with 110 yards on 27 carries and Garrard was 23-40 for 223 yards, three scores and a pick. They are still in it but have to hit the road for their last two games of the year. They will first go to New England where the Pats are fighting for their division crown and playoff positioning. Then they finish at Cleveland against a Browns team that has been playing inspired ball and just come off two of the best single-game performances in NFL history. Kick returner Josh Cribbs returned two kicks for touchdowns and running back Jerome Harrison ran for the third best total in history with 286 yards and three touchdowns. The Colts finish by hosting the Jets and then going to Buffalo so their chances at 16-0 look good.

Houston 16 St. Louis 13

In a season that has basically gone bad the Texans found a way to keep the Rams in the game. They drove down the field at times but had to settle for three Kris Brown field goals and one touchdown pass from Matt Schaub. Though they had to struggle, Schaub had 367 yards passing giving him eight games with at least 300 yards and his fifth game with at least 350. Andre Johnson had another great game with nine catches for 196 yards but became the second player in the last 10 years to have that many yards and not catch a touchdown pass. The running game on the other hand was anemic gaining just 52 yards total and they were 5-14 on third down. They lost two fumbles as well but the defense did hold the Rams to 237 total yards. So no Houston is at 7-7 and they go to Miami next week in a key battle of 7-7 teams. They finish the season at home but that will be a tall task as the will be hosting the Patriots. There is still shot at the playoffs but hopes are dimming. In the next few weeks we will also get a clearer picture on the fate of head coach Gary Kubiak.

All season long this was the match up everyone wanted. No other team in the conference looked like they would compete so the best were at it Saturday in Atlanta. There were storylines like the next to last game in the career of AT&Tebow. Could Mark Ingram make his case for the Heisman? Would Greg McElroy start quick or work from behind? Which one of these defenses would step up when it mattered most? There could be a host of other questions but these were the burning ones. AT&Tebow has had a collegiate career that will be talked about for years to come. He has built so much respect from his peers that it appeared like he was almost untouchable. In the SEC championship game Alabama made sure he was touched plenty. He had been able to dodge every bullet and come out a winner for so long he knew no other way. That was until he lined up against an Alabama team that was playing for so much more than an SEC or BCS title. They were playing to be kings of the mountain again. They were playing for a coach that took this job with one thing in mind. That was to bring this program back to national prominence and to another national championship. Anything less would be complete failure for a coach some don’t like but can’t help respect. Nick Saban took a lot of heat when he left Baton Rouge for the southern hospitality of Alabama. This was one that the Tide have been working on since the last one in 1992. So Tebow did his best to keep his team in the game but a drive in the first quarter stalled and ended in a field goal. When he hit David Nelson from 23 yards to make it 12-10 that was just answered by Ingram a minute later when he ran in from three. That scoring run would be all the Tide would need and Tebow would fall short on his last try in this conference of champions. He would finish 20-35 for 247 yards with an interception as well as the touchdown pass. He would finish the way he did not plan when he decided to come back for his senior year to get this SEC title as well as the BCS trophy. Now it’s on to the NFL and see if he can find a place among the big boys of the sport he loves so much. Mark Ingram came into the season well known by the SEC but still had questions to answer. What he did Saturday was put his stake in that Heisman argument running for 113 yards on 28 carries. He did his most damage where it hurt the Gators the most, in the red zone. He would have touchdown runs of seven, three and one yard. He kept the Gator defense off balance all day, as they could not contain him. He ran left and right as well as off-tackle. He gave his quarterback the time to throw the football and make his own case too. McElroy had never lost a start before this one and he put on an MVP performance going 12-18 for 239 yards and no interceptions. He needed to start quickly with Ingram running the ball well to be effective. So with his running game giving him 251 yards he was able to hurt Florida. He hit his receivers when he needed and was accurate in doing so. His timely passing and determination gave him the MVP and maybe a bright future to look forward to. The last question was about defense and Alabama flat out shut down the bite of the Gators. They were held to 13 first downs and 88 yards rushing. Bama held the ball for almost 40 minutes and the Florida offense was just 4-11 on third down conversions. When the Gators were trying to threaten Javier Arenas picked Tebow off and the game was done. It was as dominating a performance as you could get in this epic. Two teams on a collision course from opening day, and now only one was left standing. So it is the Tide of Alabama that moves on the BCS game against Colt McCoy and the Longhorns. It will be a game, but in the end I have to stick by what I have said all year, the SEC is king of the college football world and when it’s all said and done the Tide of Alabama will sit on top as BCS champions.

Ultimately though, Manning got one final chance to lead his team to victory, and while achieving four personal milestones against the Falcons, the Giants’ offensive leader attained something that meant more than any individual accomplishment: guiding the Giants to an all-important 34-31 victory in overtime, moving New York (6-4) ahead of the team it beat on Sunday, in the race for the NFC playoffs.

Though Manning had one of the best all-around games of his career, it didn’t begin that way. Following completions, each for double digit yardage, on his first two passes, Manning was sacked. Two plays later, he threw his only interception of the game, before heading to the sideline under a chorus of boos from impatient Giant fans who were antsy at the outset as to whether their team could regain its winning form.

However, after an Atlanta three-and-out, Manning and the Giants got things going offensively on their next possession, going 64 yards on twelve plays in 6:10, taking a 3-0 lead on a 39 yard-field goal by Lawrence Tynes with 2:54 left in the opening quarter.

The Falcons responded though, driving 65 yards on nine plays, taking a 7-3 lead 1:02 into the second quarter on a 7-yard touchdown run, the first of two scores on the day by running back Jason Snelling (25 rushes, 76 yards), who was the only back who carried the ball for Atlanta with star rusher Michael Turner and also much less used Jerious Norwood each missing the game with injuries (quarterback Matt Ryan had the only other five Atlanta carries, for 14 yards).

The Giants then drove 54 yards to the Atlanta 13, but Tynes missed a 31-yard field goal.

But Manning, who finished the game completing 25 of 39 passes for a career-high 384 yards, marking his first-ever 300-yard game at home, went to work after a sack by New York linebacker Michael Boley completed another Atlanta three-and-out.

The Giants took over at their own 48-yard line after a Falcons’ punt, and moved back to their own 42 after an offensive holding penalty, but it took Manning just two big passes to score from there.

First, he found rookie wide receiver Hakeem Nicks for 30 yards to the Atlanta, and on the next play, he hit tight end Kevin Boss, for the first of three Manning touchdown passes and the first of two scores by Boss. The powerful, 6-foot-6, 250-pound target caught the ball along the right sideline and made a nice sudden stop at the 6-yard line to keep from going out of bounds. That allowed the Falcons’ defense to over pursue Boss a bit, so he could take advantage and get into the end zone to give the Giants a 10-7 lead with 7:01 remaining in the first half.

Atlanta then drove into New York territory but kicker Jason Elam missed a 35-yard field goal with 2:51 left in the opening half.

Later, a couple of Giant defensive ends gave Manning and the New York offense another great opportunity to score, and Manning and Boss delivered again.

Justin Tuck forced a Ryan fumble which was recovered by Osi Umenyiora at the Atlanta 35-yard line. That led to a four-yard touchdown strike from Manning to Boss six plays later. Boss caught the ball in traffic, in the middle of the end zone, putting the Giants ahead 17-7, just fourteen seconds before halftime.

The Falcons quickly got back in the game though, as Snelling scored again, this time from one yard out, pulling Atlanta to within 17-14 just 3:17 into the third quarter.

But on the next possession, the Falcons again couldn’t stop the Giants’ passing game (which accounted for 368 of New York’s 456 total yards and 19 of the Giants’ 24 first downs) as Manning threw a beautiful ball, leading wide receiver Steve Smith (4 catches, 79 yards) on a 51-yard completion to the Falcons’ 23-yard line. Four plays later, with two Atlanta penalties on consecutive plays mixed in, running back Brandon Jacobs (held to just 39 yards on 12 carries) scored on a two-yard run to give the Giants a 24-14 lead with 8:36 left in the third quarter.

The Falcons trimmed the Giants’ lead to 24-17 after an Elam 25-yard field goal capped an 18-play drive with 1:57 remaining in the third period, but again Manning was unstoppable, taking the Giants 74 yards on nine plays in 4:49 for their final touchdown of the game.

After completing to wide receiver Mario Manningham (6 catches for a game-high 126 yards) for 27 yards and finding Boss for another 18 yards, Manning finished the drive with a three-yard scoring toss to one of seven different receivers he hooked up with on the day, fullback Madison Hedgecock. The first score of the season for Hedgecock gave the Giants a seemingly comfortable 31-17 lead with 12:08 to go in the game.

The Falcons however, wouldn’t go quietly. Ryan (26 of 46 for 268 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions), who also completed to seven different players, drove Atlanta 65 yards in twelve plays, throwing to a four-yard scoring pass to undrafted wide receiver Eric Weems out of Bethune-Cookman, pulling the Falcons to within 31-24, with 6:01 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Manning then tried to answer again. He connected with Boss (five catches, 76 yards) on a 26-yard play to the Giants’ 41 yard-line, but the Giants were stopped on their next three plays (two of them, Manning incompletions), and the Falcons took over after a short 35-yard punt by Giants’ punter Jeff Feagles.

Ryan again drove the Falcons, this time twelve plays for 76 yards in 3:14, scoring on an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez (game–high eight catches for 72 yards), who pulled Ryan’s pass down between two Giants’ defenders in the middle of the end zone, tying the game 31-31, with just 28 seconds left in regulation, forcing overtime.

“I am concerned,” Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said of his defense, which struggled against the Falcons and has done so since dominating during a 5-0 start.

However, the way Manning was going on Sunday, it was a safe bet that if the Giants won the toss to start the extra session, Ryan wouldn’t get the ball back.

They did, and he didn’t.

On third-and-two from the Giants’ 41 yard-line, Manning noticed the help that was originally on his right side of the field, sneaking back toward the middle. That’s when Manning knew he had Manningham, and sure enough, he lofted a nice over-the-back-shoulder fade pass along the right sideline to Manningham, who caught the ball for a 29-yard gain, streaking to the Atlanta 23.

Three plays later, Tynes knocked a game-winning 36-yard field goal inside the right upright, 3:54 into overtime, to complete the Giants’ first win in exactly six weeks.

Although Manning moved into second place on the Giants’ career completions list (with 1,466) and into third place on the Giants’ all-time passing yards list (with 17,077), it was finally getting back in the win column which he focused on most.

“It’s been a long time, 42 days since our last win,” he said. “It felt like it, too. “There are not many better feelings than in a locker room after a win,” Manning said. “It was good to see the high-fives and the smiles, especially when you haven’t had that feeling for a while.”

“It’s nice to win,” Coughlin added. “We were miserable around here for a month.”

In an NFL oddity, the Giants’ victory was the first by the home team in the Giants-Falcons series since November 11, 1979, when the Giants won at Giants Stadium, 24-3. The visiting team had won the previous twelve meeting in the series, the longest such streak in NFL history.

Big Blue won’t have long to relish in its rediscovered feeling of victory. They’ll only have three days off, one of which will be a travel day, as they’ll fly out west, before playing in Denver, on Thanksgiving night. They may be catching the Broncos at the right time though, since they can now relate to the predicament that the Giants were in before Sunday, having lost their past four games after a 6-0 start. Kickoff will be at 8:20pm EST.

Sanchez’s first interception was taken back by Bodden for a 55 yard TD midway through the first quarter. Coach Rex Ryan admitted that the play was deflating for a team and quarterback trying to regain a confidence lost weeks ago amidst a month full of losing. “When you spot em a td , its gonna come back and bite you.” Randy Moss ended the quarter with a four yard TD grab and a 14-0 Pats lead. The quick strike caught CB Darrelle Revis by surprise. Revis who was challenged all day in one on one coverage however,  did a solid job in containing Moss who managed just 34 yards on the day. The two resumed their week two battle in which Revis felt slighted afterwards by Moss who claimed that Revis had not shut him down alone but rather with the help from Jet safeties.

The Jets found hope down 24-0 late in the first half on a blocked punt for TD by Brad Smith. The Jets then cut the lead to 24-14 midway through the third on a 29 yard TD pass from Sanchez to WR Jerricho Cotchery. With the ball near the 50 to start the fourth quarter though, Sanchez, looking for Cotchery again was intercepted by Bodden again. A New England punt then pinned the Jets inside their own ten where Sanchez committed the worst of his four ints. Rolling out and in trouble, he played right into coach Bill Belichick’s hands, throwing downfield into coverage. The ball was intercepted by Brandon Meriweather leading to a second Laurence Maroney TD, a one yard plunge with 5:06 left. That put it away at 31-14.

For the Jets, the game resembled nothing of the week two Jet win that saw Ryan’s aggressive defense pressure the rusty Tom Brady all day. Welker was out with an injury that day . The early season “W” gave the Jets initial control of the AFC East at 2-0. The win also had many Jet faithful believing that Sanchez and Ryan could very well be the saviors for a franchise known for little else  besides Joe Namath and the habitual losing that has occurred since 1969.  “We are a desperate football team right now,” said Jets linebacker Bart Scott, There is no magic remedy.” No there isn’t. All there is right now, is the cold reality that once again, a promising Jet season appears headed for the scrap heap.

A look back on the three keys:

JETS PRESSURE ON BRADY: There was little of it early on as the Pats built a 24-0 lead. At 24-14, the D got to him a bit but a slow defensive start led to a deficit that the team couldn’t recover from.

REVIS vs MOSS ROUND TWO: Revis kept Moss quiet but what good was it? Welker went off.

EMOTION: The Jets had to play with a ton of it. Rex Ryan cried this past week. That should’ve had this team flying around from the get go. Instead, well, here’s Ryan after the game.”When you come out of the tunnel you gotta be ticked off. The last two weeks we’ve let the other team dictate the tempo to us. This is the first game we clearly got our butts kicked.”

Marvelous McNabb throws for a mile…. The Eagles quarterback played very well on Sunday, but no matter how often he threw (55 times) or who he threw the ball to (seven different receivers) it wasn’t enough. While the Eagles fell McNabb’s numbers rose with 35 completions for 450 yards in the air and two touchdowns in a week 10 loss to the Chargers.

Action Jackson will not be stopped…. If you drafted running back Steven Jackson, but had second thoughts because the Rams offense is just bad pat yourself on the back for sticking with the stud. The St. Louis Rams may be 1-7, but that is not stopping “Action” Jackson from having a big season. On Sunday Jackson turned in his third straight 100-yard rushing game with 176 total yards against the Saints. Only twice has Jackson totaled less than 100 yards and for the season he has 1,146 yards of total offense ranking second behind Chris Johnson.
 
Worst of the Worst

When it comes to the Raiders-Chiefs rivalry, the Silver and Black know very little about home-field advantage. Thanks primarily to an inept offense that converted just 12 percent (2/16) of third downs, completed just 13 of 32 passes, and turned the ball over twice, the Raiders lost for the seventh straight time at home against the Chiefs. The Raiders are now 2-7; how did they win two games?

Jury is still Out

Has the Broncos offense finally turned the corner? Well after a fast start on Sunday against the Redskins, it certainly appeared that McDaniels had made the necessary adjustments and the offense was finally right. This was all until disaster struck. After watching Orton complete 11 of 18 for 193 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, the Broncos offense completely disappeared with backup Chris Simms in the game for the injured Orton. With a big matchup with San Diego in week 11 and Simms the likely starter, the offense might regress some before taking any more forward steps. The Jury is going to remain out on Denver’s “Patriot’s West” offense, at least until a healthy Orton returns.

10 Things I Remember From Sunday

(Week 10)

1. The Panthers used their two-headed monster out of the back-field to take down the Falcons; Stewart and Williams combined for 174 yards and two touchdowns.

2. One of my “Four Horsemen” Sidney Rice puts up 201 receiving yards against the Lions secondary.

3. The Titan’s running back Chris Johnson plays like a stud in a league of his own totaling 232 yards and scoring two touchdowns against the Bills.

4. The Redskins offensive line just blew holes into the Broncos defense all day to the tune of 174 yards on the ground.

5. Despite their recent struggles through the air, the Broncos and quarterback Kyle Orton came out gun-slinging in week 10; Orton passed for 193 yards in the first half before leaving with an injury.

6. The “Old man” in Arizona Kurt Warner took a while to get started, but once he did he was unstoppable completing 29 of 38 passes for over 300-yards and two touchdowns.

7. The Bengals defense showed up on Sunday against Big Ben and the Steelers recording four sacks and a forced fumble in their 18-12 win.

8. Steven Jackson is a one man wrecking crew in St. Louis rushing for 131 yards and catching nine balls for another 45 yards.

9. Who is Brandon Gibson, likely the next Waiver wire darling after catching seven passes for 93 yards.

10. Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning; Sunday night against the Patriots he passed for 327 yards with four touchdowns.

Remember to check back for more “Monday Morning Huddle!”

It was the type of mid-season drive that can change a season for both teams, and depending on what happens in the remainder of the 2009 season, it just may. The Chargers had come to the Meadowlands with a 4-3 record, winners of two straight after a very mediocre start to their season, looking to gain on Denver in the AFC West, and also keep pace in the very competitive AFC wild-card picture. The Giants meanwhile, were looking to get back on track after following a 5-0 start with three consecutive losses. So, a big game for both sides, and a bigger finish for San Diego and quarterback Phillip Rivers. Five years after being traded from the Giants for Eli Manning, Rivers got revenge on both, with a brilliant two-minute drill to win the game. Bouncing back from an interception that looked to seal the Chargers’ fate on their previous possession, Rivers and San Diego caught a big break when the Giants couldn’t score after a first-and-goal at the Charger 4-yard line, and New York had to settle for field goal. Rivers took advantage, completing 6 of 8 passes, taking the Chargers 80 yards in 8 plays, in just 1:44, throwing hid third touchdown pass of the game, an 18-yarder with just 21 seconds left, to upset the Giants, 21-20.

#4:  CINCY ‘D’ RIPS RAVENS

In a big AFC North showdown, the Bengals, normally know in past years for their offense, have stepped up the defense this year, and they were all about the ‘D’ in beating the Ravens, 17-7. Shutting out Baltimore over the first three quarters, Cincinnati finished the game with six sacks, while forcing three turnovers, and allowing just 215 total yards. Instead of letting the Ravens tie the Bengals at 5-3, a game behind 6-2 Pittsburgh, the Bengals’ dominant defensive performance allows them to play the Steelers for first place next week, with both teams at 6-2, while Baltimore fell back to .500 at 4-4.

#3:  TURNER TURNS IT UP

Atlanta running back Michael Turner was turned loose against Washington and he made the Redskins pay with a game-high 166 yards on just 18 carries, for a 9.2 ypc average. He also rushed for two touchdowns. His second came in the fourth quarter, on a 58-yard run, just 1:42 after Washington made it a game at 24-17, early in the fourth quarter. Turner accounted for all but 15 of the Falcons’ 181 rushing yards in helping Atlanta get to 5-3 at home.

#2: WARNER’S HUGE TURNAROUND

Talk about a change! Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner threw five touchdown passes one week after throwing five interceptions, in the Cardinals’ 41-21 win in Chicago. Warner led first-half drives of 81, 74, 70, and 86 yards the first four times Arizona touched the ball, with all resulting in touchdown passes. The Cardinals built a big 31-7 halftime lead on the strength of those scoring drives, and Warner finished the game 22 of 32 for 261 yards, and this time, no interceptions.

#1:  IN THE OLD THREADS, THE BUCS STOP LOSING

I know a lot of people don’t like them, and I do like the new threads, but I still have a soft spot for the old light orange Tampa Bay uniforms and the old logo. The Buccaneers might like them better this season now, too. It took wearing their throwbacks, giving 2009 first-round pick, quarterback Josh Freeman his first start, and comebacks from 14-7, 21-14, and 28-17, but Tampa Bay finally got their first win of the season and broke the league’s longest losing streak, which stood at eleven games, dating back to least season. Freeman was only 14 of 31 for 205 yards in his NFL debut, but he threw just one interception and three touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter to rally the Bucs to a 38-28 victory. Tampa Bay also had a blocked punt returned 31 yards for a touchdown which tied the game 14-14 in the second quarter, and iced the game, returning a touchdown 35 yards with 35 seconds left.

Virginia Tech came into this game as heavy favorites, but left as just another inconsistent team in the ACC. Big names such as Tyrod Taylor fooled fans into believing it would be a high scoring affair. However, early on, it proved otherwise. Holding Taylor to only 161 yards and no touchdowns through the air, UNC’s defense proved to be very strong against the pass. They also prevented the big play from happening; both of the Hokies touchdowns came off 1-yard runs. On the other side of the ball, UNC quarterback TJ Yates threw for a mere 131 yards, but managed a crucial two touchdowns through the air. Two turnovers also spurred UNC to victory, including a recovered fumble at the Hokies 24-yard line with only 50 seconds left. Off the turnover, sophomore kicker Casey Barth chipped one through the uprights for the win. Not only did Virginia Tech practically lose their chances at the ACC title, but they also ruined a potential 10-2 season. These games show just how unpredictable the ACC can be. One week, North Carolina has their heads down due to a blown lead and the next thing you know, they’re upsetting the #13 team in the country.

MIAMI – 28 WAKE FOREST – 27

In my mind, the Hurricanes established themselves as another one of those feast-or-famine teams. When they show up to play, they’re one of the best teams in the country. But on other days, such as this one, they don’t quite get their message across. Now I know they won, and boy were there some stats. Miami quarterback Jacory Harris threw for 330 yards and 3 touchdowns, as his opposition Riley Skinner threw for 349 yards and 2 touchdowns. However, Miami didn’t win this game, Wake Forest lost it. Winning 17-0 midway through the second quarter, the Deacons looked to pull off a tremendous upset. Though, once again, turnovers plagued the hopes of Wake Forest ever winning this game. Two missed field goals and an interception in the fourth quarter alone; they practically gave the game to Miami. Honestly, I couldn’t believe how badly Miami played. There’s really no specific area. They couldn’t take advantage of turnovers like I’m used to seeing them do, their defense was running in circles and they nearly lost to a .500 team. Unfortunately, Miami is currently third in the costal division of the ACC and looks to be on the outside looking in at the ACC championship game.

DUKE – 28 VIRGINIA – 7

I never thought I would get to say this, but Duke’s on a run! This win makes it their third straight ACC victory this season, something that the Blue Devils haven’t done in 10 years. Now as for the game, there was the 343 yards through the air by Duke Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis He has gone for 300+ yards in five games this season, leading the Blue Devils to an impressive 5-3 record. Posting a 9-3 score at the half implied a low-scoring affair, however it proved wrong, as Duke exploded for 19 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to seize the victory. Usually, it’s Duke’s offense that does the work, but what really surprised me was how well Duke played on defense. Allowing a meager 196 yards of total offense, the Blue Devil’s defense played one of their best games all year. Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell threw for only 86 yards and back Rashawn Jackson rushed for only 83 yards. Virginia was embarrassed on third downs. But in the end, all this mess equals the Duke Blue Devils being at the number two spot in the Costal division of the ACC. One more win and they’re bowl eligible, two wins and they’ve secured a bowl trip and if they win out then they’re ACC champions. Duke controls their destiny.

FLORIDA STATE – 45 NC STATE – 42

Can we get some defense? NC State quarterback threw for 349 yards and 5 touchdowns and Seminoles quarterback threw for 277 yards and one score, both offenses drove all over the field the whole game. The game-winning score came from Bert Reed on a 3-yard reverse, giving Florida State their second in-conference victory.

GEORGIA TECH – 56 VANDERBILT – 31

An impressive win over an SEC team, Georgia Tech improved to 8-1 on the season.  They scored 56 points, along with 597 yards of total offense, the Yellow Jackets offense didn’t disappoint. Georgia Tech’s defense locked up the second half, holding Vandy to just 3 points.

BOSTON COLLEGE – 31 CENTRAL MICHIGAN – 10

Going up against perhaps the best the MAC has to offer, Boston College didn’t let anyone down. Eagles running back Montel Harris helped the offense with his 136 yards rushing, as the defense did its part with two forced turnovers.

CLEMSON – 49 COSTAL CAROLINA – 3

Possibly the easiest game of the year so far for Clemson, the Tigers scored 49 unanswered points over a three quarter span. No real impressive stats, as playing time was distributed between players evenly, giving them a chance to look ahead to next week’s ACC showdown vs. the Seminoles.

The last time their was this much excitement in Knoxville the Vols were considered a good team. When this year began the idea was to get the program back to it’s winning ways. A task tat would fall to new head football coach Lane Kiffin and his new staff. Things did not start well for the Vols but began changing when they lost that narrow game to Florida. They followed it up with a closer one against Alabama. Although they were losses they seem to build the character of this team and they seemed to have found some kind of unity and understanding of each other. I had written that maybe they had found that missing piece of something that they needed to build their confidence and play ball again. Well on Saturday they were facing a Gamecock team that would not fold easily. Yet when it came to game time they could not execute as they fumbled three times in the first half to help the Vols take a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. The Vols wore Halloween uniforms also going with the black top with orange letter on it. It was a move by a team that is feeling more confident each week. After the first half all the Vols had to do was hold on to the lead as South Carolina never really threatened or put up any kind of fight. It was a huge win for the team as they showed that they can compete and finish against a quality opponent. The fact that they were humiliated by S.C. last year, then a few days later Phillip Fulmer was advised that he would not return as coach, played a big part in their motivation. Jonathan Crompton continues to improve and show more confidence in his game. He managed the game well going 12-24 for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Most importantly he did not throw an interception and was on target for the most part. Montario Hardesty continues to run strong and hard as he ended the game with 121 yards on 23 carries. There was the almost customary blocked field goal and that will have to be addressed too. Junior Chad Cunningham handled the kicking duties while Daniel Lincoln was nursing an injured quadriceps. Gamecock quarterback Stephen Garcia had 300 yards passing on 25-50 but most of it was late when his team was trying to come back too little too late. He was bothered all day by the new blitzing schemes implemented this past week and never really could get into a rhythm. The running game was not a factor as well due to the lead that was built by Tennessee. It was the first time in a while that UT outplayed a Steve Spurrier coached team like this. He is usually prepared for any situation but not on this day. The win puts UT at 4-4 on the year with hope of finishing off strong. An 8-8 record is not out of the question yet.

Florida 41 Georgia 17

This was not supposed to be this bad but AT&Tebow made sure it was. He accounted for four touchdowns, throwing and running for two each, and set the record for rushing touchdowns in SEC history with his 50^th and 51^st of his career. A.J. Jones had two big picks and another was returned five yards by Brandon Spikes for a touchdown. It was the best that      Florida has played in quite some time as they won their 18^th straight game to extend the nation’s longest win streak. They also clinched at least a tie for the SEC East title after the South Carolina loss. As for Georgia it was a rough outing to say the least as they are still smarting form last year’s 49-10 loss to the Gators in which coach Meyer called two timeouts to prolong the Bulldogs loss. Pictures of him calling the timeouts were posted all over the Georgia locker room and but it did nothing as far as motivation. Georgia QB Joe Cox was replaced in the lineup by Logan Gray and the Gators welcomed him on the pick by Jones to end the scoring. Georgia will now have to take another look at their team to see what they can do to salvage a season they hoped would go better than this one has gone. They are now at 4-4 overall and at 3-3 are tied with South Carolina in the East. It’s been a disappointing season but they have time to finish strong.

Mississippi State 31 Kentucky 24

It was the Anthony Dixon show as he ran for a school record 252 yards and two touchdowns. He broke the school record that was held by Jerious Norwood (247 yards) right after he broke the career mark also set by Norwood two weeks ago. The Bulldogs keep their bowl hopes alive and are now 2-3 in the West and 4-5 overall. Quarterback Tyson Lee was efficient going 10-17 for 145 yards a touchdown and two picks. For the Wildcats it was not enough even though they started so strong jumping out to a 14-3 lead. Quarterback Morgan Newton continues to show signs that he is the future of this team. He was just 11-19 for 119 yards but on his 11-yard scoring run he dragged defenders with him showing his toughness. He made good decisions but made his mistakes as well. Kentucky was moving the ball in attempt to tie the game but fell short when they turned it over on downs. The bowl picture still looks god for both of these teams.

Auburn 33 Mississippi 20

LSU 42 Tulane 0

Georgia Tech 56 Vanderbilt 31

Arkansas 63 Eastern Michigan 27