A Long Way To Go

I may be rooting for the worst 6-0 team in the history of everything but it could definitely be worse. 

I'm looking at you Dallas Cowboys' fans.

Context is everything. Yeah, there's a long way to go, still, but we're already starting to get a whiff of destiny, aren't we?

The Next One

Suddenly, that Monday night match up of Patriots vs. Jets looks like it might be that test pigskin pundits and bobbleheads have been waiting and wishing for the New England. Yes, the NYJ won a game but they were playing the enigma that is the Dallas Cowboys and it was uncomfortably close despite the return of Sam "I Am" Darnold from his bout of mono. Still, a win is a win and belief is a powerful ally. Even with the mini-bye between their Thursday night win over the Giants and next Monday night, New England is likely to be featuring Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olzewsky at wide receiver. Oh, right. And they're the worst 6-0 team that's ever been. So, the Jets have that working for them.

Meanwhile, those imperfect, inadequate, terrible, dreadful, awful, atrocious, haven't-played-anyone-yet Patriots somehow find themselves in the AFC playoff seeding driver's seat (reminder: the playoffs do not start today)... 

Are You Sure This Is Our House?

The darlings of pigskin pundits and bobbleheads west of the Connecticut River, the Kansas City Chiefs, just dropped their second game in a row, at home, despite the return of Tyreek Hill. The Houston Texans aren't a bad team by any means and it was close (31-24) but the big post-game story was that the Texans had built their defensive game plan by checking how the Patriots played the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. 

I'm not saying the Chiefs won't return to the AFC Championship game but it doesn't look like they'll be hosting.

What Dreams May Come… And Go?

Did the Patriots break the Rams in SB53? It's been said the Patriots don't just beat teams; they deconstruct and expose them. (Ahem, Atlanta Falcons.) You have to believe the near shutout in the Super Bowl had to leave a mark on the Rams' collective psyche. As belief is a powerful ally, so doubt is a ravening adversary. The Rams sure looked broken on Sunday. Or maybe the 49ers are just that good (no word on whether the Niners also used film from that Patriots win in February to build their defensive game plan for their trip to La La Land). The 49ers sure looked that good rolling up the Rams in a 20-7 win that was a classic "wasn't as close as the score might indicate" kind of game. 

It felt more like 40-7. 

Okay, it felt like 73-0.

More importantly (to me), my dream scenario where all three Wolf Pack QBs - Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett - make the playoffs and Brady beats both on his way to a 7th Lombardi Trophy is still very much alive.

Let's Go No Huddle

How long does it take to get from "Should we pay our QB $40 million?" to "Should we finally fire our mediocre Head Coach?" 

Six games if you're the Dallas Cowboys.

Does Kirk Cousins have an evil twin named Dirk and did he just escape from Dirk's basement dungeon to throw 4 TD passes against the Eagles? It would explain a lot. 

Are the Eagles still having fun? You know. Fun, natural fun. The kind of fun the Patriots don't have? The kind of fun you have when you're saying, "Well, at least the Cowboys lost, too."?

The New York Giants woke up this fine Monday morning thinking, "We're getting Saquon back and we've got a real shot at taking the NFC East." As a Patriots fan, let me just say, I am not good with that kind of crazy.

Remember when the Chargers were the best overall team in the AFC, if not the NFL? You don't? It was just last year, wasn't it? You know, before the Patriots smashed them to pieces in the playoffs? No? You never said that about the Chargers? Wait. Didn't you say it right before the 2019 season started?

Were the Seahawks supposed to be this good? Check your rear view, 49ers, because that object is closer than it appears.

Somehow, the New Orleans Saints are 5-1-0 with a +6 point differential. And they won by 7 on Sunday. So, yeah, Sean Payton probably should win Coach of the Year.

The Raiders have a -20 point differential and they're a half game out of first place in the AFC West. This may be the work of gypsies.

You Have Questions, We Have Answers...

Quarterback Controversy in Carolina? 

No. The real question is whether or not the Panthers trade Cam Newton to the Steelers before the deadline. 

Fire Jason Garrett?

Wait-What? Jason Garrett is still the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys? For the love of everything leather, yes, please! 

Did I really think Marcus Mariota was better than Jameis Winston?

Yes. Yes, I did. It appears I was setting the bar low, regardless.

Does Bill Belichick make a trade this week?

[Flipping Coin]

Heads! We'll take the ball!