Week 10 Reflections

Peyton Manning threw 6 interceptions.

Adam Vinatieri missed a 42 AND 29-yard field goal...in the same game!

And, I think I heard that the sand and salt trucks are out in full force along the roads of Hell.

I watched the game last night, and it looked like I was watching a rookie QB facing the #1 defense in the NFL. Manning appeared as though he'd been struck with a sudden case of color-blindness. I can't ever remember holding my breath and chanting the Lord's Prayer when Peyton dropped back to pass...even when he was a rookie.

Was there a full moon out last night?

Vinatieri looked like one of those run-of-the-mill kickers that might have had a stint in Dallas under Parcells and got sent packing after one game. He was not even close to being the clutch kicker that I watched time and again win games when it mattered especially in those Super Bowl wins. Mr. Automatic looked like Mr. Sporadic.

But, think about it. Manning throwing six INT's and Vinatieri missing two field goals in the same game (especially one to win it) made you think like you were in a Twilight Zone episode. It wouldn't have surprised me a bit if the scrolling sports ticker along the bottom of my screen had started posting, "NCAA football adopts playoff system...Free agent Alex Rodgriguez wants to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates...Mavericks owner Mark Cuban declares bankruptcy...Patriots coach Bill Belichick invests in Boston comedy club..."

And, that wasn't the only odd and startling occurrences that spewed all over the NFL landscape this past Sunday.

• The once-winless St. Louis Rams beat the surging Saints IN New Orleans 37-29 becoming the highest-scoring team in Week 10! I would imagine the divorce rate among gamblers went up a tad yesterday after the money lost on that game.
• Minnesota phenom rookie RB Adrian Peterson was held to 45 yards vs. Green Bay and left the game with a torn ligament in his leg as the Packers dominated 34-0! It's not known how long A.P. will be out.
• Denver beat KC in Arrowhead for the first time since 2002 by scoring two TD's in nine seconds.
• Despite taking the loss on a last second field goal, Cleveland showed me that they just might be for real after dominating Pittsburgh at home for most of the game only to succumb to Big Ben's comeback heroics.
• Carolina extended their home loss streak at 4. That is really hard to do.
• Packers undrafted rookie RB Ryan Grant surpassed the 100-yard mark for the second time in the third NFL game of his life.
• Philly has been through a ton of scrutiny with McNabb's poor play and coach Andy Reid's personal trouble. To go in to FedEx Field and manhandle the Redskins speaks volumes.
• Bears QB Rex Grossman came off the bench to lead Chicago past Oakland. Let me say that again --- Bears QB Rex Grossman came off the bench to lead Chicago to a win past Oakland.
• Detroit amassed -18 yards rushing vs. Arizona. Negative 18 yards rushing for the whole game! It's the worst rushing team performance since 1949.

GAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON IN WEEK 11
WASHINGTON AT DALLAS, NY GIANTS AT DETROIT, KANSAS CITY AT INDIANAPOLIS, SAN DIEGO AT JACKSONVILLE, NEW ENGLAND AT BUFFALO, TENNESSEE AT DENVER