Week 9 Observations

1) Congratulations to the Patriots. They went in to Indy and won the only tough game on their schedule this year. But I wouldn't get too excited if I were a New England fan. The Colts outplayed New England for 3 quarters and had the Pats down by 10 points in the 4th quarter. The Colts were able to do that without 4 key starters, the biggest of which was Marvin Harrison. If Aaron Moorehead makes a few catches or if Charlie Johnson makes a block the Colts probably win that game.

2) I think the Patriots just clinched home field throughout the playoffs. I wonder how their deep passing game will work in Foxborough in January?

3) The Browns beat Seattle and improve to 5-3. This isn't the same Browns team that lost to Pittsburgh 34-7 in week 1. We'll find out how much they have improved next week when they face the Steelers again, this time in Pittsburgh.

4) The Titans beat Carolina and improved to 6-2. Vince Young passed for 110 yards and threw 2 interceptions. I'm sorry, but Vince doesn't seem to be getting any better. The Titans are 6-2 so I can't be too negative here, but I wonder what their record would be if Kerry Collins were starting.

5) 296 yards rushing in one game for Adrian Peterson!! That guy is impressive. The most special thing about what he is doing is that he is doing it without a passing game. Imagine what kind of numbers Peterson could put up if defenses actually had any respect for the Vikings' passing game.

6) Does anybody else wonder what Norv Turner will be doing for a living this time next year?

7) Buffalo beats Cincinnati. The Bills are still the only team from the AFC LEAST besides New England to beat a team outside of their own Division.

8) OK. I hate to do it but I am going to give Detroit some credit. They beat Denver 44-7 yesterday. I honestly thought Denver would win that game. Detroit is now 6-2 and looks like they might be the 3rd best team in the NFC.

9) Green Bay is still chugging along under the radar. They play Detroit in week 12 and Dallas in week 13. We'll know a lot more about Green Bay's defense after those 2 games.

10) The Saints absolutely hammered the Jaguars yesterday. I'm not sure the Jags would have won that game even if Garrard had played. Quinn Gray threw 3 interceptions, but where was the Jaguar defense? The Jags defense gave up 538 total yards to the Saints. I don't care who your quarterback is, its tough to win when your defense is that porous.