Our favorite teams...

I haven't felt this good on a Monday morning since day two of my honeymoon. In a most astounding display of good Karma, the universe decided to reward our most loyal readers with a Sunday to remember, and it's only week three. I had the pleasure of watching the Packers and Seahawks pull out two last minute victories, while the Patriots who came out decidedly flat simply demolished the Bills.

The Patriots are without a doubt the best team in the NFL by far, a league where parity narrows the point spread and an honest dirtbag can't make a buck gambling these days because on every given Sunday yada yada yada. Except if your team is playing New England. Take all my feelings about Bill Belichick out of the equation for a minute and just admire what that team can do. Moss and Brady are making it look easy, like they're men playing against children. If Moss stays healthy (because let's be frank, he's mighty happy) he has an opportunity to break every single season receiving record in the game. I said last year that Lawrence Maroney was the best young back in the league including Mr. Bush and nothing has changed that. It is a pleasure watching this team, except for the occasional sideline shots of the hoodie, and maybe it's not too soon to start thinking that they can run the table.

The Seahawks on the other hand are a frustrating and undiciplined team, and that's almost unbelievable considering who their head coach is. Consider yesterday's game: I watched Seattle receivers drop balls, saw Matt Hassleback make poor throws and decisions, and out loud observer that Shaun Alexander looked tentative and sluggish. So what happens during the last two minutes of the game? Matt Hassleback throws a perfect strike to Nate Burleson for the go ahead TD, special teams makes a huge play on the ensuing kickoff, and Shaun Alexander shows patience and burst in getting the crucial first down that stuck the dagger into the Bengals. This team is frustrating to watch, and at times seems to get in its own way on offense. But make no mistake, this was a big win for the Seahawks who collectively showed some mettle in overcoming adversity. The Seahawks need rhythm and consistency, something Holmgren preaches. The question remains: does he have enough left in him as a coach to will his sermon home?

The Packers shocked me yesterday, and I think they shocked themselves in the process. Never did I think they could play so well against a superior talented team, but there they were hanging on down by 4 with 5 minutes to play. Remember, up to this point Philip Rivers had played a near perfect game. He opened by completing his first 15 passes, and opened each half with a methodical TD drive. He had Antonio Gates open all day, and on his first TD threw about as perfect a pass as I have ever seen. The point is the Chargers did not play a poor game. As a matter of fact they played their best game of the season. Simply put, the Packers were the better team. They made more plays, had a better game plan, and executed better. A lot has been written today about Brett Favre's performance, and all of it is true. But you've got to hand it to Donald Driver and the receiving corps. Driver was hit early on by a devastating helmet to helmet blow by some scumbag named Marlon McCree that should get a hefty fine, but Driver got back up missed two or three plays and returned to scorch the Bolts for six receptions and 126 yards. Greg Jennings made the play of the game by taking a simple slant 56 yards for the go-ahead TD. Rookie James Jones had a solid day as well.

On a personal note: When the game was over, I waited for my wife to awaken from her afternoon nap. When she did, I gave her "the look" and said "I can't believe we're not going to Green Bay this year". She smiled because (a) she knew I was playing and (b) she knew this meant the Packers had won. "They WON??" she exclaimed. "Yep!" I said and proceeded to recap the last five minutes of the victory. When I was done, she smiled and deadpanned "Well, it's not my fault that you don't have a job".

Ouch.

And I love you hon!