TO's TDs Prove Something...Just Not Sure What

I suppose it would all be easier if this guy suddenly flared out - the "accidental overdose" coupled with some lackluster performances where he wasn't getting enough TDs to compensate for the Flying Circus that trumpets beside his place on the team might send the whole show crashing down.

But for another week at least, TO was the story again - 3 TD catches and another convincing victory. So long as he keeps producing and the Cowboys keep winning well, virtually anything within the law is justified, isn't it? Yeah, he's annoying no doubt. I don't think I'd want to see him in a Jets uniform (on the other hand, Randy Moss, rumoured to be on the block, I would like to see...) but frankly, although you could argue there are better receivers out there you'd be hard pressed to prove it. When Owens is healthy he's a big advantage for his team regardless of the headaches he gives them during the week. This obviously wasn't true at Philly where the schism he fractured was a large destructive leadership battle but so far in Dallas the Fat Man has kept a full scale mutiny from erupting.

But enough about TO. The best thing that could happen to the NFL would be a broken leg and the rest of the season off. That and the fact I hate the Cowboys and an injured TO, you have to admit, weakens them greatly.

And so what about the Bears ridiculous victory on Monday Night? Joe Theisman hyperbole in midseason flutter called it the weirdest game in his 31 years of professional football, or something along those lines but I've gotta believe he's been waiting to say "in my 31 years of football both as a coach and a player" all season long and now was his chance. This was a crap team playing over their heads eventually losing to an intensive defensive fury. Brian Urlacher let slip after the game that he wasn't even being blocked. So there you go. The Cardinals are simply incompetent and the mirage of the first half disappeared as you would expect. Question is can they travel to Oakland and keep the Raiders without a victory?

I went 3-9-1 ATS this week. Owed perhaps to alot of surprises and alot more close games than has been the norm. These weeks pop up out of nowhere at times and frankly, unless you're following alot closer than I am, it's going to smack you eventually. My new TOP TEN NFL TEAMS

1. San Diego Chargers (4-1) -did what was expected of them.
2. Chicago Bears (6-0) - they have QB problems, alert! But a killer Defence and likely homefield advantage through the playoffs.
3. New Orleans Saints (5-1) - How can you say this? Well, winning at home against the Eagles but coming back after they'd lost momentum proves this is a solid team to be aware of.
4. Philadelphia Eages (4-2) - Need to bounce back immediately at Tampa and I think they will.
5. Carolina Panthers (4-2) - rolling along fine after typical slow start.
6. New England Pats (4-1) - Not much can go wrong on a bye week.
7. Indy Colts (5-0) - See above. They'd better come out strong against Washington's laughable team though.
8. Seattle (4-1) - simply because they don't lose at home and that victory over the Rams took some doing.
9. Denver Broncos (4-1) if they ever learn to score, the defence is deadly.
10.St Louis Rams (4-2) - really. Shoulda won that game. They were the better team that lost.

*****

So the Cubs hired Piniella. I'd have thought Joe Girardi was a no brainer, frankly but it's hard to argue against Lou Piniella, who would've been gone to the Yankees had the Yankees gone with heads instead of hearts and sacked Joe Torre.

Still, the A's fired Macha and there are alot of palatable places for Girardi to go and wherever he goes, if there's a modicum of talent, this guy is going to take that team far.