NFL Random Thoughts

Of the four teams that played in last season's conference championship games, the team many believed was the least likely to replicate their success in 2009 was the Arizona Cardinals. With the Steelers (6-4) and Ravens (5-5) struggling for their playoff lives in the AFC and the Eagles (6-4) not striking fear into anyone in the NFC, the Cardinals (7-3) could be the only team out of the four to make a serious run in this season's playoffs... If the Steelers or Ravens do get back into the playoff picture, they can thank the Bengals - especially kick returner Andre Caldwell - for losing in Oakland for giving them hope... It's wierd to see Wes Welker's stats from yesterday's decisive 31-14 Patriots victory over the Jets - 15 catches for 192 yards - and not be surprised by the production. Tom Brady has certainly hit the trifecta in his personal (Gisele) and professional (Welker and Randy Moss) lives the last few years... The shine is certainly coming off the fast starts for Josh McDaniels in Denver and Rex Ryan in New York... With the continued demise of Charlie Weis at Notre Dame, I wonder what NFL sideline (New England, Denver) he will be on next fall... Two very interesting notes from this morning's Monday Morning Quarterback, courtesy of Peter King: In 1989, Tony Dungy came very close to joining the staff of Bill Parcells and the Giants before going to Kansas City. Imagine Dungy's expertise added to the 1991 Giants and 1996 Patriots before he moved into a head coaching gig... In their fifty years of playing against each other, the Patriots and Jets series is as even as they come at 50-50-1... Here is this week's edition of the "Super Seven": 1. New Orleans Saints (10-0) 2. Minnesota Vikings (9-1) 3. New England Patriots (7-3) 4. Indianapolis Colts (10-0) 5. Arizona Cardinals (7-3) 6. San Diego Chargers (7-3) 7. Dallas Cowboys (7-3) Putting the Patriots ahead of the Colts is not the blatant act of homerism that you probably think it is. I truly believe that in spite of Peyton Manning's brilliant (MVP) season, the loss of Bob Sanders and Marlin Jackson to their defense gives the Patriots the edge in January... Enjoy Steve Slaton v. Chris Johnson tonight...