I’m not going to lie to you; I thought it would be impossible for this week to even come close to all the hype that had preceded it. How could Super Bowl 41 ½ (Patriots at Colts) even come close to living up to the expectation of the greatest regular match up of all-time? Well it did. If you would have told me that two major NFL records would be broken by the end of Monday night (in the same game no less) and that one of those records would have been broken by a rookie running back, there is no way I would have taken you seriously. Yet, it happened. We learned a lot this week but here is the important stuff…

1. The Patriots are damn good. Billed as the greatest regular season match up ever, this game had some big shoes to fill. The winner would undoubtedly be crowned this year’s champion, no need for Super Bowl XLII in Phoenix, AZ. The only way this game could have been better was if it had gone into overtime. Both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning looked human and somehow that made the game that much more intriguing. By the end of the first half, you felt that the Colts would pull it off. They were the first team to hold the Patriots scoreless in their first possession. It was the first time the Patriots had trailed going into half-time. Tom Brady looked human after throwing two interceptions. It was good (Colts) against evil (Patriots), good had to prevail. As the game neared the end it looked like good would come out on top but with 3:15 left in the fourth quarter, the Patriots went up 24-20. It was a lead they never relinquished. It was the final score of a great game.
2. With the 7th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings have selected the greatest running back in NFL history. After Adrian Peterson’s 30-carry, 296-yard, record-setting performance is there any doubt as to who the best back in the league is? No there isn’t. Also evident is the fact that six teams in the 2007 NFL Draft really screwed up. Oddly enough, Peterson and his Vikings were squaring off against the reigning NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson who most regard as the greatest running back playing today. By the end of Sunday the torch had been passed. A mere nine weeks into the season and Peterson has established himself as the best back in the league, maybe the best back in history. Peterson has played eight games and has already amassed 1036 yards and an impressive 6.6 yards per carry average. All this while facing eight and nine man fronts. Barring injury, he’s already punched his ticket to Canton.
3. Antonio Cromartie is now and will forever be an NFL record holder. With his 109-yard missed field goal return for a touchdown, Cromartie has branded his name in the NFL record books. Lucky for him, no one can ever have a play longer than 109 yards. Unlucky for him, Adrian Peterson stole the lime light with a more impressive NFL record.
4. The Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions are dumpster franchises no more! Playing against (and beating) the likes of the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos isn’t overly impressive but these were statement games for both Cleveland and Detroit. Won in different styles, these games have put these two teams in the middle of playoff talks for the foreseeable future. With their overtime win, the Browns showed they have the heart and desire that can propel them into the playoffs (more on this game in my next post). With their complete dominance of the Broncos, the Lions showed they have the shear power to compete and win an intriguing NFC North division. On Thursday, November 22nd we’ll be treated to excellent food and an excellent NFL match up (Green Bay at Detroit).
5. The 1972 Dolphins have circled December 9th on their calendars. In the Patriots drive towards 16-0, the only real obstacle at this point appears to be their December game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With their win on Monday night, the Steelers opened some eyes and showed that they could be the only thing that stands in the way of the Patriots and their perfect season. The ’72 Dolphins sure hope that is the case.
6. Shaun Alexander and the Seattle offensive line are shells of their former selves. Facing one of the leagues worse defenses, Alexander could only muster a pathetic 32 yards on 14 carries. In relief of Alexander, Maurice Morris was able to gain 55 yards on 9 carries but wasn’t able to pick up a critical fourth-and-short in overtime. What happened to the vaunted Seattle running game?
7. The West isn’t wild, it just plain sucks. This week’s action saw every team from the West (both AFC and NFC versions) get beat, save one team. The only team that didn’t lose was the winless St. Louis Rams who happened to be on their bye. Denver, Kansas City, Oakland and San Diego all got beat. Arizona, San Francisco and Seattle all got beat. The Wests currently have a combined 22-42 record. That’s good enough for a .344 win percentage.

We are halfway through the season and already it’s been one of the more memorable starts in a while. Stay tuned for more…