NFL Recap

When the dust settled on Sunday's NFL action, a few surprises lay among the rubble. Going into the weekend, the New York Jets were tied for the league's best record, and had won five games behind Mark Sanchez. For a second-year quarterback, Sanchez had been displaying solid instincts, throwing only 2 interceptions. But, in clawing for a 9-0 victory, the Packers' defense picked the former USC star off twice, and used the leg of Mason Crosby to deliver the final blows. I personally didn't expect the Jets to play as flat as they did, and the fact that they were shut out at home is doubly shocking.

Looking at other eyebrow-raisers around the league, the Oakland Raiders evened their record at 4 wins and 4 losses behind 111 yards from Darren McFadden, and the nearby Detroit Lions matched their combined win total from the previous two years. Al Davis's team had lost their last seven  games following a win, and yet delivered another road loss to the Pete Carroll-led Seahawks, who have now fallen three times away from Seattle. The Lions showed they're slowly moving towards respectability by defeating the Redskins by 8, and the biggest surprise of many in that one revolves around the benching of QB Donovan McNabb. The former Syracuse star hadn't faced that personal affront since his rookie year, and that's as prime an example as any of how much both he and Washington have struggled this season.

Keep an eye out for the New Orleans Saints, who at 5-3 are still very much alive in the NFC playoff picture. Drew Brees demonstrated a return to form in throwing for 191 second-half yards in their 20-10 defeat of the Steelers, and one can only think that he'll continue to improve as the season goes on.  Brees' Super Bowl opponent last February, Peyton Manning, meanwhile, is leading the Colts on Monday Night Football as I type this. Although the Texans knocked off the Colts in their earlier meeting this season, I feel the Colts won't let their division rival take them down twice.

Among off-the-field NFL surprises, Brad Childress confirmed today that the Vikings will waive Randy Moss, after suffering three losses in four games with the ex-Minnesota star on the field. After only being thrown to twice in their loss to the Patriots, Moss's postgame comments (see the link for an NFL Network summary piece) were truly bizarre. Whatever the case may be, its clear that Moss has not been playing to his potential.

Look here later in the week for insight on the NBA and an early look at Michigan State-Minnesota.

--Beau