NFL Recap

Once again, this Sunday's NFL action has shown us exactly why football is America's most popular sport. We saw extraordinary comebacks, thrilling finishes, and as always many ups-and-downs, all in the course of a few hours, and all in just a dozen or so contests.

Among the more notable games, the New York Jets rallied late to beat the Houston Texans on a Mark Sanchez-to-Santonio Holmes touchdown in a down-to-the-wire victory. At 8-2, New York has put themselves in a prime position at the top of the AFC East. However, they find themselves
right in front of  Bill Belichick's New England Patriots, who also sit at 8-2 after beating Indianapolis earlier today. The Patriots 'D' stepped up and delivered by picking off the normally unflappable Peyton Manning 3 times, in the process styming the Colts' late charge. The match-up between those two teams on December 6th will without a doubt be a great one. Although the Jets knocked off Tom Brady and Co. earlier this year, the Patriots are undefeated at home this year, and they rarely find themselves behind in Foxboro. I'll take the Patriots in that one-after all, it helps to have a Super Bowl MVP under center in crucial late-season games.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we've seen former stars struggle mightily this season, and Sunday provided prominent examples of just those types of situations. Brett Favre threw for just 208 yards in an ugly 28-point Vikings loss to the Packers-his former team has now swept that season series, and it's clearer than ever that Favre is but a shadow of his former self. Perhaps all of the missed training camp practices are finally catching up to him, but we've seen first-hand the type of dysfunction that exists in that locker room over these past few weeks, between not only Favre and head coach Brad Childress, (who've had several well-publicized power struggles),but Childress and the rest of Favre's teammates, who've anonymously noted in newspaper interviews just how much they disagree with his style.
Another former set of stars has also experienced challenges this year, and it's a safe bet that neither Chad Ochocinco or Terrell Owens will want them covered on their respective reality shows.
Although Owens will most likely top 1,000 yards receiving, Ochocinco has caught a mere three touchdowns this year, and to make matters worse, their Cincinnati Bengals blew a 31-14 halftime lead in losing 49-31 to the 2-8 Buffalo Bills. So far, their many off-season predictions and publicity appearances haven't translated into wins.

But, such is the beauty (and horror) of the NFL. The numerous storylines, intriguing games, and fascinating personalities make it worth watching each and every week. That's why I'll keep coming back, time after time. For more on college football, MSU basketball, and the world of sports, check back later this week.

--Beau