What a weekend of football! Well, maybe just the last game Sunday afternoon. Nonetheless, this weekend was a surprise to me on many fronts. Let's start by quoting the Raven, ever more.

Primarily, is the Patriots era REALLY over? I've never seen a Belichick team get defensively handled like that before. Yes, they were missing their best player, but when has that stopped Bill before? When Tommy was absent all of last year, they made a run when a then no-name quarterback was at the helm. From the beginning yesterday, they never had a chance. Rookie Julian Edelman sure did hold his own, though. That kid played his heart out, and he was banged up from the get go when Ray Ray crunched him in the endzone. And where the hell was Randy Moss?? Besides a long catch in garbage-time, he did virtually nothing. Along with that, Brady just didn't look like himself, and you could see the look on Belichick's face. One of those "Tom Tom! You're supposed to guide me the way!" type of looks. And, "I know Ray Lewis, but who the hell is Ray Rice??" Were they underprepared? Maybe a little but that's not the Pats. They were just outplayed. Every single Brady throw was challenged from the front 4 to the ball-hawking secondary. And this game was at HOME, folks. That crowd was just as shocked as everyone else outside of Baltimore. They were BOOING! I haven't seen boo's from Gillette since I cut myself shaving...wait that was yesterday.

The Eagles, well they went downhill fast. The Dallas D showed up huge, but still no big plays by Philly, minus the Vick TD. Just last week everyone had them in the Super Bowl. They must've forgot that this was a PLAYOFF GAME. And, for a playoff game, this one was just hard to watch. Maybe it was because it was two teams I naturally dislike, or maybe it was just their lack of intensity. The Beagles were just out of their element and The 'Boys are on fire. Romo's playing like an All-Pro and his receivers are open...all the time. Minnesota will have a challenge next week, but I still think they'll come out on top. Keep an eye on Sid Rice. As for Philly's future, looks as if McNabb is going to stay according to Andy Reid, but next year should be interesting to say the least, with three capable QB's on their roster. One, if not two of them are gone. I can see Vick in B'Lo or Oakland. But we'll get to that next week...

Sorry JETS fans, I think your run will end here. Although it was a good one, the Chargers are going to come out fighting. Rivers is going to be running wild and Sproles lightning strikes will compliment a healthy and well rested LT. The Bengals just sat down on Saturday. I was surprised to see Carson look so mediocre, not to mention the inability for Cincy's D to even slow down a run-heavy offense that that just saw a week ago. I'm not sure which QB does less, Flacco or Sanchez. One thing still remains a definite though -- Revis is the best corner in the league, hands down. That kid is unreal. Even OchoCinco is lost for words. His tweets sound like he lost a family member. Who woulda guessed that the Jets would be the team from NY not on vacation today? Surely not many.

The GB/Zona game completely saved the NFL this weekend. I hope you guys took the over, two times over. I mean damn, if defense wins championships then this game is a formula for last place. But really, what a game! I have never seen so many open receivers in one game. And I cannot say enough about these two QBs. Rogers is going to be in the top 3 in the entire league next year, and some already think he is up there. And, Warner, if he is going to retire then boy do I feel unaccomplished. He looked as if he was 30 years old last night but I'm guessing the experience played a part as well. The man threw more TD's then he threw incompletions! If Boldin is back next week, this could be deadly. I am sure Anquan was watching from the sidelines thinking, "Well I guess I can leave at the end of the season, they don't need me anyway." (Boy would he look good in a Redskins uniform though, heh heh.) I digress. Steve Breaston and Early Doucet showed the world that they belong in the NFL and that they're among the elite in the NFC, especially if the GB defense is supposed to be a top tier squad. Next weeks matchup in New Orleans is going to be a show!

Shannahan... Will we or won't we see progress? Well, according to the "geniuses" of footballishness, there will be a huge transgression towards greatness. Not so fast. There are FIVE years in a contract, count 'em, FIVE. We cannot but imagine the progress that Mr. Danny Boy will make by doin nothing, or at least a LOT less than he did before-- I mean, how can we show resolve in a system that has never worked?
Since JKC, we have been waiting for something to give us hope, something to give us a chance at recognition. In the NFC East there are few things that can distinguish yourself from one another -- a running game...YES. Physicality, YES. A garbaggio passing game...Well, maybe. HEART is where it's at. Either way, building upon a team of hope is what Washingotn see's in its future, EVERY year. This city sees the waves of fans come in and out of FedEx field with priorities based on HOPE. ONE chance, year after year. Is this it? Can we have the FOUR players it needs to make it there?? NO, Danny Boy, no. This time is for real. This time there isn't 380 pounds of solution. There isn't a free agent savior in the millions of badly invested Snyder-Dollars. THIS YEAR, it's team. So I preach louder than ever, let's become something bigger than Daniel has shown. Let's become a nation. A REDSKIN Nation!

Wow, there are certain things that need to be considered when it comes to the Championship game...and injuries is the main one. How many people will remember this game as being the one that Colt was the star? None. How many will rememeber that sacks were key? Some. How many will remember this as being a game that people will see as 'catching a break'? MANY.
I cannot wait to see the ultimate synopsis of ESPN and ABC. There will be thoughts of history mixed with "wtf"s all over the place, especially on the national level. Can we say SEC lives on? Maybe. Can we say unbelievable ending? Maybe-- this thing did NOT end how we woulda thought...it didn't START like we thought. Colt in the locker room...Colt on the SIDELINES. Despite converting little 3rd downs and little big plays on offense, the Tide won, this team won. Bama deserved it and they are proud. Give Gilbert some credit. Noone woulda thought that they woulda came within THREE points... Bless college football. Bless it.