Week 6 was Full of Excitement!

Just when you think that you have the season figured out, you have several teams that lost games that they were supposed to win and a few "bad" teams that played good teams close. It's still premature to start writing the eulogy for any team but these have to be difficult times for Cowboys, Panthers, Browns and Lions fans. Sure, they can turn it around and make a run for the playoffs but conventional wisdom tells us that these teams can start looking forward to the 2011-12 season.

Thoughts from yesterday's games:

10. Detroit played another close game and if you’re a Lions fan, you have to ask questions: “How would this season have gone if the Calvin Johnson catch against Chicago is ruled a touchdown?” and “Would the Lions have won at least two more games with a health starting QB?”

9. The big story from yesterday’s games seems to be the helmet-helmet hits. A few of the hits seemed extra violent and I’m sure that fines will be levied against those players that lead with their helmets. A part of me wonders if the increase in helmet-helmet hits can be correlated with the increase in players “diving” before contact.

8. I agree with Andy Reid. I’ve been critical of Reid for years but he’s absolutely correct to start Kevin Kolb next week. In the two games that Kolb has started since Michael Vick got injured, the Eagles are 2-0. You go with the hot hand here and right now, Kolb has the hot hand. If Kolb begins to struggle, it’s good to know that you have a serviceable back-up in Vick.

7. Welcome back to the League, Big Ben. You played extremely well in your debut (against an underwhelming Cleveland Browns team) and we all look forward to seeing you hang in the pocket and take the big hits while delivering huge throws. All is forgiven when you’re winning…Unless you fight/kill dogs, then you’re never forgiven.

6. Randy Who? New England looked impressive (if not better) without talented receiver Randy Moss. The Patriots brought back Deion Branch and he proceeded to torch the Ravens yesterday. Baltimore was up in this game and should have sealed the deal. Not sure what to make of Baltimore? I’m putting out an APB for Houshmandzadeh? I don’t get he’s so quiet when they have so many weapons. Is he not getting open? What gives?

5. With an inexplicable home loss to Seattle, Lovie Smith is squarely on the hot seat (again!). I just want to know what Cutler sees out there. Does he not see the blitz? Are there no 5-7 yard passes in the Martz playbook? At this rate, things are not going to end pretty in Chi-town.

4. Tampa Bay and Kansas City are indeed better than anyone thought at the beginning of the year but they’re not ready for the New Orleans’ and Texans’ (well, maybe they’re as good as Houston) of the NFL. Both teams played strong games yesterday but New Orleans needed to win in order to get their season on track. As for Houston, their defense is still porous but they needed this win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

3. The Redskins defense looked terrible against the Colts. Granted, Peyton Manning has a penchant for making most defenses look bad but last night was a pure clinic. Manning found the open spots in the Redskins zone and for some reason, the Redskins had no answer for the Colts hurry-up offense. Never thought that Jim Haslett was a smart coach and I don’t think that he’s a good defensive coordinator. Throw in the fact that the Redskins personnel is suited for the 4-3 as opposed to the 3-4 and you have a recipe for a long season.

2. I am still blaming the San Diego GM for their tepid start. At 2-4, the Chargers can still win their division. However, the stubbornness of the GM to release LT (who lit up the Broncos) and not signing Vincent Jackson have left the Chargers with holes in their offense. Philip Rivers can still light it up but the Chargers would definitely be more explosive with Tomlinson and Jackson.

1. While I would love to write the eulogy for Dallas, there’s plenty of football left to be played. However, Jerry Jones made a mistake when he forced Parcells out and hired Wade Phillips it seems that he’s paying the price for that decision. Phillips was a loser with the Oilers, he was a loser with Buffalo and he’s a loser in Big D. Dallas is plenty talented and with three top receivers (Austin, Williams and Bryant), they should be blowing teams off the field. Not sure if the blame should be shared by Phillips, Garrett and Romo but I can guarantee that if Dallas doesn’t make the playoffs this year, more than a few heads will roll.