Musings on the National Football League

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---What a magnificent game between the Colts and Eagles yesterday in Philadelphia. In addition to being a huge win for the Eagles, it also served as one of the finest performances in Michael Vick's career.

---I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I am a big Michael Vick fan, and I am rooting for him to succeed. I have been thoroughly impressed by the sincere, mature manner in which Vick has expressed his remorse regarding his dogfighting past, and I am thrilled that Vick is performing at such a high level for the Eagles. Vick's dominance on Sunday against Indy was absolutely thrilling to watch. Keep up the great work, Michael Vick!

---As big as that win was for the Eagles, however, they should not be considered the favorites in the NFC East. That honor belongs to the New York Giants. After a rocky start to the season, Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, and company are now firing on all cylinders. The G-Men went into the hostile environment of Qwest Field and steamrolled the Seahawks. The Giants have as good a shot as any team to make it back to the Super Bowl.

---Another team that is playing superb football: The Oakland Raiders. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs in overtime yesterday in a richly compelling battle. In recent years, the Raiders have been in total disarray, a dysfunctional organization under the wrath of irascible owner Al Davis and hot-tempered head coach Tom Cable. Now, however, the Raiders are a legitimate contender in the AFC West, and the Black Hole is rocking yet again. Yesterday's atmosphere in Oakland was spectacular, conjuring memories of the Rich Gannon-Tim Brown days.

---Yesterday's Raiders-Chiefs game featured one of the most amazing receptions in recent memory: Jacoby Ford making a game-saving catch at the tail end of the fourth quarter to allow for Sebastian Janikowski to send the game into overtime. A remarkable play by Ford, a catch that was of David Tyree-type difficulty.

---Yes, I am a diehard 49ers fan, but at the risk of angering my fellow members of Niners Nation, I must admit that I am happy the Raiders are doing well. The Raiders' resurgence is great for the Bay Area, and as a Bay Area native, I am rooting for them to succeed. If the Niners continue to falter this season, you can reserve my place on the 2010-2011 Silver and Black Bandwagon.

---Last week's elections may have been a disaster for the Democrats, but it was nothing compared to the stunning train-wreck that is the Dallas Cowboys. Sunday night's 45-7 embarrassment at the hands of the Packers was a new low for the Cowboys. It seems to me that the 'Boys have quit on their coach. Thus, it is time for Wade Phillips to be replaced. Seems like a really nice guy, but he is too soft a coach to succeed as a head coach in the NFL.

---Don't let that 27-24 win over the Cardinals fool you. The Minnesota Vikings are still a team rife with dysfunction. First, there was the Brett Favre cell phone scandal. Then, there was the Randy Moss craziness. And now, rumor has it that Coach Brad Childress had a near-physical altercation with WR Percy Harvin. Sunday's win does not change a thing for the Vikings. Brad Childress has lost control of his team, and the Vikings have no shot to reach the playoffs.

---My guess is that the Bucs, fresh off a tough 27-24 loss to the Falcons, will now start to fade, but there are still two significant reasons for Bucs fans to remain optimistic. Those two reasons are quarterback Josh Freeman and Coach Raheem Morris. Freeman may have stumbled a bit on Sunday, but he is bound to have a stellar NFL career, and Morris is a terrific, charismatic coach whose energy is reminiscent of former Bucs Coach Jon Gruden. The future is bright for Tampa Bay.

---I will conclude with a plea to the national sports media: Enough with the Cowboys. They stink. The NFL is full of compelling stories. This year, the Cowboys are not one of them.