This writer wanted to write about the Bills-Pats game. But it was just sad.  It started off bad, progressed to worse, and was on a quick tack for awful.  Forget the punt return for the TD, forget the INT for the TD, forget the fact that the Pats never crossed the first yard line.... the nail in the coffin would have to be the turnover on downs with 3 seconds left, followed by Bledsoe's TD completion with no time left to put the Bills up 45-7. I think we'll leave the game at this point, and just mention the owner's pregame comments- and i quote- "I answer those critics with a resounding prediction. My Patriots are going to the Superbowl. By week 3 I will no longer be the league clown that you mock at will. By week 6 you will be in awe of my capabilities and by week 12 you will cry and tin fear before you play me." and this writers personal favorite... directed to the Bills' owner- "Your comments are only going to incite me to beat you harder. Beware my wrath." And his new comment with 20 secons left: "I dont think I'm gonna win this one." The final count: 81-7. Ahh, the irony.

The Bucs were all but stifled by the Eagles D. It seemed BJ was only good for giving BJs...until Alstot saved him with breaks an 80 yrd td run. Then an explosive first quarter, 21-21.... including good field position b/c of dumbass onside kicks. With 13 seconds on the clock, the Eagles intercept BJ's throw, thus ending the Bucs chances for the go-ahead TD at the half... or so they thought. Its 28-28 with no time on the clock when Lynch intercepts a McNabb toss and with no time on the clock jukes and runs his way in for the TD. The Eagles get their stop and score on the next possession.... but it was bittersweet as McNabb leaves the game with a broken head or somesuch. It goes back and forth until the very end... when in a complete contrast to the first half, Gruden runs the clock perfectly and kickes the winning field goal with no time left.

In the Saints season opener, it was a close fought game. With Horn out for three weeks, Pathon looked to have his moment in the sun. Heading into the half, it was tied 14-14, with Hassleback being more than a match for Brooks. Aaron was held to one short scramble and nearly had his head ripped off for his trouble. The explosive seahawks offense answered every Saint attack... marching downfield over the course of a 3 minute drive to tie it back up at 21. And then the Seattle defense clamped down. Still tied at the start of the fourth, the Saints are forced to kick the FG and pray for a stop. In a decisive turning point, the much maligned Saints D forced a 3 and 20 with a key sack and Hassleback failed to convert it. Then again, yes, AGAIN, the Seattle defense held them for three with a minute left just out of field goal range, but a lob by a scrambling aaron brooks is pulled in by the #3WR for the 1st and the game... ending 31-21. With a sigh of relief, New Orleans escapes from Seattle with a narrow victory over the Seahawks.

And in the final game of the night.... the writer's drunk, but remembers a few key moments. Green Bay - Minnesota, a traditionally tough matchup. Wow- what a game. Heading into half-time 21-21, Green-Bay with 20 sec on the clock, in the red-zone for the needed TD... INTERCEPTED!!! and ran back for the Td. shit. Then... the kick-off... and Javon Walker, recently earning the 2nd receiver spot and put on special teams earns his weekly pay check by returning it for the game-tying TD to end the half. Then... skip ahead to the final moments... Minnesota down by a TD and with theCaulpepper-Moss connection in full force, they score to tie it back up. 35-35. Green Bay ball... Favre works it downfield until the 40 and Ahman Green proceeds to pound it to the 30 where Longwell attempts the FG with no time on the clock... AND IT CLEARS THE UPRIGHT BY BARELY AN INCH!!! PACKERS WIN!! PACKERS WIN!! PACKERS WIN!! 38-35, the nailbiter comes to the close with the faithful cheeseheads escaping dissapointment from the home-opener.

Bengals-Broncos... well- a typical bengals game. 'nuff said.