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I am still having a hard time believing what AJ Feely put together last night in greater Boston. Perhaps even the mighty Patriots are prone to reading their press clippings….

At any rate, on to what the paid professionals think.

Don Banks, at si.com with Snap Judgments and this thought among others:

“After 50 regular-season starts and just more than three full years of watching his every move, can we just all agree that Eli Manning is what he is? He’s never going to be Peyton Manning; and by now, it’s our fault if we don’t realize where he fits into the pecking order of NFL quarterbacks. He’s a good, but far from great passer, who can still struggle mightily at times to see the field accurately and put the ball where his receivers — as opposed to defenders — can catch it. Manning has never played worse than in the Giants’ 41-17 homefield flameout against Minnesota on Sunday, which happened to occur in his 50th regular-season start since being selected first overall in 2004. He threw four interceptions against a Vikings pass defense that was ranked worst in the NFL coming into the game (288.4 yards allowed), with a league-record-tying three of those picks being returned for touchdowns.

Manning now has a ho-hum 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions this season, and he’s just 27-23 as an NFL starter since taking over the No. 1 job in New York on Nov. 21, 2004 — the 10th game of the Giants’ season that year. Factor in his 0-2 playoff mark, and Manning’s 27-25 starting record is almost the definition of mediocrity.

That it is. And there is enough of a track record now to begin to draw some conclusions from that. Somewhere, Tiki Barber chuckles. I hate it when Tiki Barber is right.

Peter King again with MMQB up early (it’s now a trend) and this lovin’ on his main squeeze Brett Favre:

With five games left, Brett Favre is in position to have the best season, statistically, of his career….Favre has never had a rating of 100 for a full season, never thrown for 4,500 yards in a season, never completed two-thirds of his passes in a season … all things he’s on pace to do at 38, in his 17th NFL season.

Alright, for a change, that is a fact based opinion from King. At some point, the past slobbering over Favre has to be forgotten to accept how good Favre has actually been this year. Damn good.

Clark Judge at sportsline.com with Judgements and this:

“Now I know Tennessee’s Albert Haynesworth is the defensive MVP. In the eight games he played this season the Titans were 6-2 and allowed more than 22 points once. In the three he’s missed they’re 0-3 and hemorrhaged 28, 34 and 35 points.”

Correct. And, dare I say, no one gives a shit about the face-stomping thing from a year ago. And, when he hits free agency this off-season, Brinks trucks will deliver sacks of cash to the bank of his choice.

As for what I think (as always NTYC):

1. There is something legendary among Bengals fans that I will let you all in on:

The Dead Cat Bounce. That was what we termed it in the 90s when the team would suck pipe coming out of the gate, and then turn it on and win games when the football was meaningless. Well, it’s back. Even after the likely loss against Pittsburgh next week, they should be favored in three of their last four and will likely finish somewhere around 7-9. Just a good enough record to deny them a difference maker in the draft. Same as it ever was.

2. Brady Quinn should not see the football field in Cleveland for a long time. If ever. Derek Anderson has more than proved himself to be a good NFL quarterback. And a winner. If Cleveland is smart, they extend him, tell him he’s the man, and deal Quinn for picks. Change horses this off-season at quarteback, and let the second guessing begin for years.

3. Nice reminder last night why Andy Reid is such a respected coach. When he’s focused and has his team paying attention, they are capable of executing excellent game plans.

4. Glad I am one of about four homes nationally that gets the NFL Network. Going to come in handy come Thursday. For as smart as the NFL is in general, it can sometimes be remarkably dumb. Then again, if this forces some of the big cable systems to capitulate down the road to their demands, they will have the last laugh. The other winner next Thursday night? Sports bars.