I was afraid of the Chargers, I don't like them but they are good.  That's why I had to include "if" the Colts win.  Damn you Neemo!!    I really would like to have seen the rematch but that's the way it goes.  Manning was still good he threw 14/14 to open up with (Brady's record last night was only two more mind you) and threw for over 400 yards.  Yeah there was two interceptions but both were of the variety where the receiver tried to catch with his chest instead of his hands. 

The "injured" Chargers didn't bitchslap the Colts, it was Philip Rivers HUGE third down conversion that changed the game.  Besides, Addai and Sanders were both hurt at about the same point of the game Tomlinson and Rivers were...fairly even odds I would say even though the two did come back.  The other factors that led to the loss were key dropped balls, including two "pop-ups" that became interceptions as well as an early Harrison fumble that made the game become a 7-7 instead of a very possible 14-0.  I have to agree with you about Dungy's decision not to kick the field goal however James, that changed what had to be done and caused a great deal more pressure than was necessary.

The shit part is now NE once again gets a lucky break, Tomlinson and Rivers hurt.   When these guys got hurt against the Colts it was already a close game (late in the game, Rivers anyway, Tomlinson wasn't a huge factor regardless)...that's a HUGE difference than starting the game without these guys.  Hopefully they will be ok to play 100% against NE.  Whether they win or don't I want to see NE beat a GOOD team without injuries or a handicap going in.  I'm not saying they can't, (obviously noone can deny what the Pats have accomplished this year) but it would be nice to see rather than a "patched up" team trying to play a "loaded deck" team.

The block deserves props Neemo.  I always respect a QB who will do that.  THe "Statue" was the product of a great O-line and a QB show-boating needlessly.  Had he got sacked the coach would have chewed his ass.  I don't dislike Brady even though sometimes it may sound like it and you do have a legit argument in saying he's the best in the game.  I've got 20.00 that says if the Colts survive the Chargers today (who would have beat the Patriots, I think) then Peyton Manning will light up NE's ass in the title game.  In fact I'll say this...IF the Colts and Pats play AND NE wins you can put "Brady is the best QB who ever played the game" (or something pro-Brady of your choice, barring any homo-like stuff ) as my title...BUT if Manning and the Colts win then I get to choose for you?  Are you game?

I will echo this statement.  There was a guy I played football with who had this happen one night on campus.  He wasn't really a friend of mine as he had a very dislikeable attitude but the fact was he got screwed over by a girl yelling rape.  She invited him over to her room (we had dorms but also there were independant cottages you could rent on campus if you could afford them) while her other two roomates were away and apparently she expected them not to be back until late.  They came back early while she was getting drilled.  She accused him of rape and he lost his scholarship, his education and his future.  He spent a few months in jail before ultimately being found innocent during the trial.  I'm not sure why nobody made his bail but it was sad.  The girl eventually (after the trial) came clean and told the truth.  I don't know what ever became of him but he never came back.  I in no way condone rape but this one really woke me up to how easy a girl can ruin a guy for no good reason.  On a sidenote, the girl was white and the guy black.  I really wonder if that didn't have something to do with it.  This was a little over a decade ago and interratial sexual relations were not quite as accepted as today. 

This one is different and a little off topic, but another example of how crazy this subject can get.  Another guy, this one from high school (good friend of mine at the time) had just turned 18 and got caught doing the nasty with his 16 1/2 year old girlfriend.  They got him for statutory rape even though it was consentual.  That one bugged me as well.  I know that minors need to be protected by all means but there needs to be a difference between a guy is barely 18 having sex with his girlfriend who is only a year and a half younger than him than an older guy who is basically a predator doing this.

Bruce Smith ate everybody for lunch...often! 

Kudos for the figure skating prop though!   (asshole...I mean that in a good way, that was clever).

Yeah, I gotta agree with you James they are playing far too conservative.  When Brady can sit with his back turned from the defense and do that "Statue of Liberty" fake that is sad.  I still think Brady is overrated however!

***As soon as I posted this Brady through a sweet pass for a score , dammit...I have to give him credit he's having one helluva night.  Again it's NOT that I don't like him nor the Patriots I'm just SOOO sick of them right now.  My dream conference matchups next week would be the Pats losing to the Colts and the Cowboys losing to the Packers.  Guess we'll have to wait and see.