Lost for words 3-1, alone atop the NFC South, and without our star Back and starting left tackle for the rest of the year. Turns out the demolition (as I forecast) of the Panthers brings a whole new meaning to bittersweet. Whilst many are either predicting a collapse of the season, or at the very least a significant struggle, I have faith. Sure, Donald Penn is new, but Anthony Davis has been around the block. Similarly with Earnest Graham (ish) and Michael Pittman respectively. NFL Watch Tony Romo, I apologise. You are actually a good QB. (Can someone note this down? It’s a first I think..) Travis Henry, where do I begin. Nine kids, nine mothers, and soon to be out for a year unless you hire Johnnie Cochran as your solicitor. Sort your life out! AFC West, with Denver and San Diego, have no teams above 0.500. How? Can somebody explain what’s going on in the NFC North? Green Bay, Detroit, (then two games behind) Chicago, Minnesota? Miami – New York at Wembley is looking like a Giants win – Easily. Between their 2006 much vaunted offenses, St Louis and New Orleans have combined for 77 points in seven games. That’s four shy of the Bucs in four, and 74, yes SEVENTY FOUR shy of NFL leaders Dallas (again, in four games). Bulger and Brees are in the do-do with their O-Lines… And Randy Moss is not only back, but he’s once again the best WR in the league this season bar none over 500 yards and seven TDs in ONLY four games? The man is clearly a machine, on course for over 2,000 yards and 28 TDs. That my dear reader, is ridiculous. Must be Brady rather than Belichick… The Malicious Penguins are gunning for 0-14 in their debut season without actually trying for it.. And finally, what is it with 2007? Injuries, 2006 stars flunking out of the league, and 80-year old QB’s (Brett Favre) having yet another career season. He truly is a machine. None may be of the same ilk as the two stars with busted knees, but patch up the O-Line, patch up the Backs, at lets get out there and prove we’re more than a fluke. Let’s take it to the Colts, and earn some respect from the league. The win over Carolina was nothing short of impressive. Our defense is arguably the best in the NFC at the very least (OK, David Carr is hardly the second coming of King Peyton, but Steve Smith is arguably the best receiver in the NFL – he makes Jake Delhomme look impressive for goodness sake!), and our offense can be summed up in one simple word: efficient. Nothing fancy, nothing risky (apart from a head-first charge or two by Jeffrey), and cool, calm and collected. Unlike the Polish Pop-Guns panics, The Spleenless Wonder's inability to recall how to be a good quarterback, and our favourite baseball cap model, Luke McCown. One week Joey Galloway is the receiver of choice; the next, he’s shut down so Ike Hilliard is given a new lease of life. And Michael Clayton STILL can’t catch. This week? I genuinely have no idea. The Bucs have a defense that could neutralise Peyton and Reggie (assuming Harrison and Live and Let Addai are out), and with quick passes and Garcia scrambles can build up the yardage, BUT this is Peyton Manning we’re talking about – arguably the greatest QB of at least the last decade. I’ll err on the side of caution, and back Indy to win 28-23, with no last quarter collapses by any side! Finally, Cadillac Williams; Luke Petitgout, (and Sabby Piscitelli) our thoughts are with you, and wish you a speedy but efficient recovery. Here’s to 2009 and a Pro-Bowl! Richard Lowe, October 2007