"The Pats' season so far has gone like this: win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win. Detect a pattern there? Me neither, but I think they'll lose this one, and people will start talking seriously about the Colts going undefeated -- right up until they lose to the Texans at home next week."

And then New England is in all caps. Are you picking the Pats or the Colts?

I agree that Indy will FINALLY beat the Pats in NE, but telegraphing your WTH a week in advance is against protocol, isn't it? But there is no way Indy is going undefeated - still expect 2-3 losses by end of regular season. We have been skating along injury-free for the most part this year, so that's due to hit and some late season games against teams who will be desparate to make the playoffs (SD, Sea, Jax) will all be tough not to mention Pitt and Cincy.

But yeah, give me 9-0 after the Texans come callin'

"Indianapolis (7-0) at NEW ENGLAND (4-3): The last two years, the Colts' season has ended at Gillette Stadium. If they win there Monday night, they'll pretty much guarantee they won't have to go back in January. The Patriots rode the emotional high of linebacker Tedy Bruschi's triumphant return from a stroke to a nice win over the mediocre Bills last week, but they still have a lot of problems with their injury-riddled defense.

The Pats' season so far has gone like this: win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win. Detect a pattern there? Me neither, but I think they'll lose this one, and people will start talking seriously about the Colts going undefeated -- right up until they lose to the Texans at home next week."

King--

I was prepared to write a nice note commending you for having the stones to pick New England over Indianapolis. But then the text indicates you're picking Indianapolis over New England. Thus, I stand confused.

As far as the game goes... Every year the odds look longer that the Patriots will manage to beat Indianapolis, and every year they do. Somehow. I don't know how. As a Pats fan, I no longer even bother to analyze the factors leading up to any of their games. Their winning has become a matter of faith for me at this point. So I'm not going to give you a hard time for picking Indy-- if you did do that-- simply because I think the Patriots will somehow find a way again. (Would I think the same, if I weren't a fan and surrendered all reason? Probably.) I will say I think you're going to end up being wrong. And also, I think it's good for me to get this down on Friday instead of next Tuesday, don't you think?

But not as much as the return of Harrington. And not as much as bewildering offense that does not consist of pounding Kevin Jones at teams as much as possible. Seriously, with Jones and Artuse Pinner, plus Cory Schlesinger back as the lead blocker (I noticed the announcers didn't see fit to mention how Cory crushing their golden boy Urlacher on a crucial third down last weekend, springing Jones) the Lions might make 8-8 by being the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Johnson might be a spark to Minnesota, while Culpepper seemed to be going from, at best, worse to bad. If he tears the Lions up, I'll note I have witnesses who can testify that I called for him to be brought in to Detroit and for the Lions to draft Kyle Orton.

The Lions are feeling awful depressing this year. If they can't make it to the playoffs, Mariucci may be tossed, but the village idiot of the front office, Matt Millen, apparently won't be.

The Colts' D will determine if the game is close or not. The Pats' D is going to give up some points, at least 21. The Pats' O is steady and will perform well, off and on. The question is whether the Colts' D will bend (give up less than 21) or break (give up more than 21).

King, you are a disgrace to the family name of Wagstaff, if such a thing is possible.

First off, I am NOT here to say the Bears WILL win the NFC. Lord knows they have lots of problems. One thing separating them from most of the other dross in the conference, however, is that they SEEM to be getting better. If Orton continues get smarter about ball control, they could be a bit better than mediocre on offense. That, combined with a much better than mediocre defense, surely makes them a contender in this pathetic excuse for a football conference.

Just wanted to point out that the Colt's schedule is softer than a Krispy Kreme: Baltimore, Jacksonville, Cleveland, Tennessee, San Francisco, St. Louis, Houston. The fact that people are picking them to go march unopposed to the title despite having played one quality opponent boggles the mind.

I KNOW its waaaaaayyyyyy too early to talk about this, so that's why I'm doing it.

Can you imagine the incredible media strokefest we will see should the Colts make the SB (as is *currently* predicted - I am still not there yet) and the resurgent Giants pick their may through the carrion that is currently the NFC. That has to be the matchup all the suits are praying for now. Long way to go, but not out of the question.

yeah, King, I read your text on NEvIndy and read Colts win, and then after my post went back and saw NE highlighted. The Grand Jury says come clean now or face the wrath of Fitzgerald.

Marty S. was angered that the Chargers traded QB Cleo Lemon to Miami for AJ Feeley. Cleo was their preseason workhorse, and has some talent. AJ Smith is considering dumping Marty. I know I have gone on ad nauseum about the stadium deal, but the Chargers group actually took an offer to the city council, the city is broke, but those dopes spent a 100 grand to explore the Chargers plan. somebody really wants this thing, and a losing team is no way to get it done. Meanwhile the Chargers are sitting on one Phillip Rivers (the flip side of the Eli Manning trade), in a league where Gus Fuhurotten, Anthony Wright (wrong), Alex Smith (an alias for sure), and my cousin Vinny (Testaverde), are starting every week. Look for Lemon, who if he makes a splash with the Fish, would give Rivers cause to bolt. The disappearance of LT and the light receiving corps is cause for concern, and Marty is never as good the second half of the season, when everyone in the stands has his playbook. We'll see some changes after the bye. The Chargers just aren't using their personnel, guys like Ben Leber who sits to make room for Merriman. Can't they both play? In sum: Chargers sitting on a lot of talent, a coach in the 5th year of a 1 year contract, and they want the new digs, now, before the SEC puts a lock on the door. (Arnold showed up on MNF to give the Spanos a plug). Go Chargers; (marketing and real estate conglomerate and sometimes football team)!! Damn the bankruptcy court, full speed ahead!!