A great comeback by Belichick

Bill Belichick is known as a man who usually says nothing even when he says something. But I loved his reaction to Sunday's comments from Panthers defensive backs Chris Gamble and Chris Harris.

Gamble and Harris said after Sunday's loss to the Patriots that they knew Moss would quit if the Panthers could take him out of the game early with a physical double coverage. Moss dropped two passes, ran a lackadaisical route that led to an interception and fumbled away his only reception of the game.

Quarterback Tom Brady had already defended Moss on his weekly radio show when Belichick met with the media on Monday. Belichick was firm in his support of Moss, saying,"I think Randy is a great player. Most teams we play think the same thing. I guess these two guys from Carolina didn't think so after they lost again."

What a beautiful response. I loved it.

Now, before Week 14 concludes with tonight's Cardinals-49ers game, let's pass out some random thoughts following yesterday's action ...

. It's obvious based on the quotes coming out of the Colts locker room that the team will begin resting starters now that it has clinched homefield advantage. "We'd love to get to 16-0," owner Jim Irsay said, "but the biggest focus is going to be on being prepared for that first playoff game. That's the key." Meanwhile, the players clearly want to continue playing. "Sometimes if you sit around too much, you lose a step or two," defensive end Raheem Brock said. "I don't want to take that chance."

I think the Colts should play for the perfect season. Try to win these next three games. Success in the NFL is so dependent on rhythm and confidence. Bad things happen when you break that up.

Perhaps rest is overrated as an advantage for the better teams. After all, since 2005, the No. 1-2 seeds are 7-9 in their first playoff games. Last year, both No. 1 seeds (Giants, Titans) and a No. 2 seed (Carolina) lost their playoff openers. Of course, the other No. 2 seed (Pittsburgh) won the Super Bowl.

. The Saints converted 8 of 12 third downs. At one point, they converted seven consecutive third downs. Just something to keep in mind, Vikings fans.

. Is anyone playing better than the Chargers right now? It was nice to see Norv Turner, a guy who gets more criticism than he probably deserves, get a contract extension. The Chargers haven't lost a December game under Turner. They've also won 16 consecutive December games going back to when Marty Schottenheimer was there.

. The Lions gave up 308 yards rushing. Will this team EVER improve?

. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been sacked 47 times. In 16 years in Green Bay, Brett Favre never went down that many times. In fact, Rodgers' total matches the team record set by Don Majkowski in 1989.

. The MVP race is going to go down to the wire. I have a feeling Manning's chances will disappear as the Colts rest him down the stretch. He won again Sunday, but he also threw three more picks.