I've had my head down banging out a column on Darren Sharper through most of the first half of the Vikings' game. But I do have one observation. When I looked up the one time, I did notice that Brad Childress looks kind of like Yukon Cornelius of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer fame.
Other than that, it appears the Bears are playing as hard if not harder than the Panthers played against the Vikings last week. It's a test the Vikings appear to be failing for the second consecutive week. A Vikings loss gives the reeling Saints the No. 1 seed and puts the Vikings in danger of handing the No. 2 seed and a bye to the Eagles.
However, I have a tendency of calling these games too early. (See my last entry from the first half of the Saints-Bucs game from the Superdome).
I didn't post anything earlier today because, well, I high-tailed it outta the Big Easy when the Saints helped crush my original plans by blowing it big-time.
I had the feeling during the game that I was seeing something unique, even for the NFL. It turns out I was right. According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Saints' 20-17 overtime loss was the first time in the 90-year history of the NFL that a team with two or fewer losses beat a team with at least 13 wins.
Amazing. Even by NFL standards.
Speaking of Sharper, I think his weaknesses (gambling incorrectly and missing tackles) stood out as much as his 63rd career interception. But one does have to tip the cap for Sharper tying Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott for sixth on the NFL's career interception list.
Not only that, but four of the five players ahead of Sharper are also in the Hall of Fame.
