We're back to no more bye weeks, everyone is back to playing.  Nine games early, let's look:

Giants Beat Ravens 30-10: The Giants defense was dominant again.  They had an interception TD, and didn't give up too many yards in the game.  That TD was one of two INT's by Aaron Ross.  The Giants didn't pass for squat, but ran for over 200 yards.  The Giants are now 9-1, still the NFC's best.  The Ravens are now 6-4, which could put them down a game in the division if the Steelers win.  At 6-4, they are also now in what is a four team tie for the wild cards.

Denver Tops Atlanta 24-20: Statistically, this game was very even and both teams were similar.  In fact, the Falcons were slightly better in almost each stat except for the one that matters.  Denver is now 6-4, leading the division by one or two depending on how the Chargers do.  The Falcons are now 6-4, a game back in the division, and in the wild card battle.

Packers Destroy Bears 37-7: The NFC North just got more confusing.  The Bears not only blew a chance to eliminate Green Bay from the division race, but they blew it horribly.  The Bears run D was destroyed, as Ryan Grant ran for 145 yards and a TD. (200 rushing total for the team).  The Packers controlled line of scrimmage, and they made the Bears run game and Neckbeard ineffective.  This game, along with the Vikings loss, makes it a THREE WAY TIE at 5-5 in the NFC North.

Dolphins Barely Hold Raiders 17-15: From a yardage standpoint, the Dolphins owned them.  Ronnie Brown had over 100, and they ran as a team for 222 yards.  But a safety plus early, and Johnnie Lee Higgins' 93 yard punt return late gave them a one point lead.  Miami was able to move down the field to get a field goal with 38 seconds left to win the game.  Oakland is 2-8 now.  Meanwhile, Miami keeps themselves alive in the division race, as they are one game back still on the Jets, AND they are in the four team wild card tie.

Buccaneers Win 19-13 Over Vikings: The Buccaneers D was just a bit stronger, and sloppy playcall and ball handling killed the Vikings.  Minnesota lost two fumbles to the Buccaneers one.  The Buccaneers controlled yardage in the game, but the Vikings still had a shot on the last drive, until Chester Taylor fumbled with just over a minute left.   The Vikings are in a three-way tie for their division at 5-5, and the Buccaneers are a game back on the Panthers at 7-3.  (They do hold a wild card spot right now)

Panthers Win Ugly 31-22 over Lions:  Maybe a little worrisome that the Lions gave them as much trouble as they did.  But the Lions did their normal and choked it way.  Delhomme was mediocre again, going 10-19 for 98 yards.  But the Panthers had two guys run for over 120 yards, and averaged 8.3 a run.  Turnovers were the key, as the Lions had four turnovers, ultimately costing them the game.  The Panthers now are 8-2, a game ahead of Tampa in the division.  The Lions are a sorry 0-10.

Colts Beat Texans 33-27: Both teams' defenses were less than stellar.  The Colts gave up 156 yards to Steve Slaton, but the Rosencopter threw an INT late in the game when the Texans had a chance on the last drive.  The Colts ran well, Addai had 105 yards.  Peyton Manning was 30-46 for 320 yards and two TDs.   Houston is 3-7, while the Colts are 6-4 amongst the 4 way tie for the wild cards. 

  Bengals and Eagles Tie at 13: It was obvious neither team wanted to win this game at all.  The Bengals played like crap on offense, giving up 8 sacks and getting only 1.8 a run.   The Eagles also didn't want to win, namely Donovan McNabb, who threw three INTs and lost a fumble.  The pass happy Eagles also gave up on the run, giving Westbrook only 14 carries (he had 60 yards.)  

Both teams were failing in OT, but with just under a minute and a half, the NFL once again showed it's "pansy" nature.  The Eagles got penalized because they hit the QB hard, and the BS roughing call put the Bengals into field goal range.  Just simply another JOKE of a roughing call, and this garbage is really going too far. 

HOWEVER, the Bengals simply didn't want to win.  Shayne Graham missed a 47 yard field goal.  And ladies and gentlemen, for the first time since 2002, we have a TIE!  The last time was Steelers/Falcons, which was a QB battle of Tommy Maddox and Michael Vick.  Yikes.  The Eagles are now 5-4-1, which could really hurt them in the wild card battle.  The Bengals are 1-8-1, which could hurt them in getting a high draft pick.

Late games are well underway.  Another fun week so far, discuss.