While watching football this weekend a thought popped into my mind: How did it come to this? And by this I mean the pathetically low quality of play we’re seeing outside of a few teams. If the NFL TV schedule was run by me, then one of these teams would be on, in every market, each Sunday: Patriots, Cowboys or Colts (when healthy). I watch football to be entertained, and at the moment those teams are the only ones capable of entertaining me. However, outside of those teams, what are we really left with? Here’s a sampling:

-A Bills-Dolphins game in which for part of the game the only camera angle used was from a blimp. People who were forced to watch told me they appreciated not being able to fully see the Fins lose for a ninth straight time.

-A Lions-Cardinals game in which the Lions ran for negative 18 yards. I didn’t even think that was possible.

-A Bengals-Ravens game in which the Ravens turned the ball over six times. How many Bengals touchdowns did that result in, you ask? Zero. They kicked seven field goals.

-A Bears-Raiders game where Oakland threw for 108 yards on what had been one of the most susceptible defenses to the pass. The game featured 18 punts, and it wasn’t because of great defenses.

-A Falcons-Panthers game in which you have a battle between a 43 year old quarterback and another who shouldn’t be in the league. Vinny wasn’t good ten years ago so what makes anyone think he’d be any good now?

-A Colts-Chargers game in which half the Colts team was injured, Manning throws six picks, the Chargers return two kicks for six, and yet the Bolts only are able to escape after Vinatieri misses a chip shot. Oh yea, and the Chargers can’t figure out how to get the ball to the all-time single-season touchdown leader. Here’s a hint: TURN AROUND AND HAND IT TO HIM.

-A Monday Night Football game in which I stupidly wagered on the Niners only to find out that, hey, they might be the worst team in football. You guys wouldn’t want to try pass blocking, would ya?

So that’s where were at. Pathetic football. At this point, I say we just let the Pats-Cowboys play in two weeks and get it over with. As much as I don’t want to see them win, at least the Boys entertain me. They play good, solid football although if Wade Phillips doesn’t get a hold of his team those stupid personal fouls could cost them in the playoffs. I thought Jimmy Johnson was about to lose it at halftime. He sounded like he wanted to strangle Wade Phillips.

Nevertheless, this league is now more than ever QB-centered. Manning, Brady and Romo: odds are if one of those three quarterbacks aren’t involved in the game you’re watching, the game you’re watching doesn’t deserve to be watched.

On to the picks… (Home team in CAPS)

Bucs over FALCONS
The fact that Joey Harrington has engineered the Falcons to three wins this season goes to show how pathetically low the quality of QB play in this league has sunk. Gruden will bring pressure, force Joey to throw the ball when he isn’t ready, and the Bucs will win big.

JAGUARS over Chargers
The Jags are a hard-nosed football team who knows what its identity is: running the ball and tough defense. The Chargers don’t seem to know what they’re doing. LT hasn’t been LT this year and Philip Rivers has gotten dramatically worse. But Marty was the problem, right?

Steelers over JETS
I heard the dumbest statement I’ve ever heard on the air waves yesterday: ESPN’s Merril Hodge said the Steelers were the best team in football. I won’t even dignify that with a response.

Browns over RAVENS
Steve McNair has thrown two touchdowns this year while turning the ball over 11 times. That’s some free agent signing, eh? Bet you didn’t think fans in Baltimore would ever be calling for Kyle Boller?

EAGLES over Dolphins
Here’s to the Dolphins not winning a game in the same season the Pats go undefeated. That would really stick it to all those grumpy ’72 Dolphins players whose team wasn’t as dominate as they’d have you believe. For my money, ’85 Bears and ’92 Cowboys hold that title, for now anyway…

PACKERS over Panthers
I don’t really know how good the Pack are because I refuse to watch a game of theirs. I’m sorry, but I just can’t sit through three hours of a Brett Favre slurp fest.

Raiders over VIKINGS
The only reason to watch this game left in the third quarter last week with a knee injury. But for the sake of it, can we start JaMarcus Russell already?

Cardinals over BENGALS
Although I usually stay away from Kurt Warner on the road, that Bengals defense is so bad I can’t see them keeping the Cards under 30.

COLTS over Chiefs
No Larry Johnson and Brodie Croyle is getting his first start ever. The line is -15. Needless to say I’m not going to be worrying about money for a while.

Patriots over BILLS
When did people start thinking that Buffalo is any good? It’s not going to be close.

Saints over TEXANS
See a trend in these games? There are just a lot of bad teams playing in the NFL now and while anything can happen on any given Sunday for the most part, I’m not so sure if that’s good for the league.

COWBOYS over Redskins
I hate em, but boy is that offense good. Romo is next is line after Brady and Manning. But I’ll say it again: Roy Williams KILLS this team’s pass defense. He let Jeremy Shockey destroy him---it was Shockey’s first 100 yard receiving game in more than a year. It’s not hurting them now because they pretty much outscore the opposition. But when you’re going up against the Pats again, don’t think whoever lines up in the slot, whether it be Stallworth or Welker, isn’t going to have a field day with Roy.

Rams over NINERS
Like I said, it isn’t a bad team they’ve just been crippled by injuries. When you have Bulger, Holt, and Jackson, that’s as good an offensive trio as 95% of teams in this league. And by the way, did you know that the Patriots have the 49ers 1st round pick next year? How funny would it be if in the same year Goodell strips them of their pick, they end up with a top 3? And it is going to happen.

Giants over LIONS
Sorry, but Eli Manning is never going to be a top quarterback. He wasn’t that great at Ole Miss and certainly isn’t getting the job done now. With all the weapons on that offense there’s no way he should be struggling that much. However, the Lions are a semi-fraud, although that’s probably good enough to get you a playoff spot in the NFC.

SEAHAWKS over Bears
I have absoulty no idea how good either of these teams are. One thing I do know however is that Cedric Benson isn’t gonna get the job done at running back. Dude is averaging 3.0 yards per carry. When in doubt, go with the Pro Bowl quarterback. Hasselbeck gets slept on because he plays in the Northwest, but he’s a top 3 QB in the NFC.

Titans over BRONCOS
Sometimes just the threat of the quarterback running is enough to open up an offense. VY should pull out something special for Monday night. He shows up on the big stage

Super Bowl XLII: AFC (-16) over NFC
That’s what the line is at now folks. Obviously Vegas thinks one conference might just be a little better than the other. All you Cowboys fans might want to get on that while the line is so high. As far as the AFC team winning by more than 16: I could see it happening, but honestly that is ridiculously high. If a team other than the Boys ends up going, I’ll take it. Otherwise, I think the Cowboys at least make it kinda close, right?

Last Week: 7-7
Season: 89-56