So the only open question in the NFC is the sixth seed. The Redskins, out of the blue, are in the driver's seat and playing pretty well behind Todd Collins. If they win, they're in. If they lose and the Vikings win, the Vikes are in. If the 'Skins and Vikes lose and the Saints win, the Saints are in. If the Saints beat the Bears at 1:00 they get to chew their nails as the 4:00 games play out.

But to many, the biggest news of the week is that the League has opened up the telecast of the Pats/Giants game to both CBS and NBC. Now, those of us who have NFL Network access will be able to see it on three different channels while the rest of you poor saps only get it on two. Meanwhile every non-football fan in the country is going to go ballistic about their shows getting pre-empted. I can't help think this is an underhanded attempt by the league to get everyone to shut up about the NFL Network. "You want game coverage, we'll give you game coverage! We'll give you nothin' but game coverage!"

I really don't find this to be a big deal. The game itself doesn't matter as far as the post season is concerned and, like everyone else, I have been annoyed by the Pats for the better part of the season. Even if they win, the title still belongs to the '72 Dolphins until they go all the way. At one point I thought the Giants posed a threat to the Pats, but I don't anymore. The Pats will probably load up a big halftime lead then start sitting people. It'll likely be a pretty boring game. Halfway through, viewership will fall off and CBS and NBC will be left to deal with the angry non-NFL fans while the NFL Network bigwigs will be giggling and sending out press releases about how magnanimous they are.

Last Week

Let's see Adrian Peterson is known to be about the only serious threat the Vikes have, and Tarvaris Jackson is, well, Tarvaris Jackson. Gregg Williams, defensive coordinator of the Redskins, had the brilliant idea to stop Adrian Peterson at all costs and force Tarvaris Jackson to find a way to win. I understand he also has a theory that gaining 7 yards on 3rd-and-ten doesn't do you any good, but he's only the defensive coordinator so that hasn't been tested yet.

Meanwhile, everyone in Cleveland has to have that ugly feeling the pit of their stomachs that maybe, just maybe, that was the real Derek Anderson.