Week 8

With rookie quarterbacks leading their respective teams, Christian Ponder and the Minnesota Vikings defeated Cam Netwon and the Carolina Panthers. 24-21.

I wanted to see for myself but I had little doubt. Cam Newton's for real.

So is Christian Ponder. He shows great poise. Neither quarterback in that game plays like a rookie.

Two starts for Ponder, two 90 yard drives. Two 90 yard drives that the Vikings had to have.

Like Devin Hester, Carolina receiver Steve Smith needs to retire. The Vikings have never been able to handle him.

Again, Adrian Peterson is a beast. If he had any thing close to decent blocking, 2000 yards would be a breeze. Way too many defensive players regularly greet him in the backfield. It was nice to see Peterson catch five passes. He's often been criticized for his receiving ability. I've never understood criticizing a  player for something that he is never asked to do. Peterson in open spaces is deadly.

Again, Jared Allen is a beast. Another sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery. He's everywhere this year. Now, he's a daddy. Congratulations on baby girl Brenly. Allen's found peace in his life and now he's ripping apart offenses.

How does St. Louis defeat New Orleans? Without Sam Bradford to boot.

The Houston Texans are in the conversation for best in the AFC, in the league too. Arian Foster's an interesting cat. He's also an outstanding back. The Texans are more than surviving without receiver Andre Johnson for a while and defensive end Mario Williams for the season. When Johnson comes back they'll give everyone problems. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is proving once again that he's a better defensive coach than head coach.

The Ravens performance last week and the Saints performance this week prove again that nothing in the NFL is a given. Each week is a mystery. It keeps things interesting but it really does a number on our sanity.

Nice time for the Vikings to have a bye. I hope that they can find an offensive line and safeties during their week off. 10-6 baby!