Late Game NFL Notes

> Mark Sanchez went the extra mile by not only throwing a TAInt in the red zone, but also taking a 15-yard flag by diving at Jonathan Vilma's knees while Darren Sharper was taking it to the house. Since Sanchez isn't Brett Favre, I'm pretty sure we can criticize him for that.

> Tashard Choice is dramatically better than Marion Barber. Man, MBIII's era didn't last as long as you might have thought. But the Barbarian did have one of those Iron Will touchdown runs of his to make it a 10-0 game.

> With 2 minutes left in overtime and the ball at the Browns 43, the Bengals added undue drama with an incomplete and a 3-yard catch, leading to 4th and 10 and 1:04 left. It was looking like Sister Kissing Time, but the Bengals nutted up and went for it, with Carson Palmer saving the day with a converting scramble. Shayne Graham hits the redemption figgie, and the Bengals are the Kings Of Ohio.

> If there's a better leader at QB than Drew Brees, I haven't seen it. On a very nice cutback run by Reggie Bush, Brees erased the corner with a block and looked happier than if he had thrown a touchdown. He's, um, good. And stuff.

> With 10 minutes left in the second quarter and up 10-0, the Saints went for it on fourth and goal at the one, but didn't get it. Big stand by the Jets... but it's undermined immediately as Sanchez is sacked, forcing a fumble and touchdown recovery. The rookie took too long back there, and for everyone who thought that he wasn't ready to win a tough road game (hand raised), life's looking correct. So far, it's Saints Defense 14, Saints Offense 3.

> According to Josh McDaniels reporting to Troy Aikman, Corell Buckhalter is the fastest player on the Broncos. Now, I love me some Buck as much as anyone; he was a warrior in Eagles laundry, always provided value as Brian Westbrook's backup, and showed incredible heart to come back from the injuries that he suffered. But we're talking about a 30-year-old RB on his third knee. If he's really the fastest player on your team, that's all I need to know about your scouting department. Buck left the field in the third quarter with an ankle injury, so I'm assuming there is someone faster than him now on the roster.

> Because I know you weren't going to be able to concentrate on anything else, the Bills have completed passes to Terrible Owens today. They are also down by two touchdowns to the Dolphins playing Chad Henne, but first things first, really.

> It's nice to see Brian Dawkins dancing like a crazy person, if only because it's rare to see any 35-year-old person get that excited about anything, really.

> Joe Buck: "Orton has been off in the first half." No, actually, he's been Kyle Orton. If you enjoy undisguised quick screens that go nowhere, missed deep ball opportunities and taking what the defense gives you in order to pad your stats and "manage the game", he's your guy. And so long as your defense stands on its head and your WRs make a big play or two a game, that makes him The Greatest QB in Bronco History, if not the entire NFL. Wins Uber Alles!

> Even by usual NFL announcing standards, the announcing crews are so in the bag for Mark Sanchez. If you are looking for the New Favre in terms of announcer praise outweighing actual production, look no further.

> Halfway through the third quarter, Reggie Bush puts the ball on the ground, and the Jets take immediate advantage with a Thomas Jones touchdown run to end a drive. It's ballgame time in the Bayou.

> Meanwhile in the red zone against the Broncos, it's Tony Romo's 8th career pick in the money area, and I love that we're now counting how many of those have happened. That's just good times.

> It's officially Confetti Bucket Time in Miami, as the Dolphins take a 31-3 lead on Buffalo. Trent Ewards is 6 of 14 for 83 yards with 2 picks as I write this, which makes me wonder... do they have JP Losman's number any more? That was always fun, when they'd switch back and forth.

> I thought I had a chance in one of my fantasy league matchups, but my opponent had the 49er defense. Good Grief. It's not enough that they pitch a shutout; they also had to score 3 touchdowns by their own damn selves. Yeesh.

> It might be possible to overrate Darrelle Revis right now, but I'm really not sure how. I can accept that he's going to wipe out the opponent's top WR, but in today's game against the Saints, he was just everywhere. The Jets offense lost that game today, not the defense.