Phil: Leave it to a sportswriter to miss my nuance. Okay, I was dead wrong about the nevermore Ravens. But, had I just come out and picked the Patriots, no way they would have won. I was essentially setting up a scenario for their possibly losing. I’m surprised you gave me the benefit of the call on the Saints and Eagles, since I think we’d both agree Reggie Bush wasn’t exactly a replay of Barry Sanders, and I said Saints will win only if he plays like Sanders. Finally, the Seattles did continue to fail upwards. They got into overtime. For the Bears to celebrate like they did after a victory over such a team — well, all I can say is they’re lucky Mike Ditka isn’t still coaching them.

Bonus coverage: Did LaDainian Tomlinson ever implode yesterday? He complains about “disrespect” and then proceeds to denounce the coach who made his own seem rather dumb. Randy Moss and Terrell Owens have more class than that — they would have denounced their own coach!

Coming next week: Peyton Manning throws 5 interceptions — and Colts win! Reggie Bush gets Erlachered — and Saints win. Go figure.