With every NFL season comes a smorgasbord of subplots, and this year has been no different. From the feel-good success stories of Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees and the Atlanta Falcons to the train wrecks in Cleveland, Oakland and San Francisco to the demise of such legendary coaches as Bill Parcells, Joe Gibbs and Dave Wannstedt, we've tasted a bit of everything.
If you ask me, though, the most enjoyable sideshow of all—even more than the Mike Martz Follies and the Ricky Williams Chronic-les—has to be the Manning Brothers saga. Here are two quarterbacks, plucked from the same family tree, who about as dissimilar as a Cuban cigar and a pack of Lucky Strikes.
There's older brother Peyton, he of the playoff-bound Indianapolis Colts, who's about to become the first quarterback in history to throw for 50 touchdowns in a season. Then there's younger brother Eli, who has led his offense to 16 points in four losses since being named the New York Giants starter and last week threw for a whopping 27 yards. Let me put that in perspective: If you went to Cashman Field, stood at home plate and threw a football 27 yards, you'd wind up 9 feet short of first base!
When it comes to siblings, I haven't seen a talent gap this wide since ... heck, I can't even make the Sly Stallone-Frank Stallone comparison, because that would be an injustice to Frank. No, you'd have to go back to Michael and LaToya Jackson—the only difference being Peyton doesn't have sleep-overs with 6-year-old boys. At least as far as I know.
Steelers -10.5 at Giants Roethlisberger: 11-0 as a starter, 14 TD passes, eight INTs, headed to the playoffs. E. Manning: 0-4 as a starter, one TD, six INTs, headed to the shrink's couch, if not the emergency room.
Eagles -12.5 vs. Cowboys Perhaps instead of rebuilding his face, Dallas owner Jerry Jones should spend some of his millions rebuilding his franchise—and maybe spring for a few hearts, too.
Panthers +3.5 vs. Falcons I look at the 10-3 Falcons and think one-and-done in the playoffs, while I look at the 6-7 Panthers, winners of five in a row, and think return trip to the NFC Championship game. In an unrelated note, those holiday brownies that Ricky Williams sent have me feeling goooood!
Colts -8 vs. Ravens You remember how you felt when that pip-squeak kid took down the all-talk, no-action playground bully? That's how I feel about Peyton Manning vs. that fraud Ray Lewis. Light 'em up, Peyton!
Best Bet Lions +3 vs. Vikings. You're kidding, right? How many games do the Vikings have to lose before the oddsmakers figure it out? What's up Mike Tice's sleeve this week, a flea-flicker from the opponents' 1-yard line?
Last week: 3-2 (0-1 Best Bet)
Season: 39-31 (6-8 Best Bet)