NFL Roundup and Ozzie Consoles the Cubs

How good are the New York Giants? The recent result (a 44-6 win over early NFC West title pick Seattle, without All-Pro WR Plaxico Burress) would indicate that they are hands down the best team in the league. Along with the Titans, the Giants are the only remaining undefeated team, but before fans of the G-men get too excited, consider also that they escaped against a sad Cincinnati team and nearly let the Redskins come back on them in Week One.

Against the Skins, the Giants left a ton of points on the board in the first half. By settling for field goals, New York nearly let Washington snatch a victory in the fourth quarter ... that is if the Washington 2 minute drill didn't look like QB Jason Campbell was trying to interpret instructions for molecular experiments in Latin.

Champions convert those opportunities. The Giants did that on Sunday against Seattle. If they keep doing it, they'll easily make the playoffs.

They can't sleep on the 1-3 Browns though, next week's opponent. Cleveland QB Derek Anderson will come out hungry, trying to keep his job safe from Brady Quinn. It's definitely a potential trap game for the Boys in Blue.

How good are the Redskins? I don't think anyone thought they'd be this good. Wins over Dallas and Philadelphia in back to back weeks? Who saw that coming? Campbell continues to develop, but RB Clinton Portis carried the day yesterday. CP is second in the NFL in rushing (514 yards) and put up 145 yards against the Eagles.

Best way to keep the ball away from the NFC East's array of All-Pro QBs? Run the football and control the clock. With new coach Jim Zorn's ball-control West Coast offense, they're doing exactly that. The Skins average time of possession this season is 32:54, the fourth best TOP in the league. Oh yeah, and they only have one turnover all season.

Did someone let a Born Again Christian into the Dallas Cowboys locker room yesterday? That's the only explanation I can think of for TO's about face, praising God and his infinite glory for his two catch, one TD game. This is a week after TO ripped QB Tony Romo for not throwing him the ball more.

As was recounted in the Shreveport Times:

"I just have been dealing with a lot of stuff and this was a great team win," Owens said in a brief postgame news conference. "I am more than No. 81. It's more about a star being on my helmet.

"I am standing here today to confess my faith in God and the ability he gave me to go out there and show that on this football field today.

"God used me today for his glory and that's all I have to say."

Maybe it's just a phase that will pass when the Cowboys move stadiums and God can't watch through that hole in the roof anymore.

Sage Rosenfels must feel like the biggest goat in the pasture today. That's after coughing up a sure-fire victory by his Houston Texans against the Indianapolis Colts. Rosenfels filled in admirably for sick starting QB Matt Schaub, giving the Texans a 27-10 lead with just over four minutes remaining. Then after the Colts scored seven more, and the Texans recovered an onside kick he fumbled. Twice. Both resulted in touchdowns for Indianapolis. Final Score: Colts - 31, Texans - 27.

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On the diamond, the Phillies sent the Brewers home for the season, eliminating them in the division series after a 6-2 win in Game Four. Brewers pitcher Jeff Suppan was lit up like Times Square — allowing 5 earned runs, including 3 homers in three innings — to earn the loss.

The difference maker in this one? Ben Sheets. Sure, he didn't play in the series after being shut down with injuries (again), but had he still been healthy it's doubtful Suppan would have ever toed the rubber. It's a big difference between a top-two of CC Sabathia and Sheets (3.09 ERA this season) and Sabathia and a 50-percent Yovani Gallardo (only six appearances all year due to a torn ACL).

The Brew Crew should get used to it though, as it looks like Sheets is unlikely to return as he enters free agency this season attempting to become Carl Pavano 2.0, inking a big deal and missing the majority of the contract years due to injury.

The Brewers might not be done with Sabathia however, according to SI's Jon Heyman. He says the team will attempt to keep the most coveted pitcher on the free agent market. They'll face stiff competition from the Yankees, Mets, Giants and Dodgers who will all be offering Johan Santana-like cash ($137.5 million over six years).

The White Sox continued to carry the Windy City's postseason hopes, winning 5-3 over the Rays to force Game Four this afternoon. White Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen offered his sympathy to the North Siders in traditional Ozzie fashion, saying "F*ck the Cubs," before adding that Cubs manager Lou Piniella is one of his idols and that he called pitcher Carlos Zambrano to tell him to keep his head up. What a guy.