G-Men rule. At least that’s what all the folks commenting on my blog these days are so adamantly telling me. Man, I’m almost ready to believe them. Almost. Even Giants fans have to admit they themselves gave the team little chance of this when Tiki bolted and the rest of the team nearly revolted on Tom Coughlin. Everyone in football was betting Coughlin would be the first coach fired in 2007. Everyone! So, this is a miraculous awakening, for sure. The question remains: Are the Giants really this good? Do the G-Men really rule?

Well, Giants fans will be happy. I’m not going to blame the Cowboys loss on Jessica Simpson. And, I have to like the Giants now that they’ve reduced Terrell Owens to tears: “This is my… (sob, sob) team… that’s my (sob, sob) quarterback...” With the writer’s strike in Hollywood, we need more of this. Can I be a believer, now, that they’re going to Lambeau Field?

If you’ve noticed nothing else about the current coaching searches going on around the league, you must have seen the notable absence of any college coaches (with the exception of the annual Pete Carroll rumors) on any of the short lists. Call it the Sab-Petr (or Sab-ino for short) syndrome. It will be a long time before NFL decision makers are willing to look to the college ranks for marquee coaches again - at least without having some form of severe contract language for those who want to make premature exits. So, the Redskins are talking to Gregg Williams. I think that would be a good move for continuity sake. Colts Assistant Jim Caldwell’s name is on their short list, but look for the Colts to offer him the Head Coaching job the moment Tony Dungy announces his retirement. I’d imagine that Caldwell will stay in Indy even if Tony goes one more year, as the Colts really want him to be their next head coach. It would be a good job to wait a year to assume.

The Atlanta Falcons hired their new GM. That’s step one. Tom Dimitroff comes from New England, and Arthur Blank is hoping some of the luster of the NFL’s premier organization will rub off. Look for Dimitroff to have a say in the coaching search quickly as both Rex Ryan, late of the Ravens, and Jason Garrett, soon of the Ravens (yes, you heard it here first) will make repeat visits to Atlanta. Yes, the Carroll rumor persists. I tell you, Pete’s wife is smarter than all that.

So, what of the games this past weekend? Manning was Manning-like. Or should I say, Eli was Peyton like. Eli went out and won the game. Peyton went out and laid an egg. But look out, the Packers appear to be on a fairly tale trajectory. Their win over Seattle after the first four minutes of the game was nothing short of the best team football we’ve seen all season. Then there are the Patriots. Has anyone else noticed how teams these last several weeks have managed to make the Patriots look beatable for the first 45 minutes or so, only to walk into the buzz saw that is Tom Brady in the last stanza? Who that is left standing can go 60 minutes with these guys? And, what is left of the Chargers team to even play next weekend? Billy Volek handing the ball to Darren Sproles? They were one injury away from Norv Turner pulling on his leather helmet.

Divisional Weekend Hero, Goat, & Quote ~
Hero - Eli Manning. There it is Giants fans! See, I do love you. The boy-Manning played man-Manning football.

Goat - The Pigskin Preacher for a sub-par 50/50 weekend in my picks, and for doubting young Manning. (See how I am kissing up, here?)

Quote - Terrell Owens. “(sob, sob, sob)”

Back Thursday with picks and more.