The story the man doesn't want you to see

Here's the top part of the column that I promised yesterday -- I talked to "the man" and think we came to an understanding, but that doesn't mean that this version isn't much, much better.

        If the NFL was run by the NCAA, this week’s slate of games would have been dubbed “Separation Sunday.”
        Of course, if the NFL was run by the NCAA, sportswriters would be inexplicably voting the Bears as the number two team in the league … behind USC.
        Sunday’s slate of games featured some of the league’s best playing the league’s best, giving several squads big boosts in their run towards the playoffs.
       Indianapolis was the biggest winner Sunday, solidifying their spot as the AFC’s top team. Their 34-31 over Denver not only kept them undefeated but also showed their inconsistent offense can still decimate defenses.
        Denver had allowed only two touchdowns on the season coming into the game but allowed three to Reggie Wayne on Sunday. The win gave the Colts their second consecutive 7-0 start and – like the undefeated Bears in the NFC – gave them a nice cushion over the other teams in their conference.
        The AFC as a whole set itself apart from the other conference on Sunday, with three of its top teams toppling three of the NFC leaders. Kansas City beat a beat-up but division-leading Seattle squad, and LaDanian Tomlinson nearly single-handedly outplayed the Rams, totaling 240 total yards and three touchdowns.
        And the Ravens became the first team this season to travel to New Orleans and come out with a win. The Superdome has been a tough place for visitors this year: Every team that comes into town is the enemy of the feel-good story of the year, the angelic Saints and their faithful, rebuilding city.
        Luckily, with Ray Lewis and Jamal Lewis on their team, playing the role of devils wasn’t too tough for Baltimore. The loss dropped the Saints into a tie with the surging Falcons.
        Atlanta was the big NFC winner on Sunday, outscoring Cincinnati 29-27 in large part thanks to QB Mike Vick’s discovery of the forward pass. In the last two games he has thrown seven touchdowns. In his previous 10 games, he managed only six.
        After the Bears, the second-tier of NFC playoff hopefuls features the Saints, Falcons and Giants at 5-2. Slightly behind them sit Seattle, St. Louis and Minnesota, and well-behind those teams are the fading Eagles, inconsistent Panthers and ever-feuding Cowboys.
        The AFC is more tightly bunched, with five teams boasting five or more wins. New England looks like the surest thing to a playoff team outside of Indianapolis, while Denver will have to fight with San Diego and Kansas City just to win its own division.
        Baltimore, Cincinnati and Jacksonville have all looked like contenders at times this year and disappointments other weeks, but should still be playing meaningful games in December.
        Even the Jets, with a 4-4 record and five games left against sub-.500 teams, don’t look like a ridiculous pick to challenge for the playoffs.
        Luckily, they won’t have to impress any pollsters to get there.