An exciting Sunday night contest between two contenders ended with New Orleans getting a much-needed win, especially because it was at home. The defending Super Bowl champions improved to 5-3 but are still in third place in the NFC South. As for Pittsburgh (5-2), they remained tied for first with the idle Ravens and lost what amounts to only an away out of conference game.

Packers – 9, JETS- 0

The only thing that looked good in green on Sunday at the New Meadowlands was holding pom-poms as New York (5-2) came up empty against Green Bay. Two more interceptions for Mark Sanchez – although they were controversial calls – were only part of the problem. Penalties, five dropped passes and a fake punt on fourth-and-18 all resulted in stalled drives. The Jets have looked shaky the past three games – they nearly blew a big lead at home versus Minnesota and then needed a miracle comeback at Denver to escape with a win versus the hapless Broncos. They fell to second place when New England won later in the day. Green Bay improved to 5-3 and are looking good in first place in the NFC North.

Jaguars – 35, COWBOYS  -17

At 1-5, Dallas is done and things look bleak in Big D. Owner Jerry Jones apologized to the fans after the latest loss, one of the blowout variety to a team that is usually on the other end of a lopsided score. Jacksonville (4-4) welcomed quarterback David Garrard back and he had a field day against Dallas, who look as if they are already going through the motions. Both clubs will be paying close attention on draft day.

Dolphins – 22, BENGALS – 14

If they played all 16 on the road, the Fins may challenge their 1972 brethren. Miami (4-3) won for the fourth consecutive game away from sunny Florida and stay right in the thick of things in the AFC East. Terrell Owens caught two more TD passes, but his team fell to 2-5 and last place.

CHIEFS – 13, Bills – 10

If Kaycee (5-2) needed to kick the winning field goal at the gun in OT to beat a winless team, then they are not a threat come playoff time. Sure, they may win the AFC West, but how will they fare against New England and Pittsburgh? Buffalo (0-7) is in dire need of some type of shake-up and Chan Gailey’s hiring was one of the worst of the past 10 years. RAMS  - 20, Panthers – 10 Sam Bradford is showing that he was worth the overall top pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and St. Louis (4-4) are only a half game behind the top spot in the weak NFC West. Carolina is 1-6 and looking worse each week.

CHARGERS – 33, Titans – 25

San Diego (3-5) is having a disappointing campaign but gave their fans a reason to cheer by beating a quality team. Tennessee (5-3) could have started to pull away with a win here, but things are really clogged up in the AFC South.

PATRIOTS – 28, Vikings – 18

Brett Favre started but got knocked out after a big hit and still couldn’t get the job done at New England. Minnesota is 2-5 and reeling, especially after the Randy Moss debacle. Brad Childress is lucky if he finishes the season. New England moved into the penthouse in their division and are looking good at 6-1.

LIONS – 37, Redskins- 25

Is the Donovan McNabb era over already in DC? Washington head coach Mike Shanahan basically said that he is too fat to be effective in the two minute offense and went to Rex Grossman of all people to run it. Of course the former Bear fumbled and the Lions brought it back for a TD. At 4-4, Washington is still in it but this could be a season-changing decision by Shanahan. Just how much fallout occurs remains to be seen, but McNabb has thick skin. Detroit (2-5) is not as bad as their record indicates with 183 points scored against 165 allowed.

Buccaneers – 38, CARDINALS- 35

What can you say about Tampa Bay? No one expected anything out of this team, yet they are tied for first place in their division. Another close win for the Bucs, who improved to 5-2. If they can keep it up is anyone’s guess, especially if New Orleans starts to get hot. Arizona (3-4) is fading in a very winnable division, putting the spotlight on the quarterback decision in the preseason. Matt Leinhart could be doing just as bad here but getting valuable experience. The Cards went back to veteran Derek Anderson yesterday and he is not the long term answer.

RAIDERS – 33, Seahawks – 3

Could the Raiders actually be 4-4? The Silver & Black are right there behind the Chiefs and playing with house money. As for Seattle (4-3), they somehow are still in first but have had their difficulties. Someone has to win the NFC West.

49ERS – 24, Broncos – 16

A game between two also-rans didn’t mean much except for draft position.

Photo by Bill Menzel

Team owner Jerry Jones has made some attempts this offseason to rectify the mess that his team has become. He tried to bring in Dan Reeves to the front office, but something as feeble as keeping a ‘punch card’-type of accountability for hours worked kept it from happening.

The next big decision is Terrell Owens. Although the wide receiver finished with 10 touchdowns and more than 1,000 yards receiving, he causes as much of a distraction as he does good. Although quarterback Tony Romo has publicly stated that “everybody on the team wants everybody back,” he didn’t exactly give a ringing endorsement of the mercurial wideout, further stating that “there’s always change on the football team.”

Addition by subtraction may be the perfect description of the 2009 Cowboys, who need to bounce back after missing the playoffs in a season where many had predicted them as being a Super Bowl contender.