By Mike De Marco
Love of NFL Correspondent

I’m amazed that, for the second week in a row, there’s a development which occurs that questions the integrity of the NFL.

The last play in the Chargers/Steelers game has been the hot topic of discussion the last couple days. I really want to give my point of view on this.

For all the conspiracy theorists out there; the game was not fixed, nor did the officiating crew decide to fix the game. The fact is there’s no way on Earth anyone could know that play would happen the way it did. You can’t script it, therefore it was just an honest mistake, a la Ed Hochuli in Week 2. End of story, let’s move on.

Around the League

Boy, was that a fascinating finish Monday night. Brady Quinn took some more huge steps to becoming a very good quarterback in this league. That was one hostile environment in Buffalo, and it didn’t seem to faze Quinn at all.

Jay Cutler and a banged up Bronco defense willed their way to a very impressive home victory in Atlanta, handing the Falcons their first home loss of the season. Cutler’s officially become one the league’s elite quarterbacks.

I was waiting in anticipation to watch Brandon Jacobs and Ray Lewis get at it in a power against power matchup. Well, it was a lot more one sided than I thought. Jacobs is an absolute load who no one man can bring down alone. It’s that simple. The Giants throttled the Ravens, who were probably playing on fumes as they completed their fifth road game in a span of six weeks. Yikes!

Say what you want, but Brett Favre looked like the monster he was in the ‘90s in a huge win over divisional foe New England. The Jets are for real!

I’m just wondering how many people out there can name the last time there was a tie game in the NFL before that snorer between the Bengals and Eagles? Answer below.

I hate to admit it, but after backing the Chargers week in and week out (not even a fan), I’ve finally come to my senses and will say their season is all but over. The only chance they have of making the postseason is if Denver goes into a horrid tailspin. San Diego trails the Broncos by two games and have already lost once to them. The fat lady has sung.

The Good

Man, that Panthers running game is good. Maybe even Giants good. Carolina’s version of a two-headed monster; DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, combined for 250 yards and three touchdowns on only 29 carries. That’s outstanding production.

Jon Gruden’s plan of giving his entire team the bye week off paid dividends, as the Bucs eked out a victory over the Vikings. That win was all guts and hard work. They played hard for their coach.

Congratulations to Mike Singletary for collecting his first of what will be many head coaching wins.

I’m wondering how the heck the Steelers continue to win even though their franchise players are all banged up. That team’s nothing but blue collar.

Tony Romo made his return from a broken pinkie and had a very positive effect on his team. No, the Cowboys didn’t look flawless, but they did play their best game of the year on defense.

Just My Opinion

It’s the perfect time to start talking about who the best team in the NFL might be, and we can talk about it all we want, but it means squat unless you’re the team holding the Lombardi Trophy at years end. Anyhow, it does make for good reading, and it does create good debate.

So, the Titans are 10-0 and remain as the only unbeaten in the league, but even I strongly believe they’re not the best team. I mean, how lucky has this team been? Every bounce goes their way, and if Vince Young didn’t take his ball and go home earlier in the year who knows what would’ve happened.

I strongly believe Young would’ve been re-inserted into the lineup had he not sucked out Week 1.  Having said that, they’re very strong defensively, have a good running game and the passing attack’s come along the past two games. It’s just that I don’t see dominance in any area, and that’s a concern.

The Giants, for instance, are dominating at running the football, and the Steelers are dominating on defense. The Panthers can be dominating at both. Personally, I think all three of those teams are a better Super Bowl candidate then the Titans, who need to do much more to make a believer out of me.

This and That

The last time there was a tie in the NFL was in 2002 when Pittsburgh and Atlanta ended 34-34. Tommy Maddox’s last second Hail Mary in overtime was caught, but at the 1-yard-line. Definitely more entertaining than this snooze-fest.

Did you know the Broncos are the only team that plays in either the Pacific or Mountain time zones to win a game in the Eastern time zone this season? Wow. In fact, Denver’s now won back to back road games on the East Coast to give them a 2-1 record in such games. The rest of the league? A combined 0-14.

Filing under the category “No one cares but me,” the Broncos and Cowboys are both 6-4. They’ve either won or lost on the same week every week of the season (excluding byes). When Denver had their bye, Dallas won. When Dallas had their bye, Denver won. So, if you’re a fan of either, you may become a little more interested in the other. Just saying.

Another reason I’m not sold on the Titans? Eight teams have scored more points than they have. I’m a strong believer that defense - not offense - wins games, but I feel they lack a little too much on offense. That defense is not Ravens or Buccaneers good, like many may believe.

So, the Broncos pull out another game after trailing in the fourth quarter; old news for anyone who watches Denver football. Cutler’s already engineered six fourth-quarter comebacks in only 31 career starts. That, my friends, is Elway-esque.

Is it just me, or has Peyton Manning just willed his team to victories the last three weeks? This man is a competitor through and through. He just cannot accept defeat.

Hate to say it, but the Bills have crashed back to reality in a very big way. I’m not sure Trent Edwards is healthy after his concussion a little while back. He’s just not the same player.

Not sure if the NFC North is very good or very mediocre. With three teams all sitting at 5-5, it’s tough to figure out.

If you’re an NFL GM, which running back to do you take: Marion Barber or Brandon Jacobs?

MVP talks are heating up everywhere, and Kurt Warner seems to be getting a ton of attention. I agree he’s had a very good statistical season and has stopped turning the ball over ever three possessions, but I’m not sure he deserves all the attention he’s getting. I compare his season to those of Jon Kitna in the past. Only difference between the two is that Warner is winning. Do I think he’s the main reason the Cards are winning? One of the reasons, sure, just not the biggest.

Three Stars

Terence Newman, CB, Dallas: Played the best game any corner’s played all year. Stopped several Redskin drives with great pass break ups. He was their MVP on Sunday night.

Peyton Hillis, RB; Spencer Larson, FB/LB, Denver: Hillis, who’s a natural fullback, started at tailback and did just enough to keep the Falcons honest on defense. Larsen started on BOTH offense and defense. He played middle linebacker on defense and started at fullback as well, making big plays at both.

Jon Gruden, Coach, Tampa Bay: His decision to give his players the entire week off showed well. The Bucs game back with a vengeance and played well. It was a very good move.

32 Questions

New England: Did Brett Favre expose some cracks in that defense?
New York Jets: Never mind the playoffs. Are you thinking bigger?
Buffalo: Is it possible we’ll see J.P Losman again before the year is out?
Miami: Can we include Chad Pennington in all the MVP talk?

Indianapolis: Is anyone going to give Peyton a hand?
Jacksonville: Is it time we start looking towards next season?
Tennessee: Is Kerry Collins not the Comeback Player of the Year?
Houston: What’s happened to Mario Williams?

Pittsburgh: Steeler fans, are you satisfied with that one-point win? Or did you need it to be seven?
Cleveland: Is Quinn the best Brown quarterback since Brian Sipe? Otto Graham?
Baltimore: Five road games in six weeks? Are you spending the week napping?
Cincinnati: Wow, a tie game. Do you consider that improvement?

Denver: Will you continue to practice in pads now that your defense has improved?
San Diego: Does anyone have the answer over there?
Oakland: I hear Jim Fassel called. What are you waiting for?
Kansas City: Is it possible that Tyler Thigpen is the answer?

Dallas: Did I see a revitalized defense on Sunday?
Philadelphia: Hey McNabb, are you looking for a house in the Chicago area?
New York Giants: Just wondering if you’re going to lose another game this year?
Washington: Jason Campbell’s hit a wall. Now what?

Green Bay: Where was that effort from the offensive line been?
Minnesota: What are you going to do if the Williamses get suspended?
Chicago: Do you want the phone number to McNabb’s agent?
Detroit: You’re winless. The Titans are undefeated. Can you shock the world on Thanksgiving?

New Orleans: Can Drew Brees single-handedly carry you to the playoffs?
Tampa Bay: Jon Gruden, you know your players love you. Does that mean you won’t yell at them anymore?
Carolina: With that running game do you even need a quarterback?
Atlanta: You’re facing adversity for the first time this year. Can you handle it?

Arizona: Who’s more valuable? Anquan Boldin or Larry Fitzgerald?
San Francisco: Do you realize you’re just a decent quarterback away from being very good?
Seattle: Does Jim Mora, Jr. really want to coach this team?
St. Louis: Have you lost all hope?

(Mike De Marco’s column can be found over at The Love of Sports each and every Wednesday.)