Quick Kicks
Rams beat the odds
Oh, to have a crystal ball and lots of disposable income.
What do you think the Vegas odds would have been in early September that the St. Louis Rams would be the only undefeated team in the NFL today?
This is no typo: The St. Louis Rams are the only undefeated team in the NFL today.
Their 42-20 victory against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday reflects the power of Arena Ball shaking up the traditional, plodding foundation of the NFL.
It also validates the extensive reconstructive efforts of coach Dick Vermeil, who has cleared out all but eight players from the team he inherited two years ago.
Vermeil, a man in touch with his sensitive side, bear-hugged owner Georgia Frontiere at midfield and blew kisses to the crowd after the victory before the home folks.
OK, so San Francisco had Jerry, um Jeff, Garcia at quarterback. This is still a top-team in a league driven by parity.
“We’ve finally caught up with the best team in our division,” Vermeil said.
And we’ve finally caught on that you guys might be the best story in an NFL season that otherwise has been etched in pain and woeful subplots.
Play of the day
Akili Smith throwing a 2-yard fade route to Carl Pickens in the right corner of the end zone with five seconds remaining to give the Cinci-crummy Bengals an 18-17 victory against Cleveland.
Kings of pain
The career of Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin may be in limbo after he was hit on the head by Philadelphia safety Tim Hauck. Irvin was taken to the spinal unit at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, where an MRI showed swelling in the spinal cord in two places and a herniated disc. Of less immediate concern is a strained oblique muscle that kept Bubby Brister from starting on Sunday after backing up Brian Griese for the first four weeks of the season, and a broken collarbone suffered by tight end Shannon Sharpe.
Also hurt were New Orleans quarterback Billy Joe Hobert and Chicago QB Shane Matthews.
Hobert, who left with a neck stinger, returned in his game, but Matthews sat out after a hamstring injury.
Pinheads of the week
The classless jerks in Philadelphia who cheered after realizing Irvin was down.
“That’s ignorance and stupidity,” Deion Sanders said. “We deserve better than that.” Amen, brother Deion.
Studs
1. Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins: Danny Boy directed the 35th game-winning drive of his career against the Colts, outgunning frisky counterpart Peyton Manning in the most exciting game of the day. Marino finished with 393 yards and two touchdowns.
2. Junior Seau, San Diego Chargers: He was responsible for the Motor City Shakedown on Sunday, with 12 tackles (7 unassisted) and 2 sacks.
3. Kurt Warner and Isaac Bruce - A great game of pitch and catch against the 49ers.
Talking Heads
“You can forget about the Vikings of last year. This team isn’t very good” - Jerry Glanville of Fox Sports.