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And the Bengals continue to be, well, the Bengals. Parity has skipped right over Cincinnati and moved on to Cleveland, who find themselves smack dab in the middle of a playoff race. Last week, the Bengals gave up 52 points to the Panthers. The Panthers don't score 52 in autumn, let alone one game. Hell, the Miami Heat don't even average 52.

All this lends credence to Donald Sterling's argument that the Bengals, and not the Clippers, are reigning world's worst franchise. The Bengals make the Clippers look like the 49ers.

Well, the old 49ers, that is. The new 49ers are determined to drive Steve Mariucci, the coach who has led them to playoff appearances in four of six salary cap restrained seasons, out of town. Terry Donahue, the guy who couldn't win a national title at UCLA, seems hell-bent on bringing someone new in because Mariucci hasn't won the Super Bowl. Maybe Barry Switzer is available.

Speaking of available, so is Mike Riley -- the hottest coaching commodity ... in the universe, it seems. Riley's resume includes a 22-50 career head coaching record in college and the pros, including a 1-15 season with the Chargers -- and he just turned down Alabama! How does someone who has never had a winning season get offered the same job as Bear Bryant? Hey, Bill Walsh, Mike Riley's available, too!

And why is the sports media infatuated with the MVP and All-Pro discussion? You can't help but get involved in the latest bar room brawl about who deserves the MVP more.

Rich Gannon has a chance to pass for more than 5,000 yards. Is that good? Turns out, it is. I looked it up, and apparently Dan Marino passed for 5,084 yards back in 1984, which is a record. Priest Holmes could break the TD record. Who holds it? I looked that up, too. Turns out, all the way back in 2000, Marshall Faulk got 26 of them. Priest needs four in his final three games. That race will carry all the tension and drama of Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds, I'm sure.

Do stats mean anything in football? Does anyone say when Brett Favre throws a TD pass, "Oh, there's No. 26." There's only two numbers that mean anything in football: 2,000 and 16-0. Everything else is an enigma.

And what about Donovan McNabb? Two analysts the other night were arguing whether he will make the Pro Bowl. Shouldn't they be discussing his impact for the playoffs? What about the AFC wide receivers? There are so many deserving candidates. Could Jerry Rice get selected again? Someone is bound to be snubbed, right?

"I guess" might be the most resounding answer to the aforementioned question. It doesn't carry the same intrigue as when Bobby Valentine leaves Cliff Floyd off the all-star team. Let's face it -- nobody watches the Pro Bowl with the same fervor that they do the MLB All-Star Game. We're not sitting at home trembling in anticipation of the ill-fated Priest Holmes/Hugh Douglass matchup. Bonds vs. Pedro Martinez. Roger Clemens vs. Mike Piazza. Unit vs. John Kruk and Larry Walker. That's fun. Charles Woodson vs. Terrell Owens in Honolulu, not so fun.

Clearly, the most intriguing part to this NFL season is there are a dozen or so teams that could legitimately win the Super Bowl. Unlike past years where the Rams were the prohibitive favorite, there is no candidate that stands above the rest. The team you think could go from the AFC might not even make the playoffs! Anything is possible. And if you don't think so, the expansion Texans beat the Steelers last week -- by 16 points. And were outgained 436-43.

So who cares if McNabb does make the Pro Bowl? Shouldn't we wonder whether he'll quarterback the Eagles again this year? Oh, and because everyone else is doing it, Mike Vick. There, I said it.

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