BOSTON, October 13, 2012 — Before getting to the NFL 2012 Week 6 Prequel, Week 5 saw the very best and worst of football.
Every life lesson can be learned from football, which is why it is so important that those involved with the game on any level honor the game.
The worst of football was found during the Chiefs game against the Ravens. Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel was playing poorly. The Kansas City defense kept the Ravens out of the end zone, but the offense was so awful that the Ravens held on for an ugly 9-6 victory. Yet the true ugliness came from the fans.
KC Chiefs’ Fans Lack Class
Matt Cassel was injured during the game. He was down on the field for several minutes. The fans cheered. Let that sink in. They cheered. Even worse, these were home fans cheering their own quarterback getting injured. They wanted his backup to play.
This was a truly disgusting and classless display, and Chiefs offensive lineman Erik Winston blistered the fans in a post-game press conference that should be mandatory viewing for every parent trying to teach good values to their children. Mr. Winston gets it, and fans who cheered anyone getting injured, especially one of their own players, should never watch football again.
As disgraceful as the situation in Kansas City was, Indianapolis showed true class. The heroism was on the field, but began before the game was even played.
Colts and Packers Show Real Class
Chuck Pagano is the rookie head coach of the Colts. Four games into his job, he was diagnosed with lukemia. He is taking a leave of absence from the team for the rest of the year as everyone from owner Jim Irsay to the the players on the practice squad were shocked.
Pagano left the team a letter where he addressed personal responsibility. He wanted the Colts to play hard and win their home game against a very good Green Bay Packers team. They would have to do this with an interim head coach and a rookie quarterback.
At halftime the Colts trailed 21-3, but these rookies did not panic. They came back, took a 22-21 lead in the fourth quarter, fell behind 27-22, went ahead again 30-27 with one minute to play, and held on when a tying field goal try at the gun was no good.
A classy Green Bay head coach in Mike McCarthy expressed sympathy and regards for his NFL colleague in the hospital. Mr. Irsay went to the hospital to deliver Pagano the game ball. The entire Colts team showed heart, guts, and character. This was not the most significant game in Colts history. Unitas handing off to Ameche in the Greatest Game Ever Played in 1958 ranks higher, as do the 1970 and 2006 seasons, culminating in the Super Bowl victories. Yet this game mattered as a testament to what matters in life.
With that, let’s get down to the business of more football.
Pittsburgh Steelers (5.5) @ Tennessee Titans was the Thursday night game.
(Steelers win but fail to cover)
Oakland Raiders @ Atlanta Falcons (8.5)
(Falcons cover)
Dallas Cowboys @ Baltimore Ravens (3.5)
(Ravens win but fail to cover)
Cincinnati Bengals (2.5) @ Cleveland Browns
(Bengals cover)
St. Louis Rams @ Miami Dolphins (3.5)
(Upset special, Rams win outright)
Indianapolis Colts (3) @ New York Jets
(Jets cover)
Detroit Lions @ Philadelphia Eagles (5.5)
(Eagles win but fail to cover)
Kansas City Chiefs @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3.5)
(Upset special, Chiefs win outright)
Buffalo Bills @ Arizona Cardinals (5)
(Cardinals win but fail to cover)
New England Patriots (3.5) @ Seattle Seahawks
(Patriots win but fail to cover)
New York Giants @ San Francisco 49ers (5)
(49ers win but fail to cover)
Minnesota Vikings @ Washington Redskins (2.5)
(Redskins cover)
Green Bay Packers @ Houston Texans (5) is the Sunday night game.
(Upset special, Packers win outright)
Denver Broncos @ San Diego Chargers (2.5) is the Monday night game.
(Upset special, Broncos win outright)
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