The Good

Break out

New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush broke out and scored four touchdowns and totaled 172 all-purpose yards. Nothing like having two of the best rookies in the league (Bush and Marques Colston, WR) and having a second running back, Deuce McAllister, that rushes for 136 yards.

The Bironas award

Obviously, 60 yards is the new standard for game-winning field goals. Kicker Rob Bironas of the Tennessee Titans hit a game-winner from 60 yards to beat the Indianapolis Colts. From now on, it’s going to take a 70-yarder to impress me enough to put another kicker in the “Good.”

The Jester

OK, one more kicker. I couldn’t pass up the successful return of Martin “Automatica” Gramatica, who was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to replace Mike Vanderjagt. Gramatica kicked a game-winning field goal in the Cowboys’ win over the New York Giants. The kick wasn’t impressive, but what was is that he made Bill Parcells smile.

The Bad

Time to retire?

Hopefully, that’s the last time we have to hear that question about the future of Brett Favre this season. One week the media say he is loving the game and it’s a good thing he didn’t retire. The next, Favre struggles, and the questions about retirement begin again.

31-0

The suddenly playoff-contending New York Jets opened up a 31-point lead on the Green Bay Packers in the first half. If it makes the Packers feel better, they “won” the second half, 10-7.

Penalties

The St. Louis Rams and the Arizona Cardinals combined for 21 penalties in their matchup, totaling 233 yards. The Cardinals won, but really, who is a winner in a game like that?

The Ugly

Rex “Gross” man

OK, so I just wanted to go ahead and use the same headline everyone else is using, but it just surprises me it took till Week 13 for someone to use it. Here are the stats for Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman: 1.3 QB rating, three interceptions, 6-of-19 for 34 yards. Oh, and a win.

Riddle me this

If you’re the Houston Texans, how do you win a game when your quarterback throws for negative 5 yards? You play the Oakland Raiders! I’ll give you a second to stop laughing. I think someone told that joke to Raiders coach Art Shell, and all he got was a blank stare.

On the street

Recently cut Dallas Cowboys kicker Mike Vanderjagt was offered a job by the Raiders to fill in for injured kicker Sebastian Janikowski. He declined, saying he doesn’t do “week-to-week” assignments.

– Chris Conetzkey