I never thought I would be saying this, but the NFL is starting to bore me. Maybe it is because my favorite team, the ‘Niners, are not playing up to par due to some injuries, or maybe it has been the mediocrity of play this season.

I’m just glad the NBA regular season is right around the corner. The first thing I want to say is that the Bulls will win their fifth championship this year.

Back to the NFL. What was supposed to be the revengeful match-up of the year on Sunday, was a boring game. Jimmy’s Dolphins against Jerry’s Cowboys — this was a less than exciting game. And the year has been full of them.

The best game of the year so far was the one that was supposed to be, Green Bay against San Francisco. Other than that game there haven’t been that many great games.

Even if there are close games that come down to the wire, it is because the favored team is usually playing badly. Take the San Francisco and Houston game. The ‘Niners lost Young early in the game and then played terribly to barely win.

How about the Steelers and the Falcons? Pittsburgh had to inch out a win with a last-second field goal.

I miss the days when there were at least a few strong teams whom you could always count on for some good games throughout the season, and you knew they would meet up again in the playoffs.

I must say that despite the play of some teams, the Packers are playing some tough football. I have been extremely impressed with Favre’s play after his big painkiller episode. Favre has turned into a smart, decisive quarterback who can lead his team into any game and have them thinking they will win.

However, the Packers will not win the Super Bowl. Why? Because they will not be there. Sure they are doing well now, but they have played the season with hardly any injuries. Now that Robert Brooks is out, Favre will have to make some big throws to other receivers.

Also, many other teams have been plagued with injuries this season, and it has made for some untrue results.

No matter what anyone says, Elvis Grbac is not ready to replace Steve Young. With Young being hurt the ‘Niners have played with one arm in some ways. San Francisco is also missing Brent Jones, who is a crucial part of their offense.

Another team hindered by missing players was the Dallas Cowboys. The were without Novacek, Haley, and maybe most of all, Michael Irvin. The Cowboys had not played well together until the Dolphins game. I expected them to do better, but it will be “too little too late.”

As for the Dolphins, what was everyone thinking when they mentioned Miami and the Super Bowl in the same breath? The Acquisition of Jimmy Johnson in no way warranted the immediate Super Bowl expectations that came with the ex-Cowboy.

All in all, the NFL has been pretty unimpressive so far. I hope the return of some injured players and suspended yet glorified drug dealers will cause a surge in the caliber of play and competition throughout the league. Something has to.

Brandon Belisle is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Plainfield, Ill.