On the list of things you don't want to see right now - another Jon and Kate story, more pictures of people getting flu spray up their nose and N.C. State football come to mind - the New Orleans Saints are near the top of the list.
They're more dangerous than three-wide at Talladega, Ala. Their offense is video-game quality, their defense tougher than Harvard Law and they appear to be the best team in the NFL.
They're 7-0, scoring points like Boy Scouts and getting deep enough into the season that some people are wondering if they could go undefeated. That's probably getting the cart ahead of the beignets but it speaks to how good the former 'Aints are.
The Carolina Panthers have won six of their past seven meetings with the Saints but that was before the Panthers started giving the ball away like Halloween candy.
There's a sense that maybe the worst of it is behind the Panthers now that they've won three of their past four games. But anybody who thinks New Orleans is still the Big Easy hasn't been paying attention.
As for Week 9:
CAROLINA at NEW ORLEANS: The Panthers aren't in Arizona anymore. Saints 35, Panthers 17.
WASHINGTON at ATLANTA: Actor Nicolas Cage, whose movies you've probably forgotten, announced this week he is broke. Well, there's a difference between being broke and being out of money. Cage is out of money. The Redskins are broke(n). Falcons 41, Redskins 10.
BALTIMORE at CINCINNATI: The Bengals' bandwagon is now open. Feel free to find a seat. Bengals 26, Ravens 20.
KANSAS CITY at JACKSONVILLE: The who-cares game of the week. Jaguars 31, Chiefs 20.
GREEN BAY at TAMPA BAY: Now that the Lions and the Titans have won, the question is when will the Bucs win? It's what you call your open-ended question. Packers 28, Bucs 17.
MIAMI at NEW ENGLAND: I see where Dolphins coach Tony Sparano says the AFC East championship runs through Miami. Time to get the detour signs ready. Patriots 32, Dolphins 17.
HOUSTON at INDIANAPOLIS: Upset special. Texans 31, Colts 27.
ARIZONA at CHICAGO: I still choose to believe in the Cardinals despite their performance against the Panthers. I might be the only one. Cardinals 34, Bears 28.
DETROIT at SEATTLE: This one isn't worth Twittering about. Then again, that could be said about almost everything. Seahawks 30, Lions 20.
SAN DIEGO at NEW YORK GIANTS: Why have the Giants lost three in a row? Two reasons - Eli Manning has made seven turnovers in the three losses and the defense has allowed an average of 37.3 points per game over the same stretch. Good thing they have different uniforms or the G-Men might be confused with the Browns. Chargers 26, Giants 23.
TENNESSEE at SAN FRANCISCO: The Titans' winning streak stops at one in a row. 49ers 31, Titans 13.
DALLAS at PHILADELPHIA: If there were any doubts after the Eagles' thumping of the Giants last weekend, they'll be gone after this week. DeSean Jackson is scarier than old sushi. Eagles 31, Cowboys 21.
PITTSBURGH at DENVER: Admit it - you're still probably wondering when Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton turns into Jake Plummer and the Broncos begin a slow fade. Did someone say Monday night? Steelers 21, Broncos 10.
Last week: 11-2.
Season: 87-28.








