Thoughts from the NFL: Week 5

* Time to hit the panic button in Philly....no, i'm not talking about the Phillies. I'm talking about the "dream team" where the Eagles threw at Michael Vick, a 6-year, $100 million contract, won the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes, kept DeSean Jackson from sitting out over a payday dispute, and picked up Vince Young as Vick's backup QB, among other deals made in the short offseason. Philly's 1-3, following Sunday afternoon's shocking collapse to San Fran, thanks to an already suspect defense. Put it into perspective: the Eagles had a 20-3 lead going into the locker-room and Vick was shining, broken non-throwing hand and all. If you look at the final game stats, the Eagles lead two more 1st downs (23) than the 49ers (21), led with time of possession (PHI's 31 min. to SF's 28 min), and totaled up more yards of offense (513 for the Eagles, 442 for the 49ers), yet three turnovers and San Fran tailback Frank Gore rushing for 127 yds, a touchdown, and had 8.5 yds/carry gave the Niners the upset.

* Even worse than Philly's meltdown, was Tony Romo's choke job, as the Lions, down 20-3 at halftime, and down 27-3 in the 3rd quarter, had scored 30 unanswered points as Detroit moves to a stunning 4-0 on the season. First, big ups to Lions QB Matthew Stafford who didn't have his best stuff (21-43, for 240 yds and two scores), but maned up when he the team needed him to and brought his team back. Romo, on the other hand, threw three picks - two of them going back for touchdowns - in the 2nd half, and did his best LeBron James impersonation, blowing an-almost guaranteed victory. Dad, a devout Cowboy fan, nicknames #9 "a fucking blockhead". With Sunday's latest disaster, Week One's debacle at the new Medowlands, and Tony's legendary flubs in the postseason, the evidence point to the contrary that, to paraphrase Lucy, of all the Tony Romo's on the world, he's the Tony Romo-iest.

* Here's a shocker: Detroit is unbeaten after 4 games, Buffalo is tied with New England for the AFC East, and Indianapolis is win-less as they continue life without Peyton Manning. Detroit, after four impressive wins and draft picks that have delivered, are the real deal. The only concerns is Matthew Stafford and if he can stay healthy the whole year. Buffalo, I don't trust, especially how the rest of their schedule is stacked. And what else can you say about the Colts, besides the fact they're screwed, with a past his prime Kerry Collins and rookie QB Curtis Painter?

* For a team that's 3-1, the San Diego Chargers may be the most unimpressive team ever to get to 3-1 in the regular season. the opponent's records of the three teams they've beaten (the Vikings, Chiefs and Dolphins)? Just 1-11. Kicker Nate Kaeding and hard-hitting Saftey Bob Sanders are on IR, Antonio Gates is on the sidelines with the same nagging injury that kept him out for a good portion of 2010 (toe injury), Defensive End Luis Castillo could be lost for the year, and the D-Line is spread thin. Rivers has thrown 6 picks in three of the first four games of the year, and the Bolts have issues finishing off drives in the red zone. Yet, for all the setbacks, San Diego is off to their best start under Norv Turner since he took over the team in '07, and the Chargers are in the top 10 in total offense and defense. The wins weren't pretty (hell, most of them were downright ugly), but if the Chargers can go into Investco Field and beat a lifeless Denver Broncos team, they head into their bye week, sitting 4-1, and atop the AFC West.