Questions worth running up the flagpole

There is, up ahead, a big game. Bigger than big. But there exists, back over there, a big issue in which a lot of points were made. Too many points, some would say. Some questions linger from a 52-7 game that has done for the Patriots' national approval rating what opting out has done for Alex Rodriguez.

A sampling of the questions, with some possible answers:

The Patriots' team song for 2007 is:

A. "You and Me Against The World."

B. "Superman (It's not easy to be me)."

C. "You Can't Deal Me All the Aces and Expect Me Not to Play."

When they met at midfield after last Sunday's game, Joe Gibbs said to Bill Belichick:

A. "Now I regret that I only beat you, 42-17, when you were with the Browns in 1991."

B. "You and me, pal. Talladega. Any time, any day, 500 laps. Let's see what you have under the hood - and I don't mean your sweat shirt."

C. "I've got the Jets next week. Can I borrow your tapes?"

Why couldn't Belichick have shown more class like:

A. Don Shula, whose 1972 Dolphins threw for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 52-0 win over the Patriots.

B. Gibbs, whose 1991 Redskins went to the air late in the game and rubbed it in against the Falcons, 56-17.

C. Coach Otto Graham and linebacker Sam Huff - beloved Hall of Famers, both of them - who were involved in the decision to kick a field goal with seconds left to give their Redskins much-needed breathing room over the New York Giants, 72-41.

OK, then, why didn't he exercise great sportsmanship like:

A. John Heisman, whose 1916 Georgia Tech club demolished Cumberland, 222-0, and so endeared himself to colleagues that they named college football's most prestigious award after him.

B. George Halas, the icon of icons to the helmet-wearing crowd, and such a gentle, fair-minded, and dignified gent that he called for a double reverse to score his team's ninth touchdown, then faked the extra point and ran in for a 2-point conversion after the Bears' 10th touchdown to cement a 73-0 squeaker over the Redskins in 1939.

C. Lou Holtz, who in 1992 ordered a fake punt in the third quarter to give his team added space in a 54-7 win over Tom Coughlin's Boston College Eagles.

When they met at midfield after the game, Belichick said to Gibbs:

A. "Joe, there are yellow caution flags in NASCAR, not in the NFL."

B. "My memory goes back to 1991, you know."

C. "Tell me, have you folks in the NFC considered flag football?"

The picks
New England (-5) at Indianapolis - By all means, you Patriots and Colts can say hello to one another, but do not say goodbye. You'll see one another again in January. Pick: Colts

San Francisco at Atlanta (-3 1/2) - In the last 12 days, the 49ers have signed Hannibal Navies, cut him, signed him again, and now they've cut him. No wonder the poor guy has got some strange eating habits. Pick: 49ers.

San Diego (-7) at Minnesota - Sour times in Vikingland, where scoring points has been a struggle. "Get some playmakers," said Minnesota safety Darren Sharper. "That is one thing you could do. Let your playmakers be playmakers. That is the answer." Sharper was responding to his coach, who said, "To be, or not to be? That is the question." Pick: Vikings.

Denver at Detroit (-3) - Lions coach Rod Marinelli credits takeaways for his team's surprising gains. A friend of mine credits meltaways for his gains. Pick: Broncos.

Arizona at Tampa Bay (-3 1/2) - I don't know about this game. And here's something else I don't know: Why do they put seven or eight pillows on your hotel bed when you only have one head? Pick: Buccaneers.

Carolina at Tennessee (-4) - Vinny Testaverde missed the Panthers' practice the other day. It could have been the sore Achilles'. Then again, it could have been an AARP meeting. Pick: Panthers.

Houston at Oakland (-3) - OK, so both these teams got knocked out last week. But if I were extended the opportunity to offer some locker room inspiration, I'd remind one and all that so, too, did Marie Osmond take a fall on "Dancing With The Stars." And if she can get up off the floor, so can the Texans and Raiders. Pick: Raiders.

Jacksonville at New Orleans (-3) - Quinn Gray was given a game ball by the Jacksonville coaches, even though he completed just 7 of 16 passes for a mere 100 yards. A teammate asked Gray to toss the game ball around, but when he looked at the coaches, they said they didn't want him throwing it. Pick: Saints.

Green Bay at Kansas City (-2 1/2) - Brett Favre and Greg Jennings teamed up on a brilliant 82-yard touchdown in overtime to beat the Broncos, but sources say it wasn't the best pass, nor the best catch, of the weekend. No, sir. Reportedly, that happened in New York, where Lance Armstrong was seen being quite cozy with Ashley Olsen. Then again, how does he know it wasn't Mary-Kate? Pick: Packers.

Seattle at Cleveland (-1 1/2) - Matt Hasselbeck has a strained oblique muscle. I once had a strained oblique triangle. It never was a multiple of 90 degrees. Pick: Seahawks.

Washington (-3 1/2) at New York Jets - Redskins defensive coordinator Gregg Williams reportedly is the highest-paid assistant coach in the league, having signed for $8 million over three years. Imagine how much he'd be worth if he could put into use the Cover-2 instead the Cover No One. Pick: Redskins.

Cincinnati (-1) at Buffalo - More than likely, the 2-5 Bengals will miss the playoffs for the 16th time in 17 seasons. They apparently missed the league memo about parity. Pick: Bills.

Dallas (-3) at Philadelphia - The good news for Dallas is the Flyers are in New York, so they won't have to worry about cheap shots from behind. Pick: Eagles.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh (-9) - Here's something you should know: The Steelers have won their last 11 "Monday Night Football" games and the Ravens have lost their last three MNF road games. Here's something else you should know: Coffee and a good tiramisu have never failed. Pick: Steelers.

Last week: 7-6.

Season: 53-56-6.