NFL Roundup: Payton's Saints Run

News and notes from Week 6 in the NFL ...

• Here's a question: Considering how much gruff the late Cory Lidle had to deal with during his baseball career for being a replacement player, why does no one in the NFL seem to care that Saints coach Sean Payton was one as well, for the Bears in 1987? Not to spoil another stirring Saints win, but we do find it surprising that this is rarely brought up, considering Lidle was never able to live it down.

• As if yesterday wasn't difficult enough for the city of St. Louis — sorry, we're kind of stuck on this — the Seahawks kicked a 54-yard field goal as time expired to nix the Rams' hope of taking over first place in the NFL West. Considering the other two teams in that division, the Rams still look in pretty good shape, but it was a bad omen for the day. We did like watching coach Scott Linehan jumping around like an idiot thinking he had won, though.

• San Francisco might not have a very good defense; they've given up 34 points or more four times already this year, including 48 yesterday. Good thing Spurrier isn't in the NFL anymore.

• Particularly bad day for Cincinnati and especially Washington yesterday. Joe Gibbs seemed happier when he was pudgy-faced and watching cars run around in circles. Perhaps this week, Clinton Portis should dress up as Chris Simms' spleen. We'd really enjoy that, actually.

• Good call on picking the Sunday night game yesterday, NBC.