NFL Week 13: My Three Wishes

1. Please can we all start believing in Matt Cassel now?

Few understood why the Patriots didn't cut Matt Cassel back in August. Few understood why they didn't pick up an established free agent QB when Tom Brady was injured.

Back then I wrote that to think these things was to do Bill Belichick and his coaching staff a disservice. Keeping a quarterback who hadn't thrown a football in anger since high school was such a bizarre thing to do, there had to be a reason for it.

It seems that they were right and everyone else was wrong. After two successive 400+ yard games and with a passer rating heading for the stratosphere, there can be no doubt that the Pats did exactly the right thing.

Cassel almost certainly won't be playing in New England next season and might even struggle under a different coach in a set-up where the expectations of him are much higher. But for now we can all stop wondering why and sit back and enjoy this blossoming talent.

2. Can we have the old Donovan McNabb back now?

It is never nice when an old horse goes lame and you know that his useful days are past him. McNabb surely hasn't reached that point yet, but he sure has been playing like it.

Andy Reid has said that he'll keep faith with him for this weekend, but on the evidence of the past few weeks this is scarcely deserved.

Watching Donovan get played off the park by a tyro like Joe Flacco was painful and saddening. I hope it doesn't happen again and that either the old McNabb comes back, or, if he doesn't, we see Kevin Kolb starting next week and McNabb put out of his misery.

3. A Happy Thanksgiving for everyone!

Thanksgiving games are always special, but they are also hard on the players—especially those from the road teams who are away from their loved ones. More importantly, they are physically demanding, as the sides are playing high profile games with only half a week's rest.

Is it too much to hope for spectacular games but, most importantly, no serious injuries?