I think…

I think Matt Forte is the most underrated player in the NFL. His 805 rushing yards is second in the league, and his league leading 1,241 yards from scrimmage is on pace to threaten Chris Johnson’s record of 2,509 back in 2009. The reason I think Forte is underrated? He doesn’t score much in the Bear’s offense, and fantasy owners don’t like that.

I think the Atlanta Falcons are still the biggest threat in the NFC to overthrow the Green Bay Packers, despite the early season beat-down the Pack handed them. They’re a team that has a quick scoring, high-octane offense, a solid coaching staff and a terrific young quarterback. If they can get their defensive line play to improve, they have a shot at dethroning the champs.

I think everyone should keep an eye on the Vikings’ Jared Allen, because he’s going to break the single-season sack record. Allen has 12.5 sacks in eight games, which is on pace to crush Michael Strahan’s 22.5 sack season of 2001. The Vikings still have Denver, Washington and Chicago left on the schedule, all teams in the top 10 of the sacks allowed category.

I think Marvin Lewis has to top the midseason Coach of the Year honors right now. Who at the beginning of this season projected the Bengals, a team that went 4-12 last year while allowing nearly 400 points, a team led by a rookie quarterback, a team whose offense seemed to be desecrated with the losses of Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco, would be 6-2 and leading the division after eight games?

I think the week 11 Sunday night showdown between the Giants and Eagles is a make or break game for Philadelphia. If they win, it’ll give them the momentum to take the division. If they lose, the “Dream Team’s” season will slowly turn into a nightmare.

I think Houston is quietly flying under the radar as the team to beat in the AFC. With Arian Foster back in the lineup proving on a weekly basis that he is anything but a one-hit wonder, and with Andre Johnson returning soon, they’ll be a hard team to hold under 30 points. Also, the Texans lead the league in total defense. While everyone is focused on the perennial powerhouse teams in Pittsburgh, New England and Baltimore, the conspicuous Texans have the most complete package.

I think that your Thanksgiving Day meal is the only thing that might be more appetizing than the Lions and Packers Turkey Day matchup. Ford Field is going to be rocking.

I think that unless Bill Belichick performs a miracle, the Patriots are doomed with their defense. The Patriots not only have the worst pass defense in the league, but the worst overall defense in the league. This type of deficiency won’t cut it come playoff time against the likes of Tomlin, Ryan and Harbaugh.

I think San Diego proved to themselves how good they are in their shootout with the Packers. Expect another typical late season surge from the Bolts, their week 17 matchup against the Raiders could be a doozy.

I think Drew Brees’ threatening of Johnny Unitas’ streak of consecutive games throwing a touchdown pass only makes Unitas’ record look more impressive. Brees, who has thrown a touchdown in 36 straight games, still is only three-quarters of the way to the record, which stands at 47. Also, Brees plays in the most pass-happy era in football history, and the Saints run four and five wide receiver sets frequently. Unitas played in the days where the running game still ruled, and you rarely saw more than two different receivers catch a touchdown pass in a game.