Here are ten thoughts on the week that was in the NFL.

1.I can’t believe Bill Belichick traded his best defensive player at the midway point of the season? I know Collins would have priced himself out of New England but giving him away in the middle of a playoff run for a third round pick is senseless to me.

2. Speaking of the Patriots, they are the best team in the league. Even without Collins, as long Brady and company are healthy and productive on offense, New England will be tough to beat.

The defense has been inconsistent but now that the bye week is here, Bill Belichick and his defensive staff will tweak some things and get this unit back on track.

3. I despise ties! The NFL needs to address ties this off-season and solve the problem. The league should be embarrassed at the fact that they allow games to end in ties!

4. Cam Newton is right about feeling unsafe. The NFL has taken his size and skill set for granted. Memo to officials around the league. HE’S A QUARTERBACK!!! Protect him too.

5. The bye week couldn’t come at a better time for the Arizona Cardinals. They are mess right now. If the Red Birds are going to make a second half come back, it has to start with Carson Palmer. He’s been awful thus far this season.

6. The Colts are a train wreck right now and it will not get any better next week when they travel to Lambeau Field to battle a desperate Packers team.

Chuck Pagano and his staff need to find a way to beat Green Bay otherwise it could be the beginning of the end of Pagano’s tenure in Indy.

7. The Seahawks should have rolled the Saints yesterday. Instead, their defense didn’t show up and their offense continues to spin its wheels. The Seahawks have problems and many of them came to light yesterday.

8. Speaking of the Packers. They put on a gutsy performance in yesterday’s 33-32 loss to the Falcons. If Green Bay was healthy, they would have beat Atlanta.

That being said, you can’t take anything away from Matt Ryan and the Falcons. Beating the Packers at home is a much needed signature win for the Dirty Birds.

9. As long as the Broncos play at an elite level defensively and generate turnovers like they did yesterday, they will be tough to beat moving forward.

10. Its not an aberration folks. The Dallas Cowboys are for real and last night’s come from behind OT win over the Eagles is proof of that.