Jackpot!

As in, we hit one. Two actually. First, the declared victory of Al Franken (excuse me, Senator Franken) means that I (finally) win the department election pool. I'm currently taken suggestions as to what to spend my hard earned prize money on. Should it be a Sproles jersey or a Scifres jersey? Or maybe one of each?

Speaking of Sproles and Scifres: YEEHAW, WE WON! For one more week, we're alive. For one more week we get to daydream about the Bolts in the Super Bowl. The road had been uphill for some time and its only going to get steeper in Pittsburgh, but as I've said this is a team of fighters and I know they'll always have at least a punchers chance.

There is a lot of praise to give out, so lets start at the top: Good job Norv. Yes, Norv, you've done it again. Whether or not you can keep doing it is a mystery, but you got it done on Saturday. As did Ron Rivera, whose defense played outstanding.

Outside of an embarrassing play in which the Colts caught the D trying to substitute, the defense held the offense commanded by the league MVP to 10 points. They got stop after stop, including a vital 3rd and 2 stop which gave the offense one last chance to tie the game. Everyone on D made plays. Eric Weddle seemed to be everywhere, making tackles and breaking up passes. The line held strong and managed to get some pressure on Manning. And hats off to Steven Cooper, who mirrored Manning in their personal Spy vs Spy style showdown. (Try and guess which one is Black Spy and which one is White Spy).

Special teams were obviously huge. Coverage was strong, the return blocking was good, Nate kicked well despite a slight injury. But of course the early front runner for Special Player of the Year in 2009 is Mike Scifres. Its funny to think about what Scifres said in more than one post game interview, that he couldn't go to bed and dream of having such a great night. I would have thought (hoped?) that punters had enough sense to dream about being running backs or quarterbacks. I guess when your life's work is punting it probably infects your subconscious. Whatever the inner workings of his mind, I hope this game finally gets Scifres the attention he deserves as the games top punter. I anticipate a big carry-over into next year's pro-bowl voting.

Moving on to the offense. The line did a fine job of run blocking for over 150 yards. Pass protection was spotty at times but solid enough when it really mattered. Chambers, Gates, Nanee and even Jackson, who had no catches, all came up big. AJ Smith singled out Jackson for praise after the game, as he kept playing hard despite being the focus of the Colts secondary all night.

Rivers had solid game. His one mistake, the interception in the endzone, was the result of being too pumped up after his big 13 yard run and 4th down conversion. Besides that Rivers was good, and just as important as what he did is what he didn't do. Specifically, he didn't hold onto the ball too long. He didn't force passes (except for the pick). Several times he threw the ball away and lived to pass another day. A great job of managing the game on his part.

LT deserves some praise as well. He was clearly struggling with his injury but still gave it all he had and managed to contribute to the victory both on the scoreboard and in the emotional response from his efforts.

Welcome to the team, Michael Bennett. Hope you had enough rest, since you're likely to get plenty of action against the Steelers.

And finally... last but not least (except in height). The star of the game. The guy who takes up the least space yet has the most nicknames.

The Little Guy. Pocket Hercules. Notorious T.I.N.Y. Tiny Jesus. Tiny Darren. Sprolesy.

He's shorter than my girlfriend and weighs less than the kicker, but man can he run. Sproles tore it up every which way on Saturday night, and it was oh so fitting (and familiar) that he should end the game with a TD scamper around left end in overtime. I hope he get rested, because he'll be public enemy # 1 in Pittsburgh and they'll be gunning for him.

Congrats on the victory to the whole team, and good luck next week.