MMQB Mailbag: What's wrong with the Colts and is L.T. on the decline?

The defenses are a wash, and I might like Washington's a little more, particularly after the goal-line stand at the Eagles. It's very, very close. If Dallas plays generously on defense at Arizona this week, I might change my mind. But here's what it comes down to for me, bottom line: I thought Dallas was the best team in football for much of September, and we've seen them blow out Cleveland on the road, score 41 on a tough defense ( Philadelphia), and whack Green Bay pretty well on the road. I still like them a lot, and a smidgen better than Washington

�€� IN MILES THEY TRUST. From Sal Altrui, of Vernon, Conn.: "Isn't it obvious the Cowboys need another receiver, maybe like Terry Glenn was a few years ago? Their other wideouts are not threats, so T.O. gets a lot of attention by the defensive backfields.''

I think so too, but Jerry Jones told me Sunday they think Miles Austin is the guy, and will emerge as a force in the last three months of the season. We'll see. He made it clear to me they're not going to trade for a receiver. But I wonder what happens a week from today -- the trading deadline is next Tuesday -- if the Lions suddenly hold a fire sale for Roy Williams and agree to take a third-round pick for him. Don't see that happening, but if it does, Jerry would have to think about it.

�€� IN DEFENSE OF ROSENFELS. From Matt Burk, of Pittsburgh: "Peter, as bad as his mistakes were, at least Sage Rosenfels manned-up, stood at the podium after the game, and took responsibility for the loss. Couldn't have been easy.''

Agree totally. I appreciate your point, and Rosenfels, by all accounts, is a totally class guy. That doesn't eliminate the two goatish plays he made.

�€� TRUE THAT. From Brian Twomey, of Simi Valley, Calif.: "First two games of the BoSox-Angels series ended at 1:25 and 1:29 a.m., respectively. There's some East Coast love. You East-Coasters always complain about this. Shouldn't I, as a West Coast baseball fan, get to see the start of night games here on the West Coast? Those games started at 7 and 6:30 p.m., just perfect for me to start watching after getting home from work.''

Good point, Brian. I understand. My rejoinder: Something like 48 percent of the TV sets in the United States are in the Eastern Time Zone. I guess I wonder about the wisdom of playing a playoff game, on a work night, when the vast majority of your potential audience is in bed by the second inning.