Mailbag: It's a Buffalo stampede

They must have some really good places to hide in the Buffalo area. If I'm ever on the run from the mob, Buffalo is my choice to stay out of harm's way.

Why Buffalo?

Think about it. When the Bills were 0-4, you couldn't find a damn fan anywhere. They never wrote. They never complained. They never sent a nasty e-mail.

Now they're everywhere.

The Bills were moved down one spot in the SportsLine.com Power Rankings this week, despite winning 41-7 in San Francisco, and it made the city hotter than any wing sauce they serve up.

Lava hot.

The Bills are a nice story, winning nine of their past 11 games and six in a row to get back into playoff contention. With a victory and some help, the Bills will make the AFC playoffs. Rallying from 0-4 to do so would be a heck of an accomplishment.

But the Bills fell because I moved the Broncos ahead of them this week. Denver is ahead of them in the tiebreaker in the AFC, so they moved ahead. If Denver wins, they're in. Buffalo would be out. It's that simple.

So relax, Bills fans. I know you're passionate about your team, but where were you in September?

Going over the Falls in a barrel? Hiding out in Toronto? Smothered in wing sauce? It was too early to be buried in snow.

But you certainly were hiding somewhere because nobody heard anything from you. Now we can't get you to stop.

From: Arnie Robinson

How the hell do you push the Broncos ahead of the Buffalo Bills? Have you seen either team play in the past six weeks? Denver getting wins against the Dolphins and the Titans is nothing. They have been consistently outplayed. That is the most horrible order I have ever seen. The Bills should be at least sixth in the rankings. I think they should be No. 3 because the only teams that will give the Bills trouble are New England and San Diego.

Arnie: If they don't get help, they'll be watching those two teams in the playoffs.

From: James Edwards

How could you drop Buffalo when they crushed the 49ers by 34 points. What did the Jets and Broncos do that was so great? Buffalo would whip either one.

James: The Jets split with the Bills, and have a better record. The Broncos are ahead of them in the race for the No. 6 seed. That's why they are ranked ahead of them.

From: Jeremy

Thanks for giving the Colts O-line some credit. They are the best line in the NFL (if for no other reason they can trade positions and swap rookies in and out of the line up and not miss a beat) and it's unfortunate that they don't get the credit they deserve.

Jeremy: I don't think they're the best line, but they are up there. What they do is often overlooked because of all the skill people they have. But they play well together.

From: Mike Morris

Pete, regarding your note that Herm Edwards plays favorites: Herm openly admits this is true. He's been quoted more than once as saying something to the effect of "I don't treat everybody the same, but I do treat everybody fairly." In fact, I don't have it in front of me right now, but I believe there's a small section of his recently released book ( You Play to Win the Game) that addresses that concept.

Mike: I don't care if Herm plays favorites. But when a player who has played for him brings it up as a point of contention, I thought it was interesting.

From: Phil Denarik

Pete, put a big bold asterisk next to Peyton Manning's name in the record books. Manning broke the record with the illegal contact rule being enforced heavily. Marino had no such advantage. Everyone knows Dungy campaigned for the change to serve his offense's interests. So, place an asterisk in the record book. And don't be a hypocrite and make note of it in your comments.

Phil: It wasn't Dungy who campaigned, but Colts president Bill Polian. But that matters little. Manning has the record. End of story.

From: Kevin

Pete, you mention that the Vikes are a draft away from having a respectable defense. If you were Mike Tice, what position would you select first in the upcoming draft?

Kevin: I would try and find a cover corner to go with Antoine Winfield. With two guys like that, it will make pressuring the quarterback that much easier.

From: Rick Stoppe

Pete, Manning can always get a nose ring!

Rick: Now there's a visual that I can't imagine.

From: Edward Finley

Remember what you said about Jake Delhomme in the offseason, regarding the new contract he got? I believe you said he was a one-year wonder, was going to flop this year, and suggested we look at Tommy Maddox's 2003 season as a prediction for Jake's 2004 season. Isn't it about time you eat some crow?

Edward: If you've ready my columns, you know that I've eaten some crow on this one. But he still isn't as good as you guys think he is.

From: Derek McGee Jr.

I really wonder how you got this job. Do you understand the fact that almost every NFL message board bad-mouths you.

Derek: I wouldn't have it any other way.