We’re halfway home in an NFL season that has a little bit of everything. We have a team that hasn’t lost, but also a team that hasn’t won. Teams that were in last place last year are in first this year and vice versa. If the season ended today, the Texans and Bengals would be the top seeds in the AFC. That's why now is when the real fun begins, because there's no way those two teams finish the season atop the AFC...or is there? We can only keep watching. For now, let's recap the madness of Week 9.   

FIRST AND GOAL
The four biggest stories in football this weekend. As always, use the comments section below to answer my questions!

WACKO FOR FLACCO
For only the second time in their heated rivalry, the Ravens have swept the regular season series with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now Baltimore sits in prime position to win the AFC North for the first time since 2006, and they have an unlikely person to thank. Joe Flacco has been the focal point whenever Baltimore’s offense has been sputtering this season, especially his 54.7% completion percentage. But with momentum about to swing in the AFC North division race on Sunday night, Flacco showed up HUGE, leading the Ravens on a 12 play, 92-yard, game-winning drive.  His game-winning TD pass to Torrey Smith was a thing of beauty. What do you think: has the torch finally been passed from Pittsburgh to Baltimore in the battle for AFC North supremacy?

HE’S THE MAN(NING)
Until this week, poor Eli Manning had spent all season overshadowed by his older brother – who hasn’t played all season! Well, Eli did a few things this weekend to make sure he’ll get a little more attention from here on out. The Giants QB went into New England and snapped the Pats 20-game regular season home winning streak by leading a fourth quarter comeback victory. Now the Giants are alone in first place in the NFC East at 6-2 and it has a lot to do with Eli’s play. Manning Jr. is on pace for a career high in completion percentage and QB rating. Remember when he said he thought of himself as a top five QB in the NFL and everyone laughed? Maybe we should’ve taken his statements more seriously. What do you think: will this season get the younger Manning brother a little more respect around the NFL?

D-FENSE! (CLAP CLAP) D-FENSE (CLAP CLAP)
In the modern NFL world, offense rules the day, but two defensive teams have emphasized the other side of the ball to surge to the top of their respective conferences. San Francisco and Cincinnati are absolutely shutting down opposing teams and they have the records to show for it. San Francisco has shocked the NFC by jumping out to a 7-1 record halfway through the season behind the #1 scoring defense in the league and linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. Cincinnati has been even more of a surprise, supporting their rookie quarterback with a second ranked rushing defense and fourth best scoring defense. While San Fran has practically clinched the sorry NFC West, Cincy has the tougher road ahead, with four contests against the Ravens and Steelers in the second half of the season. What do you think: can San Francisco and Cincinnati ride their defenses deep into the playoffs?

PERFECT PACK?
There are so many crazy storylines halfway through the 2011 NFL season that it seems nobody is paying attention to the last undefeated team standing. Considering how well they’re playing, that’s unacceptable. Other than their suspect pass defense, Green Bay has looked unbeatable this season, especially quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers routinely has almost as many touchdown passes as incompletions and is on pace to break a number of quarterback records. I promise this isn’t another attempt to jinx my least favorite team in the NFL. I think the Packers have a very good chance of going undefeated, especially with an explosive offense that can outscore just about anybody. What do you think: can the Pack pull off a perfect season?

HEROES AND ZEROES
Who excelled and who came up short this week. Nominate your own in the comments below!

HEROES
Willis McGahee, RB, DEN: 163 rushing yards, 2 TDs
Julio Jones, WR, ATL: 3 catches, 131 yards, 2 TDs
Carlos Dunlap, DE, CIN: 2 sacks, 2 tackles

ZEROES
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, BUF: 15-for-31, 191, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Curtis Painter, QB, IND: 13-for-27, 98 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT, 1 sack
Kansas City Chiefs defense, all of them: got blown out by 28 points at home by the previously winless Dolphins