NFL: Neil Reynolds talks Jay Cutler, New Orleans and Peyton Manning

We should all know by now to expect the unexpected in the NFL each and every weekend.

Rams spring a massive surprise

I didn't see this one coming as the Rams slammed the Colts in Indianapolis with a total team performance - offense, defense and special teams. The Rams set the tone early with a defensive touchdown on Chris Long's 45-yard return of an Andrew Luck fumble and never looked back. They swarmed to the ball on defense, sacking Luck three times and intercepting three of his passes. But the real star of the show was electrifying rookie wide receiver Tavon Austin, who scored on a 98-yard punt return and catches covering 57 and 85 yards. The second of those receiving touchdowns looked as if Austin had been placed on fast forward while everyone else was moving at normal speed.

Foles plays another clean game

The key to the Philadelphia Eagles winning football games is not whether they can find a dazzling running quarterback like Michael Vick to lead Chip Kelly's high-octane attack. Their formula is just like everybody else in the NFL - take care of the football and don't turn it over. Nick Foles (pictured) is doing just that for the Eagles and that's why he is firmly in control of the starting job in Philadelphia. Foles is not as breath-taking as a fully fit Vick, but he is a darn sight more careful with the football and has thrown 16 touchdown passes and no interceptions this season. Foles hit on just 12 of 18 passes in Sunday's 27-13 win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field but those strikes covered 228 yards and three of them went for touchdowns. But this was never a contest as the Packers went from the sublime to the ridiculous at the quarterback position. It was bad enough starting the game without the injured Aaron Rodgers (broken collarbone) but to lose Seneca Wallace early left Green Bay in a real bind. They turned to Scott Tolzien, who was on the practice squad just a few days before the game, and he failed to deliver the goods in a one-sided loss.

Saints shine indoors again

The 49ers head to New Orleans to take on the Saints in the Superdome next Sunday in one of our two main games on Sky Sports. That will be quite a challenge because the Saints are a formidable bunch on home soil and the Niners don't appear to have the offensive weapons to keep pace at the moment. The Saints ran out big winners on Sunday night, thrashing the Dallas Cowboys by a 49-17 scoreline - but I want to see more consistency from this team outdoors before I label them as strong Super Bowl contenders. Don't get me wrong, New Orleans are talented and dangerous - but they just don't play as well out in the elements, losing both of their games this season on the road and outside against the New England Patriots and New York Jets. It's probably only a small concern to Saints fans right now, but how do you think your team would do against the Seahawks in a potential NFC Championship Game in Seattle on a cold and rainy January day in the Pacific North-West? That would be a concern for me.

Broncos must get division crown

I watched Peyton Manning hobbling around during the second half of last night's 28-20 win over the San Diego Chargers and thought it imperative that the Denver Broncos get a first round bye when the playoffs begin in January. The only way the 8-1 Broncos can do that is to topple the 9-0 Kansas City Chiefs and win the AFC West. I really think by the time January rolls around their veteran quarterback is going to need some bonus time to get ready for the post-season. The 37-year-old Manning has taken an increasing number of hits over recent weeks and has pain in both ankles and took a shot to his knee last night. The four-time NFL Most Valuable Player is shredding defenses across the league but there are two foes who can still de-rail his Super Bowl challenge - Old Father Time and Old Man Winter! The Broncos have some massive games coming up in the next month as they face Kansas City twice and New England in Foxboro. If they can win those contests and take control of the AFC, they will happily sit Peyton in Week 17 and on wild card weekend in a bid to make a Super Bowl run in the middle of January.