Six Points: Up in the air McNair?

Steve McNair's talk about retirement isn't just frustration over the Tennessee Titans losing. If you look at all the injuries he's had the last six years, he's wondering how long his body can take the punishment and how long he can play at the level he wants to play.

In the back of his mind, he's thinking he missed his window of opportunity for a championship. The Titans lost a lot of talent through free agency and their salary cap situation isn't very good (they're probably going to be $20 million over the cap next year).

All those things collectively can cause a player to contemplate whether he still wants to play and how long he wants to keep playing.

GO ROUTES
(Those who made great strides in Week 12)

1. Hot Brees. What impresses me most about Drew Brees is how consistent his play is week after week. Sometimes all the San Diego Chargers need is their running game, but going into Kansas City against the Chiefs, you knew he would have to throw for a lot of yards and they would have to score a lot of points. For Brees to lead the Chargers to their fifth straight win – and 17 fourth-quarter points on the road against a divisional foe – that was pretty impressive.

2. Vikings' defense. If you're talking about the Minnesota Vikings having to make a play, you're not going to think about the defense. The Vikings' D not only came up with a sack when it had to against Jacksonville but also knocked the ball loose from Byron Leftwich to score the game-clinching touchdown on Kevin Williams' 77-yard fumble return.

3. Clutch Vick. It wasn't necessarily his numbers against New Orleans (212 yards on 16-for-29 passing, 71 yards rushing); it was Michael Vick's ability to make plays with his arm at the end of the game. He completed two huge passes to Alge Crumpler on the Atlanta Falcons' winning drive, including a 20-yard touchdown strike. Yes, his legs allowed him to get into position to make those throws, but he's progressing in the West Coast offense. The more he can stand in the pocket and throw the football, the more dangerous he's going to be in the long run.

FADE ROUTES
(Those who dropped the ball in Week 12)

1. Not-so-automatica Gramatica. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were in position to improve to 5-6 and keep their playoff hopes alive against Carolina, but Martin Gramatica missed two field goals and had another one blocked in a 21-14 defeat. The Bucs' special teams have always been solid. When you have a kicker like Gramatica, you take it for granted that he's going to make those kicks.

2. Coaches on the hottest seats. How far have the Cleveland Browns fallen if Butch Davis' defense gave up 51 points (one touchdown was scored on an interception return) against a Cincinnati team that the Browns dominated earlier this season? As for Jim Haslett's New Orleans Saints, they never look like they're going to win. From the opening kickoff, they look like a team that's going to lose.

3. Overwhelmed Eli. For a young quarterback early in his career, Eli Manning just has to chalk it up as a bad day in the office. In Sunday's 27-6 loss to the Eagles, Manning had only six completions and threw two interceptions in 21 attempts. Philadelphia's defense had him totally confused. He didn't look as relaxed as he did last week against Atlanta.

QUICK HITCHES