WATERCOOLER CHAT: STANFORD’S NATIONAL TITLE HOPES OVER, DALLAS CHEERLEADER STUNNED, 49ERS AMONG ELITE, PATS SHUT DOWN JETS
FOOTBALL
Dallas 44, Buffalo 7.
Elsewhere in the NFL, it was a true test for the San Francisco 49ers as they hosted the New York Giants. These are two of the NFL’s hottest teams, and it was a chance for the 7-1 49ers to show they were for real.  The first half was neck-and-neck and was the predicted defensive showdown. But in the 4th quarter, the 49ers took over. Alex Smith connected with tight end Vernon Davis for a 31 yard touchdown, and then their rookie running back Kendall Hunter got into the mix, rushing for a 17-yard touchdown. With the win, the Niners proved that they belong among the NFL elite at this point and don’t plan to be a pushover during the playoffs. There’s even a good chance, given their easy schedule, that they will get a first round bye. San Francisco 27, NY Giants 20.
Finally, on Sunday Night Football, it was the struggling New England Patriots and the NY Jets. The Jets have been waiting for this game all season, and expected the game to be  a type of passing of the torch in the AFC East. The Jets are on the rise, but they always struggle against the Pats. And this season, it looked like the Pats were on their way down. They barely even have a defense. But last night was strange, their defense, pretty much a group of scrubs, finally clicked and they shut down the Jets. Mark Sanchez couldn’t get the ball moving in the first half, but Tom Brady had a spectacular night throwing for 329 yards and 3 touchdowns. The torch definitely wasn’t passed last night, and it’s also clear that the Jets have a lot of work to do if they expect to make the playoffs. New England 37, NY Jets 16.