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Four more games down, only three left in this season that almost never was. While the Redskins can only hope to play in a game of this relevance in the next year or two -- the Giants, Ravens, 49'ers and Patriots all took care of business, with two teams making a statement (Patriots, Giants), the 49'ers providing us a game to remember for the ages, and the Ravens hanging on for dear life to beat a valiant Texans squad - a team that  should give you a little glimpse of what the Redskins hope they can turn into.

The Texans proved that if you BUILD A TEAM, you can still be extremely competitive without a superstar at the Quarterback position, and you can even withstand two critical injuries at that one position, while losing your stud receiver for 8 games.

It has taken Gary Kubiak (Kubiak was not the original coach)  and the Texans a long time to get to this point, because they did it the WRONG WAY when they launched the franchise. When you take a guy like David Carr and surround him with very little talent (Offensive line & defense to start, Redskins WR Jabar Gaffney was Houston's 2nd franchise pick) you often are set back years and that is exactly what happened to Houston.

You can have Jesus Christ (no offense, Tim Tebow) at the helm -- but if you don't have the right talent and enough of it surrounding him - you are done-ski. When teams will learn this, I have no idea.

Thankfully, while not the popular route with the fan base that doesn't think of common sense items like this -- Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen, along with their scouting department, seem to realize that you need so much more than just a guy who you think is a 'franchise' guy.

Finishing up on the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans --  a couple of thoughts. Ed Reed had a brilliant interception to basically end things, but landed awkwardly and his status has to be a major concern for the Ravens heading to New England and Tom Brady.

I would be really worried about the Patriots ability to sneak in some big chunk runs, despite being limited in talent at the running back spot. Arian Foster is terrific, but with a limited option (T.J. Yates) throwing the ball -- Foster (27-132, TD) ripping off some of the runs he did (28 yards off the left edge, 19 yards right up the middle to name a few) was a sign that clearly the Ravens defense is not what it used to be. Yates was ok (17-35, 184, 2 INT) but as you would expect -- made some big mistakes including a bad telegraphed INT in the first quarter to Lardarius Webb, who had Yates passing attempt to Andre Johnson in his eyes the entire time.

As for the Ravens offense - I really liked a couple of the throws Joe Flacco made to Anquan Boldin - hooking up in some tight windows, while also finishing off a touchdown drive on a nice pass to Boldin - a ball that was thrown only where Anquan could catch it. Flacco also sold a 3rd/1 tight run formation for a touchdown after a terrible turnover on a punt by Houston's Jacoby Jones.

Bottom line, the Texans made 3 huge mistakes and still had a chance to win the game -- I would be worried about that if I was the Baltimore Ravens.

**New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers

What else can you say about the Giants - who the Redskins left for dead a week before Christmas, only to be resurrected by Rudolph and Santa's elves to smash the Jets, Cowboys and Falcons in consecutive weeks all at Met Life Stadium.

This was a true test. Lambeau Field in January, the # 1 seeded Green Bay Packers and all-world QB Aaron Rodgers.

Once again, the Giants proved that you win games in many ways. Eli Manning has been fabulous for the most part, but it takes two to tango and then some. Hakeem Nicks is just fantastic, using his size and speed to shield and wall off defenders for two touchdowns.

The back breaker was the hail mary at the end of the half, which was a perfect example of Nicks size and bodyshielding ability, but the more impressive score was Nicks' 66-yard catch-and-run as he bounced off of Charlie Peprah,  spun away from Tramon Williams and raced to pay dirt.

It also helps that the Giants front-seven is simply insane. Just when you think you have your hands more than full with Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora -- linebacker Michael Boley -- who many Giants consider the heart and soul of the defense, had two huge sacks.

Boley had a monster sack on 4th down, and also a key take down of the elusive Aaron Rodgers on a 3rd down. The 4th down sack, came a play after Rodgers missed a wide open Jermichael Finley for a first down that would have put the Packers in great scoring position. The other sack --  Boley jacked up James Starks in pass protection, shed his block and brought down Rodgers.

Just because Boley was outstanding, it did not  mean that Umenyiora was a non-factor. Umenyiora made perhaps the defensive play of the year on the first drive of the 2nd half, with the Giants up 10. Rodgers had just completed a big play to Donald Driver for a 16-yard gain on 3rd/5, and had momentum.

Green Bay dialed up a perfect play call for a "SLUGGO" or a slant-and-go, should have been a relatively easy six points for the Packers, but Rodgers fake pumped to sell the slant, and by the time he could reload again - Umenyiora who missed half the season -- swatted the ball out of Rodgers right hand and forced the turnover, while taking away a potential easy six.

Greg Jennings had a drop in the end zone for what could have been another touchdown for the Packers over Antrel Rolle, as the Packers had several other key drops throughout the game, including Tom Crabtree on a critical 3rd down.

Green Bay also was terribly sloppy with the football from the start, fumbling their opening kickoff return, andit never got any better, although they did catch a few breaks. On the Packers opening kickoff return, Reggie Cobb fumbled and it appeared that the Giants would have the ball in great field position. The call was a fumble, which was incorrect (a bad sign on a terrible day for the officials, there were a few other terrible calls) and was overturned on review. A bad precedent was set however.

A couple of series later, Greg Jennings would clearly fumble the football before his knee or elbow were down, it was somehow ruled down by contact, before fumbling and the call was upheld. It was as clear as you are ever going to see, and the only thing I can think of is Grant's calf was down. FOX's Mike Pereira did not point that out, and I have never heard of the calf being a marker, but hey - I only watch the games. The non-reversal led to a touchdown for the Packers.

John Kuhn had a true fumble (no dispute or blown call), Ryan Grant had another critical fumble that led to a Mario Manningham touchdown, after the Rodgers-Umenyiora incident and the dropped passes all added up to the perfect storm for the Giants.

A note on the officiating - besides the call that outraged everyone, officials also call a personal foul on Osi Umenyiora for a late hit/UNR to Aaron Rodgers. The hit forced an incompletion on third down, which would have forced the Packers to punt. Umenyiora hit Rodgers square in the back (legal and not late) and his momentum of the collision, forced his helmet to 'ride' up Rodgers back and for the two to bump helmets. I can't see how the NFL would fine Umenyiora when they slow it down.

We mentioned the other fumbles (one called incorrect on the field, then reversed & the Jennings fumble) but on one particular 3rd down incompletion to Jake Ballard of the Giants in the Packers end zone, officials missed a clear defensive pass interference call and also an illegal hands to the face by one of the Packers lineman trying to get to Eli Manning. It happens, but two clear fouls on one play? I saw both live at regular speed, so I don't buy the excuse.

Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots

What else can you say in this game - other than Tom Brady is GREAT and Tim Tebow STINKS. That's being kind. This is a family friendly website.

Tebow is a fraud at this level. He CAN NOT get appreciably better. He will never be anything more than a 50/50 prop bet and that is being kind.

Trust me, John Fox sees it. John Elway knows it. The entire 'smart' free world can seperate his relative unique ability for what he is as a passer - and that is a JOKE.

I'm DONE. For now.

New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49'ers

WOW, what a game! One that we will always remember. Who can forget Drew Brees spinning it to the three different targets (Sproles, Graham, Colston) for over 100 yards each. Brees throwing the ball 63 times, because the Saints had no running game with an injury on the first drive of the game to Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram already done for the year.

Brees did make a couple of mistakes..a big interception to Dashon Goldson and one to Tony Brown. Quite honestly, he was outplayed by Alex Smith, who was nearly perfect.

Smith, the former # 1 overall pick who has played under a different coordinator in just about every year he has been a pro, threw for 299 yards, along with three passing touchdowns and who could forget his 28 yard rushing touchdown on 3rd/8 around left end, with Joe Staley leading the way in space on a cut block from the left tackle spot.

Of course, the play that will be burned in everyone's memory - will be the game-winning touchdown to Vernon Davis who was popped as he crossed the end zone line. Great play, but it was so many other big plays leading up to that final throw and hook-up. Don't forget -- about Davis on a go-route up the left sideline beating Malcolm Jenkins (who had a rough day). Or the first touchdown of the day to Davis who broke free of a bad tackle attempt by Jenkins, and ran to pay dirt.

For those criticizing former Redskins defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, for playing tight coverage on the final drive...please....you don't suddenly change the way you have been playing for years - because you are scared of Vernon Davis.

Chris Russell // RussellC@Redskins.com // www.twitter.com/russellmania980