• The 49ers try to motivate themselves to play in the kind of game that should motivate any NFL team.
• Matt Ryan wears a brace because he likes the way it makes his ankle look chunky.
• A four-part Peyton Manning saga that seemed like a good idea four weeks ago comes to an unfulfilling conclusion, like the final season of Lost.
• Dennis Allen gets the substitute teacher treatment from the Saints defense.
• Jeff Fisher spends 534 words straddling the line between "unintentionally ironic" and "grossly irresponsible.