December 7, 2012

Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez makes a catch as he is hit by Saints safety Roman Harper at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 29, 2012. (TAMI CHAPPELL/Reuters)

Nothing like a little cussedness and finger-pointing to put a some spice into the weekly NFL schedule.

Let's face it, normally a game featuring the 11-1 Falcons and the 3-9 Carolina Panthers would be about as exciting as watching the Parliamentary Channel. Just less name-calling.

So, let's all say thank-you to Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy and Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan.