Following a shootout victory over the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts became the first NFL franchise to start the season 10-0 since the 1998 Denver Broncos.

The Bengals, tied with Pittsburgh for the AFC North lead, were pegged as one of the biggest threats to Indianapolis’ perfect season. While the Colts maintain they’re concentrating on making the playoffs and not on the perfect mark, nobody really believes them.

The Philadelphia Eagles soap opera continued this week as Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb will miss the rest of the season, as he undergoes surgery for a sports hernia aggravated in a Nov. 14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Coupled with the Eagles’ weekend loss to the New York Giants, as well as the year-long suspension of wide receiver and perennial headcase Terrell Owens, this likely spells the end of Philadelphia’s playoff hopes.

After a weekend of CFL action the Montreal Alouettes and Edmonton Eskimos secured their respective spots in next Sunday’s Grey Cup final. The 95th Grey Cup will mark the third time in four years the two teams face off for the championship.

David Nalbandian became the first Argentine in 31 years to win tennis’ season-ending Masters Cup tournament in Shanghai last weekend. Nalbandian defeated Roger Federer in a fifth-set tie-breaker to end the Swiss phenom’s run of 24 consecutive finals victories.

In hockey, the Detroit Red Wings have lost defenceman Jiri Fischer indefinitely. Fischer collapsed on the bench during Monday night’s game versus Nashville and required CPR. The team — citing a seizure as the collapse’s cause — has announced that Fischer is now in stable condition.

Also, NHLPA director of player relations Steve Larmer resigned Saturday after a bitter dispute with top executives, reportedly centred on Ted Saskin’s hiring.

In NBA action, the Toronto Raptors are celebrating their first win after beating the Miami Heat to snap their 0-9 skid. Outside of Toronto, nobody really cares.

And Pete Rose can forget his dreams of the Hall of Fame in his final year of eligibility. Commissioner Bud Selig sidestepped the matter by choosing not to rule on Charlie Hustle’s ballot application before the Nov. 29 deadline. I’ll bet $10 the Reds win the World Series before Selig changes his mind.