When the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers clashed in Detroit on Monday, it was billed as the match of the round. Something not many would have predicted at the beginning of the season, as both franchises have been starved for success in recent times.

It was expected to be a game reminiscent of the "smash mouth" style of play that is romanticized by NFL fans, and it did not disappoint.

The Lions much-vaunted defense controlled the game early, helping Detroit establish an early 10-point lead, much to the delight of a raucous home crowd. Yet, the Niners didn't surrender, fighting back from the deficit to lead at half time. They did fall behind again in the second half, only to score the final ten-points of the contest, claiming a 25-19 victory.

But, the action didn't stop there.

Niners boss, Jim Harbaugh - perhaps a touch caught up in the moment- made a mad-dash across the field, raising his shirt and attempting to ‘chest-bump' one of his players. As he charged triumphantly towards his players, Harbaugh slapped his opposing coach - Lions boss Jim Schwartz - on the back in passing.

Schwartz didn't take this too well.

He decided to charge after Harbaugh, resulting in a confrontation between the two coaches.

The bickering continued, as the coaches had to be separated in the tunnels of the Ford Field, as the teams were leaving the arena.

The entire fiasco was a steel chair away from a scene from the WWE.

The entire unfortunate situation has potentially overshadowed a brilliant contest, between two teams that will definitely figure in the Superbowl discussion. 

RAVENS UNDER THE RADAR

It's easy to forget about the Baltimore Ravens.

They're a staple around the top of the AFC, yet haven't been able to take the final step into a Superbowl.

Yet, that looks like it could change in 2011.

The Ravens dominant defense is still there - led by Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and Haloti Ngata - but finally it seems like the offense is coming to the proverbial party.

Against the Texans they found a brilliant balance, with Joe Flacco passing for over 200 yards, and Ray Rice rushing the ball for over 100.

If Baltimore can maintain their fluency on the offensive side of the ball, combined with their suffocating defensive play, expect the Ravens to go far this year. 

DREAM STILL ALIVE IN PHILLY

Philadelphia didn't start the season as many expected.

From the moment that back-up Quarterback, Vince Young dubbed the Eagles the "dream team" the pressure was always going to be huge.

They didn't handle it well.

Yet, thanks to a gritty win over division rivals Washington, they kept alive a feint hope of Superbowl glory.

Impressively, it wasn't the Eagles high-powered offense that led them over the line, rather the much-maligned defense. Most pundits have pinned Philadelphia's poor start on their defensive failings, undoubtedly a source of pain for the Eagles.

So, as the Eagles intercepted Redskins' quarterback Rex Grossman for the fourth time, setting the tone for the win, it's hard not to think that there would've been a swelling of pride in the locker-room after their second win of the season. 

COACHING CASUALTY

Injuries are a huge part of the NFL.

However, you don't normally expect injuries to take place on the sidelines.

Sunday was an exception.

New Orleans coach Sean Payton tore the MCL and fractured the tibia in his left leg following a collision on the sideline of the Saints' 26-20 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Payton tried to fight on valiantly and coach out the game, but was ultimately forced to watch the game from the training room in the second half. 

The next time one of Payton's players tries to come out of the game injured, maybe they'll remember this and get back out there.