For the last three weeks I’ve faced the dilemma that many of you are familiar with. Because I no longer live in the NFL television coverage area of my favorite NFL team, the only other alternative (until now) has been to shell out big bucks for the DirecTV Sunday Ticket package.

The package offers every NFL game played — anywhere you live. As long as you are hooked up to DirecTV and pay the big bucks for the package itself.

Well, the first problem is that I don’t have DirecTV.

One of the best things about moving to the DFW area this year was the fact that I got to hook up with Verizon FIOS at the new Worldwide Headquarters.

But — this choice then complicated the watching options as football season neared.

Or so I thought.

What Verizon does have is NFL Network. I am not here to get into a long discussion about how this issue is all so very warped — with the NFL itself going up against DirecTV, which has exclusive rights to the NFL’s own “Sunday Ticket” package.

This is a very volatile and angry debate. Especially for those cable customers who have access to neither. Like our subscription manager who is forced to settle for Time-Warner over in Las Colinas. No NFL Network, no Sunday Ticket. But because of where his apartment is located — no satellite either.

No, that debate is for another day.

What I am here to do is to give the NFL Network’s new “Red Zone” channel a big thumbs up. For only $49.95, I now get full coverage of all NFL games played on Sundays. The coverage consists of the network bouncing back and forth between all the games being played — showing you the highlights only. Goal-line stands, runbacks, attempts to score, long down-the-field passes. Whatever.

After one half of football today — I simply love it. I have been able to watch my beloved New Orleans Saints run and pass all over the Detroit Lions. Drew Brees has never looked better. Oh, and yes, Reggie Bush has never looked worse. But that’s not anything new. What a bust he’s turned out to be.

I haven’t missed one major play from the game. I haven’t missed one major play from any other game either. But I don’t really care about those. But still — it’s cool to see them.

So for those of you who are in the same boat as I am — don’t think that the expensive DirecTV “Sunday Ticket” package is the only deal in town.

If you get NFL Network, check out the “Red Zone.”

It’s pretty cool.

Okay, I’m going back to work on this week’s issue of PlaneBusiness Banter.

And oh, yes, the second half of the Saints-Lions game. 😉