Showing posts with label 2009 Season. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009 Season. Show all posts
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Monday, 8 February 2010
Saints v. Colts, Sunday, February 7, 2010
In attendance: Small group, due to the Snowpocalypse. Shoegal, Limin' ABD, Wingman & Mr. Wingman and a few neighbors who could get here on foot.
Menu: Tex-Mex deliciousness, hot wings, homemade pralines, ice cream, beer & margaritas
Stud of the game: Tracy Porter. I know Drew Brees got MVP (because really, the winning QB almost always gets MVP), but Tracy Porter's pick in the 4th quarter was what really sealed the win, putting the Colts in a 14 point hole with just over 3 minutes left in the game.
The Colts owned the first quarter, but the Saints pretty much owned the rest of the game. Key plays, in addition to Tracy Porter's pick, included the surprise onside kick to start the second quarter, the challenge on the successful two point conversion, Matt Stover's missed field goal, and the fact that Garrett Hartley nailed 3 long ones. And the fact that the Peytonator spent the entire second quarter watching the game from the sidelines, which was exactly what the Saints needed to do. You beat Peyton by keeping him off the field.
Congratulations to the Saints. We'll miss you in the "never won a Super Bowl" club. This is gonna be one hell of a last week of Mardi Gras season.
(yes, that photo above is me & Chef Spouse second lining to Rebirth down our snow-covered street in the aftermath of the win)
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Saturday, 6 February 2010
Need to get FIRED UP to cheer for the SAINTS tomorrow?
Check out this playlist, conveniently assembled by the Times-Picayune.
Check out this playlist, conveniently assembled by the Times-Picayune.
Friday, 5 February 2010
I've been putting off writing this post. As I tweeted to Tweety Monster the other day:
I have 4 days to convince myself the Saints can win & write about it :)
Time's up.
And my heart says Saints.
But my head...my head says Colts.
There is no "owed" in football. Just ask Eagles fans.
And the Saints are a great story this season, but you don't always get the storybook ending. Just ask Jeff Garcia about the 2006 season. Or Jaws about 1980.
Philly.com has a "keys to victory" post up for both teams. Yes, keeping the Peytonator on the sidelines is a good plan, as far as it goes. But do you remember that game earlier this season when the Colts held the ball for less than 15 minutes and won anyway? And they scored 14 points in about 30 seconds? The man does not need much time to win the game. Frankly, if you're dependent on the arrival of "The Turnover Fairy" to win the game, you might be in trouble.
I do feel that the best team in each conference is representing at the Super Bowl, rather than one or both being repped by teams that just happened to get hot at the right time. And if good wishes were points, the Saints would win this easily, since I think everyone who doesn't live in Indianapolis (and even maybe some who do) are rooting for the Saints.
Every bit of reason...everything I know or pretend to know or suspect I know or am widely believed to know about football...everything I absorbed from watching umpteen games and hours and hours of SportsCenter and the NFL Network...tells me the Colts are going to win this.
I'm calling Saints anyway. To hell with good sense, and if they win, don't expect to see me in the office Monday.
In other news...
The NFL finally leaps into the 21st century with fan page that will collect a variety of social media content about the Big Event.
If the game turns into a blow out, you can always switch over the Super Bowl commercial archive (thanks to Tweety Monster for link).
Interesting in placing a wager on the Super Bowl? You got it - Super Bowl betting.
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Emailed by blog reader Mike Fearon (and re-posted with his permission):
Since my horse is out of the race, I’m picking a team based on food ( New Orleans is much more my taste) – but in the spirit of fair play, I feel obligated to include Indianapolis . Without further delay, here are the party concepts:The stats on how people celebrate the Super Bowl are available at Mike's great web site, Book of Odds. Go check it out!
New Orleans Saints
What to drink (cocktail): Sazerac
What to drink (beer): Abita Amber
What to eat: Spicy Chicken Bites
Fan faux pas: A Saints tattoo [YIKES! Somebody get that guy some teeth already!], shooting a television
Indianapolis Colts
What to drink (cocktail): Colt .45 Cocktail
What to drink (beer): Colt .45 Malt Liquor
What to eat: Hoosier "Fried" Pork Tenderloin Sliders
Fan faux pas: A horse mask
I Just Can’t Decide or I’m Rooting for the Commercials
You can turn on the Gloria Estefan, hang up a Scarface poster and chill with a Cruzan Mango Mojito all in honor of this year’s host city Miami
Friday, 29 January 2010
Monday, 25 January 2010
Conference Championships, Sunday, January 24, 2010
In attendance: Chef Spouse, Shoegal, Chef Shorty (who was here to learn about football for his cub scout patches - really!), and his mom, The Beekeeper
Menu: Soul food extravaganza! Ribs, mac-n-cheese, collards, chipotle squash, corn bread, sazeracs, brownies. URP!
Colts over Jets.
Well, yes. Philly.com did a fun "10 things about the..." for each of the games. I still think that the thing that was the most amazing about this game was that the Jets managed to hang in there for the first half. Hell, they were leading at halftime. Of course, they didn't score another point. But still, rookie QB? Not bad.
Loved the self-possession of Sanchez, who rushed everyone to the LOS and QB sneaked after the big did-he-or-didn't-he? catch by Jericho Cotchery in the first quarter. That is some heads-up playing by the rookie. I also loved the fact that Rex Ryan got [this] close to punching one of the zebras on the non-roughing call Sanchez totally deserved. Buddy Ryan was a wild ride for Philly. Hope NYC is ready for and enjoys what's coming.
Did you notice that the Peytonator goes down if anyone even gets near him (which is rare to begin with)? Yeah, it's probably smart because it keeps him healthy. But if any Philly QB ever tried it, he'd be tarred, feathered, and run out of town in a hurry. Can you imagine the pissing and moaning if McNabb EVER dared to go down without at least 3 guys hanging off him and 2 broken bones?
Saints over Vikings.
WHO DAT?
The Saints are going to their first Super Bowl ever. The Times Picayune is running a "what excuse did you use to get out of work today?" poll. LOVE!
The Saints really did not play well. Fortunately, the Vikings turned the ball over five times. FIVE. It's not possible to win if you turn the ball over that often (unless the other team turns it over more). Particularly since Brett Favre pulled a typical and choked, throwing a pick when the Vikings could have won it with a late-game field goal without extra yards. Your kicker's name is Ryan LONGWELL for chrissakes! Although a bunch of people have been all, "Favre should've run!" Um, he wasn't ABLE to run at that point. I think his leg would have fallen off. For realz. By the end of the game, Brett Favre looked like, to quote Keith Olbermann's favorite phrase, a big bag full of mashed up Brett Favre. Now the retirement watch begins. Again. A little tip? GO AWAY.
Also, someone should probably glue some footballs to Adrian Peterson's hands for about, oh, the next month or so. "You can eat when you can learn not to drop the damn ball, donkey!"
$20 says Favre retires, then ends up QBing the Bears next year.
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Friday, 22 January 2010
Saints/Vikings - Everyone's all "Brett Favre's got the experience" and "Jared Allen's a monster" and "Adrian Peterson's occasionally able to hang on to the ball" and whatnot. But they're playing the NFC Championship Game in the Superdome for the first time EVER. And the Saints have in some cases almost single-handedly been holding Crescent City together since Hurricane Katrina. And they are NOT going to let their fans down now.
To quote my friend Joanne:
Colts/Jets - It's been fun, Rex, but the ride's over now. The Peytonator's going to the Super Bowl and he's taking his team and rookie head coach with him. Resistance is futile (to mix my movie references for a minute).
Edited Saturday, January 23 to add: In this morning's WaPo, Wilbon pointed out another reason the Colts will win - because it's PEYTON, if the Jets D so much as BREATHES on him, they will be penalized the likes of which we have never seen. Ponder that, knuckleheads.
To quote my friend Joanne:
Our Breesus, who art in N'awlins, hallowed be thy name.Thy bowl will come; it will be won, in Miami as it is in the dome. Give us this Sunday, our weekly win. Give us touchdown passes, but do not let others pass against us. Lead us not into frustration, but deliver us to the Super Bowl, for thine is the MVP....The best... of the NFC,and the glory of the Fleur de Lis ... now and forever. Amen. Go Saints!
Colts/Jets - It's been fun, Rex, but the ride's over now. The Peytonator's going to the Super Bowl and he's taking his team and rookie head coach with him. Resistance is futile (to mix my movie references for a minute).Edited Saturday, January 23 to add: In this morning's WaPo, Wilbon pointed out another reason the Colts will win - because it's PEYTON, if the Jets D so much as BREATHES on him, they will be penalized the likes of which we have never seen. Ponder that, knuckleheads.
Monday, 18 January 2010
Damn, it hurts not being able to write about the Eagles this weekend.
So another 4 games - another 3 dull blow outs.
Well, that's not *strictly* true.
I definitely enjoyed the Saints big win over the Cardinals. "Saints are stick-a-fork-in-them done"? WRONG WRONG WRONG. But glad to be wrong. The only bad side was that the Cards couldn't get much going on offense, so I didn't get to see much of my secret NFC wide receiver boyfriend Larry Fitzgerald's cute tushie. Reggie Bush had the kind of game Saints' fans have been expecting but mostly not getting since he was drafted. He quit trying to juke around guys and get fancy and just decided to run them over. Bout damn time. That beauty of an opening rush TD by Tim Hightower was about the only good thing the Cardinals managed to pull off all day. And Kurt? I know you threw a pick - don't try to block. It's totally legal to light you up, and you KNOW it's the secret fantasy of every single defensive player in the NFL to get a clean "Jacked UP!" hit on a QB. But Ben Graham? You need to at least TRY to hit Reggie Bush. That was some weak-ass BS, buddy. I think Kermit's getting his wish....
First NFC Championship Game ever in the Superdome! Geaux Saints!
Chef Spouse was really pulling for the Ravens, but like I said, Flacco would have to complete more than 4 passes for 20 yards to win. And he did. But it wasn't enough. "Resting the starters is going to result in another one-and-done for the Colts"? WRONG WRONG WRONG. How is it that the Colts can get away with 97.38% passing and be successful and we can't? Oh right - the Peytonator never gets hit. Plus if you're +3 in turnovers, as the Colts were Saturday night, there's no way you lose. Could the two #1 teams face each other in the Super Bowl this year? Yep. And when was the last time that happened?
Now seeing the Cowboys get blown out is always a good time, even if it was Brett Favre's Vikings who did it. As I expected, Jared Allen had a big day. Adrian Peterson didn't really, but Sidney Rice sure did. I love the fact that the Cowboys never even scored a TD. Tony Romo didn't cry that I could see, but he sure as hell didn't look happy. Loved the "rub your nose in it" last TD, too. Man, I just have no objectivity when it comes to the Cowboys. And I bet Wade Phillips gets fired, despite having a terrific overall winning percentage. But a 1-5 playoff record? I don't see Jerry Jones putting up with that any longer. And you notice that Andy Reid got his contract extension before the playoffs, and they're still holding on Wade? Mmm-hmm. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
Now the Chargers/Jets game was exciting. Rex Ryan is a blow hard, but it ain't braggin' if you've got the goods to back it up. The Jets seem to have the goods to back it up. Chef Spouse was totally puzzled about the way the game was unfolding until I pointed out that the Jets are the #1 defense in pretty much all categories this year. You know what they say - offense wins game, defense wins championships. Nate Kaeding cost the Chargers 9 points - and the game. And two of the missed field goals were at 36 and 40 yards. Yikes.
So another 4 games - another 3 dull blow outs.
Well, that's not *strictly* true.
I definitely enjoyed the Saints big win over the Cardinals. "Saints are stick-a-fork-in-them done"? WRONG WRONG WRONG. But glad to be wrong. The only bad side was that the Cards couldn't get much going on offense, so I didn't get to see much of my secret NFC wide receiver boyfriend Larry Fitzgerald's cute tushie. Reggie Bush had the kind of game Saints' fans have been expecting but mostly not getting since he was drafted. He quit trying to juke around guys and get fancy and just decided to run them over. Bout damn time. That beauty of an opening rush TD by Tim Hightower was about the only good thing the Cardinals managed to pull off all day. And Kurt? I know you threw a pick - don't try to block. It's totally legal to light you up, and you KNOW it's the secret fantasy of every single defensive player in the NFL to get a clean "Jacked UP!" hit on a QB. But Ben Graham? You need to at least TRY to hit Reggie Bush. That was some weak-ass BS, buddy. I think Kermit's getting his wish....
First NFC Championship Game ever in the Superdome! Geaux Saints!
Chef Spouse was really pulling for the Ravens, but like I said, Flacco would have to complete more than 4 passes for 20 yards to win. And he did. But it wasn't enough. "Resting the starters is going to result in another one-and-done for the Colts"? WRONG WRONG WRONG. How is it that the Colts can get away with 97.38% passing and be successful and we can't? Oh right - the Peytonator never gets hit. Plus if you're +3 in turnovers, as the Colts were Saturday night, there's no way you lose. Could the two #1 teams face each other in the Super Bowl this year? Yep. And when was the last time that happened?
Now seeing the Cowboys get blown out is always a good time, even if it was Brett Favre's Vikings who did it. As I expected, Jared Allen had a big day. Adrian Peterson didn't really, but Sidney Rice sure did. I love the fact that the Cowboys never even scored a TD. Tony Romo didn't cry that I could see, but he sure as hell didn't look happy. Loved the "rub your nose in it" last TD, too. Man, I just have no objectivity when it comes to the Cowboys. And I bet Wade Phillips gets fired, despite having a terrific overall winning percentage. But a 1-5 playoff record? I don't see Jerry Jones putting up with that any longer. And you notice that Andy Reid got his contract extension before the playoffs, and they're still holding on Wade? Mmm-hmm. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
Now the Chargers/Jets game was exciting. Rex Ryan is a blow hard, but it ain't braggin' if you've got the goods to back it up. The Jets seem to have the goods to back it up. Chef Spouse was totally puzzled about the way the game was unfolding until I pointed out that the Jets are the #1 defense in pretty much all categories this year. You know what they say - offense wins game, defense wins championships. Nate Kaeding cost the Chargers 9 points - and the game. And two of the missed field goals were at 36 and 40 yards. Yikes.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Divisional Weekend Schedule
Saturday, January 16
4:30 pm - Cardinals/Saints
8 pm - Ravens/Colts
Sunday, January 17
1 pm - Cowboys/Vikings
4:30 pm - Jets/Chargers
Menu: still to be determined. Chef Spouse may be organizing his annual Metrosexual Day on Sunday pre-game, which means there could be a BIG group here. If you have any requests, leave them in the comments :)
Saturday, January 16
4:30 pm - Cardinals/Saints
8 pm - Ravens/Colts
Sunday, January 17
1 pm - Cowboys/Vikings
4:30 pm - Jets/Chargers
Menu: still to be determined. Chef Spouse may be organizing his annual Metrosexual Day on Sunday pre-game, which means there could be a BIG group here. If you have any requests, leave them in the comments :)
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
It's hard to be as excited about the games now that we're out of it. On the other hand, I'll experience far fewer yelling-induced headaches this weekend. So that's good. Anyway, on to the picks....
Ravens/Colts - I think the Ravens left it all on field last week. And it was totally worth it. But the Peytonator takes no prisoners. Well, until the Colts play the Chargers. But that's not happening this week, so, much as I wish it was otherwise, I think the Colts are going to win this one.
Jets/Chargers - Speaking of the Chargers, it's been nice seeing you, Jets. Hope you enjoyed that playoff win last week, because your season is now O-V-E-R. Shame, because Rex Ryan's one entertaining mo-fo. Norv makes funnier faces, but Rex gives better press conference than anyone since Dennis Green. Anyway, Chargers.
Cowboys/Vikings - It PAINS me to be rooting for Brett Favre. I'll just concentrate on Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen. Who will hopefully make Tony Romo cry. I'm worried that the damn Cowboys are going to win ANOTHER playoff game, but I'm hoping the Vikings can accomplish what we couldn't last week and END THIS TRAVESTY. C'mon Vikings! I'm wearing every purple thing I own on Sunday for you!
Cardinals/Saints - Remember how I said in the Wildcard Weekend recap that I think the Saints are stick-a-fork-in-them done? And how I'm rooting for them anyway? GEAUX SAINTS!
Ravens/Colts - I think the Ravens left it all on field last week. And it was totally worth it. But the Peytonator takes no prisoners. Well, until the Colts play the Chargers. But that's not happening this week, so, much as I wish it was otherwise, I think the Colts are going to win this one.
Jets/Chargers - Speaking of the Chargers, it's been nice seeing you, Jets. Hope you enjoyed that playoff win last week, because your season is now O-V-E-R. Shame, because Rex Ryan's one entertaining mo-fo. Norv makes funnier faces, but Rex gives better press conference than anyone since Dennis Green. Anyway, Chargers.
Cowboys/Vikings - It PAINS me to be rooting for Brett Favre. I'll just concentrate on Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen. Who will hopefully make Tony Romo cry. I'm worried that the damn Cowboys are going to win ANOTHER playoff game, but I'm hoping the Vikings can accomplish what we couldn't last week and END THIS TRAVESTY. C'mon Vikings! I'm wearing every purple thing I own on Sunday for you!
Cardinals/Saints - Remember how I said in the Wildcard Weekend recap that I think the Saints are stick-a-fork-in-them done? And how I'm rooting for them anyway? GEAUX SAINTS!
Monday, 11 January 2010
Eagles at Cowboys, Saturday, January 9, 2010
In attendance: Shoegal, Chef Spouse, Prototypical Eagles Fan (feel better, Ex-Navy Cheesehead!) And Limin' ABD stopped by unexpectedly on Sunday!
Menu: Popeyes.
Stud of the week: no stud of the week this week. But I am going to nominate a Stud of the Year: Donovan McNabb. McNabb has not had an easy tenure in Philly. Just to refresh your memory: booed by idiots who wanted Ricky Williams on draft day, he was pressed into service as a starter mid-way through his rookie year.
In his first year as a full-time starter, 2000, he led us into the NFC Wildcard. 2001 resulted in our first of 4 back-to-back trips to the NFC Championship Game. In 2002, he famously threw for 4 TDs on a broken leg. He missed 6 games, but came back for the playoffs and another NFC Championship Game appearance.
In 2004, he finally got the #1 wideout he'd been begging for, and we went to the Super Bowl, where we lost to Belichick's Cheaters.
McNabb then went through some wilderness years, falling prey to a sports hernia in 2005 (in the infamous Year When Everyone Got Hurt and TO Reverted to Form) and a torn ACL in 2006. Everyone, including me, was sure the window had closed. Big5 came back in 2007, starting games at least 3 months before he even should have been back on the practice field. By 2008, he was back in playoff form, taking us, once again, to the NFC Championship Game. And this year, with the youngest roster not in the division, not in the NFC, but in the entire NFL, he led us back to the playoffs.
The whole time, he's had to put up with unremitting bullshit from a cadre of vocal and stupid Philly "fans" and the often disturbingly uninformed Philly sports media. And he's kept smiling, kept answering the same asinine questions over and over with patience and good humor, and, mostly, kept winning. All while being acknowledged as one of the classiest players in the NFL.
And, for those who are all "cut Don and start Vick and/or Kevin Kolb," I need to remind you that he has the 3rd highest winning percentage of all active QBs (behind only Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, and I think our chances of trading for either of those guys are pretty slim - which is a good thing, because they'd never be able to withstand the Philly fan/media scrutiny). Don, I know it's not universal, but I love you and I appreciate all you've done for us.
I'm not planning to recap the game in any great detail. I think the Cowboys did a good job of identifying and taking advantage of our weaknesses: talented, inexperienced young skill players on offense (our "vets" - other than Westy, who I think might be done - are just-turned 23 DeSean Jackson and 24 year old Brent Celek), problems on the O line (losing our starting center so late in the regular season just killed us), not being able to come up with a satisfactory replacement for injured-during-the-preseason All-Pro MLB Stewart Bradley, no real safety to speak of, and rookie defensive coordinator Sean McDermott. Also, the Cowboys have the biggest O and D lines in football, and that creates problems for a team that's small and quick by design. And I think they're the only team in the playoffs with no key starters injured. At this time of year, that means a lot.
It's a shame that we had to end our season like this - two back-to-back losses to Dallas - and it's a shame that we handed them their first playoff win in 13 seasons while at the same time handing Big Red his first first round playoff loss ever. On the other hand, no team has EVER lost 7 consecutive playoff games. Not even the Lions.
And the future looks great. To refresh your memory, something like 19 players out of our 53 man roster didn't play in the NFC Championship Game with us last year. Of that 19, something like 9 of them are rookies, and something like 4-5 more are sophomores (feel free to correct me in the comments if my calculations are off). The ENTIRE team has turned over in the Reid/McNabb era other than McNabb (Akers came on in McNabb's sophomore year, and Trot started in 1998, but has been in and out). That window we all thought was closed? Feels WIDE open at this point - we have a bunch of really young, really talented offensive skill players who are only going to get better. We need to work on our O-line - which is fine, AR LOVES to draft linemen - and some of our defensive secondary guys are aging. We need a safety. But we have a veteran QB who can help teach them and lead them.
When Prototypical Eagles Fan showed up, I said that, while I was hoping we'd manage to pull off the upset, I didn't think this was our year. I think it's next year or possibly even 2011. I think Mike Vick will be gone - not because of anything he did or didn't do with the Eagles, but because he wants to start and there are plenty of teams for whom he'd be a major upgrade. I think Wolverine might be back. The Eagles weren't going to match $7 million for a single season, and for all those who are still crying about "The Eagles just let him walk away!" remember that he didn't even offer to let them try to keep him. But a lot of our guys, particularly on D, have gone elsewhere for a year or two to get paid and then come home over the years. I think Westy may be done, which is a shame because we got to see a few flashes of the old BWest last night, and I'd hate to think that he ended his career with that mess as his last game. But he's a 30 year old RB who sustained two serious concussions this year and is owed more than $7 million next. I think The Big Kid's done too.
So get ready for our typical offseason: few to no big free-agent moves and really smart draft picks. Unless the collective bargaining agreement goes to hell, taking the entire league with it. And the Donovan-watch. And the Westy-watch. And relax and enjoy rooting against the Cowboys, and, at least in my house, FOR the Saints (who, I think, are stick-a-fork-in-them done, so I'll be picking up another hopeless cause, which will at least feel familiar).
Saturday night, after watching a few eps of early season Roseanne (a show which has aged surprisingly well) for some laughs, Chef Spouse and I drank a toast with some of the FINE tequila Ex-Navy Cheesehead brought us a few weeks ago to a great year of football. To quote Chef Spouse: "If only we'd beat the Raiders...then we could've lost the NFC Championship Game, like we're supposed to."
Too Pollyanna for you? Check out Igglesblog for a bleaker view. Tommy calls it "rock bottom," which I think is a little extreme, but also implies "nowhere to go but up."
In the other matchups...I am really, really bad at picking games.
Jets over Bengals. Brought to you by the color green, the letter R and the number 2. Why 2? 2 turnovers, 2 missed field goals, and Marvin Lewis used up 2 challenges - both unsuccessfully - in the first quarter. All Mark Sanchez had to do was not lose the game, and that he did. Bummer for my boy OchoCinco, but the Jets will get their comeuppance in San Diego next week.
Ravens over Pats. I may never stop laughing. OK, 3 of the games were blowouts, but at least this one wasn't dull - watching the Pats get their asses handed to them is never boring. I think Joe Flacco completed like, 1 pass for about 3 yards, but it didn't matter - Ray Lewis and the D came to BALL. And in the end, that's all that mattered. Also it was fun to watch Tom Brady get hit, whine for penalties and be roundly ignored by the officiating crew that, according to the pre-game info, was tied for the lowest penalizing crew in the NFL. HA! Not so easy to win when the zebras don't call 15 yards on anybody who looks at you too long, there, is it, Rocks?
Cards over Packers. This game made up for the other 3 dogs. Well, other than the fact that one of them was us losing to the Cowboys, that is. Aaron Rodgers was 28/42 for 422 yards 4TDs and one pick, and he was hot, for sure. But Warner had 5 TD tosses and only 4 incompletions (and NO picks). Grandpa was on FIRE! That's how we do it in the P-H-X, Junior. You know, while we were watching the game, Chef Spouse was like: "Where were these Cardinals all season?" I have a theory - they know that, as long as they can win 8 games, they'll win their division, and they're pretty much guaranteed to win at least their 6 divisional games (although of course the 49ers swept them this year), so I think maybe they basically slack off all season and save it for the playoffs. Which is looking like it might be a good strategy. What do we have to do to get transferred to the NFC West?
Thursday, 7 January 2010
I think this is the first time in NFL history that the first weekend of the playoffs will feature 3 repeat matchups from the last weekend of the regular season. I'm not sure what that means, but there you have it.
Edited Friday, January 8 at 12:13 pm to add: Reader Mike Fearon shared the following link/information with me: http://www.bookofodds.com/Daily-Life-Activities/Sports/Articles/A0526-Wildcard-Rematch-es-What-are-the-odds. It's a fascinating article that actually gives the odds of this situation and compares it to the odds of other real-life occurrences to give some context. You should definitely check it out! Thanks, Mike!
Eagles/Cowboys - Well, there's been the usual Philly sports media tempest in a teapot about McNabb's recent comments. What did he say that was so horrible? Quoting Philly.com:
Ravens/Patriots: The Pats are not looking so untouchable now that their defense is weak-ass and Tom Brady gets knocked down. At this time of the year, it tends to come down to guts, balls, and who's clutch. The Ravens win on two of those, and, I think, win this game.
Bengals/Jets: Have I mentioned how annoyed I am that the Jets got a gimme against the Colts in week 16, which is the only reason they were even in the running for the playoffs? Because I'm still really, really annoyed. I would love to see Ocho Cinco and the Bengals win a playoff game. They've only even *been* to the playoffs three times in the past 20 years. And they lost their first game one of those times. And it was the most recent visit (2005 season). I'm calling Bengals, but it's more hope than confidence. Also, picking all 4 wildcard teams seems nuts.
Edited Friday, January 8 at 12:13 pm to add: Reader Mike Fearon shared the following link/information with me: http://www.bookofodds.com/Daily-Life-Activities/Sports/Articles/A0526-Wildcard-Rematch-es-What-are-the-odds. It's a fascinating article that actually gives the odds of this situation and compares it to the odds of other real-life occurrences to give some context. You should definitely check it out! Thanks, Mike!
Eagles/Cowboys - Well, there's been the usual Philly sports media tempest in a teapot about McNabb's recent comments. What did he say that was so horrible? Quoting Philly.com:
"On Sunday, McNabb was asked whether the Eagles showed their youth. He answered in part that he felt they did, "in situations where everyone began to look around to see who was going to make the play, rather than stepping up and making that play. That's something that comes with the territory, when you have a young group . . . all throughout the year, we've had guys step up and make big plays for us when their name's called, and today it just didn't happen."
The way I see it, the Eagles *did* look like a bunch of young guys who were playing in their first really big game last Sunday. Sure, Don needs to make a play, but somebody has to catch the damn ball, and the coaches need to call plays that put us in a position to be successful.
"It all starts with me," McNabb said yesterday.
"I have to raise my level of play," he said yesterday, but then he kept going with this:
"And everyone else has to, as well."
Followed by the editorial comment: "Ugh."
Really? Big5 saying that everyone needs to step it up Saturday if we hope to walk away with a win merits an "Ugh" from Sam Donnellon? I guess he thinks everyone else played great Sunday and Don was the only one doing anything wrong. I also guess he must've watched a different game than I watched.
Moral of the story? Don't read the Philly sports media.
I did promise blog fan Chris that I'd give some hope.
Here's hope point 1: it's damn near IMpossible (Freudian slip? I hope not!) to beat any team 3 times in the same season. Particularly a division opponent. Particularly two weeks in a row.
Here's hope point 2: Andy Reid has never lost his first game in the playoffs. Nor has Donovan McNabb.
Here's hope point 3: the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game since before I lived in DC. Wade Phillips and Tony Romo have never won a playoff game together.
Here's hope point 4: we don't have to worry that they've totally scoped our game plan because we didn't show them anything on Sunday.
Here's hope point 5: the entire NFL Total Access team called us to win. As I believe Marshall Faulk said, "The Eagles play best when their backs are against the wall. Which is why I picked them to lose last week, and why I'm picking them to win this week."
Here's hope point 6: after sneaking by us earlier and spanking us on Sunday, the Cowboys HAVE to be overconfident. Right?
OK, in all seriousness, I am very worried about this game. We were so flat last week it was scary. We can't play that badly two weeks in a row, right? Not with so much on the line, right? We can't be the team to end the Cowboys playoff drought, right?
I'm cautiously hopeful right now. And I think we'll know which way this is going to go within the first 10 minutes of the game. If it's not going our way, you might have to talk me down off the 14th Street bridge.
Ravens/Patriots: The Pats are not looking so untouchable now that their defense is weak-ass and Tom Brady gets knocked down. At this time of the year, it tends to come down to guts, balls, and who's clutch. The Ravens win on two of those, and, I think, win this game.
Bengals/Jets: Have I mentioned how annoyed I am that the Jets got a gimme against the Colts in week 16, which is the only reason they were even in the running for the playoffs? Because I'm still really, really annoyed. I would love to see Ocho Cinco and the Bengals win a playoff game. They've only even *been* to the playoffs three times in the past 20 years. And they lost their first game one of those times. And it was the most recent visit (2005 season). I'm calling Bengals, but it's more hope than confidence. Also, picking all 4 wildcard teams seems nuts.
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