Where Are All The Nay Sayers Now?

Wildcard weekend had an interesting lineup of games this year. All four road teams (wildcard teams) were favored to win over the home teams (division winners). That’s unusual, but this year it actually makes a lot of sense. Many of the wildcard teams had better records than the division winners. In the end, the underdogs won two of the four games (both 6th seeds defeated the 3rd seeded teams).

As I was watching the games, I found myself rooting for the underdogs in several games, but none more than in the Indianapolis-San Diego game. Norv Turner has been maligned at all his head coaching stops. He wasn’t the favored choice after Marty was fired. After all, who fires a legendary coach after a 14-2 season? The Bolts did…so enter Norv. The Chargers didn’t live up to expectations last year, as they failed to reach the Super Bowl. All eyes were on Turner. This season, Norv ran into a roadblock that is very difficult to negotiate…the referees. But, the Chargers persevered, and they were able to capture the division crown at a mere 8-8.

The Philadelphia Eagles were left for dead after the infamous tie with Cincinnati and the subsequent loss to the Ravens. Donovan McNabb was scrutinized for not knowing the rules to OT, as well as his benching for half of a game. Andy Reid was much maligned as well. WIP (local sports radio in Philly) wanted Reid and McNabb gone. They pretty much had packed their bags for them. I asked myself why? McNabb and Reid are the best that this franchise has ever had at their respective positions. They have given the Eagles fans a decade of optimism. They have taken them to four NFC Championship games. And that’s not to mention the Super Bowl in which they lost to the Cheaters! But that wasn’t enough, was it? For the fans, it was get out of town…you bums!

It was very easy to root for the Bolts. How can you not feel bad for Norv and the dark cloud that hovers over his head? He has ties to my favorite team (Cowboys). The current Cowboys coach (Wade Phillips) has ties to the Chargers…it was simple to root for them, even though I had picked the Colts to win the game (and the Super Bowl). As for the Eagles, it was a little harder. They are the archenemy of the Cowboys, but that wasn’t my stumbling block! What made it difficult was the way I get treated day after day, week after week, and year after year by Eagles fans.

During and after the game in which I had not only picked the Eagles to win, but was actually rooting for them as well, I still received several emails and voicemails telling me how much the Cowboys suck! These were the same people who had left the Eagles for dead and had packed the bags of their coach and franchise QB. I wish the Eagles luck, as they move forward in the playoffs and their quest for a championship, not that their fans deserve it! What I’d like to know is…where are all the Nay Sayers now?


Short Shots:

After battling all season just to get to .500 (8-8), the Chargers were able to upend the heavily favored Colts in the 1st round of the playoffs. Turner had a big sigh of relief on his face, as he has been on the hot seat all year! Rivers showed why he should be going to the Pro Bowl (and not Favre). I bet Peyton manning would give that MVP award up for another chance at the Lombardi Trophy!

Andy Reid got his team into the playoffs, even though he was under the microscope all season long. Everything the man did was dissected. The man could do nothing right, according to the experts. With his bags packed and airline ticket in hand, Andy is having the last laugh. Just one thing Big Red…shave!


From The Mail Room:

Allen, Sunneyvale, California: Hey buddy, sorry to tell you this but as long as you got T.O on your team you will NEVER have TEAM chemistry. I am a big Eagles fan and nothing made my day more than seeing the Eagles beat the crap from your boys. That was some Ass kicking don't you agree? I hope your owner gives T.O another 5 year extension. Merry Christmas.

Utopia1dc: Allen, first of all they are not my team, as I do not have any ownership in them. Just as you don’t have any ownership in the Eagles either! I root for my team, feel free to do the same. I am not a big proponent of team chemistry! These are professional athletes; pride, determination, and money are their chemistry! And yes, it was an ass kicking, but thanks for reminding me, as I had forgotten. Happy New Year to you too!

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Predictions Wildcard Weekend

Each week, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games. I will prognosticate on all the playoff games each week. Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was mediocre last week, posting a 2-2 record. Not great, but we will take it! Now that it is playoff time, the crystal ball assures me it will rebound this week with a better performance. The crystal ball is now 33-26-1 for the season; which is seven games over .500 (.558 to be exact). With all the great match-ups before us, this week is going to be a challenge for the crystal ball. Let’s see what’s in store for us this weekend.

Last Week: 2-2

Playoffs: 0-0

Overall: 33-26-1


Atlanta @ Arizona: The Atlanta Falcons (11-5) will travel to Arizona to play the Cardinals (9-7). It’s a quirky nuance in the rules where the team with a better record must travel to play a team with a worse record in the playoffs. The Cardinals won their division, so by rule they get the home game. The Falcons have been a huge surprise this season, but the NFL is well aware of them now. The Cardinals played in a sub-par division, but they won enough games to earn their way into the tournament. Unfortunately for the Cards, they will be one and done. The Falcons are clearly the better team, and the Cardinals have been playing poorly as of late. The Falcons are the real deal and should win easily. Atlanta 34, Arizona 23.

Indianapolis @ San Diego: The Colts (12-4) will have to travel to San Diego to play the Chargers (8-8); again, another anomaly in the rules. The Chargers were the winners of a dreadful division, and they should count their blessings just for the invite to the tournament. The good news for the Bolts is that they have been playing playoff quality ball for several weeks. The bad news is, they must face the Indianapolis Colts in the 1st round. Norv must be wondering why…why? This should be a great game, but the Colts are just a much better team. Dungy, in what could be his last season, won’t settle for a 1st round loss. Look for the Colts to make a deep run…they are my favorite to win the Super Bowl…but that’s getting too far ahead. Indianapolis 37, San Diego 29.

Baltimore @ Miami: The Miami Dolphins have gone from worst to first in their division. This time last year, they were 1-15 and on the clock for the 1st pick in the draft. This year they are AFC East Champions. Parcells and Sparano have done a heckuva job down there in South Beach! The Ravens have played beyond their dreams as well, with a Rookie QB who wasn’t supposed to be the starter. The Ravens beat the Dolphins back in Week 7, and were able to tame the wildcat…will they be able to do it again? Yes…the Ravens are a well-balanced team and should be able to handle the ‘Fins. Miami will hang tough and make the Ravens earn it! Baltimore 24, Miami 23.

Philadelphia @ Minnesota: Philadelphia has been on a roll the last few weeks, especially this past Sunday as they annihilated the Cowboys in historical fashion. They gave the Cowboys a beat down that they were not expecting. Minnesota is a good team, but with Tarvaris Jackson at the helm, I think they are too vulnerable. Gus Frerotte is a seasoned veteran, but he got the hook. The Vikings are having trouble selling out for a playoff game…are you kidding me? The Eagles fans are licking their chops and they are scooping up the remaining tickets. It may turn out to be a home game for the Birds? Either way, the Eagles are on a roll, and the Vikings will be their next prey. Philadelphia 24, Minnesota 16.


Short Shots:

The NFL did a disservice to its teams when it changed to an 8-division format. However by doing this, it has achieved its goal, and most teams are still mathematically alive for the playoffs late in the season. Most team’s fans can stay excited until the final week. Unfortunately, you have teams that win their divisions with poorer records than the wildcard teams. And to make matters worse, they are rewarded with a home game? The only positive is that the New England Patriots, at 11-5, are sitting at home, while the Minnesota (10-6), Philadelphia (9-6-1), Arizona (9-7), and San Diego (8-8) are in the playoffs…you gotta love Karma!

Peyton Manning was honored with winning the NFL MVP Award for the 3rd time in his illustrious career. Chad Pennington was honored with the Comeback Player of the Year Award for the 2nd time in his career. In my opinion, Pennington should have won both, but I don’t get a vote…but someday I might?


From The Mail Room:


Jerry P., Philadelphia, PA: Tony Romo is a great quarterback. Just look at his numbers for the last 3 years. Last year should have been a Cowboys super bowl if not for Crayton's dropped pass. Yes Tony has had problems, but after last season he lost even more his quarterback coach. Tony needs a good quarterback coach to help him in some situations and he will win for this team. It took many great ones 3-4 years before they really flourished into a superstar quarterback. If all the right coaches are put in place next year they will win. Tony just needs one playoff win to get started. Go Cowboys no matter what I bleed Blue and Silver. Forever...

Utopia1dc: Jerry, you bring up many good points. I think some people forget that Romo has only been a starter for 2 ½ seasons. He was also an undrafted rookie free agent when the Cowboys signed him. He suffered through the entire draft; 32 teams, 7 rounds and nothing. Romo didn’t come out of college with the pedigree of an Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, or Matt Ryan, to name a few. He needed a few seasons of grooming just to resemble an NFL QB. Everyone needs to be patient with him. Even Peyton Manning took several years before he had post-season success. And Romo doesn’t even have an ounce of the same pedigree that the Manning’s have! As for the Cowboys winning the Super Bowl if Crayton didn’t drop that sure TD pass…we will never know? But, I think that the Cowboys have something with Romo…let’s wait a few years before we label him a bust. From where he came from…he’s already out-performed anyone’s expectations!

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Underachievers

This past Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys traveled to Lincoln Financial Field to play the Philadelphia Eagles in what was a win and you’re in the playoffs game. This game had a lot of build-up prior kick-off. The Eagles found out, about 15 minutes before the game started, that the stars had aligned for them; the Bears and Buccaneers had both lost. This game had everything football fans wanted. It was the ‘Boys against the Birds, with their playoff destinies on the line.

Unfortunately, if you are a Cowboys fan, Dallas forgot to show up for the game mentally. Maybe all the drama had finally caught up to them? Maybe the Eagles are just a better team? It doesn’t matter why…we all know what happened! The Cowboys shot themselves in the foot over and over again. They gifted the Eagles two defensive touchdowns, while squandering scoring opportunities of there own on several occasions. That’s not to take anything away from Philly, they made the plays and the Cowboys didn’t!

Defensively, the Cowboys made several mental mistakes in coverage, while offensively Romo wasn’t on the same page as his receivers… maybe not even reading the same book! The ‘Boys have been out of sync all season, but usually one side of the ball would show up. This time, every facet of the team let their fans down. The coaching staff, offense, defense, and special teams…it was an absolute nightmare!

The Cowboys lost a key component in last year’s success, Tony Sparano, who is now the head coach of the AFC East Champion Miami Dolphins. He helped Jason Garrett with the offense last season. It was obvious to any Cowboys fan how much Sparano was missed. If you didn’t know before…you know now! Sparano was why the Cowboys offense excelled last year! The Cowboys were pre-season favorites to win the Super Bowl, but that’s pretty tough to do when you don’t even make the playoffs. What a bunch of…underachievers!


Short Shots:

Several coaches have been fired already, and I’m sure there still might be more to come. Of all of them, I am most surprised with Eric Mangini being fired. The Jets are a good team, but Favre was simply out of gas by the end of the season. Not that I’m making excuses for Favre (because I simply can’t stand the guy), but he was battling injuries throughout the 2nd half of the season…and he’s 39 for God’s sake!

Peyton Manning is in the running for the League MVP. Sure, Peyton has all the stats and credentials for the award. He put the team on his back for the past 9 to 10 weeks, after his slow start due to injury. But, I’d like to nominate Chad Pennington. Chad was ousted in New York in favor of Favre, but Sparano swiped him up in a hurry. Without Pennington, Miami would have still been a cellar dweller. Chad brought instant leadership to a team in disarray. He managed the offense, limited his mistakes, and made the plays necessary to win the AFC East crown! Chad for MVP! Wouldn’t it be something if the Dolphins could win the Super Bowl? From worst to best in one season! It’s unlikely, but it would make for a heckuva story!


From The Mail Room:

Darren J., Philadelphia, PA: Your Cowboys are a disgrace. All you cockroaches should crawl back into the hole you came out of! Dallas Sucks! Go Eagles!

Utopia1dc: Darren, just for the record…I received over 25 similar emails. I picked yours because it was the only one without a spelling or grammatical error! Now, to address your comment; I wasn’t aware that Jerry had signed over a share of the Cowboys to me. But if he did, I wouldn’t care if they lost every damn game because they are worth over a Billion dollars…I’d be rich! They are not my Cowboys; I simply enjoy watching them play (well, not this past game…I’ll give you that much!). The Eagles won, the Cowboys didn’t. Why do Eagles fans always have to get in my face after a win? I have never done that to an Eagles fan…ever!

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Predictions Week 16

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two or more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was absolutely fantastic last week, posting a 4-0 record. Is that a horn tooting in the background that I hear? The crystal ball is now 29-22-1 for the season; which is seven games over .500 (.567 to be exact). This week is going to be a challenge with many key match-ups that have playoff implications. Let’s see what’s in store for us this weekend.

Last Week: 4-0

Overall: 29-22-1

Baltimore @ Dallas: This is a big game for both teams, as they both need to win to keep pace in the wildcard race. The Ravens suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Steelers (some might argue that they got robbed by the officials?). The Cowboys came up huge last week against the G-men. The ‘Boys proved they could play with adversity and came across with a united front. The NFL Network could not ask for a better match-up, as this game should yield the highest ratings this season on the Network. The crystal ball must know something the rest of us don’t, because it’s predicting a blowout! Dallas 34, Baltimore 6.

Philadelphia @ Washington: The Eagles are on a roll. D-Mac says that he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder. I’m not sure how that’s going to help; one would think that a chip on your shoulder could get uncomfortable? The ‘Skins have been a disappointment in the second half of the season. After a 6-2 start, they are now 7-7, and on the brink of elimination. Portis has been struggling with some injuries, but looks to bounce back against the Birds. The Eagles blow a big lead and lose to their division foes in a thriller. Washington 24, Philadelphia 23.

New Orleans @ Detroit: In what could be termed the Pride Bowl; the Saints have been eliminated from playoffs, while Detroit is still searching for their first win of this season. The Saints have a high-powered offense, but their defense has held them back all year. Will Detroit go 0-16…I don’t know? But I can tell you that they will be 0-15 after this contest. New Orleans 27, Detroit 10.

New York Jets @ Seattle: The Seahawks got a big win last week, but that was against the Rams. This week they will play the Favre led Jets, and that, my friends, does not bode well for the ‘Hawks. Brett should be able to pick apart the Seattle secondary, while Thomas Jones runs free all day. The Jets need a victory to keep pace with Miami and New England. It appears that only one of those three will qualify for the tournament. In what could be Favre’s swan song season (it’s been that way for what seems a decade now), he won’t go down easily. New York Jets 34, Seattle 13.


Short Shots:

What ever happened to the Buffalo Bills? Didn’t they start the season at 4-0, with talk of a playoff run? They are now 6-8, and looking for a comfortable chair in which to watch the playoffs from! I’ll tell you what happened…it’s called…reality!

With the victory last night, the Colts have earned the 5th seed in the AFC playoffs. Remember earlier this season, when everybody wanted to write off Peyton Manning? Look for the Colts to make some noise in the tournament. I’d hate to be the team that has to play them in the 1st round!


From The Mail Room:


Bobby Joe R., Austin, Texas: I agree that Romo got screwed for the Probowl. He won't mind though when da boyz win the superbowl!

Utopia1dc: Bobby Joe, I think Tony Romo was snubbed because the media plays up how poorly his record has been in December the previous two seasons. While I agree that he hasn’t played his best ball in December, he didn’t lose those games all by himself. The other thing to remember is that Romo isn’t a seasoned veteran either. He has only been a starter for a little over two years now. Let’s wait a few years before we throw him under the bus. As far as winning the Super Bowl, that would be sweet justice for Romo (especially if he’s named MVP), and many of the Cowboys whom have been vilified this season.


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Week 15 Review

The crystal ball, once again, had a stellar performance this past week, going undefeated at 4-0. Truly a tremendous achievement, as many of the games had playoff implications. That puts the crystal ball at 29-22-1 for the season. That’s seven games over .500 (.567 to be exact). Not many prognosticators gave the Cowboys much of a chance against the G-Men, but the crystal ball took a chance on them. The ‘Boys rewarded the crystal ball, and pulled off the upset. Let’s review and see what happened last week.

Last Week: 4-0

Overall: 29-22-1

New York Giants @ Dallas: (WIN) This was a classic defensive struggle in the early stages of the game. Romo was banged up early with a back contusion, but he sucked it up, and was able to continue. The ‘Boys put a hurting on Eli as well, by sacking him 8 times (ouch)! The Cowboys were able to take control of the game, but the G-Men tried to make a game of it in the 4th quarter. Tashard Choice broke a long gainer for a TD to put the Cowboys up for good. Dallas is currently holding on to the 5th seed in the NFC, but they are still on thin ice for the next two weeks.

San Diego @ Kansa City: (WIN) The Chiefs were playing for mere pride and in hopes of helping Herm Edwards keep his job next season. The Bolts were in playoff mode, as they must win out and hope the Broncos have a major melt down. The Chiefs had a comfortable lead with less than five minutes remaining in regulation. Rivers was able to lead his team victory, with two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the game. The Chargers are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, but it would take a miracle at this point.

Indianapolis @ Detroit: (WIN) The Lions gave the Colts all they could handle for most of the game, but Peyton Manning was able to lead his team to victory. The Colts are now 10-4, after winning seven games in a row. Their 3-4 start cost them the division title, but they will be a dangerous team in the tournament. This game ended up being a lot closer than I thought, so I will give Detroit credit for not quitting on the season. But they are 0-14, and it doesn’t look any better the next two weeks either. 0-16 is surely their destiny…what a disgrace!

Cleveland @ Philadelphia: (WIN) The Eagles came up with a big victory against the Browns. They have now won three straight games, and at 8-5-1, they have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. A few weeks ago, everyone and their grandmother wanted Reid and McNabb to get out of town as fast as possible. A few weeks, and three wins later, perhaps everyone was a little premature in packing their bags. To make the playoffs, the Birds need to take care of business (beat the ‘Skins and Cowboys) and have a little help. What a turnaround for D-Mac, if he can pull it off!


Short Shots:


Is the NFL great or what? With two weeks left, in the NFC, there are 9 teams still alive for the 4 playoff spots still available. In the AFC, it’s the same scenario, 9 teams for 4 spots. What a finish this is going to be!

Jerry Jones said that he doesn’t mind all the self-imposed and media distractions. He claims that anytime the Cowboys are in the news, it is good exposure for the Cowboys brand. I tend to agree for the most part, as long as it doesn’t involve players breaking the law!


From The Mail Room:


Jim Z., Killeen, Texas: I saw that the Giants have all ready clinched the division. How can that be because if the Cowboys win all there games and the Giants lose there
games wouldn't they both have the same record?

Utopia1dc: Jimbo, I was thinking the same thing myself. If the Cowboys win their final two games, and the G-Men lose their final two games, they would both be 11-5. Both teams would also be 4-2 in the division, 8-2 in the conference, and 3-1 against the AFC. I know it comes down to a tiebreaker, but I have to be missing something here?

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Predictions Week 15

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two or more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was mediocre last week, going 2-2 for the week. That’s not great, but we’ll take it. The crystal ball is now 25-22-1 for the season; which is three games over .500 (.531 to be exact). This week is going to be a challenge with many key match-ups. Let’s see what’s in store for us this weekend.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 25-22-1

New York Giants @ Dallas: The G-Men have the division all locked up. They are now looking to secure a 1st round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs! They are battling with some lingering distractions over the Plaxico Burress situation, as well as the injury to Brandon Jacobs. The Cowboys are in a state of disarray, as they lost a heartbreaker last week in Pittsburgh. The ‘Boys are also dealing with distractions that may or may not be real. ESPN is doing their best to divide the Cowboys as well. The Cowboys need this game more than the G-Men, so in a must win, the ‘Boys will pull it together with a victory! Dallas 34, New York Giants 28.

San Diego @ Kansas City: The Chiefs are playing for what little pride they may have left, while the Bolts are hanging by a thread to make the playoffs. For the Chargers to make the tournament, they need to win out and hope that the Broncos have a total collapse. Rivers and LT must take charge (no pun intended) and lift their team out of the gutter and regain some self-respect! San Diego 31, Kansas City 13.

Indianapolis @ Detroit: The Colts started off the season in turmoil. But now that Peyton Manning has regained his Pro-Bowl form, they are peaking at the right time, as they head into the playoffs! The Lions are trying to do their best not to go 0-16 for the season, but they aren’t getting that elusive win this week either. The Colts win in a blowout! Indianapolis 44, Detroit 3.

Cleveland @ Philadelphia: The Browns are going nowhere fast this year. Romeo Crennel is on the hot seat! Brady Quinn looked good in his brief stint as the starter, but he was lost for the season. Third stringer Ken Dorsey is now leading them. That’s not good for anyone! The Birds are back in the hunt and D-Mac is playing well. If Reid can keep his play calling balanced, the Birds should fly to victory. An Eagles win coupled with a Cowboys loss, and the Birds could find themselves in the drivers seat for the final seed in the NFC playoffs! Philadelphia 27, Cleveland 9.


Short Shots:

Reggie Bush (RB, Saints) left Thursday night’s game with a sprained knee. It appears that it may be serious and could sideline Bush for the remainder of the season. Either way, undrafted rookie Pierre Thomas has filled in nicely at RB for the Saints. A real steal…if you ask me!

After a rough start to the season, the Eagles find themselves a half-game back of the Cowboys for the final playoff spot in the NFC. Andy Reid and D-Mac have had to endure much criticism throughout the year. The season finale against the Cowboys could prove to be a pivotal game; in a winner take all! Look for NBC to try and flex that game to Sunday night…that would be a surefire ratings buster!



From The Mail Room:


Vet, Ambler, PA: I saw a great poll, was wondering which one you preferred.

What should T.O. get Romo for X-Mas?

Jessica Simpson CD
T.O. Autographed photo
Football for Dummies
I am with Cry Baby T-Shirt

Utopia1dc: Vet, that’s an interesting poll. I’m not sure that Romo would like the CD, as he has the real thing. I’m sure Owens has already given him an autographed photo by now as well. As for the Football for Dummies or the t-shirt, I don’t think that’s Terrell’s or Tony’s style. I think Romo might like that Santa cap and Rudolph nose that T.O. was wearing the other day during an interview!



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Week 9 Review

The new crystal ball is on a roll. Last weeks debut at 3-1, was followed with perfection…4-0 this week! That brings our prognosticating record to .500 for the season. We had a slow start to the season, but now we are on a mission. I am not one to gloat (yes I am!)…so let’s see what happened:

Last Week: 4-0

Overall: 14-14

Dallas @ New York Giants: The Cowboys got humiliated in this debacle. The Dallas defense tried to keep them in the game early, as they scored on a pick-6 by Mike Jenkins…that was the lone highlight for the ‘Boys. The G-Men pounded the rock and shredded the Dallas defense. As we thought…the Giants were too much for the Cowboys!

Philadelphia @ Seattle: The Birds had a scare early in the game, as Koren Robinson scored on a 90-yard TD pass from Seneca Wallace! But then, as expected, the D-Mac and Westbrook show took over, as the Eagles reeled off 26 unanswered points. And you know what…the Birds showed pity, as it could have been a lot worse for the ‘Hawks. The Birds are chirping…chirp…chirp!

New England @ Indianapolis: The Patriots stumbled into Indy with a laundry list of injuries…too bad! The Colts took advantage of the situation, as Peyton Manning hooked up with Anthony (don’t call me Tony) Gonzalez for two TDs. It was a hard fought game…a game the Colts desperately needed! In the end, Adam (yeah, I used to be a cheater but now I’m not) Vinatieri kicked a 52-yard FG with 8:09 left in regulation. The Colts defense then preserved the victory with back-to-back takeaways! Cheaters…never prosper!

Tampa Bay @ Kansas City: Surprisingly, the Chiefs came to play in this contest. The Chiefs were winning 24-3. Jon Gruden had his “Chucky” face on…somebody please tell him Halloween was Friday! That must have spooked Garcia, as he proved he could still throw the ball at his advanced age. Garcia hooked up with his new favorite receiver, Antonio (I used to be a Cowboy until I threw my sweaty jersey in Parcells face) Bryant for a TD. The Bucs were successful on the 2-point conversion, sending the game into OT. Matt Bryant kicked a 34-yard FG in OT to give the Bucs a dramatic come from behind victory!


Short Shots:

The Cowboys are glad to hit the bye week, as they need to get healthy for a late season push for the play-offs. The Cowboys could learn a lesson from watching Byron Leftwich come in and save the day for the Steelers after Big Ben went down.

During his press conference after the loss to the G-Men, is it just me, or did Wade Phillips’ face look like he ate a bad tuna fish sandwich? I bet Wade is going through Tums like it’s candy!

The Detroit Lions blew a big lead against the Bears on Sunday and remain the only winless team in the NFL. Trick or Treat? Smell my feat! The Lions went down in defeat!

Today is Election Day…so don’t forget to vote! Don’t have time? Don’t feel like it? What’s the difference? Keep in mind that many men (and women) paid the ultimate price to give you that privilege…exercise it!

Predictions Week 9

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

Last week the newly acquired crystal ball went 3-1…not bad for its debut! I am now just 4 games under .500, but filled with confidence as we move forward. I am hoping for many more winning weeks down the road as this new crystal ball gains more experience. It’s calling me…so let’s see what it has to say:

Last Week: 3-1

Overall: 10-14

Dallas @ New York Giants: The Cowboys are coming off a huge win against the Bucs and the G-Men are riding high after their big win against the Steelers. The Cowboys are riddled with injuries and may be without Jason Witten (ribs) as he is a game-time decision. The G-Men will use play-action pass plays early and often to test the depleted and inexperienced secondary of the ‘Boys. Then, the G-Men will pound the rock with Jacobs to close out the game. The Brad “noodle arm” Johnson led Cowboys don’t stand a chance in this one…I hope the crystal ball is wrong! New York Giants 34, Dallas 13.

Philadelphia @ Seattle: The Birds are flapping their wings with confidence, as Westbrook is once again healthy. Look For D-Mac to have a field day passing to rookie sensation DeSean “fraction” Jackson. Westbrook will be a major contributor as well. The Seahawks only chance is to ride the back of Julius Jones, but that’s not going to be enough as Seneca Wallace will show why he should be holding a clipboard and not masquerading as an NFL QB! Philadelphia 27, Seattle 17.

New England @ Indianapolis: The Colts are on play-off life support…can they get off the respirator? Yes! The Peyton Manning led Colts will be in full force this Sunday night in primetime. Being at home will lift the spirits of an unemotional, uninspired team thus far. The Pats have been getting by without Brady, but look for Matt Cassel to come back down to Earth and throw a pick-6 in desperation late in the game. Indianapolis 31, New England 17.

Tampa Bay @ Kansas City: Jon Gruden, and his many “chucky” faces, is still fuming over last weeks’ loss to the Cowboys. Look for Garcia to bounce back and have a great game against the lifeless Chiefs. Herm Edwards’ job is on the line, but the Larry Johnson-less Chiefs are no match for the Bucs. This game will be over by halftime, so make sure you have plenty of snacks for the second half. Tampa Bay 34, Kansas City 13.


Short Shots:


Larry Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs will be deactivated for the 3rd week in a row. Sheriff Goodell has also officially suspended him for one game, which will be served week 10. LJ…consider it a blessing that the Sheriff showed leniency towards you…it’s time to get your life in order!

Rumor has it that the Cowboys will use Brooks Bollinger in some situations against the G-Men. Also look for Patrick Crayton to be the wingback in the "wildcat" formation…just a hunch! They might as well try anything and everything as the G-Men are too much for the injury plagued Cowboys!

Peyton Manning…enough already! Just beat the Pat-cheat-iots!

The Phillies Parade was a blast…let’s just hope it doesn’t take another 28 years for another one!

Week 8 Review

The newly acquired crystal ball went 3-1 in its debut week, which leaves me 4 games under .500…we’re getting there! That’s an impressive start for a young and naïve crystal ball. It performed well in its new role…many people are relying on it…that’s a lot of pressure! It clearly has better prognosticating skills than its predecessor. Maybe the new mahogany base it sits on, gave it a sense of prestige. Well, for whatever reason…I’ll take it! Now let’s review what happened this past week:

Last Week: 3-1

Overall: 10-14

Tampa Bay @ Dallas: The Cowboys needed this game in a big way, especially since the rest of the NFC East teams won as well. The Cowboys defense came to play with a more hands on approach by Wade Phillips…maybe he really is a Mr. Fix-it (read more here)? It wasn’t pretty…ugly…you might say! Brad Johnson was awful…but they got the job done (read more here). Next weeks showdown with the G-Men is huge…we shall see!

Atlanta @ Philadelphia: The Falcons tried to make a game of it late but they were no match for the high-powered offense of the Eagles. The Birds were helped out late in the game when the officials blew a game-changing call. The Falcons were out of time-outs and couldn’t challenge the play. With the return of Westbrook, the offense was once again running on all cylinders. This teams dynamics change considerably when Westbrook is healthy. At 4-3, they are still a team to be reckoned with in the second half of the season!

New York Giants @ Pittsburgh: The Steelers out-played the G-men for most of the game. They had the lead, but then…Big Ben got picked and the game changed course. The Giants took advantage of the situation and stole this game on the road from the Steelers! Even though the Steelers lost, their defense showed how dominant it could be by stuffing Jacobs at the goal line on several occasions! The G-Men have a big one coming up against the Cowboys…stay tuned!

Buffalo @ Miami: With the Dolphins poaching half of the Cowboys staff and roster, Parcells and company has something good going on in South Florida! Ted Ginn decided to start living up to his high draft status by exploding with 7 receptions and 175 yards. Chad Pennington showed, that even though he doesn’t have a cannon, he could still manage a game. He threw for 314 yards and a TD…but most importantly…no picks!


Short Shots:

The World Series is on ice…well…rain, that is! Game 5 was called in the 6th Inning with the score tied at 2. The Philadelphia fans, as well as the Phillies, have been waiting since 1983 for a championship…now they will need for “mother nature” to cooperate! I guess a retractable roof would have been nice? Patience…my child…patience!

The Cowboys won despite Brad Johnson’s “noodle arm”. Can they hold down the fort for another week while many of their stars heal? The Cowboys face the division leading G-Men this week…a win would go a long way to achieving their goals (read more here).

Larry Johnson is to meet with Sheriff Goodell today for his many infractions…Good luck! He may need to wear those diapers that Dick Vermeil told him to take off a few years back!

What is going on with the Colts? Their offense is out of sync and the defense isn’t fairing much better. Peyton and company need to step it up or their "goose" may be cooked before Thanksgiving!

Predictions Week 8

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

Last week’s performance was an awful one at 1-3. I warned the crystal ball for the last few weeks about its performance. I told it that there would be repercussions and consequences…no more excuses…it has been fired! I purchased a new (well, actually slightly used) crystal ball at a local thrift shopppe earlier today. It seems happy in its new home…I put it up on a mahogany base on top of the mantel. I also gave it a good polishing…so it should be ready to go!

Last Week: 1-3

Overall: 7-13

Tampa Bay @ Dallas: The Cowboys are playing for pride and self respect these days. Play-offs…play-offs…we’re talking about winning one game! The Bucs come in with a rejuvenated Jeff Garcia. WR Antonio Bryant (a former Cowboy who threw a towel in Parcells face) is looking to make a splash in Big D with a big…“I told you so!”. Brad Johnson will make his second start of the season and Roy Williams looks to make his first reception as a Cowboy. Dallas needs this game more…it’s put up or shut up time! Dallas 23, Tampa Bay 19.

Atlanta @ Philadelphia: The Birds are coming off a bye week and they are looking to get back in the NFC East race. Westbrook looks like he should be ready to go, so the Eagles will use a more balanced attack against the Falcons. Are the Atlanta Falcons for real, or is this just smoke and mirrors? We shall see! The crystal ball looks cloudy…so that must mean smoke! Philadelphia 34, Atlanta 13.

New York Giants @ Pittsburgh: The G-Men are riding high as they are in first place of the NFC East. The Pittsburgh defense is stingy and they will hold Brandon Jacobs in check. Look for Eli to be confused by the blitz packages of the Steelers. Troy Polamalu will put a hurting on Peyton’s little bro (hopefully Goodell will be lenient on him)! Pittsburgh 27, New York Giants 13.

Buffalo @ Miami: Buffalo is the surprise team of the AFC, IMO. They have been flying under the radar and find themselves in first place of their division. Who would’ve thunk it? Not me, for sure! The Dolphins will look to use the "wildcat" formation to confuse the Bills defense. Ronnie Brown will have a bounce back game as he was shut down last week. Sparano gave his players an offer they can’t refuse…win! Miami 23, Buffalo 17.


Short Shots:


The Philadelphia Phillies lost Game 2 of the World Series last night. The Series is tied at 1-1. The Rays will now travel to Philadelphia for Games 3-5. Let’s not head back to Tampa…let’s win it at home! Let's go Phils! Parade down Broad Street to follow!

Deuce McAllister and several other players have tested positive for taking water pills to lose weight. This is a violation of the NFL’s steroid policy and these players face a four-game suspension…will these players ever learn…cheaters never prosper!

Kellen Winslow II is getting the royal NFL shaft. The NFL won’t hear his appeal until next Tuesday, which will be too late to let him play this weekend. If he wins his appeal then he will get his weeks pay…sounds like they are treating Kellen like a “piece of meat”!

The New Orleans will “host” the San Diego Chargers in London this Sunday. The game will be played at the historic Wembley Stadium. It’s great that the NFL wants to expand its audience, but the Saints are getting screwed a home game!

Week 7 Review

The crystal ball was one up and three down for the week. That puts me 6 games under .500 for the season…not good…more like awful! The crystal ball was told it was going to be on a short leash…now it’s getting the hook. Hey…if head coaches can be fired in mid-season…well…so can the crystal ball! I will have a new crystal ball for next week…we’ll see if it can do a better job prognosticating than its predecessor? Let’s take a look back and see what happened this past week:

Last Week: 1-3

Overall: 7-13

Dallas @ St. Louis: The Cowboys came up lame in a game they needed badly. With Romo sidelined, the “Geriatric Kid” (Brad Johnson) was awful in his first start in two years. Johnson is a great back-up…as long as he doesn’t have to play! The Rams took it to the 'Boys…a good ole fashion Texas whooping! Jackson ran wild and Bulger picked apart the depleted Cowboys secondary. Rumor has it that Jerry is getting the life preservers ready!

Cleveland @ Washington: The ‘Skins let the Browns hang around way to long in this contest. With Portis gaining 175 yards rushing, this should have been a blowout for Washington. Cleveland made a game of it late, but they were not able to seal the deal. At-least Romeo Crennel hasn’t lost his team…they are fighting to the bitter end for him!

Indianapolis @ Green Bay: Okay…this is getting out of hand. Peyton Manning seems to have lost his "mojo" and is a mere mortal these days. How can the best QB of all-time throw 2 INTs that are returned for TDs? The Indy offense is out of sync…and the Colts may be running out of time? Give Green Bay credit, they did their part and Aaron Rogers is starting to get the Packer Backers to forget about Favre…Brett who?

San Diego @ Buffalo: The Bolts fell flat on their faces against the Bills. I am not sure that Buffalo is for real…but they are 5-1 now! They are atop of their division and should stay there…I must give them their due! Let’s go, Buff-a-lo…let’s go, Buff-a-lo!


Short Shots:


The Cowboys have already declared Romo out for the upcoming game this week. Brad Johnson gets another start…oh boy, this could get ugly!

The Browns have suspended Kellen Winslow II for one week without pay for comments detrimental to the team. I guess if you get sick (staph infection) and tell people why…somehow that reflects negatively on your team? This has appeal written all over it!

Matt Jones, of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was suspended by the NFL for three games. His suspension was for violating the “NFL conduct policy”. He was arrested this summer for cocaine possession. Some how, in the eyes of the NFL, this merits one less game than Pacman Jones’ suspension for his scuffle with his own bodyguard?

The San Francisco 49ers fired Mike Nolan this week and have replaced him with Mike Singletary (Assistant Head Coach). Mike Nolan is one of a few coaches who wears a suit on the sideline…he does this as a tribute to his father, Dick Nolan. The elder Nolan was an NFL player for 9 seasons, an assistant coach under Tom Landry for 6 seasons, head coach of the 49ers from 1968-1975, and head coach of the New Orleans Saints from 1978-1980. He passed away on November 11, 2007 in Texas. It was nice to see someone honor the tradition of the game and his father at the same time. I’m not a fan of seeing coaches in cut-off sweatshirts on the sideline (and yes, that was a shot at Beli-cheat)!

The Philadelphia Phillies play in Game 1 of the World Series tonight in Tampa tonight. Let’s go Phils!

Getting The Life Preservers Ready

Yesterday the Cowboys went to St. Louis and decided to play their worst game of the year. What had already been a tumultuous week for the Cowboys only got worse by the humiliation the Rams put on the 'Boys. Everyone (okay, maybe not everyone) is calling for Wade Phillips to be fired! That’s not going to happen…not this week…not next week, not during the bye week! There is too much at stake to do that!

Last week the Cowboys had a rough week on and off the field. With all the injuries and the Pacman Jones suspension…Jerry had to do something! He did…he acquired WR Roy Williams from the Detroit Lions (read more here). Roy’s first game with his new team is one he would sure like to forget! But how much of the offense could he learn in a couple of days? Apparently, not enough! He was held in check with no receptions. Owens didn’t fair much better as he had two catches and he’s been with the team for three years!

The Cowboys now sit at 4-3, having already lost as many games as they did all last year, and their play-off chances are starting to slip away. Some teams would love to be 4-3, but that doesn’t cut it in Dallas…not with Super Bowl aspirations…and not to mention how much money Jerry has shelled out this year. Mr. Jones rubs some people the wrong way, but he doesn’t mind! He paid $130 million for the Cowboys in 1989, and people thought he was insane…the Cowboys are now valued at over $1 Billion! If that’s insane…sign me up!

Jerry likes a gamble and that’s why he is willing to go “all-in” and sign players with checkered pasts. He takes chances…sometimes they work…sometimes they don’t…but at-least he tries! Jerry is maligned in the media as a meddling owner, that he is too hands on…but he is like a captain of a ship. When he sees that the ship might be sinking, he doesn’t bail on his team…he fights to the bitter end for his ship (team). The ship isn’t sinking just yet, but good ole Jerry is getting the life preserves ready!


Short Shots:


Reggie Bush injured his knee yesterday, and could be out 3-4 weeks…a tough loss for the Saints!

What the heck is going on with Peyton Manning and the Colts? This is starting to look like an episode of The Twilight Zone!

Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 57-yard field goal in OT to beat the Jets…talk about clutch, baby!

Clinton Portis ran for 175 yards and a TD yesterday against the Cleveland Browns. At some point you would think that the Browns would have put an 8th, 9th, or 10th man in the box!

Safety Roy Williams of the Cowboys re-injured his forearm (which he broke against the Eagles in Week 2) and may be out for the season. The Cowboys have now lost 4 DB’s in the last two weeks. Rumor has it that (inspired by the movie Invincible) Jerry is holding open try-outs at the Ranch this week. Darn…and I just committed to being a “tree” in my 4-year old daughter’s Halloween play…just my luck!

Week 6 Review

The crystal ball was two up and two down for the 2nd week in a row. That puts me 4 games under .500 for the season…not good! The crystal ball will be on a short leash this week…it better start looking over its shoulder! Let’s take a look back and see what happened:

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 6-10

Dallas @ Arizona: This was a bizarre game from the start with the Cards taking the opening kick-off all the way for a TD! The Cowboys had a late game rally to put the game in OT, but then disaster struck…the game ended on a blocked punt returned for a TD! In the end…the special teams for the Cowboys were not so special!

Philadelphia @ San Francisco: The Eagles got off to an early lead and it looked like it was going to be a cakewalk…guess again! Andy Reid tried for a long FG by the struggling David Ackers…that sure backfired, didn’t it! The 49ers blocked the FG and ran it back for a TD…now we got a ball game! The Birds were able to rally and win the game. It wasn’t pretty…but there are no “style points” in the NFL! A win is a win…especially on the road!

Miami @ Houston: Wow! This was an exciting game wire to wire. The ‘Fins are an exciting team to watch. The wildcat offense is fun to see in action…each week they have a new wrinkle. Pennington came from the WR position to throw a flea-flicker pass for a long TD…good stuff, I tell ya! On 4th and goal, on QB keeper in shotgun formation, Schaub took it in for the game clinching TD…with only seconds remaining on the clock…what a finish!

New England @ San Diego: The Patriots (CHEATERS) proved to be no match against Norv and his Bolts. Rivers shredded the Pat’s defense all night long! Cassel…well…he’s just not an NFL quality QB! How could he be? Prior to this season, he hasn’t started a game since High School! He was the back-up QB on his college team…Belichick is a fool to think that he could turn Cassel into a legitimate QB in the NFL! Maybe arrogant too!


Short Shots:


The Cowboys lost to the Cards in the desert…but add insult to injury…the ‘Boys lost Tony Romo, Felix Jones, Sam Hurd, and their punter to serious injuries…I guess it should be injury to insult!

The Eagles, Cowboys, and Redskins need to send fruit baskets to Romeo Crennel, in Cleveland, to thank him for beating the G-Men last night! And from the looks of Romeo’s waistline…the fruit should do him some good!

Eli Manning was horrible in last nights game against the Browns…Eli threw 3 INT’s. His older bro, Peyton, threw for 3 TD passes on Sunday afternoon…now that’s more like it…all is well in the Manning Universe!

Today is the NFL trade deadline and Tony Gonzales of the Chiefs wants to be traded! Do you blame him? If you were a 1st ballot Hall-Of-Famer to be…would you want Brodie Croyle throwing you the ball?

The Phillies came back in dramatic fashion to beat the Dodgers last night! The Phillies take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Go Phil’s…that parade on Broad street looks like a real possibility now!

Not So Special

Yesterday, the Cowboys went to the University of Phoenix Stadium to take on the Cardinals. The ‘Boys got lassoed by the Cards 30-24 in over-time. It was a great finish to a rather lackluster game. Sure Romo had 321 yards passing; Barber had 178 total yards from scrimmage, and even Patrick Crayton got in on the action with a 55-yard TD catch. Owens had a humble 4 receptions for 36 yards and Witten contributed 4 catches for 55 yards. But until the last 3 minutes and 17 seconds it was a boring game…but that’s why they play the full 60 minutes!

With 3:17 left in the game, the Cowboys got lucky on a little check down play that Barber took 70 yards to the house and giving Dallas a glimmer of hope. After a quick three and out by the Cards, the Cowboys got the ball back with 50 seconds on the clock and trailing by 3. Romo got them in field goal range and Nick Folk connected on a 52 yard FG as time expired…to OT we go!

In OT, the Cowboys got the ball first and did squat with it. What appeared to be a simple three and out to be followed by a punt…turned into a disaster! The punt was blocked and scooped up by the Cards in the end zone for a “walk-off” TD! What a way to lose a game! Odd, don’t you think? Of course it’s odd…it was the first time in NFL history that a game ended in OT with a blocked punt for a TD! For the Cowboys…at least they made “history” yesterday!

The game ended, just as it started…with a key special teams blunder by the ‘Boys in blue. On the opening kick-off the Cards took it all the way for a TD and Dallas didn’t know what hit them! On the last play of the game, the Cards struck again with a blocked punt for a TD…again, the Cowboys didn’t know what hit them…game over! Well…I’ll tell you what hit them…their Special Teams…which are…well…not so special!

Short Shots:

The NFC East got a lot tighter with the ‘Skins and Cowboys losing, while the Eagles got a win. Tonight the 4-0 G-Men face the Browns…let’s go Browns!

Peyton Manning finally woke up and shredded the vaunted Ravens defense…good…now, which Manning is better question, is finally put to rest? (P.S. It was really never in question, was it?)

The Atlanta Falcons are 4-2 (yep, that’s right…it’s not a typo!) and tied for 1st place in their division. I guess addition by subtraction does work! Michael Vick, Matt Schaub, Bobby Petrino, and DeAngelo Hall…don’t let the door hit you in the (you know what!).

The Phillies lost last night but still lead the series 2-1 over the L.A. Dodgers…come on Phils, we need a parade down Broad Street!

Week 5 Review

The crystal ball was two up and two down for the week. Even though that is an improvement, it still doesn’t cut it! Good thing this is for entertainment purposes only…or I would be in the poor house! Let’s take a look back and see what happened:

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 4-8

Cincinnati @ Dallas: This game went pretty much as I expected. Dallas led early, but then let Cincy make a game of it…a failed 2-point conversion from being a tie late in the game! Dallas then pulled away with a lucky TD pass going through Austin’s hands and deflecting right into Crayton’s…better to be lucky than good sometimes? Dallas holds on for a much needed victory to keep pace in such a highly contested division.

Washington @ Philadelphia: The Eagles got off to a great start leading 14-0 early in the contest. The zebras gave the Birds a gift TD on a DeSean “Fraction” Jackson punt return and Philadelphia was ready to give the KO punch to the ‘Skins. Washington stuck around with some field goals and took the lead with some nifty running by Portis… and they never looked back! They ran the ball at will against the Birds and ran out the clock!

Seattle @ N.Y. Giants: Wow! I expected a lot more from a Mike Holmgren team than that stinker! I guess (as much as it pains me) that I must break down and give the G-Men their due! They are a lot better than I expected, even with the loss of some key players. The Giants are now 4-0 and have half-game leads on Washington and Dallas. This division is shaping up nicely…it’s going to be a wild finish for those coveted play-off spots!

Indianapolis @ Houston: I thought that Indy would destroy the Texans in a laugher…well it was a laugher…almost for Houston. The Texans had a big lead all day long and had the Colts pinned in the corner. Sage…say it ain’t so…hold on to the damn ball! Peyton Manning and his posse came from behind with a miracle win! Indy escapes disaster and maybe they can salvage their season?


Short Shots:

The Eagles once again failed to score a TD inside the 5-yard line. They tried to pound it in with Westbrook and that failed. Reid…let McNabb throw the damn ball! The fans want Reid’s head on a platter! Read more here.

O.J. Simpson was found guilty in his Las Vegas “sting operation” trial earlier this week…actually on the 13th anniversary of his acquittal of his murder trial…I hope the jury wasn’t thinking…two wrongs make a right!

Marv Lewis and his Bengals are now 0-5…he is officially on the hot seat. Chad Johnson was seen giving his coach a kiss on the cheek during the Dallas game. For Marv’s sake…let’s hope it wasn’t the kiss of death!

Plaxico Burress decided to miss a mandatory meeting to drop off his son at nursery school. Now, I applaud him on being a good parent…but…that was one very expensive session of daycare (one game suspension and a $117,500 fine levied by the Giants)!

Predictions Week 4

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

Last week I was only accurate on one of four predictions. In baseball, that’s batting .250 (not bad), in football prognosticating…awful! So I shined up the crystal ball for this week, it was a little cloudy, some might say hazy, but it is now crystal clear…to me, anyway!

Last Week: 1-3

Overall: 1-3

Washington @ Dallas: This is a huge game for both teams. The Cowboys are riding high after their big win at Lambeau. Jason Campbell has come on strong the last few weeks and Portis is playing well. In the end it’s not going to be enough. The ‘Skins will hang tough for a while, but T.O. and the gang will dominate in the 2nd half. Look out for Felix “the Cat” to have more touches! Dallas 41, Washington 19.

Philadelphia @ Chicago: This could be a tough game for Philly on the road. They tore up Big Ben and shut down Slick Willie Parker last week. Can they do it again this week? Of course they can! Chicago has issues at QB…Forte is a good RB, and their defense is strong. The “X” factor is Hester, but it will not be enough. Philadelphia 23, Chicago 9.

San Diego @ Oakland: Norv and the Bolts have had a few heartbreaking games this year (the Denver game was total B.S). Al Davis has once again put his coach on the hot seat…boy, there’s a surprise. The Raiders’ slogans, “Commitment To Excellence” and “Just Win, Baby”, are as old as the tarnish on their Lombardi Trophies. Al Davis should fire himself, and let Monte’s boy do his job! San Diego 34, Oakland 17.

Cleveland @ Cincinnati: I will dub this the “Ohio Bowl” because this is the only Bowl these teams have a chance at winning…though it wouldn’t surprise me if they ended in a tie…as neither team deservers a victory. Look for Chad, I forgot how to get open and catch the football, Ocho Cinco Johnson to have a break out game. Cincinnati 21, Cleveland 20.

Short Shots:

This week Troy Brown retired…who cares?

Plaxico Burress was suspended for 1 game for missing practice…Practice; we’re talking about practice!

Matt Millen was fired by the Lions…wow…I didn’t see that coming? (Tongue in cheek).

Cedric Benson was cleared of all charges stemming from his DUI arrests…now can he stay sober long enough for someone to sign him?

Week 3 Review

Today I am taking my lumps, and licking my wounds. I was 1-3 on my predictions for Week 3. Though I take great pride in my prognosticating skills, I must blame the crystal ball for this one. Granted, I should have known better, because I purchased it at Dollar Tree…what do you expect for a dollar? Maybe I will “Windex” it before this week’s prediction, so it isn’t so cloudy and hazy. Lets take a closer look at what happened:

Dallas @ Green Bay: I had picked Green Bay because I felt that after the emotional win against the Eagles, the short week, being on the road, and never having won at Lambeau Field, that the ‘Boyz would falter. I was wrong! “Boo” for my predictions…”yeah” for my team!

Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia: I picked the Steelers because I felt that the Eagles put too much into the Dallas game, and that they were still licking there wound. Wrong again! One final thought on this one…after, I don’t know, the 3rd, 4th, or 5th sack (the Eagles sacked the QB 8 times), Pittsburgh would have adjusted and tried to pick up the Blitz!

Miami @ New England: I picked Miami solely because I knew Parcells wanted to stick it to New England…and I’m glad he did! I despise only one team, New England, because they are Cheaters! Since I was right on this one…gloat…gloat…gloat!

Jacksonville @ Indianapolis: I went with Indy on this one because I figured Peyton would get out of his slump and become Super Peyton once again…oops, wrong thrice! You know, this is getting a little scary, when Eli is the better Manning? I never thought I would ever say that, but Eli is playing lights out, and Big Bro is struggling…that knee better heal up or Indy is in trouble!

Week 3: 1-3
Overall: 1-3


Short Shots:

Is it just me, or are the Refs really off their game this year? Lots of bad calls!

Does Romo like throwing INT’s in the Red Zone?

Could John Madden get any more annoying?

Phil Simms…shut up!

Choke Award…Martin Gramatica…how could you miss 2 field goals (one as time expired before the half, and one at the 2 minute warning in the 4th quarter)…that must have been one long plane ride home for Martin.