Predictions Super Bowl XLIII

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!


Pittsburgh vs. Arizona: This should be an amazing Super Bowl…aren’t they all? Even the blowouts are fun…because it’s the biggest game of the year! These two teams know each other fairly well. The coaching staff of the Cardinals is littered with Pittsburgh connections. Some say that this should give the Cardinals the advantage…and I agree. The Steelers may have the No. 1 defense in the league, but that won’t make a difference to Kurt Warner and the Cards. Look for a high scoring affair in this contest. Boldin should have a great game, with everyone keying on Fitzgerald. He may even give Warner a run for MVP honors. Pittsburgh will keep it close until the 3rd quarter, but then the Cards will fly to victory and bring the Lombardi Trophy to the desert. Arizona 41, Pittsburgh 27.


Short Shots:

To my loyal readers: sorry for the long lay-off since my last post. Stay tuned for coverage of the combine and free-agency…followed by draft coverage…

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Predictions Conference Championships

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 pathetic last week, posting a 1-3 record. Not a week it wants to remember! Now that we have reached the Championship games in the playoffs, the crystal ball assures me it will rebound this week with a solid performance. The crystal ball is now 36-31-1 for the season; which is five games over .500 (.537 to be exact). With two great match-ups before us, this week is going to be a challenge for the crystal ball…its reputation is on the line! Let’s see what’s in store for us this weekend.

Last Week: 1-3

Playoffs: 3-5

Overall: 36-31-1


Philadelphia @ Arizona: This is going to be a very interesting game. The Eagles dismantled the Cards in Week 13, but that was in Philly. The Cardinals had trouble when traveling East all season long. This game will be on their home sand though…will it make a difference? The Cardinals can be very explosive on offense (especially if Boldin can play), but the Eagles have been playing inspired football on defense. Led by defensive captain, Brian Dawkins, the Birds will blitz the living (bleep) out of Kurt Warner. The key in this game is simple; can Warner hit the hot receiver before the Eagles put him on his back? Also, look for the Cards to use screen passes to try and hold the LBs from blitzing. I still can’t believe that the Cardinals are hosting the NFC Championship game…The Battle Of The Birds! In double OT, Arizona 30, Philadelphia 24.

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh: The Steelers have proved to be the best team in the NFL this season. They are a force at home, and the frigid weather could play a key role in this contest. The Ravens are known for defense, but led by a rookie coach and QB; the offense has played well this season. The Steelers have already defeated the Ravens twice this year. Will the 3rd time be the charm for the Ravens? Yes it will! Don’t ask me how, because the Steelers are a much better team. The Ravens will win because it’s just too difficult to beat a team three times in one season. Baltimore 18, Pittsburgh 13.


Short Shots:

To all Eagles fans: My cousin called me last week and pleaded with me to pick against the Eagles. He claims that every time I pick them to lose, they win. Okay Cuz, you got your wish! I picked the Eagles to lose solely for this reason!

Congratulations to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law on the birth of their first child (baby boy). Mother, baby, and proud daddy are all doing fine. The Eagles now have one additional fan. He’s cute, so we won’t hold it against him!


From The Mail Room:

Skip J., Irving, Texas: Can TO and Garrett get along for one more year? Do the Cowboys have enough cap space to rid themselves of the trouble maker?

Utopia1dc: Skip, it looks like Terrell and Jason will have to coexist for another season. Garrett has not been offered a head-coaching job yet, and the vacancies are slowly dwindling. Jerry Jones has always had an admiration for Garrett, so he isn’t going anywhere. Jerry also loves him some Terrell Owens, so he is staying as well. Jerry will make it work. Cutting T.O. will be too much of a salary cap hit, and more importantly…who’s going to replace his production on the field?



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Divisional Round Review

The crystal ball had a dreadful performance this past week, posting a woeful 1-3 record. This is playoff time, so that is totally unacceptable! The crystal ball started off 1-0, but then dropped its last three for the weekend! Anyway, that puts the crystal ball at 3-5 for the post-season, and 36-31-1 overall. That’s five games over .500 (.537 to be exact). Hopefully the crystal ball will perform better this coming week, as the pressure mounts in the Championship games! Let’s take a look back, and review what happened last week.

Last Week: 1-3

Playoffs: 3-5

Overall: 36-31-1

Baltimore @ Tennessee: (WIN) This was a classic defensive struggle. Both teams did rack up some yards, especially the Titans (391). That’s a lot of yards against the Ravens defense, but the name of the game is to score points. The Titans had their share of opportunities, but they didn’t get the job done! The Titans had the edge in yards and time of possession, but the three turnovers they committed sealed their fate! The Ravens offense wasn’t great, but it doesn’t need to be. They played tough, hard-nosed football, and Flacco managed the offense. More importantly…he had no turnovers. In the playoffs, it’s hard to win when you lose the turnover battle. The Ravens will travel to Pittsburgh for the AFC title.

Arizona @ Carolina: (LOSS) What the (bleep) was Jake Delhomme doing out there? He had five picks…are you kidding me? He sure picked the wrong week to have the worst day of his life! The Panthers looked sharp on their first scoring drive, but then they must have gotten amnesia, because the entire team forgot how to play football! Goodell…test the Gatorade! Arizona, led by the geriatric kid (Warner) played well. Once they got the lead, they never looked back. Even without Boldin, the Cards offense was unstoppable. The Cardinals will now host the NFC Championship game…I can’t believe I just typed that!

Philadelphia @ New York Giants: (LOSS) The Eagles were firing on all cylinders. The offense had its moments, but played well enough to win. The Birds defense stole the show though. They harassed Eli all day long, even though they didn’t register any sacks. The pressure was there, and Manning was off his game and threw two costly picks! The Giants played with no heart whatsoever…they looked like a deer in headlights. Dawkins was all over the field and he has been the motivation behind the Eagles success on defense. That guy is a baller…even at his ripe old age! The Eagles might have needed a lot of breaks to get into the tournament, but they sure are making the most of their opportunity. The Birds will fly west to meet up with the Cardinals for the NFC title.

San Diego @ Pittsburgh: (LOSS) The Steelers are simply the most consistent team in the NFL. They come to play each week. They ran the ball well, and Big Ben had a good day as well. Ben didn’t light it up, but when you can run the ball and your defense is the best in the league, you don’t have to…just avoid the mistakes! The Bolts kept it close, and they rallied to make it interesting late, but they never really had a chance. Rivers tried to carry the team on his back, but it was just too much of a burden on him…he misses LT’s production! Sproles was a non-factor in the running game, as Pittsburgh held him to 15 yards on 11 carries…ouch! The Steelers now have a date with the Ravens for the AFC Championship. They have defeated the Ravens twice this season, but can they make it thrice?


Short Shots:


Yesterday, Tony Dungy retired from coaching after a 7-year run in Indy. He has turned that franchise into a winner. He never got his Lombardi Trophy in Tampa, but he made it happen in Indy. His coaching career will surely land him in Canton, but Dungy will be remembered more for his work that doesn’t deal with football. If you get the chance…read his book!

The Eagles are flying high with their Super Bowl run, but I have to say I am disappointed with Donovan McNabb. What was he thinking of when he picked up the telephone on the Giants sideline? If that were Terrell Owens or Pacman Jones, Goodell would have suspended them by now. D-Mac…you know better, don’t you?


From The Mail Room:


Nate S., Glenside, PA: Are you surprised to see both of the 6 seeds make it this far in the play offs?

Utopia1dc: Nate, no I’m not really that surprised. The Eagles are playing very well. It didn’t surprise me that they could beat Minnesota and the G-Men on the road. The Vikings are an average team, and the Giants aren’t the same without Plaxico. As for the Ravens, they are a very dangerous team. The Ravens may have been a 6th seed, but they were 11-5 on the season. Two of their five losses came at the hands of the Steelers. The Ravens also have a rookie coach and QB, but they sure aren’t acting like rookies! The Ravens will give the Steelers all they can handle. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see both 6th seeds advance to the Super Bowl either!



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Predictions Divisional Round

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 we are ensconced in the playoffs, the crystal ball assures me it will rebound this week with a better performance. The crystal ball is now 35-28-1 for the season; which is seven games over .500 (.555 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: 2-2

Overall: 35-28-1


Baltimore @ Tennessee: Last week, the Ravens had an easy time with the Dolphins, while Tennessee rested up on a bye week. The Titans have been a bit of a surprise this season, and Kerry Collins has found the fountain of youth. Kerry is playing at his best, and the Titans have a dynamic 1-2 punch in the running game. The vaunted Baltimore defense, led by Ray Lewis, will be up to the challenge though. Joe Flacco has been playing beyond his years, and has the Ravens offense on the right track. This game will be played close to the vest, and I don’t anticipate much scoring. Baltimore will win, but the Titans will make them earn it. Baltimore 18, Tennessee 13.

Arizona @ Carolina: The Cardinals took care of the Falcons last week in a well-played game by both participants. Carolina was using the bye week to rest up some lagging bumps and bruises. Arizona has played well this year, but not on the road, especially when traveling to the East Coast! Carolina is a well-balanced machine on offense. They have two quality RBs, as well as a solid WR core, lead by Steve Smith. The Panthers defense has played very well also. Arizona does have some firepower on offense, so never count them out. In the end, the Panthers will prove to be too much for the Cards! Carolina 29, Arizona 27.

Philadelphia @ New York Giants: This will be the most heated game of the weekend. These teams are only a two-hour drive down the turnpike from each other, with no love lost between them! This is the rubber match, as each team has won on the other teams turf. This bodes well for the Eagles, as they have had success at the Meadowlands. The G-Men have struggled offensively without Burress, while their defense has been solid. The Birds have been on a roller coaster ride all season. One week they look unstoppable, the next they look mediocre at best! They have been on a high note for several weeks now. These NFC East division foes have much history between them, and the crystal ball is a little hazy on this one. In a toss-up game, the winner will be the G-Men. New York Giants 24, Philadelphia 20.

San Diego @ Pittsburgh: San Diego has had a difficult season. They struggled early in the year (with some questionable officiating), but they bounced back to win their division at 8-8. Last week they were able to hold off the mighty Colts. The Steelers should be well rested coming off the bye week. Big Ben looks ready to go. I expect the Chargers to put a lot of pressure on the QB. Sproles has played well with LT being limited due to injury. If the Bolts want to win, they will need to get the ball down the field. The Steelers have a great defense, so it will be tough sledding in the ground game. The Bolts will find a way to win; the crystal ball sees a huge victory for Norv! San Diego 27, Pittsburgh 17.


Short Shots:

There has been much speculation if Terrell Owens will return next year to the Cowboys, because he is due a roster bonus of 3.1M on June 1st. Lat year, Owens was due a similar bonus in March…Jerry paid it! This year…Jerry will pay it again! Owens was given a contract extension earlier in the season. He is still a talented receiver at his ripe old age, but more importantly, who would replace him in the line-up? I see Terrell staying in Dallas and finishing out his career; he likes being a Cowboy!

Reggie Bush had to undergo microfracture surgery on his left knee, rather than arthroscopic surgery. The microfracture surgery is a more invasive procedure, where the recovery time is lengthier. Bush has been a disappointment after his sensational rookie season. This is just another major setback for Bush and the Saints. This is not a surgery that many players return from in full form. Good luck to Reggie!


From The Mail Room:

Samuel Z., Fort Worth, Texas: The Cowboys dont have a 1st pick because of Williams trade. What should they do in the draft?

Utopia1dc: Samuel, you are correct! The Cowboys sent a 1st and 3rd round pick to Detroit for Roy Williams. The thought was that an accomplished receiver, like Williams, would be better than what they would be able to draft in the 1st round of the draft. This theory remains to be seen, as Roy, did nothing while wearing the star on his helmet, to suggest that Jerry made a wise decision. It’s still too early to tell, but Roy needs to step it up next season. As for the draft, it’s a little premature to speculate, but I’ll do it anyway. The Cowboys need a QB to back-up Romo, and a WR as well. A quality safety would be nice also. It will be clearer in which direction the ‘Boys go, once free agency is in full swing!



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Reality Mail Bag - 01/08/09

Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers. I personally read every single email I receive. I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I won’t be able to answer all of them. I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well. Now it’s time to open the mail!


Troy J., Miami, FL: The Cowboys have cut Pacman Jones. This punk was a waste of draft picks and money.

Utopia1dc: Troy, I will have to agree that Pacman is a punk, but he really wasn’t a waste of money or draft picks. He did not receive a signing bonus, nor did he get paid for the games he was suspended. As far as the draft picks go, the Cowboys are getting a pick back from the Titans (because of the suspension). They have actually already used the pick in the Roy Williams deal, so it might be a wasted pick anyway…but that’s a whole different alligator?


Rosario J., Dallas, Texas: Owens had a horrible year. The Cowboys should clean house and get rid of TO and Tank Johnson and any other trouble makers!!!!

Utopia1dc: Rosario, Owens did have a sub-par season…for T.O. He did have 69 receptions for 1052 yards and 10 TDs. He also averaged 15.2 yards per reception…not too shabby for an old man! His numbers were very similar to Randy Moss (69 REC, 1008 YDS, 11 TDs, and 14.6 YPR), but nobody is giving him a hard time? Tank Johnson was somewhat of a disappointment, but that’s on the field. He has done nothing as far as any off the field issues. And what other troublemakers?


Kurt B., Warminster, PA: Do you think the Eagles have a legitimate shot at beating the Giants on the road?

Utopia1dc: Kurt, the Eagles have a decent chance at defeating the Super Bowl Champs. I don’t think that the Birds being on the road is that much of a factor. The weather is similar, as the teams are only a two-hour drive in distance. Traveling shouldn’t be an issue either. The Eagles have already defeated the G-Men this year in the Meadowlands. With Plaxico Burress out, the Giants run game has struggled, as teams are stacking the line to stop the three-headed RB Monster! Stay tuned for my predictions tomorrow.


Jane B., Obelisk, PA: Who is your superbowl favorite? It looks like an open race to me. Go Eagles!!!

Utopia1dc: The NFC is wide open. If the Eagles can get past the G-Men, I think they have a real chance at advancing to the big dance. Carolina is also a team to be reckoned with. The G-Men won’t get to the Super Bowl! In the AFC, the Ravens are the team to beat, but don’t count out the Bolts. The Chargers have been playing well in the second half of the season and in the playoffs. They have done this with little help from LT! I will be rooting for Norv and his Bolts…I just think it’s his turn. Wouldn’t it be something if an 8-8 team won the Super Bowl?


Eagleman, South Philly: Yo cowgirl your cowboys suck. When are you gonna eat all that crow you were serving up?

Utopia1dc: Eagleman, any relation to Birdman? I used to have season tickets at the Vet in Birdman’s section several eons ago. Anyway, I’m not sure what crow I was serving? I call it like it is. If you have been reading my Blog, you would know that I have picked the Eagles on many occasions. I also defended Reid and McNabb when everybody had their bags packed for them. The Eagles beat the Cowboys to get in the playoffs, now it’s time for them to do something with this opportunity. As an Eagles fan, you may want to worry about the team they face this week, not who they beat several weeks ago!


Short Shots:

Eric Mangini has been named the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. I’m not sure why the Jets fired him in the first place? The Jets are a decent team, but Favre just faded down the stretch…he’s just too old. I’m not sure Mangini was entirely onboard with Farve’s acquisition in the first place. I bet the Jets are kicking themselves for cutting Pennington.

The Cowboys have cut Adam Jones. I’m not sure that was a good move. He played decently at times, and he was rusty some of the time. But that should have been expected, as he missed nearly a year and a half due to suspension the past two seasons. He may have been an asset next year with a little more time in adjusting back to football. I guess Jerry has had enough of the drama, and is appeasing his fan base with this move?



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Wildcard Weekend Review

The crystal ball had a mediocre performance this past week, going a mere 2-2. This is playoff time, so that is unacceptable! The crystal ball took its lumps on the Colts game, but it’s okay with it since Norv’s our buddy! Anyway, that puts the crystal ball at 2-2 for the post-season, and 35-28-1 overall. That’s seven games over .500 (.555 to be exact). Hopefully the crystal ball will perform better this coming week, as the pressure mounts in post-season play! Let’s take a look back, and review what happened last week.

Last Week: 2-2

Playoffs: 2-2

Overall: 35-28-1

Atlanta @ Arizona: (LOSS) The Atlanta Falcons had a good run, but their season came to an end. The Cardinals were able to use the home crowd to their advantage. QB Kurt Warner had a good game. The Cards brought Edge off the bench, and he rewarded them by grinding out the tough yards. Fitzgerald reeled in 6 receptions for 101 yards and a TD. The Cardinals pulled away in the 3rd quarter with 2 TDs. The Falcons fought hard to the bitter end, but it just wasn’t meant to be. Arizona moves on to play at Carolina. The Falcons exceeded everyone’s expectations this year, and they will be a team to be reckoned with for several years to come.

Indianapolis @ San Diego: (LOSS) What a game this was! Anytime a game goes to OT in the playoffs…it becomes an instant classic. These teams battled all day. MVP Peyton Manning had a good game with over 300 yards passing, but little man Sproles stole the show for the Bolts. Darren Sproles rushed for 105 yards on 23 carries and scored twice. He also had 5 grabs for 45 yards as well. The Chargers may want to get him a long-term deal and not let him get away like they did with Michael Turner. With LT being banged up lately, he would be a good insurance policy, as well as a great change of pace RB. Norv was relieved to get this win, but he looks as if he has aged 10 years this season. The Bolts will travel to Pittsburgh next week. Indy…you better hope that Tony Dungy stays for another year!

Baltimore @ Miami: (WIN) The Ravens defense was the difference in this game, but that’s no surprise. The Ravens are known for their defense, and they came to play against the Fins. The Miami Dolphins only had 13 turnovers all season; they had 5 against the Ravens! Pennington had only thrown 7 INTs all season; he had 4 against the Ravens! You cannot do that against the Baltimore Ravens and expect to win. It’s just not going to happen! Ed Reed is by far the best safety in the NFL today. By the time he’s done playing, we may have to use him in the same sentence as Ronnie Lott…that’s a mouthful! The Dolphins had a tremendous season, but it’s now over. With Parcells staying in South Beach, look for the Fins to make a serious run next year! The Ravens will travel to Tennessee next week…that’s going to be a gooden!

Philadelphia @ Minnesota: (WIN) The Eagles may have needed a prayer to make the playoffs, but the aren’t counting on divine intervention any more. They took matters into their own hands and were able to hold off the Vikings. Minnesota was able to hang tough, with Peterson carrying the rock, for a while. The inexperienced Jackson, at QB, showed its hand in the 2nd half, as the Eagles came after him. Westbrook had 38 yards on 20 carries…that’s some tough sledding! He was able to contribute with 83 yards receiving on 3 receptions. McNabb had another stellar performance with 300 yards passing. The Birds broke it open in the 4th quarter, and they never looked back! Minnesota should have stuck with Frerotte, as his experience could have come in handy. The Eagles will take a ride up the turnpike to visit the G-Men.


Short Shots:


James Harrison ( LB Pittsburgh) was awarded with Defensive Player Of The Year. DeMarcus Ware of the Cowboys should have won the award…hands down! He did finish second in the voting. Ware had 20 sacks this season. He is only the 5th player in NFL history to register 20+ sacks in a single season! Hmm?

There are many coaching vacancies this time of year. Can anyone entice Cowher out of retirement? Where is Shanahan going to end up? I know he has his sights on Dallas, but they still have a head coach? Stay tuned!


From The Mail Room:


Patrick J., Hazelton, PA: Jason Garrett is drawing alot of interest around the league. Is he gonna stay in Dallas or will he jump at a chance to be a head coach elsewhere?

Utopia1dc: Patrick, that’s a good question. Jason was a hot commodity last season as well, but Jones stepped up and gave him a fat contract to stay. This year, the Cowboys offense struggled for many reasons, but Garrett should shoulder some of the blame. If the right situation presented itself, Jason might take it. But, Jerry thinks he is the long-term answer for the Cowboys…just not yet. Wade Phillips will be back for another year. After that, I could see Jerry pulling the trigger and handing the reigns over to Garrett. Don’t be surprised to see Wade stay on as the defensive coordinator either, if and when Garrett is promoted!

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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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Week 17 Review

The crystal ball had a mediocre performance this past week, going a mere 2-2. We’re not sure what happened, but this is not acceptable. The crystal ball took its lumps on the Cowboys game, but it may have been predicting with its heart rather than its fortune-telling powers? Either way, that puts the crystal ball at 33-26-1 for the season. That’s seven games over .500 (.558 to be exact). Hopefully the crystal ball will perform better in the playoffs! Let’s take a look back, and review what happened last week.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 33-26-1

St. Louis @ Atlanta: (WIN) The Atlanta Falcons got a huge win against the Rams last week, finishing the season at 11-5. Carolina got a last minute victory over New Orleans; otherwise Atlanta would have stolen the NFC South division. The Falcons had a superb season, and they are the 5th seed in the NFC, a far cry from where they were a year ago! The Falcons have found themselves a franchise QB in Matt Ryan, and Michael Turner isn’t too shabby of a RB either. Roddy White has finally lived up to his high draft pick potential. Atlanta could be a dangerous team in the tournament!

Miami @ New York Jets: (LOSS) The Jets had another dismal game to finish the season at 9-7. Favre faded down the stretch with his worn and withered 39-year-old body. The Jets lost 4 of their last 5 games, and found themselves on the outside looking in. To make matters worse, Favre looks like he’s playing the “I’m not telling you if I’m retiring or not routine” again. Their coach, Eric Mangini, got fired to boot! Miami won the AFC East crown…that’s just absolutely amazing. From 1-15 to 11-5…way to go Parcells and Sparano!

Denver @ San Diego: (WIN) Denver had a three game lead over the Bolts with three games to play. Surely the division was all but wrapped up…wrong! The Broncos choked and San Diego stole the division (and their hearts like it was Valentine’s Day!). Shanahan got the boot, so now Denver must rebuild. Norv and his Bolts will host the Colts this weekend in the tournament. San Diego looked very impressive in their total domination of the team they were trailing all season long!

Dallas @ Philadelphia: (LOSS) This was to be the game of all games; winner takes all; win and you’re in, lose and go home! The Eagles were prepared for the task at hand, while the Cowboys seemed lost in space. The Eagles jumped to an early lead, but the Cowboys responded. It started to unravel for the ‘Boys right before the half when Romo was picked off. That led to an Eagles TD and a last second FG (after an Adam Jones fumbled on the kick-off) right before the half. The Cowboys tried to rally in the second half and they were on the verge of scoring several times. Unfortunately, for them, they fumbled the ball away and the Birds showed no mercy as they scored two defensive TDs. The Cowboys may have more talent then many teams in the NFL, but championships aren’t won on paper; they’re won on the gridiron. The Birds are peaking at the right time as they enter the playoffs on a high note.


Short Shots:


Brett Favre…retire already! Just go away! It’s over! See ya! Can you tell I have a genuine dislike for this guy? Oh yeah…bye-bye!

The Cowboys traded a 1st and 3rd round pick for Roy Williams. They re-worked his contract so that he is averaging roughly 9 Million per season. Williams had 19 receptions for 198 yards and 1 TD in 10 games. Jerry better hope that in the off-season Romo and Williams start designing some secret plays to get him involved!


From The Mail Room:


Keith J., Irving, Texas: The Cowboys had another December collapse. Romo was horrible in December again. Where do the Cowboys go from here?

Utopia1dc: Keith, the Cowboys did have a horrible December once again. I really don’t think that it’s December that’s the problem though. Late in the season, teams have a ton of tape on your schemes. It seems that the Cowboys showed little imagination in their offensive play calling. Jason Garrett needs to be better prepared late in the season. The Cowboys were out of sync the whole season, but they were exploited late in the season. I think Romo is a very good QB, but he seems to force it when he gets in trouble. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. If the rest of the team played to their potential, he may not have been in those situations to begin with? The Cowboys need to re-group, re-load, and get ready for 2009 in their new stadium. Basically, that’s all they can do on January 1st anyway!

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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 17

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, posting a 2-2 record. Not great, but we will take it! The crystal ball assures me it will rebound this week with a better performance. The crystal ball is now 31-24-1 for the season; which is seven games over .500 (.563 to be exact). This week is going to be a challenge for the crystal ball, with many key match-ups that have playoff implications. Let’s see what’s in store for us this weekend.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 31-24-1

St. Louis @ Atlanta: The Atlanta Falcons have gone from a franchise in complete disarray to a playoff team in one season. The Falcons have assured themselves of a playoff spot already. A win against the Rams, coupled with a Carolina loss against the Saints, would catapult them to the No. 2 seed, with a 1st round bye. That’s absolutely incredible! Rookie QB Matt Ryan has played well all season, and he looks like a franchise QB for many years to come. Atlanta wins big here with much at stake! Atlanta 27, St. Louis 13.

Miami @ New York Jets: The Miami Dolphins must win this game to capture the AFC East, because if they lose they are out of the playoffs completely. The Dolphins have done an excellent job in putting together a competitive team in one season. I’m not surprised though, as Parcells raided the Cowboys front office, coaching staff, and their roster, to get them in position for the playoffs! The Jets must win as well, but that won’t guarantee anything, as they need some help (Patriots OR Ravens need to lose). I like the Jets to win this game, but it will be close. New York Jets 24, Miami 19.

Denver @ San Diego: This game has been moved to Sunday night as part of the NFL flexible scheduling. It is a do or die game for both teams. It’s simple my friends, win and your in…lose and go home! That’s right…winner take all! The Broncos had a huge lead over the Bolts a few weeks ago, but now it’s put up or shut up for both teams. The winner takes the AFC West division title and the No. 4 seed in the playoffs with a home game in the 1st round. I like the Chargers in this one, as Rivers should be able to exploit the Denver defense. And don’t forget about LT, he has been playing better as of late, as he is starting to heal up from his nagging injuries. San Diego 34, Denver 30.

Dallas @ Philadelphia: And now, for the game we all have been anticipating. For the Cowboys, it’s simple. If the ‘Boys win, they are in the tournament, if they lose, they are out! As for the Birds, they need to win and pray for some help. The Eagles would also need a Tampa Bay AND a Chicago loss to qualify for the playoffs! This should be a great game for many reasons. The history between these teams goes back decades. Do you remember the Bounty Bowls? Need I say more…I didn’t think so! Both of these teams have been on a roller coaster ride all season. One week they look like Super Bowl contenders, the next week they look like the Detroit Lions (ouch)! I like the Cowboys in this contest simply because they are my favorite team. In a very hard fought game that will go into OT (and yes, D-Mac…it can end in a tie, but it won’t this time), the Cowboys kick a 52-yard FG with :01 left in OT to silence the crowd! Dallas 27, Philadelphia 24.


Short Shots:

The Carolina Panthers blew a golden opportunity for home field advantage by losing to the G-Men last week. This week, if they lose to New Orleans and Atlanta wins against St. Louis, the Panthers will fall from the No. 2 seed to the 5th seed. Wow!

Whether the Dolphins make the playoffs or not, what they have accomplished in one season is a tremendous feat. They only won one game last year! They have won 10 games this season, but they need one more to make the tournament. Even though I picked the Jets, I will be rooting for the Cowboys Southeast (Miami)!


From The Mail Room:


Doug F., Santa Fe, New Mexico: Do you think Wade Philips is going to be fired after the season?

Utopia1dc: Doug, that’s an excellent question! I like Wade because he is a nice guy and a good coach. He isn’t a great coach, but not many are. He is a good fit with the Cowboys, because he has Texas roots and the players like and respect him. He is a very funny guy if you watch his press conferences as well. He has done a good job in my opinion this year. The ‘Boys have been battling key injuries all season, but that shouldn’t be an excuse. If the ‘Boys win in Philly and win a playoff game, his job should be safe. You never know with Jerry though…he did fire a coach after he won back-to-back Super Bowls?

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Reality Mail Bag - 12/25/08

Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers. I personally read every single email I receive. I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I won’t be able to answer all of them. I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well. Now it’s time to open the mail!


Jimmy Z., Philadelphia, PA: What's your thoughts on McNabb coming back next year? E A G L E S EAGLES!

Utopia1dc: Jimmy, I really don’t know what the big fuss is all about. D-Mac is still a quality QB in this league. The Eagles still have a chance to make the playoffs if they beat Dallas and get a little help. If McNabb leaves, do the Eagles really know what Kevin Kolb can do? If Kolb can’t cut it, the Eagles could be looking at being in rebuilding mode for several years! Be careful what you wish for!


Jordan, H., Sapulpa, Oklahoma: What's up Yankee. Remember when we went to the NFC championship game against Frisco? That was an awesome run our boys had!

Utopia1dc: Jordan, what’s up dude? I haven’t seen you in years! I remember going like it was yesterday. We sure did have some fun in the early 90’s, didn’t we? I sure miss going to all the games with you guys, but it’s way too hot down there in the summer. When you get to the new stadium, you can look for my Paver, and take a picture of it for me! Peace out!


Larry J., Scranton, PA: Why is it all you Cowgirls come out of the woodwork every few years when they are winning but you hide like rats when they lose?

Utopia1dc: Larry, I’ve always been here…I don’t hide! It seems to me like it’s the other way around. I don’t hear from people for years on end, but as soon as the ‘Boys have a bad year or the Eagles are doing well, all of my friends seem to find my number and email address all of a sudden. I just like watching the games…root for whomever you want…just have fun! Don’t worry about which team other people are rooting for, just support your team of choice…period!


Tim B., Dallas, Texas: I was at last weeks game and even though the Ravens beat us it was still a cool post game celebration to close Texas stadium.

Utopia1dc: Tim, I watched it on TV, and it looked pretty lame to me. Maybe if I was there, it may have been exciting. With the ‘Boys losing the way they did, it didn’t have the same effect for me anyway. I will miss Texas Stadium, but I am looking forward to the new stadium as well. I can’t wait to go!


Molly P., Glenside, PA: The Eagles aren't gonna do anything even if they make the playoffs. I want them to lose so they can get a better draft pick next year.

Utopia1dc: Molly, you shouldn’t think like that. The Eagles will be picking in the mid teens to the low 20’s, so it’s not like it’s a top 10 pick we are talking about. If they win, they have a chance to make the tournament. You should always root for your team to win, but if you insist that they lose, that is sweet music to my ears! Go Cowboys!


Short Shots:


Tony Romo has missed some practice time this week, but he should be good to go for Sunday’s big match-up against the Eagles. Romo needs to make sure he takes care of the ball a little better. Maybe Wade Phillips should make Romo walk around with a football all week long and take care of it like it was a baby?

The Brett Favre saga is starting up again. Brett is already talking about whether or not he’s retiring after the season. Dude…just ride off into the sunset already! Play…don’t play…I don’t care! Just stop talking about it!

I just want to wish everyone a safe and happy Holiday. Merry Christmas!

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Week 16 Review

The crystal ball had a mediocre performance this past week, going a mere 2-2. We’re not sure what happened, but we will get to the bottom of this. The crystal ball took its lumps on the Cowboys game, but it may have been predicting with its heart rather than its fortune-telling powers? Either way, that puts the crystal ball at 29-22-1 for the season. That’s seven games over .500 (.563 to be exact). Let’s take a look back, and review what happened last week.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 31-24-1

Baltimore @ Dallas: (LOSS) The crystal ball thought this was going to be a big win for the ‘Boys, we all know that didn’t happen. The Ravens defense played well, and kept the Dallas offense in check for most of the night. The Cowboys had two late drives to close within a field goal, but each time the Ravens responded. And boy did they respond, with back to back long runs of 77 and 82 yards; each for TDs! It was like the parting of the Red Sea. The ‘Boys played tough, but they blew a golden opportunity in the NFC playoff race, as well as closing Texas Stadium with a dud!

Philadelphia @ Washington: (WIN) This was a classic defensive struggle. Washington was stacking the box with eight and nine players; daring the Eagles to pass. Well, we all know Andy loves to pass the ball, so he took the challenge. The Eagles were a little thin at the WR position with a couple of injuries. That didn’t stop D-Mac and Big Red from trying to pass their way to victory. With seconds on the clock, McNabb hit his target at the 1-yard line, only to be sandwiched by two Redskins defenders…game over!

New Orleans @ Detroit: (WIN) New Orleans went full throttle on the helpless Lions. Drew Brees was simply outstanding in a blow out victory. He was flinging the ball around as if the Detroit defense wasn’t even playing. It’s a shame that this team isn’t going to make the tournament, if only they could sure up the defensive. On offense, they are top notch, but that’s not good enough in the NFL…you need balance! Maybe next year? Detroit…0-16 is in your future!

New York Jets @ Seattle: (LOSS) The Jets have been in somewhat of a slump the last few weeks. After they beat the Titans, it seems as if they put the brakes on. Maybe they started reading their own press clippings, and thought all they had to do was show up to win? Not in the NFL, baby! Favre has looked suspect during this lackluster stretch. He has thrown many key INTs that I bet he would like back, but that’s Favre! His greatness is what gets him in trouble at times. They are still alive for a playoff spot, but they could have made things easier on themselves had the beat the lowly Seahawks.


Short Shots:


The Chicago Bears defeated the Green bay Packers on MNF, in dramatic fashion, to keep their playoff hopes alive. They blocked a FG attempt with seconds left in the game to force OT. They then proceeded to win the coin toss, get the ball, and score. They live for another week!

Plaxico Burress is in the news again. He apparently got into a car accident last May. It has been reported that he was driving with an expired license and no insurance. Dude, you make millions, don’t you have a personal assistant to take care of this stuff for you? If not, you can email me and I’ll send you my resume!


From The Mail Room:


Adam, Camden, NJ: I'm going to the game Sunday and was wondering if you know of any Cowboys tailgating that will be going on pregame. If so, what lot/where? Thanks so much. GO COWBOYS!

Utopia1dc: Adam, you can look for me in section 221. I will be with some friends that are Eagles fans. I will be wearing an Eagles Terrell Owens jersey that I purchased for $2 on clearance. This way, I blend in and can cheer in silent mockery…and not get my butt kicked! I would recommend that you skip any tailgating and not show your colors, because it could get ugly if the ‘Boys win! Go Cowboys!

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Not Dead Yet

On Saturday night, the Cowboys had a golden opportunity to close out Texas Stadium in style. This was the final game to be played at the stadium. A Cowboys win would have been a fitting end to a stadium that has had many classic games. A win, and the Cowboys would have been one step further in their quest for a playoff berth, and a Super Bowl run.

It didn’t happen! The Cowboys defense played well for 55 minutes, but they let two long runs (77 yards and 82 yards) ruin what could have been a festive night in Texas! Sure, they still had a ceremony after the game. They honored many former players, but it wasn’t the same. The Cowboys loss put them in a situation in which they would need help to get to the tournament; a win alone next week against the Birds wouldn’t be enough.

On Sunday, the same football gods that scoffed at them the night before, gave the ‘Boys an early Christmas present. On Sunday afternoon, the Buccaneers and the Eagles both lost. Those two losses put the Cowboys right back in the drivers seat…they control their own destiny, again! What was a somber Saturday night, turned into a thankful Sunday.

Now, this isn’t going to be easy. The Cowboys must re-group, and get a big win in Philadelphia. That’s not going to be an easy chore. Sure, the Cowboys defeated the Eagles way back in Week 2, but that game went down to the wire. The Eagles are still alive. The Birds will need a little help to get into the tournament, even if they get the win. I expect a lot of hype this week leading up to kick-off. The game was not moved to primetime, to my surprise, but I think that’s a good thing for the ‘Boys. Playing in Philly is tough enough, let alone giving the Eagles fans an extra 7 hours of tailgating to get pumped up for the game. So after all this, the Cowboys are…not dead yet!


Short Shots:

The G-Men have locked up home field in the NFC, while the Titans have done the same in the AFC. It’s going to be tough to knock off the Giants at the Meadowlands!

The Sunday night primetime game on NBC will be Denver @ San Diego. The winner wins the division; the loser is out altogether! Wow...and to think that Denver had this division all but wrapped up a few weeks ago. Now they must beat the Bolts on the road! Norv lives…for one more week, at-least!


From The Mail Room:

Ronny M., Feasterville, PA: I'm a huge Eagles fan and I am looking forward to reading your blog after we kick your boys all the way back to big D.

Utopia1dc: Ronny, you know what…here’s a humorous little nugget for you. I got your email within 10 minutes of the final whistle of the game on Saturday night. You weren’t even close to being the first with a similar comment about the upcoming game between the ‘Boys and the Birds. I had over a dozen emails and a handful of voicemails. I will look forward to writing about the game either way. Remember, I am a football fan who happens to be a Cowboys fan, not the other way around. I like to see quality football…whether my team wins or loses. This game should live up to the hype…at-least I hope it does!

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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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Snubbed

Last year, the Cowboys sent 13 players to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl. Granted, a few of those players made it by name alone, but for the most part they deserved it. When you go 13-3, as the Cowboys did last year, you tend to get a lot of coattail votes. This year the ‘Boys will be sending only 5 players.

Sending 5 players is still a great honor for a team that has struggled at times this year. The problem is that with all the pre-season hype about the Cowboys making a Super Bowl run, it’s somewhat of a disappointment that more players were not selected. I’ll be the first to admit that having 13 players selected from one team is ridiculous. No team is that good at nearly every position!

There are many players on the Cowboys this year that should be upset that they didn’t get selected. Among those players should be Bradie James, Terence Newman, and especially Tony Romo. All three of these players have played well enough for consideration, but Romo has the best case to be upset.

Romo has the stats to prove it. He is 8-3 as starter this season (he missed 3 games due to a pinkie injury). He has thrown for over 3,000 yards, with 2 games to play. He is averaging 273.9 YPG (4th best in the NFL). Romo is averaging 8.2 yards per pass (1st in the NFL). He has a QB rating of 98.3 (2nd best), and has thrown 24 TD passes (4th best). Romo’s stats speak for themselves. Tony is a standup guy and he would never say this, so I’ll say it for him. Tony Romo got…snubbed!


Short Shots:

Adam Jones has been cleared to play Saturday night against the Ravens. This is good news for both Jones and the Cowboys. At first, it was feared that his injury could have been career ending. Now, it appears that he will see significant playing time against the Ravens. Jones will return to his usual duties of returning kicks, and playing in the nickel and dime packages.

The G-Men may have won the NFC East, but they have lost back-to-back games against division foes (Eagles and Cowboys). This will not bode well for the Giants, as they may have to face one of these teams in the upcoming playoffs!


From The Mail Room:

Kevin B., Sacramento, CA: What's wrong with LT he has been aweful this year and he is killing my fantasy team.

Utopia1dc: Kevin, LaDainian Tomlinson is still a quality RB in the NFL. We have been spoiled over the years with his stellar play. LT will gain over 1000 yards again this season, but his per carry average is down from previous years. LT has been limited with some lagging injuries as well. As far as your fantasy team goes, that’s a different story. You may want to go in a different direction next year. LT’s numbers will continue to be average from this point forward. But remember, his average is more likely better than many RBs best!



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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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Sack-alicious

Last night, on NBC’s prime time Sunday Night Football, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the New York Giants, 20-8. The Cowboys desperately needed the win, as they are fighting for their playoff lives. The Cowboys are now 9-5, but so are the Vikings, the Bucs, and the Falcons. The Eagles and Bears aren’t that far behind either. With the Cowboys facing the Ravens and the Eagles in their next two games, the ‘Boys needed a win…desperately.

Last week, the Cowboys lost a heartbreaker to the Steelers; a game they should have won. The Cowboys control their own destiny; if they win their last two games, they are in the tournament as the 5th seed. If the Cowboys sustain another loss, that could get dicey with the logjam in the NFC. If the Eagles win tonight, that could potentially make the season finale between the Birds and ‘Boys, a winner take all…but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves!

This past week was a difficult one for the Cowboys, with all the media distractions, ESPN and Ed Werder the main culprits. Now, the Cowboys, mainly Owens, did bring some of that upon themselves, with their bickering over how the ball should be distributed. But winning cures many things. Last night’s win will go a long way in quieting some of the nay Sayers!

It’s a funny thing how the NFL season unfolds. After a great start (3-0), the Cowboys were being crowned Super Bowl champions. Then, there was the midseason lull; with Romo being injured…the Cowboys were done! Then, the ‘Boys reeled off three consecutive wins with Romo back at he helm…the ‘Boys are back! Last week, the ‘Boys loss to the Steelers coupled with the media distractions, and surely the Cowboys were falling apart before our eyes.

The Cowboys showed that they have the desire and the talent to win big games. Romo played well, as he spread the ball around to 9 different receivers. Now, that’s what I call ball distribution, but more importantly, keeping everyone happy! The Cowboys defense was superb. They were relentless all night long, as the ‘Boys registered 8 sacks on Manning (3 by league leading sack master extraordinaire, DeMarcus Ware). This win doesn't quite fix everything, but it sure was…sack-alicious!


Short Shots:

Two weeks ago the Cowboys were 8-4, and they were on the outside of the playoff bubble. Last week they lost, and actually gained a few spots to be the 6th seed. With yesterday’s win, they currently hold the 5th spot. If they lose next week, they could drop out of the playoff picture…go figure? I guess that’s why they play all 16 games!

Owens addressed the media last night after the game. He was cordial for the most part, and answered every question that had nothing to do with the game itself! He also called out Ed Werder, basically calling him a liar, and that he was telling tales. Good for Terrell…about time someone has the nerve to confront this ratings whoremonger!


From The Mail Room:

Matt K., Joplin, Missouri: What do you think of Choice he looked good against the giants? Are TO, Witten and Romo going to be able to work things out?

Utopia1dc: Tashard Choice has proven to be a quality RB. I think the Cowboys found a steal in the 4th round. Can you imagine the type of versatility the Cowboys would have if Felix Jones weren’t lost for the season. Next year could be fun with all three RBs. As for Romo, Witten, and Owens…they should be fine. Owens likes attention (and the ball), but I see that as a good thing. I’d hate for him (or any player, for that matter) to say that he didn’t want the ball more.

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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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Reality Mail Bag - 12/12/08

Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers. I personally read every single email I receive. I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I won’t be able to answer all of them. I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well. Now it’s time to open the mail!


Chris T., Lansdale, PA: I just saw on ESPN that TO is stirring the pot again. Is he insane to think that Romo and Whitten are designing secret plays behind his back?

Utopia1dc: Chris, I saw the same piece that ESPN did. Ed Werder broke the story, so I’m not too concerned with it. Werder has a way of exaggerating the truth to fill his time on ESPN. Wade Phillips did confirm that Owens, Williams, and Crayton did meet with Jason Garrett to discuss their roles in the offense. But that’s a far cry from Romo and Witten designing secret plays…come on people!


Tom B., Warminster, PA: Jerry Jones is out of line with his comments about Marion Barber. If he says he's hurt then he's hurt.

Utopia1dc: Tom, I tend to agree that Jones was out of line for saying that publicly. He did do his best Jerry spin control to try to diffuse the situation. Barber is known as “the Barbarian” , because of his running style. I do agree with Jones though, I was expecting that a player like Barber would tough it out. Where there’s smoke…there’s usually fire! For Jones to say this publicly, I believe there is some merit in questioning Barber’s toughness!


Kaylee F., Brooklyn, NY: The Giants are going to put your precious Cowboys out of their misery. Go Giants!

Utopia1dc: Kaylee, I suppose if your G-Men beat the Cowboys on Sunday night, they will be put out of their misery. If the ‘Boys lose, their playoff hopes go out the window. But, don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched. Your G-Men are having their own issues and that can’t bode well for them heading into the playoffs!


Mike D., Philadelphia, PA: Your Cowboys suck. If your such a big Cowboys fan why don't you move down there with all your cowgirls fans?

Utopia1dc: Mikey, if you read my profile you would have seen that I did live in Tulsa, which is a hop, skip, and a jump or two from Dallas. I enjoyed my time down there, as I was able to go to many games. I also enjoyed 2 Super Bowl victories while living down there, but I moved back because the heat was more than I could handle!

Shawn R., Abilene, TX: The Cowboys currently hold the 6th seed in the NFC but they have a hard schedule ahead of them. Are they going to be able to hang onto that final spot?

Utopia1dc: Shawn, that’s good question! It’s going to be tough because the ‘Boys play the Giants, Ravens, and the Eagles, to finish out the season. If they can win all three, they are in the tournament. If they lose Sunday to the G-Men, things could get a little crowded in the NFC. It could come down to the final game against the Birds; in a winner take all game!



Short Shots:


The ESPN machine is at it again with all the propaganda they are feeding us about the Cowboys. Now, I know that it’s good for their ratings. But if they want to talk about the Cowboys all day long, they should have taken my suggestion from earlier in the season! They should create an ESPNCowboys network. That way, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN Classics, and ESPN News can resume with their normally scheduled programming!

It appears that Pacman Jones received some good news regarding his neck injury. After getting a second opinion, he may not need surgery for his bulging disk. If things go well, he may be able to return to action in a few weeks. If the Cowboys can squeak into the playoffs…that is!

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Week 14 Review

The crystal ball was brought back down to Earth this past week by going 2-2. That puts the crystal ball at 25-22-1 for the season. That’s three games over .500 (.531 to be exact). The Cowboys and the Jets let the crystal ball down this past week. The crystal ball assures me it will rebound this coming weekend. Let’s review and see what happened last week.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 25-22-1

Dallas @ Pittsburgh: The Cowboys had the lead for most of the game. The ‘Boys had the Steelers on the ropes all afternoon. Dallas out-gained Pittsburgh in every statistical category, except the turnover battle. The Cowboys committed 5 turnovers, while the Steelers turned the ball over twice. It was over when Romo threw a pick-6 in the final minutes of the game. The ‘Boys played a tough game, but they could not put the Steelers away when they had the chance.

Philadelphia @ New York Giants: The Eagles played their best game of the year. The offense was balanced, as Andy Reid mixed up the play calling very well. The Giants were not the same offensively without Plaxico Burress. The Eagles stacked the line and kept the potent New York running attack in check. The G-Men scored on a blocked field-goal attempt right before halftime, but they couldn’t keep the momentum going in the second half. If the Birds make the tournament, they could be a dark horse in the NFC!

Minnesota @ Detroit: The Lions gave the Vikings all they could handle for most of the game. Gus Frerotte was injured in the game, and Tarvaris Jackson came in off the bench to pull out the victory. I didn’t think it was going be this close of a game. I will give Detroit credit for not quitting on the season, but 0-16 is staring them in the face. It doesn’t look good for the Lions the rest of the season either, but the 1st overall pick is their consolation prize!

New York Jets @ San Francisco: I thought this game was going to be a blowout. I didn’t give the 49ers a chance in the world to be able to beat the Jets. Favre was not on top of his game in this contest. The Jets got away from the running game to early, which was a surprise, since Thomas Jones has been lighting it up this year. Give Mike Singletary credit for keeping the 49ers focused. Having a coaching change in mid-season is not an easy task for a team, but Singletary is making a case for having the interim tag removed from his title!


Short Shots:


Pacman Jones suffered a herniated disk in his neck during the Steelers game. It appears he will be done for the season. The Cowboys medical staff believes that it could be even worse. The injury could be career threatening, not just a season ending injury. That’s too bad, because whether you like the guy or not, I wanted to see if he could make amends for his past indiscretions. Now he may never have the chance to do so!

Jerry Jones is taking some heat in the media for questioning Marion Barber’s toughness for not playing last week due to his dislocated pinkie toe. I agree with Jerry to some degree; for being called “the Barbarian”, you would think he could play with a little pain!


From The Mail Room:


Marcy P., Gilbertsville, PA: Just wondering your thoughts on the OJ verdict. A lot of people have said he was given such a hard sentence to make up for "getting off on killing two people". I certainly don't claim that he is innocent in the former incident, but I do think his sentence is a bit harsh for the crime committed. What do you think?

Utopia1dc: Marcy, you bring up a very good point. I don’t know whether OJ committed the murders he was acquitted of or not. There’s a lot of evidence that says he did those crimes, but he was found not guilty. It would appear that the sentence he received in Las Vegas was a make-up verdict for the previous trial. OJ says he was trying to recover his stolen memorabilia items. He claims that he didn’t intended to break any laws. I believe him…this time, anyway!

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