New Years Day Sports Preview

Here's what you can/should watch on New Year's Day.  Unlike Christmas Day, which is all NBA all the time (not that that's a bad thing), this is a day you should grab a beer, (or a Chaser) a bag of chips, and plant it on the couch for a great day of sports.

11 AM (ET) Outback Bowl South Carolina vs. Iowa

Ok.  I'm not going to sit here and say this is the most compelling match up, but if you're like me, you've probably woken up to the Outback Bowl many times on New Year's Day.  That's why I usually like to check this game out each January 1st.  This year's match up pits two big name coaches, as the old ball coach, Steve Spurrier, leads his South Carolina Game Cocks against Kirk Ferentz's Iowa Hawkeyes.  SEC vs. Big Ten, two power conferences, and if history continues on its recent path, the SEC will probably dominate this again.  Both teams aren't that great, (SC was 7-5, Iowa went 8-4), but this game has some intrigue.  Iowa won five of its last six games to get to this game, and beat Penn State to eliminate them from the national title discussion.  And any Spurrier coached team is likely to put up some points.  This game serves as a solid appetizer to the rest of the day.

1 PM (ET) The Winter Classic Chicago vs. Detroit

I've been hammering on this point all week, and I'll do it again.  Even though it's hockey, this game is loaded with intrigue.  Tune into NBC at 1 and you'll see two original six hockey teams, the Blackhawks and Red Wings, battle outdoors at one of the world's most recognizable sports venues, Wrigley Field.  The Blackhawks enter the game having just lost to the Red Wings Tuesday night, which snapped the teams' franchise record nine game winning streak.  So there will be the revenge factor, including the fact that Wrigley will have a packed house in January to watch two of the league's top teams play.  This is a must-see event.  If you're not a hockey fan, and you are open minded (i.e., not Scott), I implore you to tune in.  If you don't find this entertaining, I'd be surprised.  And, it's good hockey.  The Red Wings lead the Western Conference's Central Division by just 6 points over the rival Blackhawks, and the two teams rank 2nd and 4th in the conference respectively.

1PM (ET) Gator Bowl Nebraska vs. Clemson

Meh, this is not a great game.  Nebraska is a historic and traditional college football team, but they haven't been good since the days of Eric Crouch.

1PM (ET) Capital One Bowl (16) Georgia vs. (19) Michigan State

This is a very compelling match up, as the preseason number one Bulldogs take on one of the best teams in the Big Ten.  Once again, this is a chance for the Big Ten to prove it's not terribly worse than the SEC.  Two high profile coaches meet again, as Mark Richt meets Mark D'Antonio.  Two high-profile running backs face off as MSU's Javon Ringer goes for the yardage battle against the Georgia's Knowshon Moreno.  If you can't stand hockey so much that you must have football in the afternoon, this is a good option.  If you're choosing the hockey game, you can flip to this during the period intermissions.

5PM (ET) Rose Bowl (6) Penn State vs. (5) Souther California

This is a great match-up, and it's after the hockey game is over.  Had it not been for an amazing comeback by Iowa, JoePa's Nittany Lions would have been in line for a national championship bid.  Had it not been for a big upset by Oregon State against Pete Caroll's Trojans, USC might have been in the big game January 8th.  This game has star power, as USC's great defense featuring Rey Maualuga squares off against a dynamic Penn State offense with QB Daryll Clark and RB Evan Royster.  USC's offense is no slouch either, as they have three running backs that have rushed for 600 or more yards, and a good signal caller in Mark Sanchez.  I expect a close battle between two historically great teams, and an excellent way to spend your late afternoon.

8PM (ET) Orange Bowl (12) Cincinnati vs. (21) Virginia Tech

This game is emblematic of the fact that neither the ACC nor the Big East deserve an automatic BCS bid.  This game has no intrigue, in my opinion, other than the fact that the Orange Bowl is traditionally a fun game to watch.  I'm not interested in either team, neither team boasts a fantastic offense or defense.  This is a typical bowl game being played on too large a stage.  This might as well be the Capital One Bowl or the Gator Bowl.  The difference is, these teams get A LOT more money for playing in it, and neither team is compelling or interesting to watch.  

Happy New Year everyone!  Enjoy the day.  And remember, if you make a resolution or two, at least keep them through the day.  

Monday Morning Longsnapper-Mid Week Edition

To celebrate the regular season that was, we here at BERNing have decided to give out a few awards. And, because we know that no one likes reading more than they like watching TV, we've gone out of our way to find the video proof that these plays did actually happen.

The Best, Oh, That's Right, This Isn't Canadian Football Play of the Year


The Best, Can We Just Move From Rookie to All-Pro in the Settings Menu? P.O.Y.


The Best, The Field Is Only 100 Yards Long? P.O.Y.

Runner up, DeSean Jackson on MNF, in Dallas. 

Best Example of Why You Don't Get Cute P.O.Y.


The Best How Many Different Ways Can One Player Beat You P.O.Y.


The Best, And People Said I Was Fat Coming Into The League/It's Easy When No One On Defense Touches You P.O.Y.


The Best Ed Hochuli Lost My Team A Game Moment of the Year


The Best, You Know What, I Probably Should've Stayed Retired P.O.Y.


And, Finally...

The Best You Have To Be Kidding Me, Are You Really An NFL Player?/What Did You Think That Third Column In The Standings Was For?/Why Did You Think You Called A Hail Mary On The Last Play of the Game? Moment of the Year


Do you have any others? Leave them in the comment section.

Hump Day Headlines: New Years Eve Edition

In this week's Hump Day Headlines, we discuss fired NFL coaches, coaches who don't want to be hired, prima-donna Brett, and a look back at a crazy 2008.

• What do Mike Shanahan, Romeo Crennell, Eric Mangini, and Rod Marinelli all have in common?  You guessed it!  All were fired by their respective NFL teams in the last three days.  So on our fired coaches in the last couple months of 2008 ticker, that makes 10 head coaches who have been pink slipped, if you include the NBA head men as well.  2008, to say the least, has not been a good year for coaches.  That is, unless your name is Tom Coughlin, Doc Rivers, Charlie Manuel, or Mike Babcock.  You can also throw the names Les Miles and Bill Self onto that list.  Other than those six men, coaches had a tumultuous year, with countless firings in every sport (i.e. Denis Savard, Barry Melrose, Phillip Fulmer, Greg Robinson, etc.).  Adding to the list of coaches that should have been fired in 2008, look no further than Bills coach Dick Jauron, who was retained by owner Ralph Wilson on Tuesday after completing his third consecutive 7-9 campaign with the Bills on Sunday.
• Since there are obviously many vacancies now in the NFL head coaching fraternity, the most logical choice for any team that's looking for a new head man would be former Steelers coach and current NFL Today analyst Bill Cowher, who was pegged as the next coach of the New York Jets.  Problem is, Cowher apparently doesn't want the job, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.  Cowher has apparently also turned down other NFL coaching vacancies, but he would be the best option of any coach currently unemployed.  If someone could woo him away from the CBS Studios, Cowher is the one man out there that could bring stability and success to an NFL team in the near future.  
• Brett Favre's excuse for his abysmal performance over the last five weeks for a Jets team that failed to make the playoffs after starting the year 8-3, (Favre threw two touchdowns and nine interceptions over that stretch) is that he had pain in his throwing shoulder.  Turns out the reason for this, according to doctors, is he has a torn biceps tendon in that right shoulder.  Doctors say Favre's injury can be corrected by avoiding arthroscopic surgery, but it is suggested.  Now, in addition to Favre's retirement watch, the national media has a new topic to cover...Brett Favre's Injury Watch!  WOO I'm psyched.
• 2008 was a wild year in sports.  Here are just some of the crazy things that happened:  Ohio State, a college football powerhouse that seems to reach the BCS title game yearly, was walloped once again by an SEC team in the championship game, losing in January 38-24 to LSU.  Two consecutive years, the same team crushed in the title game.  The Patriots nearly completed the first perfect season since the '72 Dolphins.  Instead, the Giants upset them in the Super Bowl, with a miraculous catch by David Tyree.  Bill Self won his first national championship as an NCAA coach, and the first for one of the winningest programs in college hoops history in twenty years.  The Boston Celtics, a 24 win team in 2006-2007, added Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.  Along with Paul Pierce the Celts ripped off a league high 66 wins and won the NBA title for the seventeenth time in team history.  Michael Phelps won EIGHT gold medals at the Olympics.  Eight.  And he's my age.  (Edit: Thank you, B.Stein) The Tampa Bay Rays won the AL East.  They reached their first world series in franchise history.  The Chicago Cubs had the best record in the National League.  Then they promptly lost three straight in the playoffs to the Dodgers.  The White Sox and Cubs made the playoffs at the same time for the first time since 1906.  The Philadelphia Phillies ended a twenty five year drought for the city of brotherly love, winning the first championship for Philadelphia since the '83 Sixers.  The Mets blew another playoff berth.  The Brewers made the playoffs for the first time in twenty five years.  The New England Patriots missed the playoffs.  The Broncos had a three game lead with three games left and missed the playoffs.  Tampa Bay lost four straight to miss the playoffs.  The man Brett Favre replaced, Chad Pennington, made the playoffs.  Brett did not.  And, Chad beat Brett to get there.    The Blackhawks lead the NHL in attendance.  The same Blackhawks who didn't have their home games televised until this year.  
• What a crazy 2008.  Here's to hoping for a great 2009.

You Know It's A Recession When...

It's not hard to lose your job when you lose every game on your schedule.

It's not hard to lose your job when your team starts of 8-3, and tanks the rest of the way out of the playoffs.

It's not hard to lose your job when your team doesn't score an offensive TD in the final 6 weeks and fails to live up to expectations after the first good season in what seemed like centuries.

And, as Mike Shanahan found out today, it's apparently not that hard to lose your job when you're the first team since 1967 and divisional play to blow a three game lead with three to play.

I'd imagine most people finding this news out found it shocking. After all, Shanahan had been head man in Denver for 14 years and won two Super Bowls.

However, he's also gone 24-24 his last three seasons.

He's only won a single playoff game since Elway retired in '99.

And that vaunted Denver rushing game, known for mass producing 1,000 yard rushers like something from I, Robot? Tatum Bell, 2006, was the last guy to have over a G.

Other big name coaches, most notably Jon Gruden and Wade Phillips, could also be on the way out in the coming days.

To paraphrase an expression I've heard in today's tough economic times, it's a recession when the coaches in your division get fired, it's a depression when you get fired.

Just Get Rid of the Pro Bowl

The Pro Bowl is the one moment in the calendar year in which nobody cares about the NFL.  It's the all-star game of the country's most violent sport, and its most popular.

But the game itself?  It's boring.

It's boring because, until a decision today to make it "during the season", the game has always been played after the Super Bowl.  It's boring because the best players often find ways to bow out.  It's boring because once the biggest championship event is over, this game hardly provides a worthy encore.  

It's so anti-climactic.  Everyone always makes such a fuss about who gets voted in, and then nobody watches the game itself.

So the NFL's solution is to make it the week before the Super Bowl.  Brilliant.

With this decision, the league plans to hold the Pro Bowl the week between the league championships and the Super Bowl.  This means that beginning January 31, 2010, the game will be held wherever the Super Bowl is.  In 2010, the game will be played in Miami.

It's a feeble attempt at reviving an already inferior NFL product.  I say, just get rid of the game entirely.

The NFL doesn't need an all-star game.  It's already the most popular league in America, thanks to it's schedule, its marketing, and its gambling interest.  It grosses a ton of money annually.  And, its all-star game lacks the tradition of baseball's, the NBA's, or the NHL's.

Honestly, would anyone miss the Pro Bowl if it ceased to exist?

Just award the players with an All-Pro honor, and create each year's Pro Bowl team.  That way, the players can still add the accolades to their resumes, and their hall of fame plaques.  They don't need to play the game to validate the honor.  

The players don't care about the game, and they don't watch it.  The fans only care when the rosters are announced, and then by the time the game comes around they don't care to watch it.  The list provides discussion.  The list honors the players that have had superb seasons.

Just forget the game.  The NFL doesn't need it.

I Want to Hear From YOU

I know there are many of you who read this blog.  Those of you that have made this one of your daily Internet destinations, I thank you.  Scott and I really appreciate your readership and loyalty to this blog.

Scott and I were having a debate this afternoon about the upcoming Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.  If you haven't heard about it, or you don't watch NBC, the Blackhawks are facing the Red Wings at Wrigley Field on New Years Day, outdoors.  Call it the NHL's new "celebration of hockey" on a national stage, if you will.  But last year's game (between Pittsburgh and Buffalo at Ralph Wilson Stadium) drew the highest TV ratings of any NHL regular season game since 1996.  

Now that you know what the game is, here was the debate we were having.

Scott and I were having one of our semi-daily discussions about what to cover on this site.  I suggested a post about all the New Year's Day sporting events, and previewing the big ones, (which I still intend to do, by the way).  The games I listed were, the Winter Classic, the Rose Bowl, the Orange Bowl, other bowl games (Gator, Cotton, etc.) and the launching of the MLB Network for those of us who can't get enough baseball.  Scott wasn't exactly impressed by the list, and he indicated that the hockey game wasn't really a big enough deal nationally to include in this list of games.  I disagreed.

Scott's Take: 

(and Scott, if you disagree with how I've represented your argument, feel free to respond)

Scott says the NHL isn't popular enough at this current moment to have any regular season game to really be considered a "big" event on a national level, especially when you consider that since the league's lockout three years ago, and its recent hiatus from major television networks, it really isn't a major sport anymore.  Furthermore, since the game is competing with the tradition of New Year's Day college football, it's not nearly as important on a national level as, say, the Rose Bowl and the Orange Bowl.

Jordan's Response:

While I agreed that hockey is no longer a "major" sport in this country, (the majors being professional baseball, college and professional football and basketball), hockey was a "major" at one point and is starting to come back.  When you consider the revival of an original six market in Chicago, which now leads the NHL in attendance, and the fact that overall attendance is up, the league's interest is returning.   Furthermore, the fact that you have the "Yankees of the NHL" playing in the game, the Red Wings, against a fellow original six team, the Blackhawks, at one of the world's most famous and recognizable sports venues, Wrigley Field, you've got an appealing sporting event to watch.  I argued casual sports fans, and those not into hockey, might check this out, despite the college football coverage, making it a big deal.

Scott's Retort:

The match up here doesn't really matter.  His overall view is that it doesn't make a difference who plays in the game, and that there just aren't enough people that into hockey that this game should be considered a "big deal".  He contends that the Red Wings are not a big deal nationally anymore and that people who live near America's coasts won't care about this game.  He also believes that I'm only so intrigued by this game because of my recent affinity for hockey, the Blackhawks, and the fact they're playing at my favorite sports venue in the world.  (Scott hates hockey, by the way.  Before this October, he and I agreed on a general dislike for hockey.)

Jordan's Response:

Scott is completely right that my interest for this game has obviously peaked because I am a "born-again" hockey fan (when I was in grade school I was a hockey fan), the Blackhawks are in the game and it is at Wrigley Field.  There's no question that for me this is a big deal.  But I still believe, based on my experiences over the last few months, and some research that I have done, that the league's fan base hasn't deserted it and that the Red Wings still have national popularity.  Here in Maui, I visited the local sports bar, the Rusty Harpoon, and I asked the manager what would be on TV there on New Years Day.  The manager ran down the list of football games.  I asked, will the hockey game be on?  She said, "Oh, yes.  In fact, it will be on the most TVs here.  The Red Wings are very popular down here.  Yes, the game will be on."  Granted, I didn't poll every bar in America, or even more than one.  But, the fact that there are people on Maui who are Red Wings fans shows they still have great popularity nationally, in my book.  

Now, I need you all to do me a favor.

Below every post on this site, there is the opportunity to post comments.  We've had a few, but I'd like to see some more interaction between us and you.  So, I ask you to answer these few questions for us, and post them on the site, along with any other ideas you have regarding this topic:

1.  Do you consider yourself a hockey fan?  (Yes/No)

2.  How long have you been a hockey fan?

3.  Did you watch last year's Winter Classic game?  (Yes/No, and if you watched part of it, that's a yes)

4.  Will you watch the Winter Classic this year?

5.  Is the Winter Classic a big deal?

6.  Does the match-up for this game (Blackhawks/Red Wings) make it more appealing to you?  And, does the fact that it's at a recognizable venue, like Wrigley Field, make a difference?

Post away.

The Monday Morning Longsnapper

Cancel Your Playoff Plans Edition

If you live in New York (and wear green and white), Denver, Dallas, or Tampa, you've got to be extremely disappointed with your football teams' efforts.  There's no true way to describe how awful these teams played, not just this past week, but over the last quarter of the season.

It's honestly even hard to pin one down as the worst choke job of them all.  

Tampa has to be up there, losing four in a row to close the season, allowing more than 30 points  per game in that stretch (which just included a home loss to Oakland and Walter Payton...sorry, Michael Bush).

The Jets would have to get serious consideration, too.  They join the Bucs as the only two teams to start out at least 8-3 and not make the playoffs since 2002, and the advent of the current four division set up.  Road losses to the dregs of the league in Seattle and San Fran obviously don't help anyone's cause.  Neither does Brett Favre saving his absolute worst stretch of the season for the end (2 TDs to 9 INTs in the final 5 weeks).

Denver is just bad, plain and simple.  Good teams don't give up 52 points.  Good teams don't lose home games to Oakland and Buffalo in the same calendar year.  Good teams don't lost to Kansas City, anywhere.

And last, Dallas.  If you're really surprised by this latest Dallas collapse, then you've mysteriously either missed out on the last few seasons of awful Decembers for the Boys, or, you refuse to believe it could happen again.  Can Tony Romo have a full good season before people anoint him as anything other than an average QB?  As far as I see it, he's a guy that gets injured too often and has a real hard time winning games either in December or January or any other time labelled as "big".

• You think Pittsburgh's rethinking playing Ben Roethlisberger after watching him take a beating that lead to his leaving the game with a concussion?  Maybe, but, that sort of thing happens sometimes.  If it had happened in the third quarter, there's beef.  As it is now, that bye week should be enough.
• Stat of the Day:  the Browns haven't scored an offensive TD since Nov. 17th.  That's a string of 6 games to close the year, without one.  So long, Romeo.
• Whether or not you're from the New York area (in fact, unless you root for the Jets), you've got to be happy for Chad Pennington.  After being let loose for the golden goose, he latched on with a one win team, and most people in the NY area figured never to hear from him again, at least not with anything serious on the line.  To have him come into the final game of the season in the Meadowlands, and not only beat his former team, but kick them out of the playoffs...Mmmm, revenge is sweet.
• Who says the one-running back systems are dead?  Don't tell that to Michael Turner.  First full season in the books, pretty darn good.  Nearly 17-hundred yards, 17 TDs and two 200+ yard games.  And, oh yeah, he lead the league in carries.
• Of course, this wouldn't be complete without a reference to the now infamous Detroit Lions.  At one point during the broadcast, the Detroit announcers referred to the roster as the worst roster in the NFL.  The final call went something to the effect of "16 times the Lions thought this Sunday was theirs, 16 times, they were wrong".  Obviously, this isn't just a one year problem.  Those of you thinking this year's Lions will be next year's Miami--not so fast.  Detroit's lost 97 games over the past 8 seasons.  Getting rid of that clown Millen is a great start, but, from there, it's truly anyone's guess.  I don't root for Detroit, nor do I truly care how they do.  But, for their own sake, could they at least work at not being the biggest joke in the league?  Until that point, get them off the Thanksgiving Day game.  If 0-16 doesn't kick you off that game, nothing will.
• Houston is on the brink of something big.  Maybe it'll just take Matt Schaub to be healthy for the whole season.  Maybe another year of dominance from Mario Williams.  Who knows?  But, they're going to be good, and real quick.

Special season wrap up edition of the Longsnapper coming mid-week.

Results from Week 17 NFL Picks

The regular season has come to an end, and much to the dismay of both my blogging partner and me, neither of our teams will be playing in the post season.  Furthermore, as you have seen from the results of our picks over the last three weeks, we are hardly experts when it comes to handicapping NFL games.  Here are our results for the week, and the season:

This Week:  (W-L-P) Scott Jordan

9-6-1 7-8-1

Season Totals (W-L-P) Scott Jordan

24-20-2 19-25-2

At least Scott made it above the .500 mark.  With a strong showing this week, Scott has a comfortable cushion heading into the playoffs next week to finish with a better record than me.  I, on the other hand, could be described as the blithering idiot of this forum, as my dismal record, below .500 each week, has had me scratching my head at the end of each NFL slate.

What was I thinking taking Seattle?  Why on earth would I have picked Cleveland to cover?

Oh well, maybe I'll have better luck in the playoffs, or maybe in the NCAA tournament.

On another note, today begins day one of the "Brett Favre Watch".  Get ready for wall to wall coverage of whether the NFL's favorite prima donna decides to stay or go.  More NFL coverage Monday morning in Scott's Monday Morning Longsnapper.

Everything You Need To Get Ready For NFL Week 17

Oakland (+13) @ Tampa Bay

Preview:  How on Earth could Tampa figure to screw this one up any more than they already have?  Their storied D-coordinator Monte Kiffin has announced he'll be joining son Lane at the University of Tennesse.  They were 9-3, looking like a lock for a playoff spot, and possibly even a divisional championship.  Then, they stopped tackling the other team's players, about three weeks ago.  Now, they come in to the last week of the season, needing to beat a hapless Oakland Raider team, to just have a shot. For now, expect Tampa to beat Oakland to at least do their part.  Minimal as it might be, I'd suspect Jon Gruden would have his team up for this game.

Scott's Pick: Tampa Jordan's Pick: Oakland

Cleveland (+11) @ Pittsburgh

Preview:  Even though Pittsburgh is heading to the playoffs, this game means nothing to either team.  The Browns stink, and were eliminated eons ago.  The Steelers on the other hand, with the 31-14 beat down they took last week at top seeded Tennessee, lost out on the AFC's top spot, but still have already earned a 1st round bye and the #2 seed.  So this game is one to avoid.  Pittsburgh will likely rest some of its starters, and the feel of this game will be more like a preseason game in August.  The Steelers may want to fulfill the age old NFL cliches of "staying sharp" and "ending the season on a high note", but my guess is they'll try to "give guys some rest".  Expect the Steelers to win, but the Browns to cover.

Scott's Pick:   Cleveland Jordan's Pick:  Cleveland

Tennessee (-3) @ Indianapolis

Preview:  Here's your breakdown of this game.  The team favored isn't playing at home, doesn't have much to play for already having locked up home field.  The home team, underdog for some reason, has won eight in a row, and is clearly the hottest team in the league.  Not that anyone on the planet really knows what QB rating is (higher=better, that's about it), Peyton Manning's has been over 100 the second half of the season.  In English, he hasn't thrown a pick in 3 games and he's back to being Peyton Manning again after a rocky start to the season.  The Colts have a playoff spot secured, but could move up with a win and some help. 

Scott's Pick: Indianapolis Jordan's Pick:  Indianapolis

St. Louis (+14) @ Atlanta

Preview:  Atlanta has already clinched a playoff spot.  They did so with a 24-17 win over the Vikings last Sunday.  Now it's about them trying to win the NFC South, much to the dismay of one Scott Spinelli.  The Falcons, a doormat a year ago, behind new QB Matt Ryan have answered the bell whenever they've needed to, and expect them to do so in this home date with the pitiful Rams.  St. Louis is in complete disarray, and its only concern at the moment is Mel Kiper Jr.'s recent draft board.  (The Rams will have the second or third pick next year, and seemingly every year for the next five.)  Assuming the Falcons are motivated to win the South, they'll not only win, they'll cover.

Scott's Pick:  St. Louis Jordan's Pick:  Atlanta

New England (-6) @ Buffalo

Preview:  If you truly believed Buffalo would beat Denver last week, in Denver, then you're either A) smarter than I am (not difficult), B) Jordan, or C) any combination of the previous.  No matter which way you look at it, divisional championship or simply a playoff spot via the wild card, New England will need help to get into the playoffs.  Simply beating this mercurial Buffalo team won't be enough.  Then again, if you think Bill Belichick won't have his boys ready to whoop the Bills on the final day of the season, you haven't been watching much football the past six or seven years.

Scott's Pick:  New England Jordan's Pick:  New England

Detroit (+10.5) @ Green Bay

Preview:  One more glorious defeat, and the quest will mercifully end:  the Detroit Lions will be the worst team in NFL history, and will be the first to finish 0-16.  The Packers better hold up their end of the bargain and win this one.  I don't even care if they cover the spread.  Green Bay has lost five straight since their manhandling of the Bears November 16th, and you'd figure they'd be motivated to finish the season on a high note.  (One side note here:  I'm sick of hearing how if the Packers had Brett Favre and not Aaron Rodgers somehow this team would be excellent.  Rodgers has been good, and it's not his fault his defense is an atrocity.  Give the guy a break.)  After tomorrow, I'm getting my T-shirt made:  "2008 Detroit Lions, WORST TEAM EVER, 0-16".

Scott's Pick:  Green Bay Jordan's Pick:  Green Bay

Chicago (+3) @ Houston

Preview:  Despite the fact that my uncle says "The Bears are the worst 9-6 team in NFL History" (which he might be right about) Chicago has managed to win three must-win games in a row to put themselves in playoff contention in the final week.  They took care of Jacksonville at home three weeks ago, then managed to eek by New Orleans and hated Green Bay thanks to the accurate leg of Robbie "Good as" Gould, and now could make the playoffs a couple of different ways.  The most likely scenario would be a win in Houston and a loss by Minnesota against the Giants, which would give them the NFC North crown.  But, they could also sneak in if Dallas and Tampa Bay both lose and the Bears win, giving them a wild card berth.  Either way, they'll have their hands full this week with a good Texans offense.  Somehow though, Lovie Smith gets this team to win in a tight one.  (Wouldn't it be so Bears for them to win and they still don't get in?)

Scott's Pick:  Houston Jordan's Pick:  Chicago

Kansas City (+2.5) @ Cincinnati

Preview:  Classic "who gives a crap" matchup in Week 17.  The only people that will care about this "game" are fantasy players in their championship.  Then again, if you are in the championship of your fantasy football league, there's a high probability you don't have anyone on these two garbage teams.  Actually, Herm Edwards will likely care about this game.  Not only because he plays to win the games, but also because he could be playing for his job.  That said, I've picked against Cincy twice in a row, and they've tricked me twice.  Fool me three times?  Come come now.

Scott's Pick:  Kansas City   Jordan's Pick:  Cincinnati

New York Giants (+7) @ Minnesota

Preview:  This game means absolutely nothing to the Giants, who apparently plan to rest some of their starters.  That's not good for me, as a Bears fan, that needs the Giants to win this game.  New York has already wrapped up the NFC East and home field advantage throughout the playoffs, and win or lose, the Vikings still make the playoffs if Chicago loses.  So this, unlike the game Scott just chronicled, does not fall into the ol' "Who Gives a Crap" category.  Minnesota really should win this game given that the Giants have no incentive to win it, but the Vikings often fizzle down the stretch.  I'm guessing they will choke again tomorrow, thinking with my heart and not my head.

Scott's Pick:  New York Jordan's Pick:  New York

Carolina (-2.5) @ New Orleans

Preview:  This has nothing to do with the preview, but I've got to take a second to give DeAngelo Williams his props, he deserves it.  18 TDs, in one season for this guy!  He had 5 in the previous two.  It seems like only yesterday this Carolina team was holding Williams back in favor of DeShaun Foster.  Good plan, glad that worked out.  Carolina did play tough, despite the loss last week.  New Orleans won't have much of anything to play for, and Carolina would like to win and go out on a high note with a bye likely coming.  Expect Carolina, with a short spread, to win this one.

Scott's Pick: Carolina Jordan's Pick: Carolina

Washington (+3) @ San Francisco

Preview:  Lord.  Another one of these?  Washington was eliminated in Week 16, San Francisco sometime in 2005.  Do you really care who wins this game?  You can't possibly.

Scott's Pick:  San Francisco Jordan's Pick:  Washington

Jacksonville (+11) @ Baltimore

Preview:  Baltimore may not need this game, as a product of the flex schedule, but they sure would like to have it.  The Ravens could clinch the sixth and final seed in the AFC playoffs if New England falls to Buffalo, by virtue of the fact that the Ravens have a better conference record than the Patriots.  But if New England wins, which Baltimore will probably know before the game kicks off, the Ravens will have to win it.  Baltimore has been impressive lately, having won 8 of its past 10 games to vault itself into its current spot.  They looked very impressive in the final game at Texas Stadium last week, beating the Cowboys 33-24.  Look for Jacksonville to cover the spread, but the Ravens to win and lock up a playoff berth.  And in my opinion, this is a team that will be very dangerous in the playoffs.

Scott's Pick:  Baltimore Jordan's Pick:  Jacksonville

Seattle (+6.5) @ Arizona

Preview:  Coming off a game in which Kurt Warner (he had a Kobe Bryant day, going 6/18 with 30 points, err, yards) was so bad he was pulled, they've got to be ready to roll here.  Just because they clinched their playoff spot seemingly eons ago, it doesn't mean they'll want to go into the playoffs on such a bad note.  They've lost 4 of the last 5, and in those losses have allowed at least 5 TDs each.  They seem so committed to winning to end the season, they've announced that even though the game is technically meaningless, they'll be playing their starters.

Scott's Pick:  Arizona Jordan's Pick:  Seattle

Dallas (+1.5) @ Philadelphia

Preview:  Dallas wins, they're in.  Philly needs help, not really worth getting into here, but, it suffices to say, they can't just win.  Dallas has been hard to figure lately.  At home against Baltimore, they couldn't close the deal.  Prior to that, the G-Men came into town, and they handled them quite nicely.  Yet, before that, they played Pittsburgh hard, until late, when they coughed up the lead and the game.  Philly has been equally difficult, with a puzzling loss to Washington (no TDs?), a nice win in New York, and, of course, the tie.  The line is also, in line with all this difficulty, basically non-existent.  So, all I can say is, pick where your heart lies.

Scott's Pick:  Philadelphia Jordan's Pick:  Philadelphia

Miami (+2.5) @ New York Jets

Preview:  What a juicy match up we have here.  In fact, this one is probably the best of the day.  The Dolphins win the AFC East with a win.  Yes, these Dolphins.  The Dolphins that went 1-15 a year ago, and the Dolphins that now call Chad Pennington their quarterback.  And yes, that Chad Pennington, the one that the Jets left for dead at the beginning of the season to make way for Brett Favre, who has thrown for fewer passing yards than the man he replaced this season.  The Jets can make the playoffs with a win over the Dolphins and a loss by the Patriots.  In this scenario, the all three teams would be 10-6, but the Jets would win the AFC East by virtue of their better division record than the other two teams.  The Jets could win a wild card spot if they win, the Patriots win and the Ravens lose.  Either way, not the way we all thought it would go, huh?  I like Chadwick to spurn his former team, which has lost 3 of 4, by the way.

Scott's Pick:  New York Jordan's Pick: Miami  

Denver (+8) @ San Diego

Preview:  I would love to analyze this game.  I'm glad it was given to me.  But, I'm so angry at Denver, for no other reason than that they should have cake walked to a division title, I pray they lose.  I pray they get destroyed.  This should never have come down to a final game of the season for their playoff chances.  I mean, come on already.  Denver's had luck (that play against San Diego with the wrong call), come backs (Atlanta, New Orleans, etc.), and even over come injuries (basically every running back).  To lose to both Buffalo and Oakland at home, wow.  It just makes me so mad.  And, I can't repeat enough that I don't root for Denver, never have.  They're just so bothersome, I can't do a thing but vent. 

Scott's Pick:  San Diego Jordan's Pick: Denver

I am Committed to the Indian

This logo used to mean nothing to me.

The Blackhawks used to be just a team in town that you couldn't follow on television and no one cared about.

If you had asked me two years ago to name three players on the team, I wouldn't have been able to name you two.

But this year it all changed.  And now, I'm back.

At first, it was something new and exciting.  After a brutal end to the Cubs season, I was just looking for something new.  At the same time, though, I told myself I wouldn't become emotionally invested.

The Bears were average.  The Bulls were bound to be bad.  Syracuse was providing nothing entertaining in the college football season.

And there were the Hawks, recently signing a new television and radio contract, with so much hype entering the 2008-2009 season.  They promised the organization had turned over a new leaf.  Bill Wirtz was dead.  Rocky Wirtz was in.  John McDonough and Jay Blunk came over from the Cubs to revamp the franchise.  They promised the team would actually be good.

I was intrigued.

This is coming from a guy who was actually happy that the NHL locked out for a year between 2004 and 2005.  I remember being thrilled because "I wouldn't have to watch that crap on SportsCenter".  

I hated hockey prior to this year, but not because I hated the sport itself.  I just hated how the Blackhawks used to be run and how it was a sport that my city couldn't get behind anymore.  Worse yet, I didn't fully understand the game.

Now, I can't get enough of it.

My dad and I watch every game.  We have already attended eight of them in person.  My dad purchased season tickets, and he's not alone.  The Blackhawks increased season ticket sales by 300 percent this season.  They lead the NHL in attendance.

If you've been to a game this season, then you know why it's no surprise this team has gone from an after thought to the talk of the town.  The games are exciting.  The experience is a blast.  The team is not just good, it's really good.

The players are likeable.  They're young and exciting.  Captain Jonathan Toews is just 20 years old.  Points leader Patrick Kane just turned 20.  They have two good goalies.  They have a bevy of speedy defensemen.  They have scorers on every line.  Did I mention they're young?

They're a team anyone can get behind.  They have the best logo in sports.  They have a passionate fan base that has come out of the woodwork to wear their colors proudly again.

I missed watching hockey over the last five days.  

I missed the passion and excitement I now get from watching hockey.  I missed the fast-paced action and the fog horn after goals.  I started this season a clueless observer.  Now, I'm not only watching the games, but I've found a new sports obsession.

I am committed to the indian.