Football Since I Last Thought About It

I am still trying to get over that depressing Ravens loss. First thing about football is that it is a team sport. As such, one does not need to win the game on his own. There’s a lot to be said about “play making” and being a stand out, but when you have an interception or a first down, get down on the ground. Do not go for the touchdown. Because it all means nothing if you fumble.

So the Colts march onwards to somewhat less confident victory. How about Peyton Manning? He sure look annoyed on the sideline during the end of the game. Maybe he was thinking to himself that the Colts had struggled on offense to only get a two score lead for most of the game. Perhaps Peyton is rightly worried that while the Ravens have a good defense, the Jets have a great one. And while the Ravens have a sorry offense with no receivers (other than their running back, Ray Rice) the Jets at least have receivers who drop a lot of balls but can still make great catches (Braylon Edwards). And they’ve beaten Indy once this year (though it doesn’t really count). My money would still be on the Colts to win, but it will be tough for Peyton and crew, and I think there’s a lot of space for an upset.

On the NFC side of things, Saints–Vikings looks to be a shootout, and who doesn’t love those? Well, considering that pretty much every close game in the playoffs has been a shootout (Greenbay–Cards) or a ridiculous blowout (Cowboys–Eagles, Saints–Cards, Vikings–Cowboys, Ravens–Pats, and Colts–Ravens), I for one am getting tired. I do not favor the Jets, but I do appreciate the ability to grind out a victory against a better opponent (Jets–Chargers) or to stay on top in a close game (Jets–Bengals… kind of). It seems to me that in spite of the pedigree (Manning, Farve, Brees) and prowess (3 of the top 4 records in the 2009 season, top three rated QBs post season, most total defense, blah blah blah), the Jets have the most compelling story of the post-season. The perennial under-performing underdog hires fat coach who can’t stop talking about how great he and his team are. Their QB looks like he was recruited from a Hollywood teen movie, and despite having the leagues best defense (thanks to Revis) they have really only had a mediocre season and squeaked into the playoffs as a wild card. Now, they really look like they could go all the way. Darrelle Revis has shut down pretty much every wide receiver worth talking about. That Colts rush game? They were averaging 1.7 yards a carry against the Ravens, with only 3 first downs, and nothing in the end zone. The Jets finished with a worse rush defense than the Ravens, but when you’re talking 5 versus 8, I don’t think that means Joseph Addai is going to have an easier day of it.

So my predictions? Jets over Colts, Vikings over Saints. The heavenly Superbowl will only happen in whatifs.

Also, I would like to reiterate a few points from my last football post–blowouts suck and the rematches (except for Greenbay–Cards) sucked. So by losing entertaining games, I won in analysis. I feel cheated by myself.

Best Commercial of 2009

While trying to recover from the worst Sunday of the NFL season (Week 15: “All hopes are crushed and the Cowboys are going to the playoffs”), I’ve noticed that pretty much every newspaper is writing some top ten list about something in 2009 (shoes, articles, books, moments of economic and political crisis).  Well, in case they haven’t noticed, there are a few days left, and a lot can happen in two days!

Well, I could write an impassioned post about how this is the same kind of unified creep (thanks Gregg Easterbrook!) that gives us 2010 cars in August 2009, Christmas shopping before Halloween, and lifetime achievement awards for the living, but it’s been awhile, so I’m going to ease into it.  To that point, here is the top commercial of 2009:

And here’s what I think.  Mr. President–next time let a kid catch the ball!