Clemens Propraganda Continues

Roger Clemens continues to prove that he is guilty of taking steroids by releasing an 18,000 word, statistical breakdown of how and why he could be so awesome for so long without taking steroids. To me it sounds like he is setting up his testimony that he will be giving to congress in a few weeks.

I'm think he wishes this whole Barry Bonds situation would be over so he would have some idea of the jail time he will be getting if he lies...

Chargers To Play In London In '08

BOO! The Chargers are one of the teams that gets screwed next year by having to play a game in London. The Chargers and the Saints are said to play in London next year in October. I have yet to hear which team will lose a home game because of this... but with Dean Spanos saying "We want to go" has me think that the Chargers will be losing a home game...

Cuntry Boner: It Won't Go Down!

I've mentioned that I am a Tool fan...and if you are not a Tool fan you can stop reading now....

But for those of you that are, know that the lead singer MJK is in a 'new' side project Puscifer, which I haven't heard that much of but from what I am already hearing I think is 1,000% better than A Perfect Circle ... if we are comparing bands that Maynard is in that aren't as cool as Tool... and to prove that... have you heard Cuntry Boner by said band Puscifer? If not, watch the video now and you won't regret it...especially if you enjoy Tool and cuntry music....

Bert Being Overserved

At the end of the last Zappy show - yes, I am working on getting that uploaded but am running into some technical difficulties - we have our friend Bert portraying "Joe Windfire", a person that has been overserved at his bar.

Here is that 'exclusive' video... enjoy....

Lawyers Using Lawyer-eze To Get Bonds Off

Thanks to Bill Clinton and O.J. Simpson - proving that a good enough lawyer can get you out of anything - Barry Bonds has his full 'crew' of lawyers already working on getting him out of perjury charges. They asked that the charges be dropped because the questions that were asked of Bonds were "frequently imprecise, redundant, overlapping and frequently compound."

I am just waiting to hear them use the phrase "it depends on what the definition of is, is" ala Bill Clinton.

Chargers Give Pats A Game

The Chargers intercepted Tom Brady three times but the Charger offense couldn't cash in on four trips to the red zone having to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns, end up losing to the undefeated Patriots 21-12. The Charger defense played fairly solid but the offense, battered and bruised, was unable to score a touchdown at all. Tomlinson played in just the first 2 possessions and then was on the sideline...he has taken a lot of heat from fans and the media for what is being perceived as him 'quitting' or not 'gutting' it out. I'm not one of those persons. I think if he truly could have played he would have and if it meant risking his career or future, then he most certainly should not have played. I have yet to hear what exactly the reason he started but was unable to continue.

I think that the AFC Championship game was the 'Super Bowl' this year and the Patriots should have little problem with Giants. The weather is the only thing that is slowing this Patriot team down and now they'll get a game in sunny Arizona in perfect football conditions, I think they could very easily rout...

What Global Warming?

It wasn't even 10 days ago when I was loving the global warming because temps in the barren wasteland were almost springlike. Well that was short lived and temperatures have now returned back to what makes this part of the country the barren wasteland...

You wake up in the morning and hear the temperature is 10 degrees and that will be the high for the day as temps drop throughout the day and then it stays frigid for multiple days with high temps not even above 0. I took a snapshot of the upcoming forecast for this area and you'll note at the time of this post it was 3 degrees and it will unlikely get to that temp again until next week... at least it rids this area of the 'riff-raff'... it is even too cold for criminals and scumbags to engage in their nefarious activities, if you are looking for any bright spot to being it frickin' cold.

Adding My Pictures

I've added a new feature to the blog for everyone to (hopefully) enjoy...a slideshow of all the public pictures I have on Flickr. It is in the left column and a person can click on any of the pics to see a larger version as well as go to a gallery of all the shared pics that I have. Currently there are pics of a Tool concert, the Charger-Vikings game and the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion. I haven't had my Flickr account too long but hope to have more pics added as I get them...

Stan The Man Named Captain

The Chargers are reaching for anything they can grasp to help them in this weekend's AFC Championship against the New England Patriots. So they named Stan Humphries, the only Charger quarterback to win an AFC Championship for the Chargers, as an honorary captain for the team. Like 1994, the Chargers are huge underdogs and this game may have to mimic that '94 Championship game. The Chargers may have to try and keep it close and their defense will have to do whatever they can to slow down the Patriots and may have to duplicate last week's and the '94 team's game ending defensive stand that prevents the Patriots from a game winning score.

Hopefully the Patriots are doing what the '94 Steelers were doing at this time...making plans to be in the Super Bowl...overlooking the Chargers and not giving this team a chance.

Moss Distraction?

A possible break for the Chargers... Randy Moss came out today to deny a battery allegation by a woman that he alleges is/was trying to blackmail him for a bunch of money or she was going to go to the press just prior to this Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Randy, by heading the woman off and coming out today to deny the allegation, is obviously looking to derail any attempt to break the focus of the Patriots and their mission to go undefeated this year. Although Moss has had his share of run-ins with the law in the past I am not going to be quick to judge him here namely because by his account this woman is demanding money which I think instantly taints her credibility... but it sure would be a shame (for the Chargers) if, after this weekend, it does become a distraction for the Patriots and because of that they end up getting beat in the Super Bowl.

Best Franchise Food Place

I live in (what I call) the franchise food capital of the world...you want some crappy franchise food you won't have to look too hard here...

But I have just seen a video for the latest franchise food chain... I.F.H. Monday's

I am hoping my town gets one soon because it will fit in well with all the other ones...

Media: Chargers Have NO Chance

The San Diego Chargers and their fans don't even get 24 hours to revel in their upset victory of the Indianapolis Colts this past weekend in the playoffs...in fact, it was within minutes of their victory, and you already hear of how they have NO chance to win in Foxboro against the undefeated New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game.

In fact, I have one such gracious friend that shortly after the Chargers beat the Colts called and said congratulations and that the Chargers are going to get their asses kicked next week...hey, thanks. For you see, people think that Charger fans shouldn't be allowed to enjoy any sort of success because they are destined for failure and thus, you must be taunted at all times...

Last I checked, no one gave the Chargers a chance last weekend and look what happened? To me it seems that the folks who pick against the Chargers are getting more angry every time the Chargers win and their 'predictions' of Charger failure become more adamant, as if the Chargers are a little child not listening to their parents.

I think I am going to take the same position that I did last week...that is, do I think the Chargers are going to win? No. But do I think they can win...yes. Of course the Chargers are going to have play a similar game as the did this last weekend and if the officiating doesn't screw them too bad, it should at least be a close game....I would hope.

I also think that much of the Charger player's are building up their anger for the Patriots as they relive last year's playoff collapse, this year's earlier beat down and then just turn on the television or radio and watch and listen as the national media gives the Chargers a 0% chance of winning this game. I would hope the fire inside these players will be the extra motivation and determination that may be the difference in this game.

OH MY FUCKING GOD! Chargers Beat Colts!

I told one of my friends as I was watching the Chargers-Colts game that the title of my blog post today regardless of the outcome would be: OH MY FUCKING GOD! And I will start out with what I promised regardless of the outcome...

The officiating of this game couldn't have been more biased at all. The officials were fucking awful and I mean awful and probably something you won't see much in the media this week and namely backjudge # 57 (upon further review it might be bj #59...either way they are both on the "list") - and I will find out his name - should be instantly fired... he literally was throwing a flag (against the Chargers) anytime Manning threw a pass... a phantom pass interference penalty against Clinton Hart for what... running with the receiver? And I think he was also involved with the third down play prior to the miss Kaeding field goal in the 2nd quarter... a flag was thrown and then picked up with the simple explanation of "There was no penalty because the quarterback was out of the pocket." First, there was absolutely no replay shown - which I find odd right there - and secondly, because the quarterback was out of the pocket then what? You can then tackle a receiver? Hold? What? Apparently if you aren't a Charger, you can do anything... The entire game I couldn't believe that the officiating crew did everything in their power to let the Colts win, it was UNFUCKING BELIEVABLE. If you reversed all the bullshit calls against the Chargers this game would have been a blowout in favor of the Chargers. But enough with that because the Chargers won, if they would have lost it would sound like sour grapes but regardless, I think it had to be noted that the officials in this game were fucking disgusting...

Despite the officials trying to hand the game to the Colts the Chargers end up winning the game and not just winning the game but winning the game with LaDainain Tomlinson out for almost all of the game, Phillip Rivers - who had a fantastic game and right when I prepared to hate on him comes through in a big way - went down in the third quarter, Antonio Gates, who is obviously in extreme discomfort with a busted big toe and you add in the shitty officiating in this game I can not believe the Chargers end up the winners of this game....it is truly UNFUCKING BELIEVABLE!

I have to give props to Phillip Rivers - who, as I mentioned I was ready to hate on, looked very good. Mike Scifres, our punter, had to kick 3 punts and each one was a BOMB and set the Colts WAAAY back. Our young defensive players, like rookie Eric Weddle who had an interception as the Colts were looking to score in the 3rd quarter, as he takes on an offensive lineman - what is he doing there in the first place? Micheal Turner who filled in for L.T. in fantastic fashion...some thought he would have been a great trade proposition last season but the Chargers elected to keep him...nice call. Vincent Jackson who, up until this game, seemed to be remembered by myself for dropping easy, wide open passes but came through with multiple big plays today. Cris Chambers who, the Colts looked like they keyed on all day, seemed like he only made big plays. And Darren Sproles who probably had the biggest play for the Chargers all day, a 56 yard reception to end the 3rd quarter and take a 21-17 lead and made the statement that the Chargers aren't going to give up.

The Charger defense had good pressure all game on Manning...they didn't have any sacks but didn't allow Manning to set up camp and pick them apart. Hopefully that is the same next week.

As I mentioned in a post on Friday, no one and I mean NO ONE gave the Chargers a chance to win this game. I watched the CBS pregame prior to the game and all 4 (Marino, Boomer, Cower and fucking Shannon (I hate the Chargers) Sharpe) analysts picked the Colts to win and fairly easy...they also said Cromartie wouldn't get at least 1 pick (WRONG AGAIN!)... watching much of the postgame all four of those fuckers seemed subdued, stunned and unwilling to eat their words... which I am willing to do myself and more than happy to do... I didn't think the Chargers would win but at least I didn't think they couldn't win...(read that line again until you understand it if you didn't the first time and if it still doesn't start drinking until it does)... and no one was even willing to do that... which I am sure will be the case this weekend...

There early 'word' for the AFC Championship will be how bad will the Patriots beat the Chargers? In week 2 the Patriots DESTROYED and I mean DESTROYED the Chargers 38-14. I'm not saying that the Chargers are guaranteed to win against the Patriots but the Charger team that is on the field now is certainly much different than the one the Patriots beat a 1/2 a year ago. The Chargers also have some pent up anger against the Patriots...first for beating the Chargers last year in the first round of the playoffs and then using them as their bitch in week 2 of this year... Would there, could there be anything more sweeter than a Charger victory in Foxboro this weekend against the Patriots - snapping their undefeated march?

As much as Shawne Merriman catches shit for his (which even I think is gay) 'lights out' dance there is nothing more than I would love to see the Chargers beat those cheating mother-fucking Patriots (who up until recently I had no issues with but really are getting on my nerves) and seeing Shawne Merriman and a bunch of cocky Chargers dancing on the Patriot logo in Gillette Stadium next weekend just for the revenge factor because apparently it wasn't classless for the Patriots to do it last year then it shouldn't be classless for any other team to do so when the opportunity so arises...

We'll have to wait until the injury report comes out to see how bad injuries to Rivers and Tomlinson are and of course I would think Gates will still be questionable... I was totally amazed that he was able to play and I think that his presence on the field had to be an inspiration to many of the Chargers...his type of injury (dislocated big toe) has oftentimes meant the end of a season for other players...

This playoff run by the Chargers is bringing up the memories of 1994 when the Chargers had to go to Pittsburgh and NO ONE gave the Chargers a chance against the Steelers in the AFC Championship and the next thing you know the Chargers make a 4th down stand at the end of the game and they are going to the Super Bowl!!! (Of course they end up playing an illegal 49'er team - over the salary cap but no one cares about that - and getting beat like dogs....but we'll remember the good for now...)

I have to conclude this post with the simple text message I have sent to those that sent a congrats to me today and that was simply (as I have stated a few times in this post and my theme...apparently) UNFUCKING BELIAVABLE because it truly was... I admit that I have no faith in Norv Turner or Ted Cottrell but they have already won 2 more playoff games (in one year no less) then Marty Schottenheimer did and right now... I'll take that and be happy!

GO CHARGERS!!!!!

Vote: It's The Least You Can Do

He is a pretty informative video on how to vote, starring Ed Helms...

Good Stuff...

Patriots Get 2 Byes?

Has everyone already crowned the Patriots as the AFC Champions? Posted is a portion of my home page which is the Yahoo! NFL scoreboard and you'll note that it lists the upcoming games...but did you notice that New England has no opponent?

Sure, it is probably some technical glitch but I find it kind of funny that it was that game that this glitch happened too especially with the way the media has all but given the Lombardi Trophy to the Patriots.

Experts: Chargers Have NO Chance Against Colts

As I drove to work today and am sitting here at work listening to the 'sports talkers' on the radio and hearing all their predictions for this weekend's game one thing has become evident... no one, and I mean NO ONE, is giving the Chargers a chance this weekend.

I admit that I don't really see the Chargers winning and have had them written off a long time ago...the playoffs were just a bonus game for the Chargers. But it is becoming bothersome to me on some of the analysis...most of which is Gates is dinged up, the Colts will shut down Tomlinson and force Rivers to throw and thus, Colts will thrive on the turnovers and the game could be a rout. Has no one seen a Chargers-Colts game the past 3 years? Who beat the Colts, in Indianapolis, when they were 13-0 in 2005? What team intercepted Peyton Manning 6 times, a career high for Manning, this season? That's right, the Chargers. I'm not saying the Chargers are going to beat the Colts, but I can not completely discount the possibility that the Chargers could actually win this game.

How can the Chargers win this weekend? First, the defense needs to play like it has been the last few weeks of the season...excellent pass pressure with good downfield coverage by the db's, not giving Manning any time to survey the field and pick the secondary apart, which will happen if there is no pressure. Second, the offensive line needs to show up. Tomlinson has been shut down too many games this year because of poor blocking at the line. If Tomlinson can get the ball in some open space, he is deadly, and that is exactly what needs to happen. If the offensive line can run block for Tomlinson and pass block for Rivers - giving him some time and protection - the Chargers certainly have a good chance to win this game.

If Norv Turner wants to gain any respect in my eyes, and probably the entire sports media, he needs to win this game and hopefully that is motivation enough for him to get this team ready to play on Sunday.

I'm pulling for the Jaguars to beat the Patriots and if somehow, someway the Chargers can beat the Colts, the AFC Championship game would be played in San Diego...and you know no one saw that one coming! The sad part would be that the Chargers would probably lose that game...ah the life of a Charger fan...there will be no joy...or at least any long-lasting joy!

College Football, BCS B.S.

So enough time has probably passed from this past year's college football's bowl championship game between LSU and Ohio State and like every year before this year, you have approximately the entire population of the earth screaming about the need for a college football playoff system. Frankly I am just tired of it. Yes, I admit that I am not an avid college football fan and never really have been and you know why? That's right, it's because every year it's the same fucking thing...2 teams are picked from the 'pack' to play the championship game...but at least they now try to get the top 2 teams to play each other whereas in the past that wasn't even guaranteed...but in the end, the winner of the championship game is still sometimes a co-champion or at least a disputed champion...and what good is that? I refuse to invest my Saturday's watching college football for an entire season and then when the huge finale comes find out that the finale may not have actually been the finale depending on the outcome. And then, with all the other bowl games other teams then become contenders but aren't able to contend for the championship. What I am saying, obviously, has been said by millions of others and is nothing new by anyone that follows sports.

But here is what I will say, that is there is an obvious reason why this suggestion of having a college football playoff system isn't being implemented asap or even in the past and of course the reason we all know and are familiar with...the reason that drives most everything in this country and refuses to be swayed by logic and fairness...the reason of course is money. But tell me this then, what logic is being used to say that a college football playoff system won't make any money? To me, it would seem that having a system where an undisputed college football champion would garner just as much, if not more, money then it's present bullshit bowl system. Of course the current bowls are the only entity fighting the implementation of a playoff system...but again, why couldn't the current bowls be played as part of the playoff system? Of course they don't want to be because each and every bowl is it's own 'championship' so that's why...you essentially strip 2,347 bowl champions every year and replace it with one undisputed champion and why would anyone want to do that?

Complete idiocy/insanity if you ask me...the only positive thing about not having a college football playoff system is that I won't have yet another sport to occupy my time and interest...

Tool - Vicarious DVD

Boy have I been slacking...

Tool, one of my all-time favorite bands, put out a DVD with their officially released Vicarious video last month and I have yet to purchase this yet, let alone see it. How can I claim to be a Tool fan anymore? Needless to say, the disc is on it's way and hopefully I can regain my credentials as a Tool fan in short order... with any luck, I'll get to see Tool live again some time soon.

For those interested in the DVD, it is just the Vicarious video with a 40 minute documentary on the making of the video as well as some audio commentary by comedian David Cross. Do not expect to see any new live footage or any other additional 10,000 days songs on this DVD...

Ralph Wiggum For Prez

This past weekend's Simpson's episode (E Pluribus Wiggum) was a pleasant surprise. I have watched the Simpsons since it began and like SNL it has gone through it's ups and downs with the past season or two filled with some episodes that are more forgettable rather than many of the memorable Simpsons' shows that a person can recall with little effort.

But this past weekend the Simpsons put out an episode that had me actually laughing out loud. Much of the humor was mocking the American electoral process by showing the shallowness of both political parties as well as the media.

Homer was in classic form and started the show of with a 'bang'. Best line of the show, Homer: "Oh, the Patriot Act is so scary they'll find out what library books I've been reading. What's next? They'll now what opera's I've gone to!" As he high-fives Bart. One of my favorite characters, Ralph Wiggum, ends up becoming the focal point of the episode and anytime Ralph is involved you are treated to some of the best one liners ever.

So I wanted to get some clips of the show to share with everyone but I can only find the complete episode so I will post that... enjoy!

Thumbs Up To Global Warming

All a person hears about global warming is all the bad things, which, as of this time, is that the polar ice caps will melt away and flood the coasts of all the continents.

Well, those of use that live in the land-locked barren wasteland and are treated to 4 months of bitter-cold and snow weather each year are a bit more receptive to the whole 'global warming' idea. For the past week or so, the temperature around here has been pleasantly warm...and by warm I mean above 20 degrees (let alone above 0). This past Sunday, I did not wear a jacket at all while the sun was out and the temperature passed 40 degrees and it felt like spring was on it's way. Of course this will likely be a brief warm spell before winter comes back with a vengeance and temperatures drop below zero again. I can't recall the last Super Bowl Sunday where the temperature was above zero...in fact, I can recall more Super Bowl Sunday's in which I had to jump-start someone's vehicle or become involved in some weather related issue brought upon by the severity of the cold weather. Until then, though, I am loving the mild temps that are gracing this region at this time...

Clemens Makes Innocence Pleas, Sues McNamee

A day after Roger Clemens' 60 Minutes interview Clemens comes out all guns blazing. He filed a defamation lawsuit against McNamee and held a press conference to further address his alleged steroid use.

I watched a fair amount of the press conference in which Clemens cursed and 'restrained' himself from who knows what - I think from going into a 'roid rage' (HA HA HA!) - because apparently he is very unhappy with some of those in the media for reporting on the Mitchell Report.

To me, this press conference seemed to implicate Clemens more then vindicate him. Clemens seemed to skirt the steroid question whenever it was posed other than deny ever using it...or at least 'knowingly' use it and I think that will be his ultimate defense, similar to Barry Bonds. In a he said he said dispute, Clemens will ultimately come to the conclusion that..."O.k., yes, this guy did inject me with steroids, but did I know they were steroids? No. So how can I be blamed." Which of course is bullshit.

At the press conference Clemens played a taped phone call with Brian McNamee but it definitely sounded stage and a person could tell that Clemens was trying to lead McNamee into saying something that would clear Clemens' name but it certainly didn't do that.

And where did Clemens get the hayseed of a lawyer that he has? During the press conference there were a couple of times his lawyer made some impromptu remarks meant to be humorous but were way off the mark. Not to mention, wouldn't the best legal advice to Roger right now be to SHUT UP and wait rather then invite the media attention, in which Clemens' seemed irate with.

Clemens is taking the path that already known steroid users have taken...get angry at the media and accusers, then come out and publicly display your anger and outrage. Then in a year or two hold another press conference and tearfully regret that you did indeed use steroids and cheat but of course with a reason...injury, for the team or whatever...but do whatever you can to try and shed the title of rampant steroid user...

Playoff Victory For Chargers

For the second time this year, the Tennessee Titans and San Diego Chargers engaged in a defensive battle with the Chargers making a second half surge to ultimately win the game and advance in the playoffs, the first time since 1994.

Like their earlier meeting, the Chargers offense didn't seem to get rolling until the second half but the Charger defense prevented the Titans from scoring a touchdown. The Titans were determined not to let Tomlinson beat them had 8 players in the box on virtually every play forcing Phillip Rivers to make plays. Cris Chambers and Vincent Jackson both had good games and several times both of them were wide open making several big plays for the Chargers. On the bad luck side of the game, Antonio Gates suffered a toe injury on a play that he could very well have just dropped the ball rather than catch a pass and in trying to get up to gain some yardage, gets hit and injured all for a loss on the play.

Up next for the Chargers is the Colts. If the Chargers want to elevate themselves as an 'elite' team, they will need to beat the Colts...otherwise all the Chargers have done is beat a mediocre team in the playoffs and be 'one and done' which will certainly take some luster off the first playoff victory in 13 years.

Clemens: B12 And Lidocaine Shots Only

No sooner do I post about the possibility of Clemens potentially getting sued over comments made in an upcoming 60 Minutes interview do some excerpts of the interview 'hit the streets'. It seems Clemens is taking the Rafeal Palmerio route and saying that he was only injected with the vitamin B12 and Lidocaine by Brian McNamee...of course no one believed Palmerio so why does the Rocket think it will work for him? In the article it also states that Roger will give a press conference on Monday following the interview...wonder if he will be taking any questions, or rather, I wonder if he will answer any tough questions if they are asked or if he will merely have 'no comment' and 'not at this time' type responses.

Clemens Lawsuit Possible

When Jose Canseco's book came out detailing steroid use in MLB, as well as the Game Of Shadows, a book detailing Barry Bonds' steroid use, players that were named as steroid users in baseball were quick to come out and challenge the books and hint that lawsuits would be coming to defend themselves...well, years have past and not one player has came forward with a lawsuit to save their reputation with the likely reasons being that they can't.

Roger Clemens has been doing interviews to anyone that will listen in an attempt to clear his name...to defiantly defend that he has never taken any steroids. He will be the focus of a 60 Minutes interview that will air this Sunday (and I won't be watching) in which he wants to 'clear the record' and most likely pull a Rafeal Palmerio and to stare down and angrily point at the camera and announce that he never used steroids...yeah, good for you Rog... but he better be careful about what he said in this interview because if he claims that Brian McNamee is lying about Clemens' steroid use that Clemens' will then be sued by McNamee. Of course if Roger is being advised by any legal counsel, I am sure he will tactifully dance around any questions regarding McNamee's testimony. But at the same time, Clemens has come out so aggressively to challenge the findings that he may be foolish enough to further damage himself by publicly discounting McNamee's testimony.

I think the reasons why Clemens' longevity and ability to retire and return to baseball almost every year for the past decade is well known now...steroids...and I doubt there can be little that he can do now to repair his legacy. He can be placed in the Hall Of Fame right next to Barry Bonds in the steroid wing of the Hall of Fame...

NFL Playoff Picks

So the playoffs start this weekend so I thought I would make public my predictions...and what I really should say, my hopeful predictions because let's be honest here, is anyone NOT going to pick the Patriots? So, I will preface my picks with that...that is, I think the Patriots are probably the best team in the NFL and really have no excuse to not win it all...but it is the NFL and anything can happen so with that...

I'd like to start with Jacksonville. The Jags are a team that I think could go all the way...provided they don't meet up with the Colts. For it seems the Colts have the Jags number. I think Pittsburgh is a little too beat up to play the physical Jaguars and the 'style' of ball the Jags play could actually be beneficial against the Patriots in the next round. But I do think the Jags could be a contender.

The Colts, the defending champs, have quietly taken care of business this season...escaping the media hype due to the Pats undefeated season. But losing Bob Freeney may be to much for this team...if one recalls last season, the Colts seemed to be two different teams when Bob Sanders was playing or not and Sanders was back in for the playoff run...the question now is, is Freeney that important for the Colts defense? I think against weaker teams the Colts are able to make due without Freeney, but I think against higher caliber teams and in the playoffs, it might become more evident that his absence will affect their overall defense. I think the Colts may play the part of the Chargers this playoffs and lose their first and only playoff game after garnering a bye and home field.

I really don't see the Titans or the Steelers doing much in the playoffs...sure they could each win their first playoff game in an upset, but I don't think either team is built to do much more....especially the Titans. The Titans have a solid defense but an offense that is less then impressive.

Finally in the AFC, the Chargers - which I admit I am bias towards - are too unpredictable to know for sure what will happen but there is no question the defense has played much better the latter half of the season then in the beginning. But the Charger offense continues to be a portion of what was displayed last year. The offensive line is still fairly weak and Phillip Rivers looks worse than ever. But, playing a Titan's team that doesn't seem to score much and comes in with several injuries, this seems to favor the Chargers. The Chargers would have to go to Indianapolis next and the Chargers seem to have the Colts number...earlier this season the Chargers escaped with a win versus the Colts, in which Manning threw 6 interceptions (career high) and it was just a couple of years ago when the Colts were 13-0 and the Chargers came to Indy and snapped their win streak...so, by appearances, the Chargers seem to match up well against the Colts...and then if the Jags can bang up the Pats the Chargers would no doubtedly be looking for revenge for last year's playoff loss to the Pats as well as this year's earlier beat down the Pats gave to the Chargers. But do I think this outcome is likely? Absolutely not.

On the NFC side of the ball there is more mediocrity amongst the teams then in the AFC which means the more chance for upsets...but let's be real.... the Cowboys are the only team on the NFC that I will place any faith upon consistency. I think Green Bay totally over-achieved and with no running game, I don't know if Favre has enough magic (aka: luck) to carry the Packers much farther. Giants, Bucs, Skins and Seahawks...you could literally put all four of those teams in a hat and draw out the winners... I think they all have to be about a pick'em in the odds, not?

I think the Bucs and Skins should make it out of the first round but the Cowboys and Packers will be waiting for them. Cowboys Packers NFC Championship with the Cowboys winning that because they will be able to control the ball.

So to summarize a bit here... what do I think will happen: Patriots vs Cowboys in the Super Bowl, which is the obvious picks of probably 95% of football prognosticators. But what do I see potentially happening? - Chargers or Jaguars vs Cowboys and yes, I am picking 2 AFC teams but I am ruling that I get to because both the Chargers and Jags would have to pull upsets to get to the Super Bowl...the sad part for the Chargers would be that I don't know if they could win the Super Bowl against the Cowboys...Wade Phillips built the Charger defense and I am assuming that he will know how to attack it...similarly to the Oakland-Tampa Bay Super Bowl in which Jon Gruden faced off against the team he put together and beat them fairly handedly.

The Good Times End

After 2 and a half weeks I have returned back to work...sure I worked a short day this past Sunday but nothing can compare to getting up early and going back to the daily routine. I had a really enjoyable break with most of my time doing absolutely nothing....staying up late and sleeping in... it was great but also makes getting back into the 'normal' routine a little bit harder.

But... Happy New Year to everyone and I hope to make some NFL playoff predictions before Saturday...time permitting...