Philadelphia Fans Strike Again

Yo Philly!

Yo Philly is a saying my family and I developed over four years of living just outside of Philadelphia. After moving from the west coast to Pennsylvania, I began thinking something was wrong with me. Everywhere I went I was annoying people. For a long time, I took the atmosphere personally.

The cheesesteaks and Italian hoagies are worthy of their legendary praise, but so too is the east coast stigma of being cantankerous. I couldn't buy a pack of gum without feeling insulted. Eventually I figured out that the city is just full of pricks that are unhappy with themselves. Whenever I was subject to that attitude I would just think, "Yo Philly!"

That attitude becomes a collective monster inside Philadelphia sports stadiums. Philly sports fans have been justly maligned as the world's worst since the sixties when they famously threw snowballs at Santa Claus during an Eagles game. The incident achieved folklore status and has been greatly exaggerated, but what isn't exaggerated is how awful Philly fans can be.

Safety is a serious concern for any opposing fan or player. Just ask J.D. Drew. In his first visit to Philadelphia fans threw D-cell batteries at the outfielder nearly resulting in a home team forfeit.

July, 2009, a man was beaten to death outside of Citizens Bank Ball Park, the same day a Phillies game had to be temporarily stopped due to a fan shining a laser pointer in the face of St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols.

There are countless tales of horror from fans attending games in Philadelphia, and I can tell you first hand, these are not exaggerated. These people will boo anything. It was sitting in those stands that led me to take a no booing stance (other than anything Longhorns) as a youngster.

Perhaps former New York Giants star Michael Strahan described it best, "Philadelphia is the only place where you pull up on the bus and you've got the grandfather, grandmother, grandkids, kids, everybody flicking you off."

The city also produced highlights like heckling Philly native Kobe Bryant at the 2002 All Star Game. But their crowning achievement came when Eagles fans cheered as Michael Irvin laid motionless from a neck injury that would end his career.

Yo Philly!

If being an opposing player or fan is bad, actually playing for the city is worse. Fans and media are directly responsible for running a number of marquee players out of town before their time. Ask Allen Iverson, Scott Rolen, Eric Lindros, and Randall Cunningham.

Charles Barkley says he is one of the few that wasn't run out by the media, but they still got tired of the Barkley era and traded him to Phoenix where he led the Suns to the NBA Finals.

No matter how great you are or have been, Philly fans will eventually burn you if you aren't winning championships every year. Anything less than perfect play is not tolerated, and no star is above getting booed. These fans would boo their own daughter at a youth basketball game.

Bob Uecker said about Philly fans, "I saw a drunk fall out of the upper deck. They booed when he tried to get up."

Beloved Philadelphia Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt thought his brilliant career would have been better appreciated somewhere else after retiring.

One year removed from a World Series title, Philly fans called for the benching of MVP winning shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

Long time Temple head basketball coach John Chaney calls Philly fans, "the worst in the world."

You get the point.

Donovan McNabb is latest victim of Philly's insane fanatic behavior. The greatest quarterback in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles just got shown the door to the delight of nearly every Eagles fan. McNabb is another carcass in the trail of dead former Philadelphia sports heroes.

McNabb led the Eagles to four consecutive NFC East championships, five NFC championship games, one Super Bowl, and leads in every major statistical passing category in team history. During his tenure Eagles fans became spoiled knowing they could win every football game they entered. More often than not they did with McNabb. By the way, they booed this guy on draft day.

Think of it this way. The only year the Eagles reached the Super Bowl was the only year they had another big time offensive player on their team, and it was team dividing Terrell Owens. McNabb was clearly the best player on the team and couldn't get over the hump because the rest of the talent was not up to par. Without McNabb, fans would really have something to complain about. Now they'll get their chance.

Be careful what you wish for should be the mantra for Philly fans. Do they really think they will be better off with McNabb somewhere else within the division? I don't think so. There is no way anyone can say Kevin Kolb is a better choice right now. McNabb is only 33. The city gave up on him when they should be blaming nearly everyone else. Philly fans aren't the type to sit back and wait for a QB to develop. They wanted McNabb gone because they honestly feel they have a better chance to win a Super Bowl with a guy who has never been a regular starter.

The Eagles are primed with young offensive talent and are known for putting tough defenses on the field. Defense was a problem for the Eagles at the end of last season, but they have enjoyed success against their rivals for a long time. Dallas was due to win a couple.

So why make the move now? The Eagles have played with a running back that was a game time decision for three years which made their offense rely heavy on passing. Most teams would struggle with this imbalance, but McNabb put up great numbers. No quarterback is perfect, and McNabb wasn't either, but he's a winner and I would take him over Kolb in a second.

If I were an Eagles fan I would be upset. If I was an Eagles season ticket holder I would be incensed. There is no way the product on the field next year will be as good as last. You cannot take a guy with two career starts and anoint him better than a legend. Even Aaron Rodgers needed a year to get good, and he still is yet to win a playoff game.

What does that make Kolb's time table? I predict two games. When the Eagles start 0-2 the entire city, including media will be calling for Michael Vick to get the start and Kolb's confidence will be irreparably shaken.

Philly fans have been collectively brain washed thanks to their fictitious boxing champion, Rocky. They are still waiting for the underdog to come from total obscurity and take them to the top. It takes someone of Barkley's mentality to survive in a city like Philadelphia. And just to remind you, Barkley has done way more than his fair share of creepy things right down to spitting on a child during a game. What a guy. I guess that's why fan and media criticism didn't bother him.

McNabb goes to a tough situation in Washington because of the inept Redskins offensive line. One thing is certain. New head coach Mike Shanahan will have an offense that runs the ball which should take some pressure off McNabb. At 33, McNabb still has time to integrate into a new system with a proven head coach that took another 30+ "wash out" named John Elway and made him a two time Super Bowl champion.

Washington has no shortage of resources and the city is just as passionate about putting a winner on the field as Philly. I believe this to be the right mix for the Skins and once the O line gets solid, they will win with McNabb at QB. Don't be surprised when the success of the Eagles fades into mediocrity and the Redskins ascend the NFC East ladder.

The best part is that Philly will have no one to blame but themselves. So many cliches come to mind. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. The grass is always greener. You never know what you got before it's gone. Hindsight is 20-20.

Right now the entire nation is shaking their head, and Eagles fans are celebrating. They demand a champion as payback for having to live in such a hard and cruel city. That cruelty gets redirected on their sports stars and the seat is always hot. Don't expect any sympathy if you play in Philly. Don't even expect rationality. For some fans, winning is worse than losing because they have to find new ways to express their disgust for life. Throwing batteries at a world champion would be ugly even for a Philadelphian. Getting rid of McNabb makes sure that the Eagles will have plenty to complain about next year.

The city of brotherly love.

Yo Philly!

If It Ain't Broke...Fix It

The Final Four teams are set, the NBA season is closing and the playoff race is unraveling, Tiger Woods is making his return to golf at the Masters, the NHL playoff picture is becoming more clear, and MLB is cutting their rosters for opening day. So why is it that the most interesting sports topic is still the NFL? With a 28-4 vote in what Super Bowl winning coach Sean Payton called "backdoor maneuvering," NFL owners amended the overtime rules for the playoffs.

There have been grumblings about the NFL sudden death overtime since kickoffs were moved from the 35 yard line to the 30 in 1994. Giving teams an extra five yards of field to return the kickoff translated into better returns and better field position. Add that to aerial offenses and the increased accuracy of kickers, and suddenly winning the coin toss was an enormous advantage. The amount of teams winning by field goals on first possession increased rapidly.

The grumblings increased yearly until hitting a crescendo last season in the NFC championship game when Brett Favre and the Vikings could only watch helplessly as the Saints nailed a field goal a few plays after winning the overtime coin toss. The new rule would have given the Vikings a possession to match or defeat the Saints. It possibly could have led to the Super Bowl matchup that the NFL really wanted which was Favre vs. Manning.

The new rule works like this: If team A scores a touchdown on their initial possession the game is over. If Team A scores a field goal, Team B gets a possession on offense. If Team B then scores a touchdown the game is over. If Team B scores a field goal to tie, sudden death overtime rules take effect. There are other stipulations regarding turnovers, but that is the gist. Ironically one of the four teams to vote against an overtime rule change was the Vikings.

So what does this change essentially mean? Basically teams are now obliged to play for a touchdown rather than a field goal. The advantage became so great for teams winning the coin toss, something had to be done. No one likes to see the kicker be the star of the game. This change will force teams to play football similar to the way it would be played during regulation.

Detractors of the rule change posit what is good for the playoffs should be good for the regular season. I'm not sure why the owners decided to only amend playoff overtime games. It seems like a good rule that would work in the regular season. The owners are scheduled to meet to discuss adopting the rule change for the regular season in May.

Some voiced concern that lengthening the game will result in greater injury risk due to fatigue. That could be another reason why the rule was changed only for the playoffs. I really don't think the game will be extended more than a couple of possessions on average. The lengthiest overtime scenario sees the game go to sudden death after two possessions.

Players and coaches seem to be in agreement that you should never let yourself get to overtime. If you can't finish off your opponent in regulation, then you shouldn't complain being disadvantaged through the coin toss. Make no mistake, the NFL didn't necessarily need this rule change. Things were working fine. This rule change is for the fans, and I say kudos to everyone involved in getting it done.

I understand the "if it ain't broke" sentiment, but I hated watching teams lose an overtime game just because they lost the coin toss and gave up two first downs. After spending the day watching a highly competitive game that needs extra time to decide, the last thing I want is a 45 yard field goal end it two minutes later with only one offense taking the field.

I like the rule change because it keeps the competition fair by forcing teams to play for touchdowns. The rule also allows defensive oriented teams a chance to kick off and play defense first. Coaches that decide to take the wind rather than the ball will no longer be punch lines. There is a great number of variables that have to be taken into consideration rather than simply taking the ball every time.

The amazing part of the rule change was how quickly the owners and commissioner Roger Goodell acted. After the season ended, Goodell said they would look into amending the rule. Six weeks later it was cemented. In an age where improvements for football are often speculated but rarely changed, Goodell made sure he got this done quickly.

The official vote took place a day before it was originally scheduled, leaving several head coaches upset they were not able to weigh in. NFL head coaches are notorious for resisting change. Washington Redskins head coach, Mike Shanahan eluded, if the coaches had their way they would still be watching film on 16mm.

All in all, I have heard several ideas on what to do with the NFL overtime, most of which say leave it alone. There are complaints that the new system is too complicated. It seems pretty straight forward to me. There might be a point where some negative issues arise with the change, but I can't predict any.

I believe this rule will make overtime more competitive without adding lots of time to the finish. Coaches might not like it, but coaches work for the owners and the owners need to keep their fans happy. This change will be valuable moments before every overtime coin flip. Fans will have peace of mind that the best team should prevail in overtime, not the one who gets the ball first and has the best kicker. It will be hard to complain about losing in overtime in the new format. Mission accomplished as far as I'm concerned. Now let's see if they can work that quickly on the collective bargaining agreement to avoid a lockout in 2011. With a sport at its absolute height of popularity, that would be a colossal mistake.

Chargers Lose a Legend

The city of San Diego said goodbye to one of its most prominent stars this week when the Chargers released future hall of fame RB Ladainian Tomlinson. While the release was predictable and even anticipated, I found myself feeling remorse for ever criticizing LT. For several seasons Tomlinson gave San Diegans hope for a successful football team. He never reached the Super Bowl and broke down physically during the playoffs, but he was the driving influence in the expectations of Chargers fans.

Tomlinson was a very rare example of humbleness, class, and talent in the NFL. His community involvement and charitable contributions demonstrated his tremendous heart and generosity. He will be remembered as one of the greatest players in NFL history, but he is also remembered as one of the best humans to wear a professional jersey. He never got in trouble off of the field, never uttered a bad word about teammates or management (even when it would have been justified), and never let money or ego change his core personality.

I have read over a dozen reactions by NFL players and not one has failed to mention that LT is a better person than a player. You can be sure every player in the NFL holds Tomlinson in the highest regard for his ability on the field and his contributions off of it. When you talk about pillars of the community, he is second only to Tony Gwynn, and that is phenomenal company. He deeply loved being a Charger, almost to a fault, because it was his positive outlook and great expectations that led San Diego to believe they would finally capture a Super Bowl ring the last six seasons.

In his time as a Charger, LT broke nearly every franchise rushing record. In 2003, he became the first player in NFL history to have 100 receptions and 1,000 yards rushing in the same season. In 2006, Tomlinson won the MVP after setting NFL records for TDs (31), rushing TDs (28), and points scored (186). He owns the NFL record for consecutive games with a rushing TD (18), most consecutive multi TD games (8), and most seasons with 10+ TDs. He is second to Emmit Smith for most TDs in NFL history.

LT's release shows how brutal the NFL really is. One year you are considered a top player in the league, the next you are searching for work as a backup. No position personifies this more than running back, where 30 might as well be 65. There aren't many RBs that leave the league on their own terms, no matter what their resumes look like. Even Walter Payton had to walk away with a bitter taste in his mouth. For those that criticized Barry Sanders for leaving the league early, take a look at the names that didn't see 32 as an NFL RB. Then there's Shaun Alexander who was forced to retire just two years removed from a league MVP. Tomlinson's finish mirrors Alexander's.

Tomlinson stated he will continue to live and be active in the San Diego community, but hopes to find work in the NFL for another three years. I am not sure this will be a possibility for Tomlinson, but there might be an argument that he still has something left. LT's last two years have been the least effective of his career. He only averaged 3.3 yards per carry last year and looked like he has lost the explosiveness that helped him burst through the line of scrimmage. Almost everyone that watched him play blamed age and diminishing speed.

But it was also two years ago that the Chargers fired head coach Marty Schottenheimer in favor of pass happy Norv Turner. Turner almost immediately turned the reigns over to QB Phillip Rivers. The Chargers all but abandoned the run to fling the ball all over the field to their host of talented pass catchers. Run blocking was clearly the weakness of the Chargers offensive line that hasn't opened a hole since they let FB Lorenzo Neal walk away. No one ever pays attention to the full back, but Neal blocked for 1,000 yard rushers his whole career and was recently named to the NFL's all decade team along with LT. That might not provide much comfort to Tomlinson since Neal is retired, and the full back position seems to be an NFL relic, but perhaps his last two seasons in San Diego set him up to fail. It's not like LT was bad and back up Darren Sproles was running wild. There was no run production from either player. Most of the positive plays for Sproles came from short passes.

The Chargers front office has a reputation for being cold blooded in their approach to players. There is no loyalty to stars, and at times general manager A.J. Smith has been openly critical of players, reminding them through the media that they are replaceable. Many thought Tomlinson would not be back last year after Smith took shots at him through the media before the season began. This thought process also helped usher out QB Drew Brees to make way for the 6'5" Rivers. Smith and the Chargers worried about Brees' arm after surgery, but more importantly they never liked having a 6'0" QB under center. Some of you may have seen Brees hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy and announcing his plans to visit Disney World recently.

Football is a business where players are cast aside when their production diminishes. As much as players are vilified for being greedy with contracts, owners and GMs would throw them out on the street if they don't see returns on the investment. Even the best player in Chargers history is not immune. That being said, it did seem like the marriage was over for the Chargers and LT. Hopefully he will get signed by a team that needs some leadership and a positive locker room presence because it appears that is all Tomlinson has left to give. If the Saints are unable to re-sign Reggie Bush, perhaps LT can rejoin Brees in New Orleans and try to ride his right arm to the Super Bowl he never got to play in.

I wish Tomlinson the best of luck, and hope the Chargers repair their fractured running game. No matter how the landscape of the NFL tilts in favor of passing, you still need a running game that can bang out four yards on the ground. That was something that Tomlinson was successful doing most of his career. That is something the Chargers lost that cost them yet another chance to get to the Super Bowl. I would be much happier writing about the Chargers releasing K Nate Kaeding, but all things come to an end, especially in the NFL.

Super Bowl Shuffle

The end of the football season has come and gone, and I am left with that familiar feeling of incompleteness. The Super Bowl was fairly entertaining with a surprising outcome, but it wasn't enough to satisfy the experience. Despite being shocked by the bravado of Saints head coach Sean Payton calling an onside kick to start the second half, and being equally shocked Colts QB Peyton Manning threw an untimely interception that cost his team the game, I felt myself counting down the minutes until the close of the season.

The game was remarkably clean with regards to penalties and flow. Both teams sustained long possessions (especially in the first half) which kept the game clock moving. Unfortunately, for every minute of televised football there were 51 seconds of commercials.

There is always buzz from the general public about Super Bowl ads. Viewers compare and rate new ads with the same enthusiasm many compare and rate the teams playing in the game. It has become a game in itself. The Super Bowl would not be the spectacle it has become if not for this anticipation. For that reason, the commercials are a relevant topic every year, and should not be ignored as part of the Super Bowl experience.

Personally, there isn't much I like about ads during any football game, even the Super Bowl, but this year helped me change my opinion. What was once mild irritation has blossomed into full blown hatred after being subjected to the mind numbing garbage the ad wizards submitted this year. Add a massive quantity of breaks with an extended halftime and you get a grueling battle with time.

Have you ever seen a bigger collective whiff from companies spending millions to promote their product? The thought process seemed to be scrap originality and rely on sex, violence, animals, and gimmicks. I realize that works for beer companies, but the ideology spilled over to the majority of spots on the biggest promotional platform of the year.

Let me start the bashing with Go Daddy. Not only is the campaign juvenile and trashy, it is not original. It is the same crap they have been doing for years and they play out like low grade pornography. I originally thought the Danica Patrick campaign was supposed to be a spoof of the porn industry, but it appears they are mainly interested in having 14 year old boys log on to their website to see if a "Go Daddy Girl" takes her clothes off. Is Patrick really smart by cashing in with these ad abominations? If she continues to win one race every three years, she has a much better future as a shill than a driver. I can already see the late night Showtime feature called Driving Temptation where she has to drive her way out of a female prison.

While we're on the topic of sex in advertising, the Megan Fox in a bathtub commercial made me cringe. During the montage fallout from Fox posting her naked pic on the Internet, there is a moment where a mother yells for her son through a locked bathroom door. I was shocked at the suggestive nature of Timmy masturbating to sell phones, or whatever the ad was for. Unless the intended message was Fox is a fox, the point was lost on me. I can't believe I am saying this, but there are kids that watch the Super Bowl. Wouldn't it be fun to be the parent that gets to give the birds and bees talk at halftime?

Just as disturbing as the sexed up ads is the influence of violence during the Super Bowl. Every year I watch as the percentage of violent ads increase, and this year was no different. I realize football is a violent sport, and it is a testosterone driven experience, but the ads don't have to mirror this sentiment to sell me snacks. I'm sure there are several people that got a kick out of the Doritos assassin, but it felt too out of context to be humorous. That was just one of many that called upon violence to mask a lack of creativity. Why would Doritos revert to these tactics? In addition to the assassin, they provided a kid slapping his mother's suitor, a dog using a shock collar on his owner, and a man in a coffin full of Doritos.

The beer commercials had their usual 19 year old undertones and were mostly forgettable. There was a whale in the back of an SUV stemming from a bachelor party gone awry (never seen that theme before). Betty White got tackled in the mud. Several ads with "regular" people in their underwear. At least three different companies with the "retake your manhood" theme. People as dolphins. Longhorn Clydesdale (hideous creature). Troy Polamalu as a groundhog. Tebow. And more E Trade baby.

My Dad happens to love the E Trade baby, but I have had enough. The campaign was amusing when it first aired two years ago, but I'm sick of seeing talking babies, animals, and inanimate objects. Look Who's Talking came out in '89. I have seen the baby 10 thousand times. After sifting through the commercial manure for two hours, I wasn't ready for another. I wanted to see something new. It's not only football's Super Bowl, it's advertising's Super Bowl. That is the best they could come up with? Regurgitated gimmicks? Why do we as a society respond positively to such garbage?

Do ad directors have a social responsibility? Maybe not. The goal in their game is to make the most money. But with the crap they are feeding our society, and the crap our culture feeds on, they are about one step away from hiding in the bushes to get a snapshot of Lindsey Lohan in her bath robe. It takes individuals that realize their soul is not for sale to demand more from their creative team. I want to see someone break the mold, not re-filter the same crap.

It might be a harsh criticism of an average group of Super Bowl ads, but I expected more. With an industry that hires the best of the best, offering nothing other than sophomoric humor, sex, and violence is unacceptable. It might hit your target demographic, but it also highlights a problem with your product. Tell me why I should buy your product in a way that is original, entertaining, and informative. Tell me why you are good for me and better than your competitor without trying to shock me into remembering your name.

Obviously there were some winners this year. I thought the best ad was Google's study abroad spot. Clever, unique, sweet, and really highlighted how our existence has changed thanks to Google.

I thought the Oprah/Letterman/Leno ad was timely and humorous. I laughed at some of the scenes from the Green Police ad by Audi. I liked seeing the Super Bowl Shuffle brought back 25 years later (although it was a bit creepy). It was nice to see Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo back as the Griswold's. And that's about it. I'm sure there are several I don't recall, but isn't that the point?

For a game that had plenty of intrigue, and was played and coached at a high level, the frequent breaks and uninspired ads really put a damper on the event. As Polamalu showed us, we will have six more weeks of winter. Six winter weeks without football. Six winter weeks plus another 46 advertisers can critique and improve on their performance this year. I really hope they can get their game together and prove there is still some talent in advertising. Just like everyone's team other than the Saints, "Wait until next year..." Guess we have to.

Closing Time

As the words of Men At Work, "who can it be now?" run through my head, I ponder the same question for this year's Super Bowl champ. The NFL has increasingly become a quarterbacks league and Super Bowl XLIV features the best from each conference. The New Orleans Saints take on the Indianapolis Colts for a chance at football immortality Sunday, in Miami.

The Super Bowl setting should feel very familiar for most Colts players including QB Peyton Manning. It was three years ago that Manning held a wet Vince Lombardi trophy after beating the Chicago Bears in Miami. Indy's routine this year will be the same including a stay at the same hotel.

Manning won his fourth MVP this season and much of the Super Bowl talk is focused on what another win will do to his all time legacy. More impressive than statistics is how Manning leads his team. He is a coach on the field, and most forget his team is directed by a rookie head coach.

Indy won every game Manning finished, and his second half dissection of the vaunted Jets defense in the AFC championship game was seriously impressive. WR Pierre Garcon is emerging as a future star. Add that to Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and surprisingly talented Austin Collie, and you got a stew going, baby.

For as much familiarity and routine the Colts have going into this game, the Saints will be equally unfamiliar with their setting. This is the first time in franchise history they will appear in a Super Bowl with only a few players having any Super Bowl experience.

The Saints are credited with restoring pride to a city struck by disaster, and their success is viewed as a thrill New Orleans natives deserve after hurricane Katrina. Louisiana is clamoring with Saints fever, and most observers without a rooting interest in this game will be cheering for the Saints to pull off the upset.

Both teams had similar seasons taking undefeated records deep in the schedule. Both are led by pass heavy, high scoring offenses. Neither team was noted for their defense, but both are solid and have made big plays throughout the year to help win games. The Colts were dealt a blow when their best defensive player, Dwight Freeney, was hobbled with a serious ankle injury in the AFC championship game. Even if he plays, his effectiveness will suffer severely along with the Colts pass rush.

Saints QB Drew Brees has been unbelievable at times this year, and a Super Bowl appearance is a testament to his brilliance. New Orleans has the ability to score 40 points against anyone, and they lead the league in points per game. The Saints defense made most of their impact forcing opponents to turn the ball over, not in dominating the line of scrimmage. They were able to do both relatively well against the Vikings in the NFC championship game forcing five turnovers, and knocking around QB Brett Favre the whole game. The game plan should be similar in Miami.

The Saints lows have been lower than the Colts, but their highs have been higher. Brees has the ability to make every player eligible to catch passes a weapon. The Saints have found interesting ways to generate points with special teams and defensive scores padding already gaudy point productions.

New Orleans avoids bad voodoo since every analyst seems to be picking Indy. Strange things happen whenever a team becomes a popular favorite in big games. I seem to recall the unbeatable New England Patriots being shocked by the New York Giants a couple of years ago.

With all the hype going to Indy, I was surprised to find how favorably the Saints match up with the Colts on paper. Brees arguably had a better year than the MVP Manning. The real difference between these teams is big game experience. The Colts have it. The Saints don't. Pretty simple.

The rhythm of a Super Bowl normally starts choppy because of nervous energy. I have never been real impressed with Manning's big game production (although he did play well in his first Super Bowl appearance). He has a tendency to start slow before picking up his game. That is the only time the Saints will have an opportunity to take control. If they can put up a nice lead early, they may be able to bury the Colts. If that does not happen, Manning will find a way to win the game. It is almost a certainty the Colts will score more second half points than the Saints.

After originally believing the Colts would easily win, the hype around Manning makes me believe in the Saints. I believe Manning will get number two before he retires because I don't see him tied with brother Eli forever. The Saints will have to shrug off their pressure and turn in a good game as the underdog. If nerves are not a factor, I don't see the Colts D being able to stop Brees.

It feels like the pressure is squarely on Manning's shoulders. If Manning does direct his team to a second Super Bowl win, he deserves to be in the all time talks. Not really Joe Montana level, but certainly Tom Brady level.

It is hard to pick against a team as hot as the Colts, but you're only hot until you lose. If New Orleans doesn't have a 14 point lead at the end of the first quarter, the Colts will win. This may be more heart than head, but I think the Saints will strike early, and hold off the Manning comeback to win a thrilling Super Bowl.

Saints: 34 Colts: 31

Last Call

It has taken a great deal of effort to sit down and post my thoughts about championship Sunday in the NFL after last week's debacle. As late as this is going out, I imagine this won't get read until after the games are over, so I will keep it short.

New York Jets vs. Indianapolis Colts

No team of recent memory has been more fortunate than the Jets. After getting walked into the playoffs, they played two teams that went a combined 0-5 kicking field goals. Neither the Bengals or Chargers gave a good effort at home, and the defense of the Jets was enough to keep them in games. They have done a pretty good job of ball protection and have taken advantage of their opponents mistakes.

That being said, I can't imagine there is any way that the Colts fall victim to the Jets brand of football. Indy should understand what they are up against unlike the Jets previous two opponents. The most important difference this week is Colts QB Peyton Manning, the consummate professional. Manning has not had the postseason success you would expect for a QB of his caliber, but every team that has been a thorn in his side is watching on TV.

The path to the Super Bowl could not be more perfect for Manning. Doesn't it seem inevitable that he will have two Super Bowl championships? He can't be known for tying his brother in Super Bowl victories. The Colts played a warm up last week when they beat the Baltimore Ravens who could be the twin brother of the Jets.

Once again it will be strength against strength. The Colts passing offense against the Jets blitzing defense. The Jets pressure QBs 60 percent of the snaps but Manning has a QB rating of 118 against the blitz this year. Indy boasts a more consistent defense than San Diego or Cincy. Without a passing attack, I don't see the Jets putting up enough points to keep up with Manning. Jets DB Darrelle Revis will cover Colts WR Reggie Wayne which should be Revis' toughest challenge this postseason.

The outcome shouldn't be taken for granted since a similar argument has been made against the Jets for the past two rounds by nearly everyone. The Jets have shown great resiliency to match their tremendous luck, but their luck has to run out this week. I like the Colts BIG. I think Manning leads at least four TD drives, and the Colts eclipse 30 points.

Colts 31 Jets 13

Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints

It seems like the best matchups this postseason have been in the NFC, but the games have all turned out to be lopsided. I thought Minnesota vs. Dallas would be a very competitive game, but the Vikings pounded Dallas like veal. Suddenly WR Sidney Rice is on top of the world and RB Adrian Peterson has taken a back seat. Brett Favre has not disappointed this year, and the playoff win has to give him confidence.

The Saints reminded the world why they are the number one seed as they pummelled the Cardinals last week. All purpose back Reggie Bush came up with a great game which occurs about every ten. QB Drew Brees was sharp early, and they put away the Cards by the start of the second quarter. The Saints offense was clicking on all cylinders, but they also faced a team that gave up 45 points the previous week. More impressive was their ability to shut down QB Kurt Warner and the Cardinals high powered offense.

The Saints weren't really tested last week, and they will actually have to play against a real NFL defense. Minnesota should feel very confident after last week's win. They have been able to win several games without Peterson getting his usual yards, and they have the best defensive line in the league.

Two things work against the Vikings though. First, they are on the road. The home (or dome) field advantage Minnesota enjoys is one of the biggest in the NFL. The few times the Vikes looked vulnerable were on the road. The second problem the Vikings have is that I will be rooting for them. They have been my safety team after drafting Peterson, and just like always, I will need them to come through to salvage some joy out of this post season.

New Orleans is not immune to some bad voodoo either. Much like San Diego, they have never been a team that has gotten over their playoff woes. In the age of BB (Before Brees), the Saints couldn't make it out of the first round of the playoffs. When I lived in New Orleans, fans would wear monkeys on their backs to try and reverse the jinx of first round losses. Now that Brees has taken over, they have had more success, but still have not made it past the championship game. This would be a monumental win for the Saints and their fans. This is the first year the Saints will host an NFC championship game.

To see Favre against Manning in the Super Bowl would be tremendous. Manning against Brees would be fun, but it just doesn't have the same feel. Favre vs. Manning would be like Magic vs. Bird at the end of their careers. If Peterson can get going, it will give Favre and the rest of the offense a big boost. He's like a power hitter in a slump, and you know he is due for a breakout(for those keeping track, that is an NBA analogy followed by an MLB analogy, both to describe the NFL. Nice.) Eventually a hole will open up for him and he'll take it to the house. If the difference becomes who has the better defense, you have to go with the Vikings.

My heart says Minnesota, my head says New Orleans. Either team can win this game, the real prediction is deciding what kind of game it will be. Turnovers? Sloppy play? More defense than expected? Shootout? All of these factors are involved. Can Brett really make it to the Super Bowl this year? Is it Brees' turn? Enough! I believe the offenses will win out.

Minnesota 30 New Orleans 35

AAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so sick of being a Chargers fan. I know I said that Chargers fans would be wise to temper expectations, but for some reason I do not ever take my own advice. It is unbelievable the way this team crumbles in the post season when they are the favorite. How many disappointments at home can one team be a part of? Not one player on the team should be proud of their performance against the Jets. I don't buy for a second that the Jets deserve credit more than San Diego is to blame. The Jets didn't play that well, they're not even that good. Not one Charger was ready to play, and they made the Jets look good. They just lost to a rookie quarterback who was hardly asked to throw.

Let's start the blame with Nate Kaeding. Kaeding has consistently been one of the top three kickers in the league during the regular season, but when the playoffs come around, he folds like a napkin. He was 0-3 in field goal attempts including a chip shot from 36 yards away that would have given the Chargers points on their second possession of the game. When I saw that ball miss, I knew the Chargers were in trouble. Kaeding has now lost two games to the Jets, and missed a chance to beat New England, all in San Diego. What is the point of having a kicker that cannot make field goals in the playoffs? In a game where you are facing the best defense in the NFL, you have to capitalize on every scoring opportunity. Kaeding left 9 points on the field. I realize one of the attempts was a 57 yarder, but the kick wasn't even close, and it almost led to a return by Darrelle Revis the other way. If he would have made the two field goals he was supposed to, the Chargers would have won.

Next blame is a combination of the offensive line and RB Ladainian Tomlinson. I don't care how many weapons you have in the passing game, you have to be able to pick up more than one yard on the ground when you run the ball. RB Darren Sproles had a couple of good carries towards the end of the half but never got handed the ball the rest of the game. Tomlinson looked like he was running hard, but couldn't find any room, and lacks the speed to run the ball to the outside. He is over the hill, and this year was his best chance to win a Super Bowl. The lessons of playoff disappointments in the past did not sink in with the veteran leaders, and the entire team came out flat. It seemed like there would never be room to run, and there wasn't. I understand that the best offenses are balanced, but when it is clear that you can't pick up yards on the ground, why do you continue running into the teeth of the defense? I have to think that having the name Tomlinson on the back of your jersey demands a certain number of carries. I hate to see players who have meant as much to the city as Tomlinson cast aside (like the Padres did with Trevor Hoffman), but the Chargers need a RB bad. Real bad. Tomlinson is done.

Next to blame is head coach Norv Turner. I was so disappointed when the Charger's let Marty Schottenheimer go and hired Turner. It didn't seem to be an upgrade at all, but he really grew on me with an unexpected playoff win last year, and the great run they had at the end of this year. But when your team comes out and lays a collective egg, the head coach is the first person you look to blame for not imparting the proper motivation. The game plan was not the issue more than the execution, but the blame begins and ends with the head coach in the NFL. That's just the way it is. After going 14-2, Schottenheimer was fired after an unexpected first round loss. I am not saying that is the right move for Turner, but he should think about that precedent. I haven't read any thoughts on the game, but I guarantee a lot of the good will that Turner built up this year is out the window with this loss. As sad as it is, the best thing Charger's fans can hope for is a bad season next year where they can justify hiring a coach that can actually have his team ready to beat someone other than themselves in the post season. It might not matter as the Chargers could lose WR Vincent Jackson and LB Shawne Merriman. The rest of the team is getting old with the exception of QB Phillip Rivers, and it is clear he cannot win the game on his own.

Let's also not forget to blame the passing game. Rivers threw two interceptions. WR Malcolm Floyd needed to step up since he wouldn't be covered by Revis, but he dropped passes and was a non factor. The Chargers consistently drove and stalled due to penalties. Even though the line did a great job in pass protection and picking up blitzes, they couldn't get any momentum thanks to drops and ridiculous penalties.

Penalties, penalties, penalties. Every time the Chargers had momentum they shot themselves in the foot with a penalty. Holding, false starts, personal fouls, even an unsportsmanlike conduct for kicking a challenge flag when the faintest hope of a comeback was sparked.

Defense. Overall, you can't be too disappointed with the defense, but when the offense cannot perform and you still have a chance to win the game if you come up with a stop, you have to make the play. When you know your opponent is going to run the ball and you can't stop them, you haven't done your job. At the very end of the game on 4th and 1, everyone in the country knows the running back is getting the ball up the middle. At that point it is a matter of desire, and it looked like the defense was ready to go home. The hole that the Jets were able to open on that play was bigger than any one Tomlinson had the entire game. That is desire. Even more disconcerting was the play before when it was 3rd and 6 and they gave up a five yard run. That run enabled the Jets to go for the first down and seal the game. If the D stops them two yards shorter, the Jets punt, and Rivers has a chance for another patented comeback. There is a reason the Jets have the best running attack in the NFL, and it's not because they have the best backs or line. It is because they are one dimensional and can't consistently ask their QB to make plays. They have to live and die with the run, and the Chargers D could not make a play when it mattered in the second half.

I'm so upset that I let myself believe in these guys again. I told myself I would never get so invested that I would be mad when they lost, but I am beside myself right now. My wife is irritated that I am letting the game ruin the day as I am currently in Colorado with the in laws, but what a terrible loss. You could not have picked a better team to play if you were the Chargers. The Jets didn't even belong in the playoffs and the Chargers handed them the game. If this game had been played in the regular season, the San Diego Chokers would have beat them by 20 points. It is games like this that have led me to pick a safety team in the NFC to root for. I just can't trust the Chargers to ever play above their potential. It has been a lifetime of underachieving, disappointment, and anger. I guess the radio personalities are correct when they say San Diego can never produce a winner because the hunger cannot be cultivated living in paradise.

Once again the football season is ruined by an early exit from the playoffs. It would be okay if they played a team that is better than them, but once again the Chargers beat themselves at home. Damn it! Just pathetic. How do you come up with your worst game of the year at home in the post season? Year after year. Year after year. AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would say I know what its like to be a Cowboys fan, but at least they have had success beyond the regular season at some point in their history. An embarrassing Super Bowl loss is all Chargers fans have to hang their hat on.

I am not sure when I will be able to stomach reading the post game interviews or articles, but that team should be ashamed of their performance, again. It is not like you don't have history to learn from. How you let it happen again is beyond belief. I apologize that this post is not very glib, I am writing out of pure anger, and not planning on proof reading.

Addition: I am writing this paragraph a couple of hours after I posted the above. I want to go back and say something about Ladainian Tomlinson. There should be more professionals like him. He has had an amazing career as everyone knows, but more importantly he has carried himself with class and represented the Chargers organization better than anyone in my lifetime. He is an extremely rare example of a classy NFL star running back. All the stats and wins he has piled up as a Charger can never touch the pride and class he carried himself with. He is a true role model and I hope there are several young kids striving to grow up and be like him. As I have cooled off after another devastating loss, I feel like I would be remiss to not say something about Tomlinson after what might have been his last game, at least as a Charger. I realize the expectations I have of the Chargers has been built through the years thanks greatly in part from the effort of Tomlinson. Without him, there would be several years I would be happy if they finished .500 and beat the Raiders. For all the heartache true fans of San Diego sports endure, we have been represented by some of the finest role models in their respective sports. I would defy anyone to show me a sports star who carried himself with more class than Tomlinson or Tony Gwynn. We might not have championships, we might not have many wins, we might not have many postseason appearances, but we have some guys that have done it the right way throughout their career. We have some guys that prove there are still role models in sports. It's just unfortunate that they could not have been rewarded with more on the field successes. I am very proud of Tomlinson's career as a San Diegan, and I wish him the best in the future.

Run, Carroll! Run!

There is a lesson to be learned from falling sports stars, it's just not very clear what that might be. There has been a concentrated string of sports heroes that are paying for indiscretions or evacuating their role as king of the mountain, and yet the moral lesson is still ambiguous. If we are going to make examples of athletes and coaches that make bad choices, then it should be clear why they are examples. Although sports figures are paying a heftier price than they once did, are they (or we) becoming better people because of it?

Baseball got the ball rolling by exposing the steroid issue. We have watched certain Hall of Famers sit in front of cameras and admit to steroid use in tearful apologies. We have watched with much more discomfort as the last of the steroid players vehemently denied their use, and decided to go down with the ship.

Then we have the "in between" guy Mark McGwire who finally came out of the steroid closet to ease his transition back to baseball. Rather than a straight forward apology, we got McGwire the victim, the rationalizer, and the delusional. There was an apology sandwiched in there somewhere. A wise man once said, "apologies under the gun are overrated."

My avid readers will remember I predicted an apology from McGwire as being unnecessary [The Punishment Fits the Crime: Big Mac's Return to Baseball] (this is becoming a habit), because it wouldn't change any opinions or shed any light on what was going on while he played. It is just a forced interaction that the media demands. It fits more in the category of celebrity gossip than watchdog journalism.

On a side note: If you want to see a reporter on top of his game, check out Bob Ley of ESPN's Outside the Lines. He has a wonderful blend of serious questioning and human decency. He is one of the few reporters that I admire in journalism, and I always feel like his work is for the public, and not for career advancement by being provocative. Sensationalism and spotty ethical framework are the driving reasons I decided not to pursue a career in the field. After watching Ley's latest series of interviews with McGwire, I feel a change of heart. He gives me faith that journalism can be an honorable profession. You just have to go to sports reporters to find it. What a shame...

Sports heroes have become more of a target these days. There's Tiger Woods (enough said), Mark Mangino, Mike Leach, Jim Leavitt, Michael Vick, Gilbert Arenas, Marvin Harrison, etc. I realize these cases are not related (other than the football coaches), but the days when sports figures literally got away with murder are over (thanks OJ). The Plaxico Burress conviction reversed the idea that professional athletes get favorable treatment from the courts by making him an example of tough gun control law.

The next to fall off the mountain could be former University of Southern California head coach Pete Carroll. Carroll decided to leave USC to become the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. There is nothing too strange about Carroll's desire to give the NFL another crack, but the way the change took place seemed quite odd. Carroll made some statements eluding that the college atmosphere could not live up to the NFL's, and in a flash, he was gone.

To Seattle.

Not exactly the dream situation you would think Carroll would leave USC for. After inhabiting what most around college football viewed as the top position for nine seasons, Carroll jumped ship seemingly out of nowhere.

Shortly after, reports began swirling about NCAA infractions by the USC football program. Carroll has coached with impunity in his tenure with USC. No other program in the nation had such egregious dealings ignored by the NCAA. How long has the entire nation known that Reggie Bush's family was given a home? People have gone on record with proof that these transactions took place, yet no action has been taken.

Conversely, there are universities that find out about violations of the program, kick the players responsible off the team (including the starting QB), self impose scholarship restrictions, and the NCAA still hammers them. The largest biases in collegiate athletics does not live in the media, it resides in the justice league that is the NCAA. They clearly have programs they hate, and programs they adore. The NCAA has long been the Gestapo of the sports world, but for some reason USC remained immune during Carroll's tenure. It must be his moon reflecting smile.

Regardless of the past, it seems like USC has gotten away with too much and the NCAA must finally take action. They have already buried their basketball program for being dirty, and it looks like football is next. The Bush issue has resurfaced along with allegations that RB Joe McKnight was driving around LA in an SUV purchased by a booster for his "girlfriend."

The only reason I have any confidence in the NCAA to exact their brand of justice is due to Carroll's fleeing. He had the cushiest job in college athletics serving as football king in LA, a city that Carroll seemed perfectly suited for. Instead, he leaves the sun and beach behind for the tropical paradise of Seattle. How do you take your Latte, Mr. Carroll? Hope you packed your slicker.

College coaches have a history of fleeing programs that are about to be punished. The university takes the hit and the coach walks away to another job. Anybody ever heard of Kelvin Sampson? It looks like Carroll will be the next on that list. How can the NCAA let this happen? They are the strictest governing body in all of sports, yet they allow coaches to escape unharmed for their violations.

With the money paid to college basketball and football coaches, it is time to start hitting them in the wallet. I'm so sick of seeing the guys responsible for violations slink away in the night, only to watch the innocent schools and fans live with the punishment. As former Tennessee and current USC head coach Lane Kiffin highlighted, college coaches are really just free agents that follow the dollar. They don't have to live up to contracts, they don't have to follow rules, and they don't have to suffer the consequences of their actions.

College coaches are the only ones getting paid (legitimately), yet there is never a financial punishment. Why?

I understand that punishing the university is part of the process. It should be. But if they are not going to suspend coaches, then the NCAA should be fining them. Sports is used to teach life lessons and the NCAA acts as the moral authority. Coaches are directly responsible for imparting these lessons to their student athletes. What kind of life lesson are we teaching by letting coaches act without consequences?

Carroll will leave a legend in USC folklore while the program suffers consequences that are long overdue. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel bad for USC at all. In fact, I think they are going to get what they deserve with Kiffin as their new head coach. Tennessee is currently being investigated for several minor infractions Kiffin left behind. When the money and temptation of LA gets in his blood, there will inevitably be repercussions. I don't think the media will give Kiffin the pass Carroll had.

An unfortunate precedent has been set with the current system, and it is up to some competent people in the NCAA to reverse it. I realize "competent NCAA" is an oxymoron, but I can hope. Until the coaches themselves are punished for fleeing violations, there will be no change in their dirty activities. It is my belief that nearly every major program is dirty within the confines of NCAA restrictions. Either start paying the players or fining the coaches. The current system is faulty, and we will see just how much when they rule on USC.

So what have we learned from all these sports heroes? Men cry more often than we thought? Don't get caught? Money rules everything? I guess the answer is yes.

None of our baseball heroes caught in the steroid scandal would have admitted to cheating unless they had already been caught. None of our "old school" college football coaches would have been fired if they got along with their athletic directors. Tiger Woods wouldn't be losing sponsors if he wasn't such a colossal star that transcends sports. NBA and NFL stars would still be getting slapped on the wrist if it wasn't for the public outcry for serious litigation against rich athletes.

In the end, we do not have a better understanding of right and wrong from this latest public lashing. If the ends justify the means, then the most valuable lessons in athletics have been lost. The greatest teaching tool of human character is obscured by fame, greed, ego, and a faulty system of justice. If the NCAA truly wants to keep athletics pure, then they need to clean their own house. When they do, they can bury USC in the pile of skeletons they will need to shed to illustrate a clear ethical picture.

Can I Get You Another Round?

Finally! The wild card round of the playoffs is over and we can focus on the teams that really matter. Like the Chargers and Vikings. Why the Vikings? Because they have All Day, Adrian Peterson. That's why.

The first round of the playoffs had three games that were not very competitive, and one game that will be a classic forever. I knew what I was talking about when I said I would not be surprised by any of the winners, considering I missed three of my four picks. I have done pretty well picking NFL games this year, but last week was not what I expected.

If I had one lock for any game last week, it was New England defending their home field. But Baltimore won the game after the first play from scrimmage and made the Patriots look like I described them in my earlier post, The Fall of Ego (that's the first time I have plugged one of my posts, so don't hold it against me). RB Ray Rice has exceeded expectations, and appears to be the spitting image of Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew.

I never thought I would see Tom Brady get beat at home in the playoffs, but I have been waiting a long time for it to happen. I was surprised that I wasn't more excited, but I realized the Chargers might have to play the Ravens in the AFC championship. The Bolts can beat Indianapolis in their sleep but can't figure out Baltimore.

The Jets beat the Bengals on the road, and looked great doing so. If I had any guts I would have picked that game correctly, but I went against my better judgment and took the home team. I guess I forgot that you should never bet on the Bengals. But am I right in thinking that you should never bet on the Jets either?

Just making the playoffs was good enough for Cincy and they decided not to show up for the game. Who really knows how good the Jets are since they keep playing teams that are handing them the win. You wouldn't think it would happen in the playoffs, and it looks really bad for the legacy of QB Carson Palmer.

The Cowboys and Tony Romo finally got over the playoff hump and they have cemented themselves as the sexy pick for the NFC championship. Head coach Wade Phillips is safe for another year, and if I have any Dallas fans reading this, I would like to offer some insight on Phillips. He might not be the tough disciplinarian many want, and it might have taken him a few years to make his mark, but the strength of the Cowboys is their defense which he directs. I can tell you, I loved Phillips when he was the defensive coordinator for the Chargers. He put together the best San Diego defense I ever watched play. You would be wise to give him some credit for the job he did this year, regardless of what happens in Minnesota.

It was back to back poor performances for the Eagles, which is the only thing I did see coming last week. As much as I could not believe that I was taking the Cowboys to win a playoff game, I had less faith in the Eagles to rebound from the poor performance against Dallas the week prior. Eagles fans are ready to get rid of Donovan McNabb, which is Philly for you. A fresh start somewhere else might be a good idea, though. Like say...Minnesota?

Then there was the best wild card game of the decade (being just over a week old) with Cardinals QB Kurt Warner growing his illustrious legendary status. He does not lose many playoff games. Everyone in the world was picking the Packers. Green Bay did have a chance to win, but it would have been no fault of Warner's who put up one of the best statistical games ever in the postseason. He already owns most of the records in Super Bowl games.

It looked like a blowout early, but QB Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers stormed back and had a chance to win. Rodgers lived up to the hype he received before the game. What happened to the Packers defense? Warner, I guess.

On a night where the record for most points scored in a playoff game was broken, it was a defensive play that finally ended the game, albeit in controversy. In the end, 38 year old Warner added to his Hall of Fame resume by throwing more touchdowns (5) than incomplete passes (4), and his team continues to defend their NFC championship crown from last year.

With the Cardinals...Wow. Same guy who went to the Super Bowl with St. Louis. Twice. Can anyone tell me what any other coach or player has done since? How about the team? Someone please tell me Kurt Warner is not a Hall of Famer. I can win that argument in 15 seconds. I wish the Vikings could trade Brett Favre for Warner right now. And I'm a Brett Favre fan.

Sorry for the rant.

I'll end it by saying, I like Kurt Warner.

Continuing...

This week should be even more interesting now that the pretenders are out of the picture. Let's take a look at the matchups.

Arizona Cardinals vs. New Orleans Saints

Arizona comes to New Orleans after an emotional win at home and a spectacular offensive output. Don't expect the game this week against the Saints to be much different. The Saints were the leagues most dominate team in the first half of the season, especially on offense. But they faltered down the stretch leaving many to doubt their legitimacy as a contender. Saints QB Drew Brees had another fantastic year leading his team to the number one seed in the NFC, but their spotty play late in the season, added to their long layoff, doesn't bode well for who dat nation.

Brees is still an infant when it comes to the playoffs, just 3-3 lifetime. The Cards might get WR Anquan Boldin back for this game which would improve an offense that just posted 51 points against what was supposed to be a good Packers defense.

I love Brees and the Saints offense, but I'm not sure the layoff was a good thing for New Orleans. They are such a rhythmic team, it's hard to see how time off could help that.

I think Arizona will ride the momentum of their first round victory and beat the Saints in a close one. The Cardinals defense will have to hold New Orleans to 34. In order for the Saints to win they will have to revert to their mid season form. Vegas has the over/under at 57 for this game. I would bet the house on the over. I can't wait to see Brees and Warner go at it.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Ravens put together their best game of the season last week, beating the Patriots convincingly in New England. Now they must go on the road and face Peyton Manning and the top seeded Colts. Indy chose to rest their star players after they secured the top seed in the AFC, and have not played a full game with their starters in several weeks. Many are concerned that the layoff will work against the momentum the Colts built throughout the year.

To me, it was a smart move with a team as old as the Colts. They have veteran players throughout their lineup which makes me think, not only do they need rest, they will be professional enough to be ready to play after the layoff.

Manning does not have the best track record in the playoffs, but it would take an unbelievable achievement for the Ravens to knock off New England and Indianapolis on the road in consecutive weeks.

Turnovers and running the ball were the keys to victory for Baltimore, last week. I think they will have a hard time getting turnovers against Manning, and they surely won't replicate the success they had running the ball. For the Ravens to have a chance, they are probably going to need QB Joe Flacco to step up and play well. Something they didn't need against the Patriots.

I think the well rested, veteran Colts will win this game in a nail biter. I like Manning to cement the win late in the fourth quarter.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings

Once again, Dallas is involved in what most are projecting to be the best matchup of the weekend. Now that they have won in December and the playoffs, the Cowboys faithful are looking for the Super Bowl title.

The main difference this week is they have to do it on the road. Dallas had a great win in December against the Saints in New Orleans. All the other Cowboys wins since have been at home. The strength of the team has been defense, but they have been balanced on offense as well. It doesn't hurt that Romo is not dating a pop star and subsequently playing the best football of his career.

Minnesota comes in well rested with the ultimate veteran Brett Favre. Many teams have found a way to contain the rushing attack of the Vikings by focusing on RB Adrian Peterson every play. Peterson's true greatness is apparent with the year that Favre had. Without the run game consuming so much attention, do you really think Favre would have had his best touchdown to interception ratio? Deciding how to defend the run will be a challenge for Dallas' defense.

The other challenge will be the superb defensive line of the Vikings. With breakdowns in the secondary, the Vikings defensive line kept their defense solid, led by sack machine Jared Allen. The Cowboys have not faced a D line this good all year. The good news for Dallas is that Romo gets rid of the ball faster than any QB in the league, and they run a lot of three step drops which should combat the rush of Minnesota.

I think Peterson needs to get going early by breaking a big run and taking some pressure off of Favre. Peterson hasn't eclipsed the 100 yard mark in his last seven games and it seems like he's due for a breakout. Still, the Cowboys' defense is not an easy place to start.

Another tough one to call, but I think Minnesota wins at home. Expectations should be taken in baby steps for Cowboys fans, and Minnesota plays awfully well at home. The team that gets the most turnovers will win this one.

New York Jets vs. San Diego Chargers

San Diego has been in this position several times. Playing at home in a game they are supposed to win. They seem to have a tougher time as the favorite rather than playing as an underdog.

Over the last 11 weeks of the season the Chargers have been the most consistent team in the NFL, and the leagues best offense. They boast four receivers and tight ends that are 6'4" or taller. QB Phillip Rivers deserved a better look as the league's MVP, and WR Vincent Jackson was robbed to not make the AFC Pro Bowl roster.

The Jets come into San Diego as the Cinderella of the postseason after defying the odds to even make the playoffs. Their good fortune continued when they faced a Bengals team twice in successive weeks that just rolled over and let them have their way. The term "shut down corner" is once again en vogue thanks to DB Darrelle Revis who has shut down every top receiver he lined up against this year. The Jets will look to assert their run game which is rated tops in the NFL, and play great defense, also first in the league.

It is a battle of offense against defense, but the Chargers are more experienced, more talented, and playing at home. They are also healthier than they have been all season. Pro Bowl TE Antonio Gates should provide matchup nightmares for the Jets defense, and the heavy blitzing schemes of Jets head coach Rex Ryan will be countered with screen passes to Darren Sproles. Sooners fans know what Sproles can do with the ball in his hands. Should the game be close in the fourth quarter, Rivers is probably the best closer in the league, with all due respect to Manning.

In the end, I like my Chargers at home. If they protect the ball and hold the Jets to field goals, this one could be over in the third quarter.

Playoffs?!?

Wipe the slate clean, it's tournament time in the NFL and the action should be fantastic. Looking at the first round games I don't see any possible upsets. What I mean by that is no matter who wins, it shouldn't be considered an upset. After the first round, every remaining team has a great chance to make the Super Bowl.

I am very excited for the playoffs, and it doesn't hurt that the Chargers are the hottest team in the NFL. Regardless of my biases, the games look to be very entertaining, even for the fans whose team missed the playoffs. In one of the strangest twists the NFL has ever seen, three of four first round games are rematches from the previous week. Baltimore/New England is the only game that is not a rematch of week 17. All three games had lopsided outcomes which may or may not mean anything. We'll find out this weekend.

The only problem I have with the playoffs this year is the way the Jets were able to sneak in. In a year where half the AFC was competing for the last wild card spot the final week, the Jets benefited from extremely favorable scheduling and management decisions by teams that had their playoff spot locked up, effectively eliminating competitive action. I didn't see it coming because I assumed Indianapolis would defend their perfect season, but they decided to rest their starters to the benefit of the Jets. You can bet there are some fans in New England that would agree with that decision.

It is an issue that deserves attention from the NFL to keep the spirit of competition alive late in the season, although I doubt there are any real solutions available. You can't expect teams to play all their starters to the bitter end when the game effectively means nothing. Right now, the negatives out weigh the positives.

Round 1

New York Jets vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The Jets and Bengals played last week with NY dominating Cincy to the tune of 37-0. The game was played in the Meadowlands, in frigid weather, after Cincy had locked up their playoff spot. Still, the Jets defense was pretty convincing holding the Bengals to one first down and zero yards passing. Don't let the points fool you, the Jets won't put up 37 again, but they might benefit from great scheduling, once again, playing the mourning Bengals on the heels of a blowout.

The Jets and Bengals might be the teams that pose the weakest threat to win the AFC. Cincy played fairly inspired football in San Diego the week after Chris Henry died, but have since looked like a team waiting for the playoffs to start. They will have to find their offensive identity against the league's best defense, after coasting the last month of the season. I believe it will be very important for Cincinnati to score in the first quarter. They will also have to play better defense than they have recently.

I can't ignore what the Jets were able to do at home against Cincy, but I still have trouble believing they can put up enough points to win on the road. This is an extremely difficult game to pick. When right, Cincy is better, but if their play over the last month is an indicator as to how they will play this weekend, you can give it to the Jets. Cincy's offense will have RB Cedric Benson back along with WR Chad Ochocinco. I see overtime in this one. The home team takes it by a field goal.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys

This is the best game of the first round and features two teams that are quite familiar with each other. Dallas has eliminated the chatter that they can't win in December, and are now being called the favorite in the NFC by some analysts. This is a typical reaction to Dallas winning a couple of games. Let's not forget that the Boys haven't won a playoff game since 1996, and QB Tony Romo has yet to win one.

That being said, the Cowboys beat the Eagles twice this year. Much like the Jets, Dallas dominated Philly last week and will have the chance to make it two weeks in a row. Unlike the Jets, Dallas gets to do it at home. The win also saw the Cowboys defense post its second straight shutout. Head coach Wade Phillips seems to have bought himself another year in Dallas (to the dismay of many Cowboys fans), but really needs a playoff win to cement this. Don't forget, it was an embarrassing loss to Philly in the final game last year that kept Dallas out of the playoffs.

Philadelphia comes in wounded, but before last week's loss they had won six games in a row. Philly gets their third crack at Dallas this year which makes them dangerous, but they bring in a makeshift offensive line without their starting center. The Eagles played most of the year with more fire power than Gilbert Arenas, and if they can find that again they are very capable of winning this game. Head coach Andy Reid always seems to have his team ready in the playoffs. Starting QB Donovan Mcnabb has nine career playoff wins.

Is this the game that gets the monkey off the backs of Romo and the Cowboys? They overcame the doubters for their stretch run in December, but the playoffs are a different animal. The biggest question might be how much can you change in six days if you are the Eagles? Romo and the Boys cannot afford to lose this game, and lucky for them they will be at home. Another toss up goes to the home team.

Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots

So the good news is the Ravens finished out the season nicely and landed a wild card position in the playoffs. The bad news is they are playing the Patriots in Foxborough. Even though I am not wild about the Pats this season, and they just lost WR Wes Welker to injury, New England doesn't lose games at home. Especially in the playoffs.

The Pats are 5-0 all time against the Ravens. They have won 11 straight playoff games at home, and Tom Brady is 14-3 as a playoff starter. Pretty sobering if you are a Ravens fan.

I like the Ravens as a team, but this is not the same team that took a wild card seed and won the Super Bowl. The Ravens have shifted from all defense to mostly offense. The Pats should move the chains and put up points. The Ravens will rely on their run attack, which has been terrific this year, to out score the Pats. The emergence of RB Ray Rice has helped veteran RB Willis McGahee stay fresh and work more as a goal line back. QB Joe Flacco put together a solid sophomore campaign, and the Ravens will have future hall of fame safety Ed Reed back from injury in a limited capacity.

Once the playoffs start, the Patriots will still intimidate their opponents with their postseason pedigree. Tom Brady under center is enough to give the Pats confidence they can win the Super Bowl. Without Welker and a mediocre defense, there is almost no way this can happen, but I expect them to beat the Ravens soundly at home. The true test will come when they have to play outside Foxborough the following week.

Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals


In what might possibly be QB Kurt Warner's final game, the Packers and Cardinals rematch in Arizona after Green Bay won 33-7, last week. The teams went in two different directions with the Pack playing as if they needed to maintain momentum, and the Cards deciding to not show any schemes and rest veteran players. Aaron Rodgers will make his postseason debut after a stellar second season as the Packers starting QB.

The Cards come into this game as a team that can play bad one week only to bounce back and look like the NFC champs from last year. WR Anquan Boldin looks like he may miss the game with an ankle injury which will spell big trouble for the Cards. With Pro Bowl DB Charles Woodson covering WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona will miss Boldin and his ability to make plays opposite Fitz. Still, this is a Cardinal team that has been here before, and with Warner under center in the playoffs, good things happen. He is 8-3 in the postseason.

The Packers enter this matchup as the NFC's best defensive team and winners in seven of their last eight games. Rodgers deserves the extensive praise he receives, and has eclipsed 4,000 yards passing both years as a starter. He is the only player in NFL history to achieve that feat. RB Ryan Grant had a solid year running for the Pack, and the offensive line troubles that plagued Green Bay early in the season were amended.

It's hard to predict how either team will play in this game. I believe the Packers to be a better team, but they are relatively inexperienced, and they are playing on the road. It will be an uphill battle for Arizona who actually played better on the road than at home this year. A complete reversal from last year. In the end, I see Green Bay as the more complete team, and I expect the Packers to advance.

NFL Power Rankings Week 15

1. Indianapolis Colts: 13-0

What? Did you think it was the Saints? Comparing the quality of football played week to week, especially lately, favors the Colts as the best undefeated team in the NFL. Peyton Manning defies logic with his consistency and no team is better prepared each week. The Colts are never the prettiest team to watch, but they are effective and consistent. 22 straight regular season wins speaks for itself. Indy has Jacksonville, the Jets, and Buffalo standing in their way of a perfect season. Jax might be tough as they are fighting for a playoff spot, and Indy has already captured home field advantage.

2. New Orleans Saints: 13-0

Undefeated. Not much else to say. They should have lost to Washington a week ago, and they played a nail biter against Atlanta this week. They have played better when faced with something to play for other than a flawless mark. The offense is the best in football when clicking, and they have been clicking more than not this season. The Saints have Dallas, Tampa Bay, and Carolina standing in the way of a perfect regular season. Looks like three wins to me. I don't expect December Dallas to compete on the road.

3. Minnesota Vikings: 11-2

Beat Cincinnati 30-10 after losing last week to Arizona. Adrian Peterson looked like his old self and ran violently, scoring two TDs. Brett Favre did throw another pick after throwing two against Arizona, but he led his team to victory with overall solid play. He hasn't fallen apart yet as some expected. The Vikings D got pressure to Carson Palmer the whole game.

4. San Diego Chargers: 10-3

San Diego looks like the team they were supposed to be this year. The Chargers have an eight game winning streak on the season, and have won their last 16 games in December. Norv Turner returned to Dallas last week and coached one of his best games as San Diego's head coach, leading the Chargers past a desperate group of Cowboys. SDs defense has steadily improved and turned in a clutch performance capped by a four down goal line stand starting at the four yard line. Phillip Rivers continued an MVP caliber season, with WR Vincent Jackson and TE Antonio Gates on pace for Pro Bowl selections. The O line even opened up some holes for Ladainian Tomlinson to get through. Another big game for the Bolts next week against Cincinnati.

5. Cincinnati Bengals: 9-4

Cincy edges two teams with identical records after getting handled this week by Minnesota. The biggest note on their play against Minnesota was Chad Ocho Cinco scored a TD without getting fined. Cincy should only have three losses because of the fluke loss to Denver in week one. Their resume of wins is far superior to the number six and seven teams in this poll, but their schedule doesn't let up as they go to San Diego next week. The Bengals need to find their offensive rhythm which was non existent this week.

6. Philadelphia Eagles: 9-4

Philly put up 45 against the Giants this week to sweep the season series (they also gave up 38). They are currently on a four game winning streak and in first place in the NFC East, but they play three motivated teams to close the regular season. Philly's best wins have both come against the Giants. The Eagles will reveal their true self being tested against San Francisco, Denver, and Dallas. Emphasis on defense and consistency running the ball (and health of ball carriers) will undoubtedly be the areas Philly will address this week in practice.

7. Green Bay Packers: 9-4

It's hard to believe the team that gave Tampa Bay their only win of the year is 9-4. That loss is the only reason I have the Eagles ahead of Green Bay on these rankings. The Packers have won five in a row and are playing with a lot of confidence on both sides of the ball. They seem to have tightened up the offensive line that was so inconsistent early on, and the defense is playing better than they have all year. Aaron Rodgers continues to impress. If it weren't for Brett Favre, he'd be the best QB in the division. Ryan Grant just went over the 1000 yard mark again and has been solid most of the year. The Pack have tough games against Pittsburgh and Arizona left to play.

8. Arizona Cardinals: 8-5

Arizona just turned in one of their worst performances of the year, turning the ball over seven times to San Francisco. This just one week removed from a huge win against Minnesota. Arizona is footballs version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. They have two gimmes and then play Green Bay the last game of the year.

9. Baltimore Ravens: 7-6

Baltimore has struggled all year to get momentum on their side but have come up short, playing one of the toughest schedules in the NFL. Their losses include the undefeated Colts, two to division leading Cincinnati, division leading Minnesota, division leading New England, and nine win Green Bay. QB Joe Flacco has experienced a bit of a sophomore slump, but their run game has really improved with the emergence of Ray Rice. Their D is maybe not as good as in years past, but they're still not fun to play. Baltimore finishes the year with three games that should all be wins: Chicago, Pittsburgh, Oakland. If they are a team that can compete, they will prove it against wounded Pittsburgh.

10. New England Patriots: 8-5

Another rough week for the Pats even though they beat Carolina. It was not too impressive and there are more grumblings about Randy Moss quitting on the team. Admittedly, New England is under the microscope because of their recent success, but they don't look very strong, even in winning. They have lost three of their last five games. Still, it would be a mistake to count them out since they play three games that should all be wins en route to winning the AFC East. That momentum might be what they need for a successful playoff run.

11. Denver Broncos: 8-5

It looks like Denver should be able to win a wild card spot in the AFC, and that is more than anyone expected out of them this year. I don't think an NFL team can make the Super Bowl with Kyle Orton at QB, even with Brandon Marshall making 21 receptions a game. Denver is a scrappy team with a lot of heart, but lacks enough talent to make a splash in the playoffs. Denver plays Oakland, Philadelphia, and Kansas City to finish out the year. The game against Philly might tell us what we can expect from Denver in the playoffs.

12. Dallas Cowboys: 8-5

Another December collapse is well under way in Dallas. If the Boys lose out and miss a wild card spot, there will be riots in Arlington. Regardless of who's to blame, the Cowboys can't get it done in December. Even though Terrell Owens is gone, the spotlight is big & bright in Dallas, and the truth is they have never been as good as everyone thought they were. Dallas can't win this December because they are playing teams better than they are. December for Dallas includes the Giants, San Diego, New Orleans, Washington, and Philadelphia. They already have lost to the Giants and Chargers, they will lose to New Orleans, and with their confidence shattered they will play much improved Washington and Philly. The only thing going for the Cowboys is they will probably have to lose every game to miss a wild card spot.

13. Miami Dolphins: 7-6

The Dolphins have been the most resilient team in the NFL. They started the season losing three straight games and starting QB Chad Pennington. Then they lose RB (and QB) Ronnie Brown who is really their offensive catalyst. Despite this, they have a winning record, and have logged nice consecutive wins against New England and Jacksonville. They are still fighting for a Wild Card spot, but will have to earn it by playing resurgent Tennessee, unpredictable Houston, and reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh. Miami will most likely miss the playoffs this year, but management should be proud of the effort of the team.

14. Jacksonville Jaguars: 7-6

After losing to Miami this week, the Jags are probably going to fall short of the playoffs. Much like the Dolphins, Jax plays two tough opponents in their final three games, and one of them is Indianapolis. With Baltimore likely to take care of business the last three games, Maurice Jones-Drew and co. will have a long off season. I wonder where they'll be playing next year?

15. New York Giants: 7-6

The Giants have watched a 5-0 start dissolve into 7-6. They cannot control their own destiny to the playoffs and instead will rely on the Cowboys to collapse. Not a bad plan, the problem is the Giants have to figure out how to win themselves. They play a rivalry game in Washington next week and must win to keep playoff hopes alive. I think Washington will win that one, and the Giants will lose the season finale against Minnesota unless the Vikings rest all their players. There are big concerns at defense for the Giants also, having given up more than 30 points to opponents five different times this season.

16. San Francisco 49ers: 6-7

San Fran took a huge step forward after beating Arizona again, Monday. If it weren't for a bad loss to Seattle two weeks ago, their playoff hopes would really be bright. San Fran's best win against an opponent outside the division is Jacksonville. They play Philadelphia next week in Philly for a huge NFC match up. If they can somehow find a way to win, they are rewarded by playing Detroit and St. Louis the final two weeks of the season. If Dallas can once again fulfill their December prophecy, San Fran could sneak into the playoffs. They will also need help from the struggling Giants. San Fran has not played well on the road, but did look good at home this week. If the passing game can find some consistency and open some lanes for Frank Gore, the defense will turn in a better effort against Philly than the Giants did.

17. Atlanta Falcons: 6-7

After a successful season last year and several key off season acquisitions, Atlanta had high hopes going into the season. Unfortunately, they were bit by the injury bug, and most currently have been playing without QB Matt Ryan or RB Michael Turner. Both players may be back next week against the Jets, but Turner is more likely than Ryan. Atlanta still has a great chance to win out their last three games against the Jets, Buffalo, and Tampa Bay. With a little help from the NFC East, Atlanta could still make the playoffs, but injuries will likely prevent this from happening.

18. Houston Texans: 6-7

Can Houston ever catch a break? If so, now would be the time to cash in. Houston is in a similar situation as San Fran. They need some help from other teams, but they have a sure win next week against St. Louis, then play a huge game against Miami. If they can win both of those, they might control their own destiny against New England in the season finale. Houston is known for being inconsistent on both sides of the ball, at times showing great promise. If they can catch fire down the stretch they may back door into the playoffs. No one wants to face Andre Johnson in the post season. Still, it would take slightly less than a miracle for Houston to get in to the playoffs.

19. New York Jets: 7-6

The Jets' season is over. They lost both games to Miami this year, all but securing third in the AFC East. Mathematically they are still in it, but they finish the year with Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati. They will lose at least two of these games and finish 8-8. Rex Ryan's defense is the real deal, but they are still searching for an identity on offense. They have won their last three games, but the wins came against bottom feeders. The city of New York should set up the Consolation Bowl for the Jets and Giants since both will be at home come playoff time.

20. Tennessee Titans: 6-7

After starting the year 0-6, Tennessee made some adjustments and have gone on to win six of the last seven games. For any chance at the playoffs, Tennessee will have to win games at home against motivated Miami, red hot San Diego, and then against Seattle on the road. A valiant comeback by the Titans will fall short this season.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: 6-7

You know things are bad in Pittsburgh when the last place team in the AFC south is better than them. Pittsburgh has lost their last five games including this week's to (gulp) Cleveland. The reigning Super Bowl champs have completely lost their running identity, and the loss of Troy Polamalu effected the entire defense. Like the rest of the league's 6-7 teams, Pitt has a chance to make the playoffs but their road is one of the bleakest. Besides needing several teams to lose, Pittsburgh must win against Green Bay, Baltimore, and Miami. A loss next week to Green Bay will cap off a very disappointing title defense.

22. Washington Redskins: 4-9

Shown improvement later in year, especially QB Jason Campbell. Still too inconsistent to rely on as starter. Good defense. Should have beat New Orleans two weeks ago. Portis injury hurt already weak run offense. Bad ownership.

23. Chicago Bears: 5-8

Interception Cutler! Bad coaching. Players unhappy with management. Urlacher injury.

24. Seattle Seahawks: 5-8

And Hasselbeck is down! Inconsistent run attack. Struggling secondary. Weak offensive line. Injuries. More injuries.

25. Buffalo Bills: 5-8

Trent Edwards is starting QB and hurt. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick getting playing time. Dick Jauron fired mid year.

26. Carolina Panthers: 5-8

Interception Delhomme! Matt Moore starting QB.

27. Oakland Raiders: 4-9

Jamarcus Russell. Al Davis. Tom Cable. Darius Heyward-Bey. Jamarcus Russell. Bruce Gradkowski steps in and gives this team a nice lift, then gets hurt. It's the Raiders. I'm guessing karma doesn't favor their organization. Jamarcus Russell.

28. Kansas City Chiefs: 3-10

New coaching staff (Todd Haley), new players (Matt Cassel), old players traded (Tony Gonzalez), former pro bowlers getting booted (Larry Johnson).

29. Detroit Lions: 2-11

At least they have some players that are fun to watch (Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith). No defense. Rookie QB can't stay healthy.

30. Cleveland Browns: 2-11

They just beat Pittsburgh. Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, Eric Mangini, lots of recent player turn over.

31. St. Louis Rams: 1-12

Heads

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1-12

Tails