NFL Divisional Round Live Blog

Looking Back at My 2013 NFL Predictions

I thought it would be fun looking back at my NFL predictions and nope. My NFL predictions were horrible. I mean really bad, like I basically just got one prediction right. Hell one of my predictions was wrong today since Jay Cutler re-signed with the Bears. I can't believe they were that bad but thank goodness I didn't bet money on them. Here's a relook.

The Arizona Cardinals Won't Be The Surprise Team: Right off the bat I got one wrong. Not only were the Cardinals the surprise team, but they would have won pretty much every division in football except the NFC West, NFC South, AFC North, and AFC East. If they had a QB who is just a little bit better than Carson Palmer then they're in the playoffs and probably one of the more dangerous teams in the postseason.

Ron Rivera Will Be The First Coach Fired: He teetered on the edge at first and then transformed into RIVERBOAT RON. Amazing. He'll probably win coach of the year and I look like a fool.

NFL Week 7 Live Blog

NFL Predictions

I'll say this about the NFL offseason, once training camps start the month of August always seems to fly by. I'm being serious here. Since NFL camps opened the month of August felt like it flew by and here we are. The NFL season is a day away from starting.

With the start of the season I'm going to make some predictions. Not definite predictions like who'll win what division and what award. Just goofy predictions like I've done for college football a couple of weeks ago. Maybe I'll get lucky and correctly predict a few things but I'm sure they'll mostly be horrible.

The Arizona Cardinals Won't Be The Surprise Team: I can't believe people actually think this team is going to surprise anyone this season. Carson Palmer is their fucking quarterback. I repeat, Carson Palmer is the Cardinals quarterback. Has anyone seen Palmer play football in the past 4 seasons? He's horrible. He was too bad for the Raiders! The Raiders! And they're going to be the surprise team of the season? Sorry if I don't take them seriously.

Ron Rivera Will Be The First Coach Fired: It's never a smart idea to hire a new GM but keep the old coach. It's just a recipe for disaster. Add to the fact the Panthers didn't really improve themselves on offense (their receiving core is dreadful) and it wouldn't surprise me if Rivera is the first coach fired this season. Another factor going against Carolina is the fact their bye week is so early in the season. This is a team that won't be rested for a stretch when they play Atlanta, San Francisco, and New England in the middle of the season and Rivera* will be gone.

*Jets owner Woody Johnson is too in love with Rex Ryan to fire him in the middle of the season. He enjoys the circus and that's why I'm not predicting Ryan will be fired in the middle of the season.

Yes Mike, It's Wrong

Yesterday Percy Harvin was traded from Minnesota to Seattle. Harvin had an up and down career in Minnesota. When healthy he was one of the best receivers in the game. The key word there was "when". Harvin has spent a lot of time injured particularly with migraines. Well ole Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wondered out loud on Twitter if Harvin had been faking those migraines.

Given the full scope of the Percy Harvin experience in Minnesota, is it wrong to at least wonder whether his migraines were real?
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 12, 2013

Um yes it is Mike. Sure I guess Harvin could be faking like he has a migraine but why would he go through the trouble to see a migraine specialist? Unless Harvin plotted this whole thing out like a villain!

Or Harvin really does suffer from migraines. My mother has suffered through migraines her entire life and from what she described to me what it's like to suffer through them, I doubt Harvin is faking them for some sort of advantage against the Vikings. I could see him milking a knee or arm injury, but not a migraine. So yes Mike it's wrong to wonder if Harvin was faking his migraines.

Black Monday in the NFL (Update)

Today is black Monday in the NFL. Several coaches and general manager's have received their pink slips while I'm sure there will be more fired some time today. Here are the coaches and general manager's that have been fired already today.

Philadelphia-Andy Reid: We all knew this was coming because of Philadelphia's disastrous season, but that doesn't mean it's still not shocking because of how long Andy Reid was Philly's coach. The ESPN story indicates that Reid could land in Jacksonville or Arizona if they fire their coaches. Arizona would probably make the most sense if Reid can find the right QB. Jacksonville is a tire fire and I'm sure Reid won't want to coach Tebow next season.

San Diego-Norv Turner and GM A.J. Smith: These two should have been fired a long time ago, especially Smith. In the report on Reid it says the Chargers aren't interested in hiring Reid. In other news the Spanos family that owns the Chargers are from Stockton which means they will probably never make the right decision hiring a general manager or GM.

Kansas City-Romeo Crennel: Schefter is reporting Crennel is out by not GM Scott Pioli. The Chiefs need a clean slate away from Pioli and they're stupidly not breaking away from him. Pioli has been nothing short of a disaster in Kansas City. If the AFC West wasn't so bad the Chiefs wouldn't even have made the playoffs a few years ago. Now I can't even imagine who Pioli will hire now. McDaniels? Bring Tebow in as the QB? This has disaster written all over it.

Jacksonville-General Manager Gene Smith: Maybe drafting a punter in the third round wasn't the smartest move in the world for Gene Smith or drafting Blaine Gabbert. From the report it looks like Mike Mularkey will stay as the head coach but Lord knows why. Mularkey hasn't done nothing in Buffalo and has done nothing in Jackonville.

Cleveland-Pat Shurmur and GM Tom Heckert: The Browns are looking for another head coach and general manager in the span of 5 years. Not only that but they're on their 4th GM and coach in that time span. And people wonder why the Browns are a disaster of an NFL organization. It's already been rumored that Nick Saban and Mike Lombardi could land here which means the Browns will hire Gene Smith and Norv Turner.

Carolina-Ron Rivera: This is only being reported right now by the NFL Net's Mike Lombardi but I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes official. The Panthers massively underachieved this year until kinda turning it around late in the year. I wouldn't be surprised if they hire an offensive coach to replace Rivera.

Chicago-Lovie Smith: Amazing fact about this firing is that if the Packers won yesterday Lovie would be coaching the Bears in the playoffs right now. So once again the Packers defeat Lovie. I wonder if Lovie will challenge this firing? Too soon?

Buffalo-Chan Gailey: The Football Scoop first reported this move and Schefter confirmed it. I find it unbelievable that Gailey was hired as the Bills coach in the first place. And knowing the Bills track record I wouldn't be surprised if they hire another crappy retread coach like Eric Mangini or Mike Sherman.

New York Jets-General Manager Mike Tannenbaum: The Jets finally fired Mike Tannenbaum but Rex Ryan is somehow safe. I guess the band-aid owner* doesn't want to pay for a general manager and head coach to disappear. It's going to be hard to pick a GM who doesn't draft Vernon Gohlston or trade for Aaron Maybin.

*Woody Johnson is the Johnson and Johnson owner which means Rex shouldn't take any Tylenol for a few weeks. 

I'm sure there will be more firings coming up but this is it so far. I'll update if anything more happens.

(Update: Arizona has fired Ken Whisenhunt) Whisenhunt's downfall started the day Kurt Warner retired. He hasn't found a quarterback since and Arizona only got worse. I wonder if Reid would take this job because of Kolb?

Story Time With Cris

After listening to Cris Collinsworth slobber all over Tom Brady last night I imagined him reading a story to children called "The Book of Tom Brady". Here's that story:

"Hello children let me tell you the greatest story every told. One that you won't believe and will tell your own children one day. It's the story of Tom Brady.

In the beginning when Tom Brady created the heavens and earth he said, "let there be light!" And then there was light.

And then Tom Brady created the light and dark days. And Tom Brady would then decide to lose games at night because he was feeling charitable.

And then Tom Brady created the sky. You have always wondered why the sky is blue? Well the sky is blue because it's Tom's favorite color to go along with his Ugg boots.

And then Tom Brady created the seas for his private yacht. That yacht by the way you will never be allowed on because you're a weakling. You hear me? a weakling!

On the fourth day Tom Brady created mornings for him to drink expensive coffee with his no ass supermodel wife. And then he created the nights to make babies to populate the world with his genius and good looks.

On the fifth day Tom Brady created human life. Or mankind as you would know it. So you can thank Mr. Brady for creating your wonderful. And while you're thanking him, kiss his feet because you're human waste and he's the greatest of all time.

Tom Brady blessed human kind and said, "You're all weaker than me but go on and live your miserable lives. I'll be here on top of a mountain making love to my wife every day in Ugg boots. And if I hear one vile comment on my boots, I will smite you with lightning." He really is a great guy.

On the sixth day Tom Brady will blow a snot rocket while the rest of the stadium is mourning the loss of innocent children in a senseless slaying. Because deep down children just get in his way to the Ugg store.

On seventh day Tom Brady said everyone should rest. "Watch as I play and then lose in Super Bowls to Eli Manning. Don't worry though everyone will forget about these losses and still think I'm better than Joe Montana which I'm not because Montana would have never lost to Eli Manning."

And that is the greatest story ever told children."

/the children look on horrified

THE END

Donovan McNabb Isn't Alone

Full disclosure: I watched the 49ers give up 14 points in the Rams in the first quarter before even scoring themselves before I went out to the movies and dinner. (I watched the new James Bond movie Skyfall which I thought was OK as a movie) When I got out of the theater (that movie was way too long) and was waiting for a table at the restaurant I looked at my phone for the 49ers score. When I looked at the score I couldn't believe my eyes. The Rams-49ers game ended in a tie. This is the first tie since the infamous Bengals-Eagles game where Donovan McNabb didn't know a game could end in a tie. Well good ole Donovan isn't alone anymore.

49ers safety Dashon Goldson didn't know a football game could end in a tie,"I've never heard of a tie in football," Goldson said. "Where's everybody going? Did somebody quit? Forfeit?" That's a Washington education for you. (Kidding) That would be funny if a game was over because someone quit or forfeit the game with a white flag. Kinda like the "Thriller in Manila" with Joe Frazier's trainer stopping the fight.

So the 49ers game ended in a tie and I didn't see it because I was watching James Bond and then Dashon Goldson joined the Donovan McNabb club of not knowing the OT rules. Terrific! Oh and DeMarcus Cousins was also suspended yesterday for confronting Spurs broadcaster Sean Elliot. Weird day in the Northern California sports scene.

(Quote via CSN Bay Area)

Bookies Love Jim Harbaugh This Morning

Confession: I despise gambling on sports and laugh at people who do and then lose money on games. There's something so unappealing to me about gambling on sports. I'd rather go out for a nice dinner instead of gambling on a game. My reason, sports are too unpredictable. Something fluky can happen in a game that can destroy your bet and there goes all your money. Example of a fluky situation swinging a gambling line, last night's Seattle-San Francisco game.

With the 49ers leading 13-6 with the game coming to the end, a chop block penalty was called on Seattle in the end zone. That would result in a safety to give the 49ers a 15-6 lead and push the spread past 7 points. Harbaugh fearing an onside kick or a fumbled kickoff return, Harbaugh declined the safety and took the ball for a kneel down (The chop block happened on a 4th down and Seattle didn't reach it past the first down marker). And that's where Harbaugh goes right into the doghouse for a lot of gambling degenerates. Via RJ Bell of Pregame.com:

What did the safety mean for bettors?

An estimated 65% of the money bet on the game backed San Francisco;
with 35% of the money backing Seattle.

Overall, it’s safe to say that Coach Harbaugh’s unconventional decision
resulted in a $75 Million dollar swing worldwide
with the Bettors overall losing that amount (due to 65% of action on 49ers)
and the Bookies overall winning that amount.

Breakdown:
49ers -7 had money refunded (but would have won with the safety)
49ers -7.5 or -8 lost (but would have won with the safety)
Seahawks +7 had money refunded (but would have lost with the safety)
Seahawks +7.5 or +8 won (but would have lost with the safety)

Hold on for a second, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA (BREATHES) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

You gambling degenerates reaped what you sowed. Don't bet money on sports games. They're too unpredictable and something fluky like what happened last night can happen that swings the line. Gamble that money on the slot machines or blackjack. Or something even smarter, don't gamble at all and just enjoy life instead of blowing your money on gambling.

/gets off high horse

(Via Deadspin)

A Picture Is Worth a 1,000 Words

Nothing more needs to be said about last night's game except when one ref signaling to kill the clock and the other ref is calling for a touchdown, well you got a problem.

2012 NFL Predictions

Like with my MLB predictions this year, I'm going to have a little fun with the NFL predictions. I'm going to have fun with these predictions instead of the standard "Team X will will NFC South" and "Aaron Rodgers will win the MVP". So sit back and enjoy my predictions.

(Note: I realize it's a little early to make predictions, most teams haven't even played their 2nd preseason game yet, but I was bored and these predictions can be updated.)

The 49ers Will Struggle and It Will Be Because Of Alex Smith: It's convenient to forget this, but Jim Harbaugh sought after Peyton Manning this past off-season. Think about that for a second. He had a QB who lead them to the NFC Championship Game and he still went after the guy who hasn't played in over a year because of a freaking neck injury. The 49ers have improved their depth at receiver and running back this year but that doesn't mean a thing. Alex Smith is still the QB who either overthrows or underthrows a ten yard pass. Smith will come back to Earth this season like he did in the championship game. Just wait.

49ers Fans Though Will Still Say Alex Smith Is A Great QB: Alex Smith has been with the 49ers so long (He was drafted by the 49ers when I was a junior in high school. That was 8 long years ago) that I firmly believe 49ers fans suffer from Stockholm Syndrome. How else can you explain 49er fans constantly defending Smith? You can't because he's been around so long they suffer from Stockholm Syndrome.

Randy Moss Will Eventually Explode: Sorry but I have one more 49er prediction. You cannot tell me Moss doesn't throw a huge tantrum after Smith once again underthrows a pass to him. You just can't. And I'll tell you what happens after this. Moss will get cut and excuses will be made for Smith once again even though Moss will probably have every right to complain about another underthrown ball.

Super Bowl Prediction

I've been busy this entire week so that's why I've posted a slew of quick video posts. It happens and hopefully I'll have more time next week to post longer threads. With that being said this post will also be short.

I've barely talked about the Super Bowl because it brings out a lot of bitterness in me. Every time I turn on ESPN and see the Giants, I have flashbacks to Kyle fucking Williams fumbling away the 49ers Super Bowl chance. So why bother talking about the Super Bowl and bringing out the bitterness in me?

I cannot stand the thought of the Giants winning the Super Bowl. That should have been the 49ers, so here comes the bitterness again. I also cannot stand the thought of the Patriots winning the Super Bowl because that will mean Brady has as many Super Bowl rings as Joe Montana which means we will have a slew of Brady is better than Montana talk. Cannot stand the thought of that.

For my prediction, Patriots 24 Giants 20 and a slew of "Brady is now better than Montana" columns and talk.

Playing With House Money

You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done- The great Kenny Rogers

Living in California and close proximity to Reno, I've spent a fair enough amount of time in a casino. Whether it was a Indian casino or a casino in Reno/Las Vegas.  I'm not a card player because I don't like poker and I can't play Blackjack because I can't count fast enough. I'm like an old lady and just play the slots.

Now I'm not a big money gambler. I'll usually put about $100 dollars in the machine and start playing. If I hit a jackpot it's usually for $80 dollars, not much, but considered a success for me because I don't gamble large amounts of money. That $80 dollars is the house money and I'm just trying to extend that dollar amount.

And that's where I get in trouble. Instead of just walking away satisfied with my earnings I keep gambling with the house money. The allure of a bigger pool of earnings is too tough to fight. And that's where the house wins. I keep gambling and losing money. Eventually that $180 dollars I eventually had all of a sudden becomes $80 dollars. And yet I still can't walk away. I lost $100 dollars and yet still playing and keep losing. Eventually I'm down to 50 cents and can't play any longer, the house won.

It's always dangerous playing with house money. The allure of a bigger pool of money keeps you playing and maybe you get lucky and actually beat the house, extend the pool, and get to take home a lot more money than you started gambling with. Most times than not though, the house always wins.

Sports in a lot of ways is like gambling. Teams play with house money. Some of them lose and some of them win. They obviously can't walk away because the end prize is too big to just walk away from.

I can't think of any other sport than baseball where you see teams playing with house money who usually will win. I don't know why baseball is the sport where you see teams beating the house but just look at the past 15 World Series champions and you'll see 7 teams broke the house: 97 Marlins, 01 Diamondbacks, 03 Marlins, 04 Red Sox, 06 Cardinals, 2010 Giants, and 2011 Cardinals.

The 97 Marlins won despite always playing on the edge. The 01 Diamondbacks won despite Byung-Hyun Kim betting more money than he had. The 03 Marlins beat the house twice before reaching the World Series because of Jose Cruz Jr and Bartman. The 04 Red Sox beat the house by coming back against the Yankees. The 06 Cardinals were given the house by the Tigers pitchers. The 2010 Giants beat the house with help from Brooks Conrad. And the 2011 Cardinals destroyed the house and sent pit bosses home crying.

NFL Championship Games Live Blog

Full of Confidence

Unlike last week, I'm full of confidence for the Niners game. I was at ease last week, just happy to see the Niners in the playoffs again. Nothing like a good dose of VD (see what I did there?) to change my expectations in one week.

This week though I'm full of confidence. All week I keep hearing about how the football Giants will beat the 49ers. From analysts like Ross Tucker, to writers like Chris Burke, to Jim Rome, everyone seems to be picking the Giants. That's what I want. I want everyone to pick the Giants. I want my team to be the underdog despite playing at home. I love the "us vs world" mentality. Here are the other reasons why I'm confident this weekend about the 49ers.

Special Teams: The 49ers have one of the best special teams in the NFL if not the best. Andy Lee and David Akers are both All-Pros and when healthy Tedd Ginn is one of the better return men in the league. The Giants on the other hand are mediocre on special teams and were knocked out of the playoffs last year because of their special teams. Now the weather could definitely neutralize the Niners special teams, but even with the weather looking bad the Niners special teams could play a huge role on Sunday.

Weather: The weather will be a huge factor. There's only a 40% chance of rain on Sunday in San Francisco, but it rained yesterday and is suppose to stay wet for the next week. No matter what happens on Sunday the field is going to be a mess. The field itself is below sea level and retains water and is also natural grass. The field is going to be a mess on Sunday. I don't care what kind of cleats the Giants receivers put on, they're still going to slip and slide in the field.

49ers Already Beat The Giants: Everyone keeps talking about how will the 49ers cover the Giants three receivers. Well they already covered them once and won. Sorry if I don't buy into the notion that this is a different Giants team. They aren't. The defensive line is the same, the receivers are the same, Eli was the Quarterback that day. The Niners have already beat all of them once before.

Turnovers: The Niners were the best team this year at creating turnovers. They forced 5 turnovers from the Saints last Saturday. Eli will definitely throw at least one interception in this game. The 49ers will also force at least one fumble in this game. And in a game this big, one turnover could be huge.

I'm not predicting a 49ers victory although I'm confident they'll win. I'm just stating a few reasons why I'm confident the 49ers have a chance to win on Sunday. No matter what I believe this game will be close and whoever has the ball last will probably win. Whatever happens it should be a fun game.

49ers vs Giants, Next Sunday

If you told me at the beginning of the NFL season the 49ers would be hosting the NFC championship game I would have said you're crazy. Well it's reality. The 49ers will host the New York Giants in the NFC Championship game next Sunday. This will be the first playoff game between these two teams since the amazing 2002 Wild Card game and the first NFC championship game between these two teams since 1991. I'm going to be nervous as hell all week but it should be fun. I'll have more on the game in the coming week.

Until then, GO NINERS!

NFL Week 17 Live Blog

(I'll also have a live blog up for the college football games on Jan 2.)

"That's Not Bleeping Holding!"

It always surprises me that a NFL refs microphone doesn't pick up more what is being said around them. I realize that the refs try to stand away from the players when speaking on their microphones to the crowd during penalties but this doesn't happen for every penalty. Well on Sunday a ref's microphone picked up what a player was saying and of course that included profanity. 



Nice little F-bomb in that audio by Rams offensive lineman Harvey Dahl. Like I said I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often. And of course it happened with that idiot Jerome Boger's microphone is live. He's the only ref that this could happen too.

(Via The Sports Grid)

Monday Open Thread

We have Monday night football, college basketball, and even hockey to watch tonight. The Monday night game should be great, the college basketball game of the night is Xavier vs Vanderbilt which should be really good, and my Sharks play tonight. Enjoy whatever game you're watching, leave comments, and don't be a troll.

Monday Open Thread

The best college basketball tournament, the Maui Invitational, starts today. Michigan vs Memphis kicks off that tournament. There's also Monday Night Football with the Patriots playing the Chiefs. So here's your open thread for college basketball and MNF. Enjoy whatever game you're watching, leave comments, and don't be a troll.