A Good Old Drubbing

I think this was the point of the game where I muttered out loud "this is getting ridiculous".

Don't get me wrong, I was pulling for Seattle, as much as any New York Football Giants fan could, but man.... that just got ridiculous.

The Rest Overslept Themselves

And then there were eight. From the Agatha Christie book. No? And Then There Were None. Anyone? You know the original title of that book? I'm getting off topic.

Football! That's right, playoffs this weekend, with four games, one more intriguing than the other, and I gotta get my two cents in. And I'm so terrible at picking winners and scores, you can mostly chalk this up to some comedic relief before the game. It's better than that hack Frank Caliendo and his "comedic" picks.

So let's go in order...

Saints Vs 49ers

What to say about this game? I think that the winner of this game goes to the Super Bowl for the NFC. That's one thing I can say. I've been following the 49ers much more than the Saints this year tho. The only bit I saw of them is when they slaughtered the Giants during the regular season. Embarrassing. But I think my money is on the 49ers today. I don't know why but I think after that defensive domination I saw in the BCS championship by Alabama, I feel like people are figuring out how to quash these potent offenses which is all New Orleans really is. Plus I think if Brees isn't getting his normal easy completions he's gonna start throwing bombs everywhere and I like the chance for some turnovers on San Francisco's side. I dunno. Let's say a low scoring game New Orleans 19, San Francisco 23. That is low scoring for New Orleans.

Broncos Vs Patriots

Good vs evil. East vs West. God vs the Devil. Call it what you will, it's gonna be a good game I bet. Brady & the Belichiks on the brink of inobscurity. Tebow and his minions going out with nothing to lose and everything to gain. I will not be surprised to see the Broncos really give the Patriots a hard time out there and keep it real close. I think the Patriots are going to use a strategy of intelligent design (no pun intended) to try and confuse Tebow and stifle his explosive plays, but I think what they take for granted is that Tebow doesn't play intelligent football where he reads defenses and gets a feel for the blitz and so on. He just yells hike and let's his neanderthal instincts take over. Tebow GO!. Ha. Watch this... Denver 31- New England 28. Surprise.

Texans Vs Ravens

Okay, I gotta admit I don't care as much about this game as the other three, but in saying that I do think that the winner of this game goes to the Super Bowl for the AFC. And I think that team will be the Ravens. I just think it's their time, with Steelers gone, Colts a joke, Patriots not their old selves. This is the fourth born kid taking center stage after the oldest leave the nest. And I don't mind that. Baltimore and 49ers in the Super Bowl. Two teams I haven't seen there lately. One step at a time tho. Houston 10, Baltimore 25. Only blowout.

Giants vs Packers

It's easy to be a humble Giants fan this year, after the hot and cold season they had and the way they backed into the playoffs, for once competing in a pathetic division, but after the last couple of games against the Jets and Falcons, I'm sorry, you gotta feel good about this team and at least a little excited to see them give Green Bay a run for their money. I don't want to jinx and make comparisons to 2007's run to the Super Bowl and so on, but the Giants seem to be clicking here, running, passing, blocking, sacking. They look darn good, but it's not hard to imagine the Packers have been laying low and letting everyone lower their expectations so they can come out blazing tomorrow night. Yeah, that's what they're doing. So this is a biased pick, but aren't they all. New York 34, Green Bay 31.

Brady, Tebow & The Fall Of Western Civilization

Today the Broncos host the New England Patriots in a game coveted so much by the networks that NBC and CBS sparred in unprecedented fashion over who would get to broadcast it. And why not? While the Patriots are adored by their fans, to many nationwide they are regarded as the Sons of Darkness, with their perfectly coiffed Hollywood quarterback and their brilliant – one might say diabolical – hoodie-clad coach. And, oh yes, the most identifiably Jewish owner in sports. Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and Bob Kraft are all upstanding citizens, moral exemplars in their home communities, but in this Oberammergau of the Rockies, they are playing the role of Pilate.

People are always looking for signs of God’s beneficence, and a victory by the Orange Crush over the blue-clad Patriots, from the bluest of blue states, will give fodder to a Christian revivalism that has already turned the Republican presidential race into a pander-thon to social conservatives, rekindling memories of those cultural icons of the ‘80s, the Moral Majority and “Hee Haw.” The culture wars are alive and well, and, if the current climate in Washington is any indicator, the motors are being revved up for what will undoubtedly be the most cantankerous Presidential campaign ever. When supposedly well-educated candidates publicly question overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change and evolution and then gain electoral traction by fabricating conspiracies about a war on Christmas, these are not rational times.

Into the middle of it all rides Tebow. Absolutely confident that God is on his side, he comes across as a humbler version of the biblical Joseph, who, in this week’s Torah portion, audaciously lays claim to being the Chosen One, and then goes out and proves it. Tebow’s sanctimonious God-talk has led even pious peers like Kurt Warner to suggest that he cool it. Joseph could have used the same coaching.

If Tebow wins the Super Bowl, against all odds, it will buoy his faithful, and emboldened faithful can do insane things, like burning mosques, bashing gays and indiscriminately banishing immigrants. While America has become more inclusive since Jerry Falwell’s first political forays, a Tebow triumph could set those efforts back considerably.

Or maybe it'll just be a football game.

Go Giants!!