Foil in the Oven

What a weekend. Before we do anything else, I need to defend my Seattle pick on Saturday. Obviously I couldn't have been more wrong, as this was the most lopsided game of the weekend. There were a few things that factored into my choice. First, I couldn't get the images out of my mind of the Bears dominating the Packers in week 16. This, combined with their loss to Dallas a few weeks before, made me think that perhaps they were losing some of the momentum that carried them through the regular season. Second, I was surprised that not a single analyst that I heard was giving Seattle any chance to win this game, which may have caused me to overthink the pick. Third, Seattle's defense is outstanding, and I thought that they might be the difference in the game. Fourth, I just haven't been that impressed with this Green Bay team this year. They've won a lot of games, but they often leave me saying "wow, I don't know how they pulled that one out." But, I was obviously wrong. If I had known the weather, I never would have picked Seattle. A day like that at Lambeau Field is a day that makes Brett Favre almost unbeatable. Green Bay has been one of the best stories of this NFL season. I obviously won't be rooting for them against the Giants, but I would find a loss to Brett Favre at Lambeau much easier to stomach than a loss to Tony Romo in Dallas.



Before we move any further, let me offer you this piece of enlightenment:


Babcock and I both said it last week, and I'm going to say it again, I can't stand this San Diego team. For this reason, it kills me to have to say what a great win that was yesterday. To lose Tomlinson and Rivers and still manage to pull one out in Indy is impressive, and speaks to how important it is to have backups that you trust on the roster. That being said, the Chargers have a date with the executioner next week. They have shown us that they know how to rattle the Colts over the last few meetings, but they will not beat the Patriots. As this game was ending yesterday, I began to think that maybe I was wrong about this team. Maybe they've moved on from being a team that runs its mouth even though they haven't earned any right to do so and has no class. Right as those thoughts came to me, the camera went to Philip Rivers, who was yelling at some Indianapolis fans that were in the front row even though he wasn't even playing. I guess I was wrong.



I can't say overstate enough how pumped I am about the Giants win. This team has provided me countless frustrations over this season, and really the past five seasons. All along, what frustrated me most was that I knew this team could be a legitimate contender if they were ever able to put everything together. All along, it's seemed like the only thing stopping the Giants from being a top tier NFL team was the Giants themselves. For this reason, it feels awesome to see them finally playing to their potential. Eli Manning, in particular, has taken his game to the next level. The Giants team that fans have become accustomed to would have rolled over and died after Dallas had that nine minute drive in the first half. I couldn't believe what I was watching as Eli marched the offense down the field for a touchdown in less than a minute. Great things are happening with this team right now.



Can they beat Green Bay? It's going to be a tougher task than knocking off Dallas. The Giants were totally familiar with everything Dallas does, and were not intimidated at all by Texas Stadium. Going to Lambeau Field and taking on Brett Favre in single digit temperatures will be much more difficult. However, this team has won nine straight on the road, and they are built to play cold weather football. I think this matchup actually favors the Giants more than the Dallas matchup because Green Bay's offensive line doesn't have a guy like Flozell Adams that can handle Osi Umenyiora by himself. I expect the Giants to put a lot of pressure on Brett Favre, and I expect them to run the ball well. However, this has been a storybook season for the Packers, and that Packer receiving core has been playing well. It should be a great game.

I mentioned the Stolen Babies a few weeks ago, and how bummed out I was that they weren't at the Dillinger Escape Plan show. This band kicks a lot of ass. Their lead singer (Dominique Lenore Persi) provides some of the most badass female vocals out there, and plays the accordion, which you don't come across with every group.


As Michael Wilbon said on PTI last week, these are the "dog days of January and February" in the NBA, and it's tough to win every game. I feel good about where the Celtics are right now. They will get another crack at the Wizards tonight, and they pulled out the game against New Jersey on Friday night, which was the most important game of the week. The loss to Charlotte on Wednesday showed just how important Glen Davis is to this team. Watching Brian Scalabrine playing in his place in the fourth quarter was painful. Frankly, the fact that this was the worst week we've had as Celtics fans this season is pretty encouraging. I have no doubts that this team will be a top seed in the East and that they are built to take care of business in the post-season.

Finally, I would just like to say that I really hope there is a national broadcast of the 51.9 second replay between the Heat and Hawks that will take place on March 8th. I'm fascinated by this. I just wonder if whoever wins that last 51.9 seconds will win the second game. Will the loser of that 51.9 second replay carry disappointment into the second game? You get all pumped up, you warm up, you take the floor, and less than a minute later you've lost already. That has to be demoralizing. This has to be on national TV. Apparently it hasn't happened since the 80's, which means that it must be significant.