NFL Divisional Playoffs Sunday Live Blog

Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens  1:00 (CBS - Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf)

New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers  4:30 (Fox - Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, SR: Pam Oliver and Chris Myers)

NFL Divisional Playoffs Schedule

And you thought Tebow-mania was bad last week?  Now just wait for the hype as this weekend, and then imagine what it will be if the Broncos somehow win.  Likely the biggest blowout of the weekend aside, there are three other interesting games this weekend, including the great offense of the Saints versus the great defense of the 49ers.  This should be a fun weekend of football and live-blogging.

Saturday, January 14

#3 New Orleans Saints vs. #2 San Francisco 49ers  4:30 (Fox - Kenny Albert and Daryl Johnston, SA: Tony Siragusa)
#4 Denver Broncos vs. #1 New England Patriots  8:00 (CBS - Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, SR: Steve Tasker)

Sunday, January 15

#3 Houston Texans vs. #2 Baltimore Ravens  1:00 (CBS - Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf)
#4 New York Giants vs. #1 Green Bay Packers  4:30 (Fox - Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, SR: Pam Oliver and Chris Myers)

NFL Opening Night Live Blog

Football is back!  Now all I need is for my electricity to stay on and we will be all set for a fun night as I reap the benefits of living on high ground while those below me not even a mile away are being forced to evacuate their homes due near record flooding of the Susquehanna River.  Enjoy the game, but spare the people of Central Pennsylvania a few thoughts tonight.

Karma: Packers Win Super Bowl XLV, Steelers Fans Whine About Referees

For starters, that was not pass interference as you can clearly tell by watching the video. Secondly, even if it was a missed call (which it wasn't; refs got it right), then maybe, just maybe, this is a little thing called karma. Remember Super Bowl XL? These things have a way of rearing their ugly head again, and for the Steelers and their, this is just a small dose of their own medicine.

Unfortunately, the 2005 Seahawks fans will never have what some would argue is rightfully theirs. But possibly five years and 1 day after the controversy in Detroit, there is perhaps a sense of payback to the Steelers.

But I digress. Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers!

Super Bowl XLV Live Blog

CLICK HERE TO GO TO LIVE BLOG!

Official Super Bowl XLV Prediction

A lot of people more football intelligence than me have weighed on this one and have come to different conclusions on who is going to win. But regardless, here is my two cents.

This game features two real good defenses. And frequently in Super Bowls, one, if not both teams, come out jittery to start the game. Based on those two factors alone, I think we will have a low scoring game in Arlington. The O/U is 45. I'm taking the under in my prop bets.

Las Vegas has Green Bay winning by 3.5. I'm taking the Packers and the points on this one. For me, I think Green Bay is the all-round better football team, even if they have no run game to speak of. Pittsburgh thrives on luck, they have this year and they have done so in year's past. Eventually that luck is going to run out. And that luck will run out this Sunday. Steelers 14, Packers 24.

Live blog tomorrow will be at Keith's Sports Journal. Depending on what side of the bed I wake up on and whether or not Fernando Torres is starting, I may open it as early as Chelsea-Liverpool tomorrow at 11:00 AM ET. But regardless, this is the last NFL game we see for quite some time, so enjoy it. GO PACKERS!

Super Bowl Sunday Schedule

Super Bowl Sunday is always the day of the big football game. But this year, there are two. Hours before Green Bay and Pittsburgh even arrive at Cowboys Stadium, another football game on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, one that very well may get more international press attention than the Super Bowl. Obviously, I am talking about the Chelsea-Liverpool "Torres Bowl," that will air at 11 AM ET on Fox Soccer Channel.

For those that do not follow soccer, 26-year old superstar forward Fernando Torres started the season with Liverpool. Then days before the January transfer window closed (comparable to an American trade deadline), Chelsea put in a bid for Fernando Torres, Torres then put in a formal transfer request. Then hours before the transfer window closed, the move was finalized. Liverpool agreed to send Torres to Chelsea for 50 million pounds (Liverpool would go on to send 35 million of those pounds Newcastle's way for young, unproven striker Andy Carroll). Think of this game as the English edition of Favre Bowl, only with no sexting and the center of the controversy is 14-years younger. Now being a Chelsea fan, I hope they pummel Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. For the much longer version of how this while Torres thing went down, check this out from SI.

But enough about English football, here is Fox's schedule for Super Bowl XLV Sunday.

Road To The Super Bowl 12:00 (Fox)
Inside The Rings with Troy Aikman 1:00 (Fox)
Fox NFL Sunday Super Bowl Pregame Show 2:00 (Fox)
Super Bowl XLV: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers 6:00 (Fox - Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, SR: Pam Oliver and Chris Myers)

For a preview of Fox's Super Bowl pregame show, check this out from TV By The Numbers.

2011 NFL Playoffs Conference Championship Sunday Live Blog

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE LIVE BLOG!

Conference Championship Games Preview

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears: I am sure Soldier Field will be its normal crappy self as the Green Bay Packers take on the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship game. In terms of DVOA, the Packers were the NFC team in the playoffs. And for my money's worth, they are much better than Chicago. Soldier Field might be the great equalizer in this one, but does anyone really see Jay Cutler picking apart the Green Bay defense? There is a reason the Bears played their starters Week 17, and it was to try and avoid the very situation they found themselves in. The overall match-ups in this game favor Green Bay, both offensively and defensively. If Chicago wins this game, I'll be shocked. Final prediction: Packers 24, Bears 14.

New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers:  For some, this game will be like watching hell on a frozen football field.  The temperature in Pittsburgh is forecast to be in the teens for game time and this game features two teams that outside of their respective fanbases are for the most part rather unlikeable.  Yes, I did root for the Jets last week, but yes, the Patriots are more loathesome than the Jets, and the same thing can be said about Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers in comparison to said Jets. Both teams have seen their share of luck over the course of the season. You've two conservative offenses going up against two really good defenses, so while this game could likely be boring in spots, it should also be very close making for a fun finish. All in all, the Steelers are the better team here and should take care of the Jets who were at an emotional high after they beat the Patriots. Can Rex Ryan come up with his 3rd straight brilliant gameplan against a team who has a QB significantly better than his? Doubtful. Final prediction: Steelers 16, Jets 13.

Live blog tomorrow at Keith's Sports Journal.

NFL Conference Championships Schedule

As fun as Super Bowl Sunday is, the conference championships are for my money the best Sunday in the NFL season. In roughly the same amount of time you watch one game championship game with added pageantry, you get to watch 2 championship games with little pageantry. Plus, the two host cities (Chicago and Pittsburgh) are cold weather cities in the midst of a weather pattern featuring below average temperatures. Also, after going all year without a sideline reporter, for whatever reason, CBS has once again seen a need to employ Steve Tasker as one. I don't get it either. But nonetheless, here is your schedule for Conference Championship Sunday in the NFL. (all times ET)

Sunday, January 23

NFC Championship Game

#6 Green Bay Packers vs. #2 Chicago Bears 3:00 (Fox - Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, SR: Pam Oliver and Chris Myers)

AFC Championship Game

#6 New York Jets vs. #2 Pittsburgh Steelers 6:30 (CBS - Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, SR: Steve Tasker)

2011 NFL Playoffs Divisional Saturday Live Blog

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE LIVE BLOG!

Eagles Wild Card Weekend Recap: Defensive Failings Make Me Want Asomugha

• "Asomugha’s deal included a little-known clause that said his contract would void if he didn’t achieve his not-likely-to-be-earned incentives in 2010 -- and he didn'’t. His contract also contained a stipulation that if he didn’t achieve his incentives, the Raiders would agree not to designate him their franchise or transition player."
• The Eagles inept defense cost them this game.  That is all.
• I said at the beginning of the year that I expected a seven to nine win team.  I certainly did not expect them to win the NFC East.  But that is indeed what they did in a year that was seen as a rebuilding year.  Instead of Kolb, though, the Eagles did it with Vick who hopefully will sign an extension to keep him in Philadelphia.  He should be back, but if it is too long, I will pull my hair out.  Vick takes a beating game after game so his durability is definitely a question mark, especially at his age of 30, turning 31 in June.  Eagles in all likelihood will give him the extension but hopefully it is not backloaded and hopefully it is not for more than 4-5 years.  The Eagles do not get to where they were without Michael Vick.
• I said at the beginning that if the difference between Vick and Kolb was a 1st round playoff loss versus not making the playoffs at all, the better option would be develop Kolb and miss the playoffs.  Little did I realize at the time that Vick would emerge as a franchise QB and likely NFL MVP runner-up.  So yeah, the Eagles have a QB, his name is Vick, and he should be back.
• I would expect at least a 2nd round pick for Kevin Kolb.  If the Eagles are lucky, maybe a 1st rounder.  Andrew Luck staying at Stanford will do nothing but increase Kolb's value a bit. 
• I want to be mad at Akers.  I really want to.  He missed 2 FGs costing the Eagles 6 points and the Eagles lost by 5.  But I know that the Eagles defense and McDermott are the real goats here.  Sure they only gave up 21 points, but the Packers dinked and dunked their way all game against them with relative ease.  It was not until the 4th quarter when the Packers got real conservative that they got their stops.  Their slow and methodical drives prevented the Eagles offense from getting on the field in the 1st half and establishing rhythm.  Basically the Packers ran the gameplan I wanted the Eagles to run. Fire McDermott.  I'm done with him.  Bring in John Fox if he is willing to take a defensive coordinator job.  Akers made his kicks all year and had one bad day.  One player can't be the sole reason the team loses.  On the other hand, an entire defensive unit coming up small in big situations is a very easy way to lose football games.  Unfortunately, Akers contract is up this year and he is talking post-game like the Eagles will not re-sign him.  Such a shame because even in spite of his bad game, he's still better than most kickers in the NFL, even at his age.
• Eagles need offensive linemen.  Many ones.  Many good ones.  Need them.  Now.  Mankins is available, try to go after him.  Or Tyson Clabo.  Or Carl Nicks.  Or Jared Gaither.  Someone.  Anyone.  Vick is getting creamed over here!
• Who am I rooting in the NFC now?  Fuck Atlanta.  Fuck Chicago.  Go Packers.  Go Seahawks.  If it is a Green Bay-Seattle NFC Championship game, I'll have to see how I'm feeling that day towards the Packers.
• What about in the AFC?  Fuck Pittsburgh.  Fuck New England.  Go Jets.  Go Ravens.  If it is a Jets-Ravens AFC Title game, I will be happy with either winning.  Jets for the Ryan family, Ravens for John Harbaugh, who I always liked (unlike a certain Vikings head coach who got fired this season).
• People will cry "Fire Reid!" over this, they always do when the Eagles lose.  But Reid's model of winning consistently just makes it a futile cry anymore.  Plus on top of that, he has made Mike Vick better than he has ever been.  The dude deserves some credit.  Who are you going to get that's better?
• I expect Marty Mornhinweg will be a head coach next year (I'm guessing he'll take the Stanford job; his son just committed there).  If so, the Eagles are high on their QB coach, James Urban.  He would probably be the next OC should Marty leave.
• This may have been a disappointing end to the season, but Philadelphia sports will continue:  Villanova will be making a run for the NCAA Tournament, the Flyers will be making a run at the NHL Playoffs, Spring Training will commence in  a little over month, the Sixers have a 1st round playoff loss and/or a decent draft pick to look forward to, and the Union will be entering their 2nd season with a lot of young players and promise.  If you are fans of multiple Philadelphia teams, there really is a lot to look forward to right now.
• Win probability graph.  This is painful to look at. (advancednflstats.com)

•  Lastly, a sad and somber rest in peace to Christina-Taylor Green, granddaughter of former Phillies manager Dallas Green.  Christina-Taylor was the 9 year old girl killed in yesterday's Tucson shootings.  Her birthday was 9/11/01.  She was born on the day of a tragic event, and ultimately, she died in a shooting equally as tragic.  RIP Christina-Taylor Green.  2001-2011.

2011 NFL Playoffs Wild Card Sunday Live Blog

(Ed. Note: Apologies for getting this up late. I had it scheduled to post in the morning, but it never published.)

NFL Wild Card Round Schedule

It's Wild Card weekend! Hooray! The playoffs are here, and with it, the added drama and excitement of watching 12 teams battle it out for the chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Arlington, Texas. Last year, the Eagles were bounced out of the playoffs by the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round. This time they are at home and facing the Packers. Home field does not mean a whole lot and the Packers are a bad match-up for the Eagles. The Eagles can win this game, but this is one of their worst possible draws in these playoffs. Put it like this, I would much rather face Atlanta at home than have to deal with the Packers anywhere. So without further ado, here is your schedule with announcers and sideline reporters! (all times ET)

Saturday, January 8
#5 New Orleans Saints vs. #4 Seattle Seahawks 4:30 (NBC - Tom Hammond and Mike Mayock, SR: Alex Flanagan)
#6 New York Jets vs. #3 Indianapolis Colts 8:00 (NBC - Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth, SR: Andrea Kremer)

Sunday, January 9
#5 Baltimore Ravens vs. #4 Kansas City Chiefs 1:00 (CBS - Jim Nantz and Phil Simms)
#6 Green Bay Packers vs. #3 Philadelphia Eagles 4:30 (Fox - Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, SR: Pam Oliver and Chris Myers)

For Those Expecting An Eagles Week 17 Recap

You are going to have to at least wait a little bit.  I missed the last 3 quarters at dinner with my family.  Even though I DVR'd the game, I have not gotten around to watching it yet.  I'll probably sit through the rest of that game sometime after I get home from work tomorrow night and I will have a brief recap either tomorrow night or Tuesday.  The Cowboys won the game 14-13 and the Eagles played their back-ups.  The Eagles did not care about this game, so I will put little effort into this recap as there is little to be said about a game that meant nothing.

The Eagles wild card opponent is the Green Bay Packers, with the game taking place Sunday at 4:30 ET on Fox.

Read This Post If You Want A Headache!

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the scenarios for the Eagles to earn home field advantage throughout the playoffs!

Q: Can the Eagles still earn the top seed in the NFC?

A: Yes, but it's a longshot. There are two scenarios. The first one requires four things to happen:

1. Eagles beat Vikings and Cowboys.
2. Saints lose to Bucs in Week 17.
3. Falcons lose to Panthers in Week 17.
4. Bears lose to Packers in Week 17.

In this scenario, the Eagles and Falcons both finish at 12-4, and the Eagles get the tiebreak since they beat Atlanta earlier this season.

The second scenario plays out if the Bears beat the Packers and create a three-way tie of 12-4 teams (Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia). If that happens, the Eagles would FIRST need three things to happen:

1. Eagles beat Vikings and Cowboys.
2. Saints lose to Bucs in Week 17.
3. Falcons lose to Panthers in Week 17.

However, even if those three things happen, the Eagles ARE NOT guaranteed the top spot.

The head-to-head tiebreak would be irrelevant because the Falcons and Bears didn't play each other. Conference win-loss percentage is the next step, but all three teams would be 9-3 against the NFC.

Next up would be win-loss percentage in common games, but there needs to be a minimum of four common games between the three teams, which there are not.

And so it would come down to strength of victory - a tiebreak that cannot yet be determined because Week 17 has to play out. In other words, you'd take the combined win-loss records of the teams that the Eagles, Bears and Falcons each beat this season. The team with lowest opponents' win-percentage gets bounced, and the other two teams run through the set of tiebreakers again.

[...]

Basically, you want to root for teams the Eagles have beaten this season to win in Week 17. And you want to root for teams the Bears and Falcons have beaten this season to lose in Week 17.

[...]

It's important to note here that if the Saints, Falcons, Eagles and Bears all finish 12-4, the Saints get the one-seed, the Bears get the two-seed, the Eagles get the three-seed and the Falcons get the fifth-seed (as the top wild card).

I don't feel so good.

Now to the simple scenarios that my feeble human mind can wrap it's head around. There is but one scenario for the Eagles to get the #2 seed. Eagles beat Minnesota and Dallas, and Green Bay beats Chicago in Week 17. If none of these scenarios happen and the Eagles do not get a bye, they will be a #3 seed where they will face either Green Bay, New York Giants, or Tampa Bay. Want another headache? Here are the Green Bay, New York, and Tampa Bay scenarios!

Green Bay clinches a playoff spot:
1) GB win
2) GB tie + NYG loss or tie + TB loss or tie
3) NYG loss + TB loss

NY Giants clinch a playoff spot:
1) NYG win + GB loss or tie
2) NYG tie + GB loss + TB loss or tie

Tampa Bay clinches a playoff spot:
1) TB win + NYG loss or tie + GB loss or tie
2) TB tie + NYG loss + GB loss

Want to avoid these feelings of nausea, headaches, and weakness? Support a 2010 AFC team.

Your 2010 NFC East Champions, The Philadelphia Eagles!

It was a strange day indeed for the Eagles. The Vikings-Eagles Sunday Night game was postponed to Tuesday night because of the snow storm that is yet to pack any significant punch to warrant a postponement from a league where snow games this time of the year are the norm. But the Eagles did not need to play to clinch a championship and subsequently a spot in the playoffs. They just needed the Giants to lose a game. And the Giants lost. To the Packers. In the kind of fashion you would expect after last Sunday's demoralizing loss. In a year that was supposed to be a re-building year with the Cowboys and Giants duked it out for the top spot, it is the Eagles who have emerged victorious to claim their first NFC Title since 2006.

With the division clinched, the Eagles can focus solely on the Bears and the 1st round bye. If the Eagles win out against Minnesota and Dallas and the Bears lose next week at Green Bay, the Eagles will get the 1st round bye. If the Eagles lose any of their next two games or the Bears beat Green Bay, the Eagles will be locked into the 3-seed, where they will face either the Packers, Buccaneers, Giants, or Saints. If the above 1st round bye scenario comes to fruition on top of the Falcons losing their next two games, the Eagles not only will have a first round bye, they will also have home field advantage throughout the playoffs. For what it's worth, the Falcons next two opponents are the Saints and the lowly Carolina Panthers, both in the Georgia Dome. If the Eagles can't have the bye at all, I would prefer the Bucs, followed by the Giants, the Packers, and lastly the Saints, who I do not want to see at all in the wildcard round.

Eagles Week 1 Recap: It's Beginning To Feel Like 1990

The game that opened the year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the last Eagles NFL championship more resembled a game to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Body Bag Game. Leonard Weaver tore his ACL on this gruesome play, Jamaal Jackson is done for the year with a torn bicep, Kevin Kolb suffered a concussion, Stewart Bradley suffered a concussion, Jason Peters got nicked and missed a few series, Ryan Grant hopped off the field on 1-leg, Justin Harnell suffered a significant injury, Nick Collins got dinged up. I could go on but I think you get the point. Here are the rest of my thoughts on this game in bullet form. I find that I can cover most of my random and assorted thoughts the best with this format.

• Kevin Kolb went 5/10 for 24 yards (5/7 for 24 yards before suffering a concussion) and while the yardage could be better, the completion percentage is not wholly discouraging.  But, Kevin Kolb played 30 minutes of football, threw only 10 passes, 3 of which he threw concussed (more on that in a moment), and all of a sudden people are saying he should not be the QB of the Eagles.  Wait, what?  A guy whom you have groomed for 3 years as McNabb's successor and a guy who you named the starter months in advance should be benched (when he is 100%) after 30 minutes and 10 passes?  Are you people who think that fucking high?  Not to mention Vick was not exactly a picture of great QBing (more on that in a moment).  Kolb is and should be the starter of this team when he is healthy.  End of story.  And yes, if he is cleared by the doctors, Kevin Kolb will start Week 2.  Start Vick over a healthy Kevin Kolb and your franchise has no future.
• Because tomorrow will be a "EAGLES SHOULD HAVE NEVER TRADED DONOVAN MCNABB WAHHHHHHHH!" day, I need to say that the Eagles absolutely did the right thing in trading McNabb.  It is right then.  It is right now.  And it will be right 5 years in the future.  Donovan McNabb was no longer fit with the Eagles.  He had lost that locker room, he is not a leader like the Eagles and their fans wanted in their QB.  Heck, McNabb is not a leader period.  The fans were tired of him, and I think most importantly, he was tired of Philadelphia.  He may have had a great relationship in Reid, but is it a coincidence that he dropped some weight and looks re-invigorated now that he is in Washington?  McNabb is McNabb.  He is an above average QB who throws bullets, makes some, misses badly on others, and keeps his INT total low.  Kolb may or may not pan out, but Donovan McNabb was never leading this Eagles team to a Super Bowl. (Update:  Even if you include passes after the concussion, Kolb finished with a better completion percentage than Donovan McNabb, who was 15/32 for 171 yards; typical McNabb, though he does look in better shape and a bit re-invigorated since the trade).
• I make a note of the first 2 things because the counter to them will be heard all over Philly tomorrow.  It will be embarrassing.
• Andy Reid used Vick far too often early in the game.  Using Vick that often that early in Kolb's 1st game as a Day 1 starter surely did nothing but hinder Kolb and contribute to his lackluster beginning.
• Michael Vick made the biggest mistake of the game.  Down 27-17 and in a 3rd and goal situation, Michael Vick dropped back to pass, avoided pressure, and got free.  He had 5 options:  Throw the ball to a wide open Jeremy Maclin for a sure fire touchdown, throw the ball to a wide open Brent Celek for a sure fire touchdown, throw the ball to a wide open (and incredibly dreamy) Riley Cooper for a touchdown, run straight ahead for a sure fire touchdown, and force the ball to a double covered DeSean Jackson flailing his arms aimlessly cause he simply thinks he is open.  Guess which option Vick chose?  If you said the last option, the only option where the play would not have resulted in a touchdown, you guessed correct.  It arguably cost the Eagles the game.
• The Eagles had 0 injuries heading into this week's game.  I think that is the last time we'll be saying that about this team.
• Bobby April is supposed to be one of the best special teams coaches in the league.  You wouldn't know it by watching the Eagles special teams performance tonight.  Beyond atrocious.
• This Eagle team was ravaged by injury.  They were down 27-10.  It looked hopeless.  But they fought back both offensively and defensively and nearly tied a game they had no business being in.  This team showed an incredible amount of heart.  That can take them places in future games.
• As bad as this game was, I do not think it is a stretch to suggest that given the Giants game and the 1st 3 quarters of the Dallas-Washington game that the Eagles played the best football of the 4 NFC East teams.
• Then again, losing Weaver and Jamaal Jackson for the year and Bradley and Kolb for an unknown period of time will make it hard for them to be the best of the 4 for a continued amount of time.  Those are some key players for this team.  Bradley's role on this defense cannot be underscored.  If I was in a corner and could only choose 1 of Bradley and Kolb to be back next week and play the Detroit Lions, I would choose Bradley.
• Outside of the aforementioned bad play, Mike Vick did have a really impressive game in the 2nd half.  He looked competent, put up good numbers, and his running ability has improved immensely.  His arm has never been anything to brag about and in typical Vick passion, did miss some throws he could have easily made, but given what he showed in pre-season, you can color me surprised.  All that being said, you are absolutely crazy if you think he should start over a healthy and medically cleared Kevin Kolb.
• While a healthy Kolb should never be benched for Vick, take a moment to think about this.  How many back-up QBs are there in this league that are better than Mike Vick?
• Kevin Kolb and Stewart Bradley both suffered concussions.  After the hits that caused their concussions, both were looked at by the training staff and both were subsequently allowed to re-enter the game.  Whomever looked at 2 clearly concussed men and said it was okay for them to re-enter the game should be fired.  If it happens once, it is bad but forgivable as no one is perfect.  But twice?  It reeks of incompetence and an inability to diagnose concussions.  And that's dangerous.  Someone needs to lose their job over this.
• What was Andy thinking with that last play call?  A Vick QB draw up the middle out of the shotgun on a 4th and 1?  Talk about predictable.   If Weaver was healthy, he should have gotten the ball there.  Sure that is predictable as well, but who is going to stop a guy like Church Van from getting 1 yard?
• If you must have Vick on that play, it needs to be to the outside on an option.
• Clay Matthews is a beast.  End of story.
• Mike Vick likes controversy!  This is him after the game:  ""I feel like if I had been out there for four quarters, maybe we would have had a chance to win the game."  You had a chance to win this game.  You and your coach blew it.  Kolb had a good pre-season.  Vick had a horrible one.  Kolb has been named the starter since Day 1 post-McNabb trade.  Vick has been Andy Reid's toy.  Vick believes he can still be a starter in the NFL.  Vick does not realize that as good as his legs may be, his arm is far too inconsistent for any contending team to ever consider starting him.
• Even with the injuries, I would step away from the panic button.  The Eagles next 2 games are against the Detroit Lions and the Jacksonville Jaguars.  They have the time and the place to work out the kinks and get adjusted to playing without Jamaal Jackson and Leonard Weaver and time to find out what works and what doesn't.   The injuries are bad, but the position they find themselves in is not the worst in the world.  There is a tendency in Philadelphia to overreact.  Let's all take a breath and step away from the panic button and reflect on what really happened.  A young Eagles team played a Super Bowl contender, suffered injuries on an unprecedented level, and only lost by 7 points.  That's not terrible.

2010 NFL Season Week 1 Live Blog: Capricorn (A Brand New Name)

"So I run, hide, tear myself up Start again with a brand new name."

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE WEEK 1 LIVE BLOG!

NFL Week 1 Schedule

Football season is just 3 days away from starting! Just like last year, I will be posting the schedules and the links to the506 maps for the games each week. Also just like last year, the games I will be getting on cable here at Bloomsburg will be put in bold.

Thursday Night Kickoff

Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints 8:30 (NBC - Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth)

Map of who gets what CBS game

Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots 1:00 (CBS - Jim Nantz and Phil Simms)
Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans 1:00 (CBS - Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf)
Oakland Raiders vs. Tennessee Titans 1:00 (CBS - Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts)
Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars 1:00 (CBS - Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots)
Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills 1:00 (CBS - Gus Johnson and Steve Tasker)
Cleveland Browns vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00 (CBS - Spero Dedes and Rich Gannon)

Map of who gets what Fox early game

Carolina Panthers vs. New York Giants 1:00 (Fox - Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa)
Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers 1:00 (Fox - Dick Stockton, Jim Mora, Jr., and Charles Davis)
Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears 1:00 (Fox - Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick)

Map of who gets what Fox late game

Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles 4:15 (Fox - Joe Buck and Troy Aikman)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks 4:15 (Fox - Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan)
Arizona Cardinals vs. St. Louis Rams 4:15 (Fox - Ron Pitts and John Lynch)

Sunday Night Football

Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins 8:20 (NBC - Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth)

Monday Night Football

Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Jets 7:00 (ESPN - Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden)
San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs 10:15 (ESPN - Brad Nessler and Trent Dilfer)