NFL Week 16 Live Blog

It is Christmas Eve and for the Eagles, it will be the most tension filled afternoon of the season.  If the Jets could make an emergency trade for Michael Bush, I'd appreciate it greatly.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO LIVE BLOG!*

*If you got an email from me, please disregard it.  As I am sure you have seen, both Mookie and I sent live blog emails at around the exact same time.  Even creepier, we then notified each other that we both sent live blogs at the same time at the exact same time.  After one of us finally got a word in edgewise without the other repeating the same thought verbatim at the same time, it was agreed that Mookie would host this live blog.  If you clicked my live blog first and got worried because I deleted it, please, do not worry.  Just click on Mookie's invitation and go over there.  If you did not get an email and want to comment, click the above link and follow Mookie's instructions.  

NFL Week 15 Live Blog

The Eagles 2011 Season is now in the hands of the Redskins and the Raiders.  This can't end well.

NFL Week 15 Schedule

Nothing left to do now but hope that by the time 4:15 rolls around on Sunday afternoon, the Eagles still have a chance.  Go Buccaneers!  Go Redskins!  In case one of the Sunday afternoon games is a blowout, hurray for me being home for the next month and hurray my brother being a Vikings fan and forcing my family to shell out way too much money for Sunday Ticket!

Thursday Night Football

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons  8:20 (NFL Network - Brad Nessler and Mike Mayock, SR: Alex Flanagan)

A Special Saturday Night Edition Of Thursday Night Football

Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers  8:20 (NFL Network - Brad Nessler and Mike Mayock, SR: Alex Flanagan)

Maps of who gets what Sunday afternoon games

Fox games

Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants  1:00 (Fox - Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, SR: Pam Oliver)

Green Bay Packers vs. Kansas City Chiefs  1:00 (Fox - Kenny Albert and Daryl Johnston, SA: Tony Siragusa)

New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings  1:00 (Fox - Dick Stockton and John Lynch)

Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears  1:00 (Fox - Chris Myers and Tim Ryan)

Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans  1:00 (Fox - Ron Pitts and Charles Davis)

Detroit Lions vs. Oakland Raiders  4:05 (Fox - Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick, SR: Laura Okmin)

CBS early games

Cincinnati Bengals vs. St. Louis Rams  1:00 (CBS - Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf)

Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts  1:00 (CBS - Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts)

Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills  1:00 (CBS - Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots)

America's Game Of The Week and other CBS late games

New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos  4:15 (CBS - Jim Nantz and Phil Simms)

New York Jets vs. Philadelphia Eagles  4:15 (CBS - Marv Albert and Rich Gannon)

Cleveland Browns vs. Arizona Cardinals  4:15 (CBS - Bill Macatee and Steve Tasker)

Sunday Night Football

Baltimore Ravens vs. San Diego Chargers  8:20 (NBC - Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth, SR: Michele Tafoya)

Monday Night Football

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. San Francisco 49ers  8:30 (ESPN - Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden, SR: John Sutcliffe)

The Most Disgusting AFC Championship Game Ever

First up, during the opening drive of the game, Mark Sanchez was spotted on the sidelines by the CBS cameras picking a booger and wiping it on Mark Brunell's jaket.



And during the final series of the game when Ben Roethlisberger took his first knee, Rashard Mendenhall felt it necessary to give Ben a little payback for all his alleged rapings.



Nothing says celebrating an AFC Championship game quite like dry humping your quarterback.

I'll have more on the Green Bay-Pittsburgh Super Bowl as we get closer to the day, including my official prediction.

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 Sunday Live Blog

Leave comments and don't troll

2011 NFL Playoffs Wild Card Saturday Live Blog

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE LIVE BLOG!

Dan Dierdorf Does Not Enjoy Streaking Fans

This video is all sorts of funny for so many reasons.



I now eagerly anticipate everyone saying that all New York fans are crazy drunks, just like Philly fans. After all, the same was true about Philadelphia fans once they had idiots running onto the field at Citizens Bank Park. New York Jets fans are going to get the same treatment because of this one dumb drunken idiot, no?

Tomorrow's Pre-Season Game Will Feature Sean McDermott Locked In A Battle Of Wits With....Whoa! That Can't Be Right!

There is unorthodox play-calling, and then there is the Jets gameplan for tomorrow night's final pre-season against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Jets normal offensive coordinator will experience somewhat of a night off tomorrow night. No, not because he is going to be dealing with back-ups and bubble players, but because he will be sharing time as the Jets offensive coordinator tomorrow night, instead of doing it alone like normal. His co-offensive coordinator, you ask? Mark Sancehz! Yes, it is that Mark Sanchez. Yes, this is apparently a serious deal with Rex Ryan. From ESPN New York.

The idea, of course, is to expose Sanchez to a different aspect of the game, giving him a coach's perspective on why and how certain plays are called. It's a clever way of doing things. Ryan said he used to do it in Baltimore on defense, letting LB Ray Lewis and S Ed Reed call plays in the preseason. They gave it up, he said, when they realized it's not as easy as it looks.

While I think this might be a good idea in theory, I am curious as to how it will play out. Some players are fighting for their job and if they look bad because Mark Sanchez called a slant route instead of a run up the middle on 3rd and 1, I am not sure if said players will be too pleased that their future came down to Mark Sanchez calling a bad play. Then again, watching it from an Eagles perspective could be downright hilarious. Hey, if nothing else, at least this will prevent the game from being a total snoozer as most 4th pre-season games are, right?

Pre-Season Week 4 Schedule

Good news: It is the last week of pre-season football! Bad news: It is the most dull game of the bunch! The Eagles are facing the Jets this week, in a tradition that dates back as far as I can remember. If it is Week 4 of the pre-season, it is the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets. Roster spots are on the line for the Eagles, but I am not sure if you are going to see anyone start play in this game that will be a Week 1 starter, unless Todd Herremans or Jamaal Jackson treat this game as an extra rehab game and are then chosen to start Week 1 against Green Bay. So now, without further ado, the pre-season Week 4 schedule!

Thursday, September 2

Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions 6:30
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts 7:00
New England Patriots vs. New York Giants 7:00 (NFL Network)
Carolina Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 7:30
New York Jets vs. Philadelphia Eagles 7:30
Atlanta Falcons vs. Jacksonville Jaguars 7:30
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans 8:00
New Orleans Saints vs. Tennessee Titans 8:00
Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns 8:00
Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings 8:00
Miami Dolphins vs. Dallas Cowboys 8:00
Green Bay Packers vs. Kansas City Chiefs 8:00
Baltimore Ravens vs. St. Louis Rams 8:00
San Diego Chargers vs. San Francisco 49ers 10:00
Washington Redskins vs. Arizona Cardinals 10:00 (NFL Network)
Seattle Seahawks vs. Oakland Raiders 10:00

Today In Funny Videos: Antonio Cromartie Remembers His Children And Andy Burton Likes Young Boys

Too unintentionally funny videos for the price of 1!

First up, it's Antonio Cromartie on last night's episode of Hard Knocks. By all accounts, Cromartie is a playa. He has 8 children, all of whom are 5 or younger and 4 of whom are currently 3-years old. Yeah. Like I said, Cromartie is a playa. But that's not the funny part. The comedy comes into play when Cromartie tries to remember the names and ages of all his kids on camera.



I guess when you have that many kids by as many women as he probably has them by and you have several cases against you, I guess kids names and ages can be a difficult thing to remember? I don't know.

Fact: There is a Swiss soccer team named BSC Young Boys. And while you can probably twist into a perverted quote just about anything a broadcaster mentions about "Young Boys," this quote by Sky Sports Reporter Andy Burton needs no twisting or taking out of context to be unintentionally gross and perverted.



Most sexual predators would probably argue that Young Boys are actually quite easy to beat.

(Hat tip to Keith's Sports Journal and Stupid Sideline Reporters)

You Should Watch Hard Knocks

If you didn't watch the debut episode of Hard Knocks: Training Camp of the New York Jets I highly suggest reading my review of the first episode. If you need a single reason to watch this year's version of Hard Knocks, it's Rex Ryan. Sexy Rexy is more than enough for you to watch Hard Knocks or at least steal HBO for you can watch this show.



Sailors think Rex Ryan uses the F-Word a lot.

Follow me on Twitter at KSJ49

VIDEO OF EPICNESS: Giants Stadium Press Box Goes Boom

With the opening of Meadowlands Stadium this fall as the new venue for the Giants and the Jets, it is time to say goodbye to the old Giants Stadium. And in saying goodbye to Giants Stadium, it is necessary to tear it down. The first thing to go: the press box. I am pretty sure this is the most epic demolition video ever.



Now that's cool. I am not sure if there are any houses or anything in the area, but I have a hard time imagining that when the press box finally hit the ground, it did not create quite the ruckus in the surrounding neighborhoods, if any exist. Regardless, that was seriously one of the most dramatic collapses I have ever seen. Well done to the boys who put that whole thing together.

Eagles 2010 Pre-Season Schedule

Fresh off the presses! Just announced! It is the 2010 Philadelphia Eagles pre-season schedule. Want to know who the Eagles will in meaningless football games? See below!

Week 1: August 13: vs. Jacksonville 7:30 (ETN)
Week 2: August 20: @ Cincinnati 8:00 (Fox)
Week 3: August 27: @ Kansas City 8:00 (ETN)
Week 4: September 2: vs. New York Jets 7:30 (ETN)

Now as far who the starting QB will be in those games remains a mystery right now. As I tweeted last night, there have been almost daily rumors about Donovan McNabb getting traded. If this was all bullshit and if there really were no plans to trade McNabb, the rumors would have been shot down by now. The Eagles organization would have said something. As of now, the only thing they said on the matter were listening to offers. And as far as the crazy notion goes that this is all somehow disrespectful to Donovan McNabb? Dan Levy as you covered with the rebuttal. Basically (and I agree whole-heartedly with his assessment) none of this is at all disrespectful for McNabb. Read this write-up and listen to his 30-minute podcast on the deal as it is quite refreshing to hear someone intelligent discuss McNabb in Philly.

The Legend Of Brett Favre Drew Brees, Garrett Hartley, And The New Orleans Saints

What. A. Game.

That may have been one of the most thrilling championship games I have ever seen. From the "Legend of Brett Favre" to the Legend of New Orleans and what that city has been through for the past 4 and a half years after Hurricane Katrina, this game had all the drama you could ever ask for. And oh yeah, the game itself was a mistake-laden thriller. My heart was in my throat for a good part of that 4th quarter and all of OT. It was that good.

So what went down? The Vikings had a chance. Brett Favre. The 2-minute drill. He has made his career of being a hero during this part of the game. But in the 2008 NFC title game, he threw an INT that cost himself the game. Surely with this chance, he would get the job done, right?

It started out right. The Vikes got to the Saints 33 with the Saints out of timeouts and a minute on the clock. Inexplicably they called not one but 2 running plays that went absolutely nowhere. Followed that up with a 5-yard, too many men in the huddle penalty, and all of a sudden, they were out of Longwell's range. With no choice but to throw it on 3rd and long just to get back to field goal range and 18 seconds left on the clock, the unthinkable happened.



Picked off! Are you kidding me?? Brett Favre did it again!

But that only sent the game into OT. The Vikings were idiots and called heads, which allowed the Saints to receive the ball and after several somewhat controversial replays and a bad pass interference call, it all came down to Garrett Hartley. Historically snakebitten football team. The Aints. Hurricane Katrina. Here's the payoff:



Right down the middle! The New Orleans Saints are going to Super Bowl XLIV.

And as a result, for the first time ever, a former Bloomsburg University Husky will be playing in the Super Bowl. Congratulations Jahri Evans, Pro Bowl right guard for the New Orleans Saints! I will have a lot more on that tomorrow, as will I also have a breakdown of scheduling for the next couple of weeks.

As far as the Saints opponent goes, it is the Indianapolis Colts who took care of the Jets 30-17 in what was a very good game for 3 quarters. But the loss of Donald Strickland early and Shonn Greene at the start of the 2nd half proved too much for the Jets to overcome and the Colts put the final clamp down in the 4th quarter. The Jets hung in there and gave it a heck of a ride for 45 minutes, but the team that kept it up for 60 minutes, the Colts, earned the trip back to Miami where they will play in their 4th ever Super Bowl, all of which just so happened to be played in Miami (Super Bowls III, V, XLI, and XLIV all in Miami).

My way too early prognostication is the Colts will take it in a high scoring game, but before I make a final prediction I want time for the stories to start unfolding, injuries becoming more clear, and more time for match-ups to develop.

Today proved once again why the Conference Championships are my favorite day of the NFL, now let's hope we cap it off with a fun Super Bowl! Manning vs. Brees. Colts vs. Saints. In Miami, trick.

Conference Championship Games Live Blog

Is over at Keith's Sports Journal. See you there and don't be a troll!

AFC Championship Game Preview

What: Super Bowl III rematch
Who: The New York Jets and the Indianapolis Colts
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium
When: 3:00 PM ET
What Channel: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, SR: Steve Tasker

For the first time since Super Bowl III, the Jets are playing the Colts in a championship game, and while Lucas Oil Stadium is now Orange Bowl, it should prove to be a similar game in terms of defense and low-scoring. If you want points, that will be for the NFC game which I will post a little later in the night, but for now, here is my breakdown of what will be the first of two championship games this Sunday.

Did The Colts Put The Jets In This Position? I'll answer that one with a simple no, they did not. Yes, I am aware of what happened on Week 16 with Peyton sitting in the 2nd half, it has been beaten into our heads ad nauseum, but you've got to consider the fact that for starters, the Jets hung in during the first half when Peyton was playing. They may not have had the lead at the end of the half, but the Jets were right in that game, thus they were in a very good position to win that game once Peyton did take a seat. And secondly, the Colts did not beat the Bengals, the Bengals, and the Chargers for the Jets. The Jets did that. Yes, the Bengals put in J.T. O'Sullivan in the 2nd half of that one, but the Jets already had a firm lead, were going to win anyway, and did not need Just Turnovers to give them more points.

Then, it was game on in the playoffs and the Jets took care of the Bengals and then they went on the road in San Diego and became the only road team last week to win. And while it may have been a surprise at the beginning of the year that the Jets are in the AFC title game, it should come as no surprise now. When they survived the AFC clusterfuck and made the playoffs, I said right off the bat that they would be the team to watch out for in my podcast, and what do you know, they are here. Why? Because they are built like the teams that have had success in the last decade. They have a dominant defense and a solid ground game that really pounds the ball. Just look at the 2000 Ravens, the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 2005 Steelers, among others. They all won championships without a big name QB, an incredible defense, and a powerful running game featuring Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene.. That's what the Jets have this year.

Mark Sanchez: The Jets have proven that Mark Sanchez does not need to be great in order to win football games. Sanchez has to do one thing and one thing alone, not make the big mistake. If Sanchez avoids costly mistakes and turnovers, you can bet your bottom dollar that the Jets will be in this game in the 4th quarter.

Peyton Manning And The Colts Offense: Peyton has been in championship games before, but never has he been up against a corner quite like Darrelle Revis. Revis has been a lockdown corner all post-season long and if he continues to be so, Peyton Manning could find himself struggling. That being said, this is Peyton Manning we are talking about. He is a machine and if there is anyone that is capable of solving Revis and finding ways to pick apart a good defense, it is Peyton Manning. Even with mostly young receivers such as Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, the Colts passing game has not missed a beat, even if the running game has been close to nonexistent from Joseph Addai.

X-Factor: Special teams. In a game expected to be a defensive struggle, the team that can make the plays on special teams will certainly be at a more decisive edge. As far as who that team will be, frankly, I can't tell you, but I'm telling you, special teams will play a major role in this conference championship game.

Prediction This will not be a high-scoring thriller, but in the end, even though I think the Jets will keep it close throughout, Manning will get the job done in the 4th quarter and force Sanchez to make passes in the 4th quarter; passes that he won't be able to make. Colts 21-17.

(Coming up later tonight: NFC Championship Game Preview)

Your Conference Championship Schedule

The NFL's version of the final 4 and my personal favorite day of the NFL. 2 championship games in the amount of time that you can see one two weeks from that day. The drama is always high, the pressure is always on, and memorable moments are bound to happen. So what does the schedule look like? Well, here ya go. (all times eastern)

2010 AFC Championship Game: #5 New York Jets @ #1 Indianapolis Colts 3:00 (CBS - Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, SR: Steve Tasker)

2010 NFC Championship Game: #2 Minnesota Vikings @ #1 New Orleans Saints 6:40 (Fox - Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, SR: Pam Oliver and Chris Myers)

If changes are made, I'll be sure to update them here.

Who will be going to Miami to play for professional football's greatest prize?

I'll have more elaborate previews of these games later in the week.