At first, I didn’t panic. I mean, everyone knew that this game wasn’t going to be easy for New England. Although, I don’t think anyone thought that it was going to be as awful as it was either. But like I said, I didn’t panic…at first. In fact, I somehow managed to keep calm for most of the first half despite Brady’s interception, numerous ‘three-n-outs,’ and all the other horrible plays/drives (both offensively and defensively). It wasn’t until Brady and company got the ball back with one minute left in the second quarter and Brady took a knee instead of making an attempt to score before half time that my blood pressure started to rise.
By the end of the night Brady had two interceptions (three if you want to count the one that was reversed thanks to a defensive penalty), and zero (none! zip! zilch!) passing touchdowns. As for yards – well, he was under 300 and I believe he had his worst QBR of the season. Not that Brady didn’t do a lot of things right, he did. But the Ravens made it extremely difficult for him and his wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs to do much of…well…anything (I’m pretty sure that Welker and Hernandez were held to under or close to a mere 50 yards). There were hiccups in other areas as well, specifically when Danny Woodhead fumbled on a return in the worst possible moment. New England’s defense, though? Damn! They actually saved the game! Wilfork! Sterling Moore! Spikes! Sure, Sterling Moores save has caused a bit of controversy in the post game aftermath, but it was called and the call was defended by the league after the game so…
Just like last week’s Denver game I’m expecting a fight, although I was oh so very wrong to have expected Denver to put up a fight. Anyways, New England should be fighting for well, redemption again. This time for the pitiful playoff game two seasons ago against the Ravens. That was a pathtic game.
Well, hello! Welcome to the weekend. Lots to cover today…
So, this is old news but…”Tebowmania” (and, you know, Denver’s season) came to an end last Saturday, as did the Saints’ season (thanks to the 49ers and best!game!of!the!season! ahem, sorry).
Fair warning: Be prepared for a lot of exclamation marks today!
If you watched both games yesterday, then I’m sure you would agree that the 49ers/Saints game was much more entertaining compared to the New England/Denver game. After watching the SF game this morning, even I can’t disagree with that. Not that the New England/Denver game wasn’t great (it was flippin’ cold, though). I mean, Brady punted! Brady tied an NFL record with his six touchdown throws! Brady threw for 363 yards, a new team franchise record! Brady! Brady! Brady!
Ahem. Sorry.
It wasn’t all about Brady, though. Aaron Hernandez, one of New England’s prized tight ends, was used as a running back! Wait, what? A tight end as a running back? Yup! A nice little piece of BB’s game plan that resulted in 61 yards from five carries! Rob Gronkowski didn’t do all that bad either. Sure, he didn’t play RB, but he did get 145 yards from 10 catches and three of the night’s six touchdowns. But, of course, it all started off with Wes Welker who got the first touchdown only two minutes into the game (alright, I’m sure the fact that they started in no huddle mode helped, but whatever…). Oh and yes, I did see quite a few “staches” in the stands…
As for the defense? Well, last night’s game was probably their best game of the season (you know, in my opinion). Not only did they record five sacks and force a few turnovers, they forced 14 negative plays for Denver. 14!! Thankfully, they didn’t have to worry about defending the pass (New England’s secondary, it…worries me) – Tebow only managed completed three (of ten) passes.
I have a lot of expectations for tonight’s game. First – I expect to see a lot of Welker staches. A lot of Welker staches. And just in case you’re not sure what a Welker stache is, here you go. I also expect to see a stadium full of freezing cold fans, especially those who fulfill Welker’s other wish – no sleeves. Hmm, so the expected temperature tonight is a high of 20. No sleeves? Eeek!
As for the actual game, I expect a fight. New England if fighting for a chance to redeem themselves from their pitiful playoff runs of the past two years. Denver, well, Denver is fighting to prove that not only is Tim Tebow a worthy QB, but the team as a whole is worthy of a shot at the Super Bowl. What I don’t expect is the fact that Josh McDaniels is back in New England to help Brady and company. Sure, McDaniels was the guy who drafted Tebow, but he hasn’t been part of Denver’s offense this year so…
So, let’s just all hope (I would say pray, but, you know) that we don’t see another first half disaster from New England…
Well, hello! Welcome to the weekend. Lots to cover today…
So, this is old news but…the Steelers, Falcons, Lions, and Bengals were eliminated from the playoffs last weekend.
While Kansas City signed a new head coach for next season – Romeo Crennel by the way – Oakland fired theirs, theirs being Hue Jackson. A…bitter Hue Jackson.
The NY Jets had a few coaching changes this week. Assistant head coach and OL coach Bill Callahan resigned to accept the OL coaching position with Dallas. With no where to go (yet), the team also announced that receivers coach Henry Ellard won’t be back with the team either next year. And while it seems pretty obvious that Ellard didn’t leave the team on his own, Brian Schottenheimer’s (offensive coordinator) departure is debatable. Did the Jets tell Schottenheimer to, well, leave on his own or else? Considering how quickly they hired Tony Sparano as his replacement, it certainly looks like it! Oh, and apparently, the team is looking to bring on former KC coach Todd Haley. Hmm…
Hold on a second. Actually, first, let me remind you that I do my best to ignore (most) everything related to Tebow mania. Every once in a while though, something comes up that just can’t be ignored, and the craziness that started circulating after Denver’s win on Sunday couldn’t be ignored. No, really, it couldn’t! I mean, the whole “316″ thing is hilarious – throwing for 316 yards, a QBR of 31.6, oh yeah, and the bible verse John 3:16. Actually, you know…it is kinda…creepy…
Things that make you go “hmmmm.” Well, truth be told, the only thing I’m “hmmm-ing” about is what’s going to happen Saturday night. Denver’s crazy offense has me twitching a bit…
So, are you really confused as to who is playing who, when, and where and all that playoff positioning stuff? I most certainly was, until earlier this afternoon when Mr. Sophie had some sympathy for me and helped me figure it out.
Seeding. It is all based on seeding. Helpful, right? Well, if you know what seeding is. And what it is, essentially, is the order of the six teams from each conference (AFC and NFC). The first four teams are the four division winners (four divisions within each conference). Those four teams are seeded (or ordered) 1 – 4, with the first seed having the best record between the four teams and the fourth seed, well, having the wost record. In addition to the four division winners, there are two teams who make the playoffs as “wild card” teams. Those two teams have the next two best records after the division champs (or so I think, that needs some more digging).
The first of the four playoff weekends, known as Wildcard Weekend, is played by the four teams seeded 3 – 6, with the 3rd seed team playing the 6th seed and the 4th seed team playing the 5th seed. The 3rd and 4th seed teams have home field advantage. The top two teams are given a “bye” week.
In the following weekend’s games (the divisional Playoffs), the top two teams host the two remaining teams from Wildcard Weekend. Who plays who and where follows the same pattern – the 1st seed will host the team from Wildcard weekend who is seeded last. Example! If seeds 4 and 6 make it to the divisional playoffs, the 1st seed will host the 6th seed while the 2nd seed hosts the 4th seed.
See, this makes sense, right?
And now for the disclaimer: I’m not a football expert, nor do I play one on TV. I’m simply sharing the information I’m learning from the following resources: wikipedia and all the 100000000 other sports sites out there on the interweb.
After a two week “hiatus,” the highly anticipated (please, humor me) weekly rewind is back! Exciting, yes? Of course it is!
Starting with the big news from the past few days, Bill O’Brien, New England’s soon to be former offensive coordinator (you know, the one who was seen yelling at Brady a few weeks back?) has been named Penn State’s new head coach. The decision by Penn State to hire O’Brien, though, has generated a lot of…well…negative feelings. Given everything the school has gone through over the past few months, I suppose that the criticism isn’t all that surprising. Oh, and despite the fact that O’Brien was officially introduced by Penn State this morning, he will stay with New England through their playoff run. Of course, New England isn’t waiting ’till their season ends to start looking for a new OC. Apparently Josh McDaniels has already interviewed with the team and is rumored to be headed back to Foxboro before next week’s game.
The playoffs kick-off this weekend and while the pressure is on every wildcard team playing over the next two days, a whole lot of pressure and criticism has been put on Denver’s Tim Tebow. Criticism from not only fans, but his coach and team’s owner. Ouch?!?!
Earlier in the week, after finishing the season at 2-14, Colts owner Jim Irsay fired both Polians. Current head coach Jim Caldwell has yet to learn his future.
One coach who was rumored to be on the “chopping block” for most of the season is now breathing a little sigh of relief. That coach would be San Diego’s Norv Turner who, by some odd miracle, managed to keep his job. Unfortunately, Ram’s coach Steve Spagnuolo and Tampa’s Raheem Morrisweren’t as lucky.
Tis the season! For playoff parties that is. Oh yes, after hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve (remind me to tell you about all of that later. Or not…), I’m prepping for yet another party this weekend. And next weekend, and the weekend after, oh and Superbowl weekend too. Crazy? Ab-so-lutely! But I do this every year and while I am sick of the after party clean-up, there is really no good reason to stop now, especially considering that the holidays have turned me into a wanna-be “Martha Stewart.” And by “wanna-be “Martha Stewart”" I mean I’m armed with a few really good recipes and new ideas for party…stuff.
One of those said recipes and ideas is this probably-not-so-new-to-you-but-new-to-me tortilla chip idea – home made! You see, I’ve been buying store bought chips for my homemade dips for years, and while I’ve never really thought much about it, I’ve been shaking my head ever since trying homemade chips at a friends holiday party wondering why I’ve never thought to make them myself before. Why? Well, probably because they’re extremely time consuming to make. But you know what? Some things are worth the time (and mess, to be honest) and these are soo worth it. The prep is easy, but when you’re making enough chips for a house full of people, well, be prepared to be standing for a very lonnnggg time…
