Carey

Maybe Baltimore should sign Antonio Brown. It's best if the Ravens and Cleveland get a head start toward the golf course. That way, any further injuries would not work their way into the 2022 season. Furthermore, the regular season lasting close to the middle of January is pathetic. I don't see anyway or any reason for Jacksonville to beat Indianapolis. It does nothing to benefit the Jaguars, period. The Ravens, unlike the Steelers and Browns, had a reason for their fall, for the most part. I wonder if they'll go hard in the preseason again, but while injuries are part of football, this many is not cool, whether one is a fan or not

That Fiesta Bowl was just pure and gorgeous. The only thing that went wrong with that meltdown was that Brian Kelly wasn't on the sidelines to deal with the pain & agony

ITA. Sure Tampa did so last year, but as mentioned, even with the chance of the weather being even worse this year, there will be fans this time around. Furthermore, the Bucs are not as hot and great this time around; they probably won't even get to Lambeau!

But was it in NOLA when it happened? I think the concern would be hotel space. Yep. Both in 2002 & in 2013 (but not in 2005). Mardi Gras was 2 days removed from Super Bowl XXXIX. That year, Jacksonville hosted, and I was a total mess two days later in New York, but not because of the result; it was Mardi Gras. The dates in 2002 and 2013 were a perfect match based on the day each day fell on the calendar. To best be clear, they correspond; EX: February 3rd was a Sunday in both years, Good Friday was on 3/29 in both years, and the year started and ended on a Tuesday. My guess, and based off of some comments I think, was that the NFL and company remembered the "mess" and didn't want to repeat it. Whatever. FWIW, who knows how the Pandemic will factor two years plus from now

No & Yes. New Orleans is scheduled the host it a year later (Super Bowl 59 in 2025 for the 2024 season). Ash Wednesday is always 46 calendar days before Easter. It is what it is. It didn't stop them in the past from having the Big Game so close to Mardi Gras. Happed twice in the past 20 years

That's concerning for Stefanski, especially if you factor in the booster; it's his second time in less than a year. TBH, throughout the league, and all of sports, and all of life, this pandemic, the part we're in, is concerning, period.

Even better. Over 100. Or 151+. That way, he can break two records in the World's Most Famous Arena!!

It took just over one minute to tie it, and about 4:32 to break it!

Tough loss for Arizona, but necessary win for Los Angeles! Pretty good game nonetheless. Looked like Arizona was on the way early for the season sweep, then the Rams moved the score up to a huge lead real quick in the second half. The Cards were pretty close toward achieving a tie to get to overtime, but fell 30-23 to their division rival. The Cardinals have been rolling for most of the season & really are in no danger of missing the playoffs with 4 games left, most of which are winnable games. However, they fail to be the first team to clinch a postseason berth. Arizona, Green Bay, and Tampa Bay are tied for first place in the NFC, with the Packers currently in first place off of tiebreakers due to a better conference record, while the Bucs are second place currently thanks to defeating better teams than what the Cardinals have faced this season (SOV). If all three win out, the road to SoFi Stadium will go through Lambeau in the NFC. It would be the second time in as many years that Green Bay gets the top seed. Unlike last year, it should benefit the Packers with a full slate of fans. The only roadblock I see for the Packers is this Sunday at Baltimore. The good news for them is Lamar not being 100%. Regardless, if Green Bay can escape with a victory at M&T Bank Stadium, the top spot would be theirs to lose. If they lose, then I think it’ll go to Tampa. Unless Arizona beats Dallas on the road, but then it may come down to strength of victory. I have to check the common opponents to see if it would qualify (if so, it would benefit the Buccaneers since I don’t see then losing to Carolina at all, but Tampa lost to the Rams). Arizona could surpass Tampa in terms of SOV (strength of victory) since the latter’s remaining opponents are flat out awful. Arizona still has Indy (which could be a loss come to think of it) and Dallas. Those are pretty good teams with decent records, but the Cards have Detroit which would alter any decent chance they have of pull ahead of Tampa Bay. At the end of the day, I think Tampa wins out (though New Orleans has had their number in non-playoff games), Green Bay might win out, but Arizona might not with a couple tough games against the Cowboys and Colts. Might split those two but still a lot to be determined

Grass is green. In other news, Bryce Young is the 2021 Heisman Trophy Winner. Plus, my pick of Army over Navy is not a spoiler, but just a prediction since they have to play the game. Navy ATS though; I think they can keep it close. Kenny Pickett was a glorified dream to win it this year. Got pimped somewhat, while Alabama was struggling. He actually was putting up great numbers, but Young actually did well. Yeah, I guess Mac Jones played better last year, but when Adams wasn't available for Bryce, you'd have to factor all of that IMO. Didn't help that PITT played opposite the Big 10 title game

Thursday's game really doesn't matter, since neither team is going anywhere. That's a shame for Minnesota. All those Super Bowl appearances, and not even one title in the half-century plus history of the Super Bowl era. You'd think they would've been the team play the big game in their home stadium, but it so didn't work out. I think the Vikings will win. It looks like the perfect spot to toss Zimmer, so a win would spare Mike until the end of the season. Speaking of mid-season stuff, not counting Vegas, it's the first season, I believe, in nine years where no HC was let go within the season. Not that it can't happen in the next 4 weeks, but it's been the norm for the past several years

Actually, he'll be 29 in three months and change

The Patriots revamped their roster after last year. All the money they spent on free agents is paying off. The Patriots usually struggle in the beginning of the season and get stronger as the season progresses. Really if you think about it, New England had the pieces to compete last year. It didn't work out because a ton of their players opted out of the 2020 season. While they finished with a losing record, they probably should not have (though 8-8 and/or 9-7 wouldn't have been enough to get them to January even with seven teams) I might be misinterpreting your post, but the Cincinnati game that got moved up to 4:25 was the one where they're hosting San Francisco. You'd think in a game where the winning team scored 41 points at Paul Brown Stadium for the second consecutive week would do so to the point where the game was over and done with at 3:45 - 3:50 PT EST! Speaking of Bungles/Niners, BTW, I'm only speaking for myself, but the NFL moving that game for no reason is total crap. I might be okay with it by Wednesday, but probably not. I guess when people can be stupid & rich, these things happen. FWIW, 17 games is weird too, though it gives a team the chance at an even 20-0. Meh; after 41 years of 16 games, there were only 7 teams (around a half percent when you total everything) that won 15 games or more, 4 made the Super Bowl, with a .500 record amongst those teams in the big game. I do imagine this the prelude for the owners and the NFL to get to an even 18 games, and despite the CBA, I think it'll definitely happen before the 2026 season. Anyway, ITA about the season ending on 01/09/2022. The extra game is what it is, but they totally could've started before Labor Day. What is even more annoying is that the NFLPA didn't even do much of anything to make sure that they were taken care of (i.e. much more expansive roster & an extra bye). How they didn't pull for a Sunday off before a Thursday game is baffling (unless they did). Not that the league is obligated to care about the schedule of their fans, but as a sports fan, I do enjoy starting a new year with the postseason, and furthermore, I like a nice break between the Super Bowl and Selection Sunday. Looks like eventually they'll end up being back-to-back

On Sunday, December 5th, 2021 at 12:27 PM EST, the eighth College Football Playoff has been set. Alabama, back to a familiar spot, will “host” Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve, while Michigan will “host” Georgia in the Orange Bowl on the same date. No kickoff times yet, but I guess the Orange Bowl precede the Cotton Bowl 3 weeks from Friday as of this post. Alabama regains its outright record in terms of CFB Playoff appearances (after Clemson tied them in 2019). Georgia, the second ever SEC team to participate in the playoff, is making their second appearance. Michigan & Cincinnati are the 12th and 13th different team participating in the College Football Playoff since its inception in 2014. Michigan is the third Big 10 team participating, while Cincinnati is the first Group of Five team as mentioned several times everywhere. As a result of that, College Football has its sixth different conference representation. Naturally, Cincinnati was a part of a Big 6 conference when the Big East was a big deal prior to early in the last decade when the Big East split to the ACC, the AAC, and the New College Hoops Big East. As for the other four New Years Six bowl games, including the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl, those are slated to be announced around 2:30 PT EST. I’m guessing the Rose Bowl is all but set with Utah vs Ohio State. Pittsburgh likely Peach Bowl Bound since the Orange Bowl is a semi final this year. Ole Miss should or could be Sugar Bowl Bound, and maybe Baylor to the Fiesta Bowl. Everything else will be disclosed by the end of the weekend. That includes the rest of the rankings and the complete 42 or so bowl games. Finally, Bryce Young's win next Saturday the Heisman announcement for the 2021 winner will occur on Saturday, December 11th, 2021. That is 30 days before the National Championship on Monday January 11, 2022 on ESPN

Well, ESPN is revealing them in reverse. There is no drama this year, but history is now official. Actually, the drama is Bama vs UM for the top spot Playoff seeds (Alabama vs. Cincinnati & Michigan vs Georgia). Notre Dame & Ohio State finished 5th and 6th, respectively. Probably became all but official the second Cincy was revealed as 4th

It will be 1. Alabama 2. Michigan 3. Georgia 4. Cincinnati (If Michigan takes care of business). It'll probably be ND at 4 if Michigan blows it. It's either that or Michigan, Alabama, Cincinnati, and then Georgia. Notre Dame losing its Head Coach probably didn't help, but fortunately it is a moot point. Ditto with the seedings since the matchups will be the same. The only concern is the fact that Alabama jumping Michigan gives the former a shot at playing in Miami (or not)

I don't think Cincy will get killed by Alabama in 4 weeks. Might be difficult to get killed by the Tide if Michigan does the deed in advance!

Utah is their kryptonite. Naturally, Ohio State has a chance (but not a great one) to pummel Utah in four weeks. Well, unlike Utah, Oklahoma State, who had more prestigious destinations than the Fiesta Bowl, couldn't emulate what they did to their championship finalist foe. No CFB playoff for the Cowboys, and no Fiesta Bowl either. They could be okay for a NY Six spot, but that will be tough. Baylor might get Houston if they can pull off the upset. Michigan should win against Iowa, but right now I will not be shocked if they lose. Iowa has a great defense. IMO, unless it's absurd, I'll go for the O/U. Alabama I think can win ATS, but not outright. Georgia is too good and should make the Tide regret losing to A&M. I will not be surprised at all if Pittsburgh loses despite yours truly thinking they'll win (since their defense is more of a threat than Wake Forest). Well, Cincinnati, Georgia, Pittsburgh, and Michigan FTW. Probably means I'll go 2-4 at best

Well, since Georgia and Alabama are playing each other, one of them is guaranteed to lose. That's right. However, I didn't include Georgia in the conversation because their spot in the playoff is pretty much a done deal. If the Bulldogs were to fall to 5th place, IMO, it would be due to losing 73-0 or something like that, coupled with Michigan, Cincinnati, and Oklahoma State shutting out their combination with the same or similar margin. I doubt the Bulldogs would fall out since the committee would view their performance as not needing to give it their all (especially since it's against Alabama). BTW, the Tide only has a 98% chance to reach the playoff with a win, which was a bit surprising. Not sure what would keep them out if they beat Georgia in the SEC Title Game, but I guess nothing's 100% or 0% until everything's complete

Dallas for the win was probably the easiest pick of the year. In other words, there's nothing easy "picking Dallas" however this year has been rather weird in terms of winner and losers. Last year was what it was, but with several people missing time due to testing positive, someone that's slated to win in January will not win. I hope the NFL does what it takes to make sure that it doesn't occur. They did well last season when things were worse (though there were no fans in several places). As for New Orleans, I wonder what Sean Payton's fate will be at season's end. On one hand, it would be messed up if he got kicked out (with all the injuries). On the other hand, if Mrs. Benson decided to boot him it would be fair enough due to the lack of postseason success with Drew as the face of the organization

In addition to that, Old Takes Exposed recently posted a post that pimped the Tampa Bay Bucs as being 100% vaccinated. Coaches, Players, Staff. Everybody

Plus, there's still Texas A&M, Arkansas, and Ole Miss Georgia is still number one. They will be the first of 4 teams headed to the College Football Playoff. It should be close to business as usual; chaos happens, but I'd be stunned if everyone loses (Alabama, Michigan, Cincinnati). Top 10 includes: Georgia, Michigan, Alabama, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Baylor, Oregon, Cincinnati

Now Official

Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy Tested Positive For Covid; Out For TNF Against The Saints

While Kliff is doing well & has Arizona rising to the occasion, The Cards sorta have to call his bluff here. It might work & Kingsbury gets a raise. However, they still need to do something in the postseason to warrant that. FWIW, it's a good fit in Oklahoma, but maybe in a couple years, if the Sooners position is available & the Cardinals have a significant setback, he could return here. In the meantime, I don't see how he's leaving to go back to college in 2022, even at Oklahoma. Especially when they can't be super dominant in the Big XII during their final years before the almighty SEC