Carey

Though fans will eventually go back to hating Laettner more since several will forget Grayson existed. Unless Allen does well going forward, but I think the total hate will drift back to Christian in the long-run

Yeah, if Jay Cutler ends up in New York, the Jets wouldn't have to suck for luck. It would just come naturally. Same if Romo goes there

And Atlanta got the weakened version of the Seahawks & Packers (as opposed to the 2013-2014 Seattle & 2010-2011 Green Bay team). We'll see how they'll do against those squads in 2017 if both are healthy

Meh on Victor Cruz. It sucks to see him go, but it's one of those cases where that had to happen early as opposed to late. I think Ben and Eli will be able to co-exist better in Year 2, while they could get better defensively (they were great but not late 2000s/very early 2010s great)

Never got a chance to add to Constantinople's stats; however: The Patriots are undefeated whenever facing a team that features the league MVP. That is, when it's for the NFL Championship. They actually were 5-0 prior to the 2013 AFC Title Game (and 4-0 before the 2006 AFC Title Game). Patriots are undefeated in postseason games played after being the Steelers (at least since Bob Kraft took over). Teams that beat Pittsburgh at home end up winning the Super Bowl if the season was played in a year ending in a six There is a connection between The NFC South non-Super Bowl winners and the two AFC teams that shared the top two spots from 2012-2015 Atlanta lost to Denver (Elway's last year and Manning's first year) in 1998 Carolina lost to Denver (Manning's last year and Elway's first year at an executive champ) in 2015 Carolina lost to New England in Houston in 2003 (New England's first year as top seed) Atlanta lost to New England in Houston in 2016 (New England's last year as top seed to date). That's a statement that's likely to be upheld by this time tomorrow unless it doesn't AFC South had the league MVP in Carolina's Cam Newton last year, and in Atlanta's Matt Ryan this year Looks like I'm sticking with my preseason pick of New England, though my score shifted from 31-27 to 35-31. However, Mack not at 100% is a big deal. One more stat that might help Atlanta is that the last time Pittsburgh lost to New England in Foxborough the Pats foes featured the league MVP. That means Matt Ryan might not win the Super Bowl MVP with a win (although I think he definitely will with a victory; as Desmond isn't walking through that door)

And that game 8 years ago he had the lead due to a missed play on defense that allowed Fitz to score (took the lead). Of course there was the incredible 14-point swing in the previous half of said game

I'm really not going to get upset when Ray gets in next year. Ask me 15 years ago, and I would have stopped watching at the very least. However, I'm over that nonsense that happened. Ray getting in next year and TO possibly being left out would be interesting. Actually it would be interesting if Urlacher got in next year. Nothing against Brian, but that would ruin the credibility of the HOF if he made it (if he gets there in 2019 and/or soon after, I'm okay with that) Ray's situation is rather similar to New England likely getting their 5th title. I would have been bitter a decade ago, but what they do & what they're about is so off the hook that I probably won't lose sleep over the Pats tying San Francisco & Dallas. Bill & Brady were the best even before they won two years ago; now they'll have documented proof of it Speaking of Dallas, same thing. Not upset over Jerry getting in. Jimmy Johnson not in Canton sucks but it really makes a lot of sense if you think about it. Dallas was very, very good when Jones took over 28 years ago, for nearly a decade. They hit a bump for 10 years, then they really turned it around. I realize they haven't make it in January as it relates to the NFL, but compared to almost every other team, they are much better. Most of the franchises (since 2006) have no business being in the league. Basically the Cowboys haven't made it, but they were close most times in the past decade, unlike several teams that continue to draft high only to hit a brick wall

It's been a rather quiet week or season for pre Super Bowl hype. Maybe it's just me, but I couldn't really get into it as much as I used to. It's probably been 12 or 14 years since the pregame hype has been mediocre or just okay. Not so much for the teams involved, but likely due to the fact that the season suffered for the first time in quite a long time, if not two years ago

Yeah, I didn't see that coming. Hardly shocked, but not something I'd bet on either. Looked like he was Adam's successor. Oh well

Agreed on the Conference stuff. I don't think it's anything like touching a conference trophy, but as a "civilian" it's the fact that you've gone through a successful season. Most teams don't even make it to the end game (or in men's hoops, the end games in end city), especially Houston, who hasn't even made a conference title game let alone win one! When my team won a couple super bowls within a short period (now ages ago), I rotated between conference champ gear and super bowl gear. It didn't matter since my team had won that year. A couple years later, I had no issue wearing a conference title hat in a year they lost but the team itself was glorified enough to where I'd get a pass I guess different strokes for different folks. Although when it comes to division gear, I agree I'll pass on that stuff!

If Gronk had played, the Steelers would have had enough drinks to land into my local obit section

I think Trump naming Woody Johnson to as UK ambassador is like when Obama named Dan Rooney ambassador to Ireland nearly a decade ago. It's a nice honor, but it shouldn't have a complete effect to the Jets. However, the Steelers are a much, much better-managed organization than New York, and had proper people in place to make sure things ran well. The New York Jets? I guess we'll have to wait and see. It's still a great honor that one would really find difficult to pass up

Mark McGwire getting in would be fair enough, but if it makes Jose Canseco that much upset that Mark didn't make it, I'm okay with that. Should be interesting down the road when disclosing the ballots may or may not cause those questionable players to limp into Cooperstown

Odell is probably improving his golf game or enjoying himself somehow else in Miami since there's no sense of urgency for the guy to return back to New York in a timely fashion. Someone echoed a thought I had with Tomlin, where he probably has to be somewhat responsible for this nonsense. Not truly at fault, but when AB was getting in trouble left and right with his on-field behavior and not doing anything about it, that gave AB the "freedom" to be able to do whatever with no consequence. That's a shame; if Mike had forced some discipline on Antonio, maybe this doesn't happen. This being yet another league violation shows that it's a much bigger issue than stated. In that I mean "a much bigger issue" than people think. One of several reasons why I remain among the handful of people that totally respect and admire Coach Belichick and the Patriots organization. I guess I couldn't tell you where Antonio would end up had he pulled this stunt in New England, but Bill setting the rules is less of him being "an ass" and more of him promoting common sense. At least that's how I see it!

Absolutely. And it won't be over having a late game the week before the Conference Championship game either. Sure it sucks, but they've been doing teh Saturday/Sunday thing forever. It's nothing new. Moreover, as mentioned, the Chiefs/Steelers game would have been at 4:40 had it not been for the fact the Cowboys & Packers were the other Sunday game. But it's not a big deal. The game was on Sunday. It wasn't Monday night, life is not fair. Time change isn't a reason it'll be an excuse, period Of course, the second they moved the game on Friday, I figured that it wasn't a one-time thing. No surprise that something beyond anyone's control would turn into a work in progress. The thing is that it should be before a holiday; if there's an 8:20 game featuring crap ass teams like this years Raiders & Texans, no one would watch on a work night

To be fair to New England, they had Huey, Dewey, Louie, Chip & Dale for their O-line. Despite that, they almost won. Really that game had two opportunities to take the 2015 AFCCG into overtime. However, the criticism of the Patriots road to the Super Bowl being the easiest ever is legitimate. They have no control over who they play or whether a contender has key players that are hurt, but whatever. As mentioned, New England needs to fix their issues, and I think they definitely will. They did struggle against Denver and scored as many points as the previous meeting. Fortunately Denver's offense wasn't there. I think they'll still survive next week without improvements but unless they get Atlanta in the Super Bowl, that could cost them big time. Speaking of Atlanta, I think I get what mojoween is saying as it relates to the Falcons. They do have that boring aspect toward them, but for me, I think it's more in the lines of someone new into the championship mix. We're so used to seeing Green Bay there, or Seattle, and Dallas is a throwback. But their offense is probably more legit than Pittsburgh, and that's against better competition. However, that's about it. Atlanta winning was disappointing since they are likely to crumble next week, which would be a surprise as well as inexcusable (especially if their offense gets shut down). At least with Seattle you had familiarity. In the end, the officiating sucked big time, IMO

Well, the Pats covered after all. Though it was a couple late scores over turnovers (and punting, which, really, was Houston punting to 2017). After the Texans first TD, they made it a game. Probably the best game of the postseason, but they hung in there. Hats off to them for that. Even with that bad drop by Fuller they were never going to win the game. But that defense is going to be a force in the future, including next year (sadly). If only they could figure out what to do with the QB. Brock did fairly well BTW, except toward the end, but better than I thought. First INT was meh, second one was unforgivable, and the third was awful as well, but forgivable since Houston was forced to take a chance. Basically this pick was the easiest pick of the year. At least it wasn't as bad for Houston as it was for Denver on this day five years ago!

Couldn't stop laughing at how Matt Hasselbeck tried to make the time change a big deal, but Charles, Randy, and Trent basically shot him down. It wasn't like it wasn't a big surprise. Sure a 8-hour difference is that, but the fact is if Kansas City or Pittsburgh were to lose to the winner of the Texans and Patriots no one is blaming the fact that the game ended at midnight as opposed to four. IMO, the only reason why the Chiefs and Steelers aren't playing in the late game is due to Packers/Cowboys (that game would definitely have had a 4-5 PM EST start

Ditto. I don't remember the Chargers fans being all that, especially with all of their blackouts over the years. I don't think my team is ever leaving, but I would never turn on my team if they ended up relocating. It would be like rooting against my team if I left the area where they play

Sucks that they're splitting up Mike & Mike. While money beats pretty much everything, and while nothing lasts forever, I think Greeny & Golic had about 9 good years left. Not great, but they definitely could have stayed together for over 25 years. I probably would not have cared too much if they had only been together for 5 years, but 17 years is incredible, and they are both relatively young. Don't really think Golic is getting screwed here. If Greeny's show bombs then that would be devastating. Golic would be going nowhere; Greeny & Golic are actually close I think, but Golic not having to deal with Greeny being Greeny all the time would have to be a relief. Besides, Golic is the type of person that won't tear up and/or lose sleep over change, especially in this business he's been apart of for nearly a quarter of a century

I had no issue with Clemson going for it. Not to use another analogy, but the Steelers were in the same boat in their Week 16 game. FG is okay since it gives you OT, but OT can be cruel. I think Clemson going for it was the right call. If that TD doesn't work, they're kicking. Barring a turnover. The thing is OT favored the Tigers the way things turned out, so with the options, it worked out for them. Maybe if Alabama had used their TO's maybe they get one more shot. OTOH, I think the Tide should've let them score, but how that would have benefited them played out too soon. If Bama had one last throw, with reasonable field position, that would have been exciting too. Clemson would have stopped it though, unless Jalen Hurt and Aaron Rodgers swapped for a play

Man, if you're a Seahawks fan (or a Pats hater), you're probably saying, "Now it works!" with that final play before the final score. Richard Sherman isn't impressed somewhere, Pete Carroll is all "meh" and Russell Wilson, like Belichick is focused on Saturday. Anyway, that was a great game. It nearly trended toward the level of that Notre Dame game from 4 years ago, but then what made BAMA special helped Clemson in the late stages. It sucks for the Alabama players to get hosed in the end there. Nothing being called for those 14 points, but then DPI called. That was the right call, but I don't think it was in the endzone. On the other hand, so many early NO-calls in favor of the Tide early, including a brutal targeting call. That's a bit of a surprise, especially given the relevant story related to Matt Moore (albeit in the NFL). It was the legacy treatment At the end of the day, what better way for payback courtesy of Clemson at the expense of the Crimson Tide. No 15-0 for us? No 15-0 for you! Clemson might take a minor step back. No way Deshaun is changing his mind, and he graduated faster than Peyton who did return (Manning didn't get the Title, but I think he more than made up for that from start to finish over the following 18 years). The Tigers should be okay, but unless Saban leaves, Alabama will be right there. Even if say Auburn or LSU take that next step and win the SEC. Barring a great year from the other places, we'll finally get that second team from a conference in Bama. BTW, rather classy Saban there. No top notch congratulatory feelings, but no bitterness either. Just a simple sucks we lost but it is what it is

Yeah I think Trey gets it. Suzy might over him. Don't think Wendi would pass over either despite being the current second host of the show. So I think Trey hosts both shows or Wendi takes over NFL Insiders. However, if Trey gets it, that could ruin the awesomeness (IMO) of the Friday NFL Live. Trey, Stink, and Tedy are so great together on the Friday show

Yeah, I don't see them losing. New England would win if they were a road team vs any of these teams, and I don't think Oakland wins at Gillette (or Heinz Field and Arrowhead) even with Carr. I have heard the anyone but Pats throughout the season. Though now if they lose in the Super Bowl, the narrative would be "anyone but the Cowboys" giving New England another Super Bowl loss. Should be interesting The league might just cancel the AFC Title game if say Miami pulls off the upset at Pittsburgh, and then Houston upsets Kansas City. That way the ratings survive Seattle not getting flagged isn't so much about Seattle not getting flagged. The officials typically call fewer penalties in the postseason as opposed to the regular season As for NRG, that stadium will be the loudest library in about four weeks.

I think Zeke is in last place in terms of MVP consideration. Doesn't help he was a rookie. Maybe next year, but as mentioned, it's a QB award. For Elliott to have a shot he would need to have a record-breaking year. A year better than what AP did in 2012 AND hope it's a down year overall for quarterbacks. If I had to bet on it, it would go with Matt Ryan; I agree there. Despite Atlanta's weapons on offense, I feel the NFL would give it to him since Aaron & Tom each have two. If Matt Ryan does win that would suck for Drew Brees, who has done better in past years but at the worst possible seasons of his career. If I had to bet on who wins the COY, it's Jason Garrett. As mentioned, the turnaround was greater than what Oakland did. Furthermore, Dallas lost their starting QB and had the season that they did. Meanwhile, Oakland lost their starting QB, and crumbled immediately. Sad for Jack Del Rio, but the end stretch was unacceptable