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The “Bad Weather is Good For TV Ratings” Week 16 NFL Power Poll

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The Minnesota Vikings should play all of their home games outdoors. An outdoor NFL stadium in the Twin Cities would have provide serious home field advantages.  I bet if you polled Viking fans they would tell you the same thing.  The problem for Minnesota is, who’s going to pay for the new stadium? The state is facing an enormous amount of debt, which makes public financing basically out of the question.  This is why I have said that the Vikings are a prime candidate to relocate.  Sorry Minnesota, if a new stadium isn’t built I fear that your team could be headed out to the West Coast. Other potential candidates for relocation include Jacksonville, Oakland, and San Diego.

For now, here’s my Week 16 NFL Power Poll

1. New England Patriots (12-2): John Kuhn is going to give me nightmares for weeks.

2. Atlanta Falcons (12-2): What are the chances that Atlanta ends up hosting Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game?

3. Baltimore Ravens (10-4): My wife’s new favorite movie is The Blindside, which means she is now obligated to now root for Michael Oher and the Ravens.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (10-4): Think the City of Brotherly Love has yet to fully embrace Vick? Check out this video from the Sixers/Lakers game last week.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4): Their chance are totally contingent on the health of Troy Polamalu. Without him, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them exit the playoffs early.

6. New Orleans Saints (10-4): Feel like I haven’t heard/seen much of this team since their Thanksgiving Day victory in Dallas.  I’m picking them to beat the Falcons next weekend in Atlanta.

7. San Diego Chargers (8-6): Chargers should be forced by league rule to wear their powder blue uniforms at home AND on the road.

8. Chicago Bears (10-4): Game on the line. Who would you rather punt to? DeSean Jackson or Devin Hester?

9. New York Jets (10-4): New York sports radio has a quintessential love/hate relationship with Rex Ryan and the Jets. All except for Mike Francesa who pretty much just dislikes everything about the J-E-T-S.

10. Green Bay Packers (8-6): Tell me again why the Packers didn’t feature John Kuhn on their last drive of the game?  Patriots had no answer for him.

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Tom Coughlin Brings Back Not So Fond Memories of Middle School Football Practices

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I have now watched the DeSean Jackson game winning punt return against the Giants at least 10 times and each time it gets more amazing, inexplicable.  My two favorite parts: 1) At the start of the return when Jackson fumbles the ball causing the Giants to overrun their coverage. 2) As Jackson breaks free and passes the 20 yards line, the camera picks up Tom Coughlin on the side line throwing his play sheet to the ground and making a bee line for Giants punter Matt Dodge, who made the mistake of kicking to DJack in the first place.  When Coach Coughlin does finally reach Dodge, he undresses his rookie punter with a verbal barrage that can only be described as “humbling”.

Anyone who has played competitive sports knows what it feels like to be on the receiving end of a coach’s tirade.  The worst moments are when you know you made a mistake and the coach is still there to remind you what a big mistake it was.  If you watch the DeSean Jackson punt return carefully, you can see Dodge narrowly miss a shoestring tackle, followed by him falling to the ground with his head in his hands.  By punting to Jackson, he knew instantly what he had done and what was waiting for him on the sidelines.  I’m not sure if Dodge is at all prepared for the proper public smearing he now faces as the New York papers will no doubt have their creative way with this Giants epic collapse.

In other Week 15 news, the Patriots beat the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers 31-27.  Green Bay dominated  time of possession and the young New England defense was the epitome of bend but don’t break. Pats are in good shape for the top seed in the AFC but their mercurial defense still makes me very nervous.

What stood out for you on this very exciting day of football? Share your views.

“Veni, Vidi, Vici”

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He came, he saw, he conquered.  That about sums about Lebron James and Co. introduction to the Garden as members of the Miami Heat.  James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh combined to score 84 points in the Heat’s 113-91 rout of the New York Knicks. Believe it or not, the game was actually tied at the half however, thanks to a few highlight real dunks, and some incredibly poor shooting by the Knicks, Miami was able to pull away in the 3rd quarter.

New York fans were hoping for so much more.  After a sizzling 16-9 start, NY has now dropped two games in a row. Keep in mind that their last two opponents, the Boston Celtics and the Heat, are both considered title contenders.

I watched this game in a bar alongside VMS contributor and avid Knicks fan Dave.  His Knicks season ticket package did not include last nights game and when he went to look on stubhub, the average ticket was going for $350, that included 70K each for a few prized floor seats. Needless to say, he was more than happy to watch the game from a bar where we split a few beers and a plate of nachos for $70. Money well saved Dave. Money well saved.

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View My Picks: NFL Week 15

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Sorry I’m a bit late with my weekly NFL picks.  I went curling (insert joke here) for the first time last night and the experience did not disappoint.  I now understand why the “sport” is the official obsession of Canadians, Scandinavians, and upstate New Yorkers.  I have a friend who went to a high school in upstate New York where curling was a gym class requirement. My fondest memories of gym class include winning the 9th grade badminton tournament and “trust falls” on the outdoor adventure course. Ahhhh, the silly things we remember

And now, on to the Week 15 picks.

SAN DIEGO (-8.5) over San Francisco: You’ll have to believe me when I tell you that I made this pick well before Vincent Jackson ate the entire 49er secondary for dinner.

Kansas City (PK) over ST. LOUIS: This pick rests totally on the health of Matt Cassel.  If Brodie Croyle is the quarterback for the Chiefs on Sunday then I will graciously accept defeat.

Houston (+1.5) over TENNESSEE: I too subscribe to the whole “Titans have quit on Jeff Fisher” theory.

Jacksonville (+5) over Indianapolis:  This just has the feel of a 3 point game to me.

CAROLINA (-2.5) over Arizona: Remember when these two teams faced one another in the 2008 NFC Divisional Playoffs.  That was a loooooooong time ago.

Cleveland (+1.5) over CINCINNATI: People incorrectly assume that because I love sports that I will watch anything pertaining to sports on TV.  So, for the last time, no I do not watch the T.Ocho Show on Versus.

BUFFALO (+5.5) over Miami: I was kinda thinking Chad Henne was going to be a better NFL quarterback.  Dolphins fans were probably hoping for the same thing.

Philadelphia (+2.5) over NY GIANTS: Eli Manning seems like a really nice guy but boy, does he know how to give a really boring interview.

DALLAS (-6) over Washington: And now comes word that Donovan McNabb will not be starting for the Redskins this weekend.  Don’t expect the team to rally around Rex Grossman.

TAMPA BAY (-5.5) over Detroit: Bold prediction. The Lions will win the NFC North in 2011.

New Orleans (+1.5) over BALTIMORE: Is it still possible that the Super Bowl champs remain under the radar? A win against the Ravens ought to change that.

SEATTLE (+6) over Atlanta: Why do I continue to over value the Seahawks at home?

NY Jets (+6) over PITTSBURGH: No Polamalu for the Steelers. No Sal Alosi for the Jets.  I call it an even wash.

Denver (+7) over OAKLAND: Let’s take an informal poll. Best uniforms in the NFL? 1) Raiders 2) Colts 3) Bears 32) Jaguars

NEW ENGLAND (-12) over Green Bay: This would have been a 6.5 point spread if Aaron Rodgers were not concussed.

Chicago (-7) over MINNESOTA: Like the fact that this game is being played outdoors at the University of Minnesota.  Love the fact that because the game is being played on a college campus they can’t serve booze. Total points 33.

Last week: 8-8

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