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At the Intersection of Sports and Culture

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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.

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

Share your views.

The “Good Thing the Metrodome Wasn’t Full” Week 15 NFL Rankings

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My favorite part about the setup in Ford Field tonight is the “smudging” left behind when stadium operators erased the Detroit Lions logo and replaced it with the Minnesota Vikings. Looks like they were trying to change an answer on the SAT.

1. New England Patriots (11-2): I really wish people would stop comparing this team to the 2007 Patriots.  Every time I hear this I picture David Tyree with velcro on his helmet. Were you aware that Tyree wasn’t even in the league anymore?

2. Atlanta Falcons (11-2): Best team I know next to nothing about.

3. New Orleans Saints (10-3): Saints might be on the road in the first round of the playoffs to face the NFC West champ. Good chance they are favored by over a touchdown in that game.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3): Are we really sure Carson Palmer hasn’t been replaced by his younger brother Jordan? Bengals made it too easy for the Steelers yesterday.

5. Baltimore Ravens (8-4): C’mon Joe Flacco. The Fighting Blue Hens are counting on you!

6. Philadelphia Eagles (9-4): Forget about Michael Vick for a second. DeSean Jackson! Dude is fast.

7. Chicago Bears (9-4): Yesterday’s result against the Patriots was payback for Super Bowl XX. Still can’t believe Ditka stole that TD away from Walter Payton and gave it to William “The Refrigerator” Perry instead.

8. San Diego Chargers (7-6): Warning. Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.

9. Green Bay Packers (8-5): It’s a strong possibility that the best offense in the NFC doesn’t even make it to the playoffs.

10. New York Giants (8-4): 1pm start vs the Eagles begins a tremendous day of NFL football next Sunday. NYJ/Pitt at 4:15 followed by Packers/Pats on Sunday Night.

Soldier Field Turns Into a Real Life Snow Globe

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As a Patriot fan, I couldn’t ask for much more. New England goes to Chicago and destroys the NFC North leading Bears 36-7 while back east, Miami surprises the Jets by a final score of 10-6.  The Pats have now clinched an AFC playoff berth and lead the AFC East by two with only three games remaining in the regular season.

Watching the blizzard unfold in Soldier Field today was a lot like flying through space on the Millennium Falcon.  (Star Wars note: I always wondered how it was possible that they never crashed into a planet or star while in hyperdrive.) This view comes from Laura, a Patriot fan who flew out to Chicago for the game and will not by traveling home disappointed. Different story for my wife’s family, who are from Chicago and have supported the Bears since before George Halas.

So Chicago, Bears still the favorites to win the NFC North or is today a harbinger for things to come? Share your views.

View My Picks: Week 14 Edition

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Indianapolis (-3) over TENNESSEE: I thought I would enjoy the recent Peyton Manning fall from grace much more than I actually am.

JACKSONVILLE (-4) over Oakland: This is your classic “west coast team travels across the country for a 1pm starts and gets blown out by two touchdowns” game.  Either that or the Raiders will win two in a row on the road. What the heck do I know.

Cincinnati (+8.5) over PITTSBURGH: Is it just me or do these two teams play each other at least 4 times a season?  If true, how is this allowed?

New England (-3) over CHICAGO: The more people that call this a “trap game” for the Patriots the more unlikely an outcome it becomes. Right?

BUFFALO (-1) over Cleveland: If the Bills were not in the AFC East I think they could become my second favorite team in the NFL. Hard nosed city, Ivy League QB, and the best throwback uniforms in the league.

NY Giants (-2.5) over MINNESOTA: Sounds like the Twin Cities have begun talking themselves into the Tarvaris Jackson era again….for the third time.

Green Bay Packers (-6.5) over DETROIT: Ndamukong Suh is a baaaaaaaaaaad man.

Atlanta (-7) over CAROLINA: Why are the Falcons only favored by 7 points? Is Bobby Hebert quarterbacking for Atlanta?

WASHINGTON (+2) over Tampa Bay:  Albert Haynesworth. Nobody feels sorry for you. Nobody.

ST. LOUIS (+9) over New Orleans: For the record, I was in on the Rams winning the NFC West way before it became popular.

Seattle (+5.5) over SAN FRANCISCO:  I would really prefer if neither of these teams made the playoffs.

NY JETS (-5.5) over Miami:  This game was a lot more fun to watch in the late ’80s when a Dan Marino led Dolphins team would beat a Ken O’Brien led Jets team by a final score of 64-61.

Denver (-5.5) over ARIZONA: Interim head coaches just don’t lose their first game.

SAN DIEGO (-7) over Kansas City: Poor Matt Cassel. Anytime I have a sharp pain in my stomach I always assume an appendectomy is forthcoming.

Philadelphia (-3.5) over DALLAS: Who’s been more valuable to their team this season: Michael Vick or Tom Brady?

Baltimore (-3) over HOUSTON: First weekend of my fantasy football playoffs.  Arian Foster needs to have himself a big week for the “Maple Syrup Conglomerate” to advance into round 2.

Last Week: 8-8