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At the Intersection of Sports and Culture

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The “It’s Good to be the King” Week 14 Power Poll

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About a half hour before kickoff last night, VMS contributor and lifelong Jets fan Dave asked if we could record and later post our in game commentary. In the spirit of our friendship, and for the sake of time, I have decided not to share the details of our conversation.  Needless to say, Dave went to sleep a very, very disappointed young man. It’s true pal, the final score was really 45-3.

1. New England Patriots (10-2): Pats are now undefeated, 1-0, when honoring Tedy Bruschi at halftime. Please keep this in mind Mr. Kraft.

2. Atlanta Falcons (10-2): Am I alone in thinking that Chris Berman sounds soooooo 2008 when he refers to Matt Ryan as “Matty Ice”?

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3): I wonder if Al Michaels has accepted the news that Ben Roethlisberger’s nose was in fact severely disfigured.

4. New Orleans Saints (9-3): When do the Saints and Falcons play each other again?

5. Chicago Bears (9-3): Is there a better home field advantage come mid/late December than Soldier Field when the Bears are winning?

6. Green Bay Packers (8-4): Anyone giving away tickets to Pack @ Gillette Stadium on 12/19?

7. Baltimore Ravens (8-4): Joe Flacco may in fact be their weak link.

8. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4): Michael Vick, most dangerous QB in the 2010 playoffs?

9. New York Jets (9-3): I’m brimming with anticipation for Mike Francesa’s excoriation of Rex Ryan for his decision to challenge the spot on a 4th and 1 on the 45 yard line in the first quarter when he would eventually decide to go for it anyway.  Please don’t let me down Mike!

10. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4): May as well be the Giants or Jaguars.

As always, please feel free to share your views.

Your “Real Men Wear Hair Extensions” Monday Night Football Preview

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Before getting to the main course, a few quick words regarding the Sunday Night football appetizer between the Ravens and Steelers. That was an incredibly entertaining football game.  Definitely worth staying up for. Ben Roethlisberger’s nose has never looked better.

Speaking of the playoffs, tonight’s Patriots/Jets game in Foxboro has some serious postseason implications. I would put my readiness level for this game somewhere between DEFCON 4 and 5.  I haven’t been this excited for a regular season game since Jimmy Chitwood’s return from self imposed exile.  My wife and I are expecting our first child next month and I can tell you that this would be a bad evening to go into early labor. I have been waiting for this game to start since the moment I woke up this morning. It’s a good thing I’m not under some sort of performance review because I was really bad at my job today.

Furthermore, I have no idea what I’m going to do with myself until kickoff at 8:30.  I’m all caught up at work so no need to stay in the office. Went to the gym this morning so don’t need to exercise. Christmas tree is up so scratch that off the list.  We don’t have a dog so there is nothing at home that I can take for a long walk. I guess the house could use a little cleaning but that can always wait until the weekend. So really, I have nothing to keep me occupied except my own thoughts and that is always dangerous.  A caller on the WFAN just named Mark Sanchez this generations Joe Namath.  Ughhhhhh. Never easy being a Pats fan in the Tri-State Area. Radio silence begins now. New England 27-14. GO PATS!!!!! Share your views.

Statistical Analysis Shows a Correlation Between the Uniform and Winning

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Count me down as one of the many people who enjoy a good throwback uniform.  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wore the creamsicle throwback uniforms today during their 28-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium.  Longtime Tampa fans probably did not enjoy seeing their team wear the old “orange and white” as the franchise was absolutely abysmal during the first twenty years of existence until becoming the “Pewter Pirates” in 1996. Still, for fans like myself, seeing teams wearing retro uniforms brings me back to my childhood when life was much simpler and primary colors ruled supreme.

Which reminds me, as a Patriot fan I can tell you that no one, I repeat nobody, thinks their current uniform is better than the old red/white/blue Pat the Patriot.  Ask my dad, who, without fail, will call me anytime the Pats are wearing the throwbacks and tell me that they ought to switch back permanently. Although, like the Buccaneers, maybe there is a connection between the uniform and winning as New England wasn’t consistently good until changing into their current unis. Come to think of it, the Patriots recent success might also have something to do with the coach and quarterback. In either case, is it Monday night yet? Share your views?

View My Picks: NFL Week 13

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Houston (+8) over PHILADELPHIA: The audio of Andre Johnson beating up Cortland Finnegan makes him even more likable.

MINNESOTA (-5.5) over Buffalo: Potentially no Adrian Peterson for the Vikings.  I wonder if God will find some time for Stevie Johnson this Sunday.

MIAMI (-4.5) over Cleveland: I was all set to blame Jake Delhomme for costing me my lock pick last week. That was until John Kasay bailed him out with a fortuitous last second wide right.

TENNESSEE (-1.5) over Jacksonville: Ugghhhhh.

Denver (+8.5) over KANSAS CITY: Why, why do I continue to go with the Broncos to cover on the road?

NY GIANTS (-7) over Washington: I sense the Giants are headed on a mini run to end the regular season.

Chicago (-4.5) over DETROIT: I feel like this line should be higher. Plus, Bears defense has totally won me over.

GREEN BAY (-9) over San Francisco: Aaron Rodgers could throw for over 450 yards this game.

New Orleans (-6.5) over CINCINNATI: Again, why aren’t we talking about the Saints a little bit more?

TAMPA BAY (+3) over Atlanta: NFC South is headed down to the wire.

Oakland (+13) over SAN DIEGO: Seems like a lot of points, even for a matchup between two teams headed in totally opposite directions.

Carolina (+6) over SEATTLE: Yikes! Something remarkable would have to happen for these highlights to ever make it on the air.

Dallas ( +5.5) over INDIANAPOLIS: Before the season began, this looked like a potential Super Bowl preview.  As it stands today, both teams could miss the playoffs entirely.

St. Louis (-3.5) over ARIZONA: We were all laughing with you Derek Anderson.

BALTIMORE (-3) over Pittsburgh: Walking boot or not, Ben Roethlisberger is going to get smacked around. Ravens are the better team on both sides of the ball.

NEW ENGLAND (-3.5) over NY Jets (52 total points): Game of the year…this week. For extra mojo the Pats will honor Tedy Bruschi during a halftime ceremony. As a Pats fan, I feel really good about this game.

Last week: 6-10

NFL Week 13 Power Poll

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Last night, Philip Rivers looked like a better quarterback than Peyton Manning. During the Colts 36-14 loss at home to the Chargers, Manning looked old and injured.  Rivers orchestrated his offense with ease and was hailed as a “great, inspirational leader” by both Al Michaels and Chris Collinsworth. Personally, I have never been a huge fan of either Manning or Rivers, mostly because they have been two of the Patriots, and Tom Brady’s, main adversaries during the past decade. So, it makes no real difference to me that Manning looked past his prime last night while Rivers continues his quiet ascension to the upper echelon of NFL QBs.

Enough is enough. On to the week 13 power poll!

1. New England Patriots (9-2): Welcome back Deion Branch. Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.

2. Baltimore Ravens (8-3): Appointment TV Sunday night when Ravens host Pittsburgh for control of NFC North.

3. Atlanta Falcons (9-2): Fact. Tony Gonzalez shows no signs of aging.

4. New York Jets (9-2): I’ll be waiting all week for Monday Night!

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3): My heart is still breaking for Buffalo. Also, my new personal grooming philosophy is to grow facial hair like Ryan Fitzpatrick.

6. New Orleans Saints (8-3): People aren’t talking enough about Malcolm Jenkins and his amazing strip of Roy Williams during the Thanksgiving game vs the Cowboys. That play kept the Saints alive for the top seed in the NFC.

7. San Diego Chargers (6-5): Mike Tolbert is built like a rubix cube.  He also won me my weekly fantasy matchup.

8. Chicago Bears (8-3): You know how people always say that the tv adds 10 pounds. Well, in the case of Jay Cutler, the tv makes him look at least 45% more unlikeable what with all the poor body language and dismissive gestures.

9. Green Bay Packers (7-4): Aaron Rodgers is a gunslinger. GUNSLINGER!!!

10. Philadelphia Eagles (7-4): I hope Soldier Field never gets rid of the grass but man, that field did not look easy to play on Sunday.

Share your views.