THROWING KNIVES: MIGHT WANT TO GIVE UP HOPE ON THAT SUPER BOWL

by BD, Staff Writer

(I'll be out Wednesday and Thursday again this week due to the holiday, but I'll be back Friday and after the Packers kill the Lions there's a good chance I'll be writing about that. )

It's always great when everything we think we know is completely shit on. Something that tends to happen on a regular basis in the National Football League. It's one of the things that makes this stuff fantastic. Just last week everyone was piling onto the Steelers bandwagon, (something I consider unnecessary as the Patriots have already won the Super Bowl). The Saints who everyone thought were resurrected before they were throttled by St. Louis last week were throttled once again. This time by a Houston team that would have a far better record if their best two offensive players could stay on the field. Then you have the Giants, who won yesterday, but wow was it tough to watch. I'd have rather watched Rob Parker fist himself (that's a lie).

The Steelers loss is by far the most surprising, but it also isn't. Despite their success this season the Steelers had dropped road games to Arizona and Denver, who are both pretty bad. Sure the Cardinals appear to be turning it around now, but they wouldn't have beaten Appalachian State earlier this season. While to a degree I'd say road hiccups are bound to happen, it shouldn't happen to legitimate playoff contenders. Especially not after the Pats left Buffalo looking like Hiroshima. Not a chance. Willie Parker managed just 52 yards on 21 carries for a brutal 2.5 per carry average against the league's worst ranked rush defense. Big Ben was sacked seven times... SEVEN! This by a defense that couldn't have stopped Mike Greenberg in their first nine games. For an alleged contender, it was truly "below the line of what is acceptable" as Mike Tomlin might put it. What happened yesterday was the official end to the Steelers season regardless of how they finish.

The Saints flat-out cannot stop the pass. They just can't, they're allergic. Thus every week when filling out my pool sheet I take the opposing team if they have a solid QB and star caliber WR, such as Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. Johnson, who finally returned this week after missing the last seven games, made Jason David look like David Silver. Something every decent WR has been able to do this season. I think the Bucs hold on in the South and the Saints window has officially closed.

Now the Giants are an interesting situation because they did win their game and that is what you play for, right Herm? But they couldn't have looked worse doing it. If the Lions hadn't somehow managed to play even worse they'd have beaten the Giants. But it's the Lions and as a fan I got what I expected from them yesterday. However, I expected the Giants to manhandle the overrated Lions squad and their Saints like pass defense. Yet they didn't. Not even close.

Even worse they only sacked Jon Kitna three times. A number I thought could reach double digits heading into the game given Detroit's horrendous pass protection and Kitna's affinity for holding onto the ball. Granted, Kiwanuka broke his leg, but where was Osi yesterday? He didn't even record a tackle. To top it off Brandon Jacobs got hurt again and he officially hates artificial turf.

It was a humbling week for a number of teams, while the Patriots and Cowboys (mostly Patriots) keep rolling along toward their Super Bowl rematch. It was nice to watch and another reminder of why we love this league.

This Weekend In Sports...

Oklahoma May Have Ruined My Life
If WVU gets into the title game because of this loss I'm going to be pissed, 34-27.

Too Easy In Ann Arbor
Ohio State wins again 14-3. Lloyd Carr retires.
BC Still Kicking.. Well, That And Clemson Didn't Want To Win
The Eagles went into Death Valley and knocked off the Tigers 20-17.

It's Fun Watching LT's Frustration... Be Even Better If He'd Blame Norv
The Chargers lose again in Jacksonville 24-17.

Hiro-Buffalo!
Pats Win Again 56-10.

The Freeney Injury Is Going To Hurt.. As Is The Lack Of A Kicker
Colts survive the Chiefs at RCA 13-10.

This Is The DJ Hacket We Were Expecting Pre-Injury
9 catches for 136 yards and a a TD. His second-straight 100-yard game as the Seahawks knock off the Bears 30-23.

No Good.. Wait, No, It's Good!
The ball bounces the Browns way 33-30 in OT.

The Celtics Lost!
To Orlando as Paul Pierce fired up a ridiculous final shot.

Weekend Box Office Top 5
1. Beowulf - I. Don't. Get. It.
2. Bee Movie - [Redacted]
3. American Gangster - Finally saw this and it's certainly worth the three hours. One of the best movies this year.
4. Fred Claus - You figure there's a chance he shoots Santa in a jealous rage at the end?
5. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium - Natalie Portman's hot, but not that hot.