Monday Mash- Week 9

Welcome back to the show. Sorry I wasn't able to expand upon the picks section yesterday. Simply no time to do so. We'll be better next week.

With that said...WHAT A PICK SECTION IT WAS!

Out of the 6 picks, we took 5 underdogs ranging from 3 points to 10 points, and all of them won outright. Chargers, Bengals, Cowboys, and the Upset Perficted- Bucs all take care of business. The only blemish was Indy not covering the meaty 9-point gap over Houston. Maybe a rushed, non-explained strategy is the key to successful picking. Preparation is overrated.

For the last month, the New York Giants have seemed to take on that same mindset: preparation is overrated. Based on the team's defensive reputation, it would seem they have scored enough points to win over this span. 27, 17, 17, and 20 are not exactly power outages by the offense. But they were never truly alive in the games against New Orleans and Philly, the offense had its blunders against Arizona, and yesterday the defense could not prevent San Diego's offense from going 80 yards in under 2 minutes for the winning touchdown. Usually, a Giants defense feasts on the opportunity to slam the door, deliver the dagger, seal the deal, what have you.

But it was not to be. The Chargers--like the Saints, Cardinals, and Eagles before them--decided to throw, throw, throw right down Big Blue's throat. Philip Rivers had all the time he needed, and nobody could cover. It was as heartbreaking as losses get for the Giants...work hard and earn a 6 point lead for 58 minutes only to see it all evaporate in what seemed like 2 seconds instead of 2 minutes. The Giants now go into their bye a wounded 5-4 team.

With Dallas going up to 6-2 last night, I think the division is now up in smoke for the G-Men. After their bye, they host an Atlanta team fighting for the same wild card position as them. Win, and I think they're fine. Lose, and thoughts should start about the 2010 season. Pretty unbelievable stuff after a 5-0 start.

The rest from week 9:

The Montauk BeverageWorks Delicious Performance of the Week:
Kurt Warner, Cardinals. Earlier in the week I posted a blog about fantasy football and its occasional cruelty. This week, the guy that I played had Kurt Warner. Sometimes, an individual player can deliver a "Thanks for coming" performace for a fantasy team. When I saw Warner's line of 261 yards and 5 TD's, it is a quick acceptance of a fantasy loss. It hurts, but the rest of the day watching football is rather relaxing and enjoyable. So thanks, Kurt. Ya jerk.

• Viva Josh Freeman! Who, you ask? The rookie quarterback that takes an 0-7 Bucs team playing with house money and beats down the Packers. 205 yards and 3 scores made him the runner-up for the MBDPotW. Good for Tampa, distasterous for...Green (do people ever call it that?) No excuses or explanation for this meltdown as the Pack led going into the 4th quarter.
• In what was sure to be the game of the week, Dallas took down Philly for first place in the division. It was kind of a ho-hum game, but Miles Austin got lost just one time in the Eagles' secondary, and it decided the game.
  
• I really think the Saints are just playing around now. "Guys, let's see how big of a lead we can give teams before making a comeback. Over/Under 17, who's in?" The Panthers sprinted out early, but the Saints, as always, pull away late. After throw-aways against the Rams and Bucs, that Monday nighter in week 12 against New England must be sticking out on their schedule like a nun at an Iron Maiden concert.
• Speaking of those pesky Pats, they do what the Jets could not...beat the Dolphins. Miami faught valiently and will be tough in every game they play the rest of the year, but too much Tommy and Randy. Next up, the undefeated Peyton and the Colts.
• The Colts stayed unbeaten by way of a Kris Brown missed field goal. With 'Kris' spelled that way, I want to know who didn't see that coming.
• On to the stool of the NFL. We were spared from the Rams, Browns, and Raiders this week. But the Redskins were happy to get Atlanta back on track, the Lions boosted Seattle's confidence, and the Chiefs lost to Jacksonville before fulfilling fans' wishes and getting rid of role model Larry Johnson. Yes, that's role model Larry Johnson. One more time, role model Larry Johnson. With Tennessee's decisive win over San Francisco, I have hereby excused them from the NFL's stool section. Replacing them? The Chicago Bears. I don't care what the record says. Another blowout loss, courtesy of Warner and the Cards.
• Hard Knocks! Cincinnati takes down Baltimore and sits atop the tough AFC North division. I loved the Bengals going into this season. I struggled through picking the Texans to make the playoffs instead of them. Though I expected a lot, they have absolutely blown me away with that 6-2 record. And one of those losses was the Denver fluke in week 1. Their game at Pittsburgh next Sunday is sure to be the game of the week.
• But before Pittsburgh gets there, they face a tough road test tonight in Denver. Broncos are 6-1, Steelers are at 5-3. Pit is getting 3 points in this game...I guess people think that the Ravens really exposed something in Denver last week. While the Broncos can afford a loss or two, Pittsburgh is playing for its season, and it will show. Steelers 23, Broncos 15.

Thanks for reading, enjoy the game.

Sunday Smash Week 9- Cliff Note Edition

Off to work this morning, not sure about internet access there. If I can log in I will expand on these. But here are the picks for week 9.

Locals
Chargers (+6) over Giants

The Jets are on a bye. (But to set the record straight, the blog does not support jokes that suggest the 'bye' is favored to win over the Jets. I will not put Bye (-10) over Jets. That's something that i will not do.)

Around the NFL
Titans (+5) over 49ers

Bengals (+3) over Ravens

Colts (-9) over Texans

Cowboys (+3) over Eagles

Upset Perfiction of the Week
Buccaneers (+10) over Packers

A Fantasy Tale

Thanks so much for graciously returning to the Reilly Sports Blog. We will get to the Smash before kickoff tomorrow. But there is just one story I wish to narrate. I was going to give this its own blog post in the middle of the week, but those silly guys in pinstripes got in the way. This will have to do.

The cautionary triumphant tale revolves around the ever-expanding world of fantasy football. I remember playing before I was even in high school, so it's something I've done for about ten years now. I have loosely mapped out my experience to a process that I believe everyone goes through...

• First two years: Hey, this is fun! Maybe my team can compete and win a few games!
• Year 3: Man, my team finishes better every year! This is easier than it seems.
• Year 4: Finish in last place.
  
• Years 5-7: Go back to basics and tread mediocrity, trying to find the secrets of fantasy success.
  
• Years 8-9: A great amount of pride hinges on the success of your team. You've played far too long now not to win consistently.
• Year 10: Something (surely demonic) possesses you to wager $250 on a fantasy football league.

And that's how it goes. Lost in all of this of course, is the age-old conflicts between your fantasy team and your real life team. If I don't draft players from the Jets, they can do great in real life, but it's bittersweet because they may burn you in fantasy. Draft your guys, and all the sudden you want some of your favorite players to do better than your other favorite players.

This is usually no problem. Real life will always trounce fantasy. A loss by Clean Sanchez can be laughed off if it means the New York Jets win. This is until you reach year 10 in the process described above.

Ya see, when you own Thomas Jones in year 10, you can't believe Mark Sanchez takes it on a bootleg from the 1 yard line. What a touchdown goblin! You find it absurd that they would ever put Shonn Greene into a game to hijack Jones' carries. You think it's bananas that they kick a field goal on 4th and goal from the 8. You say Jones can do it! He can do it!

That's the thing about year 10. And fantasy football in general. It is way, way too easy to blame everyone else in the weeks you lose. You want everything to revolve around your chosen players. Never mind there are millions and millions of other fantasy teams out there. If your guys don't get the ball at the right time, it's the most frustrating tragedy in the world.

Take last week for example. It's bad enough the Jets lost to the Dolphins. Again. But Steve Slaton gets me a total of (-1) points for the week. Now, back in August, I drafted Steve Slaton in the first round, #4 overall. Preferably, we're looking at 15-20 points per week at the value I drafted him. But he carries once, fumbles, gets benched, and is not heard of again the rest of the game.

Well, everyone else on my team and my opponent's team play, and it works out that at the end of Sunday, it is a tied fantasy matchup. Tied. On Monday night, my opponent had QB Matt Ryan playing (a projected lock for anywhere between 15-25 points) while I had my Hofstra-educated, sure-handed WR Marques Colston (anything above 10 points would be considered great.) I needed a player such as Slaton to give me a points lead going in, so maybe I would have a chance. But my #1 guy, the focal point of my team, got (-1) points. In other words, if my best player STAYED IN THE TEAM HOTEL AND NEVER EVEN WENT TO THE GAME, he would score 0 points, rather than (-1), and I would have a 1 point lead going into Monday.

These are the things you think about when fantasy games are close. "Why did my quarterback try to force that throw and get intercepted?" "How could my running back go down 6 inches short of the endzone?" "Couldn't that receiver get 50 freakin yards instead of 49?"

Such are the everlasting questions of fantasy football. In years 1-9 of the fantasy curve, you just shake your head and hope things go well the next week. But in year 10...these questions dismantle you. From head to toe. They eat away at your soul. Now Steve Slaton wouldn't know who I was if he stepped on me and I said "Excuse me, Steve, you're stepping on me, Conor Reilly." That's the relationship we have, yet he is able to ruin an entire Sunday of football for me.

It shouldn't be this way. Fantasy football should enhance the fan experience, not make it constantly tramatic. But there I was on Sunday and Monday afternoon, sulking about my surely-crippling loss and wondering where my $250 goes when it gets metaphorically flushed down the toilet.

But then Monday night came. And I was the prodigal son that came back to my beloved game. My guy Colston puts up numbers that are above and beyond what's expected, and I keep the game close as the Falcons and Saints battled out their real-life game. Although close, in the end my (Colston's) valiant effort had came up just short. Matt Ryan wasn't good, but he was good enough. As he took the snap for the final play, I was down by one point. One freakin' point. Asking one last time, "Why couldn't you just stay at the team hotel, Steve Slaton?"

But just like in NFL football, the fantasy game ain't over until the clock hits 0:00. With the Falcons needing a Hail Mary pass to win, Ryan chucked the ball 50 yards to the end zone. The smart play for the New Orleans defense would be to knock the ball down. It's the safe play. It's the play most defenses are taught to make. But not Darren Sharper. Not on this Monday night. The Saints' defender leapt up and grabbed a phenomenal interception. What does that do for Matt Ryan's fantasy numbers? A subtle (-2) point penalty for an interception. That subtle (-2) turned my 1 point defeat into a 1 point victory. You couldn't script it. Sulking all day Sunday and Monday, thinking about the trillions of little things I could have done differently to win. And Darren Sharper makes the play less traveled, winning me the game.

Cautiously triumphant. I can't think of a better way to describe fantasy football. On Tuesday, I was saying "Yeah, Steve Slaton really screwed me over, but Darren Sharper bailed me out in the end. I still got a shot." It's almost non-sensical. At least 95% of fans couldn't care less that the play was an interception instead of an incompletion. The Saints had won the game and that's what mattered.

But maybe that's what it's all about. I suppose fantasy football does enhance the fan's experience. Because for one day, for one play, Darren Sharper was my favorite football player in the world. And maybe next week there will be another Darren Sharper that bails me out. Though guys get paid serious money to try to predict and project every stat from every game, the reality is that nobody really knows anything. Even when everything looks figured out, some Darren Sharper-esque player may there to blow it all up.

I've been doing this junk for almost 10 years. Yes, it drives me nuts. But sometimes, sometimes, the proverbial Darren Sharper rides in on his stallion to make it all worthwhile.

Crowning The Champs

"Ballgame over. World Series over. Yankees win. THEEEE...." you get the idea.

In what may be the last baseball blog for a few months, it is time to give the 2009 champions their due. Last night, the New York Yankees christened their new palace by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies to win the championship. All along, I tried to doubt, deny, destruct, destroy, decompose, de-whatever this notion. I picked them to barely get by the walking-dead-Twins. I picked them to lose to the Angels in six games. They humbled me greatly. The only prediction I came close on was that Joba would have an ERA over 6.00. Though he was, at best, 'jiggly,' that wasn't even correct.

So the blog is here to pay respect. After all, it hasn't been the typical decade for the Yankees and their fans. Being a Mets fan, the last time I saw my team reach the World Series was 2000. Pretty long time ago--yours truly wasn't even in high school yet. Well, that's the exact same time the Yankees were last on top of the baseball world. Since then, while the Mets have continually hit their fans in the groin with a barbed wire-wrapped golf club, it hasn't exactly been paradise for the pinstripes either.

In 2001, their highness Mariano Rivera blew game 7 of the World Series to Arizona. In 2003 the Marlins shocked them and the world behind a kid named Beckett. In 2004...well since this is a congratualtory post to the Yankees, I won't even type what happened in 2004. In 2007 it was the Red Sox again. Just to recap...eight years, 0 for 2 in the World Series, watching your sworn enemy win two titles, one of which will be remembered forever.

But make no mistake about it. This is not a Mets fan converting. My feelings about the Yankees and their fans are adequately described in the post leading up to this World Series. I would never, ever, ever forever root for them for even a single game unless the following occurred:

• They played team Al Queda

OR

• Tom Brady buys a team, managed by Bill Belichick, with a payroll of $500 million, called the Baby Abandoners.
  

Even the second one would be dicey. Within the realm of possibility, I could never like them. They are, and forever will be, the Evil Empire.

All I'm saying is...well, I get it. Though this is the unheard-of 27th time it's occurred, I have come to understand the legitimate joy that this brings the Yankee fan. I wasn't really old enough to remember, but I probably would have 'gotten it' in 1996 as well. Being a 22 year old, I would classify the "Age of Entitlement" for the Yankees and their fans to be from 1998-2004.

During the AoE, you wouldn't find the fans saying this:
"Yes! The Yankees are the best team, this is incredible! Championship!"

Instead, it was someting like this, give or take.
"F*** yeah, just add one more to the mantle, baby! Look how many we got. How many does your s*** team have?? It would take you 2,458 years to catch up to us at your pace! We're the best, and we BETTER win next year!"

No real legitimate happiness. Satisfaction, perhaps. But not happiness.

That was during the AoE. After 2004, the Red Sox served the Yankees some humility, and their fans didn't really know how to let go. They mocked, almost dismissed, the two titles won by Boston in four years. The Sox hadn't won in 86 years...what were they going to do? The fans kept on with their AoE aura, but instead of frustrated nods of acceptance, the baseball world just laughed them off. The Yanks spent the most money and had the highest expectations, but couldn't quite seal the deal year after year.

But now, it's vindication for the Yankees. I still can't help but let out a chuckle when ESPN personalities or people calling in to sports radio describe the "long wait" it has been. There are 30 teams in Major League Baseball. 29 of them would give an arm and a leg to wait nine years per title. But the Yankees are different. They love being different. We love hating how they are different.

So I say congratulations. It's been nine years, and the Yankees are back on top. I actually do like some of thier players (Rivera, Series hero Matsui.) And congrats to the fans. Sometimes, in blogs like this, it's easy to categorize everyone into a specific 'fan attitude.' It's very hard not to. There are many, many Yankees fans that root hard, are dedicated, and are darn good people. Co-workers at my jobs. People I spent four years with in college. Kids from my high school--heck, my high school prom date. There are many of you out there. This is your time to celebrate, the first in nine years. Enjoy it.

So are we on the dawn of the second Age of Entitlement? We'll see. But there's one thing we can all agree on...at least this one won't include Roger Clemens.

Monday Mash- Week 8

You would think this Monday Mash would be a joyous occasion for me. I introduced a new system of picking 7 games instead of 5, and had a sterling 6-1 record this week! The only blemish? The Giants' complete and utter meltdown against Philadelphia. I didn't see that one coming; I would like to meet the person that did. But besides that, the Rams, Ravens, Cowboys, and Vikings covered. The Upset Perfiction Panthers even won outright.

The other game I got right? Regrettably, the Dolphins. Here's an excerpt from yesterday's Sunday Smash:
I think the Jets pull it out very, very late. Think about Ronnie Brown's touchdown with under ten seconds left to win the last matchup. Shonn Greene does the same and sends the Jet fans home happy, though with minor heart palpitations.
The Jets had the ball, down by 5, inside the 10-yard line with just a minute to go! Forget the ridiculous and absurd nature from which the Dolphins scored. Forget that if the Jets simply kicked extra points instead of failing two 2-point conversions, they could have simply kicked a field goal for overtime. The Jets were on the brink of not only winning the game in remarkable fashion, but making me a prognosticating genius! What if ESPN was dialing my number as the Jets were driving, about to hire me for their Experts Pick Section? What a terrible way to lose. But this is what we signed up for when we became Jets fans. After 3-0 and on top of the world, it's 4-4 at their bye. We will have a 'State of the Jets' midseason report some point next week.

On to the Giants for a moment. Admittedly, the Jets game was on my TV and I only flipped to Giants-Eagles during commercials. What I saw was eerily similar to what we all saw the two previous games. The Giants have been completely exposed. Ever since safety Kenny Phillips suffered his injury, the G-Men cannot cover anyone in the secondary. Granted, the Saints and Cardinals are known for their high-powered aerial attacks. But the Eagles, in a rivalry game, without Brian Westbrook, putting up 40? Three touchdowns of 40 yards or more. Sure, Eli didn't help with those flutters across the middle, but the secondary looks to be in absolute shambles moving forward. But give credit to Philly. 40 points, and no one rushed or caught for over 100 yards. That there is balance. The Giants are looking awfully forward to their bye in 2 weeks. First they host San Diego next week. They aren't too shabby throwing the ball, either. Here's the rest from week 8.

The Montauk BeverageWorks Delicious Performance of the Week:
Chris Johnson, Titans. A couple of factors went into this one. First off, the dude ran for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns, getting the Titans their elusive first victory. Second, Johnson performed well enough for this distinction earlier in the season, but was just barely beaten out by a Frank Gore performance. Third, Brett Favre was going to get the award, but he already won it this season. No repeats. So congrats to Johnson, maybe not the best all-around running back in the league. But in this man's eyes, the scariest as far as taking any run for a touchdown.

• Speaking of Favre...what else is left to say? Throws for 250 yards and 4 touchdowns. But believe it or not, he's not the main reason the Vikings won. Aaron Rodgers met him blow for blow for the Packers. He threw for more yards than Favre, and was even the leading rusher for the Packers in the game. Nine guys caught a pass. No, Favre wasn't what set Minnesota apart. It was rookie Percy Harvin, and that gaudy 35-yard average on kickoff returns. He put the Vikings in a position to do damage every time he brought one back. In a game that was so even throughout, this was the difference.
• The Ravens escorted the Broncos back down to earth this week. It will be interesting to see how Denver responds to this. Sure, they started 6-0, but after that hot start they stand just 2 games ahead of San Diego in the division. Throw in the fact that the Broncos still face the Chargers one more time, and Denver may be feeling some heat sooner rather than later. Their first chance at a rebound is pretty darn tough--hosting the defending-champion Steelers next Monday night.
• Devin Hester caught 7 passes yesterday. That doesn't seem too impressive. But on the other side, quarterback Derek Anderson completed 6 passes total for the Browns. The Rams and Titans both won yesterday, so that is 2 less teams the Browns can say they are 'better than' based on their 1-7 record. The only team left? 0-7 Tampa Bay. But the Browns beat the Bills, who beat the Jets, who beat the Pats, who beat the Ravens, who beat the Broncos, who beat the Bengals, who beat the Steelers. So maybe they're among the top teams in the AFC. Who am I to judge?
• One last word on the Upset Perfiction. The Panthers won the game (and put up 34 points) with Jake Delhomme completing 7 passes for 90 yards. Perhaps now they have realized that their team is running and defense. Their well-roundedness is what made them a division champ last year, and what may salvage their season this year.
• Rams-Lions was a fun game! Check out these highlights! The fake field goal at 1:33 of the clip makes these kind of games entertaining. The series of events starting at 0:50 of the clip makes these kind of games legendary.
• Reilly Sports Blog playoff hopefuls Houston and Dallas put up impressive performances against teams against some gross competition. These games are connected though, as Dallas quarterback Tony Romo and Houston running back Steve Slaton are the focal points of the blog's fantasy team. One was good, one is in deep trouble. We will get to this topic more in-depth in the middle of the week.
• Peyton Manning threw for 350 yards, yet no touchdowns. Reggie Wayne caught a touchdown pass though. That's not something you see everyday. Running back Joseph Addai chucked one to Wayne as Indy stayed undefeated against the Niners.
• It's the 4-2 Falcons visiting the 6-0 Saints on Monday Night Football tonight. ESPN is praying for either the Phils or Yanks to put up a 10-spot in the early innings so they can maybe have some viewers. In any case, look for the Saints to prevail, 27-16.
  

Sunday Smash- Week 8

Welcome back to the show, hope everyone had a Happy Halloween! I can't remember the last time I flicked through so many sports games that I legitimately cared about in prime time. There was Islanders-Sabres at 7 (5-0 Isles, 3 in a row. Shazaam.) There was Notre Dame-Washington State (just an occasional score check...everyone knew this one was a gimme for the Irish.) There was Oregon-USC at the same time (a real jaw-dropping experience if you are like me and haven't exactly followed college football your whole life...I've never seen USC get the living crap beaten out of them; didn't know if it was even possible.) Finally, after the absurd storms blew out of Philly, we had game 3 of the World Series between the Phillies and Yankees. Between these two lineups and, more importantly, these two ballparks, this can really be a series like no other as far as balls flying over the wall. The Yankees out-muscled the Phillies last night and can ride the back of CC Sabathia to a possible 3-1 series lead tonight. If Philadephia wins, they can ride Cliff Lee in game 5 to a possible 3-2 series lead. A pivotal game 4 tonight to say the least.

But back to the sport that brings the masses to the Sunday Smash. November has arrived, and it has always been the month where the NFL really drives into high gear. Windy days, fans braving the cold, Thanksgiving, divisional matchups. Things get pretty tasty this time of year. Starting off November? Well, only Brett Favre returning to Green Bay as a member of the hated Vikings. Only the Giants and Eagles renewing their rivalry and providing a sensational appetizer to the Yankees-Phillies main course tonight. And finally, November also brings a change to thr Reilly Sports Blog's Sunday Smash section! I was getting cranky and throwing temper tantrums choosing only 5 games per week to pick. Throw in the fact that I pick the Giants and Jets games every week, and that's only 3 games I have freedom on picking each week. I don't like it. And if I can change, and You can change, everyone can change! So from this point forward, there will be a new and expanded and, hopefully, improved picks section.

Starting...RIGHT NOW! Home teams will be in black to look more spooky. Just cover, baby.

The Locals
Giants (+2) over Eagles
If you'll remember my NFL preaseason preview (I understand if you don't...please don't go back and try to look for it, it's not crucial) you will remember I picked the Eagles to beat out the Giants in the NFC East division. But there's no way Big Blue is losing 3 in a row after starting 5-0. Their home loss to Arizona last Sunday night was a bigtime hiccup, and they will be angry and motivated. The Eagles will be amped up in their own right because of the rivalry and the World Series game mentioned earlier. This one will be fun to watch.
Giants 23, Eagles 17.

Dolphins (+4) over Jets
The Dolphins out-muscled, out-coached, and out-classed the Jets in front of a national audience on Monday Night a few weeks ago. They led the ballyhooed Saints by 21 points before falling apart in the end. Before the Jets beheaded Oakland last week, they looked like a team that was injured and lost. How the Dolphins get 4 points...I cannot explain. I think the Jets pull it out very, very late. Think about Ronnie Brown's touchdown with under ten seconds left to win the last matchup. Shonn Greene does the same and sends the Jet fans home happy, though with minor heart palpitations.
Jets 21, Dolphins 20.

Across the NFL

1. Rams (+4) over Lions
We're going to start out in the pop warner division. The toxic Lions host the decrepid Rams in a game that might be pretty darn entertaining. It may be a 2-0 game, it may be a 42-41 game. Who are we to judge? With Calvin Johnson still banged up, Steven Jackson is the undisputed best offensive player in this matchup. That combined with 4 valuable points (these teams would do horrifying, vile things for 4 points) makes me a Ram Man.
Rams 16, Lions 10.

2. Ravens (-4) over Broncos
Finally, a home team. Finally, a team favored to win. I promise, one day I will believe in the Broncos. One day. I have held that ridiculous catch in week one against my Hard Knock Bengals against them for way too long. Unfortunately it rolls on into this week. Hey Denver, you are off a bye and your first two games are against the Ravens and Steelers. Go 2-0 in these games, and you can officially count me on board. Heck, go 1-1 and I'll be impressed.
Ravens 20, Broncos 7.

3. Cowboys (-10) over Seahawks
Bigger spread, MUCH bigger home stadium. After a lukeward start, the Cowboys had an early bye week, and then two home games coming out of it. Last week, they told the Falcons and the NFL world "our stadium is ridiculous, and we plan to play awesomely here." Though I like the Seahawks, they are walking into a perfect storm here of the Dallas pass rush combined with a possibly mojo'd Tony Romo.
Cowboys 31, Seahawks 17.

4. Vikings (+3) over Packers
The Favre bowl comes at 4 pm today. Some will cheer, some will boo, some may be silent, keeping their feelings in check. Once the game starts though, it's all about football. The Vikings are a better team than the Packers. Minnesota protected their home turf against the Pack earlier this year. The X-Factor? Favre wanting to make this game all about Favre. Forcing ridiculius passes, holding the ball too long, forgetting the basics that make the Vikings a successful team. Presumably, the Vikings are hoping to turn the Favre bowl into the Adrian Peterson bowl. Good luck telling Brett, though.
Vikings 28, Packers 24.

Upset Perfiction of the Week

5. Panthers (+11) over Cardinals
Yes, Arizona is at home. Yes, they beat the vaunted Giants last week on the road. Yes, Jake Delhomme has been to the Panthers what Alka-Seltzer is to birds. But eleven points? The Cardinals can lose to anyone on any given week. I still believe in Carolina--not as a playoff contended, but as a team that can compete every week. That means taking them when they are given more than a touchdown plus a field goal. They lost to Buffalo last week. They'll come in feisty.
Cardinals 31, Panthers 24


Enjoy the games everyone! See you tomorrow (with normal, non-Halloween font) for the Monday Mash.

Phils/Yanks... Enjoy, Mets Fans!

Mets fans thought about it before the playoffs even started. They feared it once the Championship Series started. With the World Series now upon us, they face it...

The hated Philadelphia Phillies will play the hated New York Yankees for baseball's championship. Some fans of the orange and blue have deemed it the 'baseball apocalypse.' Some fans may choose not to watch the series. Some may tune in and not enjoy it. Heck, some wackos may just root for injuries.

I disagree with all three of these strategies. The Phillies and Yankees may be two main rivals of the Mets, but there is a good guy in this series. There is a team for Met fans can (and should) support. There is a team that Mets fans may not be happy with them winning, but should be accepting of them winning.

The Philadelphia Phillies.

Yes, yes, I know. 2007. And 2008. Jimmy Rollins declaring them the team to beat. Cole Hamels labeling the Mets as chokers. Ryan Howard's body mass. Jayson Werth's alarming resemblance to WWE wrestler Edge. Shane Victorino's...well, everything about Shane Victorino.

I have hereby acknowledged all those things. But let's get real here. Those things came into play shortly before the '07 season...about 2 and a half years ago. Since then, the Phillies (and their fans) have often marched into Shea/Citi and walked all over the Mets and their fans. This rivalry, though still expanding, started just two and a half years ago. Before that, it was the Mets/Braves rivalry. Some day, it may be the Mets/Marlins rivalry. Not every division can have a Yankees/Red Sox-esque slugfest year after year. Things often change between the five teams.

One feud that never changes is Yankees/Mets. For every championship the Mets have won, the Yankees have celebrated 13. Any Mets fans born after November 1986 have never experienced a title. Yankees fans born before October 1996 have already seen 4 in their lifetime. Say what you wish about the Yankees' payroll or how many of their players were on the Mitchell Report, but these things truly are supplementary as to why the Yankees should never be rooted for.

It's their fans. Personally, I noticed this phenomenon in the late 1990's when interleague play began. I would be lucky enough to go with my family to one, maybe two, Subway Series games at Shea Stadium. By some divine anti-miracle, we would always find a way to be in the same sections as the 'Bleacher Creatures' that invaded the stadium. As a young teenager, it blew my mind how 40, perhaps 50 people could all get seats next to each other. There they were, cowbells, middle fingers, Mr. Met dolls literally hanging (by the throat) from the stadium ceiling above them.

It wasn't difficult to dislike these people. Sure, they were loud. They were dedicated. But it went beyond that. It was almost as if they weren't there to cheer for the Yankees, but were instead there to take the proverbial dump on Mets fans. The Mets would always have the inferior team, so it was mostly a glorious day at Shea for them. If the Mets would get a hit or, heaven forbid, take the lead in the game, they would simply point to their huge lead in the AL East that season or their boatload of championships.

And they are correct. There is no denying that being a Yankee fan is the easiest job in the sports world. They get whatever free agent they feel like purchasing. If they get criticized, they point to their dozens of championships. They are either the first or second favorite team nearly everywhere in the country. Everyone likes a winner.

But don't fall into this trap, Mets fans. Maybe you haven't had a profound experience with the Yankees/their fans. But it's real. Yes the Phillies have been a royal pain, but I think they are so hated because they are everything the Mets have wanted to be. Howard was our Delgado. Rollins is Reyes. Utley is Wright. Werth is Beltran. Ibanez is a free agent the Mets let get away. Yes, they talk. But the Mets don't have the tightest lips, either.

Here's one last argument. Lets say you're a kid on the school yard. Your entire life, a bigger, older (richer) bully has kicked you in the groin everyday for years. You try to fight it and deny it, but it's happened all your life. You can't help it. Now imagine the past few years, that bully has laid off a little bit, and a new punk has come and for the last few years, gives you a little slap in the face from time to time. If a time came when those two bullies got into a brouhaha and you had to pick a side, which way are you swaying? For me, those years of the bully's torment were a lot worse than the current annoyance of the other guy.

So don't be put off, Mets fans. A great series awaits between clearly, the two best teams. And you have a team to support. Please don't order Phillies hats and jerseys online or anything. But don't feel like Benedict Arnold if there's a glimmer of happiness inside when Howard takes Burnett deep or Lidge strikes out A-Rod in the ninth inning. In the end, fans of the Phillies and Yankees couldn't care less who we root for. In the 2010 season, they will still hate the Mets and their fans whether they win or lose.

But as Rick Reilly once said, "Rooting for the Yankees takes all the courage, imagination, conviction and baseball intelligence of Spam. It's like rooting for Brad Pitt to get the girl or for Bill Gates to hit Scratch 'n' Win."

I couldn't put it any better myself. Enjoy this World Series, and root, root, root for the Phighting Phils. And who knows? If the Mets win the NL East in 2010, it will feel that much better taking down the Champs.

...And with the Mets' luck this year, expect the Yankees to win in 4.