Divisional Playoffs 2017

Welcome back, everybody!!! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!!! It's is time for the Divisional Playoffs!!!

Last weekend, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Green Bay, and Houston won their Wild Card matches to advance to the Divisional round. Now, we are eight teams away from the Super Bowl, and while their Super Bowl dreams are still alive many NFL teams are at home preparing for next year. Two will begin their new seasons in a home.  The San Diego Chargers officially became the Los Angeles Chargers this week, and the Oakland Raiders are on the verge of filing paper work to make Las Vegas their home.  Meanwhile, the NFL coaching vacancies are starting to fill. Jacksonville made Doug Marrone their official coach and hired Tom Coughlin as president of football operations.  The Denver Broncos hired Vance Joseph away from the Miami Dolphins.  After much speculation, including a possible trade for New Orleans head coach Sean Payton, the Los Angeles Rams made 30-year-old Sean McVay the youngest coach after he spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator with the Washington Redskins. Finally, Anthony Lynn left the East Coast for the West Coast to become head coach of the newly minted Los Angeles Chargers.  

Well, to the picks. Last week, I was a perfect 3-0, but I expect no perfection this week. 

Saturday, January 14, 2017
Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons (4:35 pm EST on FOX):  Seattle.  I really have no faith in the Falcons. I want to pick them to win because they should win. They don't have a great defense, but Matt Ryan has been playing out of his mind this year. Russell Wilson's team has the better defense. That said, I just can't trust the Falcons.  They are like my Braves. They get riiiiiiiiiight there and find a way to lose. Remember, Tony Gonzalez wide open three years ago?  Remember, the 2 point game against New York?  That's what I'm saying.

Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (8:15 pm EST on CBS):  New England.  I'm not going to spend a great deal of time here. We are all thinking it. IT is a forgone conclusion. Tom Brady wants revenge after his four game suspension...Blah-blah-blah, MVP, blah, blah, blah, Bill Belichick, yada-yada. Houston has Brock Osweiler who had a meh game over a meh Raiders team. I wish the Texans the best, but yeah, Brady should win this...easily...

Sunday, January 15, 2017
Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys (4:40 pm EST on FOX):  Green Bay.  Yes, I know Prescott and Elliott have been balling out of control all year. Yes, I know that Tony Romo is ready just in case the rookie slips up, but the way Aaron Rodgers has been playing the last few weeks has me thinking of the Giants from a few years back who ran the table then beat the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl.  The Cowboys should win, but I'm sticking with the Packers.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (8:20 pm EST on NBC):  Kansas City.  This was supposed to be the first game on Sunday, but due to the ice storm that is headed Kansas City's way, the NFL made the move change the time of the game from 1:20 pm to 8:20 pm.  This should be the coldest game of the weekend, and these teams really don't like each other.  The Pittsburgh Steelers have had the upper hand on the Chiefs for the last few meetings including the 43-14 beatdown earlier this year, a game James Harrison claims to not remember playing. I did not want my team to play the Steelers.  There, I said it.  My brain tells me this is the time of the year when Ben Roethelisberger plays his best and my Chiefs, much like the Falcons, turn into the Atlanta Braves. Yet, I soooooooo want this to be the year for the Chiefs. My brain tells me that Pittsburgh is going to win, but my heart is with the Chiefs, so that's my pick, and I'm sticking to it.

Enjoy your games this week!!! Until next time, in Honor of Dr. King's Birthday on Sunday, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

NFL Week 12: Thanksgiving Edition

"Gratitude is the sign of noble souls."-Aesop

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!! I'm not going to spend a great deal of time speaking about this weekend, because I will talk about that on Sunday.  Take a moment to think about the things you are thankful for instead. I'm thankful for my family, my friends, my students, my co-workers, and any person who has played a role in the course of my life, no matter how large or small.  You have all been a blessing and made a contribution to the person I've become.

I know, I know, we are all thankful for football on Thanksgiving day, but how about giving a little thanks to the players, coaches, and staff who give up so much time with their families and put their bodies on the line to entertain us every week. Thanks guys!

I'm thankful that my Chiefs are still in the playoff picture even after that debacle on Sunday. Thank you guys for being my team.

I'm going to make this short and quick, so I can spend time with my family as I know many of you will.

Thursday, November 23, 2016
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions:  Detroit
Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys:  Dallas
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts:  Pittsburgh

Go now and embrace your family and one of the most fabulous dinners of the year! Until next time,
"May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And you pies take the prize,
And my your Thanksgiving dinner,
Stay off your thighs."-Grandpa Jones

NFL Week 11: Pass the Popcorn

Welcome back, everybody!!! We finally made it to Thanksgiving Break. It has been a long week. Tony Romo made an emotional statement about now being the second string quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. Tom Brady and the Patriots lost at home to Seattle. The Green Bay Packers are a hot mess. The Saints can't get out of their own way, and lookey there, my Kansas City Chiefs are in first place in the AFC West.

I know, I know, many people are not saying much about my Chiefs, but the Chiefs are 7-2 going into this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They have only lost those 2 games since beginning last year with that 1-5 record. They have the longest current home game win streak with 10.  They are getting Justin Houston back today, and while I don't expect a monster sack game from Justin, his presence is a welcome to the defense.  

The Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers are both under-performing this season.  The Packers are currently sitting in third place in a division they have normally dominated.  Pittsburgh is also under pressure as they sit in second place in the AFC North. Ben Roethlisberger seemed to throw his coach under the bus this week for his team's woes. Aaron Rodgers, however, came to bat for his coach as people begin to criticize Mike McCarthy, but some of his former teammates have come out swinging against Rodgers and his leadership (or lack of) in Green Bay. We are only halfway through the season and the drama!

While last week wasn't a particularly bad week with me, my five losses were teams that just. Seriously, my losses:  Atlanta, San Diego, Green Bay, New York, and New England. What gives guys?  So, I ended last week with a 9-5 record bringing my seasonal record to 90-57.  On the fantasy side, Lucille Swings is still hanging out in first place with an 8-2 record after soundly defeating my foe.  Lochted and Loaded took a loss last week and drops to 6-3.  Fantasy fans, do not forget that this is a bye week for Atlanta, San Diego, Denver, and the NY Jets. 

Sunday, November 20, 2016
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs:  Kansas City
Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals:  Cincinnati
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns:  Pittsburgh
Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys:  Dallas
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions:  Detroit
Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts:  Indianapolis
Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings:  Arizona
Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants:  New York
New England Patriots vs. San Francisco 49ers:  New England
Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Rams:  Los Angeles
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Seattle Seahawks:  Seattle
Green Bay Packers vs. Washington Redskins:  Washington

Monday, November 21, 2016
Houston Texans vs. Oakland Raiders:  Oakland 

I will be back on Thursday to pick the Thanksgiving Day games. Until then, enjoy your games, and "Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books - especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day."-John Wooden

NFL Week Four: Say Hi to the Bye

I'm frustrated right now for a number of reasons. Our presidential election feels like the pre-match yell fest before a WWE title bout.  American Horror Story is horrible. I'm ticked off about the ending of Stranger Things (and having to wait until next year to see what happens next).  Last week, I lost Adrian Peterson for my fantasy team, and now I might lose Dez Bryant, although he has been that great.

The one silver lining, did you see my Chiefs last week?  Marcus Peters loves the interception. He already has 4 on the season including two against the Jets. Poor Ryan Fitzpatrick, six interceptions...yikes! Now, the Chiefs are prime time bound as they head to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers who are recovering from a 34-3 spanking at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Terrible Towels will be out in full force Sunday Night! Word on the street, however, is that Jamaal Charles will be back on the field Sunday Night.

It's our last week without Tom Brady, America. Enjoy it, not that the Pats have stumbled without him. 

J.J. Watt is out for the season after having back surgery for the second time this year. Good luck J.J., see you next season. Hopefully, not against my Chiefs...

It is that period that many of the lovers of fantasy hate...BYE WEEKS start this week. First up: Philadelphia and Green Bay. Set your lineups accordingly, ladies and gents. My #1 fantasy team Lucille Swings is still undefeated at 3-0, whereas that dumpster fire that I forgot to draft, Lochte and Loaded is 1-1 with the worse lineup ever. Don't forget that the non-hyped London game between Indianapolis and Jacksonville 

Last week, I messed up. Some of those games just...well, I went 8-8 bringing my total to 29-19. I can do better, I hope...

Sunday, October 2, 2016
Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars:  Indianapolis
Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons:  Carolina
Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears:  Detroit
Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots:  New England
Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Jets:  Seattle
Cleveland Browns vs. Washington Redskins:  Washington
Oakland Raiders vs. Baltimore Ravens:  Baltimore
Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans:  Tennessee
Denver Broncos vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Denver
Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals:  Arizona
New Orleans Saints vs. San Diego Chargers:  San Diego
Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers:  Dallas
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers:  Kansas City

Monday, October 3, 2016
New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings:  New York

Thursday, October 6, 2016
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers:  Arizona

Enjoy your games everybody! In honor of Banned Books Week, I leave you with this thought, "We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." 
— J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

NFL Divisional Playoffs 2016

Welcome, welcome, welcome! Happy Divisional Playoffs, and may the odds be ever in your favor! And then there were eight...the divisional round of the NFL playoffs begins today, and for the first time in a long time my Chiefs are still standing! Now, I'm not going to get excited because the Chiefs drew the Patriots in Foxborough. Sigh...


Before we get to the games, the coaching carousal has begun. Chip Kelley leaves the East coast for the West coast taking the 49ers head coaching job. Hue Jackson has landed in Cleveland, Adam Gase is the newbie in Miami, Dirk Koetter is replacing Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay, and Ben McAdoo is headed to Jersey to coach the Giants. There is the all but the signing on the dotted line of Chiefs' offensive coordinator Doug Pederson headed to Philadelphia.


To the games. Last week, I went 3-1. I wanted to pick Green Bay, but honestly, they have had some sketchy play recently.


Saturday, January 16, 2016
Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots-Sigh, I really, really want to pick the Chiefs. Every body knows Tom Brady and Belichick have been formidable opponents for everyone for years. It frightens me when everyone picks my Chiefs. So, I'm going way out on a limb here picking my Chiefs to win. Please, please, please...*fingers crossed*


Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals-Remember when I picked the Pack to go to the Super Bowl, but not to win last week. That hasn't changed. Now, look I know that Seattle drop-kicked the Cards in the mouth in their last game, and Green Bay showed a spark last week against Washington. Flipping a coin...Green Bay. Of course, Arizona will prove me wrong. 


Sunday, January 17, 2016
Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers-I'm not going to even pretend to dwell here. I'm picking Carolina. I hated every moment of that Seattle/Minnesota game, and while Seattle has shown sparks of greatness this year, I believe Carolina is the better team.


Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos-My sister is one of those weirdo fans who has two favorite teams in the same conference. These are her two teams. Pittsburgh is playing with multiple injuries after that MMA game they played with Cincinnati last week.  Denver has rallied around the returning Peyton Manning. Sigh, makes me sick to say...Denver.


This past week, we lost two giants in the entertainment industry David Bowie and Alan Rickman. I was a fan of both-David Bowie, because of his music and his willingness to be the weirdest person imaginable thus making your feel comfortable in your own skin, and Alan Rickman, because he made you believe he was every character he ever played, and how I loved his bad guys, especially Severus Snape. Until next week-"Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened."~Theodor Seuss Geisel

NFL Wild Card Weekend 2016

Welcome back, everybody! It is Wildcard Weekend! The 2015 season is over, and the season that began with 32 teams seeking to play Super Bowl 50 has been reduced to a field of 12. Of course with the end of the season comes Black Monday. Chip Kelley was fired the week before the end of the season, Tom Coughlin stepped down in New York, Lovie Smith's firing in Tampa Bay surprised everyone, while no one was surprised when Mike Pettine was let go in Cleveland. An even bigger surprise was the Colts hanging on to Chuck Pagano and the Saints retaining Sean Payton. Of course, most of us know there are others still waiting to learn their fate.

As Wild Card weekend begins, let's take a fond look back at my picks from the beginning of the season.

NFC East-Dallas Cowboys, NFC West-Seattle Seahawks, NFC South-Carolina Panthers, NFC North-Green Bay Packers
AFC East-New England Patriots, AFC West-Kansas City Chiefs, AFC South-Indianapolis Colts, AFC North-Baltimore Ravens
Wildcards: NFC-Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints/AFC-Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers
NFC Champion-Green Bay Packers/AFC Champion-Kansas City Chiefs
Super Bowl 50 Champion-Kansas City

Okay, I really tanked choosing the Cowboys, Washington won the East, Arizona the West, Minnesota the North, and I was on the money with Carolina, but only two of my NFC picks did not make the playoffs, as Seattle and Green Bay are both playing wildcard weekend. Sorry, Saints and Cowboys. Not really, Cowboys.

On the AFC side, I correctly called the East (which really wasn't a stretch), but Denver won the West, Cincinnati the North, and Houston won the South. Like with the NFC, only two of my picks didn't make the playoffs, as both Indianapolis and Baltimore both lost their starting quarterbacks and their seasons. Better luck next year, guys.

I picked Green Bay and Kansas City Chiefs to play the Super Bowl with the Chiefs winning. Honestly, I was mostly hoping. Hope is still there, but as a pessimistic Chiefs fan, I watch every game with only one eye open. My Chiefs have lost sooooooooooooooooooooo many first round playoff games. I mean, I know you have heard that the Chiefs haven't won a playoff game since Joe Montana was quarterback. They have won 10 straight games. I'm not bragging. Just stating facts. Please, please, please...Sigh...


Last week, I wrapped my season with a 10-6 finish with my final tally at 144-97. Wild Card Weekend finds the Patriots and the Broncos with byes in the AFC, while the Panthers and the Cardinals are relaxing in the NFC. Let's see how well I perform this Wild Card Weekend.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans-No one expected either one of these teams to be here neither at the beginning of the year, nor the middle of the year. Both found a fire that has landed both in the playoffs. As much as I like J.J. Watt, I'm going to have to pick the Chiefs. I'm just going to leave it at that.


Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals-These two teams just flat out hate each other, and I expect it to be chippy early. Each team has won a game in the series this year, and although Cincinnati has been consistent all season (and I have a bit of crush on Marvin Lewis. Yes, I know it's weird), I think Pittsburgh is the hotter team. So, I have to go with Pittsburgh.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings-So, I picked the Seahawks to win the West, and I didn't even include Minnesota. The Seahawks have had to struggle to get to the playoffs, and the Vikings won the North on the last game of the season. Both teams are hot, but I'm going to have to go with the Seahawks after that smackdown they laid upon the Cards last week.

Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins-While I am a huge fan of Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews, I have little to no faith in the Packers. Yes, I am aware that I picked them to go to the Super Bowl, but this team has been playing poorly the last few weeks, yet Washington has a hot hand with Kirk Cousins. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm going with Washington.

There they are ladies and gentlemen. Enjoy your games! Divisional Playoffs next week! Until then, "I put my life on the line to be right here with y'all. Y'all helped me get to this point. We're just going to keep going forward. To me it's nota  game. It's bigger than that."-Eric Berry #BerryStrong Go Chiefs!!

Thanksgiving Day Picks

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!!! Diana Dishes wishes all of you a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving to all of my followers, occasional page visitors, and future readers and their families!!! I have so many things to be thankful for, my family, my friends, my co-workers, my students, my health, My Kansas City Chiefs aren't in the basement, seeing Tony Gonzalez play live in his last season in his last game in the Super Dome, watching Jimmy Graham at any time...so many blessings!!!

This will be a brief post because we will be starting our festivities shortly, which will include football.  So, here are my turkey day picks...

Thursday, November 28
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions:  Detroit

Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys:  Dallas
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens:  Pittsburgh

Until next time,  

NFL Week 4 Picks...

There are a lot of NFL fan bases are shaking their heads in disbelief this Sunday morning.  The Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all in the basement looking up with 3-0 records. None of them appear to be able to get their collective acts together.  Tampa Bay feels that a change at quarterback was necessary, so they have benched Josh Freeman and are starting rookie Mike Glennon today.  The Giants are headed to Arrowhead to take on my Chiefs, who are surprisingly 3-0.  Eli Manning and company have all been wearing the Manning struggle face, and I don't think the Barbeque in Kansas City is going to change that.  At least with Pittsburgh and Minnesota, one of them will leave London today with a win, unless of course they tie, which would make this game even worse.  Who knew when the NFL booked this game that the records would smell like three day old fish and chips?

Wildcard Weekend...

It's Wildcard Weekend! The march to Indianapolis has begun, and we will see who are the winners and who are the pretenders.

My Chiefs finished the season with has to go down as one of the worse victories ever-a 7-3 victory over the Denver Tebows. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry during this game. I think I did a little of both. So, the Chiefs went from the Penthouse (10-6; AFC West Champs) to the basement finishing the year with a 7-9 record. Sigh...the word on the street is that the Chiefs are about to announce that will remove the interim from Coach Romeo Crennel's name. Matt Cassel, Jamaal Charles, and Tony Moeaki will be back. Things can only get better...

Last week, I finished my season with a 12-4 week. Yay, me! Not bad, I managed to get 68.9% of my picks correct, although that would be an F if I were giving myself a grade. :(

Any who...
Saturday, January 7

Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans-Houston (Although this game can go either way)

Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints- New Orleans

Sunday, January 8

Atlanta Falcons @ New York Giants-Atlanta (Okay, I really, really, really hope Tony Gonzalez finally gets a playoff victory.)

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos-Pittsburgh

Alright, guys that's it...Enjoy your Wildcard Weekend...I'm off to enjoy the last two days of my vacation. Until next time... "The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity."~Lewis Grizzard

NFL Week 13 Picks: Jim Mora Rant Edition

t seems like only yesterday that the football season started with the Saints and Green Bay opening the year. Now, there are only 5 weeks left in the season. Teams are scrambling to put together runs to try to make it to the playoffs. In the lead in the AFC are New England (8-3), Houston (8-3), Baltimore (8-3), Oakland (7-4), Pittsburgh (8-3), and Cincinnati (7-4). New York Jets, Tennessee, and Denver all have a 6-5 record and are trying to play their way into the pack. While in the NFC, the leaders are Green Bay (11-0), San Francisco (9-2), New Orleans (8-3), Dallas (7-4), Atlanta (7-4), and Chicago (7-4). Chicago and Houston are working with back up quarterbacks. Denver has Tim Tebow who has won 5 games in a row. Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers are playing like men possessed. Atlanta and Dallas are slowly getting their collective acts together. This last month is going to be awesome.

NFL Week 9 Picks: A look back at the Folly...

It's week nine ladies and gentleman! It's hard to believe that the season is half over, but on the positive, my Chiefs are on a four game winning streak and tied for first in the AFC West!!! Now, I don't have any illusions that they will win the West, but it is awesome that they are still in the conversation. At the beginning of the season, I took a look at the NFL landscape and made bold predictions about how the season would unfold (not really, bold, but I made them none the less.)

I'm Ready for Some Football: Predictions without Merit!!!

Finally, football is back!!! The Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints put on a spectacular show Thursday night with the Pack winning 42-30. Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees were unbelievable. The Defenses...well...

Usually, around this time, I am getting my fantasy football season into gear. This year, I have decided the not play. No, I haven't completely given up on fantasy. I love playing. I just don't have a lot of free time these days. Now, I'm not a football expert. So, I'm not going to even pretend to be, but here are some of the things I'm looking forward to this NFL season.

It's Time to Name the Champ...Super Bowl XLV

Welcome back, everybody!!! This is the most bittersweet day on my yearly calendar...Super Bowl Sunday. Every year, along with everybody else, I partake in the gluttony of wings, dips, chips, etc. as we all watch to see who will wear the crown. The last time one of my teams actually made the Super Bowl was 1994 in Super Bowl XXIX when the San Francisco 49ers won the Super Bowl. My Chiefs haven't been to the big game since their win at Super Bowl IV in 1969. So, every year I throw myself on some random bandwagon just to have a rooting interest. Last year, I rooted for the Saints. I just wanted them to win so badly, and they did.

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of either of these teams. I don't actually hate either team. (I don't like Ben Roethlisberger or Hines Ward, but I try not to hold it against the whole team. Then again, I don't really like Aaron Rodgers, either.)

The Pack haven't been to the big game since 1997 (jeez, that was the year I graduated from college). Bet Lord Favre is still smarting that Desmond Howard won the Super Bowl MVP that year. The Steelers are going for their 3rd ring in 6 years (2005, 2008).

On the Green Bay Packers, I love Clay Matthews, A.J. Hawk, Greg Jennings, and Charles Woodson, not to mention Donald Driver is a Alcornite. I carried the Packers as my fantasy defense most of the year. Plus, they have Kevin Greene as an assistant coach. I love Kevin Greene. The guy was a pro wrestler! How can you not love these guys.

With the Pittsburgh Steelers, I love Troy Polamalu (the hair, the reckless abandon, the hair), James "I'm gonna mess up your quarterback" Harrison, James Farrior.

Btw, do you guys realize that if the Steelers win, Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich will have more Super Bowl rings than Peyton Manning. Charlie Batch will have the same number as Tom Brady. tee-hee...

Packers or Steelers...Packers or Steelers...Statistically, they are practically the same team. That said, I'm going with the...The Green Bay Packers. I know...I know...I'm still going with the Pack.

So, I'm off to watch the last game of the 2010 season with most of America. We are all hoping that the NFL and NFLPA will come up with a new CBA without depriving us of football. Enjoy the game while you can boys and girls...It might be the last for a while.

Until next time, “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”~Vince Lombardi

The AFC-NFC Championships Games Are Here...But, There is a Tear in My Beer*

Happy Championship weekend, everybody! The final four teams will be taking the field shortly to decide who will travel to Dallas for the chance to hoist the Lombardi trophy as the winners of Super Bowl XLV...yet...I can't help but be a little sad...

The AFC-NFC Championship games signal an ending to the season. After today, there will only be two more NFL games until next season. *Technically, no one counts the Pro Bowl, but it's still football.* After the Super Bowl, we have to wait until August to see our favorite teams take the field again...I watch the Combine, the Draft, but really, it doesn't take the place of the action on the field. Watching quarterbacks flee from Ray Lewis, watching Tony Gonzalez stretch his arms for a pass, watching my Chiefs win the AFC West...I love this game! So, could I'm wishing, hoping, praying, crossing my fingers, singing Rose Royce, that the owners and players reach out to each other and agree on a new CBA.

By the way, I am glad that Tony Gonzalez will be returning for a 15th season, even though I missed the announcement on Jim Rome is Burning. *note to self, join the 21st century and invest in a DVR.* Now, to get Shawne Merriman up and running...

Any who, here are my picks:

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears. Readers, you know that I have no love for Jay Cutler, but here he is. I don't trust him because some times his play looks as if he has been attending the Brett Favre School for Quarterbacks under the tutelage of Prof. Jake Delhomme. I picked the Packers at the beginning of the season to go to the Super Bowl, even though I picked against them last week. (For the record: it wasn't so much that I didn't think they could beat the Falcons, as much as, I wanted Tony Gonzalez to finally win a playoff game.) I'm a cheesehead today. I'm picking the Packers.

New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers. Well, the Steelers ruined my Super Bowl picks by beating the Ravens. So here we are Jets and Steelers. Like Cutler, I don't like Ben Roethlisberger. *cough* Jerk. Yeah, he has two rings...blah, blah, blah. He doesn't get the credit like Peyton and other elite quarterbacks...yada, yada, yada. I don't care. I like the Steelers, but he's their quarterback, soooo...They won't lose because of Ben, although I wish they would. These are two great defenses. I'm just hoping somebody survives to see the Super Bowl. I'm picking the Jets.

That's it, y'all. Until next week, "Pro football is like nuclear warfare. There are no winners, only survivors."~Frank Gifford

*Rootbeer, Y'all know I don't drink. :)