The noticeable lull in the NFL for a couple of weeks is over. We are down to the last three weeks of the season and there are big and interesting games everywhere on the schedule. And the cold and snowy weather is harshing on the pro’s mellow, which always makes things even more exciting. So let’s get down to it.
The Show Me State Showdown. Go figure, but Kansas City at St. Louis is both an important and very interesting game. Young Sam Bradford has the Rams much improved and at 6-7 they, incredibly, have a real shot at winning the NFC West. The Chefs at 8-5 took a large hit last week losing Matt Cassell’s appendix and the game to the Bolts. But they still have a game lead on the Bolts, if they win out they win the AFC West. Not sure why, but I think the Rams get it done.
Saints at Rayvens. Don’t look now, but Drew Fookin Brees has got Reggie Bush back, and with him the juice in the offense has returned. People do not give Bush enough credit for what he provides the Saints. The advancing age of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and the Ravens defense really showed when they were gassed at the end of last week’s game against the Texans. Saints going to put another chink in the old armor.
In some ways, there is no bigger game that Jags at the Peytons. Jacksonville has a one game lead on the suddenly injury depleted and pedestrian Colts who, at 7-6, likely would miss the playoffs if they lose to the 8-5 Jags. But the won’t, Peyton will get this done and pull the Colts into a tie for the AFC South. Falcons at SeaSquawks looks like an important game too; but it’s not. Falcons have quietly been the class of the NFC this year and Seattle is no match. This is why the Rams game is so important. The Donkos visit the Black Hole, a lovely garden spot for Tim Tebow’s first start. The Rayduhs are gonna crush the kid.
Eagles at Giants. Eli, Vick, the weather, and Santa is safe from the Philly fans as the New Yawkers are much more hospitable. Doesn’t get any better than this. I have felt the Giants were slowly turning into a surprisingly solid team for a while now. The Eagles have been on a tear since Vick took over. Both teams are 9-4 and tied atop the NFC East, so this is a huge game for playoff seeding and since the Iggles won the first meeting, they would take a commanding lead with a win. Both teams are banged up at receiver, with the Gents losing Steve Smith for the season and the Eagles DeSean Jackson nursing a banged up foot that will not feel good on the cold field. This is probably a pickem; I would take the Iggles were it in Philly, but in NY it is anybody’s guess. Slight edge to Vick and the Eagles because they have more ways to score points.
The Jets Jets Jets wander a little dazed and confused into Stillerville. Polamalu is out with a flaring achilles. Dirty Sanchez suddenly looks lost. This game is not as good as it looks on paper or ought to be, Big Ben and the Steelers are built to win this kind of game, and they will. Same with the Packers visiting the winter wonderland at Foxborough. Even with Aaron Rodgers the Packers were going to get smoked; without Rodgers, still out with a concussion, it could be brutal. Oh, and Bieber Brady has not lost a home game since 2006. That leaves the Da Bears at the Vikes at the alcohol free University of Minnesota outdoor stadium. If the Geezer were able to go, this might be damn interesting game. Joe Webb can run; but not on this field against Urlacher and the Bears. Game over.
That is all the snowy part, now off to the Wooden segment of today’s Trash. In case you have not heard, Geno Auriemma, Maya Moore and the UConn Lady Huskies are on the doorstep of history. They have not lost a basketball game in two years, eight months and 13 days, a streak of 87 games. With a win this afternoon over 11th ranked Ohio State in the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden the top-ranked Huskies would match the 88-game winning streak of UCLA’s men’s teams from 1971-74.
This is one of those Joe Dimaggio hitting streak like records most people assumed would never be broken. Honestly, Geno and the Huskies are due all the credit in the world, but it is not the same as Wooden and the Bruins. Give them their own space and respect in the women’s game and stop the comparisons with the men and John Wooden. Please.
Each are entitled to their own space. But in that space, stop for a minute and give UConn their due, because what they have done, and are doing, is truly remarkable. And a win today over OSU and high scoring star center Jantel Lavender will not come easy. There is also some history as Ohio State coach Jim Foster was influential in getting Geno Auriemma into coaching at the start of his career.
So with that, let’s get yer trash on!