Wildcard Weekend and Battleship Potemkin Trash

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Sometimes you see things that just make you shake your head and say “what the hell is going on here?”

Here we are at the start of the NFL Playoffs – the always thrilling, and often surprising Wildcard Weekend – topped off by the Saturday night special featuring the Detroit Kitties first return to the playoffs since the late 1990s. And Marcy is going to be getting her culture on at a staging of Battleship Potemkin.

Say what???

Yes, you read that correctly. We have here a playoff game with two, count em two, 5,000 yard passers. Yep, while all the focus down the stretch was on Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, Matt Stafford quietly put up one hell of a season and eclipsed the magic 5,000 yard barrier. In short, he has been great and along with a semi-healthy MegaTron Johnson, gives the Lions a puncher’s chance tonight. One other thing about Stafford, while he did give up 16 picks this year, 9 of them came when he was struggling with a protective glove over a broken index finger. That has mostly resolved and Stafford was money down the stretch. Also, the Kitties have their defensive backfield back to full strength with the return of Louis Delmas and CB Aaron Berry. The Saints are, of course what we thought they were. Flat out bad ass nasty good on offense led by the field general Brees and Darren Sproles chewing up ground. The Saints’ O-boys can get some game on, but their defense is not what it was in the Super Bowl run two years ago.

I won’t bet any money on it, but the Lions are more than capable of winning this game over the Saints, and it should be a LOT of fun to watch. Well, that is, assuming you are actually watching the game and not Battleship Potemkin! Which brings up the collateral damage problem. McCaffrey. You see McCaffrey LOVES him some football, and must be in the throes of despair at not being able to watch the Kitties and Saints like other rational American dogs. McCaffrey, seen at left during happier times, is considering filing a lawsuit for emotional distress. Soon as he puts his paw print on the contingency fee agreement, we are off!

The early game on Saturday is Bengals at Texans. If the Texans were at full strength, this is not close. But Matt Schaub is done for the year and Houston is going with rookie TJ Yates, who has a bruised up left shoulder, with Jake Delhomme in reserve. Andre Johnson should play, but is clearly still fairly hobbled. Linebacker Mario Williams also out. Houston really backed in to the playoffs with three losses to close out the season, but do have a great ground game. The Bengals did not exactly light it up down the stretch, but did really shows signs of maturing as a team, and Andy Dalton looks very much like a professional QB rather than a rookie. Edge to the Bengals.

The early game Sunday is Dirty Birds at Gents. If this game was in Hot’Lanta, I think it is not even close. But in NY (okay New Joisey), it is a tossup. The Giants defense seems to be gelling at just the right time and the running game is coming around a little. Atlanta despite the stability that should come from the air/ground combo of Matt Ryan and Michael The Burner Turner, has tendencies to be flaky. Probably all comes down to whether Good or Bad Eli shows up. Bet here is that it is Good Eli and the Giants boasting is correct, they are going to be a tough out in the playoffs.

The late game Sunday is, of course, The Tebowl. Stillers are gonna go pay their respects to Baby Jesus at the Mile High Mount. Probably won’t be much actual respect shown though. Big Ben is gimpy, and Ryan Clark is staying home because of the altitude and his sickle cell issue. And the Steelers have other health issues and blah, blah, blah. They are still the Steelers and Tim is still Tebow, great heart and no arm. Is it possible for the Broncs and Baby Jesus to pull off a shocker and win? Sure, but not damn likely.

This will in all likelihood also be the designated Trash post for Monday’s BCS Championship game. Not much to discuss there, we have already seen this game, it is just that the craptastic BCS is making us watch it again. Both are excellent teams, and both have killer D’s. But, just like last time, the slight edge goes to Honey Badger and LSU.

Throw down some Trash people!

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98 replies
  1. emptywheel says:

    To plead my case:

    1) We live 4 minutes walking distance from the concert (I can see the building from where I’m sitting). We’ll clearly make it home for the end of the game, and we can monitor it throughout to see if we need to sneak out earlier.

    2) We got the tickets before the NFL released the schedule.

    3) The Kitties often do better when I’m not watching.

    4) They don’t need me watching anyway. As I’ve pointed out already, MI teams are 1-0 in the SuperDome this year–the very same record the Aints have there in 2012. So I figure the Kitties have it in the bag.

    If counselor insists, though, we’ll leave the telly on when we leave and McC can call us if it gets really good.

  2. Bay State Librul says:

    One upset, no Tebow surge.

    Pittsburg 24 Denver 13 — Pigskin Pete has Pitt +8, total points 35
    Houston 27 Cincinnati 24 — Pigskin Pete has Houston +3, total points 38

    Detroit 31 NO 28 — Pigskin Pete has NO +11, total poimts 47
    Giants 28 Atlanta 21 — PP has Giants +3, total points 47

  3. scribe says:

    Best to leave the set on to keep the dog company lest he get really bent out of shape and wreck something.

    Battleship Potemkin? What, an orchestra playing to the movie? Or a live action revival?

    I’m riding with the Stillers and, of all things, the Aints. I got sucked into a bet (for beer) on the Aints, and they’d damn well better win by more than 10 1/2.

  4. bmaz says:

    @emptywheel: I have run this settlement proposal by Jed Rakoff. He termed it an “affront to the public canine interest”.

    Free McCaffrey from football hell!

  5. Starbuck says:

    I’m with Marcy. Go Eisenstein! Detroit pussies suck!

    Now if it was the NBA finals and Marcy is going somewhere else, WTF!

  6. pdaly says:

    Has anyone asked McCaffrey?

    Compromise and take McCaffery to the Eisenstein movie in a baby carriage.
    And pack a portable TV inside.

  7. emptywheel says:

    @scribe: I believe the subtitle is “Shostakovich rolls over in his gave,” if that’s any indication.

    Yup, orchestral accompaniment. Plus Eisenstein on a big screen–never seen it at all much less in a theater with score.

  8. emptywheel says:

    @pdaly: Well, we’ve been back for our walk for 10 minutes. In that time, McC has gone upstairs to the TV room twice.

    Remember, this is the dog who, for several weeks after football season ends, makes us sit in front of the TV on Sunday PM watching whatever is on the TV, cause he knows when football is supposed to be on.

  9. emptywheel says:

    Also, I’d like to issue a counter-complaint against McC’s attorney.

    By calling the Kitties game a “Saturday night special” are you suggesting Brees or Stafford are cheap guns? Because they’re both handsomely paid, you know.

  10. bmaz says:

    @emptywheel: I put a link to the MILive review in up near top of post.

    I saw the movie, in original silent mode, in a film class in college. It is simply stunning work. Is a perfect example of the power of black and white film to haunt and convey emotion and texture that color often just does not have.

  11. bmaz says:

    @emptywheel: Heh, and I would like to counter back that it is, um, ironic that you will be seeing Battleship Potemkin and all its message…….at the DeVos Center.

  12. emptywheel says:

    @bmaz: Yeah, that GR Press review went to some length to say, “it’s okay, you’re allowed to like Soviet propaganda.”

    And of course our film at the time was stymied by patent-holders who didn’t want film to be great, just cheap.

  13. emptywheel says:

    @bmaz: Anyway, the DeVoses are nothing if not happily ironic in the things they sponsor. Don’t forget the Amway multinational pyramid scheme folks pay for our Independence Day fireworks, held in a park honoring the Native Americans who first lived in GR.

  14. Jim White says:

    This is clearly a case of defective counsel. The proper suit to file is to get the performance time of Battleship Potemkin changed to a more appropriate early afternoon time slot.

    Gonna be pulling for the Saints to go all the way this year and will, of course, also be cheering on The Anointed One, because well, resistance is futile.

  16. JohnLopresti says:

    McCaff heard somewhere the Browns are in the playoffs,
    or the park,
    or the frozen dunes
    the Browns which have one mascot who is a labrador
    I think I heard audio of one of their games; the fans barked.
    but that’s football.
    Nice b/w cinematographic comment from bmaz, too. But dont get me started on the Billion Dollar Brain; or even Japanese art films; or how I could enjoy both genres. Lately, I have had difficulty with being a viewer of the new crop of vietnam videography; some intriguing, artistic, jazz infused material is occurring in vn very recently.

  20. emptywheel says:

    Josh McDaniels officially working for the Pats again.

    Now I gotta hope for Baby Jesus to beat an ouchy Big Ben (yeah, I know). Well, I was rooting for that anyway.

  28. Bob Schacht says:

    You guys missed the best game of the day: #3 Notre Dame Dames beat the #2 UConn Huskie bit– oh, wait, can I say that here? Anyway, it was a replay of last year’s tournament victory upset. A thriller that went to overtime until ND won by 7 points. Notre Dame’s team is pretty much the same as last year’s heroes who beat UConn.

    But now, on to the kitties vs. saints. Detroit looks good.

    Bob in AZ

  33. bmaz says:

    MegaTron!!

    Also, if certain other parties were here and not at the DeVos LOC Cultural Megalopolis, I would point out that NBC was just playing Saturday Night Special by Skynyrd.

  35. burnt says:

    Kitties up 14-7. Hmm, potential barn burner? And Charles Barkley at half??? Sir Charles? I don’t get it but I approve.

  38. Bay State Librul says:

    Hang in there, Detroit

    OT

    Joe Kennedy Jr. (son of Joe for Oil) may run to replace Barney.
    Warren and Kennedy, such good news, to douse water on them Republican clowns

  39. burnt says:

    @bmaz: damn, I guess I haven’t been paying attention. Bittersweet and I are committed to visiting Memory Lanes (Phoenix Woman knows what I’m talking about) to see Davina and do a little dancing on the lanes. Sir Charles on SNL should be a classic–and I ain’t got no DVR. Oh, Hell.

  43. bittersweet says:

    @bmaz: Well, burnt and I discussed it. We just can’t give the fucking wing nut the nod. At least Lemmy supports a youth soccer club.
    (Plus Nude Gent was shirtless with a pussy cat tail pinned to his tighty whitey in the video I looked at, and I nearly barfed).

  50. burnt says:

    Well, it’s a barn burner but not in the way a NFL North fan desires. Damn, I thought the kitties had a shot. Go Pack.

  52. emptywheel says:

    @bmaz: Yeah–and some more experience. You gotta figure that a preseason would have made a big difference with kids like Fairly and Young.

    I’m skeptical that Best is coming back, but if he does that’s a big difference. Need a bruiser though.

  56. GulfCoastPirate says:

    @bmaz: Yea, that was a pretty glaring weakness but overall I thought Detroit played pretty well. Just not enough horses yet to go the distance against a team like NO. They’re going to give a lot of people trouble in the future if they fill a couple holes in the draft.

    I thought the Texans looked very good. We’ll see if that defense holds up in Baltimore. If it does they could make a nice playoff push as long as Foster stays healthy. Did you see his Olajawon ‘shake and bake’ routine after the touchdown?

  57. phred says:

    @bmaz: Speaking of Cheese, I picked up a package of jalapeno cheese curds on my holiday travels and can highly recommend them!

    Happy New Year Everyone!

    Oh and scribe, I’m decked out in black and gold for the Stillers today. The Mr. can’t wait for the game. I’m mildly curious about what all the Tefuss is about, haven’t seen the new Denver QB play yet…

  58. phred says:

    @GulfCoastPirate: Interesting seeing all the comments about how good the Texans looked. I listened to the game on the radio and the announcers did not give that impression. I’m pulling for the Texans on general principles, but I think they will have their work cut out for them in Baltimore.

  59. emptywheel says:

    @phred: A pity you didn’t see him before he started thinking about staying in the pocket, and as a result has developed a deer in the headlights look about him.

    Then again, maybe not.

  60. scribe says:

    G-men seem to be running pretty much at will over the Dirty Birds. Another TD as I type this – now 24-2.

  68. Bob Schacht says:

    The TeeVee just showed passing stats for Rothlisberger: 5 passes, NO receptions, and one INT! When is the last time that happened? I think Ben has a problem with one of his wheels. And he just completed a pass.

    Jeez, I wish I had bet a bunch on the Donkos today.

    Bob in AZ

  72. Bob Schacht says:

    @bmaz: The Stillers are staging their own 4th quarter comeback. And they only went for the tie rather than trying for 2.
    But Denver has plenty of time for more plants.

    Bob in AZ

  74. JTMinIA says:

    Ben can’t move and they can’t keep shootin’ him up or he’ll start muttering gibberish and/or praying to Tebow. This is going to be a rough OT.

  77. scribe says:

    Well, when Ben’s on one wheel, the main RB is out, the fragile All-Pro center is out and the replacement is flipping the ball all over the block, and half the defense (including the whole D line) is out, whaddya expect?

    I give Ben props for toughing it out. The TV guys said the doctors have opined that the swelling in his ankle will be gone by, oh, April or May.

    I do agree, though, that they should have gone for 2. No sense in not going for it.

    Oh, well. So ends another season. Pitchers and catchers report in 5 weeks.

  78. GulfCoastPirate says:

    @phred: Because of the QB situation they’re going to be a grind it out team from here on out. That may not be sexy but with a third string, rookie quarterback they aren’t going to win any shootouts. It is what it is. Lots of teams have won with that philosophy. We’ll just have to see how far they can go.

  80. CTuttle says:

    @Jim White: *heh* Ever the Gator fanatic eh, Jim…? ;-)

    As I noted on Tbogg’s ritual there will be Teblood thread… Are you f*cking kidding me…??? First play of OT…! My Donkies pull off the improvident victory…! ;-)

  83. emptywheel says:

    @Jim White: Oh, I did (mostly bc of the Stillers injuryies). I give them a chance in Foxboro next week, too, though I’m glad the Pats are getting them instead of the Stillers.

  91. phred says:

    @GulfCoastPirate: I agree, but in this league I would be very surprised to see a team, even one as good as the Texans, get very far in the playoffs with a third string QB. Still, I’ll be cheering for them : )

  92. phred says:

    We got called away at half-time last night, just as well for the Mr.’s blood pressure as it turns out, but I just wanted to pop back in to say… I thought Tebow wasn’t supposed to have a good arm. Maybe I heard wrong, because those deep passes sure looked pretty convincing to me…

  93. Bob Schacht says:

    @phred: I think the criticism was not over the strength of his arm, but his ability to throw NFL-type passes. One of those that he did show in this victory was the back-shoulder pass, where instead of leading the receiver, the QB throws to one of the receiver’s back shoulders. In this case, he threw quite accurately to the back left shoulder of the receiver running down the left sideline with the defensive back on his right side. This kind of pass is a relatively recent innovation that has become more common. It requires pinpoint accuracy, and good understanding between the QB and receiver.

    Bob in AZ

  94. rosalind says:

    yikes, very sad:

    The body of a male victim recovered from the icy waters of the Fox River in Wisconsin Monday is believed to be that of Michael Philbin, the 21-year-old son of Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin…”(The security guard) heard somebody calling for help and he saw a subject on the (Fox River) ice early Sunday. When he looked again, subsequently, the subject was gone. We haven’t positively identified who the subject is at this point.” The Sheriff’s Office spokesman added that the ice on the Fox River is “treacherous.”

  95. bmaz says:

    This is the most pathetic, shibag, boring crap ass rematch horseshit football game imaginable. Just fuck the BCS. There are 4-5 teams that right now, tonight (USC, Oregon, Oklahoma State, Stanford and Boise State), would beat this useless craptastic SEC bullshit, no offense, crap. Fuck this worthless shitty fuckstick crap fuck shit.

  96. rosalind says:

    i bow down to the mighty SEC and the awesome gameplay displayed tonight. i am forever humbled at my previous profane notion that championship teams should possess both Defense and Offense and the ability to demonstrate the both at the same time.

    i pity the poor ESPN lackey charged with culling the highlights to a length suitable for broadcast.

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