Wild Divisional Card Trash Talk

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Four games on the schedule this weekend. No time for chit chat about balls that are round, whether large, as in the NBA, or small, like MLB. This is Playoff Football baybee!

In order, we have these games:

Chefs at Texans: This looks to be a surprisingly good game. Like the Skins in the other conference, Houston is hard to read. On a late roll. But they are4 on a roll with great defense and a boring, if marginally competent offense. That has been working for the Texans down the stretch. The line seems to consistently be on the Chefs. The real hesitation seems to be KC’s quarterback, Alex Smith. So, okay, Smith is not Joe Montana, but, then again, neither is Brian Hoyer, of whoever Houston is sporting. Edge Tejanos.

Steelers at Bengals: The matchup all the howling jackals on ESPN are uniformly calling the best of the playoffs. As usual, they are a bunch of NFL league co-opted mouthpieces that make Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy look like pikers. Especially twats like Chris (11 out of 12 balls) Mortensen. Welp,back to the game, Cinci is a minor favorite at home. But they are starting Mr. AJ McCarron. Is that enough to squash Big Ben and the Stillers? Yeah, not if.

Squawks at Teh Norske: Wowzah. I have no idea on this, but a shocking lot of talking heads on ESPN and whatnot are saying Minnesota has a real chance and may well win this. As Lee Corso would scream, not so fast! I will stick with Pete Carroll and the Emerald City Boys, even if Beast Mode is not in the mix. Squawks are on a roll, and my bet is only Carolina or the Cards will stop that roll. Hope I am wrong, but not betting otherwise.

Pack at Skins: Probably the best game of the weekend. Will Rahdgahs be Rodgers? Can the Pack O-Line block, or would H and R do better? Is there any secondary left for the Pack? I have no clue. It is not a pretty picture in Title Town right now. Yes, the Cheese are in the playoffs, but as our greatest President, Jed Bartlett said, “Boy, I don’t know”. On the other hand, I liked Kirk Cousins from the get go. Before the Cards collected up Carson Palmer, I actively lobbied to have them trade some bullshit to Dan Snyder to get Cousins. Ask Marcy, she will confirm. But Shanahan was right about Cousins being the man, and not RG III. You like that? I do, and right now, if I had to put money down, I would take the Skins, and that would be a fine story. But my heart will always be made of Cheese and my eyes filled with Geezers and Starrs, of the Brett and Bart variety. I will throw my sorry lot in with the Cheese, but the Washington Professional Football Franchise has been playing awfully well lately. This is a pick em.

Music this fine weekend by the one and only, dearly departed, Robet Palmer. Don’t kid yourself, the dude and his band seriously rocked. I wish there were words, but there are not.

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111 replies
  2. JohnT says:

    (Don’t want to be a blog whore but here’s my take, from the other thread)
    .
    .
    (knock on wood)
    .
    I took all the home teams in the NFL.
    .
    People are talking about the edge that the Steelers have because Big Ben IS playing, and the fact that Andy Dalton ISN’T. And I’m not impressed w/ AJ McCarron either, but I think the Bengals defense rules this game.
    .
    I think defense also is the key to the Texans / Chiefs. I predict JJ Watt will have a huge game. I don’t dislike the Chiefs. I like ALEX Smith, and think he was given a raw deal in SF because he was a horrible fit for their system. And the only time he excelled was under NORV! as OC, then, while Mr Khaki pants was coach. And I love the trivia that the Chiefs haven’t lost since the Royals won the World Series. But I think the Texans Defense will wreak havoc
    .
    I like the Vikings. Ok, I AM a homer. But I’ve been ruthless on them when they’ve been bad, and they’re not a Super Bowl team YET, but a lot of their players don’t know that. They need seasoning; they’re young; they need more talent on the offensive line; and a LB to replace Chad Greenway when he retires; and a strong safety who can wrap up on a tackle. But other than that, they ARE an 11-5 team; w/ the best record against the spread in the NFL at 12-3; they are at home and being inexperienced, that isn’t as big a deal, but what is a big deal, is Old Man Winter is making an appearance, and he’s going to be mean and nasty. I know – “Seattle’s defense, and Russell Wilson” – but I think the Vikings defense causes more turnovers in the frigid cold than Seattle’s does (PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Adrian Peterson and Teddy Bridgewater hold on to the ball)
    .
    And the last game I think will be all offense. W/ the DC team winning. I just think when all is said and done, that whatever is wrong w/ Rodger’s arm will be the difference. It isn’t going away until he gets proper treatment in the off season
    .
    And, since this is sports talk, I also took the Washington Capitols and the Dallas Stars. And in NCAA basketball I took St Mary’s, South Carolina, and Arkansas Little rock. And my bold prediction in b-ball is St Mary’s and South Carolina make it to the Sweet 16
    .
    YMMV

    • John Casper says:

      No evidence, but I don’t think Packers, Rodgers, or his agent think Rodgers’ arm is hurt in a way that can be corrected. They all have financial incentives to shut him down, so he can return to his customary excellence. Rodgers’ has absorbed a ton of hits. I just don’t see them allowing that, if they thought he was hurt. Packers would want to find out about back-up Scott Tolzien.

      The ball isn’t coming out on time. Against mostly single coverage, because afaik, defenses are loading up against the run, 12 doesn’t think the receivers are open. That shouldn’t happen in the NFL. The receiver and Rodgers both know the call and the reads. At a minimum the receiver should have a split-second of separation at the “top of the route.” IMHO, receivers and o-line haven’t played well and that contributed to Rodgers getting hit a lot more and losing confidence in both. I’ve read speculation that his eyes aren’t downfield as much any more.

      Washington has some of the weakest defensive backs in the league. If Rodgers can’t throw for 300 against them, Pack’s in real trouble. Packers will get nothing through the “A” gaps. Terrance “potroast” Knighton, aka, “the U.S.S. Knighton,” because he’s, “big as a battleship,” can’t be moved.

      Packers best corner, Sam Shields is out with a concussion.

    • bmaz says:

      Halladay was a hell of a pitcher; there is no reason for him to be obnoxious in retirement. Clemens could out pitch him, and Bonds could hit him, before they ever knew about PEDs. To any extent they ever used them anyway. Shut up Roy.

  4. Jim White says:

    .
    Well, I WILL talk about that round ball, mainly because I never follow the rules. My Gators got thoroughly humiliated in Knoxville on Wednesday, but this afternoon managed to set things right with a narrow but wire to wire win over LSU. They forced a shit-ton of turnovers by golden boy Ben Simmons in the second half, including a big couple of them in the pivotal final minute.
    .
    As for today’s wild cards, I have to pull for the Chefs to continue the post-Royals magic. It will be tough with the Texans at home, but at least with as many different QB’s as Houston has played this year, I’d look for some inconsistency on offense against a good Chefs D.
    .
    In the late game I have to continue my consistent rooting against any player who likely has gotten away with rape and so it’s Bungles all the way. And who knows, maybe McCarron will continue his legacy of game management when it gets down to crunch time.

    • bmaz says:

      McCarron is on a roll. First he won the girl of Brent Mussberger’s dreams, and now he and Katherine Webb have a baby on the way. That is a pretty good winning streak.

  5. Peterr says:

    All week, the sports folks in KC have been saying how important it is for KC to get an early lead, to make the Texans play catch-up.
    .
    Looks like the game plan is working. Thanks, Knile.

  6. phred says:

    Welp, the only reason I’m not dead last in my football pool this year is one of the guys had to drop out mid-season. So, rather than “predict” anything, I’m simply going to say we’ll be cheering for the Chefs (for my dad and Peterr), the Stillers (for the Mr. and scribe), and the NFC North (for me, bmaz and chums (you too, JohnT) with the misfortune to have been raised on the wrong side of the river ; )
    .
    Happy Playoffs All!

  8. scribe says:

    Oy. Hoyer can’t complete to anyone other than they guys in white and red. Sick. Lame. Musta imported some Boobirds from Philthydelphia..
    .
    But Hoyer earned it, bigtime.

  11. scribe says:

    This Chefs beatdown is so boringly thorough that I’ve switched over to Batman. It’s one of the Eartha Kitt as Catwoman episodes, the one with her lime-green Kittymobile.

    • Bay State Librul says:

      I think Bill is rooting for the Bengals tonight (sorry Scribe)

      Rocket is still feeling the heat from Mac’s B12 vitamin needle up his arse.
      He says making the Hall of Fame is not that important but karma wins, and Roger is again full of shit.

  12. Jim White says:

    .
    Wait.
    .
    We’ve had TWO tries at getting trash talk today and it’s still not right?
    .
    It’s Wild Card Weekend in the NFL. Divisional games are next week.
    .
    Just sayin’…

      • orionATL says:

        hey, now the canadiens got trudeau the younger. i say let’em take over. we could use some good leadership.

        • bmaz says:

          Finicky guy, now aren’t you?? Okay, the title has been kind of fixed.
          .
          As with the Monty Python and the Holy Grail:
          .
          [After a series of subtitles about mooses]
          We apologise for the fault in the subtitles. Those responsible have been sacked.
          [More subtitles about mooses]
          We apologise again for the fault in the subtitles. Those responsible for sacking the people who have just been sacked, have been sacked.
          [Credits about mooses]
          The directors of the firm hired to continue the credits after the other people had been sacked, wish it to be known that they have just been sacked.

  13. bloopie2 says:

    The TV types noted that so far (6+ quarters) the home teams have not scored. At all. Also that the visiting quarterbacks on the four teams this weekend have some 37 playoff starts between them, while the four home team quarterbacks have zero playoff starts under their belt. Does not bode well for DC or Minnesota.

  18. JohnT says:

    .
    In general, personal fouls are idiotic emotional plays, but that has to be the dumbest PF I can remember seeing in years
    .
    #waytochokethegameawayBengals

  19. bloopie2 says:

    These asshole commentators are SO sanctimonious. “Oh, it’s dis-grace-ful to cheer when the opposing quarterback is injured and leaves the game”. Give me a fucking break. Shazier can go out there and target someone and that’s fine but you can’t cheer when you suddenly have an opportunity to face a backup quarterback? Go to hell.

  20. bloopie2 says:

    Yeah, Cincinnati fucked themselves, several times. Too bad. But really shouldn’t have expected to win, with a #2 QB on the field. Pittsburgh did not play that well, and Kansas City did, so I’ll pull for the Chefs now.

  21. CTuttle says:

    Holy sh*t that was the ugliest finish to a NFL playoff game ever…! The Bungles had the the game until they completely lost their cool…! *gah*

  24. bloopie2 says:

    I do not have lack of remorse based on ‘fugly’ fan conduct. Players have some kind of ‘code of conduct’, but fans don’t. Fans cheer when things go right for their team, and fans cheer to try to make things go right for their team. For example, is fans yelling so loudly that the offense can’t hear, ‘fugly’? (Happens all the time. And, stadiums are expressly designed to funnel fan noise to the field, and that is considered acceptable by the league.) Fans can do what they want — that’s the level NFL morals are at. Anyhow, that incident occurred after the legal but dirty hit by Shazier that caused a fumble, so it was simple tit for tat. I do feel bad for the fans, as the Bengals could not finish it on the field when they had a clear opportunity to do so, but my feeling won’t change because they cheered an injured player. Last example: If my team will be playing team X next week, and I learn that team X quarterback is out injured, can I be unhappy? Would that be fugly?

  25. scribe says:

    I couldn’t watch the end of the Stillers win because … well, I couldn’t bear to see them lose their season on a botched 2-point conversion. Ben should have taken off running on that one. In pre-Haley days that was his default setting. He would have made it. I was convinced they would have lost.
    .
    And, then, Cincy and young fans (those who were up at midnight, anyway), you see the price of poor sportsmanship. Pacman Jones (nice how Nance let that now-un-PC nickname slip in a couple times, reminding us of Jones’ “troubled” past. In its early days, Deadspin had loads of fun with him and his misadventures.) totally fucked his team. But, to be fair, he’d been building up to that all night.
    .
    It’s easy to criticize the talking heads for being sanctimonious, but the fact of the matter is this time they were right. Marvin Lewis lets that kind of indiscipline into the Bungles’ house early in the season and in due time, this is the poisonous flower and fruit of that decision. I wish Tomlin would call out players like Gay for excessive celebration – real Stillers fans cringe at those celebrations and the penalties. Remember the 15 yarder for taunting on the fumble-return TD that wasn’t – not the first time his defensive backfield has been tagged for that. When I was in the Pgh area earlier this fall, Mitchell celebrating before the play was over was topic #1 on sports-talk all that week. And not in a good way. Say what you will about him, but Cheatin’ Bill would get rid of players after one iteration of that crap. (Yeah, you get Gronk breaking footballs with his spike, but that’s about it) After this display, Bungles’ ownership needs to seriously consider firing Lewis. He might have gotten them to the playoffs, but they still haven’t won. And that’s as much about the character of that team as anything else.

    All that said, I’ll take the win and hope for Ben and Brown to be fit for Sunday.

    • phred says:

      You were not alone scribe, we turned it off with 1:36 to go. Now we wish we hadn’t ; )
      .
      I’ve been pulling for the Bungles most of the season, why not, it’s their turn and all that, but I hadn’t seen them play. I was taken aback at their chippy behavior throughout the game. Several of them seemed to be looking to start a fight. Maybe I missed similar chippiness on the Steelers side (after all there was a famous story about how Nitschke always looked the gentleman on TV extending his hand to help opponents up after a hit, only to learn later he was actually crushing their fingers in his grip — not so gentlemanly after all). Anyway, it’s ironic that the Bungles bungled because fighting (and committing personal fouls) was more important to them than outplaying their opponent.
      .
      Amazingly, I’m 2 for 2 so far, not that that will matter much if my Packers lose (fret fret fret)… Go NFC North!

  26. sluggahjells says:

    Well, I certainly make an interesting time to return around here.

    Can imagine all the wonderful names bmaz had for Burfict and Pacman.

    Anyway, true 50/50 between the Vikings and the injury plagued Seahawks, as well as Cousins really needing to win a game he should win against the derailed Packers. Hopefully he doesn’t blow his now likely $20 million contract.

    • bmaz says:

      I don’t know what kind of baloney you are trying to gin up here, but you can flat get out of here with that asinine bogus accusatory bullshit.

  27. Bitter Angry Drunk says:

    I may be basing my opinions too much on last week, but I expect both NFC North teams to go down hard today. Bridgewater was just so terrible in Green Bay I can’t see how the Vikings will even sniff the end zone on Seattle. Not as much of a route as the first meeting, but I can see 17-3 or 20-3.

    Likewise the Packers’ offense was dreadful last week (and has been for most of the past two months). The Skins have beaten absolutely no one this year, but they’ve generally played well at home. And some home team has to win this weekend.

  28. Bitter Angry Drunk says:

    Still confused about the end of that Steelers-Bengals game. What exactly did Pacman do to get a penalty, and why weren’t the Steelers flagged when Joey Porter was on the field? Coaches aren’t allowed on the field of play during a game.

    • sluggahjells says:

      The refs blew another one not flagging Porter, where it should have been an offsetting penalty instead of the 15 yards on Jones.

    • bmaz says:

      Yes, twice. Early, about Double Fun era, and then later when he hit the big time with Simply Irresistible etc. Fantastic live performer.

  30. sluggahjells says:

    Well, 50/50 I said this game was for those two reasons of all the injuries for Seahawks offensively and this weather, a great equalizer.

  31. Bitter Angry Drunk says:

    Vikings losing two D-backs will be the difference. Plus Wilson salvaging that disaster of a play.

  35. Peterr says:

    Shanked it left.
    .
    Somewhere, Ragnar is laughing. Or crying. Or both.
    .
    And drinking. Definitely drinking.

  36. Peterr says:

    All 3 road teams have won so far. Put me down for it being 4 of 4 by the end of the evening.
    .
    In a followup to yesterday’s Chefs game comes this news from KC:

    During the third quarter of the Chiefs’ 30-0 win over the Houston Texans on Saturday, leading receiver Jeremy Maclin left the game after coming down awkwardly on his right knee. Afterward, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that early indications were that Maclin had a knee strain.
    .
    On Sunday, the Chiefs announced that an MRI revealed that Maclin had a sprained ankle, instead. . .
    .
    Reid was also asked if it is promising that Maclin is apparently feeling more pain in his ankle than his knee, which has been surgically repaired twice because ACL tears since 2006. Reid did not bite, only repeating his earlier statement.
    .
    “Well, yeah, listen — right now, I’m telling you most of his pain is in his ankle, more than his knee,” Reid said. “We just need the docs to look at it. Sometimes at first, (you think) it’s a potential ACL, this and that, because he’s had surgery on that knee. Let me just see what it is and I’ll have a better idea for you.”

    Maclin still might not play again this year, but it looks a lot more hopeful that he could return than it did last night.

  38. bmaz says:

    Impressive drive by the Redskins,and awesome clear out on the TD. Good stuff, even if called back to the 6 inch line.

  40. scribe says:

    All that discountdoublechecking seems to have tired out Mr. Rodgers, exhausting what energy Ms. Olivia left him.
    .
    11-0. Oddball score. Oddball game.
    .
    And now a TD for the cheese. Enjoy it while you can, BMAz.

  42. lefty665 says:

    Oh well, guess this is how the ‘Skins get experience in post season. Rogers got better. ‘Skins are going to have to get to him quicker if they want a chance to win.

  43. JohnT says:

    .
    Been out and about. Missed most of the 1st half, because I had an appointment to go see someone. Then i missed most of the third quarter because I went to an establishment, and Direct TV was on the fritz and missed 90% of the action
    .
    Well that was something. I’m a little disappointed, but not sad. I predicted the Vikings would win 10 games this year, and they won 11. Woot! iirc, I predicted they’d sweep the Lions and Bears. And split w/ the Pack, although, I’d thought they’d win the home game and lose the away game.
    .
    Somebody mentioned something about Seahawks injuries, but failed to bring up the fact that 40% of the Vikings starters on their offensive line have been injured, and both of whom have been all pros. Or the fact that in the first game against the Seahawks, they were missing their three best players on defense, due to injuries
    .
    That’s neither here, nor there, but I don’t want to read about injuries being an excuse for the Squawks
    .
    What—-Evvvvver
    .
    I like Adrian Peterson. I think that’s been obvious for as long as Trash Talk has been a thing, but he’s killing me w/ his regression in not “valuing the ball”. His fumble that led to the last field goal is really what lost the game, not the missed field goal.
    .
    Just me, but I don’t think wins and losses should come down to whether a field goal kicker converts his (or hers, sometime in the future) chance
    .
    Enjoy the W Seattle, because (if I heard correctly) you’re going to Carolina next. Which is as far as you’re going to go, Seattle
    .
    Next year, the battle is on for the NFC North!
    .
    Can’t wait

    • phred says:

      “Next year, the battle is on for the NFC North!”
      .
      Looking forward to it JohnT : ) Sorry ’bout your Vikes. I agree entirely about the fumble being the key.

      • bmaz says:

        Yeah, the fumble seemed to be a crusher in several regards. Walsh could have made that kick, but it all seemed sketchy after the fumble.

      • JohnT says:

        .
        If the Pack makes it past the Cards, then the Panthers, I’ll be all about them winning the SP
        .
        But that’s a pretty hard road to go

        • phred says:

          One game at a time JohnT, one game at a time ; )
          .
          I didn’t expect to see the Pack play so well today in fact. This is the best game they’ve had in months. Good play on defense (yes, defense!, thanks Dom : ) as well as offense.

    • Bitter Angry Drunk says:

      No, Walsh cost them the game. He was blasting kicks all day. No excuse for missing what’s now an easier kick than an extra point.

      But since you mentioned it, I kinda feel like Peterson has played his last game for the Vikings. He and Teddy just don’t work in the same offense, and if Teddy is ever going to progress, it will be in a system that suits him.

  45. sluggahjells says:

    Cousins showing his limitations and how can’t really do it against good teams. He’s just average, simply as that.

  46. bmaz says:

    The better team won, and as a lifelong Packers fan, thankfully so. But the Redskins have a lot to be proud of, and a brighter future ahead. Especially if they draft well. Kirk Cousins looks to be a more than solid starting QB in the NFL, and one with what appears to be very good upside.
    .
    If the Skins can draft well with the picks they actually have (never a given with Washington) they have the makings of a solid team for the future. A far better look than they have had recently.

    • sluggahjells says:

      Cousins is very average, and they won thanks to Romo getting hurt and the Giants and Eagles being hapless.

      A better schedule next season, and they’ll be mediocre to poor again despite having a Top 5 pass catching core, and Gruden will likely be exited out.

      • bmaz says:

        Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We shall just disagree.
        .
        29 of 46 for 63% completion percentage, a touchdown and no picks. Yeah, sure, Kirk Cousins is just mediocre garbage and is the reason the Redskins lost. Yep, that must be it!

      • sluggahjells says:

        Ehhh, look who Cousins has done that against. You know, it’s important to be deep instead of your usual vainness as usual when it comes to these things.

        He has failed to do this not against a good defense, and not against a good team. Also, in many of those games, there were dropped Pick 6s and other INTs that he got away with.

        But I’ll just sip my tea and see you deliver another laughable, vain sports take though.

    • lefty665 says:

      Think you’ve got it about right Bmaz. McCloughan is the key to the turnaround. His drafting, filling holes and change in ‘tude have been amazing. The Griffin drama will be someplace else next year, and they can build on the shoulders of this team as long as Snyder and Allen continue to resist their worst impulses. Rest of the division is not likely to be as horrid as it was this year, but the ‘Skins grew up in the last half of the season so they’ve got a leg up.
      .
      Got a lot of respect for Rogers. After a slow start today he took advantage of the opportunities.

      • bmaz says:

        Yeah, and I really love who/what Cousins is rounding into. But it is no slight to get beat by Aaron Rodgers. GB sure still has holes, some gaping, but if #12 is going to play like that, they are a force to be reckoned with. And that is going to make for an awfully interesting game here next weekend.
        .
        But I am truly excited about the Skins. Was unsure about Gruden as coach last year, and the first half of this. But there is some real potential there. They are going to decouple from the failed RGIII thing, are starting to get draft picks again, and have a core and an attitude that is capable of winning. That is exciting for DC and their fans. And good for the league. I know my in-laws were texting me until the end. Even when the game was gone, they were, while congratulating the Cheesers, extremely optimistic, for once in a long time, about where the Skins were going long term. I think that is good for football.

    • bmaz says:

      Now THAT is a real problem. A good one I suppose, but still. My heart is always with the Cheese. From long before there was an NFL team here. And the Cards of the first 20 years here were easy to laugh at and hate on.
      .
      But they are Phoenix now. And they are well run, well coached, and a fantastic group of guys. It is not just me, it is the city and state, they are really endearing themselves in a laudable and genuine way. The Cardinals used to consistently make the Clippers look competent. But this is a different thing now. Finally, at long, long, long last real love. It would seriously mean so much to Phoenix and Arizona, that is pretty compelling.
      .
      Not sure how I am going to view this going into next weekend, but the four best teams, without any question, are going to play it out for the NFC Championship. So be it. Also, my in-laws from Potomoc can now cancel those tentative thoughts about coming to the Big Toaster next weekend. Maybe Phred will come!

      • Peterr says:

        But they are Phoenix now. And they are well run, well coached, and a fantastic group of guys. It is not just me, it is the city and state, they are really endearing themselves in a laudable and genuine way. The Cardinals used to consistently make the Clippers look competent. But this is a different thing now. Finally, at long, long, long last real love. It would seriously mean so much to Phoenix and Arizona, that is pretty compelling.

        Um, no.
        .
        There are a bunch of folks who said things like this in the 1970s in St. Louis, and Bill Bidwell took a big dump on all of them. I’m just saying . . .
        .
        And now Stan Kroenke is doing the same thing to the same city, for not ponying up more public money for his own damn pockets. See also Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, Baltimore . . .
        .
        The NFL generally and the Bidwells specifically do not care about your real love. Not one bit. They care about your money, and the money of your neighbors, and the money of your state, and getting that money to migrate to their pockets — and if they can use your love to accomplish that, the happier they will be. Enjoy your Cardinals, but do not think that your love is reciprocated. You may love, but they lust — and not for you or Phoenix or Arizona. They lust for your money.
        .
        Nothing personal, bmaz. It’s just business.

        • bmaz says:

          Michael is quite a bit different than Bill, but indeed they are still Bidwells. No question there, or about NFL owners as a group (other than citizen owned Packers of course). But for the first couple of decades here, there was not a lot of love. Since Michael took over, Larry Fitz, Kurt Warner etc, it has really grown. They actually seem like one with the city now, like Colangelo teams always did. I honestly did not think that would ever happen. But the folks here are Cards Crazy now, and it is genuine.

        • P J Evans says:

          SFGate ran a story about Goodell and his opening move in getting the public to cough up for newer stadiums for some of his teams (or he allows them to move to greener pastures). The commenters were not favorably inclined.

      • phred says:

        Alas, I’ll be traveling for work so a trip to Phoenix is out. Someday, though…
        .
        I look at it this way, it’s a win-win for you no matter what. And, if my Packers do lose, then at least it will be to a team whose turn has come around and what’s not to like about that? : )
        .
        From my point of view, given the last two months of Packers play, next week is a gift: win, lose, or draw : )
        .
        Go Packers!

  48. bloopie2 says:

    Minnesota might have won if they’d scored a touchdown. Something that good teams tend to do on a weekly basis. Walsh did a lot more than the rest of them put together.

    • bmaz says:

      Heinous shank, but it goes way deeper than Walsh. It was, unfortunately, a team loss. So be it, they played with honor. Again, something very much to grow on.

  49. lefty665 says:

    Thanks bmaz. Cousins has surpassed almost everyone’s expectations this year (cough). He’s only got about 2 dozen starts. Once he gets a few more under his belt I’m not sure where his ceiling is. Big arm, smart and works/studies hard. Remarkable that he broke Jurgensen’s and Rypien’s passing records this year. Gruden turned into a coach this year too, and has put together a good staff, and they grew too. As icing on the cake they’ve now got post season experience. Add a half dozen good ball players and they could be a very interesting team next year. It’s hard to overstate McCloughan, he’s the real change. He pulled them together into an organization/team and convinced them they could win.
    .
    Expect it will be an interesting game in the balmy southwest. Was remarkable to watch Rogers pick the Packers up and propel them to the win today. He/they earned it.

  51. sluggahjells says:

    And now with them giving Cousins nearly $20 million for next season, it shall be quite the entertainment for a team that still, despite having a Top 5 receiving core, can’t beat actual good teams and needs a terrible division riddled with injuries and mayhem to win.

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