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Colts 34 - Saints 24
The good thing about this game is that I don’t have strong ties to either team, so I can just enjoy the game.
The bad thing is that I’m torn about who to root for. On the one hand, I think that Peyton is the best QB in the game and I’d like for him to get his second ring so that we can just put that argument to rest. And on the other hand, I’d like to see the Saints bring the Vince Lombardi trophy back to New Orleans.
This is a tough game to pick. The Colts are favored to win, but my brain trust feels that it will be close. I’d feel much better about the Saints if they had been here before. But I have a feeling that the Saints will suffer from the first time blues. So I’m going to break with the brain trust and pick the Colts to win by 10.
What American Sports could learn from Soccer
It’s the final day of the season. I need a flow chart to track the Bronco’s playoff hopes. The critical Bengals-Jets game doesn’t kick off until 8:30pm. And I wish that the NFL would pay a little more attention to the rest of the sports world.
- Relegation
- Promotion and Relegation relegates the worst teams in a division down to a lower division and promotes the best teams in that lower division up. Unfortunately, the US doesn’t have the minor leagues to make it work.
- Simultaneous Games
- In the 1982 World Cup, staggered starting times for the final day of group play meant that Germany and Austria started their match knowing a German victory by two goals or less would send both teams through. It wasn’t much of a surprise when the Germans went up 1-0 after 10 minutes and nothing much happened in the remaining 80 minutes of play. As a result, the final games in group play are now played simultaneously.
I’m sure that it would cost a pretty penny for the NFL to give up the final Sunday night game of the season. But wouldn’t it be something if all the AFC games were played at the same time? Everyone would need to assume the worst and no one would be allowed to knowingly back into the playoffs.
Don't let the door hit you on the way out
Maybe it is karmic payback for Elway forcing a trade from Baltimore to Denver back in 1983.
Maybe Josh McDaniels was just too green and too insecure to handle this first crisis as a NFL head coach.
Maybe agent Bus Cook saw an opportunity to rewrite a cap-friendly rookie contract to favor his player [and himself].
Maybe Jay Cutler needs to grow up and realize that this was business not personal.
But one thing is for sure – Jay Cutler is now a Bear not a Bronco. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Shanahan Fired
After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a change in our football operations is in the best interests of the Denver Broncos. This is certainly a difficult decision, but one that I feel must be made and which will ultimately be in the best interests of all concerned.
I appreciate the 21 years that Mike Shanahan has given to the organization as an assistant and head coach, and the two Super Bowl wins in that time. His contributions hold a special place in Broncos history.
- Denver Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen
I never expected this. Bowlen had always maintained that Shanahan would be his coach as long as he wanted the job.
I believe that the MasterMind is one of the best 2 or 3 offensive minds in football. If he has a failing, then it lies in his ability to evaluate defensive talent – in players and coaches.
This only makes sense if Bowlen asked for Shanahan to relinquish some of his authority and Shanahan refused. Anything else and Bowlen has made a huge mistake.
Going for Two
Bravo, Mike Shanahan, Bravo
With over 900 yards of offense in this game, overtime was going to be a 50-50 proposition. Win the flip and win the game or lose the flip and watch the other team take it in for the win.
Not today. With one play to either win the game outright or tie the game, the MasterMind goes for the win. And gets it.
Broncos Snubbed by HoF
As a longtime fan, I’ve never doubted that the Denver Broncos have been snubbed by the NFL Hall of Fame. But it is nice to have an independent analysis back that up.
According to this method, the Broncos have every reason to feel screwed by the Hall of Fame. This is a team with two titles and six Super Bowl appearances, plus nearly 50 years of history, but their HoF membership ranks down with the recent expansion teams.
Big Blue, Big Blue
WOW
I didn’t think they could do it. When Big Blue went 3 and out with 8 minutes left in the 4th, all I could think was too much time. Too much time left for Tom Brady.
As it turned out, it was just enough time for Tom Brady and Eli Manning. The Patriots got their 7 up on the board, but left enough time for Big Blue to respond with 7 of their own. Leaving 29 long seconds up on the board for Tom Brady to work some magic.
Not to be. The Big Blue D stood tall and the New York Giants are the new World Champions.