It was a busy Saturday for Y1 and myself as we were at our alma mater, Ohio Wesleyan University, to broadcast a D3 soccer doubleheader. Junior F Tyler Wall (above) led the national #1 men's team to a 6-0 shallacking of the College of Wooster. With that, we only have time for an abbreviated Hot off the Grill Preview, so hope you like those steaks a little rare.
Big Kielbasa's Game Of the Week - New York Giants (5-0) @ New Orleans (4-0)
Undoubtedly, the big game in the NFL is the only battle of unbeatens as the Giants travel to the Superdome to take on the Saints. Once again, the quarterbacks are in the spotlight, and why wouldn't they be? No two are playing better so far than Eli Manning and Drew Brees. Both teams also boast stout defenses, so this game might come down to a big play on special teams. Those expecting a shootout should tamper their expectations, as both defenses will do enough to stop the other. In the end, the Saints home-field advantage and Eli's balky ankle sees them over, in a hard-fought win. PICK-SAINTS
Beer Brat's Spotlight Game Of the Week - Denver (5-0) at San Diego (2-2)
Our spotlight game involves... wait, the Denver Broncos?? That's what we said last week, but despite our best efforts to jinx the Broncos, they won again. Now, they play another crucial game against division rival San Diego. This week really is a must-win for the Chargers, or else they risk falling several games behind the Broncos. The pressure will really start to mount on Norv Turner if his offense continues to struggle and the defense remains lifeless. Unfortunately for the Chargers, it doesn't seem as if they are playing with any emotion this year. Stick with the hot hand, even if it's Kyle Orton. PICK-BRONCOS
Chorizo's Upset Of the Week - Kansas City (0-5) at Washington (2-3)
-Ok, so one of these terrible teams has to win finally, right? Which one though? Let's try to find one winless team who can get on the board this week. Looking around, the best bet is taking the winless Chiefs at the equally crappy Redskins. Of course, this pick probably says more about the state of the Redskins than the Chiefs, but what the heck? Let's say Matt Cassell finally plays up to that ridiculous contract and finds Dwayne Bowe for a couple of scores (fantasy points for me!). PICK-CHIEFS
Andouille's UTR Game - Baltimore (3-2) @ Minnesota (5-0)
-The Ravens started out the season as one of the NFL's darlings, but they've lost two in a row and face a tough road game at undefeated Minnesota. The Ravens gave up their first 100-yard rusher last week in what seems like years against...Cedric Benson? Are you sure about that?Ok, we'll have to double check that, but regardless, you know Adrian Peterson will have a bullseye on his back this week. So, it will be up to the old man to beat the Ravens, and here's saying he finally plays his age this week. PICK-Ravens
Hot Dog Of The Week - Falcons QB Matt Ryan
As much as it pains me to say this, Matt Ryan is going to have a huge game tonight against the Bears. In last year's big comeback win, Ryan really asserted himself as a QB to watch in the league. He threw for over 300 yards and a TD and led his team down the field with 11 seconds left to win the game. The Bears secondary is even more suspect this year, and playing at home on the Sunday Night stage, Ryan will shine. Expect a similar performance tonight as the Falcons lay their claim as one of the best in the NFC.
Extra Toppings -
-There's only so many times we can remind you of how many bad teams there are in the league. So, let's use our extra toppings segment to examine the Rush Limbaugh controversy from this week. Limbaugh, the controversial talk radio host, was basically blackballed by the media and the Players Association from being a part of a St. Louis Rams ownership bid. Let's take politics out of the equation for a minute and look at the real issues. On one hand, Limbaugh has made some outrageous statements regarding African-Americans and the NFL. Calling a sport a battle between the Crips and the Bloods isn't going to endear you to a lot of its players. And while his Donovon McNabb comments may have been exaggerated a bit, they still show a propensity for creating controversy (especially race-based) that gave many in the NFL pause. So, it's understandable that Don Goodell didn't want to touch Limbaugh with a ten-foot pole, creating an even more polarizing version of Mark Cuban that would make him lose sleep at night.
Still, how Limbaugh was railroaded by other quotes that he didn't actually say was troubling. The way respected journalists like Mike Wilbon blindly followed the likes of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson was troubling. You may disagree with Limbaugh's political views, but players union chief DeMaurice Smith insinuating Limbaugh's ownership would be a step back towards slavery was equally ridiculous. Would the same have happened to a controversial liberal, maybe? Is Limbaugh any less controversial than players who willingly kill dogs, shoot themselves in the leg, or kill people while driving drunk? Should Keith Olbermann and his equally inflammatory, but liberal views be associated with the league by being on NBC's coverage, probably not. But, I think the lesson from this complicated episode is that everyone in this hyper 24/7 sports media needs to relax. Limbaugh had a right to be vetted as part of an ownership group like any other American, but he certainly is not entitled to it. Those opposing him have a right to express their opinions, but not to the point of repeating out-and-out lies. But for all of this to go down in public in a week's time felt like a rush (pun-intended) to judgement. All told, it's a reminder how exclusive the NFL is and how protective the league's hierarchy and national sportswriters are of their exclusive club. If the media, players, or owners don't want to let you in, you have no chance.
Randall's Got His Eye On You... Titans HC-Jeff Fisher
Jeff Fisher is the longest tenured coach in the league, but he's facing an 0-6 start for the first time in his career. And, to make matters worse, he plays at New England, who will be looking to rebound after their OT loss at Denver last Sunday. The Titans look like a shell of their former selves, nowhere near their inflated 13-3 record last year. If you look at last season, they got an unbelievable performance from a defense that now is without Albert Haynesworth and coordinator Jim Schwartz. On offense, Kerry Collins has come back to earth as teams are daring him to beat him. Fisher needs to rally the troops for a big win tonight to keep false playoff hopes alive, or else risk having to turn the reigns over to legit headcase Vince Young. If that happens, all bets are off on whether Fisher returns next season.
That concludes our Hot off the Grill Preview. We'll be back this week with more of our Decade Series, as seen on SI's Hot Clicks. Enjoy your football Sunday, and until next time, it's bye for now!
No comments:
Post a Comment