MMBSD: A New AFC Wild Card Race and the Supernatural

Well the news has just come over the wire. Byron Leftwich broke his ankle against the semi-professional team known as the Arizona Cardinals. This reshapes the playoff race. Indianapolis' schedule gets a lot easier but more importantly it opens the door for San Diego or KC for their bid for a Wild Card. Jacksonville had the easiest schedule of any Wild Card hungry team in the AFC (somewhere around a .367 strength of schedule or what we in the profession call Tara Reid level of easiness). KC and San Diego locked in a death struggle with Denver have a bit more room for error with Jacksonville sucking wind due to the kick to the groin that is the loss of Leftwich. Remember that Denver is on the road at KC and at San Diego so nothing is certain in the AFC West or the AFC Wild Card. As they say...its a whole new ballgame.

Alright, time for some news and notes of this week in sports. As the 17th guru Kevin Bacon, once said: "These are the facts and they are not in dispute."

1) Jesus hated kickers this week. Giant’s kicker Jay Feely missed 3 consecutive field goals and handed the game to Seattle. Tampa Bay's kicker, who I believe is currently being held in Jon Gruden's personal Iron Maiden, missed a kick to allow Chicago to steal a win. Redskin's kicker John Hall let San Diego back in the game. Only one explanation...Jesus.

2) Speaking of the supernatural those that watched the Giants v. Seahawks game had to have one thought (that wasn't about field goal kickers) and that was "How the hell was Joe Jurevicius open the entire game?" Seattle has only one receiver and it’s someone that has had knee surgery, back surgery and possibly botox the last two seasons. Yet he scorched the Giants for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns. Well there's only logical answer here. Jurevicius is channeling the warrior spirit of Chiang Kai-Shek. There is no other possibility. Although that said the Giants DBs should commit seppuku to repent for their loss of face.

3) How about those Rams? They go down in my book as having the best comeback win led by an Ivy graduate this week. Ryan Fitzpatrick, out of Harvard, starting his first game threw for over 300 yards, 3 touchdowns, finished a rubix cube, set the date for the next Canadian election and gave the first 17 digits of Pi. Not a bad afternoon. Plus some random guy from the stands (Kevin Curtis) caught a game winning OT touchdown. Where do the Rams get these guys?

4) I don't know why the NFL keeps its stupid OT rules. I know it’s been mentioned before by MJ but each week it gets sillier and sillier to have a coin flip so crucial to determining a game. If they refuse to introduce college-like OT rules at least make it interesting. I would recommend Monkey Knife Fights. Plus if you give them helmets it would reduce the chance of a death blow by a good 4%.

5) Note to the Cleveland Browns - turning the ball over 5 times will not win you games. When you have your rookie QB subbing in for the injured starter, don't have the first play a complicated long pass. Ease him in. Also scoring touchdown's the red zone is helpful. I've stood by Romeo Crennel so far but he needs to fire the offensive coordinator (Maurice Carthan) otherwise Romeo will be going down with the ship.

6) The Indiana Pacers are a tough team. They are deep. They are good on defense. They punish opposing teams via physical play. I'm already looking forward to the Detroit v. Indiana playoff series.

7) ACC v. Big 10 Challenge starts up this week. As my favorite non-conference thingee in College Basketball I'm pretty psyched since I think this year the Big 10 has a shot at winning (read all games should be competitive). I personally recommend Tuesday night's rematch of last year's championship game (UNC v. Illinois)