After an ease job, (up 31-0) (31-15) victory vs the Philadelphia Eagles, Tom Brady with his (5-0) in the ‘offs with T.B. record will be in his 14th home slots division game next week.
As I type this, opponent (either the Rams or Cards) and time have yet to be determined. However, since even the prostituted NFL would not “Monday night to Saturday,” the Rams (-4) vs Cardinals winner, said T.B. fourth home slots game will be Sunday, I say late (is it not very late as in night for a second straight season?!) on Fox.
Brady and his New England teams were (12-1) in home slots/division round games.
Tom Brady, pictured above is (5-0) in T.B. ‘offs games.
It is four days shy of 20 years and this is the 21st season inclusive, since the famed Saturday night, “snow/tuck rule/Adam Vinatieri greatness” slot 2, overtime victory by New England, QB’d by Tom Brady and coached, as they still are, by a “slipping” Bill Belichick, vs the Oakland Raiders.
Brady and Belichick were together for 6 Super Bowl victories, 9 “Supe” appearances and an incredible 9 straight seasons (’10-’18, need not put a “19” in front, as football ‘offs/the NFL or AFL was not around in 1918 or so) with at least the AFC “2” seed, which then, but no longer, yielded a home slots/division round tilt.
The Brady/Belichick Pats won 8 of those 9 home slots games, (they were/are (12-1) in home “div” games, the lone loss in a late Sunday slot 4 game to the New York Jets), going (9-0) in home Saturday night “div” games. Additionally they prevailed in a Saturday night home wild card round game vs Jacksonville (Jaguars) in ’05, before losing such a game vs Tennessee (Titans) in their last game together.
In ’05, they suffered their only other div round loss with Belichick/Brady, at Denver (Broncos) in ’05. They won their only other road “div” slots game at San Diego (Chargers) in ’06.
Add it up and the home team went (11-1) in Brady/Belichick home Saturday night games, New England winning 10. Tonight in likely blistery, bitter cold, the Bills, in one of three “semis” reduxes (Brady and Tampa Bay vs Philly is another), in the expanded/prostituted 6 game wild card round, are 4 plus point(s) favorites vs Belichick’s Pats (have you heard Brady is with Tampa Bay (Buccaneers), where he “titled” last season and is an NFC “2” seed, but without a bye–more on that next?!)
I predict the “home thing” continues, (the road team won both “reg” tilts) and Belichick, of course an all-time great, but of late, he has made some shaky decisions. Additionally, his not knowing the Colts, and NOT the Giants were ’58 Title Game favorites, drops him a notch or three.
All that yields Bills 26 Pats 14, reversing the result of the then Boston Patriots win at Buffalo in the 1963 AFL Eastern Division playoff.
Meanwhile, Mr. Brady, who keeps on winning, despite dealing with the beyond annoying Jim Gray and doing too much extra stuff, is either at least a 2 seed or a Supe champ(last year Brady and T.B. won it all as a “5” seed, winning a no cover, Saturday night wild card round game at “Wash”) for the 10th time in 12 seasons and for the 13th time in 17 ‘offs appearances.
If Brady and the Bucs prevail as 9 point faves vs the Eagles in the first of “one too many,” three Sunday tilts, he will play at home for the 14th time in 17 slots tilts (his teams are (14-2) (see the ’49-’64 New York Yankees, winning the weaker American League, but still what an accomplishment!–by the way on NPR, correspondent Cheryl Corley said “still” “exactly” as I typed such).
I am not sure Fox/the NFL will “allow” it, as wins by T.B. and Dallas sets up a ratings bonanza, Dallas at Tampa Bay, in one slots game, but I see a shocking win, say (23-20) by the Eagles (they handed Brady one of his 3 Supe losses).
I do praise Mr. Brady for calling for compassion concerning an obviously troubled/ill Antonio Brown. Certainly I realize the “toll” it has taken over these many years to go vs Brady.
The other semis/conference title tilt rematch this week matches the Cowboys at home (menos 3) vs the S.F. Niners. Three is operative as they met 3 straight seasons in the ‘offs twice (’70-’72) and twenty years later (’92-’94) and now are meeting for the first time, 19 years later and for a 7th time.
5 of the previous 6 playoffs meetings were in NFC Title Games, 4 of them Dallas victories. Dallas also won an incredible comeback victory in slot 2 at S.F. in ’72. Earlier that Saturday December 23rd, the Steelers won vs Oakland on the famed “Immaculate Reception” TD scored by Franco Harris (though he is now a bearded buffoon, he got far less credit than he should have as a great quarterback, thus I cite Terry Bradshaw as having scrambled, to keep the play alive and then throwing the famed, still controversial, historic pass). That also affected the point spread (some day I will recount Beano Cook’s story of the Raiders’ bettors, who did not hear the play as they were in a “Pitts” tunnel as it happened).
Well, the “burn” suffered by SF bettors later that day was maybe worse, as SF had led significantly for much of that tilt while Pitts had also led throughout until the Snake/Stabler circled left end and TD’d giving the Raiders a very late/last minute or so lead.
Finally, I add the Dallas/SF tilt will be followed by the “Alfalfa” Michaels/NBC KC (-13) vs Pittsburgh Steelers tilt. Twice the Steelers played on the same day before a Dallas/SF playoff game.
In aforementioned, Saturday div round games in ’72, the Steelers and Cowboys won. In ’94 in Sunday Conference Title Games, first the Chargers upset the Steelers as “another over rated bargain” (cue Pat Cooper) Bill Cowher lost at home and then SF (1-5) vs Dallas in ‘offs tilts going into to tomorrow’s game, won in route to the 5th and to this point, last Supe crown.
It is not easy to type with a bad wrist, however, on this day after the 53rd anniversary of the New York Jets Supe 3 win vs heavily favored Baltimore, (Colts), I “must” remember the great receiver Don Maynard, a vital member of that title team.
Mr. Maynard, dying the same week as Dwayne Hickman, who played alongside Bob Denver’s “Maynard G. Krebbs,” as title character, “Dobie Gillis,” was 86 years old.
Don Maynard, who took part in not so arguably the two most influential games in pro pig history, the aforementioned Supe 3 and also as a return man for the New York Giants, also vs the Colts, that the beyond seminal 1958 NFL title tilt, (23-17) overtime win for Baltimore, was a superb receiver and along with George Sauer and Pete Lammons, formed an excellent receiving corp, for the great Joe Namath. (Joe lately of constant Medicare Advantage type commercials).
Don was an original franchise member with the 1960 Titans.
In what “Stone” calls the Jets’ most important victory, the (27-23) win vs an excellent AFL team, the Oakland Raiders, Maynard had to reach over “the wrong shoulder” to gather in Joe’s long pass that set up the final points, a 6 yard Namath to Maynard TD pass, in the Jets’ victory.
I was far from a Jets’ fan, but oh the memories and the talent. If I were betting then, I would have won big on the Jets, plus all those points, in the Supe vs “Balti.” They had such talent and Maynard in pure terms, probably was their most gifted/productive player.
New York teams were not only better then but each had a great broadcaster, certainly not the case now.
The Giants had Marty Glickman, the Jets had another great, Merle Harmon and his “Maynard to the right, Sauer to the left”–(maybe the other way around), evokes such fond memories, though again I was clearly not a Jets’ fan.
The great receiver, Don Maynard, pictured above.
The Georgia Bulldogs claimed their first college football crown since 1980, winning (33-18) vs top ranked, defending champion, Alabama, which was seeking a 7th title under its coach Nick Saban.
Instead, finally, Kirby Smart, the Georgia coach and former Saban assistant coach, won vs Saban and Alabama.
Georgia quarterback, Stetson Bennett threw touchdown passes to Adonai Mitchell (a 40 yard toss that put “GA” ahead to stay, (19-18) and a screen pass/10 yard score that yielded a (26-18) score with the subsequent kick extra point.
Alas that ought to have been the final with me having predicted (26-17) Georgia, however a man named Ringo “drummed” me out of not only a near “exact score pick” (no bet on that), but also took out the ‘Bama wease, the Georgia by (7-12) “range” at over 5 to 1 and the less than 10 point margin of victory by either team bets, all of which I had, mercifully “SMALL.”
Tonight in Indianapolis (oh did the NFL Indy Colts flop!) top ranked and defending champion, Alabama, is a near field goal underdog, vs fellow SEC’er, Georgia, in the national title tilt.
‘Bama is seeking a 7th title under its great coach (not necessarily college pig’s greatest, as Sean McDonough declared after a “mere” semi win, if they/he wins tonight, we can, as Joan Rivers might have said, “talk.”), Nick Saban.
Alas there were names such as Bud Wilkinson, Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy and legendary Alabama coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant who won 5 (not 6 as you will hear and see tonight–his ‘Bama teams of ’66 and ’77 were rooked in the voting by Notre Dame. In ’73 Notre Dame “New Years Eved” them and that sad memory yields– the following equation: shaving cream and taunting equals NO PIE and while it is tough sans recording space, on we must go), thus no title but they count it.
In ’64, largely the opposite, as in Joe Namath’s last ‘Bama game, Texas won, but A.P. voting, which I count as sacrosanct, though the race for #1 was/is always a perversion of an already system, which rages out of control a “good” (try bad) 35 years after superb studio host, Jim Lampley made that statement, was conducted before the bowl games.
Thus ‘Bama has 12 crowns (4 with Barack “O””Bama” in as U.S. President and under Saban–did he, Mr. Obama ever arrive too soon, as we need he, a good, eloquent leader, though he does glorify such as ESPN, whose “given all” Fowler/Herbstreit, duo is “on” tonight’s tilt.
They won 2 more post Obama, the aforementioned 5 under Paul “Bear” Bryant and one under Gene Stallings in ’92 led by former North Rockland High School star, Derrick Owens Lassic.
Georgia, denied by Alabama in the classic ’17 season, overtime title tilt is seeking its second crown (the other in ’80) and as was the case with the Atlanta Braves, I think they will get their second title tonight.
Note to Jane Pauley-it was incorrect to say the ATLANTA Braves won their 4th World Series. It was the franchise’s 4th, however they won 1 each, when located in Boston (1914) and then Milwaukee (1957).
Prediction: Georgia 26 Alabama 17
So much accomplished; brilliantly acting, active in civil rights and in an exponentially complex and ongoing racial situation, able to beat the line, causing long lines, at least in the north to see his great work–Sidney Poitier, who died days back at age 94, is a transcendent figure.
I will start with “just” (some “just,” as he proved marvelous, early on in ( “No Way Out” “Blackboard Jungle” and in his Academy Award winning role in “Lillies of the Field”) and later in seminal roles in “The Defiant Ones,” “Raisin in the Sun,” “In The Heat of the Night,” and “Guess Who’s Coming Dinner”) his amazing performances.
He looked so great, could go mellow and assertive, the latter in brilliant fashion via “They Call Me Mr. Tibbs” in “The Heat of the Night” and to his father played by Cy Fere in “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner,” “You think of yourself as a Black man, I think of myself as a MAN.
Additionally in 1967, (Clayton Davis of Variety, was/is it too much to get the historic year correct, not 1968 as you said on WCBS radio?!) Mr. Poitier starred in 3 big hits and became top box office in a still very backward racially (still is, but despite what I heard from racist old timers days back, in a local Burger King, there has been progress) time, Poitier starred in 3 highly successful films, the aforementioned “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and “In The Heat of the Night,” as well as “To Sir With Love.”
As cited, the films were both commercially successful and of great quality.
Mr. Poitier was very active in the civil rights movement, once taking a call from the great activist/talent and Sidney’s friend, Harry Belafonte, and journeying into the dark, dangerous, southern night, to help register voters.
An NPR segment on “Weekend Saturday,” featuring critic Bob Mondello’s review of Mr. Poitier’s career is sensational and informative (a link) hopefully to be posted below.
I close with some personal notes. The first involves a family friend, Ira Michaels, a good man who died far too young in 1972, telling us how great and brave, battling serious illness, that would soon take his life, Spencer Tracy, was in “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” climaxed by his extraordinary work as the movie ended. Poitier, more than holding his own with the great cast that also included Katherine Hepburn, was a major part of so much classic, that emerged from that Stanley Kramer film.
Finally at an Award Ceremony for Sidney Poitier that reviewed and of course, praised his great career, I met Sidney Poitier, shook his hand (see below) and told him without the “Sir” of my “Love” of his work and presence.
I did not dare sing it, but Lulu, who did so in “To Sir With Love,” did sing that song, on that memorable night. It was a fitting, moving moment honoring a man, who moved us forward so many times!
![Sidney Poitier Gala At The Film Society Of Lincoln Center 152[1]](https://andybsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/sidney-poitier-gala-at-the-film-society-of-lincoln-center-1521.jpg?resize=438%2C438)
Below click to hear Bob Mondello’s excellent look back at the career and accomplishments of Sidney Poitier.
Actor Sidney Poitier, who changed the face of Hollywood, dies at 94
The internet informed that the great director, Peter Bogdanovich died at age 82.
I start with an excellent lead paragraph from “The Hollywood Reporter” and will add a few comments of my own.
From the obituary written by Gregg Kilday and Duane Byrge:
“Peter Bogdanovich, the Oscar-nominated writer-director of The Last Picture Show whose career, which also included hits like What’s Up, Doc? and Paper Moon, put him on a path toward living up to the example of those like Orson Welles and John Ford he so lionized, has died. He was 82.”
Think of it, on a path toward Welles and Ford!!
I think Mr. Bogdanovich proceeded far down that path, toward those greats Ford and Welles, especially with “The Last Picture Show.”
Peter had similarities to Welles, who became a friend. “Nada” is “Kane,” Orson did that brilliant work at age 26. I think it was Billy Rose, who told him, “you will never top it.”
One could say that about Bogdanovich, but also about Babe Ruth (he never topped 60 home runs, but so what, he was the greatest player).
“Paper Moon,” especially, was another Bogdanovich masterpiece.
Regarding John Ford, who just kept going, it was once asked who are the three greatest U.S. movie directors? The answer John Ford, John Ford and John Ford.
Mr. Bogdanovich kept the legends and the beauty of old time classic Hollywood going.
Check out his podcast with another “keeper of the flame, ” Ben Mankiewicz.
Many of you will remember his role on the seminal television show, “The Sopranos.”
It was at a party for that show, that I sat at a table, joining Peter, who was sitting alone. He was classy, friendly, asked about me and marveled at the greatness and the unique quality of “The Sopranos.”
Somewhere in some parking garage, James Gandolfini is walking and Peter Bogdanovich is driving a bit too fast. Now they talk, there is no violence, no gangsters, maybe, hopefully, no greed.
What endures is the great work each did.
Today and for all time, about Peter. He was an historian, with a brilliant, creative mind who gave us so much. He suffered horrible loss, but endured.
Maybe, just maybe his Dorothy (Stratten) and he can go over the rainbow, after all.
The Hollywood Reporter obituary of the great, Peter Bogdanovich
www.hollywoodreporter.com › movies › movie-newsPeter Bogdanovich Dead: Last Picture Show, Paper Moon
Peter Bogdanovich, pictured above.
In the extended 18 week NFL season with all games within the division, there are 5 Conference Title game reduxes in the week ahead.
The two most important games, the (9-7) L.A. Chargers visiting the (9-7) Las Vegas Raiders in an almost certain ‘offs qualification game and the (12-4) Rams hosting the (9-7) S.F. 49ers in a 2 to 5 seeding tilt for the Rams and likely qualification or not for the Niners, are title game rematches.
Both of those Bay Area title game winners, the then Oakland Raiders in ’80 after they won the title tilt at the Chargers’ then San Diego home and the Niners after easing vs the Rams in the ’89 NFC title game, went on to ease to Super Bowl wins. (Oakland won (27-10) vs the Philly Eagles while the Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, led/George Seifert coached, Niners ripped Denver, (then (0-4) in Supes, now (3-5), by a (55-10) count.
One meaningless (out of it “Wash” at “Hack” (Giants) and one near meaningless tilt (Steelers at Ravens), (did I not say for years that after the ’08 crown, the Steelers were “sinked” as far as getting another title. I really liked Big Ben Roethlisberger, but knew/called, but rarely cashed the strong opinion he was not allowed to win a third.) are conference title tilt rematches).
In ’86 the Giants made it (3-0) vs “Wash” that season with a (17-0) title tilt win. My father had a great day as “his” Giants won the conference and my letter to the New York Times, pointing out two great Wilt Chamberlain led teams and not the also great ’86 Boston Celtics had the best winning percentage in any season, was published.
My letter corrected the fine writer, Dave Anderson, who advised Nancy Dunne and her graduating class to be a “polite pest” in seeking employment.
In ’08 the Steelers, as was the case after 3 of the other 4 title game rematches, eventual Supe winners, beat the Ravens in the “semi”/AFC title game.
The Dallas at Philadelphia Saturday night tilt is a redux of the ’80 NFC Title game when an early Wilbert Montgomery TD burst ignited an easy Eagles win. However, unlike the other 4 “this week” title game reduxes, the Eagles lost the subsequent Supe to the Tom Flores’ coached Raiders.
The Tennessee Titans, nee Houston Oilers journey to Houston, where as 10 plus point(s) favorites, they can wrap up their third AFC top seed perch, with a victory over the hometown Texans. The game will commence at 1 P.M. Eastern Time on Sunday.
In the late Saturday afternoon Denver high altitude, with home state Chris Fowler there as lead announcer, the K.C. Chiefs, who titled as the AFC “2” seed in ’19, something they did not do as the AFC “1” last season although they won the awarded home tilts to get to the Supe where they encountered a home Tampa Bay Bucs team, that routed them, look to clinch that and maybe more if Houston upsets Tennessee less than 24 hours later, with a win as 10 point “faves” vs the Broncos.
On Sunday in a moved to later tilt, the Buffalo Bills are overwhelming 17 point “faves” vs the Jets, as they bid to clinch the AFC East and at least a home wild card round ‘offs tilt.
Cincinnati (Bengals) are the current AFC “3” and likely will get no higher and quite possibly be the “4” which still gets them a home wild card round game. In it or in the very unlikely event they get the “1” seed and their next ‘offs tilt is a home slots/div. round game, Cincy will be hoping to end a 9 game ‘offs loss skein, with a home victory.
(10-6) New England is hoping for a reverse of 1966 when the Joe Namath led Jets upset them (they were the Boston Patriots at that time) giving the Buffalo Bills the AFL East crown. N.E. needs a late start win at Miami and a Jets shocking win at Buffalo, to “reverse ’66” and get the East crown.
Current 6 seed Indianapolis (Colts) are 16 point “faves” at Jacksonville vs the Jaguars, needing a win to gain an ‘offs spot for the third time in four seasons.
Finally in “Alfalfa” Michaels presumed last NBC Sunday Night Telecast, it would seem to be winner in/losing team in the game out, as the Chargers are 3 point faves vs the Raiders whose home and thus the game site is Las Vegas. What were the ODDS (appropriate word) of such an event transpiring even 5 years ago?!!
Andy B Sports 