Last week, in the four title game rematches, (there were no Supe reduxes), the title tilt winners went (3-1).
(5-5) Carolina, this time at (8-2) Arizona and (4-5) S.F. (49ers), again at home vs the (7-3) Rams repeated respective 2015 and 1999 NFC Title Game victories. Each was a nice underdog. Meanwhile the (6-4) Chiefs won as slight “faves” again at the (5-4) Raiders (then in the ’69, last AFL Title game, located in Oakland and now in Las Vegas).
The (8-2) Packers, won an incredible ninth straight tilt vs the spread (8 of 9, straight up) covering as 3 plus point(s) favorites at home in a “Pooh” game (check the excellent G.B. record in such games when the “hedge fund man”/Nantz arrives at venerable Lambeau Field), reversing the outcome of a heartbreaking 2013 NFC Title tilt loss at Seattle (Seahawks).
This, the 11th week yields one Supe redux, (already played as the (7-4) Pats won their 5th straight game (25-0) vs the (4-6) Atlanta Falcons), one NFL Title Game rematch at least between the cities as the Detroit Lions face the Cleveland Browns, and two AFC title tilt rematches (Yes Naj Harris, Santa Claus? but there are ties in the NFL) (5-3 and ONE TIE Pittsburgh at the (5-4) Chargers and the (3-7) Miami Dolphins at the (2-7)New York Jets.
In the aforementioned Supe, the Pats were down by 25 points to the Falcons and won by 6 points, covering the spread that moved many millions of dollars on James White’s overtime touchdown. Last night N.E. won by 25 points at Atlanta.
The cited AFC title tilts were played in the other city than the one, the rematch will be played in on Sunday. Then San Diego, now L.A. the Chargers won the ’94 AFC title game at Pittsburgh before losing in a rout to a great 49ers team in the subsequent Supe.
Worse than soup, on a perhaps ordered muddy Miami field, the Dolphins won (14-0) vs the Jets in the strike affected 1982 season’s AFC title tilt. This week the not so attractive game is at the Jets.
Detroit (Lions) won three of the four NFL title games vs the Browns in the 1950’s. In the two “at Detroit,” such games, the Lions went (2-0). In 1953, Detroit won (17-16) as Bobby Layne hit Jim Doran with the tying touchdown, calling it tying as I cite it was the great Doak Walker, who booted the go ahead to stay extra point. It was Dick Enberg’s favorite game. I complained about Enberg and Olson as a broadcasting combo with some justification but they were great compared to today’s combinations. Also Enberg, other than when he said Philly and Boston had met in memorable NBA “FINALS,” (they were in the same division/conference thus never met or have met in an NBA final round) was a well prepared, good play by play broadcaster.
Detroit won in a home rout ending Cleveland great Jim Brown’s first season on a sour note, (59-14) in 1957 and also won (17-7) at Cleveland in 1952.
The Browns led by the great Otto Graham routed “Det” (56-10) in the ’54 title game, to win their second NFL crown in their first 5 NFL seasons, ending the two year Lions title “reign.”
Detroit’s title in ’57 was the franchise’s fourth but there has been nary a Lions game played since, in which they could have won a 5th crown.
Cleveland football got a third NFL title in Otto’s last game in ’55 and one more in ’64 led by Jim Brown, Frank Ryan, Jim Brown and the Jim Kanicki/Bernie Parrish led defense. However, in the many (52) seasons (’66-2020, no Cleveland pro pig from ’96-’98, G.B. “title gamed” the then still “my” Browns in Jim’s last Browns’ game/’65 NFL title game) since, similar to the above stated Detroit situation, have the Browns either the glory original one who left to Baltimore after ’95 or this “phony” (yes I miss and need “Stone” but even that is denied me, as winter with its unbelievable emptiness and loneliness approaches–yet I feel strong to carry on) entity, has been in a game, with a chance to claim a title.
This week on Fox, (late afternoon Sunday) with “The Emperor,” Joe Buck (Jack Buck was on the NFC Network, then CBS telecast of the Chiefs’ first Supe win while “El Emperor” was on the NFC network, Fox telecast of the second such, 50 years later. Jack Buck was long associated with the Dallas Cowboys), it is (7-2) Dallas (Cowboys) at (6-4) Kansas City (Chiefs).
Fifty years ago, the NFC had the audacity to schedule 2 ‘offs games on Christmas Day (that and playing two days after the assassination of J.F.K. –day/J.F.K. it rhymes, but is there good or fair reason why the NFL flourishes despite those two among so many, horrible, offensive decisions?!!) the Cowboys, still looking for their first crown, having suffered heartbreaking ‘offs defeats thrice (twice vs Green Bay and once vs the Colts and a great broadcaster, Ted Moore “voiced” for both of those teams in those seasons), had secured a home title tilt, having won at Minnesota in the early Saturday, again it was Christmas Day, slot 1/div round game.
When the great kicker, Jan Stenerud was set to attempt a relatively short range field goal that, if good (ode to announcer broadcasting great, Lindsey Nelson) would have yielded a K.C. win and I believe a home title tilt (certainly with the next day’s “Balti” win at Cleveland, it would have manifested), it was certainly very possible, a Cowboys/Chiefs Supe would manifest.
However, Stenerud missed, the great Larry Csonka (on his 25th birthday, I just looked it up and I recall “Csonk” riding around Pace U. Pleasantville in a Rolls Royce? years later as a faded Giants’ player) made a big run setting up another superb kicker, Garo Yepremian, who nailed a second overtime field goal, that ended the Chiefs’ season and essentially their “team of the 70’s” false, as in most cases, HYPE.
One of the greats, part of an unbelievable, mutual respect rivalry and other legendary comparisons, Sam Huff, who was diagnosed with dementia years back, passed away at age 87.
Memories flow, the aforementioned mutual respect rivalry with the great Jim Brown and Mr. Kermit “Kenny” Weiner often reminding me of “his” Huff stopping “my” Brown.
Jim and Sam had great respect for each other and their rivalry within the great Giants/Browns such, moved the NFL to great heights.
Mr. Huff played in 6 title games in 8 seasons, his Giants winning the first (47-7) in 1956, but losing in the next 5, most notably in the consensus “greatest game/most important game” vs the Baltimore Colts and Mr. Unitas in 1958.
Sam was perhaps a bit over rated, clearly fellow middle linebacker, (Detroit’s) Joe Schmidt was just as good, if not better, some/most, even Giants’ fans say.
However, the Sam led New York Giants’ defense, again was so important to both the Giants’ and the league’s success (too successful and powerful now, but that is a different story).
The great Walter Cronkite narrated “The Violent World of Sam Huff” a prime time CBS Special, before Mr. Cronkite was either the network’s news anchor or “the most trusted man in America.”
Jim Brown praised the intelligence of the Giants’ defensive unit, masterminded by Tom Landry, its coordinator, citing “every man knew his place and assignment.”
Specifically regarding Sam, Jim and it moves me so, said Sam “attached himself to me quite often,” and I add in doing so football and my liking it grew. The garbage/greed it has largely become, does not take away my memories of greats such as Sam Huff.
The great Sam Huff pictured above and long ago.
Sam was not happy, to say the least when he was dealt to Washington after the 1963 season. He did go on to play there and along with fellow football great Sonny Jurgensen and good announcer Frank Herzog, form a fine broadcasting trio, that chronicled “Wash” games for many years, during which they went (3-1) in games for the NFL crown. Thus in 10 such, “Huff’s teams” were (4-6).
Earlier this year, we lost the great Henry Aaron, who had campaigned for John F. Kennedy, in Aaron’s playing state of Wisconsin. The Braves titled, albeit with only 88 “reg” season wins.
Mr. Huff campaigned for Mr. Kennedy in the key home state of Sam, West Virginia and yesterday, while Huff’s first team, the Giants, had a bye, his second, the “Wash” team, “barked” outright plus 10, vs (Tom) Brady (he is seeking to play for the NFL crown for a 6th time in 8 seasons, (Sam did it in ’56, ’58,’59 and ’61-’63), having won it in ’14,’16, ’18 and ’20 and lost in such a game in ’17) and the now (6-3) defending champion, “Champa”/Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I start with this from the decent Dinich, (first name Heather), though she is a bit too favorable toward her school, Notre Dame, not anywhere near as bad in that way or in terms of competence as Hannah Storm, for sure. (Cue the Valley Girls and most of them are no better, the men for the most part are also awful!!).
Heather DinichESPN Senior Writer
The ACC was a longshot to begin with this season, but dropped out of the playoff conversation after Wake Forest lost at North Carolina on Nov. 6. That from Dinich.
Clemson was at worst rated #3, their regular season wins total was 11 and a half (the over doing of religious/God made us win Dabo Swinney rhetoric caught up to him this year as the Clemson Tigers are (7-3) and certainly bad for their bettors at (2-8) ATS, one cover win coming on one of those B.S. lateral plays) thus they/The ACC was NOT a longshot, far from it to have a team in the 4 participants college football ‘offs.
Next regarding Notre Dame, again winning the games they are supposed to win, under “hard ass,” good, but far from great coach, Brian Kelly, why is Oklahoma, likely out of it, after only 4 point dog, Baylor “got them” in Waco, deemed an ‘offs undesirable,” because of them getting blown out in previous while Notre Dame, beaten decisively in the ’12 title tilt and in both the ’18 and ’20 semis, often gets a pass?
Also regarding Notre Dame, Beano Cook’s intense dislike for them, fueled his anti betting, something I do also (“as well” would not be appropriate, for myriad reasons, one being Beano knew how to cash it, while I am stuck in perpetual (worse than) neutral), give Kelly and Notre Dame credit for an easy over 8 and a half wins, that cashes early and easily. (nada is official in any of them, unless the teams play all the tilts and yesterday COVID issues caused the cancellation of Cal/USC with reg season wins bets also cancelled, I believe).
Likely, they will not make the 4 team ‘off (please Dinich, do not, a la Storm, start clamoring for them to make it. Simply, Georgia, even a 2 loss, if one is to Georgia, Alabama team, Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon and others are more deserving, Georgia, ‘Bama and Ohio State would be double digit plus favorites vs them. Cincinnati, still and likely/hopefully to go unbeaten, beat Notre Dame at Notre Dame, the only loss for Notre Dame in a “Tirico” game. The Tirico/Notre Dame association qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment for me, hearing him (I shut the sound and usually do not watch) “doing” Notre Dame.
It also tells me all about how big a whore Tirico is, given he is half Black and Notre Dame’s “we will take it, but did it have to be with a Black Q.B. (Tony Rice) when they claimed their most recent title in ’88 (hopefully last, however, this is insane on my part and even the wealthy Beano’s, as they are always around. Alas Beano talked of them and his other anti, Penn State, especially under Paterno, not winning, while he was alive. It is NOT healthy on my part, however scars from ’73,’77 and ’88 remain. I know they did not deserve ’66 either, but I once tolerated, even liked them. Ebersol, NBC, Storm and others, even the great Joe Montana made me dislike them so much more, which again is not good)
A certain “bookie” is lucky the “old man” died as he/Beano would have “cleaned the bookie’s clock” (the bookie still easily could have afforded it) as Notre Dame has been a good to excellent betting proposition in at least 7, maybe 8 or 9 of the ten seasons since Beano died with big bets on them in October of the 2012 season.
Last week, I cited that there were 5 Super Bowl rematches. In those 5 tilts last week, the team that lost the Supe won in 4 of the 5 games as the (4-5) Colts covered and all teased the (2-6) Jets, the (7-2) Titans (the Jets were once the Titans) upset the (7-2) Rams, the (5-4) Broncos plus 10’d the (6-2) Cowboys in a “piped in Burkhardt tilt, we probably have to endure him and yet another Cowboys’ game this week as well (no BAD!!), while the (5-4) Chiefs no covered the (7-2) Rodgersless, he of no “vac,” Pack, (it rhymes and tells much about supposedly intelligent Rodgers and I add the never shuts up Smoltz, two no “vac-ers,” in these hype gambling (the latest are the Mannings, the glorified WHORES that they are!) times.
(5-4) New England covered, something they did not do in winning the 2003 Supe, vs the Panthers. This year “Car” which started (3-0) is (4-5). None of the 4 teams that had covered in the teams’ Supe clash, covered last week. The Supe between the Rams and Titans was on the #, the 7 point “fave” Rams winning by 7.
This week no Supe rematches, but 4 conference title tilts/semis are on tap.
One and it moves the needle toward positive memories, in this perhaps bitter soul, yet I applaud my stance vs hypocrisy, matches the (5-3) Raiders hosting the (5-4) Chiefs. The teams met in Oakland in the last AFL Title tilt, with the Chiefs winning in route to a Super Bowl crown.
Before that Supe, Len Dawson was highly criticized and worse for supposed gambling ties, now the NFL promotes it shamelessly, has a Las Vegas team and none of it sticks me as hard as the Mannings, especially that big game fraud, “PAY” Peyton promoting it.
Elsewhere 10 point dog, Carolina seeks to repeat its 2015 NFC title tilt win vs (8-1) Arizona. Let me continue vs “Pay” as he did win the subsequent Supe vs “Car,” but did he do much? NO! He did little in his other Supe win and failed beyond words, playing poorly in so many big games. Trust me, he is an “aw shucks” phony, who would step over or even on you to suit himself. It is not as bad as Trump or even Steven A. Smith, as of course Manning, despite what I cite, was a great quarterback (just not that great and highly over rated), but why is this guy and Eli (no choir boy) and Archie (certainly not one) given everything?!!
Two more and no more vitriol, I apologize for the excess, the (3-5) 49ers are a field goal plus u/dogs vs the Rams in a 1989 NFC title game redux. “S.F.” won that game in route to a repeat Supe crown.
Of course Nantz has to get any CBS game at venerable Lambeau Field and he will preside, as Seattle is the third of the four (K.C. is about a FG/fave to repeat its semi win vs the Raiders so many years ago) to be a dog (3 plus point(s), in a bid to repeat a “semi”/Conference title tilt victory.
In a game I recall for current Dallas coach Mike McCarthy’s unbelievable, cowardly decision not to go for a TD at the Sea 1, early on, the Seahawks, whose current version is (3-5), OT’d the Packers, only to lose to Mr. Brady (love him or intensely dislike him, he is best with 7 crowns. He even won last year despite an association with Jim Gray, which eventually will stain him as though a “shop” project) and New England in the Supe.
Something made me call Ed Lucas two days before he died yesterday, on my birthday, at age 82. His wife Allisson told me he was in bad shape and suffering, thus it was not a surprise, when news came that Ed Lucas, a good man with indomitable spirit, had passed away.
He was a baseball expert, personable, caring and did I cite that he lost his vision many years ago?!
My fond memories of Ed center around his great friendship with a man, Phil Rizzuto, I grew to admire as a chart riser, I wish my stocks could follow.
Together they worked and ran a golf tournament to benefit St. Joseph’s School For The Blind in New Jersey. That school had been of immeasurable assistance to Mr. Lucas, after he lost his eyesight before age 20.
Once when I was interviewing Phil, Ed’s name came up, as of course he did so much in organizing the golf event, bearing Mr. Rizzuto’s name.
Suddenly Phil said, “I heard he drove a cart (golf cart). I told Phil that I had seen him do so and that he maneuvered it out of a tight spot, that many with sight could not have done.
That was a microcosm of Ed Lucas’ life in which he accomplished so much, all the while maintaining kindness and caring for others.
I am truly fortunate to have met Ed and I hope he, my camera man/friend Tony Ancona and Phil have a good time in the far better place, all three such helpful individuals deserve.
Please click below to view two previous posts about the amazing Ed Lucas
- Perspective through the Inspirational Ed Lucas on September 16, 2014
- The Remarkable Ed Lucas on October 3, 2014
Yesterday two of the “B’s” that won current titles, U.S. President Joe “B”iden and the NBA title winning Milwaukee “B”ucks converged at the White House.
All 5 other current major sports title teams have a “B” or of sorts in its name, with the Atlanta “B”raves the most recent addition, as for the third straight time in a title clincher they shutout their opponent (Lou “B”urdette doing so with a complete game in ’57 and with combined shutouts in both ’95 and last week. Dick Rudolph allowed but one run and went the distance in pitching the Braves to the first of 4 titles as a Boston team and clinching it at still going, Fenway Park back in 1914. “B”y the way Mr. “B”urdette won 3 games in that ’57 World Series, including shutouts in #’s 5 and 7, something only Sandy Koufax in same calendar 1965, also accomplished. Completing the “chock full” tangent, ’twas 56 years ago today that a great blackout hit the Northeast).
Two Tampa “B”ay teams, the NFL “B”uccaneers and the lone current repeat champion, NHL Lightning join college kings, “B”aylor in hoops and this a stretch,”B”ama/(Alabama) in “pig” as the other “B” title holders.
The favorite backing suckers, I mean players, now urged on to bet by ads that include Phil Simms’ descent from excellent quarterback to bad announcer yielding the far worse/non winner Romo and further down into sell out, had won for 3 straight weeks, something virtually unprecedented, before losing big last week.
Yesterday it was carnage for them and worse than losing for one who knows the score which is that none of us know anything, namely me. It was “my kind of “dog day afternoon” that carried into the night with “Alfalfa” and the unbearable, never, ever quiet Collinsworth presiding “under” (7-2) Tennessee plus 7 and a fraction (28-16) at L.A. vs the now (6-2) Rams. This one hurt the most as I let a “roto rooter,” (I can be one, I hate to admit as I approach 66, if they “screw” with me) get me.
Trust me, I am glad that I bet small and though I must battle the disease each day, I have done what few have, namely ignore any betting except sports, where rooting and worse anti-rooting have hurt me far more than any gambling. Add the fact, I suffer sitting alone with no forum for my great knowledge and passion regarding sports, while so many exponentially less qualified prosper, is a true hell that does not help.
Anyway, after the Colts covered and all teased the Jets on Thursday night (by the way, only New England, whose ex ‘Bama (Oh Barack, do not you know that when you praise the ilk of Tony Kornheiser or Stuart Scott, it cheapens the rightful praise you have heaped on Edward Brooke, Ted Kennedy or the immortal/courageous John Lewis) QB, Mac Jones, one I like, pulled on a defender’s ankle in a non penalty called “dirty play,” capping a week of the Ruggs tragedy, Henry injury (Tenn won anyway and though this s–t is p–ny, one would think Henry being out is bad for them, but again who knows?!1, and a “mailed in” (20-14) Alabama not even close to a cover as a 4 TD plus fave in a Fowler tilt (SEC, ‘Bama/LSU and Fowler, why?!!!) vs LSU), KO’d a “dog teaser.”
Sorry for the excessive tangents. 12 NFL tilts so far, Pitts minus 6 vs Chi tonight, only Carolina among the 12 underdogs was KO’d in a teaser. 8 underdogs covered, the big stat being 6 won outright, including 14 plus point(s) u/dog “Jax” vs Buffalo and 10 point underdog, Denver, dealing (6-2) Dallas its first loss vs the spread, as with “Mr. Ed”/Elway there, the Broncos scored the game’s first 30 points and cruised to a (30-16) win.
That is far from it, as aforementioned 7 plus point(s), “dog” “Tenn” outrighted the Rams, TD dog Atlanta (27-25’d) New Orleans while Arizona, no Ky Murray, no problem cruised as a bet from 2 to 5 point “dog” at S.F. By the way, the Cards sans a crown since their lone such while based in Chicago in 1947 (that is “reverse the digits” 74 years ago and an ignored by me, omen was that inexplicably, while in Connecticut two days back, as a passenger in “Anne Sam’s” car, out the window stood a “billboard type,” not with the Giants, Jets or Pats schedule, but that of the Arizona Cardinals), have the top NFL mark at (7-1).
The 2 and a fraction point underdog Browns won at Cincy, while the field goal u/dog, Giants won by a touchdown vs the Las Vegas (what a day for the “books” out there!!) Raiders. Balti no covered Minne, winning by 3 in OT while KC let GB in the “back door,” a late GB TD yielding a 7 plus point(s) fave K.C. “by 6” no cover.
Faves L.A. Chargers, bet vs from 2 plus to just a 1 point such and Miami also bet vs (thus the books won and the schmucks lost on those as well) 7 to 5, won by 3 and 8 respectively vs Philly and Houston.
The week before Josh Allen celebrated wildly on the TD that covered the ‘Phins, in my opinion a “no no.” His “Buff” blew as 2 td plus faves, while Miami covered.
Also last week the Rams up (38-0) somehow did not cover as say 17 point faves vs Houston. Yesterday Houston, though alive in the tease lost to the spread.
However, the Rams, still a viable threat to win it all, down “the comeback” (21-3) score at half, lost. I lost because I only won “peanuts,” on a day that was the proverbial “w-t dream,” for dog bettors, such as myself.
Holy esoteric, Andy B, however, here goes.
The just completed Atlanta Braves’ 6 game (road team win, home team wins games (2-4), road team wins 5th and 6th games) triumph/configuration vs the Houston Astros is the first such home/road configuration in the 117 year World Series annals.
However, it almost mirrored two previous World Series (’48 and ’92, each a 6 game Braves’ World Series loss) that had the same home/road win(s) configuration.
In both 1948 (that year and this one have the same calendar) and 1992, the Braves lost the then “Classic,” in 6 games, respectively as the Boston Braves to Cleveland and as Atlanta to Toronto.
Each of those W.S. manifested in home/road/home/home/road/road wins in the 6 games. This year the road team and then the home team won the first two and otherwise the next four were the same home or road wins as in ’48 and ’92.
Have I cited any pro or for that matter any, “pig,”/football at any point this season?! I think not.
In tribute to the late great Val Pinchbeck, a long time “maker” of the NFL schedule and I guess those making it now, some notes and updates regarding the NFL, follow.
There are 5 Super Bowl rematches this week, including those of the first and third such tilts, which respectively affirmed NFL superiority (Green Bay 35 Kansas City 10) and gave the then recent merger credibility, (Jets 16 Colts 7).
Already, the 10 plus point(s) “faves,” the now (4-5) Colts won by 15 (45-30), vs the now (2-6) Jets two days back. In the aforementioned third Supe, the Jets were 18 point(s) or so underdogs.
Due to the fact Aaron Rodgers tested positive for the still very much with us, COVID 19, (Rodgers has a superior IQ, however, he as in the case of the over analytical, John Smoltz, another excellent player, refused to get vaccinated–as Ray Collins as “Trask” said on a “Perry Mason” episode, “oy gevalt”), (4-4) K.C. which is (3-15-1) vs the point spread in their last 19 games, is a 7 plus point(s) favorite at home in the late Sunday afternoon “Bucky-Boo-er.”
The Chiefs have won 2 Supes and in each a Buck “crowned” them, Jack in the 4th such vs the “(0-4) in Supes, Vikings,” and his offspring (look I am way too intense in my rants vs one Joe Buck.However, he has everything and flaunts it. His “at the wallllll” elongated calls, a la the deteriorating, yet infinitely better than the farce named Tirico, who will replace him on NBC “pig” coverage, Al Michaels, indicate he is at best mediocre in play by play. His father, so much better on local Cards broadcasts when being a homer actually helped, was no bargain either. Hey Pat Cooper would say “another bargain”–think of me as a Pat Cooper ripping almost all sports announcers of today) “crowned” the Chiefs in 2019, via a “Feb” 2020, pre pandemic? win vs the S.F. 49ers.
This week, powerful Dallas now a 150 to1 “sure shot” to win the NFC East and only a 5 to 1 “vs” to win the NFC and if so play the last “Alfalfa”/Al Michaels Supe on NBC, a network on which they won 3 titles in 4 seasons (somehow NBC got the ’92 and ’93 season Supes and then after “Alfalfa and the gang” (reference to the show intended, but only after I thought Alfalfa and the crew as “gang,” did I realize it) “ABC’d” the ’94 season tilt, did so again in the ’95 season version.
Dallas eased and routed Buffalo in the ’93 and ’92 Supes and this season the (5-2) Bills are plurality faves as 2 to 1 “dogs” to gain Super Bowl entry. In the other Dallas NBC Supe, they “no covered” the Steelers. Pittsburgh is (4-4) thus far this season.
“Alfalfa” Michaels also “called” the “on the #” by 7 (this week as was the case in the ’99 season Supe, except with the “hook”/half point, the Rams are again that “Mantle” # vs the Titans) Rams 7 point victory vs the Titans in the ’99 season Super Bowl. On Sunday night he calls their “reg” tilt. The Rams are (7-1) but only tied with Arizona (Michaels has Arizona ties, he attended Arizona State U) in their “div.” Tennessee, unfortunately without star runner and run into the ground by Vrabel, Derrick Henry, enters the tilt (6-2).
It was not a good week for ex Alabama football stars, Henry’s injury and the tragic circumstances surrounding one Henry Ruggs, now no longer with the (5-2) Las Vegas (you think Vegas and the drinking go together?!!!) Raiders.
The 5th Supe redux matches the 3 plus point(s) (4-4) New England Patriots, with last year’s national title winning QB, Mac Jones, no relation to my man “Mockin” Mack Jones, once of the Braves, and with either a 2-11 or 12 or 3-11 or 12 “Strato” home run, which Mr. Brown, rolled far often than the odds would dictate, facing the (4-4) Carolina Panthers, who broke a 4 game loss skein, last week).
N.E. no covered Carolina, riding a second Supe winning, I believe, game ending Adam Vinatieri field goal to do so and win by 3, as 6 or 7 point “faves,” (I went for a 6 and 7 and as with almost all the things in my life, failed to get it) in that 2003 season Supe.
Let me add that Greg Gumbel, never to be confused with Ray Scott as great or Pat Summerall as very good, has improved a great deal. Once he was the CBS top banana (I am heading to hedge fund capital, Greenwich, Connecticut to a diner, NOT a mansion–evoking current top banana, Nantz there now) and was the “lead” when N.E. no covered Carolina, now nearly 18 years ago.
The also great Curt Gowdy, not as great as Ray, let me “Richard Nixon” (another guy, who has “improved”) “make that perfectly clear,” was on Jets/Colts (NBC) and in dual coverage, he on NBC and Mr. Scott, perhaps Buck/others? on CBS “did” Pack/Chiefs. “Super” Summerall was on Cowboys/Broncos.
Gowdy, Nixon, Summerall and Ray Scott are dead, Gumbel and Michaels get to call reduxes of Supes they called respectively 22 and 18 years ago.
Andy B Sports 