Play in the 17 games/18 weeks 2021 NFL season has moved into the 13th week and one Supe rematch and four semi-final such games are on the schedule.
In a redux of the 1983 season Super Bowl, when the then L.A. Raiders crushed the Washington team (That “Wash” team, a la last year’s Chiefs, were defending champions, on an incredible roll, that got beaten decisively in the game in which victory would have meant a repeat crown), the now (6-5) Las Vegas Raiders are slight favorites vs the (5-6) Washington team, now sans the offensive nickname (I did not think Indians to be offensive and certainly not Braves or Chiefs. I also realize the horrible injustice dealt the people who were here/on this continent first) they had for that Supe and many years before and after.
Elsewhere, the big game on Monday night matches (8-4) New England, a 2 plus point(s) u/dog at (7-4) Buffalo.
It is a rematch of the 1963 AFL East playoff/AFL semi, in which the then Boston Patriots defeated the Bills, only to be routed in the subsequent title tilt by the Keith Lincoln, Tobin Rote led San Diego Chargers.
There are two AFC and one NFC title game rematches ahead.
In the frozen weather, 1981 AFC title tilt, the Cincinnati Bengals with their 6 time NFL champion (five with the Packers and one as a reserve for the Cowboys which was Dallas’ first crown, having been denied in heartbreaking losses to the Packers, with Gregg and Herb Adderly, another “Pack” player who adorned that ’71 Dallas Cowboys’ roster) as a player, coach, (his face protected with what looked like Vasalene, as shown by NBC (Richard Enbear, better known as Dick Enberg, on the telecast) won vs the then San Diego Chargers, a franchise making a second “appearance” in my usual, tangential post. The Bengals lost in the subsequent Supe to the 49ers and Joe Montana, in a game played in Pontiac, Michigan.
This week (7-4) Cincy is a FG/3 point “fave” vs the now (6-5) L.A. Chargers (they were the L.A. Chargers in their first season in 1960 before moving to S.D.).
Later in the day with “Pooh” Nantz, in a not so hot national ‘cast, (8-3) very fortunate Baltimore (Ravens) visit the (5-5-1) Pittsburgh Steelers. A prediction: As 5 point “dogs,” the Steelers will at least cover, something they did as faves in winning the 2008 AFC Title Game at home vs the Ravens. They no covered but won their 6th Supe (only the Patriots, also with 6, have that many) vs Arizona in the subsequent “Alfalfa” Michaels Supe, with still there Ben Roethlisberger hitting game MVP Santonio Holmes, who made a brilliant catch, for the winning score.
The lone NFC Title game redux this week is where the 2013 NFC Title Game, a Seattle Seahawks win vs the S.F. 49ers was played (all four semis rematches have the same home team–Buffalo, Cincy, Pittsburgh and Seattle). (6-5) S.F. (49ers) seem to be surging while (3-8) Seattle, is finally having a terrible year under Pete Carroll (he will go down as an excellent coach, with an undisputed title in both college and pro pig, but an underachiever, as failures in short yardage situations, cost he and his team repeat crowns, first with USC vs Texas in the ’05 college title game and then with “Sea” vs New England in the 2014 season Super Bowl). SF is a 3 plus point(s) fave in the “Moutt” Harlan tilt.
The Carroll Seattle title was secured in the 2013 season Supe as the Seahawks routed Denver as Peyton Manning again “disappeared” in a big game.
Only Betty White, among the actors that played major long running characters (John Amos, himself a superb actor, could be considered, depending on long running?) from the great “Mary Tyler Moore Show” is still alive.
Before she appeared, her husband Alan Ludden was referenced as having been one who signed a chain letter. Remember those?
I watched the “MTM” show faithfully, only to miss the gushing finale as good friend Brad Weiner and I saw “Peter Paul and Mary” in concert that Saturday night in 1977.
Gushing but composed now, here is hoping Brad will be okay.
The horrible times and events of my micro and macro life have one positive, in that regret for not knowing, appreciating and experiencing a musical great such as Stephen Sondheim, who died last week at age 91, comes into great focus.
Music and shows is where I “ought to be” (I got worse than allergic from the stink of big $ sports) and oh what great ones Mr. Sondheim contributed.
Stuff, i.e. pictures and videos, are taken down here, my greatest praise to you Mr. Sondheim is going out and hopefully to better, I will try to immerse into your gifts to us. You will help me fight the pain as you also were unique and had personal standards.
Unlike so many especially me, you got great work out there, in your case in unbelievable volume and quality that will resonate for all time.
Thank you in advance for helping me.
Click below to view Judy Collins singing Mr. Sondheim’s classic song, “Send In The Clowns.”
Only the top ranked, (12-0) Georgia Bulldogs, who are looking to join their fellow state, Braves, in winning a second Georgia based crown (they won led by then freshman and now Trump backing, Herschel Walker in ’80, the year “another bargain,” Ronald Wilson Reagan, ascended to the U.S. presidency), are assured a spot, in the upcoming 4 team college football ‘offs.
Unlike the Braves, who struggled and had at best a slightly better than average regular season as the low wins total of 88 will attest, Georgia has been dominant going (12-0) and I would say, at least (9-3), maybe (10-2) vs the spread. They are (-220)/11 to 5 favorites to title.
Yesterday, in the roughly 15 minutes past noon start in snowy Ann Arbor (the pro wrestler Bobo Brazil was from Benton Harbor, Michigan), Hassan Haskins scored 5 touchdowns, the first player to achieve that in the long great Mich/Ohio State rivalry, as (bet from 8) the touchdown underdog, (11-1) Michigan team won (42-27) vs Ohio State, the team at least on paper, that had the best chance at topping Georgia, which I state early on, is far from unbeatable.
Thus it is almost certain that Ohio State is out of title contention, while Michigan, in a “be careful” game vs Iowa for the Big Ten crown, would secure a playoff spot, likely the second highest, if near touchdown “fave” Georgia beats Alabama, probably the second if ‘Bama, a truly fortunate survivor at Auburn yesterday, upsets the “Dawgs,” in the CBS SEC title tilt next Saturday around 4 Eastern Time (How’s that for a promo?), if it prevails vs the Hawkeyes. I will project “Mich” to be a TD favorite. They are 10 plus points favorites, as it turns out.
Next, I cite (12-0) Cincinnati, seeking to be the first non Power 5 Conference team to make the ‘offs, seemingly would do so with a win vs a good Houston team. They opened as 10 point favorites in the tilt.
Aforementioned Alabama, once a “cover machine,” but this year a tightrope walking, no cover team, almost certainly needs to beat Georgia, to get in the ‘offs, in a bid to defend their title.
Oklahoma State, one would think and I guess hope (it is the usual some dinero, if it is Notre Dame and one day I will “grow up” and root for it, in the meantime take Cincy and Mich for a very small profit) is next in line, if it wins the Big 12 title tilt as roughly 6 point “faves” vs Baylor, and say Alabama, if not Cincy or Michigan loses.
Notre Dame, it would seem, but remember they are Notre Dame (one reason the late Beano, who could afford it and I, who really can not, do what we did/do), need losses by 2 of the following four teams, Michigan, Cincinnati, Alabama and Oklahoma State to again make the ‘offs, where I believe they would be a dangerous opponent for any team, including currently top ranked Georgia. Am I just paranoid? Surely credit Brian Kelly (a transaction this week involved a namesake and remember he coached Cincinnati to an undefeated “reg,” I believe) with a good job coaching Notre Dame.
Who knows? Sadly, without cashing big dogs, Michigan and spread covering Auburn, I still care.
Sean Payton, with his team down 14 points and roughly 7 minutes to play in last week’s tilt at Philadelphia elected to kick a field goal.
He won the Supe in ’09 with the Saints, boldly starting the second half with an onside kick. Since then not only no titles but home playoff losses in 3 straight seasons.
I “knew” about him when vs Seattle in a 2010 season wild card round game, Payton went field goal, down 7 with about 5 minutes, at most to play.
In all likelihood tomorrow is the first time all 6 Thursday holiday NFL game participants enter such a tilt having lost in the previous week (all last Sunday).
The day starts with a not so hot Bears at Lions tilt.
Next Dallas is a touchdown plus “fave” at home vs the Las Vegas Raiders.
At night, a meaningful Bills at Saints game.
Remember all six teams lost, with only the Lions, a 13 point underdog in a (13-10) loss at Cleveland, covering the spread in defeat.
On a lighter note, what a year for Giannis, a title and all that goes with it, including final round MVP and now, better late than never, learns a different type of “dunk.” See below.
#MadMyGirlDidntTellMeSooner #NewBedtimeSnackNo vitriol, no put downs.
Maybe Mr. Kennedy is greeting a great admirer, and class gentleman, Sherman Drusin, beloved husband of June, father of Dawn and Cammy, whom we lost between years 57 and 58.
June guided us/her third grade class through that day, 58 years ago. Now she and all of us must summon the strength to go on.
It would be easier, if in the words of Bernie Taupin, as sung by Elton John, about another John (Lennon), also senselessly killed by bullets (this is not vitriol, to say it rages on!), if President John “could come out” and HELP!
The Beatles did then, who/what might now, in these “hold grudges” “no reach across the aisle times?!”
Even the superb TCM host, Eddie Muller missed this one.
In both the seminal “On The Waterfront,” and the excellent film “Johnny O’Clock,” characters played by the superb actor Lee J. Cobb are involved in “giving odds.”
I will not “spoil” either film, however, some will know what I mean, others check it out.
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.
Andy B Sports 