The Houston Texans are in the first NFL post-season game for the second straight season, having lost in a most boring such game last season vs the Kansas City Chiefs, with the unbearable Mike Tirico doing so called “play by play.”
Their tilt this year, vs the three plus point underdog Oakland Raiders, while perceived as the closest contest among (I am far from being good, regarding grammar, but can you believe the recycled “new” CBSer, Brad Nessler, so annoying for so long, said “BETWEEN the four teams,” when he shamelessly promoted a meaningless REGULAR SEASON college basketball tilt(s) some weeks back) the four wild card weekend games, is also the least enticing.
Neither team, it would SEEM, has much of a chance of advancing in the next week, especially with the New England Patriots, their likely opponent.
One good thing about Oak/Hous beginning at 4:30 on ESPN Saturday, is that not only is Sean McDonough, easily the best broadcaster among the group involved this or any other pro football weekend, which is not saying much, but he is actually a very good announcer.
I “noticed” last night that it was the Detroit Lions, who dealt the 1963 Cleveland Browns, the penultimate regular season week loss in the snow and rain of Tiger Stadium, that eliminated Cleveland in Jim Brown’s then record 1,863 yard season in 19SIXTY THREE (I do not know why I do that)..
Ten years after Jim Brown (seeing him run was of seeing Michelangelo sculpt) set the NFL single season rushing record which included 51 yards gained vs the DALLAS Cowboys, no less, on November 24th, a day in disgraceful, unforgivable, (yet the league flourishes and even I look forward to its post-season play) fashion, games were played a scant two days after ‘they’ blew the back of Jack’s head off, another great player, one faster, but not quite as great as Jim, named Orenthal James (O.J.) Simpson, also with a non playoff team, broke the record gaining 2,003 yards.
The last 200 of those yards were “called” by not only Bills’ broadcaster, Van Miller (I believe but could be wrong), but the great Giants’ broadcaster Marty Glickman, (the latter on the call when Jim along with Frank Ryan to Rich Kreitling, led “Cleve” to a perhaps misleading, (35-24) win at Yankee Stadium vs the eventual Eastern Conference champion, New York Giants 5 games into the ’63 season), gained in the snow at Shea Stadium vs the New York Jets, with another Simpson (no not Homer) but Jim, calling the game for NBC television.
Evoking Billy Joel “going on with the show,” The Lions are (0-8) in wild card round games, the last seven such losses in seasons (’93, ’94. ’95, ’97, ’99, 2011, and 2014) in scheduled “such playoff level tilts” with the first w/cd/rd loss taking place, with the extra round added due to manifestations of a player’s strike in 1982.
“Det” lost in late Saturday “slots” road games at Dallas in 1970 and to Joe Montana’s greatness at “S.F.” in 1983, before securing what is to this point their lone post “configuration” ‘offs win, in the late Sunday “Super” Summerall, (goodness do we miss Pat and his low key style. Now we have Joe Buck, enough said!) “slots” game in 1991.
The win vs Dallas that day (the Lions hoping against hope? at least as 8 point “dogs,” they will get a fourth ‘offs tilt vs Dallas (Det was perhaps “robbed” in their wild card round loss at Dallas in 2014) which would be the case should the scoreboard light a > (greater than) number for the Lions Saturday night), put Detroit in the NFC title game.
Perhaps an omen, the lone Det “slots” win the aforementioned one, vs Dallas in ’91, put them in the NFC title game at eventual champion Washington (Redskins). The “Wash” victory, one of 20 vs just two losses, in “at Wash tilts,” between the two teams, clearly establish “Wash” as a huge Detroit historical nemesis.
However, those Redskins lost last Sunday, in effect enabling and certainly assuring that at the very least, the Lions once (9-4), despite a (9-7) finish, did at least make the ‘offs.
There is no real moral to this but Earl Morrall, pictured above was the Lions’ quarterback in that 1963 “spoiler” win vs the Cleveland Browns at Tiger Stadium in Detroit.
Before the NFC/AFC configuration began in 1970, a season in which the Detroit Lions suffered the first of what are 11 post-season defeats in 12 such post configuration games, the team had a glorified post-season history.
Even now, despite the horrible record in what were first expanded playoffs and now is a tournament, (yet by default, the least prostituted version in the 4 major North American sports leagues), one looks back with admiration at Detroit Lions’ glory including a (6-1) playoffs record leading to 4 NFL titles.
The first was in 1935 (a year both the Lions and Tigers brought titles to The Motor City) then three more with their fabulous 1950’s teams when names like Bobby Layne, Dick “Night Train” Lane and coach Buddy Parker resonated, as they still do, as Gordon Mc Clendon said on 10/3/51, ” down the corridors of time” (note the date Verne Lundquist, who minimum should have had to “stay after” a CBS production meeting and “blackboard” 100 times, that Bobby Thomson’s home run was in 1951 (October 3rd, Bobby and Ralph Branca are dead, Lundquist whose arrogant, assured statement that we all know where we were when Thomson homered in nineteen FIFTY TWO, was not only never sanctioned, but this year sent off to “born again glory,” in myriad Trump carried states that constitute (pray for our Constitution) the lucrative CBS college football package. I saw ‘them’ put up SEC promos, while waiting to see Southern, Trump voted state of Louisiana’s Harry Connick on his show in 2016).
Jack Webb, one I still admire despite reactionary views, apparently regarding marijuania–for the record a Ringo Starr song yielded “I don’t smoke it no more,” essentially I never did—since they have some excuse per their time, just “called” saying please “just the facts.”
The law now and in days past, true respect for police officers, such as those portrayed by Webb on “Dragnet,” manifest in my “obeying” the request, as will follow below.
The Lions ARE (4-1) in NFL title tilts and (2-0) in unscheduled playoffs to determine a conference winner, in Detroit’s “case” (another ode to Jack Webb, sorry for the “high corn”) the NFL’s Western Conference in 1952 and 1957, the latter when the “bomb went off,” Tom “The Bomb” Tracy leading Detroit’s great comeback win at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco vs the 49ers. I could opine on another bomb and the related 1950’s injustice, but I “promised” Jack Webb, just the facts.
The Lions with the great Bobby Layne as their quarterback and Buddy Parker as their coach, won 2 of 3 NFL title games against the truly great Cleveland Browns’ teams quarterbacked by Otto Graham and coached by Paul Brown.
Detroit won at Cleveland in 1952 and at home in 1953 ( broadcaster Dick Enberg has recounted how much the ’53 game with its Layne to Jim Doran, decisive touchdown pass meant to him) before losing at Cleveland in 1954.
In 1957, George Wilson, he of the great block that sprung Bill Osmanski to open the scoring in the famed Chi Bears’ (73-0) rout of the Wahington Redskins in the 1940 NFL title tilt, (do you think Joe Buck, even the great Bob Costas knows that?!!), was the Lions’ coach and Tobin Rote (Rock’s father, remember him as a WCBS sports newsman, signed by Parker before he left before the season) was the quarterback when the Lions annihilated the Browns (59-10) in the title game, which ended the great Cleveland player, Jim Brown’s first season on a sour note. (Parker by the way was a first year player on the 1935 Lions’ title team, thus when one considers the acquisition of Rote for 1957, a big part of all 4 Lions’ title winners.)
In a future post, I will continue to “Jack Webb” it, stick to the facts, limit my anger and give you notes those in charge, for many reasons, none good, will never dispense your way, those notes to be concerning the Lions’ awful playoffs record since “operative 59,” that number points, that many years ago to gain their last title.
There has been only one previous post-season clash in any major North American sports league between the cities of Detroit and Seattle, whose NFL teams, the Lions and Seahawks respectively meet in the “Alfalfa” (Al Michaels) Saturday night wild card round game in Seattle, four days hence.
Michaels, affiliated with the bigger NFL night television package starting in 1986, a period of time encompassing all 4 Supe titles won by THE “value team,” New York Giants, (1986 with the best record and “reg” team and three others, one in ’90 with a home slots game as the NFC “2” and two others with Eli Manning as quarterback, in which the slightly better than mediocre “reg” culminated in Bob Papa announced titles (could you call that announcing and I know I keep bringing it up but alas, ’twas the non Giants fan, “Baba,” who reminded me Papa yelled “wide open is Tyree” (David) when in fact, Pats defender Rodney Harrison had great coverage thus Tyree’s catch, in the first Manning Supe win was incredible and Papa’s call beyond horrible and misleading, but not one that prevented Papa soaking in “Giants glory”), I BELIEVE has called the later (1990-2000) and Saturday night wild card game each year but last, since the 4 wild card games round was introduced in 1990.
Last year, for the first time, Michaels was involved in a Sunday early post-season or really a non Super Bowl, Sunday playoff tilt for the first time. This was after “Poo,” Jim Nantz presided over Pittsburgh’ no cover win at Cincinnati, in the Saturday night wild card tilt.
Last year, having announced 2 straight “at Minnesota” wins, Michaels sojourned (I doubt the Californian stayed in “Minne” for the week leading up to the Sea “no cover,” “Blair Walsh miss,” win) there for the aforementioned Sunday early wild card game tilt.
I have held my tongue in this post, anxious, but not quite ready to excorciate Michaels on a more personal level, and as most things in life are relative, again wish him good health and another “in Minne” appearance when NBC telecasts the 52nd Supe in about 13 (one quarter of 52) months.
Certainly I do not wish Michaels, in fact, any human being harm, but have a bit more “skin” regarding Michaels, whose politics almost surely differ from mine.
This is because no Michaels would mean Mike Tirico, with whom I might agree politically, but should he get as “plum” an assignment as the Supe, would further illustrate, in fact exponentially, the industry’s horribly eroded standards.
This year, (I did not forget the previous Detroit vs Seattle post-season clash/series), it is a team that lost at home in the Michaels’ “reg” finale last Sunday night vs Green Bay (Again as in 2015, both teams were assured of ‘offs berths going into the final Sunday night tilt. Last season, in the “reg,” Minne won vs “G.B,” but lost at home to Seattle in the ‘offs. Conversely, G.B. lost at Minne only to go to “Wash” and beat the Redskins. Oddly this season, a Redskins’ inexcusable home loss to the Giants, assured both Det and GB qualifying for the ‘offs), namely the Lions visiting, you guessed it Seattle, while the Packers again get the late Sunday “I see you” (Joe Buck) game, this time at home vs you guessed it, relevant to this TANGENT, New York (Giants).
In 1975, in a best two of three NBA preliminary series, the Seattle SuperSonics, now the Oklahoma City Thunder, defeated the Detroit Pistons two games to one.
The home team prevailed in each game. Coincidentally both the SuperSonics after beating the Pistons, and Pistons, the next season, went on to face great Golden State Warriors’ teams.
As was the case in the last two seasons involving a pair of (I guess) great Warriors’ teams forty years later, the first Warriors team not as great record wise, won the crown (1975), but lost in the semis in 1976, that in the series after which they beat Detroit.
About to shoot and almost surely make one of his classic shot underhand free tosses, (the great Joe Tait announced FT’s as “free tosses,” one of two meant “he split the pair”) the truly great player, Rick Barry is pictured above.
Barry led the 1975 upstart Golden State Warriors to the NBA crown, dispatching the Seattle SuperSonics in the quarters along the route/journey.
That series commenced just after Seattle had beaten Detroit (Pistons) in what is until they “boot” Sat night in “Sea,” with Al, the only previous Sea/Det post-season major North American sports league clash. Bet “you could not have lasted a day” (I am not afraid to say I loved the Carpenters’ music and am reading “Little Girl Blue,” figuratively and at times literally crying, regarding Karen) without knowing that tidbit of truly inconsequential knowledge.
In their 2016 regular season finale and coach Gary Kubiak’s last game after winning a Supe then not (playoff) qualifying, the dethroned champion, Denver Broncos repeated a triumph exactly 39 years earlier, vs the Oakland Raiders.
However, unlike the 1977 AFC title game win in a game played on the first day of 1978 vs defending champion Oakland, the game’s result does not alter the fact defending champion Denver is not going to the playoffs.
Meanwhile, while the loss to Denver hurt “Oak,” in that they dropped to the AFC “5” seed, they still have playoffs life, opening as a 3 point plus underdog at Houston, in what will be the earlier game (say 4:30 P.M. Eastern Time) this Saturday.
However the real blow, that likely dashed any big playoffs success after a fine (12-4) season, came when the Raiders’ fine quarterback Derek Carr was injured while passing the “pig,” with his team ahead (33-14) with only 11 minutes remaining in the team’s penultimate game, vs disappointing Indy and its equally disappointing quarterback, Andrew Luck (Did you see him celebrating a meaningless win vs “Jax” last Sunday?!! Please!!)
Rick Upchurch (left) and Haven Moses, with glasses perched a la William Kuntsler, Bud Greenspan, and often me, two members of the 1977 Broncos, pictured above at a charity outing years (not too many as the guys look well) later.
Moses caught two touchdown passes from Craig Morton in that game leading Denver, to as Dick Enberg intoned “The Promised Land.”
Subsequent to the game, Kermit “Kenny” Weiner, a truly likable, good man, that often told/chided me regarding how “his” Giants led by Sam Huff, stopped “my” Cleveland Browns and Jim Brown, said “Every dog has its day,” regarding ex Giants’ quarterback, Morton.
The “promised land” was anything but, (Dallas 27 Denver 10).
Kermit, a big Giants’ fan who “suffered” with Morton and other players far worse, sadly died in 1985, thus not bearing witness (at least on earth), to any of the 4 Giants’ Super Bowl wins.
My eyes hurt and coffee has not entered, but after the previous post, which was anything but the incredible recall I have (sadly unrecognized and likely virtually useless) of things that interest me, NFL history and recurrence, being a major one, (baby) here goes.
Yesterday was the exact 50th anniversary of both the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs securing victories, that put them opposite each other, in the first “championship game” (it was not called the Super Bowl, but is now considered the first, its heights and ridiculous glory as the ball (remember the superball) for which a K.C. Hunt named it) between the established NFL and upstart AFL.
Both the Pack and Chiefs marked the anniversary with “last game of the “reg” victories, that yielded higher seeding (K.C. is the AFC two seed, gaining a first round bye and will try to win a home slots/division round game for the first time in team history, on Sunday January 15th, the exact 50th anniversary of that first NFL/AFL game won by the Packers (35-10), while G.B. is the NFC “4” to host ancient and recent playoffs rival, “Hack” i.e., the N.Y. Giants, next Sunday in a first round/wild card round game).
Who knows, as the odds are against any Supe matchup manifesting, even one between top seeds, New England and Dallas, but wins by K.C. and G.B. on the exact 50th anniversary of those that produced their title battle in January 1967, slightly increase the chances of a redux these “big round number” years later.
While I have been dreadful on my college football predictions, most of them vs Alabama (as cited (0-6), the pro predictions and loser/loser/underdog vs a winner/winner/favorite “items” have fared much better. (I guess I could check the record but really, why?!)
On this last day full 16 game Sunday, one quarter/4 games fit the system. One is the no matter what somewhat meaningful, likely playoffs at stake game matching 3 point “fave” Green Bay at Detroit.
Another is a “going nowhere,” potential spoiler, San Diego (last week the Browns won their first game vs S.D. (Chargers), getting 5 or so points vs a K.C. Chiefs team that with a win is at least a “5” seed (if Mia wins an earlier tilt vs N.E. and K.C. loses then Mia is the 5 and visits far easier on paper at any rate, Houston RATHER than Pittsburgh whose owner, as with newscaster Rather, has the first name Dan) and if K.C. wins and Oakland playing simultaneously with “Poo” Nantz presiding and beamed here/N.Y. market, loses then the Chiefs are the AFC “two seed” a designation with a major perks, namely a first round bye and a home slots/division/second round home game assured.
Next on the list 7 point underdog N.Y. Giants, the definite NFC “5” seed which means a wild card round game next week, likely late Sunday with Joe Buck (as cited earlier, he is at Wash today) against a “Wash” team that with a win is almost certainly in the ‘offs and is definitely out with a loss.
The fourth system game as you will see with a fourth different scenario is the Rams plus 6 at home vs Arizona. Both teams go home after this tilt.
I predict at least covers by the Lions and Rams in the “system” tilts and in a game to be shown here, the Jets plus 4 vs the Buffalo Bills.
50 years ago, the Jets final game win and subsequent Buffalo win yielded a Bills AFL East crown. I recall a year, I believe 1989, when the Bills crushed the Jets in a season finale tilt “at Jets.” Of course last year, the spoiler Bills won at home denying the Jets a playoff berth.
This time in a meaningless force fed game but not prediction— Jets 24 Bills 23.
After two boring semi-final tilts yesterday, the first clear rematch for the college title, I believe mythical or otherwise in its history, has manifested, as Alabama will take on Clemson in the Monday night January 9th championship game.
Trailing (7-0) after two touchdown underdog Washington scored on its second possession, the great Tide (Alabama) team scored the last 24 points, raising their records to (14-0) and (11-2) vs the spread. (vs Tennessee Chattanooga, when clearly they did not “cover”–there was no access to a line for this “loser” (see my (0-6) vs Bama and unfortunately much else as 2017 begins).
“Bama,” which has won 4 titles in the (Barack) O(Bama) administration, has won all 10 of their titles with Democrats occupying the White House, (1 with John F. Kennedy 1961 season, 2 with Lyndon Johnson 1964 and 1965, 2 with James Earl (not Ray), but Carter in 1978 and 1979 and one with W.J. Clinton 1992 in addition to the four with B.H. Obama as president), as would be the case if they succeed as I will say close to 10 point faves vs Clemson, but never with the Democrat President as the “lame duck” variety.
The incredible Alabama defense stymied Washington time and again including a “cover” preserving last sequence with a Minkah (at that point no prayers, Jewish or otherwise could save Wash bettors many of whose late bets drove the line below 14) Fitzpatrick interception assuring a “Bama cover,” after their coach Nick Saban”o” unbeknownst to me, having shut the game off in disgust, gave Wash bettors a chance going for a 4th and 1 at their own 45, in the last minute.
Additionally, Alabama got its usual defensive touchdown, a 26 yard “int dance back” by Ryan Anderson, a real present for Tide first half (minus 7 plus) bettors and by definition an “arrow to the heart for those with Wash plus the same amount.
Bo Scarbrough was more than “fair” in delivering the “news,” simultaneously “chucking” aside Wash, as he ran for touchdowns of 18 and 68 yards, toting the pig for 168 yards overall.
Why are Michael Conrad, Burt Reynolds and John Steadman (not the great football writer, who forecast the score and called overtime for Colts/Giants 1958) from “The Longest Yard” pictured above.
Having already alluded to Simon and Garfunkel’s “Scarborough Fair,” and newscaster Chuck Scarborough, why not Michael Conrad as football player, “Nate Scarboro” in “The Longest Yard?”
Alas another reason especially in light of Saban”o'” decision is to recount a scene from “Yard” (a play on prison, I am in one even considering this garbage) in which Burt Reynolds’ character’s actions (no pun) of fixing pigskin tilts is called “Unamerican.”
My response to that is a question, “Is it?!!!”
The “Hack” update is as follows, the (10-5) Giants know their position, they will be the NFC “5” seed. However, their “travel” person” has four different destination cities, to keep in mind.
Those cities in order of likelihood are Green Bay, Detroit, I guess next is Seattle, followed by Atlanta.
Joe Buck always gets what he wants, thus the “Hack” at “Wash” tilt has been moved to after 4 p.m. meaning the New York television market will be without a meaningful early tilt, on the last day of the “reg.”
As in a Jim Croce song, “It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way.”
Hack/Wash could have been played, starting at 1 p.m. two rivals, “lame duck-locked into their ‘offs spot” Hack a touchdown underdog, vs a “Wash” team pretty much in control of its playoffs destiny. A “Wash” win and they get in the ‘offs unless “GB” at “Det” ends in a tie. (Though I truly despise much of what the NFL with its violence, gambling, television greed and terrible announcing represents, I do NOT wish the “black eye” –alas at least one t.v. “eye” is black, evoking Muhammad Ali’s (the consensus and certainly my “greatest” loss, among the so many we lost in 2016), brilliance in asking why is there so much “black as bad,” in the language/lexicon, different cakes, white angel, and black devil, an example,— that tie, perhaps fostered by a 1947 film, dared made, regarding anti-Semitism, namely “Gentleman’s Agreement”—-that would likely hit the National Fixed? League. (Should the GB/Det tilt proceed to overtime why would not the two coaches “wink/wink”/”Gentleman’s Agreement” a tie? Again despite my almost overwhelmingly negative feelings regarding the NFL and certainly its boss Roger Goodell, I do not wish such an occurrence.)
In later games on the “reg’s” final day, (I think Kevin Burkhardt, who far too soon and without anywhere near the corresponding talent, for such reward and glory, will be the Fox Network “in Atlanta man,” for what likely would be a Saturday January 14th “slots” game in the south, if the touchdown favored, Falcons win vs New Orleans Sunday and gain the seemingly very important NFC two seed) correctly moved to be played simultaneously with related game, (Sea gets the “2” if they win and Atl loses) “Sea” at “S.F,” it is Kenny Albert, bumped two years ago from what is now an alternating “slots” call for and by Burkhardt, “on” Atlanta hosting New Orleans.
Neither Burkhardt or Albert is in my opinion, good, (even the great Marv, Kenny’s dad, was no “great shakes” on football (the “anyone can do” long extended, “non play by play acumen,” induced “to the ennnnndzone” call of son Kenny, was preceded by a similar one, though not as bad, by the great, not in football or baseball, Marv) but I will not shed any tears for Burkhardt, if it is Albert, whose incessant calls for the Sports Phone Quiz, I recall, but in sharp contrast to his not fulfilling a promise to call in on my cable show, gets the “slots” call on Jan 14th. Alas my father, with no “connections” was born 102 years earlier. For the record, I am pretty sure it will be Burkhardt. Also since though while some I know agree even more intensely with my negative opinions, many do not, I will for “your” benefit predict the slots set up in a post before Sunday’s games. Do with it as you please.
The point from all this convaluted, run on, but I believe on most levels, justified rage, is that the Wash/Giants game has meaning apart from the two other meaningful Fox/NFC tilts each as stated, correctly a later start, the one in S.F. due to the time zone, the tilt in Atlanta moved to a later start, so that Sea will have playoffs seeding incentive.
Of course that is not the case involving the Giants/Wash, it stands alone, but “Bucky Boo” (I and perhaps God) “sees through you,” gets what he wants, and we in N.Y. suffer with mandated Buff at the Jets (no NE at Mia) on CBS and “jammed down our collective throats,” Dallas, at Philly, in a meaningless tilt, by the way, with Burkhardt, (not Carolina at T.B.) instead of a meaningful Giants/Wash tilt played earlier, followed by Atlanta hosting New Orleans, with related Sea/SF,played simultaneously.
It was always about the “bucks” (likely the NY/Wash tilt produces more) but for some reason, it is about this all powerful Buck, far more powerful than his over rated father Jack, and nowhere near as good.
In my opinion, while Jack Buck was pretty good, son Joe “chosen” for “John Unitas” World Series (19) and soon a 5th Supe–we can only hope he gets another “stinker,” as he got when Sea crushed Pey Manning and Denver in his fourth–is in my opinion, beyond annoying, not good and certainly not deserving of unprecedented exposure, that makes the great Curt Gowdy, (he too was given too much), appear as though he worked in a desert.
Click below to hear Jim Croce sing “It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way.”
I guess some people think it important that ESPN’s Paul Finebaum ranted vs The University of Michigan, actually before their Orange Bowl loss to Florida State.
It does not mean much to me but pretty much a factual error, certainly not telling the complete story, by Finebaum and the lack of knowledge by Mike Golic Jr. did matter to me, in a big time negative way.
Finebaum is technically correct in saying Alabama got some form of a national title in 1973, but in strongly asserting they got the title over Notre Dame (he did add the obvious that Notre Dame was awarded titles, I think he said subsequent so he cited one when there were two) and not citing Notre Dame and certainly not Alabama was the consensus and Associated Press college football champion for the 1973 season, Finebaum made a glaring omission if not error.
Golic Jr. claiming “all things Notre Dame,” (I am not a defender of Michigan, but the Notre Dame success if not, lore is long gone) did not have the knowledge to state Notre Dame was the 1973 consensus title winner.
I am trying to sneak another vs Alabama pick in here. They have beaten me every time and incredibly, despite big lines, the spread all but two times in 12 “on the board” games.
Today Alabama, a two touchdown “fave,” 39, Washington 28, the same score as a Steve Sloan led Alabama bowl win that with help got “Bama” the 1965 crown.
The great coach, Nick Saban, pictured above is say a two and a half to one favorite to win another of those tacky items, also pictured above.
