Oh what a spot to have possibly “backed up the Brink’s trucks,” but alas nothing is sure.
Close to it in my book, is hearing WFAN radio’s Mike Francesa saying he won all four games of which I was not aware, then going against his three “chalk” picks the following week.
As documented here, he lost all three predictions and continues to gall me, doing little if any homework in explaining, or giving an overview of the playoffs situation as was the case earlier today.
Yet he goes on and I suffer, knowing I would have done all I could to explain the playoff possibilities in sharp contrast to his flubbing it.
It does not seem to matter this man’s competence, but it does cause pain. Why him? Why not me? but clearly why him?
Howard Cosell warned of him, as a tout but believe it or not, Phil Mushnick of the New York Post, now Francesa’s most public critic, once backed him.
Both Beano Cook and I tried to tell Mr.Mushnick, the error of his opinion that Francesa was any good.
Cue Don Mc Lean’s “Vincent,” (Starry Starry Night), coincidentally and tragically about a never recognized in his lifetime, great– artist Vincent van Gogh—-“Phil did not listen (but too late) he sees what Francesa is now.”
I add in a message to me and others expecting some quality in the sports broadcasting landscape—” not meant for those with reasonable standards like you (me). It hurts and (seemingly) always will.
Mr. van Gogh’s “Starry Night” above. Francesa and almost all the other sportscasters make me feel beyond blue. I will not be extreme and cut off my ear, but I must shut them, by not listening to those sportscasters.
Click below to watch and hear Don McLean’s “Vincent” (Starry Starry Night) which is wonderful and on some level “softens” the blow.
Vincent (Starry Starry Night) Don McLean
I will go against WFAN radio’s Mike Francesa on two of his predictions.
The Kansas City Chiefs, who somehow will face the Indianapolis Colts in a redux of their 2014 wild card round game, will win, but not cover the spread vs the San Diego Chargers today.
Chiefs 19 Chargers 10
If “never shuts up,” ESPN analyst and one Super Bowl win coach (he can live off that for the rest of his life) Jon Gruden “suffered” a bit (that should be the worst suffering he or anyone should face but alas that is not the case) with his brother Jay’s Redskins loss Monday, that is good.
Away from Jon Gruden, the Redskins, who won playoff games in Chicago vs the Bears in 1986 and 1987, will improve their chances to qualify for them with a mediocre record this season.
Redskins 21 Bears 16.
I did not keep track of WFAN radio’s Mike Francesa’s predictions the last two weeks.
To the best of my knowledge, his record was (20-14) without his claim of (2-0) last week and his other picks the week before.
He claims to be (24-14), meaning he picked four winners in the four games, not corroborated.
This week I have his predictions.
Chalk to the “max,” Francesa touts three favorites.
They are the Kansas City Chiefs minus 10 points vs the San Diego Chargers.
The Chicago Bears minus 3 (the line is three plus and probably was when he made the pick which speaks volumes about this) at home vs the Washington Redskins.
Last he ranted about how big a game it is for the Cincinnati Bengals, whom he touts at home, minus two plus points vs the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Last night, as was the case a year to the day earlier, the Arizona Cardinals were victorious in the Thursday night game, improving upon an already impressive record.
Similarities largely end there. Last year was the 14th game for Arizona (their record stood at (11-3) after the Thursday night win), but having lost quarterback Carson Palmer to injury, were underdogs in that Thursday victory vs the St. Louis Rams.
Without Palmer and the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks close in the NFC West standings, most felt Arizona would be no more than a wild card team.
That turned out to be the case and despite a stellar (12-4) record, Arizona had to trek to Carolina where they lost a wild card round game to the (7-9) but NFC South champion, Panthers.
This year the Cards are (11-2) after beating the now (8-5) Minnesota Vikings by a field goal as 10 point favorites.
With Palmer healthy and a nice lead, not only over the now defending NFC champion Seahawks, but over all teams, but the (12-0) Panthers, Arizona is a viable contender to win it all.
If form holds and it rarely does, again the Cardinals would journey to Carolina for a post-season game.
This time instead of a “you can miss it” wild card round tilt between two non contenders, it would be for a Super Bowl berth from the NFC, in that conference’s title game.
For now, it is fairly safe to say the Panthers and Cardinals will earn first round byes and host divisional round games.
Last night I was truly fortunate to see the superb opening night performance of “Two Across” at St. Luke’s Theatre (308 West 46th Street).
The play stars Andrea McArdle and Kip Gilman. Their chemistry, delivering the crackling, highly humorous dialogue of playwright Jerry Mayer is something to behold.
Both performers are superb in their roles as “Janet” and “Josh.”
Ms. McArdle as a detrmined to “finish the task,” therapist and so much more, really hits the mark and home, as her transformation into vulnerability and being more open, is acted in beautiful fashion.
Alas, she is beautiful, likely, inside as well, as she graciously took time to pose for pictures after the performance.
Mr. Gilman completes the performance. He is funny and likable as a “Peter Pan” male, surely something to which I can relate. His sense of comedic timing is impeccable. He also was gracious and posed for pictures.
The performers truly bring out some of the best words and concepts as written by Mr. Mayer, that is present in today’s productions.
Crossword puzzles, metaphors, true humor and pathos abound. New York Times puzzle editor Will Shortz and the great Eva Marie Saint are cited, as the beautiful verbal volley of the characters, like the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) train they occupy, rolls on inexorably to its destination.
Major kudos go out to director Evelyn Rudie for “conducting” the great “ride.”
No real details concerning the story needed save this one. In the progression of talk between the characters a choice of “or not,” concerning certain events is given.
As far as seeing this play, it is my strong opinion an “or not” is out of the question. I strongly suggest seeing it. It was a great experience for me.
Kip Gilman and Andrea McArdle pictured above, each give fabulous performances in “2 Across.”
Welcome to St. Luke’s Theatre | The Home of..
Click above for more information and to purchase tickets.
Starting with the Green Bay Packers’ miracle win/cover at Detroit vs the Lions the losers in the previous week’s Thanksgiving Day games won while the winners of the three Thanksgiving Day games either lost and/or failed to cover the spread in week 13 of the NFL season.
I realized this too late at the half of the (Turkey day loser) Philadelphia Eagles win at New England vs the Patriots and the simultaneous (Turkey day winner) Carolina Panthers’ no cover win at New Orleans vs the Saints.
Before those two games on Sunday, an earlier tilt manifested in the San Francisco 49ers winning outright, as a one touchdown underdog in Chicago vs the Bears.
Chicago had beaten the Packers on Thanksgiving night.
Somebody knew something regarding the Monday night game as the Dallas Cowboys (Turkey day losers) bet from a 4 point to just a two and a fraction point underdog, won at Washington, vs the Redskins.
In summary: 5 games involving the six teams that played on Thanksgiving, all 5 resulting in “spread” wins if you took the Thanksgiving loser and bet vs the winner that day. Three were outright wins, by 8, 7 and at a point, 4 point underdogs.
Reading this one could say the adage “a day late and a dollar short” was rarely more applicable.
This is especially so NOT if you “read” the pattern early enough to cash bets, but if you by any means control or cut out gambling. Additionally taking the NFL with many grains of salt because alas, salt and miracle touchdown plays vs, can really “BURN.”
I post today not to praise and in fact, criticize all four NFC East teams but not to “bury” any of them either.
After the 13th week of play in the NFL, three NFC teams, the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and Washington Redskins actually share the lead with (5-7) records.
The Dallas Cowboys are not out of it, with a (4-8) record.
Last week the New York Jets beat the Giants, the Eagles upset the New England Patriots, while last night the Cowboys upset the Redskins.
While the Giants lost for the third straight game, the Eagles and Cowboys bounced back from losses with wins.
The Redskins had beaten the Giants the week before but I believe had the worst week, losing at home to Dallas.
Recently I was most fortunate to see a riveting, incredibly fresh version of the great Arthur Miller play, “A View From the Bridge,” currently playing at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street).
This version with an all British cast directed by Belgium’s Ivo Van Hove, in his Broadway debut, differs from the original. Certainly it does so in the sense of getting to the crux of the story. This adds to the drama, as does the fact the play is presented with no intermission.
Additionally, there are many audience members on stage also adding to the incredible unfolding drama.
Mark Strong is beyond superb, in one of the best performances I have seen and that encompasses a fair share.
The British native’s Brooklyn accent as lead character “Eddie Carbone” would have fit right in at Ebbets Field (the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers when they were in Brooklyn).
The entire cast is great. Nicola Walker is moving as Eddie’s wife “Beatrice Carbone” while Michael Gould as a narrator/lawyer from whom “Eddie” sought advice adds to and moves along the play’s essence.
Arthur Miller and Mark Strong did meet in this life. Now from far away, Mr. Miller, who created such theatrical opportunities with his work, is applauding that this version “hit it out of sight,” with its opportunity. So good and so far, in fact, that it may reach Mr. Miller.
A View from the Bridge – Lyceum Theatre Broadway Tickets.
Click above for tickets and I strongly suggest doing so soon.
There is no doubt as to whom the four teams will be in the upcoming college football playoff.
The somewhat probable top seed and certainly the lone unbeaten team in the major college football nation is Clemson.
The team went (13-0) and ended a three plus loss skein vs the spread winning by 8 as a 6 point favorite vs North Carolina.
Alabama went (12-1) winning but not covering the spread as predicted here, vs Florida.
Apparently those who won vs Alabama this week were almost as lucky to win as those who won with them last week.
Michigan State pretty much on the “number” defeated a previously unbeaten Iowa team in the Big Ten title tilt. Kudos to Iowa ona fine season and I expect Michigan state to play better and be a viable threat to give the Big Ten another playoffs champion.
Oklahoma which went (11-1) is the fourth team and right now they appear more impressive than any team.
The Sooners (Oklahoma) overcame a loss to Texas in which I know they were big favorites, at least 17 points perhaps 21.
Yesterday on the day preceding a Big 12 team getting into the playoffs, unlike last year when they (either TCU or Baylor) “was” (i know it is “were” but you know we was robbed) robbed, Texas a 21 poin t underdog upset Baylor.
On a different topic, I saw an incredible play “A View From The Bridge,” go see it and stay tuned for my review.
Last week CBS commentator Gary Danielson, another who never stops talking, “tortured” Auburn bettors suggesting Auburn down 9 LET Alabama score with about three or less minutes to go.
The fact likely Heisman Trophy winner, Derrick Henry did score legitimately, I suppose made it worse.
This week Alabama a 17 point favorite vs Florida in the SEC title tilt will win but not cover.
Alabama 28 Florida 21 the same score, I believe of the first SEC title game in 1992.
Alabama then upset Miami University in the Sugar Bowl and claimed the national title.
Tomorrow the Patriots win but not cover.
Patriots 25 Eagles 17
I did not get WFAN radio’s Mike Francesa’s picks this week nor have knowledge of his third pick the week before.
