Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

Usually wrong but never in doubt

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

I’d like to think you all would remain faithful to me if i ever tried to have some of you killed.

Prediction: the GOP will rethink its strategy of boycotting future committees.

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

The words do not have to be perfect.

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

Just because you believe it, that doesn’t make it true.

“Jesus paying for the sins of everyone is an insult to those who paid for their own sins.”

If senate republicans had any shame, they’d die of it.

Come on, media. you have one job. start doing it.

Let us savor the impending downfall of lawless scoundrels who richly deserve the trouble barreling their way.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

If you tweet it in all caps, that makes it true!

It’s the corruption, stupid.

Take hopelessness and turn it into resilience.

Some judge needs to shut this circus down soon.

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

So it was an October Surprise A Day, like an Advent calendar but for crime.

A last alliance of elves and men. also pet photos.

Schmidt just says fuck it, opens a tea shop.

You can’t attract Republican voters. You can only out organize them.

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Reader Interactions

282Comments

  8. 8.

    Midnight Marauder

    I am so glad that Ray Rice was my sleeper pick in my fantasy draft in 2008. And that when I tried to do it again this season, he was snatched one pick before I could strike gold again. Thanks a lot, Universe. You’re an asshole. I get it.

    Edit: WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!
    +2

  12. 12.

    You Don't Say

    Ray Rice has redeemed the Ravens ever so slightly, but nothing or no one has redeemed the Patriots.

  13. 13.

    ajr22

    The pats are very weak at the second receiver slot. I know Wes is hurt, but you need another receiver on the outside besides Moss.

  14. 14.

    Corner Stone

    @asiangrrlMN:

    can someone make Nance

    I like Nantz. He’s very reliable and consistent.
    Plus he’s a Univ of HOU grad.

    ETA – Double plus – he cheated on his wife with a younger girlfriend, which lead to a messy divorce.
    Really, what’s not to like?

  15. 15.

    Midnight Marauder

    Wow. New England really needs to get its life together today. I know it’s still very early in the first quarter and all, but still. This performance so far is not good. At all.

    @Corner Stone:

    is it just me or is Ed Reed really Kimbo Slice’s skinnier brother?

    It is definitely not just you.

  17. 17.

    You Don't Say

    @asiangrrlMN: Simms used to get on my nerves, but he’s so unlike any other football player announcer, so, uh, un-macho, that I appreciate him for that alone.

  19. 19.

    ajr22

    How does Vince Wilfork get out of bed in the morning following a game? It’s amazing his knees can support him. The guy is big as a house.

  22. 22.

    asiangrrlMN

    I’m loving the dismantling of the Pats thus far. I still loathe Nance and Simms, so I will probably have to mute soon.

    @ploeg: The problem is, I like the sounds of the game. Harumph. Still, N & S usually drive me to mute. We shall see how long I last.

  26. 26.

    Cat Lady

    @DougJ:

    WORD.

    I know everyone’s hurt at this time of year, but Brady has had 3 broken ribs and has a broken finger. Still….

    Ouch.

  28. 28.

    Midnight Marauder

    @The Dangerman:

    Houston Buffalo The Sequel?
    __
    Or is New England just laying down.

    It’s still crazy early. The Patriots need points on this drive desperately.

    And please, let’s not bring up that game ever again. Okay? Let’s never do that again.

    Edit: WHAT IS GOING ON?!

  31. 31.

    Pigs & Spiders

    I hate to say it, but this Ravens team is playing textbook Steeler football today. It’s fun to watch, and even more fun given that Tom Brady is crashing and burning.

  34. 34.

    BruceFromOhio

    Don’t turn your back again, or it will be 35-0.

    This is epic fail in one quarter. Usually it takes most of a football game to fall this far, this fast.

  35. 35.

    geg6

    Is there any way both these teams can lose? Please, FSM? Oh, well. If I must choose, I’ll hold my nose and hope BAL wins and then gets crushed next week. There is only one AFC team I can root for in good faith at this point, so GO JETS! I am hoping for the world’s most unlikely SB matchup: Jets v. Saints.

  36. 36.

    Corner Stone

    So, is Flacco now 0 for 1 in attempts? Dude’s got a 24 point lead and hasn’t completed a pass.

  37. 37.

    Midnight Marauder

    @asiangrrlMN:

    Hol-ee sheeet! You see what I see?

    This is absolutely stunning. And yet, there’s still the rest of the game to play. As far as mounting epic playoff comebacks go, the Patriots are in pretty good shape.

  39. 39.

    The Dangerman

    @Corner Stone:

    You’re on the list.

    I’m on lots of lists; the line forms to the Right.

    I’m just recalling the (name of game removed) because I turned it off and missed (the rest of said removed game).

    To make you feel better, I was rooting heavily for Moon and (the team that won’t be mentioned).

  42. 42.

    Midnight Marauder

    @The Dangerman:

    I’m on lots of lists; the line forms to the Right.
    __
    I’m just recalling the (name of game removed) because I turned it off and missed (the rest of said removed game).
    __
    To make you feel better, I was rooting heavily for Moon and (the team that won’t be mentioned).

    Duly noted.

  44. 44.

    BruceFromOhio

    @Midnight Marauder:

    And yet, there’s still the rest of the game to play.

    Close up on Brady shows ‘panicky,’ not ‘determined.’ If NE can get that ‘not in MY house’ vibe going and get the crowd back into it, maybe they can pull it off.

    ETA: @Corner Stone: Bench Brady, perhaps. If the NE O-line can’t protect the second string guy, does it matter?

  47. 47.

    Ed in NJ

    @Corner Stone:

    Ray Rice is not supposed to be able to outrun CB’s with the angle.

    Anyone who watched him play at Rutgers (saw every home game he played from the 2nd row) laughed at the pre-draft analysis of him. He doesn’t have breakaway speed, but he’s fast enough. And his quickness through the line in unparalleled in the NFL.

  50. 50.

    geg6

    Demo Woman: Depends on where you’re sitting. Where I am, the helicopters are in hysterics. ;-)

  55. 55.

    Punchy

    William Belicheat getting what he deserves. A wicked beatdown of epic proportions.

    Brady and His Pats decade of dominance is so ovah.

    Officially, I just need the over.

  56. 56.

    The Dangerman

    @Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle:

    Can one say “F—k Bud Adams” here? Earl Campbell and Bum Phillips still rule!!

    Well said (except such hyphen usage on BJ is inexcusable).

    I rooted for (team removed) a lot. They got close so often; I recall one game in Pittsburgh (oh oh, dangerous territory here on BJ) and they had to play in a Monsoon and still almost won as I recall. One of my favorites was a player whose name doesn’t come to me … Barber? A wide receiver or Tight End. Fuck, it sucks getting old.

  57. 57.

    Corner Stone

    @BruceFromOhio:

    Bench Brady, perhaps. If the NE O-line can’t protect the second string guy, does it matter?

    That was Cole-tongue-in-cheek-esque.

    But seriously, Brady is obviously in pain and not making great decisions or throws.

  58. 58.

    Midnight Marauder

    Ladies and gentlemen, we have a ballgame! And is the sun really going to be the X-factor in this game? And seriously, how do you not challenge that? That is insane. Now the team and the crowd are back in the game. Mistake, Harbaugh. Big mistake.

  62. 62.

    Ed in NJ

    @You Don’t Say:

    I’ve always hated the Ravens, but having Rice makes them a bit more palatable.

    The Patriots should add a Rutgers player and see if it works for them. I suggest Tim Brown, our prolific, electric, but undersized WR, who could step in for Welker.

  64. 64.

    Corner Stone

    @Ed in NJ:

    Anyone who watched him play at Rutgers (saw every home game he played from the 2nd row) laughed at the pre-draft analysis of him. He doesn’t have breakaway speed, but he’s fast enough. And his quickness through the line in unparalleled in the NFL.

    I didn’t watch every game but I did see a bunch. I love the guy but never saw that kind of leveled off speed.
    He was quick and powerful in the NCAA but he’s not supposed to be able to do that at the NFL level.
    That was eye awesome.

  65. 65.

    Nethead Jay

    Dropping in to second everybody, WTF is happening here! I always root for whoever’s playing the Patriots because I hate Belichick’s guts, but this is astonishing.

  66. 66.

    slashdotcom

    Holy Christ. That was the worst first quarter I, a Patriots fan, have ever experienced. But at least they got the play off before the punt decision could be reversed.

    I eagerly await an epic comeback.

  67. 67.

    Midnight Marauder

    This is the time for some playaction to Moss in the corner. Make that shit happen, Brady.

  68. 68.

    Punchy

    Ladies and gentlemen, we have a ballgame!

    /double checks blowout, shutout score

    We do?

    Edit: nice pass by Brady. Still a blowout

  72. 72.

    The Dangerman

    Shit, they’re booing Brady? Isn’t that like booing Santa Claus?

    EDIT: Hit enter as the TD was scored. Still, booing Brady?

  73. 73.

    comrade scott's agenda of rage

    Nance is one of the good ones.

    Simms should be made to die a quick, painless death. Anything to get him off the fucking airwaves.

  74. 74.

    Midnight Marauder

    HOT DAMN! Maybe that’s the spark they need. I also smell a well-timed Joe Flacco INT happening sometime in the near future, as well.

  77. 77.

    Midnight Marauder

    @Punchy:

    Ladies and gentlemen, we have a ballgame!

    /double checks blowout, shutout score
    __
    We do?

    Hey, epic playoff comebacks have to start somewhere, right?

  78. 78.

    Corner Stone

    That is my gameplan – to discuss breakfast sausage with a smokin’ hottie in the laundry basement.

  79. 79.

    slashdotcom

    @BruceFromOhio

    But my skin gets dry in the cold! And my lips chap! No, no, no to the ice floe!

  80. 80.

    Punchy

    Hey, epic playoff comebacks have to start somewhere, right?

    I agree, but Rice is cooking ya. They’re gunna run his fat ass all day, just destroying the clock.

    I suspect Flacco will have less than 12 pass attempts this game.

    Yup, there’s a pick. Flacco doesn’t pass the rest of the Q.

  83. 83.

    comrade scott's agenda of rage

    @Corner Stone:

    That is my gameplan – to discuss breakfast sausage with a smokin’ hottie in the laundry basement.

    “Smokin’ hottie”. Isn’t that a double positive? Or redundant.

    If I believed this line of advertising, I’d combine talking to the smokin’ hottie about breakfast sausage while offering her a Budweiser product. She’d be in the sack in no time.

  85. 85.

    J.

    HOW ‘BOUT DEM JETS YESTERDAY?!

    Re the Ravens – Patriots game, if you guys have not read The Blind Side by Michael Lewis, do so. Wish I had read it before I bet on the Pats to win this game.

  86. 86.

    Pigs & Spiders

    I’m sitting in a bar in Manhattan, and let me tell you, you’d think the Giants were playing in the superbowl. That’s how excited they are that Brady is choking.

  89. 89.

    You Don't Say

    @Ed in NJ: I really like Rice. Hate when college players I like go to NFL teams I hate.

    I don’t know Tim Brown, but undersized receivers/backs are my favorite kind of player.

  90. 90.

    Corner Stone

    Hey! “No Country for Old Men” is on USA at 1:30pm CT!
    Anyone who has two weeks to waste should tune in for that.

  91. 91.

    Midnight Marauder

    See, this is what was supposed to happen. The Patriots key in on the Ravens best player (Ray Rice) and force Joe Flacco to beat them, and let’s be honest, he can’t really do that.

    Now, you keep winning the field position game, you give Brady some time so he can get in the groove and you put a couple of scores on the board to make this a 24-21 game by halftime. Easy peezy, baby.

  92. 92.

    Punchy

    I’d combine talking to the smokin’ hottie about breakfast sausage while offering her a Budweiser product. She’d be in the sack in no time.

    Isn’t “talking about breakfast sausage” redundant with getting her in the sack?

  93. 93.

    Comrade Jake

    I’m pretty sure neither of these teams are going to survive the next round of the playoffs.

  95. 95.

    comrade scott's agenda of rage

    @Punchy:

    You owe me a new keyboard. I just spit taked my hoity, toity craft brewed Tastee Adult Beverage all over mine.

    When was the last time anybody saw a smokin’ hottie in a public laundry room?

    Never?

    Asked and answered.

  97. 97.

    Dork

    You’re about to see the most conservative football ever designed played out by the Ravens in the second half. I bet the run/pass ratio will be at least 10:1.

  98. 98.

    PTirebiter

    @Comrade Luke:
    Speaking of the Cowboys, last night made my season. Of course my expectations had hit bottom after their second loss to the Giants. I think they beat the Vikings, but if Favre is off the charts and we lose a close one, I’ll be okay.

  102. 102.

    Brachiator

    @comrade scott’s agenda of rage:

    When was the last time anybody saw a smokin’ hottie in a public laundry room? Never? Asked and answered.

    Hah! You are so wrong. Do you think that hotties hibernate when they are not out at the clubs?

    There used to be an old insiders guide to LA that highlighted the supermarkets that were also unofficial “where to find hot singles” hangouts.

    And unless they are fabulously wealthy, even hotties have to wash their clothes. And since some guys are too macho to want to be involved with anything domestic, there’s a good chance that some guy with half a brain is chatting up some hottie at a laudrymat while her dumbass man is back at home sitting on the sofa watching the playoffs with his buddies.

    Oh yeah, the new hot place to meet babes: yoga class.

  105. 105.

    Shell

    Just read the article over at New York magazine about John Edward’s personal and political implosion, “Saint Elizabeth and the Ego Monster”

    Yow-eeee!

  106. 106.

    PTirebiter

    … I wouldn’t pee on it if it was on fire

    I wouldn’t either, I assume the Coen brothers made extra copies.

  107. 107.

    Midnight Marauder

    Oh sweet baby Jesus, Ben Watson just got laid out. And that interception is a killer. It goes without saying that they need another field goal here. But oh man, that hit was vicious.

  109. 109.

    Joel

    The Ravens are pretty good.

    Can’t stand wife beater Terrell Suggs or murder accessory Ray Lewis, but I could stomach them more than the Jets or Colts. At least the Stillers and Gints are playing golf.

    Patriots offensive line has just been terrible. They have no business being in this game.

  110. 110.

    Cat Lady

    @Shell:

    Bill never stopped cheating on Hill, and Cindy McCain was cheating on Gramps. The Village panty sniffers have been thwarted by the Obamas, and they need their scalps, so Halperin will be the toast of the Village for the next several weeks. Bullets have been dodged.

    /O-bot

  111. 111.

    adolphus

    When was the last time anybody saw a smokin’ hottie in a public laundry room? Never? Asked and answered.

    There are plenty in my town, which is admittedly a college town with lots of off campus apartments.

    The thing is, when smokin’ hotties do laundry they don’t LOOK like smokin’ hotties. Least not as smokin’ as they do in clubs or other overt pickup joints. They aren’t wearing the A-outfits or wearing makeup.

    Just got to know how to look.

  112. 112.

    Midnight Marauder

    I would gladly pay $14.50 or however much it costs to see The Wolfman, just for when Benecio Del Toro goes “I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU!” That is never-ending hilarity right there.

  113. 113.

    Dork

    They aren’t wearing the A-outfits or wearing makeup.

    Kinda think this makes them seem hotter. They’re basically in their PJs, no bra, natty hair, completely off-guard….they seem more “regular”. Easier to approach. I’d even offer to pre-spray any of their Victoria’s Secret gear if so needed.

  114. 114.

    Dork

    Flacco has 2 completed passes (to his own players). That must be a playoff record low if it finishes this way.

  116. 116.

    mcd410x

    Who is the genius who decided the short kickoff was a good idea? New England just kicked short so with a 30-yard return, Baltimore has the ball at the 48.

    We’re scared you’re going to get a long return so we’ll give you the ball at midfield?

    P.S.: Bill Simmons, teams that can run the ball are still winning …

  117. 117.

    Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle

    @The Dangerman: You mean the Mike Renfro catch(or would have been a catch with today’s instant replay rules)? I remember that like it was yesterday(and I was like 8 at the time). I remember Earl Campbell steamrolling Isiah Robertson. And you gotta love Bum Phillips and his cowboy hat roaming the sidelines? ;-)

  120. 120.

    Joel

    At this point, I can only hope for a Norv-Brees Superbowl showdown, with Brees throwing for 6 touchdowns against Spanos’ Chargers.

  121. 121.

    Ed in NJ

    @You Don’t Say:

    Here’s a little bit of Tim Brown:

    Tim Brown game-winning TD

    Great ability to get open downfield, good hands. Over 20 YPC over this college career and 1150 yds this year. But the flip side is that he’s 5’8″, maybe 155 lbs.

    Oh, and the guy throwing the ball is true freshman Tom Savage, one of the most heralded recruits in Rutgers history, who will be playing in the NFL in a couple of years.

  125. 125.

    Nethead Jay

    @Dork: Totally agree with you there. In my book a smokin’ hottie shouldn’t need make-up and special outfits to be so, really don’t get adolphus’ attitude here. But then I like natural beauty.

  130. 130.

    Brachiator

    Our long national nightmare may almost be over.

    The Patriots are getting well and truly thumped.

    And it appears to be official. Jay Leno is being dumped from his 10 pm slot.

    NBC Universal Television Entertainment Chairman Jeff Gaspin said Sunday that Leno’s nightly prime-time show will end with the beginning of the Winter Olympics on Feb. 12. NBC wants Leno to do an 11:35 p.m. show each night, a return to his old time slot, Gaspin said.

  132. 132.

    Max

    @Brachiator: Re: Jay Leno. I can’t wait to listen to Howard Stern tomorrow morning. They’ve been counting down to Jay’s demise.

    I don’t really care about this football game, other than being glad the Pats are losing. F Tom Brady.

    ON a much brighter note…

    Big Love! Tonight!

  134. 134.

    Ed in NJ

    @Brachiator:

    Fuck NBC and Jay Leno. Nothing there is smart enough to figure out that the ratings for Conan tanked BECAUSE Leno was on at 10?

    The smart thing to do would be to let Conan have the post-Olympic spot and see if the ratings spike with a big lead-in. There is no way Conan can compete with Nightline and Letterman when Leno gets 5 million viewers at night and CBS and ABC get 15 million in the 10 pm spot. You can’t expect 10 million people to switch to a different news station at 11 or over to NBC after the news. Late night viewers are lazy. They stay with the station they are on.

  136. 136.

    Joel

    Well, that’s it for NFL football for me this season.

    I guess I can root for Favre to ruin it for everyone.

    As long as it’s not the Colts or Jets.

  137. 137.

    BruceFromOhio

    This game has officially kicked its little feet up in the air. Seems like a good time to put away the Christmas decorations before the Cards game starts …

    ETA: “As long as it’s not the Colts or Jets.” SD and NO all the way!

  138. 138.

    Cat Lady

    Well, haters, enjoy, but Tom Three Rings Brady gets to go home and nurse his injuries with Gisele and a new baby with all the money anyone would want in this life, which is probably all he ever wanted to do anyway. Not too shabby, and all you haters would trade places with him in a nanosecond.

    Geaux Saints!

  139. 139.

    MattR

    From Pro Football Talk

    (With this) win by the Ravens, the Pats will have finished each of the past six years with each of the six possible outcomes to an NFL season.
    __
    Specifically, they will have missed the playoffs (2008), lost in the wild-card round (2009), lost in the divisional round (2005), lost in the conference title game (2006), lost in the Super Bowl (2007), and won the Super Bowl (2004).

  141. 141.

    Corner Stone

    @Joel:

    As long as it’s not the Colts or Jets.

    The Colts I could stomach. If by some fluke of the FSM (may She be praised!), it’s the Jets – I will set out on a nationwide neck punching spree the like of which the world has never seen.
    Alexander the Great would be jealous of my neck punching dominance.
    It will increase on a geometric rate like SkyNet’s computing self-awareness.
    It will be truly awesome to behold. But not in a good way.

  142. 142.

    Joel

    @MattR: If you were being nitpicky, you could say there are seven outcomes, with the seventh being a loss in a one-game playoff. I think the NFL eliminated that years ago, though.

  145. 145.

    MattR

    @blogenfreude: Apparently Vegas did not listen to Rex Ryan. The Jets opened as 9 point underdogs to the Chargers. (The Colts are favored by 6 and a half. The Vikings by 2 and a half)

    @Joel: They now use a coin toss if the first 10 or so tiebreakers don’t work. Imagine how horrible a way to miss the playoffs that would be.

  148. 148.

    blogenfreude

    @MattR: Any given Sunday – as you know it’s often down to penalties and fumbles. If Sanchez doesn’t get another case of Favre-itis (picks) we could – go – all – the way. Although truth be told – if you’d told at the beginning of the season that the Giants and Steelers would be out and the Jets would be in, I’d have bet you a lot of money otherwise.

  149. 149.

    Brachiator

    @Ed in NJ:

    Fuck NBC and Jay Leno. Nothing there is smart enough to figure out that the ratings for Conan tanked BECAUSE Leno was on at 10?

    The suits outsmarted themselves. They thought that they would save a ton of money not having to put hour dramas on at 10pm, and that Leno was known and comfortable as far as viewers were concerned. But people didn’t watch Leno, instead doing stuff like watching the competition, watching shows that they had Tivo’d, cleaning their bathtubs. Local affiliates used to make big money with advertisers buying time on the local news shows and started to yell big time that Leno’s weak performance at 10 was costing them defecting viewers at 11.

    And this was all before you get to Conan starting to lose to Letterman at 11:35.

  151. 151.

    blogenfreude

    @MattR: And tell me what you think of this reasoning – I’d rather the Jets face the Colts again rather than the Ravens b/c 1) we beat them, and 2) the Ravens know too many of Rex’s tricks. Makes sense?

  153. 153.

    MattR

    @blogenfreude: I agree with that reasoning, but you forgot reason number 3 – Karma. It almost seems like destiny that the Jets will end the Colts season.

  156. 156.

    mcd410x

    @Brien Jackson: I’ll find it interesting to see if his theory about passing flies next week in three domes and San Diego — i.e., no hella cold weather.

    I know plenty of people who feel that way. I enjoy his writing. His accent makes his podcasts a bit tough to stomach. And when I say a bit tough I mean unlistenable.

  158. 158.

    MattR

    @blogenfreude: My wallet likes the way you think. I’m thinking something like 31-24.

    PS. Your uncle Dom would not be the only one. And I can’t imagine how much more pleasant a place the NYC area would become (at least for a couple weeks).

  159. 159.

    Corner Stone

    @mcd410x: I liked The Sports Guy a lot more before I heard him.
    I knew where he was from but I did not need to hear that.

    Still enjoy his column but his podcasts are worthless and rambling and just awful.

  161. 161.

    Joel

    @Corner Stone: I liked the Sports Guy back when he was the Boston Sports Guy and his columns were about subjects like “Mr. Weebles”, the Flinstones space alien that was responsible for Jimy Williams’ insane decisions. That was a different era, for him (Digital City) and Boston sports in general.

  164. 164.

    MattR

    That is a terrible, terrible decision to start the game from Rodgers. Though I did think DRC was going to take it the wrong way for a TD for half a sec :)

  165. 165.

    mcd410x

    @Corner Stone: Remember back before he mailed it in — when he wrote actual columns? Two or three a week?

    This remains a fave of mine … Vince Young Natty Championship game:

    1:07 — All right, this wasn’t just the highlight of the game, it might have been the highlight of my life. Here’s an actual transcript of Keith Jackson reading an “Emily’s Reasons Why Not” promo (10 minutes after I wished for it): “Don’t miss the season’s premiere of ‘Emily’s Reasons Why Not.’ [Mumbling to someone off-camera.] ‘Emily’s Reasons’ … I don’t know. [Back to the promo.] Starring Heather … Graham. A new comedy about love, laughter and life, premiering at Monday, 9 central, followed by an all-new ‘Jake’ … [prolonged pause] … in Progress,’ starring John Stah-mos.”

  167. 167.

    Corner Stone

    Isn’t Cromartie the name of a bad guy in the Sherlock Holmes series?
    If it’s not then it should be.

  168. 168.

    J.W. Hamner

    @Brachiator:

    Mad props to Ravens Defensive Coordinator Greg Mattison.

    This is a guy who nearly all of the Ravens’ faithful are deeply suspicious of… but that’s probably the worst game I’ve ever seen Brady play… so is Mattison a B-more hero? I’m guessing he’s still on probation.

  169. 169.

    HRA

    Priceless to see NE lose from a fan of the team who should not be mentioned by name here in re: to winning against Houston. The wide receivers were Andre Reed and James Lofton for the team who should not be mentioned. The tight end was Pete Metsalars (sp.?)

    I did read some of the online writings from the Halperin and Heilmann book. Wow!

  173. 173.

    Corner Stone

    Why do the Cards have so many players with hyphened last names? Is it because they are so close to Mexico?

  175. 175.

    Steeplejack

    @Corner Stone:

    Isn’t Cromartie the name of a bad guy in the Sherlock Holmes series?

    Yes, Professor Cromartie, the Napoleon of crime. I believe Holmes brained him with a guitar at the Rickenbacker Falls.

  178. 178.

    Bob In Pacifica

    A bad wild-card weekend so far. I hate the Cowboys (I blame Dallas for all things wrong in the world.) And although I liked “The Wire” I’ve always disliked the Ravens. And as a Niner fan I hate Arizona and Kurt Warner. I hope the Packers pull the late game out.

    The Jets I can live with for this year.

  181. 181.

    MattR

    @blogenfreude: I was shocked that he was still in the league. I had to check online to make sure it was not some other Becht.

    BTW, if you hear a giant flushing sound, that is my money going down the toilet. Thanks Packers.

  188. 188.

    Brachiator

    @J.W. Hamner:

    RE: Mad props to Ravens Defensive Coordinator Greg Mattison.

    This is a guy who nearly all of the Ravens’ faithful are deeply suspicious of… but that’s probably the worst game I’ve ever seen Brady play… so is Mattison a B-more hero? I’m guessing he’s still on probation.

    Brady didn’t just play a bad game. The defense took options away from him, pressured him, put him in a position in which he couldn’t do his thing. Sometimes they rushed him with 6 guys, daring him to pass, but didn’t let him set up to get a good pass off.

    The Patriots couldn’t adjust and couldn’t cheat. The Patriot Death Star got blowed up real good.

  199. 199.

    mcd410x

    I would have given up Fox and one NFL game this weekend if it meant I didn’t have to see American Idol promos.

  200. 200.

    MattR

    @mcd410x:

    I would have given up Fox and one NFL game this weekend if it meant I didn’t have to see American Idol promos.

    I had this exact thought as I was looking for the remote control.

  201. 201.

    Midnight Marauder

    That was a HUGE strip. This is a fantastic game so far. Great form, Charles Woodson. Hand right on the ball.

  204. 204.

    Corner Stone

    I love it when a 300lb dude runs someone down from behind.

    Gotta look back at the ball son.

  208. 208.

    Midnight Marauder

    @Andy K:

    Driver looks more like Terry Crews than he looks like Gibson, and he doesn’t look much like Crews.

    Probably because he’s too busy looking like Tyrese Gibson.

  211. 211.

    geg6

    DOUGJ, WHERE ARE YOU? TIM F? ANNE LAURIE? New thread, pretty please? It’s hard checking in on 200+ comment threads on the Blackberry. Cut a girl a break!

  213. 213.

    MattR

    And that is why it was piss poor clock management. That penalty is meaningless. Stupid coaches and stupid announcers.

    EDIT: And a smart defensive back knows that and will gladly hold/commit pass interference instead of letting his guy catch it in the end zone.

  215. 215.

    MattR

    Can we please get an agreement between Cablevision and HGTV/Food Network so I no longer have to see Bobby Flay on my TV?

  218. 218.

    Midnight Marauder

    That catch by Jennings was just silly. One handed, left-hand in the corner of the end zone, falling down? Get out of my face with that craziness.

  219. 219.

    Sir Nose'D

    I need to finish writing a grant proposal to the National Science Foundation. Its not yet a blowout, so I have a fool’s hope that the Pack is still in it.

    Prediction: Packers lose, grant not funded. Oh, how the universe mocks me…

  220. 220.

    svensker

    @MattR:

    And yes, Jets fans, that is Anthony Becht you see on the field for the Cardinals.

    Can’t be. He hasn’t dropped the football enough.

  221. 221.

    Andy K

    WHAT THE WHAT?

    That was the stupidest time to call for the on-side kick! Glad that it worked out, though.

  222. 222.

    BruceFromOhio

    Spectacular pull in by Mr Jennings. Pack makes it 17-31 with lotsa football left, and the Christmas decorations are stowed for another year.

    RE: Stupid announcers – I put on cd’s or grab a laptop or mp3 player for the surround sound. Cut in to broadcast audio for penalty calls. I do my own announcing, generally to the disdain of the other inhabitants. Joe Buck or Chris Simms or Bobby Flay or whoever the fuck is yapping incessantly never gets the chance to make my life miserable.

    ETA: @Midnight Marauder: (laughter)

  224. 224.

    Comrade Luke

    The Packers are showing way more guts than the Patriots. I highly doubt they’ll talk about it like that though – wouldn’t want to hurt widdle Tom Bwady’s feewings.

  229. 229.

    Comrade Luke

    Does anyone have a recommendation for a good sports news web site?

    I can’t take espn.com anymore.

  230. 230.

    Andy K

    @MattR:

    That seems to be the popular sentiment where I’m watching the game. Hell, even my dad is saying it, and he likes to give the Packers 10th chances.

  231. 231.

    Joel

    @Comrade Luke: I don’t think he gives a rats ass.

    Once Brady starts aspiring for political office, I’ll join all y’all in hating him. But then, of course, there will be a good (R)eason.

    As for good sports media, there isn’t any. The rest of print media is just playing catchup.

  234. 234.

    MattR

    Bad weekend for kickers named Graham.

    EDIT: Anyone else enjoying the Patriots Pro Shop banner ad up top?

  235. 235.

    Comrade Luke

    @Joel: I don’t hate Brady as much as I hate the coverage of him. It’s like he walks on water.

    Same goes for Jeter. I used to hate him, but then I realized that he doesn’t really do anything; it’s the media coverage that drives me nuts.

  236. 236.

    Sir Nose'D

    I am beside myself in a good way. Packers have tied it up? Driver can still juke like that in his old age? Whocouldanode?

  237. 237.

    Midnight Marauder

    I want a Saints-Packers NFC Championship now. The over/under is 175. Who wants some?

  240. 240.

    Nethead Jay

    @Midnight Marauder: Not possible, I think. Whoever wins this one will be meeting the Saints next round on saturday. And as a Saints fan, I’d like whichever team will be the easiest for them to beat. Not sure who that is right now, though.

  241. 241.

    Midnight Marauder

    @Andy K:

    Winner of this game gets the Saints next week. Doesn’t matter who wins…Though I have confidence that it will be the Pack.

    Touche. That slipped my mind (understandable, with the drugs and booze, I suppose). But that touchdown pass from Warner just now was mighty nice. Great response by the Cardinals. Although, I have the feeling the Packers are going to tie this thing up again in about 1:30 on a 4 play, 65 yard drive.

  245. 245.

    MattR

    It looks like this game may end up coming down to whether or not Jesus hooks Kurt Warner up on the overtime coin toss.

  246. 246.

    Comrade Luke

    Am I the only one whose first thought after that TD was “1:52 is way too much time to leave on the clock”?

  249. 249.

    Midnight Marauder

    It’s pretty funny to think about all the people who shit on the Packers organization for letting Favre go because they had faith in Aaron Rodgers to be The Guy. This kid is straight cash, homey.

  262. 262.

    BruceFromOhio

    @Brachiator:

    This is the only game that’s ended being worth the time this weekend. Way to go Pack. And the Cards kicker better check under his car on the way out tonight.

    ETA: And the Packers win the toss, taking the defense out of the equation for the moment.

  263. 263.

    Midnight Marauder

    Ladies and gentlemen, I would suggest you buy stock in Aaron Rodgers right now, because after this game, the price is never coming down.

  265. 265.

    Comrade Luke

    My biggest issue with Rodgers is that he tends to hold on to the ball too long. Other than that he’s teh awesome.

    And he could have just ended it on the first play of OT…

  270. 270.

    Midnight Marauder

    @Midnight Marauder:

    Ladies and gentlemen, I would suggest you buy stock in Aaron Rodgers right now, because after this game, the price is never coming down.

    Where is the “Request Deletion” button where you need one?

  271. 271.

    MattR

    Aarghh. Did not see that ending coming. Though it may just have saved everyone the ten minutes it would have taken for the Cards to score after they got the punt.

    EDIT: After watching the replay, how was that not a personal foul for hitting the QB in the face? They have been throwing that flag all season no matter how weak or inconsequential the contact has been.

  273. 273.

    Emo Pantload (fka Studly)

    Sudden death is a harsh bitch.

    Speaking of which, is it too much to hope for an OT Super Bowl, this year? I’ve been waiting near all my days for one of those.

  274. 274.

    Andy K

    @MattR:

    Though it may just have saved everyone the ten minutes seconds it would have taken for the Cards to score after they gor the punt.

    FIFY.

    Second time this year that a Packers’ loss hasn’t put me into a deep funk (the first being the loss to the Stillers). What a great game!

  275. 275.

    Nethead Jay

    Fuckin’ awful ending to a great game. Now I just hope my Saints stomp all over Kurt Warner and the rest of the birds next weekend.

    Edit: @MattR: Yup, wondered that about the hit on Rodgers too, after seeing the replay. But they’ll never admit the inconsistency.

  277. 277.

    Andy K

    @Corner Stone:

    Your statement was obviously unresearched, improvisational bullshit that, minus a snark tag, is simply inflammatory- just like most of B.O.B.’s posts.

    For the record: Woodson is 6’1″, 202 lbs.. Now take a look at two other current all stars at the cornerback position: Darelle Revis is 5’11”, 198 lbs., while Champ Bailey is 6’0″, 192 lbs.

    Woodson is actually on the big side for modern NFL cornerbacks.

  278. 278.

    Corner Stone

    @Andy K: Yeah, and Larry Fitzgerald is listed at 6’3″ and 217.
    And he clearly dominated Woodson on the play I was referring to, as it happened in real life when he got his ass kicked. He shoved him away like he was a little beeschay.

    So next time how about you say you disagree with me, rather than call me BoB?
    Huh douchenozzle? That good with you fucko?
    Fuck off you punk bitch.

  281. 281.

    2liberal

    @Corner Stone:

    Why do the Cards have so many players with hyphened last names? Is it because they are so close to Mexico?

    it’s all tied up with the no-daylight savings time thing in AZ

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