Football notes



Got to agree with Oliver Willis on the ESPN-EA deal. I always preferred Madden's control setup, but it was great to have someone else out there pushing them on features, graphics, and (last year) price. I had some hope that Madden 2006 would carry with it a price cut as well as improved features. (Though my wish for a Madden gameworld reunion with Pat Summerall will probably never come true.) Sadly, it is not to be.

My playoff picks:

Eagles over Falcons 31-10
The Falcons have Vick, but the Eagles have almost everything else. I also wonder if the Falcons, having blown out the Rams at home, have much left for a title game in Philly. Philly won't let this one get away, and I expect it to be over early.

Steelers over Patriots 24-14

Now, I know. Anti-Patriots bias, the tuck rule, the ripping off of my beloved Raiders in the 2001 divisional playoffs those rat bastards they know what they did and I hope they all crash and burn and their mothers all grow mustaches and their taxes get audited and George Bush buys their team and the butt on Tom Brady's face starts to shit in the middle of a press conference and...sorry. But honestly, I wonder again if they spent all their emotion in the Indy game. Now they have to travel to Heinz field and face a defense that is best in the NFL at, well, everything. The Steelers get after the quarterback better than any team in football. Their secondary is much better than Indy's and can take advantage of any errant throws. If the Dolphins could pressure Brady into giving the ball away stupidly, imagine what the Steeler defense can do. The Steelers will get up early in the game by riding the Bus on a six or seven minute drive, then pressure the Pats into giving the game away.

Superbowl: Steelers over Eagles

Finally getting into the Superbowl after years of frustration can wear out a team. Just ask the Raiders in 2002. In 2000, we lose the AFC title game to the Ravens. (The game actually ended when Tony Siragusa fell on Rich Gannon and knocked him out of the game.) In 2001 I'll get you someday Walt Coleman I swear to God did you guys just make that shit up or what that was a fucking FUMBLE! Sorry. Must..Restrain...Urge...To...Kill...think...lollipops...rainbows...Clinton...presidency...ah. Okay. In 2002 we finally make it, knocking out the Tennessee Titans in dramatic fashion. Tim Brown finally gets a shot at a ring after fifteen years! Gannon gets his chance to be the second coming of Stabler! Victory! Pandemonium! Uproar!

We Raider fans try not to remember anything after that.

It's true. If you ask us about the Super Bowl in '02, we'll look at you quizzically, shake our heads and say, "Super...bowl? Oh, you mean that meaningless exhibition game that followed the AFC Championship. I didn't watch it. No, I don't need to hear the score, fuck you very much."

So Philly fans, you will win the NFC title (probably). But don't get too happy, because the Steelers looked poised to do to you what Tampa did to us (and you), two years ago. Yes, the Steelers don't have a flashy offense, but it's better than what Tampa had in '02, and their defense is every bit as good as the one Tampa used to pick Gannon off five times in the big game. Prepare yourselves for the big letdown.

Steelers 35 Eagles 14

Posted: Wed - January 19, 2005 at 02:35 PM        

©