December 2009 Archives

Hey, you know what I just realized? This is the last year of the decade! Why isn't anybody talking about this? I would have expected every media outlet to be coming up with some sort of "Best Of" lists to sum up the cultural landscape of the last decade. Maybe I've missed them because I've been busy lately.

But just in case nobody else has thought of it, Jim and I decided to take some time and total up the past decade in the most thorough - and thoroughly ridiculous fashion - we could think of. We're starting with TV. We did a reverse gonzo draft Top 10, where Jim and I each take turns picking a show to fill out our top 10, except we did it in reverse. So Jim picked 10, then I picked 9, all the way down (up?) to #1. Why not start at #1? Because the first show Jim emailed me was #10, and instead of restarting, he insisted we do this. So blame him if your favorite show got squeezed out because we forgot about it until too late.

(Also, because we watch alot of TV but not all of TV, we'll try to briefly justify our choices - and omissions - by indicating at the end what shows were excluded because we didn't watch them as opposed to the shows we did watch but couldn't make room for).

(Also also, this is easily the longest single piece Jim and I have generated. So you might want to print it out and take it to the john or something.)

#10: Dexter (Jim's pick)

So we can finally stop believing in Tennessee now right?  They're done.  Finito.  Caput.  Let's move on to some other interesting topics of this week in football.

The NFC playoff picture is much easier to sort out than the AFC.  Dallas and Green Bay currently are in the Wild Card spots, but the Giants aren't far behind.  It looks like if they finish tied with either of the teams ahead of them they should make the playoffs (if I did my tiebreaking procedures correctly).  The AFC race is still up for grabs.  Currently the Broncos and Ravens hold the Wild Card spots at 8-6, but even with the Titans' loss last night, there are still five 7-7 teams that are fighting for those spots.  In the next two weeks a good portion of these teams will go head to head.  These are the most intriguing games of the next few weeks.  OK...to the picks.


Buffalo Bills vs. Atlanta Falcons (-9.0)
Both teams are out of the playoff hunt, but still have some questions to answer.  There is an interim coach in Buffalo who might want to be promoted to head coach next year (which is NOT a good career move), and what will happen with Terrel Owens next season?  In Atlanta, are they going to keep on playing Mat Ryan and Michael Turner?  Or will they rest them for next season?  I feel like Atlanta is going to play for next season, while Buffalo has a few things to prove still.  I'll go with the Bills.
Confidence Points: 12


Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals (-13.5)
With San Diego's win last night, the Bengals will be hosting a Wild Card game in the first week of the playoffs.  They're currently tied with the Patriots for the #3 seed, but I don't see much of a difference between the #3 and #4 seed this year, especially since the two Wild Card teams are going to be around the same caliber.  Thus I can't see the Bengals needing this win.  The Chiefs don't need it either, but I think they still have something to prove, especially with Matt Cassel.  The points are too high for me, so I'm going with the underdog Chiefs.
Confidence Points: 5


Oakland Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns (-3.5)
This is a battle between two bad teams that have both beaten the Superbowl Champion Steelers.  I think these teams are starting to click better at this point in the season, but it's certainly too little too late.  I really have no idea if this is going to be a shootout or a snoozefest, but either way I'll take the Raiders...I think they're the best of the worst.
Confidence Points: 13


Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers (-14.0)
Seattle laid an egg at home last weekend to a Tampa Bay team that came in with one win.  Coincidentally, the Bucs' two wins have come against both of these teams.  The Packers' heartbreaking loss to the the Steelers last week has made their playoff hopes a little more uneasy.  Still, if they win out they're in, but it's not as much of a lock as it was the past few weeks.  That being said, the Packers are going to come out swinging.  Even with such a large spread, Green Bay has to make a statement and I think the Packers are going to win big.
Confidence Points: 11


Houston Texans vs. Miami Dolphins (-3.0)
The Dolphins lost a tough game last week in Tennessee, after they had a great fourth quarter comeback.  But due to a lot of other losses, they're one of those 7-7 teams in the AFC Wild Card hunt.  Actually, both of these teams are.  The Texans eked out a win in St. Louis last week, but this one is going to be a bigger test.  I like the home team here.  The Texans have gotten close before and never figure out how to get into the playoffs.  I think that trend will continue and Miami stays alive.
Confidence Points: 10


Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots (-8.0)
Will this be the end of the line for the Jags?  Due to it being an away game, the one hundred or so Jaguar fans will be able to see this game.  Jacksonville did play well against the Colts last week, but just couldn't get it done.  The Patriots on the other hand got their first American road win in Buffalo last week, which is important since they're going to have to go on the road in the playoffs.  I like New England to win the game, but I don't like the eight point spread.  I think the Pats will win by a touchdown, so I'm going with Jacksonville.
Confidence Points: 1


Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints (-14.0)
Too bad for the Bucs that the Saints lost last week.  Because then I would have liked them for a trap game.  Not anymore though.  The Saints are going to put on an old fashion whoopin'.  They need to make a statement and there aren't many better teams to do that to besides Tampa.  Big win for New Orleans here.
Confidence Points: 15


Carolina Panthers vs. New York Giants (-7.0)
Big game for the Giants here.  They basically have to win out in order to have a chance to make the playoffs.  (They could lose one and have the Cowboys, and maybe the Packers, lose out and still make it.)  This will be their last home game in Giants Stadium, and I think that will make a difference.  I like the crowd to get on the Pathers' relatively new QB Matt Moore, and with DeAngelo Williams (doubtful) and Jonathan Stewart (questionable) injured for this game, I don't see the Panthers winning via the passing attack.  Will the Giants cover?  Eh, I never know, but I like their chances in this game.  Go Giants!
Confidence Points: 9


Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5)
A must win for Pittsburgh here.  I believe that the winner will get into the playoffs.  The Steelers have a knack for staying in it, e.g. game winning TD catches last week against the Packers and in the Superbowl against the Cardinals.  But I don't like them against this Ravens' team.  These teams know each other too well.  And Pittsburgh is not immune to losing at home.  This is a tough call, but I think the Ravens have what it takes.
Confidence Points: 2


St. Louis Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals (-14.0)
The Cardinals almost lost to the Lions last week and the Rams almost beat the Texans last week.  Every time I pick the Rams to cover (usually not to win) they get blown out, and when I pick against them on large spreads like this they make it close.  So I'm going to pick the Rams again.  So everyone else should pick the Cardinals.  Do it.  And then watch as the Rams cover.
Confidence Points: 4


Detroit Lions vs. San Fransisco 49ers (-12.5)
I'm really not sure with this one.  The 49ers struggled in Philly with the Eagles last week, but so to most people.  After benching Donte Culpepper, the Lions came roaring back (boo) against the Cardinals.  It's a lot of points for the 49ers.  I'll take the Lions and the points.
Confidence Points: 8


New York Jets vs. Indianapolis Colts (-5.5)
Well the Colts have it all sewn up and don't have to play for anything anymore.  They don't have a meaningful game for three weeks.  But they are 14-0.  All of the previous Colts teams that have packed it in during the end of the regular season (and then usually lose in the playoffs) weren't undefeated.  I don't see them giving away a loss.  If it's close, they're going to try to win.  I can't see the Jets flying out of the gate and blowing the Colts away, so I think Peyton is going to play the whole game (unless the Colts are routing) and say that Indy makes it 15-0.
Confidence Points: 7


Denver Broncos vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-7.0)
A win would almost give the Eagles the NFC East.  With the Vikings' loss last week, Philly could potentially get the #2 seed and a first round Bye.  Both teams have a lot to play for, as the Broncos are one of the two current Wild Card holders in the AFC.  Brian Westbrook is supposed to be back for the Eagles this week, and I actually think that may hurt the Eagles since they're been playing so well without him.  The Eagles don't usually lose in December, so I'm picking Philly, but I wouldn't be too surprised if the Broncos steal one here.
Confidence Points: 6


Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) vs. Washington Redskins
It's strange that the Sunday night game is the first game on the list where the home team isn't favored.  Dallas obviously came off their biggest win last week in beating the Saints and the Redskins laid an egg hosting the Giants last week.  Nothing would give the Redskins more pleasure than beating the hated Cowboys and severely hurting their playoff chances.  I think getting embarrassed at home will rile up the Redskins, and I also think that Dallas may come into this game still riding the high of beating the Saints.  That to me equals trouble for Dallas, and I like Washington here.
Confidence Points: 3


Minnesota Vikings (-7.0) vs. Chicago Bears
Last week was another poor performance by Favre and the Vikings last week.  Favre almost got yanked in the 3rd quarter, up 7-6, since he was taking such a beating from the Panthers' defenders.  This is Chicago's Superbowl, but they just don't have the players to compete.  Jake Cutler needs reliable receivers and also needs to not be like the old Brett Favre.  I like the Vikings to bounce back and try to solidify that #2 seed.
Confidence Points: 14

Some changes this week, both in the actual rankings and in my approach. First, I'm abandoning the old format, which, believe it or not, was kind of onerous to produce each week. Second, I'm doing them really really late this week because my stupid job that pays me got in the way of my awesome blog that costs me time and effort. I'll be counting down from the bottom up, so you can feel the suspense building. Who will be #1? Will it be the only undefeated team left that is the consensus best team in the league? Hmm.

32. Buccaneers
31. Rams
30. Detroit

This group is collectively known as the Suicide Pool All-Stars. In 15 weeks I have picked against Detroit four times, St. Louis six times, and the Bucs twice. Needless to say, I'm doing quite well in my pool.

29. Chiefs
28. Seahawks

The Matt Hasselback era is over in Seattle.

27. Redskins

Is this team talented? We've heard over and over again about Jason Campbell being good but having difficulty because he's played in a different offensive system every year, even dating back to college. And after the Redskins ran a play where everybody, INCLUDING THE LINEMEN, ran out in a pattern to catch a pass, resulting in the quarterback (who was actually the field goal kicker) getting creamed as he threw the world's most predictable interception, I think the title of worst coaching staff is well in hand. If I was a Redskins fans, I would have been shopping for a new TV on Tuesday, because this one would have had a remote stuck in it.

26. Bears

Kyle Orton is winning in Denver while Jay Cutler chases the Bears single season interception record. At the start of the season, everybody talked about Orton's record as a starter being better than Cutler's, but more as a fascinating oddity than anything with real meaning. At some point, the numbers no longer lie.

25. Browns
24. Raiders

The Suicide Pool killers. The Browns have one of the most exciting players in football in Josh Cribbs (I would have said most exciting if not for DeSean Jackson). And the Raiders... let's see if I can get this statistic right: the teams that the Raiders have beaten collectively have the best record of any set of teams that a team has beaten this year. Did I say that right? What I mean is that they have beaten very good teams, including playoff contending Pittsburgh, Denver, Dallas, Philadelphia... and also Kansis City.

23. Falcons
22. Bills
21. Panthers

The Underachievers. Although Carolina has gotten markedly better since they benched their catastrophe of a quarterback. By the way, John Fox should be fired in Carolina for two reasons: one, for not benching Delhomme after the first 4 games; and two, for not only NOT benching him, but continuing to call more pass plays than running plays after it was clear that Delhomme was a head case and their running game was still dominant.

20. Niners

Beware the Crabtree Curse!

19. Jets
18. Steelers
17. Jaguars
16. Texans

Collectively known as the 7-7 hopefulls. They are ranked not in the order in which they could potentially make the playoffs (the Texans would be last since they lose all the tiebreakers) but in the order in which I think they could finish 9-7. The Texans have the best chance precisely because they don't actually have anything to play for anymore. They melt under the spotlight.

15. Giants
14. Cowboys

The Giants are a game behind and hold the tiebreaker. The Cowboys just pulled off the upset after the other shoe finally dropped on New Orleans. One of them is in, one of them is out of the playoffs. Neither of them will do much once they get there.

13. Ravens
12. Titans

Speaking of coaches who should be fired for not quickly addressing their quarterback situation, Jeff Fisher, you are done.

11. Broncos
10. Dolphins

BOLD PREDICTION ALERT: The Dolphins will be the best team to not make the playoffs this year.

9. Bengals

Way to be inspired by your teammate's death, Bengals.

8. Patriots
7. Cardinals

This Arizona team is better than the one that went to the Super Bowl last year.

6. Packers

I think they might be overrated, even by me.

5. Vikings

I had been blaming Brad Childress for underutilizing Adrian Peterson. Now it turns out that its Brett Favre's fault; he's been audibling out of run plays at the line so he can throw it, cause he's a gunslinger and a cowboy and Favre Favre Favre. That makes alot more sense.

4. Eagles

Anytime Donovan McNabb drops back for more than 3 seconds, I get a bad feeling in my stomach; I know he's about to launch the ball downfield to a wide open DeSean Jackson. Just unbelievable how that keeps working.

3. Saints

In the 2001 World Series, the night after Tino Martinez hit a game tying 2-run homer with 2 out in the ninth off Byun Yung Kim, Scott Brosius came up against the same pitcher in the same situation: 1 on, two out, down by two. We all thought: no way lightning strikes twice, right? That's what we were talking about as Nick Folk lined up for a game icing chippy field goal at the end of Saturday's game: no way Folk misses this kick so soon after Suisham missed his, right?

Except this time the Saints didn't capitalize on the gift from the Gods. As all the pundits say, will it be better for them to get that loss out of the way? Or have their close calls against poor teams this season been more indicative of their play, and instead they are just super duper lucky? I'm inclined to the later.

2. Chargers

I can't put them ahead of Indianapolis until...

1. Indianapolis

...Indianapolis loses to them in the playoffs.

Since I don't have a lot of time to go through all of my picks right now, I'm going to just do today's Christmas Night Game between the Chargers and Titans.  Look for the continuation of my Pulitzer Prize winning NFL Picks blog tomorrow.  Merry Christmas.


San Diego Chargers vs. Tennessee Titans (-3.0)
So lemme get this straight.  The San Diego Chargers, which are on a 9 game winning streak and haven't lost a game in December since 2005 (!!!), are the underdog against the 7-7 Tennessee Titans.  OK...just wanted to make sure that I got all of my facts right.  OK, the Titans have been playing much better, winning 7 of their last 8 where that only loss was to the undefeated Colts.  But right now the Chargers are basically playing like the Colts, and as most people predict, the Chargers should beat the Colts (undefeated or not) in the playoffs for the third straight year.  I know that people (Jesse) believe in Tennessee, but not tonight.  How can you not take San Diego?  I certainly can't find a reason not to, so I'm flying high on the Chargers.  So high that...
Confidence Points: 16

You know what really grinds my gears? Restaurants where you are expected to do work. Last night, the Suze and I went to this place called Genghis Grill in Houston. We get to the restaurant, sit down at a table, and the server comes over with two bowls. Where are the menus? I wonder. No menus. Just bowls.

We are expected to get up from the table, go wait in a fucking 20-minute line, and then make our own dinner. Sure, they'll cook it for us, but we have to select the ingredients and portions ourselves. It takes our server so long to explain the process that he has to go stand in line with us. If your restaurant requires a training course, you are doing it wrong.

And do I look like a goddamn Iron Chef? How the fuck am I supposed to know what ingredients to select in what portions? Will duck taste good with beef? Should I put pineapples on that? How much Dragon Salt is too much? AND WHAT THE FUCK IS DRAGON SALT SOMEBODY JUST MAKE MY DINNER FOR ME PLEASE I WILL PAY YOU MONEY.

Here's how the economy works, assholes: its money in exchanges for goods and services, not money in exchange for I'll just do it myself thanks. There's already a place you can go where you can select your own ingredients for your dinner. Its called the supermarket.

If I had more time I'd take the Pitchfork Presents logo then cross it out in Paint and scrawl ObscureCraft over it, but I don't so do it in the magical canvas of your imagination. 

10. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz

Do two great singles ("Heads Will Roll", "Zero") make up for an otherwise entirely forgettable album?  This year, yes!

 

9. Mos Def - The Ecstatic

A Good Album.  Nothing much to say, it's solid but not exactly worth writing essays on.  I thought about swapping it out for one of the Runner Ups but that would mean googling album art again and I don't really feel like doing that.

 

8. Sunset Rubdown - Dragonslayer

 Not a ridiculous fantasy black metal band, but actually an awesome, creative art rock band.  That's what Wikipedia calls them at least, I'm not totally sure how you'd define 'art rock' as a genre.  It's Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade's solo project, and while it's not his best album ever, it's perhaps the most accessible.

 

7. The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love

Kind of obligatory, but I need to bone up on my NPR rock cred.  Also I'm a huge homosexual.  It moved up a few spots from being a hell of a live performance.

 

6. Wax Tailor - In The Mood For Life

This French trip-hop producer has actually breathed life into a long dead genre.  Mostly by making it less trip-hop and more instrumental hip-hop, but at least he's trying.  As good as Tales of the Forgotten Melodies?  Probably not, but great driving music.

 

5. The Future of the Left - Travels With Myself and Another

While we're on the subject of completely dead genres, the one decent straight up rock album of the year.  But it's a good one: raw, unpolished and angry, exactly what Them Crooked Vultures aren't.  "Arming Eritrea" is a hell of a track, although oddly less political than you'd expect.

 

4. Bon Iver - Blood Bank

Why the four song EP and not the full album?  Well, the EP has four good songs, which you can't say about For Emma, Forever Ago.  Burn on you, Bon Iver! 

 

3. Swan Lake - Enemy Mine

A supergroup of Dan Bejar (Destroyer, The New Pornographers), Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown), and Carey Mercer (Frog Eyes).  All the best of Canadian indie music!  They trade off writing duties, so it's pretty much three songs from each of them, but since they're all vocalists, there are some crazy harmonies and backing vocals. 

 

2. Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt. 2

This album will make you want to get Wu-Tang tattoos all over your body.  Who knew they still had it?  Highlights are "House of Flying Daggers (ft. Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, GZA, Method Man" and Ghostface Killah's mindblowingly filthy verse on "Gihad".  It's the Wu-Tang's Abbey Road.

 

1. The Antlers - Hospice

While we're on classic rock comparisons that'll probably annoy Daytrader, this is The Wall of indie music.  A heartbreaking concept album narrated by a hospital orderly who fall in love with an abused, abusive, terminally ill cancer patient.  Spoiler alert: everyone lives happily ever after!

 

Runner Ups: Silversun Pickups - Swoon, Sonic Youth - The Eternal, Jay-Z - The Blueprint III

Dishonorable Mentions: Kanye West - 808's And Heartbreaks, Muse - The Resistance

2009: Year of the Concept Album?

It's less than a week until Christmas. The weekend has come and gone. You have bought nothing, and are panicked. Listen: I understand, and I can help, as long as you follow this simple rule. There is no problem in life that cannot be fixed by throwing money at it. It works for the economy, it works for health care, and it can work for Christmas.

To help out you last-minute shoppers who can only salvage this season of giving through one last ostentatious display of consumerism, we have uncapped the amounts and unrestricted the category. Any gift, any price, anything to make your loved ones forgive you for a year of neglect and abuse. Happy X-Mas!

Kevin suggests a PS3 ($299 on Amazon)

I apologize to all of my loyal readers that were devastated that that I wasn't able to give you my picks so that you could choose the opposite and make a killing.  But don't worry.  I'm back to give you my advice so you can make a few bucks before Christmas.  Here's my picks.


Indianapolis Colts (-3.0) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
People are calling this Jacksonville's Superbowl.  I believe that is because this will be the first time that the Jags play in a sold-out stadium.  The Jags are the worst team that would still make the playoffs if the season ended today...oops, not correct -- Dallas would still be in on the NFC side.  Everyone loves the Jaguars because they think the Colts are going to mail this one in.  I say "Ha."  The Colts are going to knock the Jags out of the playoffs with a big win tonight.
Confidence Points: 14


Dallas Cowboys vs. New Orleans Saints (-7.0)
Oh Dallas, why can't you and December be friends?  I will say that it can't be entirely blamed on a "collapse" this time.  The Cowboys' schedule is brutal, and thus they will finish outside of the playoffs.  New Orleans has looked shaky in the past weeks, but they always show up to play the "better" NFL teams, especially at home.  This one's a no brainer.  Saints.
Confidence Points: 13


New England Patriots (-7.0) vs. Buffalo Bills
Did you know that the Patriots have not won a road game at the other teams home stadium?  Their lone road win was in London against the Bucs, which was technically a Tampa home game.  Why didn't the NFL let New England be the home team in for the game played in England!?  Well anyway, I'm not sold anymore on the Patriots.  Bill Belichick is going out of his way to prove that he's the smartest head coach, and in several games this season that's resulted in losses.  If he didn't have 3 Superbowl rings I'd say he'd be on the hot seat.  I'm picking the Bills.
Confidence Points: 1


Arizona Cardinals (-12.0) vs. Detroit Lions
The Cardinals laid an egg last week in San Fransisco (get it...cardinals are birds).  But these are the Lions...who got destroyed last week against the mediocre Ravens.  Considering that the Cardinals lost by 15 after turning the ball over SEVEN times, let's me know that that game was a fluke.  Gotta go with Arizona here.
Confidence Points: 12


Miami Dolphins vs. Tennessee Titans (Off(0))
I guess this can be considered a playoff game for both teams.  They're both in the hunt (Miami more than the Titans), and it should be all but assured that the loser won't make it.  Unlike Jesse, I do NOT believe in Tennessee and thus pick Miami.
Confidence Points: 6


Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs (-1.5)
Yawn.  Chiefs.
Confidence Points: 2


Houston Texans vs. St. Louis Rams (Off(0))
The Texans can't lose this game right?  I mean seriously.  They can't right.  Right.  They won't.  Go Houston.
Confidence Points: 16


Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Jets (Off(0))
Who is going to start at QB for the Jets?  Sanchez or Clemmens?  Will Atlanta have Michael Turner or Matt Ryan back?  I don't know.  The Falcons are pretty much out of the playoff race in the NFC, while the Jets are still kinda in it.  I think New York will hang around a little longer before crushing their fans' hopes and missing out.  I'll take the Jets.
Confidence Points: 5


San Fransisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-9.0)
This is a pretty high spread in my opinion.  The Eagles won that game against the Giants basically in the same manner as the Giants beat the Cowboys the week before.  This could be a trap game for the Eagles.  They tend to have an irregular heartbeat every once in a while and lose games they shouldn't (::cough:: Oakland ::cough::).  Here comes the other Bay Area team, but I think the Eagles are gonna show up.  With a win here and a Dallas loss, the Eagles will pretty much have the NFC East sewn up.  I'll take the Eagles to cover.
Confidence Points: 7


Chicago Bears vs. Baltimore Ravens (-10.5)
Another tough spread here.  The Bears actually played the Packers pretty well last week, but still lost.  The Ravens really bounced back nicely thanks to the Lions.  The Bears want this season to end, and the Ravens are still alive in the AFC Wildcard.  I think that they might be able to get it, but that requires a win here.  I fairly confident that they'll get the win, but covering the 10.5 points???  Eh, alright.  I'll stick with Baltimore to have another big win.
Confidence Points: 8


Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos (-14.0)
No Bruce Gradkowski for the Raiders, and apparently no JaMarcus Russel.  Gradkowski is injured, physically...Russel is injured, as a good quarterback.  So the Raiders turn to Charlie Frye.  This is gotta be a blow out for the Broncos.  Those 14 points should be no problem to cover with a Raiders team playing on the road that basically has no quarterback.  So since all logic points to Denver, I'll take the Raiders.
Confidence Points: 3


Cincinnati Bengals vs. San Diego Chargers (-6.5)
Big game in the AFC, basically a fight for the number two seed in the playoffs and a first round Bye.  If the Chargers lose and Denver wins, Denver could make a come back into the top spot in the division.  The loss of Chris Henry is going to be emotional for the Bengals, but shouldn't affect their play recently since he's been out with an injury since November.  If this game was in Cincy I would probably take the Bengals, but in San Diego, I gotta go with the home town Chargers.
Confidence Points: 11


Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-1.5)
If the Raiders can win in Pittsburgh, why can't the Packers?  I never realized how much Troy Polomalu meant to the Steelers' defense.  This team isn't going to make the playoffs and they need to focus on lowering Ben Roethlisberger's sack total (hehe).  The Packers are pretty much going to get the #5 seed in the NFC and I think they continue their winning ways this week, continuing the Steelers' losing streak to 6 in a row.
Confidence Points: 10


Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Seattle Seahawks (-7.0)
Yawn.  Seahawks.
Confidence Points: 9


Minnesota Vikings (-9.0) vs. Carolina Panthers
Ah, the battle between the Giants' two remaining opponents.  When Favre and the Vikings played the Cardinals two weeks ago, I thought we were seeing the Favre of last December.  Brett played better last week against the Bengals, but I'm not sold on him yet.  Even though the Panthers are struggling this year, I think they still have some fight in them.  Nine points on the road is a lot in my opinion, so I'm taking the underdog Panthers.
Confidence Points: 4


New York Giants (-3.0) vs. Washington Redskins
The Redskins have looked a lot better the past few weeks.  They should have beaten the Saints two weeks ago.  They should have beaten the Cowboys a month ago.  But they didn't.  They did beat the Raiders last week and their defense is playing well.  But this is a divisional game, and these teams know each other well.  If the Cowboys lose on Saturday night, the Giants know that they control their destiny to get into the playoffs.  I think they'll be prepared for this game, especially after losing a game against the Eagles last week where they played very well offensively.  The Giants need the game and the Giants win this game.
Confidence Points: 15

Sorry it took me so long to post this, its just that every time I think about that Giants game on Sunday night, I start to g.... oh geez, here I go again, JUST READ THE RANKINGS! *sob*

Rank (LW)	Team	Record	Comments
1 (1)		13-0	What's with the struggling against mediocre teams and then blowing out the good ones?
2 (2)		13-0	If you didn't already use the Colts in your suicide pool, then you waited one week too late.
3 (3)		10-3	BOLD PREDICTION ALERT: The Chargers will YET AGAIN knock the Colts out of the playoffs.
4 (6)		11-2	Quite a bounceback game by Favre. It helped that the coaches seemed to remember Adrian Peterson was on the team.
5 (7)		9-4	Who else is excited about the Packers getting the chance to lose to Favre three times in the same season?

I read alot of advice columns. This time of year, a very common question is: I have a complicated relationship with my mother/father/step-father who raped me but I was kind of into it/baby mama's mama and I want to know what I should get this person for Christmas. Through a combination of copping out, wanting to look magnanimous, and not having any actual good ideas, the advice columnist will invariably say: make a charitable donation in their name!

Charitable donation in there name? In other words, nothing. You get nothing. Its the ultimate "fuck you" present. Hi, what did you get me for Christmas? Oh, I gave some strangers a bunch of money and said it was from you. Oh, that's great, but what did you get ME for Christmas. That WAS your Christmas present, FUCKER.

Awesome.

Jim suggests donating to This American Life

One of the dishes I learned to make from mom is chicken pot pie. It's an amazing thing. Just truly awesome. And, while there are a lot of steps and time involved in its creation, the recipe itself is very forgiving.

Being mostly guys (the Suze isn't a guy, but swears like one), we could spend the entire week filling your stocking with nothing but video games, DVDs, and DVDs of movies based on video games. But maybe you have somebody in your life who wants something... actually, why don't I just let these guys say it for me?

If you are anything like the unholy secularists here at the OC, you are tired of all the Jesus and preaching getting in the way of your holiday fun. Its time to fight the problem the only way we know how: by throwing money at it! To help you in your quest to put the X back into X-mas, we'll be suggesting gifts you can purchase for friends (or, even better, yourself) (or, even better better, ME). Today is part one, which is all about the Media.

The Suze suggests Up on Blu-ray and/or DVD ($19.99 on Amazon)

I suggest the Disney/Pixar animated masterpiece, Up (combo pack that has additional features, the Bluray version, the regular DVD version and even a digital version that you can upload to your iphone or the like).

Sure--the previews that came out before the big screen release made it seem like a terrible movie. And yes, it was originally released in 3D, an experience you can't get at home. But should you watch it? Yes you should (I think I just pulled a Mary Murphy where I ask a question and proceed to answer it.)

Hannukah?

Chanukah?

Channukah?

Hanookaah?

Hahnuckah?

Ha-doo-ken?

I have good news for all you traumatized gamblers who can no longer read this column on your mobile device because Daytrader's horrible picks have either caused you to pawn it, or you cannot operate it with your grotesquely mangled thumbs. The self-correcting nature of the universe has sprung in to action and destroyed his internet connection, leaving him unable to disseminate his wretched gambling advice on an unsuspecting population.

Not all news is good, however: my internet connection is just fine. (Home teams listed in CAPS.)

BROWNS (+10) over Steelers

When Pittsburgh lost in Kansas City three weeks ago, they did something far worse than lose to a bad team and harm their playoff chances in the process. They gave the Suze a strike in our suicide pool. Suze may not be a football expert. She may insist on calling football teams by their corresponding baseball team names (she was very pissed when the Royals beat the Pirates). But that doesn't matter. What matters is that the Steelers are on the wrong side of Suze mojo and I will be betting against them every opportunity that I get. Suze mojo turned Bruce Gradkowski into Joe motherfucking Montana last week. Stay out of its way.

Confidence points: 1

Saints (-10.5) over FALCONS

Last week, I saw lots of people in Atlanta cheering for Michael Vick. These people all had something in common. Some particular trait. You might say that their was something coloring their opinion of Vick, something that made them race out and cheer for him. And that trait is that the Falcons suck, and they had to root for something. What did you think I was talking about?

Confidence points: 11

Packers (-3) over BEARS

Only 3 points? Is it possible for me to put more than 16 confidence points on this game? Yeah, yeah, division game, Bears at home, blah blah blah. Two teams headed in two different directions.

Confidence points: 16

Broncos (+7) over COLTS

Okay, hear me out. The following are true facts.

The Broncos have more wins against teams with winning records than anybody else in the league.
The Colts have only 6 wins by more than 7 points. Of their 6 home wins, only 2 have come by more than a touchdown.

Convinced yet? No?

Confidence points: 10

Bills (PK) over CHIEFS

Sometimes a line makes no sense. There are only two possible reasons. One, I am an idiot (possible). Two, there is something the oddsmakers know that I don't. Either way, I recognize what my gut is telling me: stay out of the way.

Confidence points: 2

Bengals (+6.5) over VIKINGS

Vegas may have shrugged off Favre's horrible performance last game and the second half of last year, but you know better. Right?

Confidence points: 8

PATRIOTS (-13.5) over Panthers

Another classic "Angry Redneck" game for the Pats, where the Pats are the drunk angry redneck coming home from a rough day at the coal mine, and the Panthers are their wife on who he will be taking out all his frustration on (see: whupping of the Jets after that loss to the Colts). At home, coming off of two excruciating losses, against a team that will either be starting a career backup or Jake the TAINT* Delhomme at QB? Better turn up the TV now, neighbors, cause its going to get ugly. 

*Touchdown After INT, the alternative to Pick Six as proposed by Bill Simmons

Confidence points: 7

Jets (-3) over BUCCANEERS

The Bucs rolled up over 500 yards of offense last week, and scored only 6 points. Six! Enough yards to go the length of the field five times, and  only 6 points? Plus, you know the Jets will win the next 3 games before disappointing their fan base with a Week 17 loss that knocks them out of the playoffs.

Confidence points: 6

JAGUARS (-2.5) over Dolphins

The Dolphins have a bad habit of playing down to the level of their competition. That's why they can beat the Patriots one week, and lose to Buffalo another week. In other words: another stay away game from a stay away team.

Confidence points: 5

Lions (+13) over RAVENS

The Ravens point totals in their last 5 games: 14, 20, 15, 16, 7. For a team averaging barely more than 2 touchdowns a game over the last month, 13 points sure seems like alot.

Confidence points: 4

TEXANS (-6) over Seahawks 

The Texans crumbled under the weight of expectations this season. Now that they are solidly out of the playoffs and barely within shouting distance of .500, those expectations are gone, and they can once again get everybody's hopes up for the future. This one will be a blowout.

Confidence points: 13

Rams (+13) over TITANS

Yes, I still believe in Tennessee. Maybe I'm just trying to justify the fact that I put 16 confidence points on them last week, but they definitely could have won that game. It was much closer than the final score indicated. The game basically ended on a 4th and 5 with the game still close, when Tennessee elected to have Vince Young throw a fade route to their rookie wide receiver on maybe the most important play of their season so far. Chris Johnson is still alive, right?

Having said that, 13 points seems like a lot.

Confidence points: 3

RAIDERS (+1) over Redskins

One team is playing at home after an emotional win over an AFC powerhouse. The other is flying across the country after a much-talked about embarrassment in New Orleans. What am I missing here?

Confidence points: 12

Chargers (+3) over COWBOYS

Wait, wait, wait... I'm GETTING points for a division leader on a 7 game winning streak against Tony Romo in December? And its not even my birthday!

Confidence points: 15

GIANTS (-1) over Eagles

This game was decided earlier in the week, when the Eagles gave Andy Reid a 3-year contract extension. This game ends with the clock expiring as the Eagles try to line up for a game winning field goal because Reid and McNabb both forget that they have a timeout left. Jim is gently weeping right now. There there, Jim.

Confidence points: 9

Cardinals (-3) over NINERS

The hell with the Titans. I believe in Arizona(tm). Thank you, Jesus, for healing Kurt Warner's brain.

Confidence points: 14

Sometimes it's tough to find good cornbread, at least in the north east. You either get something that's awesome, or something that's crap. Well, when one of my coworkers sent me a recipe for his 'Cowboy Cornbread' I knew I had to give it a shot. Thankfully, the results were awesome.

Why am I suddenly a fan of the New Orleans Saints? Is it because they embarrassed the Giants' division rival Redskins? (Kinda.) Is it because Drew Brees is a one of a kind talent? (Nah.) Should I keep asking myself questions and answering them in parenthesis? (Probably not.)

The real reason is that Saints' coach Sean Payton is an ObscureCraft reader! What? It's true! Well, at least, I think it is. Check this out: last week, I wrote about the folly of resting your starters heading into the playoffs even if you have a perfect record, citing the epic Week 17 matchup between the Patriots and Giants in 2007. This week? Sean Payton says that the Saints are going for it. Take it away Peter King:

Payton's about to have a lot more admirers around the United States. He told me Saturday he's not going to take the foot off the accelerator down the stretch, not even if the Saints have homefield advantage clinched in the NFC playoffs. The Saints, instead of taking the last game or two to let players heal for the playoffs, will try to make history if they're in position. They're aiming for a perfect season.

Payton loved what Tom Coughlin did in 2007, having his Giants play the Patriots like it was the seventh game of the World Series in a meaningless final game of the regular season, going down to defeat valiantly and narrowly, and setting up the Giants' 4-0 playoff run that ended in the Super Bowl upset of the perfect Patriots.

Geaux Saints!

Rank (LW)	Team	Record	Comments
1 (1)		12-0	Okay, so Washington totally botched the response to Katrina. You're even now, right?
2 (2)		12-0	Another first playoff game loss on the way... what a waste of Peyton Manning's career
3 (4)		9-3	Quietly, these team is on a 6 game winning streak.
4 (5)		9-3	I don't have anything meaningful to say about the Bengals, so instead I'll say this: when did Luke Wilson decide to get fat and sell out?
5 (12)		8-4	Under the radar doesn't seem extreme enough to describe the Cardinals. Can you be under sonar?

Cranberry salsa. What else do you need to know? Tasty, tangy, sweet, and awesome! Goes great on any poultry-based mexican dish, or just with chips. Make it and be happy! I stole the recipe from here.

Do you find yourself shouting at an uncaring God/wall/significant other while watching tv dance competitions?  Perhaps you'd rather post them here, where I guarantee they will be read by at least three spam bots and maybe an actual person too! 

I'll open things up with a possibly controversial claim: doing two seasons in a row was a huge mistake and Mia Michaels was right to quit.  The choreographers clearly need time to recharge because most of the routines have been forgettable at best, despite having talented and likable dancers.  Rather than good choreography fucked up by weak dancing, there's been good dancers held back by awful choreography. 

 

Also Adam Shankman: best in small doses.  While he occasionally provides useful insight with history and background, too often he just namedrops things without offering real explanation.  Look, we trust that you know all the references and head nods to other techniques, you don't have to prove it.  Also he loves every routine, that's Mary Murphy's job.  And this season apparently Nigel's.

So what's up with Nigel and Nathan?  To recap, Mollee and Nathan give one of the worst performances in SYTYCD history, but sail through thanks to tween voting.  Nigel unloads with a pretty vicious and occasionally personal attack, telling Nathan outright he doesn't deserve to be there.  Every week since then, no matter how bad Nathan's performance is, Nigel slobbers all over him talking about how amazing it was.  Even when the votes dry up, he keeps Nathan in on several occasions.  What prompted the change?  Overcompensating from regret over going too far?  Death threats from Twilight fans?  The fact that the ratings are so low said tweens are the only ones still watching the show? 

p.s. rumors say tonight marks the return of SHANE SPARKS so prepare for some booty shakin'

 

Mexican Thanksgiving. What a fantastic concept. Screw the turkey, screw the gravy, bring on the enchiladas and the guacamole.

Phil Jones, the former head of the Climate Research Unit at East Anglia University, has stepped down amid a shitstorm of controversy regarding the contents of e-mails unearthed by hackers. The CRU is the keeper of England's climatological data, and publishes research related to global warming.

Out of the thousands of e-mails that were revealed, one soundbite has emerged: Hide the Decline. Here is the relevant excerpt, in an email by Phil Jones:

I've just completed Mike's Nature [the science journal] trick of adding in the real temps to each series for the last 20 years (ie, from 1981 onwards) and from 1961 for Keith's to hide the decline."

Let's put aside the actual meaning of this statement, and instead focus on the power of the soundbite. Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight has a qualitative test he uses to judge the potential impact of controversy on an elected official's political career. The first question of this test is:

Can the scandal be reduced to a one-sentence soundbyte (but not easily refuted/denied with a one-sentence soundbyte)?

This question is both bitingly insightful and frustrating enough to make you want to slam your head against an acupuncture table. Here is why it is insightful: when I first heard that scientists at the CRU were "hiding the decline", I immediately assumed that they had fudged data to hide an actual decline in global temperatures, which would be damaging to the case for global warming and to the environmental movement. Here is why it is frustrating: because I am a curious and skeptical individual, I do not fully form my opinions based on soundbytes alone, but researched the issue to find what exactly it meant and what the context was. I am, of course, in the minority. Here, by the way, is the refutation as written by Jeff Masters on his wunderblog:

Another area of concern is over a graph Dr. Jones* helped construct in 1999 showing the "hockey stick" of Earth's surface temperature going back 1,000 years. This graph combined instrumental measurements made since the 1800s with older paleoclimate data (including data from tree rings) to show a continuous 1,000 year record of Earth's temperatures. The paleoclimate data after 1960 show a bogus decline in Earth's temperatures that does not agree with what modern thermometers have been measuring, due to a well-known variation in tree ring thickness as a function of time, referred to as "the decline". Thus, Jones elected to toss out the bogus paleoclimate data (using a "trick" to "hide the decline") rather than present it in the graph. The graph was not properly labeled to show this was done, so viewers of the graph would have had needed to be familiar with a 1998 paper published in Nature or the 1999 paper referenced in the caption on the graph, which explained this well-known data issue.

Still reading? Still awake? Exactly the problem. The science of global warming has been widely called into question because of a scientist's failure to properly label a graph, but the explanation cannot be condensed down to a soundbite. And instead of an intellectually engaged public understanding the science and methods involved in data collection and representation, we have a country of slack jawed morons wearing Tea Party hats and Glenn Beck pins waving Sarah Palin's book around while shouting "Hide the Decline!" as if it fucking meant something.

*Anyone else immediately think of the little Asian kid in Temple of Doom? Docta Jones! Docta Jones!!

With five weeks left in the regular season, the playoff picture is starting to clear up.  The Saints and Vikings seem to have complete control of their divisions in the NFC and the Colts and Bengals have the inside track of clinching their divisions.  As usual, the real races in football come down to the Wild Cards.  Five teams are in the hunt for the two Wild Card spots in the NFC and EIGHT are in the hunt for the two spots in the AFC.  These five weeks are going to separate the men from the boys.

A few interesting spreads this week.  Four games have spreads over a touchdown, four have no spread (two of them are Off, but still two straight up Pick 'Em's are rare), which leaves ten games within one touchdown.  I think it's been pretty obvious over the past few weeks that I have no idea who to pick, but I think this week is going to be even harder to be confident in the picks.  Anyway, here I go embarrassing myself with bad picks again.


New York Jets (-3.0) vs. Buffalo Bills
At 5-6 the Jets are one of the eight teams in the AFC Wild Card hunt.  Mark Sanchez did less to lose the game last week against the Panthers than Jake Delhomme, and thus the Jets got a sloppy win.  The Bills somehow throttled the Dolphins last week.  Maybe the Bills have some fight in them.  For a team like Buffalo, a game like this is what they are looking for right now.  A loss by the Jets pretty much eliminates them from playoff contention, and even though the Jets won last week, Sanchez wasn't the reason.  For a nationally televised game, I think the Bills show up and ruin whatever is left of the Jets' season.
Confidence Points: 3


Philadelphia Eagles (-5.5) vs. Atlanta Falcons
Both of these teams eked out wins last week against bad teams (Washington and Tampa Bay).  The Atlanta win helped them stay in the hunt for an NFC Wild Card spot, and Philly's win has them in the driver's seat.  This is a big game for tiebreaker situations.  It'll be tough for Atlanta to get in, even with this win, so I think this is a game that Philly CANNOT lose.  Even though I see the Eagles due for an upset, I think Philly will win a close one by a touchdown and still cover.
Confidence Points: 11


St. Louis Rams vs. Chicago Bears (-9.0)
All of the high hopes that everyone had for the Bears (Jesse!) have been for naught this year.  Jay Cutler leads the NFL in interceptions, even with Delhomme and Sanchez playing in the same league!  I keep on picking the Rams (which is probably by I keep on losing) and I think I'll continue this week.  Nine points just seems too high for a team as lousy as the Bears.  I'll take St. Louis and the points.
Confidence Points: 5


Detroit Lions vs. Cincinnati Bengals (-13.0)
I can't see the Bengals losing this game (although they did lose against the Raiders) so the real question is will the Bengals win by 13?  With spreads this high it's really tough to figure this one out.  I just feel that the Bengals will want to put up some points, especially at home, and try to send a message as they head into the playoffs.
Confidence Points: 13


Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts (-6.5)
I must admit that I was impressed with Vince Young's 99 yard game winning touchdown drive last week against the Cardinals.  But playoff talk (where the Titans are included in those 8 AFC teams) just seems unrealistic after an 0-6 start.  (Although it would be interesting if they do make the playoffs after starting 0-6 and the Broncos miss the playoffs after starting 6-0.)  BTW, the Colts have won 19 straight regular season games.  And with a spread under a touchdown, picking Indy is a no brainer.
Confidence Points: 15


Denver Broncos (-4.5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Denver impressed me last week in basically dismantling the Giants.  But this is a divisional game, and in divisional games weird things happen.  The Chiefs are like the Bills: they want to ruin someone's season.  But I don't see that happening.  Now that Kyle Orton is back at quarterback, I like the Bronco's chances.  The Chiefs should give a good fight, especially at home, but with Denver only giving 4.5 points, I'll take the Broncos.
Confidence Points: 12


New England Patriots (-5.5) vs. Miami Dolphins
Looks like the Patriots aren't the cream of the crop in the NFL anymore.  This team is getting too smug and the blueprint to beating them has been exposed.  That being said, they show up for divisional games, and that is exactly what this one is.  The Dolphins inexplicably lost to the Bills last week and they won't be in the playoff hunt anymore after this game.  Give me the Pats win big.
Confidence Points: 10


Oakland Raiders vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Off(0))
The Steelers almost beat the Ravens with third-string quarterback Dennis Dixon playing at Baltimore.  This week it looks like Ben Roethlisberger will be back at quarterback (hence the Off(0) spread) and does anyone seriously think that the Raiders will win, especially in Pittsburgh and with the Steelers fighting for a playoff spot?  I didn't think so.  Give me the Steelers.
Confidence Points: 16


New Orleans Saints (-9.5) vs. Washington Redskins
The Redskins have played two close games versus divisional opponents the last two weeks, but both ending in losses.  I like their fight, but I don't like them in this game.  The Saints have too much firepower.  And with this not being a divisional game, I gotta pick New Orleans.
Confidence Points: 9


Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (-6.0)
With Jake Delhomme's broken finger, the Panthers finally have an excuse to bench their terrible quarterback.  Their backup, Matt Moore, is unproven in this league so I can't see him coming in and lighting up the scoreboard.  The Bucs have been playing well (albeit in losses) recently and as far as I'm concerned, the Bucs should be favored and should win this game straight up.  So with that being said, I'm taking Tampa.
Confidence Points: 8


Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (0.0)
Here's one of the two straight up pick 'ems without the line being off.  The Jaguars right now hold the final AFC Wild Card spot (betcha didn't know that) and the Texans, only one game behind, need to hop over 6 teams to get that spot.  I don't know if the Texans can lose games in any different type of fashion, so with that logic, I choose Houston to win.  It'll help make the Wild Card picture more interesting.
Confidence Points: 4


San Diego Chargers (-13.0) vs. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland sucks!  Cleveland sucks!  Cleveland su-u-ucks!  Yeah Cleveland sucks!  Prediction: San Diego will be up by 13 with 13 minutes left into the first quarter.  Chargers please.
Confidence Points: 7


Dallas Cowboys (-2.0) vs. New York Giants
Ugh, the Giants.  Well here's your chance to not only get back into the Wild Card picture, but in the divisional picture.  A win by New York leaves them only one game behind the Cowboys and gives them the head-to-head tiebreaker since they will have beaten them twice.  A loss by the Giants, and they're in trouble.  This is December, the Cowboys' kryptonite.  I always pick the Giants and they never win, nor cover.  I'll root for the Giants, but I'll pick the Cowboys.  (Look what I've done now that I've moved to Texas!  ARGH!!!)
Confidence Points: 1


San Fransisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (0.0)
The other pick 'em game.  I don't really get the spread.  I guess that the 49ers are better, but since Seattle is at home I guess that cancels it out.  The 49ers have been improving now that Michael Crabtree as been integrating more on offense.  Seattle is bad.  Real bad.  I don't think that playing on the road is going to phase the 49ers too much, so I'll pick San Fran.
Confidence Points: 14


Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals (Off(0))
This spread is off due to the uncertainty at quarterback for the Cardinals.  If Kurt Warner is back, I like the Cardinals to throw the ball all over the Vikings.  If Matt Leinart is quarterback, I STILL like the Cardinals to throw the ball all over the Vikings.  Even though according to Yahoo Arizona is the favorite, there is no question that Minnesota would be the favorite either way.  They just can't determine a spread number without knowing who will play.  So I'll take the upset and go with Arizona.
Confidence Points: 2


Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers (-3.0)
Here are two Wild Card fighting teams, although in different conferences.  But still, wins are wins.  Baltimore eked out a win last week at home in overtime against Pittsburgh's third string quarterback.  The Packers stuffed the ball down Detrot's throat last week on Thanksgiving, but I smell something funny here, and no it's not the cheese in Wisconsin (boo).  Give me the Ravens.  Green Bay is due for a bad game, remember that game in Tampa...
Confidence Points: 6

While I know that you are all dedicated readers, some of you may not go back and read new comments that come in on entries from seven months ago. I wonder what our friend Pete Abel over at Suddenlink will have to say about this?

I'm currently a employee of Suddenstink. They are a piss poor company to work for. The left hand and the right hand don't communicate (sad since they are a COMMUNICATION COMPANY!) Sales Department tells you one thing (while they are slamming you I might add), then billing tells you another, then you go to cancel and yet you hear another. They have lowered the bar so low for employment that they now have to dig a trench to put the bar in!!! They are getting rid of all the experienced workers with knowledge and replacing them with cheap high school labor!! They are hurting from this recession and have cut the commission rates they pay to their employees by 80%!!! I have lost about $1200.00 a month due to this as has many an employee. This company needs to take a serious look at itself and where it is heading! Because the monkeys that are running it now don't know anything! It was much better organized when Cox was running the show! Wake up suddenlink! If you feel the need to email the owner, Jerry Kent, his email address is jkent@suddenlink.com

Signed,
Employed until they find this posting.

I feel kind of like Perez Hilton. Except without, you know, the gay.

The dumbest argument we have about football every year is whether or not teams want to go undefeated. Or, more specifically, should a team with a perfect record that has nothing to play for continue to play their starters?

Funny, I thought this had already been decided when the Giants and Patriots played in Week 17 of 2007. Both teams had sown up their playoff seeding, but the Patriots had 16-0 on the line. Instead of resting the starters and letting come what may, both teams played their guts out in one of the best contests of the season. The momentum of that game carried both teams to a Super Bowl rematch.

And so I make this bold prediction: if either the Saints or Colts rest their starters with a perfect season on the line in Week 17, they will lose their first playoff game.

Rank (LW)	Team	Record	Comments
1 (1)		11-0	The Saints have the best chance to go undefeated, because the 10-1 Vikings will keep them fighting for home field advantage.
2 (2)		11-0	The Colts, as usual, will rest their players (i.e. cover them in rust) and then lose their opening playoff game as a result.
3 (3)		10-1	Has any team every gone 10-1 with less fanfare?
4 (6)		8-3	Nobody wants to face this team in the playoffs right now. They are on a six game winning streak.
5 (7)		8-3	Cincinatti is going to need new shoes after this cakewalk of a schedule they are on (ohsnap)