Helluva day in the NFL

Brett Favre is now the career leader in yards passing for NFL quarterbacks. Not to mention the fact that he's led the Green Bay Packers to a first-round playoff bye. This team seems at times like they are running on adrenaline and excitement, but they sure are fun to watch.

The New England Patriots, in the meantime, doubled up on the New York Jets 20-10 to keep their undefeated season alive. It was a game notable more for the bad blood between the teams - and the bad weather on the day - than for the game itself.

But the Pats got the job done. It's what they do.

Now, only two games to go. The final game of the regular season is against the wildly inconsistent New York Giants (who dropped one to the Redskins and lost tight-end Jeremy Shockey in the process).

Next week's game could be the one the Patriots need to be prepared for. It's against the Miami Dolphins.

Don't laugh. The Dolphins won their first of the season yesterday and have nothing to lose. If the Patriots get the least bit complacent they could stumble.

But with a head coach like Bill Belichick, this is not likely.

I'm still predicting a 16-0 season for the New England Patriots.

That was close

It came down to the last play of the game, but Tom Brady and his New England Patriots managed to hold on to keep their undefeated season alive.

But I never expected that they'd come so close to losing against the Baltimore Ravens. The Colts, yes, but the Ravens?

ESPN's Len Pasquarelli has a great rundown of the Patriots' fortunes during the last two minutes of the game. Despite the complaints of the Ravens, though, who were saying that the officials gave the game to the Patriots, the calls made against the Ravens in that last drive were totally valid.

The Pats probably shouldn't have won this game. But they did. Which is why I think they'll squeak out a 16-0. The gods are smiling on them.

But Sunday's game - Week 13 of the season - is against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That game will not be a cake walk. At least the Pats are at home.

What do you think? Can the Patriots get past the Steelers on Sunday? Give us your opinion in the comments.


LUNCH: clubhouse and chips

Green Riders prevail

So the Saskatchewan Roughriders are the 2007 Grey Cup champions. This despite the fact that they tried - really tried - to lose the game.

Yes, this year's Grey Cup was a comedy of errors, with only two offensive touchdowns in the entire game.

Twelve men on the Field have a great rundown of the game itself, as well as links to the mainstream sports media coverage. Extra points to them for invoking the most excellent Northern Pikes, too.

(Hey, the Pikes are touring! They were in Grand Prairie last weekend!)

Anyhow, the CFL is finished for this year. I think it was a lackluster ending, to be honest.

Now I can spend more time watching hockey and keeping a third eye on those Patriots, who almost got beat by the Eagles and a second-string quarterback on Sunday.

Final note: word today that the B.C. Lions have released Dave Dickenson. Whose got a thought on that move?


LUNCH: Carrot soup and a tuna sandwich

Patriots still perfect

Well, I didn't get to the computer to post after the big game on Sunday. Blame the excitement of a second half comeback and a few too many pints during the celebration for my absence.

After a breakfast meeting Monday I was off to the airport to get on a plane back home.

So I'm only now getting a chance to reflect on the game.

I'll admit that I wasn't the most positive of monkeys at the half. The two pass interference calls made on the Patriots nearly killed me, and I mistook Brady's steely glare for frustration, when I should have known it was resolve.

Next time I'll know better.

At the end of the game, Peyton Manning didn't even bother to take off his helmet. Trying to hide tears, maybe?

Now for a week off, before coming back to round out the season with another string of victories.

16-0 here we come!

It's B-Day

Yes, I know there were CFL games this weekend, but other than the Argos locking up the East Division title, the games didn't mean much.

This weekend, though, is all about the NFL, and more specifically, all about the New England Patriots and the Indianpolis Colts. That game starts in just under an hour.

I'll report back after the game.

BTW, "B" is for Brady.


LUNCH: A big, coronary-inducing plate of chili-cheese fries

Countdown: Tom versus Peyton

Despite the fact that these guys don't like each other, they are surprisingly civil about it.

In fact, they are both going out of their way to compliment each other, as the quotes in this article prove.

I almost wish there was some trash talking going on, but you're never going to get that from guys like Tom and Peyton. Their mothers taught them manners.

Countdown: Tom versus Peyton

Four sleeps to go.

Nobody seems surprised that the Colts - undefeated this season, 12 straight home game victories, and Super Bowl champions - are underdogs against the Patriots.

That's because the Patriots are that good.

Sure, their game in Indianapolis will be their toughest of the season, but does the word juggernaut mean anything to you?

"You can't stop the Juggernaut!"

Make no mistake, either, there is no love lost between Tom and Peyton. They really don't like each other. This time, it's personal.

Ain't it always.

Tom versus Peyton

Only five more sleeps until the game of the year.

Are you ready?

It turns out I'm going to be on the road, too, so won't be in front of my nice big flatscreen to watch the Patriots crush the Colts. Guess I'll be trolling the streets of Montreal for a decent sports bar.


LUNCH: Cobb salad

Have a little lateral

I was thinking the other day about how there aren't any laterals or pitch outs in professional football any more. You'll see them now and then in the CFL, but you really don't see them in the NFL at all.

This morning a buddy told me about this game. With two seconds left in the game, the Trinity Tigers have to score a touchdown on the last play of the game in order to win. The Tigers quarterback takes the snap on their 40.

Just watch.


BREAKFAST: Cheerios, while watching the NFL preview shows

Holy crap

Going into today's NFL game with the New England Patriots in Miami to play the Dolphins, the question wasn't whether the Patriots would win, but how badly they would embarrass the Fins.

Well, at halftime, the Patriots are up 42-7. Tom Brady has already thrown for five touchdowns.

In all of their games so far this season, the Patriots have scored more than 34 points. They've done that today in the first half.

People, 16-0 is possible.

EDIT: Final score: Patriots 49, Dolphins 28; Brady threw for six touchdowns, and only played about half of the second half.

Football round-up

Well, Tom Brady clearly won the battle of the quarterbacks when the Patriots crushed the Cowboys on Sunday. Too bad, Tony Romo.

Tom, don't give up your day job, though, cause an actor you are not, and you proved that in the funny bit about why you are always listed as "probable" on the NFL injury report because of that lingering shoulder injury.

Henry Burris showed why the Stamps need him so bad, and the Eskimos were, for all intents and purposes, officially eliminated from the CFL playoff picture. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Ha!

Finally, over at Twelve Men on the Field, a look at how B.C. Lions president Bob Ackles is trying to save the CFL.


LUNCH: Really average mall Thai food, ginger beef and orange chicken. Mmmm, sweet

Holy crap

Tom Brady and the Patriots are still undefeated, after taking down the Bengals 34 to 13. And the Bengals are a better team than their 1-3 record would indicate.

Now I'm excited for Favre and the Packers, and have a passing curiosity with what the Raiders are doing, but at this point, is there any reason not to make the prediction now?

New England Patriots, Super Bowl XLII champions.


LUNCH: burrito with too much salsa

CFL, NFL, a little golf

On Friday night, the Toronto Argonauts took another step toward securing a playoff berth, and the Eskimos came another step closer to elimination.

Bad news for the Eskimos, too, as Ricky Ray left the game with a separated shoulder. Now I may hate Ricky Ray, but I don't wish injuries on anyone. Except maybe Rex Grossman.

More on him later.

What does it mean that quarterbacks in the CFL are dropping like flies? Burris? Out. Ray? Out. Printers? Out.

Not to mention the Lions, but they always seem to have depth in the quarterback position, and Jarious Jackson is playing like a starter.

Note to Hamilton: Need a quarterback? Talk to Wally Buono.

The Lions crushed the Stamps on Saturday, solidifying their hold on the West. The Riders helped the Bombers and the Argos by taking a game from the Als. Next week's Thanksgiving games will likely set the playoff picture.

In the NFL today, I'll be watching the Bears against the Lions, more to see if Brian Griese can put the final nail in the coffin of Rex Grossman. Today, everyone is a Bears fan.

And I can't be the only one excited about what Favre is doing in Green Bay. After last year I thought he should just retire, but he seemed to know that another season would give him a chance to leave on a high note. This season, everyone is a Packers fan.

Finally, as I settle in for a day of watching football and golf (so glad that the weather stinks so bad today), I can only say this: Go, Mike, go!


LUNCH: probably pizza

I have an idea

Hey, Hamilton Tiger-Cats! Need a new quarterback?

Rex Grossman might be available. He's got NFL experience. Maybe he can help you out?

You heard it here first, people. Rex Grossman, Tiger-Cat.

Which would win in a fight? The Bear or the Ticat?


LUNCH: steak sandwich

Football, football, and more football

So the NFL season opened tonight. The Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts kicked the New Orleans Saints all around the field, 41-10.

I'm not a big fan of Peyton Manning. The only reason I was glad the Colts won in February was because I really hate Rex Grossman, who wants everyone to call him a quarterback for some reason. Oh how the Bears have fallen since the late '80s.

I'll admit to being a bit surprised that the Saints didn't perform better tonight. Drew Brees is a decent quarterback and with Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister as backs, how could they only post 10 points?

Still, it's early yet, right? There's still time for America's Team to strut their stuff?

In CFL news, Casey Printers is back. Oh joy. The whiner left the Kansas City Chiefs and ended up in Hamilton. The B.C. Lions, where Printers got some great experience, didn't even make an offer for him. That tell you something? (Some will say it was a salary cap issue that kept the Lions out, but I don't buy that.)

Wonder how Jason Maas feels about the Ticats being so excited about Printers.

And finally, I'm looking forward to the Stamps-Eskimos rematch tomorrow night. The Stamps, who tried hard to lose the Labour Day Classic on Monday, snatched a win from the Eskimos, who didn't bother showing up in the second half.

Tomorrow, only four days later, the two teams meet again, in Edmonton this time. I think the game is called the Shrine Game, or something like that. Anyone out there know?

It'll be a doozy.


LUNCH: all-beef hot dogs

Vick takes his medicine

So Michael Vick decided to plead guilty to a few charges in relation to the dogfighting case he was connected to.

And now he's been suspended - indefinitely - from the NFL.

Great way to end your career, Mike.

LUNCH: smoked turkey with edam