Patriots - Broncos: AFC Divisional Playoff Live Diary

It took me all day to decide what to do for today's Patriots - Broncos game, but I ended up making the simplest choice, which is to stay home and watch the game by myself.  I've been out the last few nights, so I'm fine with relaxing today.  And since I'm home, I can write before and during the game.

Right now the 49ers are ahead of the Saints 20-14.  The Saints have turned the ball over four times, and yet they still stand a chance.  I picked the Saints -3.5, but would like to see the 49ers win for a few reasons.  The Patriots own the Saints draft pick, so the higher the better.  Also, I may be more afraid of the Saints than the Packers in a potential Super Bowl match-up.  All the NFC teams will be tough for New England to compete against.

I went back and read my Live Diary from the first Patriots - Broncos game.  There are some telling details that led to the result, a 41-23 Patriots victory in Denver on 12/18/11 Box Score.

Clippers - Warriors Live Game Diary

I never thought I would be able to sit through an entire Clippers - Warriors game.  Yet here I am writing about one - on Christmas Night.

The game doesn't start for an hour and a half, so I'm killing time with the Bears - Packers football game and an extended pregame notes section (between pieces of pecan pie).

Patriots - Broncos Live Diary

Pregame

What looked like an absolutely wretched group of early games has turned out to be pretty interesting.  I'm watching the Chiefs try to put away the undefeated Packers.  The score is 12-7 and the Chiefs are on the Packers 5 yard line.  They have moved the ball, but not been able to convert to touchdowns.

4:51 - The Packers are in real trouble now.Jackie Battle rushes in from 1 yard for the touchdown.  19-7 Chiefs.

And the Colts are leading Tennessee 20-13.

My predictions from a few weeks ago were that the Packers do not go undefeated (regular season) and the Colts remain win-less.  So I'll be right on GB, wrong on Indianapolis.

1:47 - Packers scored, but now the Chiefs are killing the clock.  TV is reviewing an earlier play by KC that could have been ruled a touchback.  I would have challenged if I was Green Bay.

1:34 - Chiefs have been running all over GB at the end, so the Chiefs should now be able to run out the clock.

Nice job Romeo.  Final: Chiefs 19   Packers 14.

Now the question is, could this loss be the best thing to happen to Green Bay?  Maybe.  I don't feel like giving that much thought right now.

Didn't think Buffalo would roll over at home against Miami.  Everything else makes sense.

Patriots - Broncos should be starting in a couple minutes.

For the record, I pick Patriots -7.5.  Patriots 30  Broncos 13.

So let the Tebowing begin...

Live Diary: NY Giants at Saints

Pregame

I was going to play poker tonight, but I just ate dinner and decided that I don't really feel like playing now.  My rule is, if I don't feel like playing, then I don't play.  Simple as that.  I have enough opportunity that I don't need to force myself to go play poker when I don't really want to play.

So this will be a little different.  A live diary for a non-Patriots game.  I like football and watch a lot of games.  But a lot of the time it is background noise.  The teams I really follow are the Patriots (watched most every game for 15 years), and seen all but one Arkansas Razorbacks game this season.

I am a big fan of Wendi Nix.  Used to like her on the news and radio in Boston.  Now she does a lot of studio and sideline work for ESPN.  Is on the sideline tonight in New Orleans.  Did not know she used to be married to Ben Cherington.

Chris Berman's voice makes my head hurt.

Trying to save any comments about the Giants and Saints for game action, since I'm not sure if I can pull off a decent commentary on teams I am less familiar with.  Boston teams, no problem.

Let's get this one out of the way.  CBS in Vegas switched off the Patriots blowout of the Eagles in time to show    the Denver Tebows comeback over the Lame Duck Chargers.  I texted a friend when it happened - they did a close-up for about five seconds of the Chargers kicker peeing on the sideline.  Won't link video, but deadspin.com had it up about 10 minutes after it occurred.

Archie Manning is doing the pregame intro.  He played for the 'Aints and his son is the Giants QB.

Neat video on Sean Payton, Drew Brees, and offensive coordinator meeting to discuss play calling the day before game.  It just gets me thinking - you want to know how successful any football team is, watch the quarterback.  Watch how he play calls, controls the action before the snap, makes protection and audible calls, handles pressure with subtle movements like stepping up in the pocket, passes the ball, runs or throws it away if necessary.

Game on.

Monday Night Football: Patriots - Chiefs Live Diary

Pregame


The ESPN pre-game show just finished talking about the "best team in the AFC".  The conclusions I draw are that they are all flawed, injuries have made a big difference, and the best team may not end up with the top seed (or even a bye).

I hate listening to Chris Berman.  Please never let him near a baseball commentator's booth ever again.  That being said, he made a comment I very much agree with.  No matter how flawed the Patriots defense is, and that Pittsburgh, Baltimore, or Houston may be a better team; the Patriots may end up with the #1 seed in the AFC.  Reason: the schedule is the easiest in the NFL from here on out.

I have a post called, "NFL Predictions" that I have not published.  Part if it is predicting the playoff seeds.  Here is the AFC prediction;

1. New England Patriots
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Houston Texans
4. Oakland Raiders
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. NY Jets

Let's Try This Again: Patriots at NY Jets

The Patriots are playing the Jets for first place in the AFC East, and I feel like doing another live diary to go along with the game.

All by myself: Patriots - Steelers Live Diary

This is a big game (bigger for Pittsburgh than NE).  Since I'm at the house, I figure I can watch and type at the same time.  So here is a running diary for the game.