Week 14 — 13 Dec 2004
From: Jeff To: mnf@fat.doobie.com
Subject: It's Monday...
...ant at least the Redskins beat the spread.
Congratulations to the Colts, Falcons, Patriots, and Steelers for making the playoffs this week (and the Eagles got in last week). There are 7 spots left, as we reach the home stretch... though truthfully, only a few of them are really in play.
This week, the NFL had a number of excellent games, including last night's Redskins/Eagles game (The Eagles won by a field goal, which virtually guarantees that they'll finish as the top-ranked NFC team, and earning themselves a first-round bye in the playoffs). Washington needs a quarterback (and they need to make sure that their defense doesn't sign with other teams during the offseason).
But that's not unusual in Washington, is it?
Probably the most-watched of the morning games was the Vikings/Seahawks game, which also was an outstanding, close, well-played game. Seattle won the game, though not until the last second, when the Vikings ran out of time about 25 yards from the endzone. This puts the Seahawks in the lead in the NFC West, and takes the Vikings out of a tie for the lead in the NFC North (making Green Bay very happy).
The other big game was the NY Jets and the Steelers. Ultimately, the Steelers were the better team, and they just outplayed the Jets (ultimately winning 17-6 after scoring 14 points in the 4th quarter). Chad Pennington isn't looking like himself, and while the Jets are still probably going to make the playoffs this year, they're just not Super Bowl contenders. The Steelers weren't looking like the best team in football either, but they looked better than the Jets.
So, what's the playoff situation look like now with three games to go?
AFC:
In: New England, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh
Essentially In: San Diego (10-3)
The Wild Card race (two of these will get in): NY Jets(9-4), Denver(8-5), Baltimore (8-5), Jacksonville (7-4)
NFC:
In: Philadelphia(12-1), Atlanta(10-3)
Essentially In: Green Bay(8-5)
Probably In: Minnesota(7-6), Seattle(7-6)
Fighting: Carolina(6-7), St. Louis(6-7)
There are 6 teams that are 5-8, all of whom are technically still eligible for a wild card slot. They're all fooling themselves: NY Giants, Dallas, Detroit, Chicago, Tampa Bay, New Orleans.
Which brings us to tonight's game.
Tonight the 4-8 Kansas City Chiefs go to Memphis to take on the 4-8 Tennessee Titans on the natural bermudagrass of The Coliseum (formerly Adelphia Coliseum, until all the bigwigs at Adelphia got sent to Club Fed). The Coliseum is the only NFL stadium that is actively (and intentionally) shared with a college team: Tennessee State University.
The bermudagrass is patented and sold under the brand name "Tifsport". It was developed by a geneticist in Tifton, Georgia and is available from wholesale sod vendors in the southern half of the US.
So. Tonight's game is between two 4-8 teams, neither of which has a prayer of making the playoffs. Yes ladies and gentlemen, this is a game that ABC would've traded (probably for the Vikings/Seahawks or the Steelers/Jets, both of which were great games). So why should you come out and watch what amounts to a meaningless game?
1. It's going to be a shootout. Neither of these teams has much of a defense.
2. These teams are pretty evenly matched. It's likely to be a good, if meaningless game.
3. Your very own Oakland Raiders are the Chief's rival in the AFC West. You should enjoy it just a little bit more when the Chiefs lose.
4. Tonight, you'll be drinking beer to support a good cause. (See below... oh nevermind, you'll get there eventually)
The Line:
Kansas City is favored by ONE. The over/under is 53.
Last week, the smart money won. It is now 8-7, and hoping to stay ahead for the rest of the season. Hey, 8-7 is good enough to win a playoff spot in the NFC.
This week, the smart money takes the Chiefs, but probably doesn't mention that out loud in a bar full of Raiders fans.
The Good Cause:
Right... the good cause.
Tonight, there is a fund raiser for the Haight-Ashbury Food Program (our very own Pete Albers is the President of their Board of Directors). Not only will HAFP receive 15% of the till from the bar tonight, but they'll be selling ornaments and holiday ribbons (and accepting donations). So we're going to be there.
HAFP does a lot of good work in the city, and often gets overshadowed by some of the giants that we've got out here (like Glide/Cecil Williams, and Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic). This is a shitty time of year (in a particularly shitty year) to be hungry in San Francisco, and they can use all the help they can get.
The end of the year is coming. You know that you'll feel better, both now and on april 15th if you make your tax-deductable donation today.
The Bar:
The Page (formerly Chances) 298 Divisadero @ Page Steps from the 24 bus One block from the 6,7,66 and 71 busses
Downtown folks should get one of the 6,7,66,71 on Market St.
Kickoff is at 6:00, see you there?