Week 8 — 1 Nov 2004

From: Jeff
To: mnf@fat.doobie.com
Subject: It's Monday...

...and the Redskins predicting the presidential election coincidence has already been beaten to death.

(http://snopes.com/sports/football/election.asp)

But what everyone seemed to miss, is that not only was that a suprisingly good game, but the turning point... what actually won the game, by taking away a touchdown and leading to a Green Bay interception... was a penalty for an ILLEGAL PROCEDURE, that was at best, controversial (and required clarification from the NFL-referrees' head office after the game).

If we're going to believe the hype, then we're in for a long Tuesday.

And I'm sure they'll show the penalty during the halftime show.

Elsewhere around the NFL, strange things were afoot. Many bad teams won. A few good teams lost. Many experts scratched their heads, and the scary guy in the mailroom won the office pool...

- The patriots (finally) lost. The Steelers (who beat them) take on Philly next week (the Eagles are the only remaining undefeated team, having barely held off Baltimore this week), and I'm sure the statisticians will tell us how long it's been since the same team knocked off two undefeated teams in a row this late in the season.

The Steelers and Eagles might be the two best teams in the game right now. New England is a little light on the bench to stand up to either of these at the end of the season. And I don't know what to do about The Jets.

- The Colts got beat by the Chiefs (the Chiefs scored over 100 points in their last two games. The Redskins have scored 98 this season). Neither team brought their defense. This game may end up haunting the Colts for the postseason, especially if the NFL's tiebreaker rules come into play.

- The Houston Texans embarassed the Jaguars, and are looking like they want to see the playoffs. They'll be playing the Colts, Packers and Broncos in the next three weeks. Two wins will make them a contender, particularly if one is the Colts. It's not out of the question that they'll win at least two of these three.

- The Falcons continue their winning ways, having no trouble with the Broncos. Thanks to their division, they could probably start resting their starting players in week 10.

- And sadly, our hometown 49ers got beat by the Chicago Bears. The Raiders got trounced by a (much better) San Diego, though at least it was an away game, so it was on TV (even if it may have been better not to watch). Meanwhile, LA is trying to decide where to build a stadium. The grass is always greener, even when the air is brown?

So... where does that leave us, just about halfway through the season?

Some of the obvious division leaders are continuing to bubble up, and are playing like postseason teams already. Many of the teams that need rebuilding, have already started (are you listening Joe Gibbs? Is that Patrick Ramsey's 7-figure ass warming the far end of the bench?).

Ultimately, It puts the meaningful games entirely on the backs of the teams that are struggling to stay alive. So no, the Packers and Saints fans aren't nuts.

Probably Playoff bound: Pittsburgh New England NY Jets Philadelphia Atlanta

Likely Playoff Bound: Denver Jacksonville NY Giants Minnesota

Very much still in the running: Houston Indianapolis San Diego Baltimore Seattle St. Louis

Barely hanging on: Green Bay Detroit

There are 17 teams up there, 15 teams that are more or less out of the running, and 12 playoff berths... with some exciting games to come.

Sadly, tonight's is probably not one of them. But we'll have a good time regardless.

The Game:

Tonight, the 1-6 Miami Dolphins go to exit 16, in beautiful, though ever so lightly scented, East Rutherford, NJ to take on the 5-1 New York Jets in the Meadowlands.

The teams are mismatched, despite the Dolphin's suprisingly decent pass-defense, and unless Pennington throws the ball away, or Jimmy Hoffa makes an appearance, this one should be over by the third quarter.

But sometimes strange things happen on Monday night.

The Line:

The Jets are favored by 7. The over/under is 35.5

Last week, the Smart Money got suprised by the Bengals. It's now 3-5, and not looking very smart this year.

This week, the Smart Money takes the Jets, but isn't very comfortable with the choice (the line on this one has been suprisingly stable for the week, it's oscillated a half point each way).

The Bar:

Well... I tried. I figured, if we can't be at the game, or even in New Jersey, at least we could plant ourselves somewhere with similar taste in hair, jewelry and perfume.

But alas, the Hooters near Fisherman's Wharf won't be playing the soundtrack for the game tonight ("We have a jukebox, we only turn on the game sound when KNBR is here, hon").

???

[And people look at me funny when I say this isn't a football town]

What to do, What to do. If not New Jersey... and not Hooters... how about:

Bayside Sports 1787 Union Street (@ Octavia, and not particularly near the bay) in lovely, if unappreciated Cow Hollow.

The bar is spitting distance from the 41 and 45 bus lines, and three blocks from the 47 and 49. This is not an easy neighborhood to park in.

41/45 are Marina<->Downtown routes. Catch the 41 on Drumm Street, Sacramento or Columbus. Catch the 45 on Third or Stockton. And I'll bet that these Marina-bound Munis don't smell like New Jersey.

47/49 are Van Ness busses. the 49 goes well into the mission, on mission. The 47 is the City Hall/City Tow/Hall of Justice express. (Catch it outbound at caltrain, 5th, or on Harrison). The smart money won't bet on the scents contained therein.

Kickoff is at 6:00. See you there?

-Jeff

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