Sports/Music Crossover: Soundgarden

Well, considering it is Monday, I was going to preview the week's NBA Action. However, I totally spaced out and didn't realize that there was an NBA triple-header today. My Bad.

However, I am going to run a column whose concept has been floating around in my head for the last couple weeks. Ever since the announcement that one of the more prominent 90s Seattle Grunge Bands Soundgarden is planning to get back together after a 12 year hiatus. Time to vaguely connect some of their songs to what's going on in the Sports World.

"Power Trip"--Me being 1-0 in Vegas

Last weekend was my first time in going to Las Vegas. Normally, I don't gamble or bet on sports but under the thinking of When In Vegas combined with the Bucks playing Golden State on Friday, I decided to place a wager on the game.

It didn't look good at first considering the Bucks were giving 3 1/2 points and they were down by as many as 13 at one point. Fortunately for myself and the Bucks this ended up being a smart investment as the defense-optional Warriors folded and the Bucks won by 9, doing more than enough to cover in the process.

"Ugly Truth"--Brett Favre/Vikings

In light of the Vikings rout over Romo and the Cowboys, the Ugly Truth is that the Vikings are one win away from winning the Super Bowl and two wins away from what would be by far the worst sports fan moment in my life. To see Favre and his disloyalty be rewarded with a Super Bowl victory......Drew Brees seriously needs to step up not only for the Saints but for the state of Wisconsin as well.

"Outshined"--UC Davis Basketball

A couple weeks ago, I was randomly surfing the internet and saw that ESPNU was airing a UC Davis basketball game against UCSB the next night. Not only was it a chance to see a basketball game between colleges located in two cities that I had visited the week before, it was a chance to see the college I went to on national TV (it might have been the late game on ESPNU with like 2 other people watching...but I gotta take what I can get)

Thinks didn't look too bad in the first half as the Aggies and Gauchos were tied at halftime despite sloppy play on both ends. Then the second half happened. Then that tie game turned into a 20-point deficit. Fail.

"Rusty Cage"--Chargers

The Chargers had lots of time off between the end of the regular season and their fail against the Jets. They must have been extremely rusty since they somehow found a way to lose to what has got to be one of the worst, most mediocre teams to ever make a conference championship game.

"Half"--Tim Tebow

When will Tim Tebow's Super Bowl Ad run? First Half, Second Half or Halftime? Either way, finding out that Tim Tebow will be in a Super Bowl ad is not something I consider good news. The last time I was watching a live event involving Tim Tebow, things did not end very well for me. I thought we had seen the last of him (for now) but he gets one more high profile spot before he becomes the next Ryan Leaf. I just hope this isn't used as an excuse for announcers to replace a given team's name with Tebow on their scoreboard. I hope they don't randomly show him randomly screaming from the stands and then cutting away to someone's defense coming on to the field. I hope i'm not dumb enough to drink every time the word Tebow is mentioned......again.

"Black Hole Sun"--2010 Royals

Wow, Dayton Moore really wants to be known as the most inept General Manager in baseball. He has taken great strides to get this title with some of the players he is bringing on to his team in 2010. With stars such as Scott Podsednik and Brian Anderson I don't see how the Royals are going to take the baseball world by storm. They even signed 3-time all star Jason Kendall to a two-year contract. I don't know how this could possibly go wrong. Oh wait, yes I can.

"Never Named"--Packers-Cardinals Playoff Game

With Arizona finally having that habit of giving up 45 a game catch up to them, we should reflect on the bizarre, wild playoff game the week before and come up with a nick-name for it. Should it be the "Defense Optional" game, the "51-45" game, the "facemask-no call" game or is there a better name for it?

"Zero Chance"--Jets

Or what it looked like they had. A month back, it looked doubtful they would even make the playoffs. Somehow, they are now a win away from the Super Bowl. They catch a few breaks here, a Colts team resting for the playoffs, a Bengals team that tanked because they didn't want to face the Texans, a Bengals team that no showed in the playoffs, a Chargers team undone by some bad kicking (and the accompanying tactless Wikipedia edits) and now they face the Colts team that rested everyone early that allowed this snowball chain of events to start. But c'mon they have Mark Sanchez at QB, they still got zero chance.

NFL Divisional Preview: Who Knows, maybe i'll correctly pick a game this week

So, last weekend's Wild Card ending was soul-crushing in so many ways. For the second time in three years, the Packers end their season by losing a game in OT......but the show must go on

Cardinals vs. Saints

Hey, the Cardinals are who we thought they were, The Packers defense took the weekend off and handed it to them. The Saints are struggling but anytime you got Drew Brees at QB you have a chance to light up the scoreboard. Plus both of these teams are equally capable of being utterly incompetent on the defensive end. The Packers and Cardinals may have combined to break a bunch of playoff records last weekend. I wouldn't be shocked to see those same records being broken this weekend. Definitely a lot of potential for an Arena Football Style score.

Saints 70 Cardinals 56

Ravens vs. Colts

Not sure which direction I want to take here. I'm still not sold on the Ravens being Super Bowl bound despite their win over New England. The Colts are way more talented but since their starters haven't gotten serious playing time in almost a month, they probably won't bring their A-game. Colts ain't going all the way but they at least live to see another week.

Colts 28 Ravens 14

Cowboys vs. Vikings

It would be totally sweet if these teams could lose to each other. There is absolutely nothing redeemable or likable about either team and their QBs (Romo and Favre). A match-up between two QBs who horribly under perform in the clutch, either way whoever wins is getting ambushed by the Saints. Since Tony Romo has never held the Packers hostage I will begrudgingly pick him to win his second playoff game.

Cowboys 17 Vikings 10

Jets vs. Chargers

So they Jets have a nice little win streak going and somehow found their way to the second round. They were playing a team from Cincinnati which these days is a victory for the opposing team regardless of it's the NFL (see above), College Football (my body is probably still mad at me for this one) or College Hoops (i've seen Cincinnati's basketball team choke in the clutch twice in the last week in a half while working out at the gym).

In addition to being immensely more talented, the Chargers have played so well, they couldn't lose even if they wanted to. Another advantage for San Diego is they play the weakest team that made it to the second round.

Chargers 35 Jets 21

It's NBA Monday's Plus Bonus Rants, Analogies and Random Thoughts of Yesterday's Packers-Cardinals Game

Playoffs?!!!!! First a few note's about yesterday's defense optional game. That has got to be one of the most bizarre, craziest games I have ever watched. I did a blog about the first half of the game but didn't have the motivation to do one for the second half. Considering the Packers looked to be headed towards the end of their season, I decided to focus my entire attention on watching the game instead of splitting it between the TV and the lap-top.

In retrospect, not the best decision, a second-half game blog would have made for some entertainment and make an interesting capsule. There were so many did he just make that play moments in the second half, from the 2 tying TDs, to Rackers missing the field goal at the end, to the brief invincibility of we got the coin toss, we got game to the shocking conclusion of the Cardinals winning the game on face-mask no call.

Now that I got that rant out of the way, time to talk about some hoop.

5- Bulls vs. Celtics Thursday TNT

A rematch of last year's first round series which had its share of those, did that just happen moments. With the way the Bulls are playing this year, the action and drama of this game will be more resemblant of the Packers-Cardinals game from Week 17 instead of the wild card game. Well, unless the Celtics let the Bulls go up by 35, then it might be interesting.

4-Suns vs. Hawks Friday ESPN

Those pesky Phoenix teams. Bizarre, today is the back end of the back-to back series between teams from Wisconsin and teams from Arizona. The Suns-Bucks game is in progress as I am writing this now. The Suns were up 21 after one (the Cardinals were up as much as 21) and the Bucks are making a furious rally (down 3 in the fourth) sorta like the furious rally the Packers made yesterday.

What does this have to about Friday's game? Nothing. Expecting a high-scoring battle between two teams good enough to make the playoffs but nowhere near good enough to win a championship.

3- Jazz vs. Cavs Thursday TNT

The Jazz are in the race for a playoff seed and are slightly off pace. The LeBrons are looking to get over the top. Sadly, I am out of football analogies.....for now.

2-Magic vs. Blazers Friday ESPN

The Magic are looking to get back to the Finals and win their first title after losing to Kobe last year. Blazers fun fact: The Blazers nearly beat the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals one year, they were nearly able to overcome having Mike Dunleavy as a coach, but Dunleavy had a legacy of mediocrity he had to maintain.

1- Jazz vs. Nuggets Sunday ESPN

Gets the slight edge since they play in the same division. The Jazz may be 4th in this 5 team division but are anything but down and out. They may not be in the top-8 right now but only 3 games separates them and the first place Nuggets. Wow, the Western Conference is entertaining right now, only 4 teams with losing records. Hopefully it stays this way at least until baseball season starts.

Game Blog: Packers/Cardinals: First Half

With 3 of the 4 First-Round Playoff Games in the books we are down to the last but not least of the games. Of course I am talking about today's Packers-Cardinals Wild Card tilt. One of 3 re-matches from Week 17. It's pretty safe to say that the Cardinals are actually going to start their first string this week. Also, this being Aaron Rodgers' playoff debut, it should be pretty epic to see how he holds up in this level of play.

1:32 It looks like the Cardinals have a disadvantage on a fire-power level as Boldin was ruled out for today's game

1:33 Lovely, Joe Buck is calling the game. Let the cliches begin

1:35 They showed a commercial about Concussion symptoms a few minutes ago and gave some general advice about precautions so on and so forth.....nothing about not putting someone in a shed/exercise room/whatever actually happened for a few hours..........still doesn't change the fact that Mike Leach lost his job because he angered the son of Craig James.......

1:38 Looks like the Reds signed Cuban mega-prospect Aroldis Chapman to a 5-year deal. This sorta surprises me a bit....I thought he would have gone to New York or Boston. This could make things tighter in the NL Central. Wouldn't be shocked to see the Reds contend in '10. Cardinals are definitely in the drivers seat but if enough things break right for Milwaukee, Chicago or Cincinnati we could have a multi-team race.

1:40 Enough about Aroldis and Mike Leach, it's game time. Packers won the toss, have the ball and time for them to begin their first drive.

1:42 Ouch, that did not start well. Rodgers tries throwing under pressure. Fail! Interception. Arizona ball at Green Bay 40

1:44 Cardinals get 13 yards on a 3rd and 8....not looking good early....and I wrote that before Wells got the Cardinals in the red zone.

1:46 Hearing that Arizona is also the leagues best Red Zone team doesn't make me feel any better about the game situation right now.

1:47 Ball inside the Green Bay 1.....would be a good time for a Goal Line stand.

1:48 Or not.....touchdown Cardinals...4th post-season TD for Hightower....7-0 Cardinals

1:51 Packers offense gets a chance to make things right and tie the game. Jordy tries ( and fails) about five times to get beyond the 20.

1:54 No way that just happened. Driver makes the catch only to get it stripped out by Dansby. I don't think this game could get any worse (outside of Tebow taking the field for the Cardinals)...2 turnovers in 5 minutes.....so that has us pacing at 24 turnovers......Fail

1:56 Warner to Doucet for a touchdown. If the Packers were actually attempting to stop him, it wasn't very obvious.

1:58 On the bright side, the last time the Packers gave up 2 quick touchdowns to start the game, all they did was completely dominate the rest of the game in a rout. Then again, that was against Seattle.

1:59 Dear Packers, Can you please go more than two plays without turning the ball over and not play like you are the Detroit Lions. That would be awesome

2:00 Terrible return + terrible penalty= Ball at own 8. Fail

2:03 Home run ball attempt overthrown by 10+ yards. Fail

2:04 Not the best time to have your first time of being down 14.. Can't even get a punt off without committing a penalty. Sadly, the punt somehow an improvement over the first two possessions.

2:08 A sign that things aren't going good: Someone already posted on my Facebook wall poor poor GB.....,.,.

2:09 I thought things may have turned around after Matthews forced a fumble for a five yard loss...Than the last couple plays happened convincing me that the only good play was an illusion.

2:12 Third and goal for the Cards...the Packers D made a good play....all i'm hoping for at this point is to slow the bleeding

2:13 So we'll only be down 17 instead of 21.....things are looking as bleak as possible

2:15 Even worse, a Packers loss proves Frank Caliendo right....that makes the world horribly wrong (and a lot less funnier)

2:16 The Packers ineptitude is apparently being shared by FOX. They erroneously said the Packers hadn't trailed by 14 this year when they were down 24-3 on 11/1.

2:17 Troy Aikman just said the Packers aren't off to a great start. In other news all days end in Y.

2:19 Glad to see American Idol is around to make sure 2010s music is even more atrocious and unlistenable as 2000s music.

2:21 10 plays and 13 yards that's like almost a yard and a half per play.

2:21 Rodgers connects to Jennings on 3rd and 9 , there may be a pulse after all.

2:22 Joe Buck just said that Rodgers buys time. I'm curious where I can buy said time and how much it costs. I could always use a few extra hours in my day.

2:22 All that momentum, just so we can get back to a 3rd and 11: And threw it about 5 yards to high to a wide open Jones. Fail

2:23 Crosby misses a field goal. I'm shocked. Wait no i'm not. Had the distance but it was wide right. Passes for a good Scott Norwood impersonation but not to get the Packers back in the game.

2:26 Arizona ball at their own 45.......No bueno

2:27 That didn't end well. Pickett strips the ball from Hightower, the refs don't notice said strip happens, the Packers don't challenge the Cardinals go on to gain 27 on the next play. Fail

2:28 Clay Matthews has stepped up all year recovers the fumble that Woodson caused. Now we need Rodgers to make the most of this chance.

2:31 One hour in and for the first time I feel good about how things are unraveling. Grant finds a hole in the D gets it inside the 10. Time to punch it in.

2:32 Rodgers sacked....3rd and long....Rodgers is a beast on 3rd down so TD hopes are still alive.

2:33 Incomplete to Driver but pass interference on the Cards. A new fresh set of downs. Lets make most of second chance.

2:36 Rodgers scores on the QB sneak. TOUCHDOWN PACKERS!!!! 17-7 Cardinals

2:38 Lets see if the Packers D can keep the momentum from the last score going

2:42 Arizona movin the ball again' still in own territory time to right the ship but not looking good.

2:46 Wells runs it into Green Bay territory with little to no resistance from the Packers D

2:47 I like the fact that the Packers are trying to strip the ball on just about every play but when they gain an extra five yards because they are less focused on tackling, doesn't inspire confidence.

2:49 Doucet gets in the end zone........again...as he uses the Packers D as human pinballs and gets the momentum to get in the end zone.

2:51 FOX advertising for some Simpson's 20th anniversary stuff with Coldplay's "Yellow" in the background. On a scale of 1 to 10 the creepiness is about 8.

2:53 Jordy fumbles the kick return....Giordano injures himself saving the Packers from another crippling turnover. So even when a disaster is averted, it comes with a price. Ouch

2:55 According to the broadcast team, the Packers need points. Another pressing need (for me) is for those AT&T commercials featuring Luke Wilson to go away.

2:57 Speaking of commercials seen one time to many (even if it was once)...the GMC engineered to win commercial that was spouting about the Vikings greatness and them coming together as a team.....and James Jones catching passes when he is wide open

2:59 One of the better plays of the day, Rodgers dodges to avoid sack throws it downfield, Finley gets 44 yards. Follow up by getting it inside the 10. So far, strong bounce back from last Arizona TD.

3:00 FOX resolves their technical difficulties just in time for Rodgers to call a time-out.

3:01 Rodgers with a 50.0 passer rating up to now. Not as bad as Jamarcus Russell but not that much better either.

3:05 The first half comes to a merciful end. Packers get it down to a 2 possession game--24-10 Cardinals

If you don't learn anything else from It's Always Sunny, You Gotta Let the wild card do his thing: Wild Card Playoff Preview

Well the regular season is over. 17 weeks of action and we are down to 12 teams. 4 of them have the weekend off. The other 8 play for their playoff lives this weekend.

Saturday: Jets vs. Bengals

I would definitely say the Jets are the worst of the playoff bunch. They have been in dysfunctional since a 3-0 start, they have a rookie QB in Mark Sanchez who had a less than stellar season. It looked like they were on the verge of giving up sometime in November. But with last sunday's game the deciding factor between whether the Bengals would face the Texans or Jets, the Bengals got "dominated" and are rewarded with facing an inferior team.

The Bengals, they are the surprise team of the season. Nothing was expected of them, they went through way more adversity than any other team in the league and they have come out the stronger team for it. I'm indifferent towards both teams but i'll probably be pulling for the Bengals in this one. I'd like to see what Carson Palmer can do in a playoff game. His last opportunity was cut to one play due to a gruesome injury. For a couple years it didn't look like he'd get a second chance. The motivation between this second chance and an inferior opponent will lead to a Bengals rout.

Bengals 31 Jets 10

Eagles vs. Cowboys

Personally don't care for either of these teams. The Eagles have played as well as one could for the last decade without actually winning a Super Bowl. Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid have taken a lot of heat for this but outside of the T.O. fiasco this team has been a year-in, year-out playoff contender.

The Cowboys played better down the stretch than they have in the last few years. While McNabb has usually led the Eagles to a playoff win or two before bowing out, he's practically Joe Montana compared to Tony Romo. Unless Romo actually goes through a playoff game without laying an egg and/or losing, I can't in good conscience pick the Cowboys to win a playoff game.

Eagles 28 Cowboys 24

Sunday

Ravens vs. Patriots

Not to high on either team's Super Bowl hopes. The Ravens are more talented than their 9-7 record (but not that much more talented). I thought the Ravens were going to break out with Flacco having another year of experience under his wing.

The Patriots return to the post-season after a brief absence. They had a good season but seem to be missing that killer instinct that they had during their Super Bowl run plus losing Wes Welker to injury doesn't help things. However, i'm applying the reverse Tony Romo principle for this game. Hard to pick against Brady in a playoff game.

Patriots 21 Ravens 10

Packers vs. Cardinals

Obviously, this is the game out of the four that I am anticipating the most. This is going to be Aaron Rodgers' debut on the big stage. He's proven to be more than worthy in his two years as a starting QB and I can't wait to see him light up the Cardinals D.

The Cardinals are coming off a crushing Super Bowl loss to the Steelers last year. The Cardinals (well their second string) are coming off a blow out loss to the Packers.

Obviously, the degree of difficulty this Sunday is going to be a lot higher. With Rodgers on one side and Warner on the other, look for lots of yards and points to be accumulated on both sides. This will come down to who can make A stop (not necessarily a lot) of stops on defense and considering the Packers have Charles Woodson and the Cardinals don't that is being reflected in my pick.

Packers 45 Cardinals 35