10 Things from Sunday Funday: Week 10

10 interesting observations from the Sunday slate

1. The Lions are so ridiculously miserable, although, it’s been that way for so long I’m wondering if a loss even bothers their fans anymore. With teams like the Bears and the Chargers, teams that have been somewhat competitive over the last few years, I imagine their losses have more of an impact on the fan base because of expectations. I get the feeling that losing is so immersed in the Detroit culture it doesn’t even disappoint them as long as they keep it close. But what do I know, I’ve never had to root for a team that bad. Sad, really. At any rate, here’s one of my favorite songs about the “cold” state of the Motor City. Beautiful lyrics that resonate with some deep emotion… and impeccable syntax, of course. Shed a tear and enjoy.

2. Overreaction of the year: A guy walks into the bar were at about 10 minutes after kickoff, finds his table, and says to his buddies, and I quote, “Nooo way! Tampa is winning? Ha, they’re terrible! What’s goin on?”

Penalty on this guy. First of all, I get this sneaky suspicion that he doesn’t care much for football. He seems like he’s just running his mouth to appear that he’s in the know. This is what he’s probably thinking:

“Hey guys I’m here now! What’s up?”

I better say something that makes it sound like I’m a football wiz.

“Nooo way! Tampa is winning? Ha, they’re terrible! What’s going on?”

I watch Sports Center sometimes and I know that Tampa is no good this year, so the guys will know that I know what I’m talking about.

“How are they winning right now, am I right guys?! How is this happening?”

I’m making valid commentary and my friends will think I have football smarts.

“Come on Miami! Pah-thetic. Oh yea, did you guys know that they run they Wildcat a lot? The Wildcat is like a revolutionary formation.”

I love wild cats, such as tigers and mountain lions.

Second of all, settle down spaz, it’s the first quarter. It’s 3 to 0. Miami has only had the ball one time so far.

Third of all, it’s the first quarter. Miami is down a field goal and they’ve only had the ball one time.

3. These Windows 7 commercials. Ehh. Whatever, I’m not hating them completely. The dialogue in the one where the big guy in the green shirt and glasses is talking to his girlfriend, where she’s like, “You called your mother,” and he’s like, “Of course I called my mother…” Fine, that’s kinda funny. But that’s not my problem with them. Here’s what I don’t get: Does everyone really think they are 100 times better looking and in better shape than they really are? I don’t think we do. I think were all fully aware of what we look like, especially in our own minds. When the commercial shifts into the character in thought scene, the person is always better looking in their own mind. Is Microsoft suggesting that we are naive, simple minded creatures who have an unrealistic perception of what we look like? I say yes, and I’m offended, So I’m sticking with my JustinLongBookPro.

4. Great coaches can make bad decisions. It’s 4^th and 2. I’m sitting on the couch saying, “They’re going for it? Is this a joke? This is suicide Bill, this isn’t Madden. Punt the ball!

And go ahead and say this is an easy call to harp on after it already happened, or say that Faulk was in fact across the line when he secured the ball. Fine. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying it’s still the wrong call even if they pick up the first down. Analysts were quick to say that Belichick goes for this because he’s overly confident. I disagree completely. If anything, I think it shows a complete lack of confidence in his team. Defensively, he clearly didn’t think his team could get it done, which makes little sense considering the odds are strongly in his favor when the opponent has to drive 80 yards in less than 2 minutes with only 1 timeout. This call was silly. You punt the ball, you don’t even think about it. Your offense already failed to move the ball; they didn’t get the job done. How could you possibly create a do or die situation for your team on one play when you’re already in control of the game?

This is like when you’re playing Monopoly and someone keeps slipping the broke guy a couple hundred to keep him around, and eventually he gets out of debt and wins. Why is this happening? I didn’t agree to this. Is it because they feel bad? Maybe Belichick felt bad for Jim Caldwell, because Dungy hasn’t been around this year and things clearly haven’t gone as planned? Of course not, but you play to win the game, right? This has been well documented. You don’t play to potentially lose the game if you don’t convert exactly one more play when you’re already winning. That’s ridiculous. Football is a game of opportunity and chance and field position. The way this game wound up, you absolutely have to punt the ball in this situation and put the odds squarely in your favor, aka, let Bankrupt Bob and his little thimble roll away his fate, and if he hits Free Parking 5 times in a row, then good for him, he deserves it. But don’t just hand him free money because you feel bad. Really, he should have quit being a cheapskate and bought some property earlier in the game, ya know? Why do people pass on property anyway? If you land on it, buy it, figure the rest out later. If Bob lands on Marvin Gardens, which is now carrying my luxurious 5 star-hotel and resort, he’s paying full price. And he can pull those weak-ass houses off of Baltic Avenue, pay up, and go sit on the couch and watch How I Met Your Mother re-runs for a few hours while I finish taking over this town.

Really though, I don’t care who is leading the charge on the other team, driving 80 yards in the final few minutes just isn’t in his favor. Driving 29 yards is a completely different story. This call wasn’t overconfidence, it was foolish. It was a bad call, and now he knows why.

5. The Saints-Rams game raises a lot of questions about how New Orleans would fare against the rock solid teams like the Vikings, Colts, Pats, Bengals, Raiders, Browns and Steelers. But they won the game, and even good teams struggle sometimes and find a way to win. On a side note, Sean Payton is going all Shanahan on us with his RBs and it is killin’ us owners. I just picked up Deuce McCallister and you should do the same because you just never know. Craig Heyward is probably a flex play at this point.

6. The Broncos loss to the Redskins reiterates what many of us felt all along. Overachievers. This has nothing to do with the coaching though, McDaniels has been great, but talent-wise, they’re just not there. And why is Kyle Orton the only player who still wears the floppy sleeves. Those things would drive me nuts. Secure your flappy wings K-man! (I prefer my clever K-man nickname to Neckbeard) Or you know what, Favre might still wear the floppy’s too. I think he does, I don’t know. Who cares though, Favre can play in anything. Favre can play in jeans if he wants too. I’ve seen him dominate in jeans on a sloppy wet field. He can have the floppy sleeves if he wants. K-man though, I’m not so sure.

7. The Cincinnati Bengals. Wow. Swept the Steelers, swept the Ravens. Here’s a team with a great running game, a great defense, and a rocket-armed leader at QB. Sounds like a recipe for playoff success. Can’t stop this train. Wait Benson went down? No worries. Bring on Larry Johnson. Henry broke his arm? Let’s bail out Plax. And TO? He can’t be happy in Buffalo, right? Locker room leader’s are few and far between. And where’s Pac-Man? Groovin’ to Party in the USA at Pure? Get him on a plane. Stallworth? He’ll run someone over for you. Marvin saved Ced. Marvin saved Tank. Let’s make it rain with the rest of them. Iverson can back up Palmer right? He’s disgruntled. And Cutler? He’ll want out soon. Get him in stripes. Vick? He’s so fast…

8. Maurice Jones-Westbrook!!! What the Helen Hunt are you doing to me!? C’mon!! I’m only up 14 now and he has Flacco tonight. I guess I won’t complain too much because you did put up 20, but oh man, you crazy unselfish team playing high paid bowling ball of a decoy you.

9. I was down quite a few points in my fantasy game with only Moss left on Sunday Night. But you can never ever give up hope says my buddy. Hopes and dreams points he calls them. If you believe hard enough in a victory, you will earn the extra points. Well I took a nap and hoped and dreamed, and now, 179 yards, 2 tds and a few hopes and dreams later, I believe him. So when your down and you think your out, always remember your hopes and dreams points to get you over the hump, because in Fantasy Football, heart most certainly does matter on the scoreboard.

10. Well shoot, maybe Vince Young is Hall of Fame Bound like he claims he is. That’s 3 in a row now, and he’s actually taking care of the ball. I was thinking he was the Luke Hochevar of football, but dare I say, with his mental issues seemingly behind him, is he not right on par with a different young Royal and probable Cy Young winner to be?!

…Nah.