Even at 37, Ray Lewis is still coughing up tackles like a machine. By Keith Allison [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Twice John Fox botched the closing minutes of quarters with a staunch conservatism  that paralyzed Peyton Manning‘s ability to sling quick slants in no huddle schemes and move efficiently down the field in small amounts of time. Had the Broncos capitalized just once in on of those two series, the second event, the hail mary –which exposed a Swiss cheese Broncos secondary — is meaningless.

Despite these rational reasons and his game- high 17 tackles, sixteen-year veteran Ray Lewis chooses to view things differently. From his familiar soap box, the sermonite passionately proposed that “no weapon formed against us shall prosper.” A metaphorical medal for he and his teammates’ hard work; awarded by a higher power. Unfortunately for Manning, he was not in God’s favor, and will have to reconcile that over a long and disappointing offseason.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRS6NYJCSkM

This being his second manifestation of faith in as many weeks mirrors the soft-spoken Tim Tebow. Like Lewis, Tebow shares a similar faith structure and has never had a problem sharing it.

Yet, for Tebow, the experience has been entirely different.

As a media obsession the last two years, Tebow has been posterized by growing constituents of anti-fans as a fraud and an overbearing radical. His means to victory in 2011, according to most critics, can be attributed to a lock down Broncos defense, the same one that offered up 479-yards on Saturday.

No matter how Tebow contributed to wins on the field, he was never credited in Denver as a central clear-cut reason for his team’s victories. Too slow, bad throwing motion, average were the commonalities consisted between the media and Broncos GM, John Elway.

How different is this compared to Ray’s dramatized radicalism?

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMvbrJrx7RA

Tim’s public approach is mild, humble, head bowed and kind. His personality deflects praise and brushes off the question with a cordial disregard for self promotion. Where is this arrogant fraud I continually hear about?

Unfortunately for Tebow, he fell victim to an unwarranted amount of praise in a seemingly short amount of time. Before lacing it up as a starter, the media had already aggrandized the simpleton run-first quarterback as the next Steve Young. Under such a spotlight, every word and action the young man does or says is broken down to its microbial level by media spinsters.

The real reasons why Ray gets a pass and Tim never will:

1) Ray is a proven veteran. Tim has been a spotty starter for three years in the NFL. He’s 25, seemingly shy to the world and at times a little plastic-seeming with his puritanical views on sex, among other things. Ray has been “around the block,” overcome multiple injuries and been a top performing linebacker throughout the entirety of his career.

2) Ray is retiring: Every time a great player decides a season will be his last, the media and fans throw a year long celebration in his or her name and criticism goes out the window.

3) Male Alpha Complex: Deep in the inner thought process of most men, they envy Tim Tebow. He’s good looking, has an honest charm, has a relentless motor and is arguably the most decorated college football player of all time. He’s prime for critique. Every housewife in America dreams of a night alone with Tim, and it makes their beer guzzling average Joe feel puny in comparison.  Tim Tebow=deflated ego.

What do you think? Let us know with your comments below this article and Owen, Andy or I promise to respond to each and every one of your comments.

In a matter of 23 hours and 23 minutes I’ll be numb-brained by an unstoppable force of tryptophan. But who’s counting?

I’m set for the sedation. I went to the gym. Worked off who-knows-how-many calories in order to levy the oncoming attack of turkey legs, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, candied yams, green beans and bacon, buttered broccoli, rolls, red wine, white wine, champagne, bourbon, a lonely beer (who’s watching?), piece(s) of pumpkin pie topped with hand whipped cream, piece(s) of pecan pie and a secretive second-portioned concoction of them all (use potatoes as the base, then begin swirling cranberry and multiple others into the sticky starch based mountain of divinity).

I’m ready for Uncle Joe’s half-naked intoxication and Aunt Sally’s sassy pursed lip persuasions about another of her hippy skippy selling points on a Himalayan weight loss pill. I’ll dodge, bob and weave the children’s chattering food fights and face Ace, the silent untalkative cousin’s, snarling pit. It will good to be an American. Not only can a man let it loose literally, by unbuckling the slim fitting belt from the skinny jeans or slacks, but he can burp, fart and buzz on a triple-headed machine of NFL football without looking over his shoulder in fear. Blessings and all, am I the only man/woman completely over the traditional turkey day battles starring the irrelevant Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys?

I’m unsure whether or not the new triple-header can salvage the stupidity of watching Detroit (4-6) host the Houston Texans (9-1), and Dallas (5-5) host the Washington Redskins (4-6). The playoff implications here are as small as a flea. Dallas WILL NOT make the playoffs, continuing to disappoint, And Detroit? Detroit is an underachieving mess of young stars succumbed with a sophomore slump.The Washington Redskins are only exciting because of their super-frosh stud, RG 3, but even he, the last three weeks, has looked more human than superhuman, with multiple sub 200-yard passing efforts.

Tryptophan might keep Cowboys fans from attacking their televisions tomorrow. By AJ Guel (originally posted to Flickr as Over the Top) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

How much Tony Romo can a man take, before he throws his 44-inch HD 1080-p television off his second story balcony (that is a made up image, I recommend you don’t do that unless you need your extended warranty check to cover rent)? Give it up already! Tryptophan can’t save Romo from the obvious: He can’t win when it matters. And it sure as hell can’t reverse the hard reality that Detroit plays in a division with Da Bears, The Pack and an upstart Minnesota Vikings team. The Redskins and Cowbowys are two teams with similar fates: Playofflessness. While the Redskins play just to continue the evolution of their franchise face.

So while the rest of y’all will be pretending you’re excited over the historic turkey day battalions, I’ll be sleeping, shellacked with peanut shells. I’ll be about as proactive as Al Bundy taking a third and fourthportion from multiple silent Peg’s in a dream. And when I wake, I’ll watch Uncle Joe call his daughter names while playing a game of boxing on the Wii, and pretend I care: “Uncle Joe, lay off Suzy! I’ll challenge you after another go on the pecan pie. Suzy go to bed. Joe you’re my bitch.”

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GFq6usPg6U

My predictions for the turkey day triple header:

The Houston Texans are clicking like no other team in football right now. Detroit has a struggling offensive line, which is exactly what J.J Watt and the fast-footed front line of the Texans devour. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has taken a large step backwards after his emergence last season, throwing just 12 touchdowns to 10 interceptions through ten games. The Texans will create two monumental turnovers, and Schaub and the offense will capitalize scoring ten points of those. Houston Texans 30, Detroit Lions 17.

The Dallas Cowboys’ speedy defensive lineman Demarcus Ware-led linebacking core, will rattle the spiraling RG 3 and his multi-dimensional attack. This game features two teams defensively underwhelming, but Romo, the man with a pro bowler’s intangible in games that do not matter, will outshine the more popular rookie. Romo vs. RG 3; Romo throws for 300 hundred on a poor Redskins secondary and Dallas wins. Dallas Cowboys 28, Washington Redskins 23.

In the “other” game, the biggest joke of the three, Tom Brady lines up against the Jets with no Gronk. But no Gronk means more Wes Welker, Aaron Hernandez, Brandon Lloyd and Danny Woodhead in the slot. The point is, the Pats are not struggling. Brady could line up a cohort of team cheerleaders, and I’d wager money of a Pats route over the mouthy New York Jets. The Jets giving Tim Tebow the ball, is the only news worth covering.  New England Patriots 30, New York Jets 13.

Eyes will be glued to flat-screens nationwide for the entire weekend come the first kickoff Saturday afternoon in San Francisco. Rounds of golf will be cancelled. Agendized voyages to The Home Depot and Costco will be shoved aside. America’s dominant sports passion is nearing its penultimate moment. Adjectives attempting to describe will ring in hyperbole and previously planned objectives will mire below the paramount. One item takes precedence over everything this time of year: the NFL Divisional Playoffs are a can’t-miss – a must-see.

New Orleans @ San Francisco, Saturday @ 1:30pm PST, FOX

“Supposed” unbiased on-lookers seem to tab the Niners as the “most complete” team in the playoffs. I need coke-bottle specs to be able to focus on that description realistically, seeing as the Niners’ offense seems to stall against the few legit defenses they have faced, as well as even mediocre defenses for that matter.

This tends to happen when San Fran’s jumbo personnel – power scheme is stymied on first and second downs, and third and medium plus becomes a remote prospect for Alex Smith. A pee-wee football offense only takes you so far, and a conference championship game, unfortunately for Niner fans, isn’t that place.

Turnovers, special teams play and “x-factors” will be be the difference. The fundamental questions become – do you trust Drew Brees or Alex Smith with turnovers? Easy answer – Brees. Who has the special teams and xfactor-advantage? Easy answer, Darren Sproles over Ted Ginn, Jr.

The Niner defense takes a stand that ends up becoming too little – too late, and San Francisco’s offense tries to match the touchdowns scored by the Saints with field goals. In what should be the last game played in the wind-tunneled, seagull-infested dump known as Candlestick, New Orleans eventually separates themselves in victory, 27-16. Give this storied franchise a new stadium already.

Denver @ New England, Saturday @ 5:00pm PST, CBS

Denver will try to make the game shorter early, but will fail with the inability to convert first downs on 3rd and medium-plus after conservative first and second down calls. Tom Brady loves the middle of the field, as Rob Gronkowski to the post and Wes Welker on the crossing route underneath will gain the Pats field position. Denver’s chances are dismal at the half and will become non-existent deep into the 3rd quarter, as New England will lead comfortably.

In what will eventually be only a B+ day for the Pats due to the stubborn Denver defense, New England will manage the clock with first downs after the ball is punted to them time and time again due to the ineptitude of the Broncos offense, and will end up with a somewhat notable 28-10 victory.

Tebow, while not in victory, will righteously justify his creator by thanking the Almighty for the learning experience. As soon as the next Super Bowl Champion is done celebrating and spring camp is soon to open, the “Tebow polarization” question is still the NFL lead.

Houston @ Baltimore, Sunday @ 10:00am PST, CBS

There are a lot of people picking a Houston upset, yet the funny thing is, it is based on absolutely nothing other than a thirst for the unforeseen outcome. The bottom line is, Arain Foster alone won’t be enough to save the rookie-captianed cattle.

Baltimore has every advantage you can think of: home field, playoff experience, defense, quarterback play, and even the running back factor is a push at best for Houston. But even if Foster out-produces Ray Rice, there are simply too many disadvantages for the Texans to overcome.

While not quite a blow-out at the mid-point, the Ravens will come out after lunch and take control, outscoring Houston from the half somewhere in the range of 17-7, and coast into the AFC Championship game, 27-13. Baltimore in January is no place for a third-string, rookie quarterback. That’s a rule.

New York @ Green Bay, Sunday @ 1:30pm PST, FOX

The New York Giants can run the ball. The New York Giants can play in the elements. Eli Manning has solidified himself as an “elite” quarterback, which he so desperately tried to assert himself as to the media before the season got underway. But can Manning match the highest-tier of “elite level” that Aaron Rodgers is capable of in his own back yard?

Considering The Pack gets back from injury: starting guard Brian Bulaga, veteran tackle Chad Clifton and go-to receiver Greg Jennings; picking against Green Bay in the confines of Lambeau Field would tend towards the suicidal, I’m not looking to swallow cyanide just yet after only 31 years.

That being said, two weeks of rest for most of Green Bay’s starters may result in some rust for the favorite, as I wouldn’t be surprised if New York climbed out to a 7-0 or 10-0 lead early. But in the end, the frozen tundra, Sunday night momentum and juggernaut capabilities gets the Packers by with a defense that bends but doesn’t break, 31-20.

* * * * * * *

Baltimore @ New England and New Orleans @ Green Bay – could you ask for two better conference championship games? I guess you could if you are a fan of the teams picked to get beat? But that’s why… they play… the games.

Nothing is that easy to predict, right? Nothing is set in stone, right? Anyone’s crystal ball could end up being a bit foggy from time to time after all. But after a wild card weekend in which all the highest seeds advanced for the first time since god was an infant, the expected will again come to fruition.

Its time to separate the men from the boys. Favorites will rule and the conference championship games next weekend will feature those who we thought would end up remaining afterall. Yeaaa yeaaa Coach Green. Back off. The royalty check is already in the mail.

Podcasting at its finest...

Not to brag, but probably our best podcast yet! We hadn’t all been together for a Podcast for about five weeks, and the topics were many: Cal Poly Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Tim Tebow, Matt Kemp’s MVP snub, and more. Enjoy!

However, a certain majority of Bronco fans let their wishes be heard midway through the 4th quarter in the Monday night rain versus the hated Oakland Raiders. Denver found themselves down 10-points, and after an incompletion by Orton on a first down, the audible chant of “we want Tebow” could be heard without question.

What ensued was either a display of Orton becoming motived by the chorus of displeasure, or simply a display of how insanely fickle Bronco fans have become.  Or both.

Orton proceeded to lead his team down the field on a late-game touchdown drive in the driving rain to bring his squad within 3 with 3 minutes remaining.  The Broncos ended up losing by that same 3 points due to their defense not being able to tackle when they knew the Raiders were trying to run out the clock.  The lack of defense is only part of what should be recognized here.

What should also be recognized is the fact that a veteran quarterback capable of leading his team to a late 4th quarter touchdown should not be getting “booo’ed” by his hometown faithful. I believe this had less to do with Orton’s short leash and more to do with the power of Tebow’s jersey-selling prowlace.

An example like Tebow breeds fanatics that don’t think clearly or rationally. And some of these fanatics are not just fanatics of the religion of the orange crush, but fanatics of Evangelical Christianity. They believe Tebow is a soldier of Jesus, and could lead a sermon as well as he could an NFL offense. They believe that these two things are one in the same. While this generalization doesn’t pertain to all Tebow supporters, it is none the less blatantly evident with a good number of them.

As far as on the field, Tebow’s leadership qualities are hardly what is in question. He has proven he is ideal for the role of a leader, especially at the high school and college level, where athletes can break the mold at the quarterback position. The quarterback in the amateur ranks is a hybrid of his professional counterpart. He gets by with less arm and more feet, as he fakes, jukes and deeks. He is this way because of the advantage he can gain due to the confusion and lack of discipline of the amateur defender. This is not the case in the pros, not by any stretch of the imagination. And to believe otherwise requires an ever-present lack of impartiality.

The position on the professional level demands a certain skill set that goes beyond ‘rah-rah’ Friday-night motivational techniques. Precision with the forward pass is the name of the game, and this is something Tebow has yet to develop. And until he does, Kyle Orton is the best option you have Bronco fans. He is a top 20 NFL quarterback that can consistently make the average play a quarterback at the NFL level needs to make for his team to be successful.

That average play is one Tebow cannot make on an even closely consistent basis. While he may amaze you once or twice a game with a Tom Rathman-like rumble, what his arm lacks is not a trade-off that is even remotely feasible if your team is in the business of winning over the course of a long and arduous NFL season.

With Orton, Denver has the potential to be a respectable 8-9 win team and have a shot at the playoffs. With Tebow, Denver would be a 4-5 win team that would be the equivalent of an up-tempo practice session for most they would face.

The moral? The first contest of 16 does not make or break your season. And when the quarterback isn’t even close to the worst of your early-season problems, a display of impatience with your quarterback is narrow-minded and reeks of weakness by the fan.

Kyle Orton may not be able to walk on water Bronco fans, or Jesus fans, or both – but don’t be so quick to already want to nail him to the cross.