Coming into the 2013-2014 NFL season, many people expected that at least some version of the last four teams standing would be the Broncos, Seahawks, Patriots and 49ers. Most years, it doesn’t happen where the projected final four actually make it due to a magical run from a dark horse or incredible unforeseen season. But this year it has happened and for the NFL that is a very good thing.

AFC Championship

Can Tom Brady lead the Patriots to another Super Bowl win? First he will have to go through Peyton Manning and Denver. By Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA (Tom Brady) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

For Brady and the Patriots a win could mean an incredible feat of reaching the Super Bowl for a sixth time despite all the injuries and poor play from Brady throughout the season. For Manning, this game could make or break his legacy based off his previous playoff struggles.

NFC Championship

On the NFC side of things, the championship showcases two of the most exciting and best young quarterbacks in the NFL. Colin Kaepernick has already made it to the Super Bowl in his short career and Russell Wilson is looking to add to his impressive resume. Over the last few seasons, Seattle vs. San Francisco has become arguably the most heated rivalry in the NFL so it is only fitting that they meet for the NFC crown. Kaepernick and the 49ers have had their recent struggles playing in Seattle so it will be interesting to see how they respond in the NFC Title game.

No matter which two teams win this weekend, Super Bowl XLVIII will be a battle of new vs old. Either way the NFL and its fans will benefit from the matchup.

Who do you think will be in the Super Bowl?

When you think of greatness in the NFL, you think of success in the playoffs. Great players are the ones who are able to overcome adversity and lead their teams to both playoff and Super Bowl wins. A lot of the time, that greatness comes in the form of a team’s quarterback and more recently we have seen different quarterbacks become “great” right before our eyes. In today’s NFL, we think of Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning and even Joe Flacco last season. While all these players are great at what they do, I believe that one of them is a bit overhyped for his play in the playoffs despite all his greatness.

Despite being one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, Peyton Manning hasn’t experienced much playoff success. By Jeffrey Beall (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons

Manning had a season to remember in 2013. In the greatest statistical season ever by a quarterback, he piled-up 55 touchdowns, 10 interceptions while throwing for a record 5,477 yards. In the process, he led the Broncos to a 13-3 record along with the AFC West division title and the number one overall seed in the AFC playoffs.

We all know about Manning and his impressive numbers, but when the games have mattered a little more, he and his teams have just been average. Peyton had an historic 2013 but with another early playoff exit, his superlative regular season won’t seem as great, like others before it.

Injuries in sports are a sad but common occurrence especially in the game of football. Even with injuries, many teams are still able to compete and win games. Backup players are key for any team and the skill and value of backups can turn a good team to a great one. The Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots have been decimated by injury this season — especially on the offensive side of the ball — and although both teams are having trouble scoring the ball, they seem to win games. Both Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady have shown thus far into the season why they are firmly entrenched in the most elite group of quarterbacks in the NFL.

Even with injuries to his offense, Aaron Rodgers like Tom Brady has performed well this season. By Mike Morbeck, via Wikimedia Commons

Even with the loss to defensive star Clay Matthews, the Packers are only one game out of the division lead and they should be happy with the way they have played despite all the bad luck.

By the Numbers – Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers has thrown for 1,646 yards, 10 TD, and has a passer rating of 101.9 thus far.

The same thing can be said for the New England Patriots who have fallen victim to injuries yet still hold a record of 5-1. They have played all six games this season without both tight ends. Tom Brady has looked frustrated at times with the astonishing number of dropped balls his receivers have made this season. Losing Wes Welker to Denver was supposed to hurt the Patriots despite Danny Amendola being brought in to replace him. Even Amendola has missed time due to injury so the Patriots have had to rely on Kenbrell Thompkins, whom has emerged as a good young receiver for the Patriots.

Tom Brady has shown time and time again why he is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history and this season, he is showing why yet again.

By the Numbers – Tom Brady

Brady has thrown for 1,480 yards, 8 TD and has a passer rating of 79.5.

The New England Patriots…when you hear those words what do you think of?

Champions

Success.

Classy.

This has been the standard for the Patriots, but lately I have begun to question those words describing this organization.

Since 2000 the Patriots have won three Super Bowl titles all coming with future Hall-of-Famer Tom Brady at the helm, which is the most titles in the NFL in those 13 years. Led by Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots have been one of the most successful and highly praised sport teams in recent memory. Why is it that year in and year out, we as NFL fans praise the Patriots as an unshakable force to be reckoned with?

Will 2013 be the year that Tom Brady and the Patriots break the 8 year title drought? By Keith Allison (originally posted to Flickr as Tom Brady) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Here is a look at each of the Patriots seasons since their last title:

2005: [10-6], lost in Divisional Playoffs (Broncos)

2006: [12-4], lost in Conference Championship game (Colts)

2007: [16-0], lost in the Super Bowl (Giants)

2008: [11-5], missed playoffs

2009: [10-6], lost in Wild Card Playoffs (Ravens)

2010: [14-2], lost in Divisional Playoffs (Jets)

2011: [13-3], lost in the Super Bowl (Giants)

2012: [12-4], lost in Conference Championship game (Ravens)

While the Patriots have accomplished so much regular season success since their last Super Bowl title, they have failed to bring back the Lombardi trophy for a fourth time. Past success is important as it provides something for you to look back on and learn from but nowadays national sports fans are more focused on “what have you done for me lately.” I look at the Patriots as consistent contenders as they have been lucky enough to be a consistent playoff team year in and year out but like the Lakers and Yankees, to name a few, the Patriots organization has the mentality of championship or bust. Anything else is a disappointment and by this measure, New England has been a disappointing team for the second half of Tom Brady’s illustrious career.

What do you think? Have they been a bust? Do they have a prayer of making noise again this year with all their injuries and distractions?

The lightning rod of last week’s divisional playoff round was beyond confirmation, that the NFL is still the boss in the American sports arena. The excitement of the NFL continues the skyrocket, that preemptively pushes the bounds of the NFL brand frontier.

And it only gets better my friends.

A Super Bowl matchup of the Harbaugh brothers is still in the cards. By Ben Liebenberg / NFL (NFL.com) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Will the Baltimore Ravens be able to celebrate the soul of their leader Ray Lewis once again in the toughest possible confrontation they could draw?

Does Tommy Touchdown, eventually get over on his most glaring nemesis of a defensive opponent?

The answers I refuse to guarantee – but even after last week’s salvage of a 1-3 prediction, the questions I will never refuse to ask, and the potential answers to those questions I will never refuse to expound upon.

Of course, Kaepernick’s NFL record-breaking performance for most rushing yards by a quarterback in any game, ever (183), won’t be duplicated. Without a doubt, Atlanta’s defense won’t limp and chase with the same evident worthlessness Green Bay’s defense did last Saturday. However, that doesn’t mean Kaepernick won’t utilize his feet to their fullest extent once again.

San Francisco will only lose because of turnovers. If they value and secure the ball, it will be incredibly difficult for Atlanta to beat them, even in the Georgia Dome. And if the neck-bucking ostrich, converts 3rd downs at a rate of 61.5% for the second playoff week in a row, we might as well consider the filthy Niners will be headed to the Super Bowl.

With all the attention directed at Kaepernick’s record-breaking day, doesn’t Tom Brady still have a stake in all this? Captain America seems to be the forgotten man in this year’s NFL Playoffs.

The most decorated quarterback in the game is still in the mix and hungry for another ring. Photo By Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA (Tom Brady) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

And if it is, Solomon Wilcots‘ preemptive cut-away from Ray Lewis’ tearful post-game sermon better not be prioritized by network promos. The pimping of The Big Bang Theory or Two Broke Girls apparently took precedence over a first-ballot NFL hall-of-famer, possibly giving us our last positive memory of him in celebration.

Next time, CBS, stay with the reality nugget right in front of you! We have a living legend shedding tears on live camera! You might want to stick with that.  Dorks uncomfortable around women and two waitresses who don’t get tipped,  can wait!

In all seriousness, I know just as much as you do about all this NFL analysis stuff — and in all honestly, probably a whole lot less.

What I do know however is a menu. I’ll be the guy that brought the bacon-wrapped shrimp and won your Super Bowl Party.

Show me the barbeque.

You’re Welcome.

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.

For the last two weeks all I have heard – regarding Tom Brady – is about his “failures,” his age, his jitters and his lacking of a championship over the past six-plus years.

But is this fair?

The guy has the second best passer rating since 2001, behind thee Peyton Manning, and somehow someway, his three rings in ten years as a starting quarterback are all but forgotten?

Nope.

In fact, eat it Yonkers – New England 24, New York Giants 19.

While many gigante snake charmers strum their 2007 ju ju hex over what should have been the 19-0 New England Patriots, Tom Brady methodically prepares to show the world just how much of a one man show he can be.

And despite Eli’s ascension into quarter backing heralds, it’d be remiss to compare the two. Eli is good when he needs to be. Tom is great nearly all the time and below great (like last week) on rare occasions.

Despite Gronk’s bum ankle, I suppose Aaron Hernandez will take the majority of Brady’s dinks and dunks. And while the front-five of New York speed rush the fluid Brady, his counterparts: Hernandez and little muscle maestro, Wes Welker, will get in the open field against the third worst secondary in all of football.

And to cool some of the speculations regarding the Patriots woeful defense let me shed light on one blaring fact. Their defense is the conglomerated version of Eli Manning – good when it needs to be. Despite being ranked 31st as a secondary, the Pats are 15th in the red zone – ala “the strip” on Lee Evans two weeks ago.

So go ahead and jump ship America. Drink a bit more of the charmed Kool-Aid. Because while you nest in your woeful fabrications, Tom Brady will calmly collect his fourth ring, his Super Bowl MVP award and kiss the lips of a super woman named Gisele.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ7UGiNkUQw

The New England Patriots and the New York Giants will faceoff this Sunday in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI (46) – but this matchup is anything but “new.”

The Pats and G-Men have had many recent battles, highlighted by a Super Bowl Matchup no more than 4 years ago in Super Bowl XLII (42), as well as a regular season matchup this season.

Four years ago in the season’s pinnacle, not only did New York get over in the end with an Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress touchdown connection that ended up being the game winner, but in the same swoop, the Giants also ended the Patriots’ run at a perfect 19-0 season.

This year, Eli did it again to the Pats with a late game, lead-taking, back-shoulder-fade touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ballard with 15 seconds remaining. This is all the more fuel Brady and his teammates need to drive their juggernaut, offensive sports car to victory this time around.

One would be remiss if, while picking New England, didn’t make a point to note how Eli is coming of age, and how some are obviously undervaluing his potential impression on not only this game, but proactively, his now obtainable hall of fame career.

Manning has an 11/1 touchdown/interception ratio in his last 4 games. But Tom Brady happens to have a better passer rating than Eli in not only this regular season, but these playoffs as well.

The pass defense ranking of the Giants this regular season is 29th, which is not much to argue when comparing them to the 31st regular season ranking of New England’s, a pass defense who has been openly ostracized throughout these playoffs, much more than the Giants have been when comparing the overall similarity between the two.

I’ll take Brady versus a 29th ranked defense over Eli versus a 31st ranked defense. And even though the Giants have a total of 20 sacks in their last 5 games, I see the offensive line of the Pats stepping up and protecting their present day version of Joe Montana.

But let us not forget the advantage the recieving core of the Giants has over that of the Patriots. Let’s consider: Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham, Jake Ballard and Bear Pascoe; versus: Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Chad “Ochocinco” (uhhh…), Aaron Hernandez, and Rob Gronkowski in a high ankle-sprained boot. Any real bet would take the former before the latter. Vegas even has the odds of an Ochocinco single catch in the game versus a missed extra point near even money.

The deck is also stacked against New England in the running game. Even a random observer would take Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw over Benjarvis Green-Ellis and …… Danny Woodhead? Kevin Faulk? Stevan Ridley?

This disadvantage is where Tom Brady makes the difference and where first-ballot hall of famers make their mark. Even when they are sitting on 15 and the dealer is showing 19, they hit, and they pull a random 5 out of their back pocket and score big. Intangibles seem to always make the ultimate difference on the biggest of stages.

The trump card in the mix has to be coaching. History and a hand full of rings tells us Bill Bellichek has done wonders with extra time to prepare. Don’t sleep on this palpable advantage the Pats hold no matter what your Super Bowl party hacks have to say.

The joker in the whole cauldron is undoubtedly Peyton’s effect on the whole ordeal. It seems his dilemma is almost challenging the front seat, as the actual game itself rides shotgun. Unrightfully so.

Is Peyton stealing some thunder from his brother? Does the fact that this season’s penultimate contest is taking place in the stadium that Peyton built have some cosmic effect on the outcome? I suppose only shamans and exorcists know for sure.

All of this considered, once Sunday rolls around, and after all of the fanfare has finally come to a simmer, “dopey versus slick, country boy versus the city boy, $100 haircut versus $1,000 haircut” will become the singular forefront.

It will be a battle of quarterbacks. Of course.

It will be a test of one who is ahead, head-to-head, but behind all-time; versus one who is ahead, all-time, but behind head-to-head. This is the storyline, as it should be to the bitter end whenever it shows itself throughout the history of the final say.

So go right ahead – make your bet on whether or not some American Idol winner will foul up the lyrics of the Star Spangled Banner. Make your bet on whether or not a steaker will make his or her way onto the field during the game. Make your bet on whether or not Madonna will show her boob during the halftime show.

Just know none of that matters. Aside from all the circus, all the production, all the distraction; remember what does matter and what the game is all about at its core. Remember who wins and who loses, even in the preseason, and why.

Because that simplicity is what will ultimately will decide a champion – football team that plays better on this particular day versus football team that plays worse – nothing more, nothing less.

New England 28 – New York 24.

Stay drunk and full.

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.

Coach Ryan, you resemble a clown at a party trying to grab attention with balloon animals and a water-squirting flower in your shirt pocket. I’ve got news for you; kids over the age of five don’t even like clowns. And apparently that’s what you take this whole process as, a fun little birthday party designed for toddlers. The routine has become stale.

It seems hard to understand where this guy comes off? Did the ratings of his reality television stint on HBO’s Hard Knocks this pre-season inflate his ego? Congrats Rex, maybe you can bunk up with Vinny, Paulie and the Situation next season on the Jersey Shore. Make sure not to bring home any grenades from the club or you might get clowned, but you are already used to that.

Maybe it’s an aura of self-entitlement? He is after all the son of one of the greatest defensive minds professional football has ever seen, right? I don’t think Kevin Gilbride’s face agrees.

His father, Buddy, was the creator of the ’46’ or ‘Bear’ front that was ahead of its time and is still used today – on the high school football gridiron. Wow, the old man decided one day to jam the strong safety up on the line of scrimmage in an eight technique in the tight end’s face. What a novel concept. Hopefully his Canton parking spot is already reserved.

You would think a coach who has had every advantage through the ranks and undoubtedly got his first job in the business solely because of his last name would be a little more humble? The words coming out of this man’s mouth would lead the casual observer to believe he is speaking in front of a backdrop of Lombardi trophies.

He claims his bravado is because he wants to take all the pressure off of his players and lay it exclusively onto himself. Well, that idea is great in theory, but he fails to grasp the underlying and evident concept within that idea – just because the noise comes out of his mouth doesn’t make the other team want to beat his team any less. They don’t care where the motivation comes from. Coach or player, any material they can use from the opposition, they will.

Now the jowl-flapper’s new goal is to try and verbally infiltrate the Belichick compound that, as we are all aware of, is guarded tighter than Fort Knox. You’re no James Bond, Rex. In fact, Maxwell Smart makes you look ridiculous. The Pats are watching you dig your own grave, ‘and loving it.’

Ryan blathered earlier this week, “this isn’t about the players, its all about me versus Belichick, period.”

Uh, no coach. It has everything to do with the players and absolutely nothing to do with you versus Belichick. It would be one thing if you rivaled him somehow, but comparing yourself and your accomplishments to him and his is like comparing a collection of Olympic gold medals to a 5th grade track meet participation ribbon.

We are lead to believe that it is “all about” a coach with multiple super bowl rings versus a coach with three playoff wins to his name because you said so? Keep dreaming. And no, dad’s accomplishments don’t count.

It’s not just Ryan that is yakking. It seems this week Antonio Cromartie has been attempting to bait Tom Brady. The New York Post has even quoted him on the cover of a recent issue, “$@#% Brady.”

He has continued throughout the week with his outlandish statements and has been baited himself by the media, as it seems Cromartie has fallen into his own trap. He has taken as many shots at Brady and the rest of the Patriots this week as number of children he has fathered out of wedlock with different mothers – more than a handful.

Might I remind Antonio the fate of big-mouthed defensive backs when verbally challenging Brady and the Pats in the playoffs the week leading up to the game. Does a certain number twenty-seven in black and gold ring a bell? Three words: Anthony. Smith. Punked.

And not just punked, but punked of epic proportion. After proclaiming a guaranteed victory only to be beat on a deep ball for all the marbles late in the game, I believe he was then ousted out of football for good. Literally. Same day. Sources say he didn’t even get to shower before security escorted him off of the stadium premises. Will Cromartie be dealt a similar fate?

When questioned about Cromartie’s remarks this week, Ryan backpedaled, “without question, everyone on this roster respects Tom Brady.”

Oh yea? By everyone, you mean everyone except Cromartie, right? Nothing says respect like a direct blast that requires dollar and percentage signs when relayed in print.

You are a savant of blunt honesty, aren’t you coach? Or is it selective and only when it benefits you? Ryan must take people for idiots. Again, coach, you may be a clown, but we aren’t toddlers. Your spin doesn’t work on the media or the fans and it only makes you look even more foolish.

*

It’s almost as if the Jets are talking to themselves in a way, trying to drum up an actual scenario where they win in their own minds, like a consistent failure would do when transparently trying to make up for his shortcomings.

The way the Pats put a beat down on them in their last meeting, maybe they are more comparable to a Chihuahua who constantly and insignificantly keeps trying to bite your ankles, no matter how many times it gets shooed away.

The best part about this verbal spewing by the Jets is that the Pats don’t need to say anything. They don’t need to return fire. The fire coming from the Jets is coming from too great of a distance to even register on the Pats’ radar. The franchise with three super bowl rings this decade is confident on their veteran battleship. The franchise that hasn’t sniffed a super bowl in almost four decades is pathetically grasping from their rubber dingy.

The Pats are the quintessential ‘play with your pads’ team. If their skill in big games over the past decade had a mouth, it would rival that of Floyd Mayweather.

The fact is, it doesn’t. And that is more than just refreshing. It is perfect for the old-school fan to get behind when choosing between a team that talks with its pads and a team that has a mouth that writes checks its ass can’t cash.

All that considered, Ryan continued to ramble this week, “you shouldn’t like the other team you are playing right now, it’s the playoffs!”

Yes coach, you shouldn’t like the other team you are playing. No one in the sporting arena likes the opposition standing in the way of its goal. We understand that you need to find reasons to get fired up for the game. Such is the nature of this game of football.

However, to make this exercise a public spectacle and a media circus only raises the stakes to a level that will bust you completely sooner than later. It is the equivalent of shoving all your chips in the middle of the table with a marginal hand at best. Your only problem is the Pats love nothing more than to call bluffs. They have built a dynasty on it. News flash: the owner won’t keep giving you re-buys every time you bust out coach. The more you talk and lose, the sooner you get fired.

When considering Rex Ryan as a coach and what he is so desperately trying to accomplish, my mind keeps coming back to one common theme; and that is the direct relationship between super bowl champion coaches and a calm confidence that exudes from them and doesn’t need to be at all overt.

Bill Bellichick comes to mind. So does Bill Walsh. There is a reason why Mike Ditka and your daddy as his assistant were one-hit wonders. The talkers at the podium during the week don’t win the ultimate prize year after year. They never do. The ones that talk with actions on Sundays end up hoisting multiple Lombardi’s.

You want to become a super bowl winner someday, coach? A piece of advice for you: keep it under the radar. Quit giving endless bulletin board material.

Your big theme for the season speech to the team that was filmed in training camp for Hard Knocks comes to mind, “$@&% being the hunters, we want to be the hunted! We want to play from on top and have all the pressure! We want people always coming after us!” (And apparently talk every form of trash in the book along the way). What a misguided idiot.

Contrary to that, quit giving teams reasons to see themselves as the hunters and you the hunted. Predators last longer than prey. It’s not an opinion; it’s a fact of nature. There was this guy named Darwin…. oh… well… never mind.

The more teams have reasons to really come after you, the higher the probability that you will get beat than would be otherwise. It’s a simple concept.

And the sad fact is teams don’t want to beat you now because you are on top. You aren’t on top. They want to beat you simply because you talk too much! What a greatly advantageous place to be!

You want to have success in doing something where you can put yourself way out there on a limb? I would forget coaching in the NFL and stick to posting homemade foot-fetish videos.

-Andrew Stevens