Let the NFL Playoffs begin!

As you may have noticed, I did not do a week 16 power ranking. This is because when so much of the playoffs are set teams rest their players and often lose games they wouldn't normally lose. As I grade my power rankings based on the results of the games the next week it would have been impossible to grade a week 16 power ranking. I hope you understand.

However, now that the NFL regular season is over, I've taken a look at my NFL preview post and here are the results of how I did:

Here are the standings for each division. Those teams in bold are the ones that I had selected before the season began:

NFC
Division Winners
Dallas Cowboys (Bye)
Green Bay Packers (Bye)
Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Wild Card Teams
New York Giants
Washington Redskins

AFC
Division Winners
New England Patriots (Bye)
Indianapolis Colts (Bye)
San Diego Chargers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Wild Card Teams
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans

If I award one point for each division winner, one point for correctly awarding the bye week, one point for each wild card team, and one point for correct division to provide a wild card team then there would be 20 possible points. I would have earned 8 points. That's 40%. Not too terrible.

here's how I stand in regards to my original playoff predictions: Both of my Super Bowl teams are still alive. Three of my four Conference teams still have a chance. Five of my eight Division teams are in the playoffs. But I only have two of the Wild Card Weekend teams in the playoffs. If I award 5 points for a Super Bowl team, 3 points for a conference championship team, 2 points for a division team and 1 point for a wild card weekend team, there would be 46 possible points. I'd have 31. That's 67%. Much better!

So, with the Wild Card weekend teams set, here's how I see the playoffs playing out:

NFC

Wild Card Weekend
NYG @ TB winner TB
WASH @ SEA winner WASH

Division
WASH @ DAL winner DAL
TB @ GB winner GB

Conference
GB @ DAL winner DAL

AFC

Wild Card Weekend
JAX @ PITT winner JAX
TN @ SD winner SD

Division
JAX @ NE winner NE
SD @ INDY winner SD

Conference
SD @ NE winner NE

Super Bowl

DAL vs NE

winner
NE

And here is a brief power ranking for the 12 teams in the playoffs:

New England

Until they are defeated, they stay #1.

Dallas

Their loss to Washington won't happen again. This year, the 'Boys have proven they know how to win!

San Diego

What a winning streak! You look like the SD of old. Where were you for the first 10 games of the season?

Indianapolis

Their second string almost defeated the Titans. This team just won't go away.

Jacksonville

When asked what team they fear the most, Jacksonville received the second most votes. They'd be good enough to be a division winner if they played in the North or West!

Green Bay

That loss to Chicago looked BAD! It was a cold weather game ~ Your speciality. How do you expect to win in Dallas?

Pittsburgh

You've limped into the playoffs going 2-3 for your last 5. Unlucky draw getting Jacksonville first.

Tampa Bay

I'd rather see Minnesota in the playoffs than you. You're lucky that you drew the Playoff inept Giants in the first round.

New York Giants

Your performance against the Pats was impressive! Can you carry that momentum into the post season? I just don't see Eli playing to flawless games in a row, sorry.

Washington

Another team that doesn't belong here. Yeah you won four in a row to make it, but it's also because the Vikings couldn't close it out. Very lucky that you drew Seattle, they're the only NFC team you can beat.

Seattle

It's one thing when Brady and Co. decide not to run the ball, it's another thing entirely when it's Hasselbeck Inc. Try playing in another division and you aren't even a wild card team.

Tennessee

Yet another team that shouldn't be here. It's unfortunate that Cleveland choked against Cinci. You could barely beat the Colt's B-team. It doesn't matter who you play, you are one and done.

The rankings will continue until the Super Bowl!

Who has the Right to faith...the Left?

Once again, the left exposes their double standards and their true feelings towards honest faith. Presidential candidate I <3 Huckabee recently put out a Christmas "political" ad in which he basically apologizes for the number of political ads that have run this season and wishes viewers a merry Christmas season. In this ad there is a bookcase in the background that could possibly resemble a cross. Horror of horrors! Not only that, but he wishes people a "Merry Christmas" and references Jesus Christ as the reason for the holiday. Shame on him!

At the outrage announced by those who oppose such public displays of faith, I'd like to pose two questions. First, Huckabee (who is a minister! Should we really be surprised?) comes right out and says that the reason for Christmas is the birth of Christ. It's not implied, it's not suggested, it is explicit! However, the ire from those who like to find reasons to be offended have not mentioned this comment. Rather, their biggest beef is with the fact that the bookcase in the back is lit in such a way that it looks like a cross. (Better not have Hillary in front of any windows. You never know with those pesky panes...) So, my question is this: Why is the birth of Jesus so much less offensive than His death on the cross? The complaint is about the image of the cross, not the mention of Christ's birth. Perhaps people don't realize that He had to be born before He could die...

My second question is, perhaps, more to the point of this post. During this election season, the left has attempted to convince the common voter that they are just as religious as the next (conservative) candidate. Time magazine dedicated seven pages to the faith of the Liberal '08 Presidential candidates (and only the Liberal '08 Presidential candidates). They listed, among other things, their favorite hymns (75% of which were Amazing Grace (could that be because it's the only one they know?)) and favorite Bible verses (75% percent of which were John 3:16 (see previous parenthetical comment)). Yet here is a conservative candidate expressing the very same belief system that the liberals are claiming to possess ~ and he's getting slammed for it. I must have missed the memo that stated that once the left used a political strategy, the right was henceforth forbidden from employing it (even though said strategy was originated by the right.) How seriously are we expected to take the Democrats if while, on one hand, their candidates are expressing their deeply held religious convictions, and on the other they are decrying a Republican candidate because he does the same? (Isn't this the same party that likes to remove the nativity scenes from local greens?) What if the right attempted to gain votes by using the left's strategy of instilling false fear due to Global Warming and then denounced the left for actually using that same time-tested scheme? Wouldn't we be hearing about the two-faced-ness of the right? I've been listening to people complain about this "advertisement" (which is not an ad at all, simply a "season's greetings" after which he had to say that he "approved the message") for about a week now, yet I have not heard anyone mention the fact that the left is also proclaiming their faith in 2008.

It drives me a little crazy that the liberals of this country get to talk about of both sides of their mouths and no one blinks, yet anytime there even appears to be hypocrisy from the right it's the leading story on every news program.

So, the three questions (two that I've discussed above and another thrown in for good measure) that I seem unable to resolve in my head are:

Exactly what is so offensive about a child born in a stable to a young poor couple displaced by a government-required journey 2000 years ago?

Why is His cruel death as an innocent person hung on a tree between two thieves so much more offensive than his humble beginnings?

Finally, why is the left so upset about a conservative candidate not hiding his faith when they are claiming to believe the same message as him?

Anyone? Anyone? Beuller?

NFL Power Rankings Week 15

The post season is really taking shape now. There are six teams that advance to the dance in the NFL. Please feel free to not the two playoff bound teams that do not have the honor of being on Just My Opinion:Just the Facts. Also note that they are both division leaders. (You may further wish to note that one of them is leading a division from which zero players were selected for the Pro Bowl. Not one man from a team in the NFC South will be in Hawaii!) With out further ado (or further noting) here are this weeks Power Rankings:

1)New England (13-0) Last week: 1

It seems that the weather may be conspiring to prevent Brady from overtaking some of the records he's chasing this year. With the inclimate climate in Foxboro the Pats had to go to the ground to beat the Jets 20-10. That leaves Brady with needing over 330 passing yards per game to hold the single season passing record for yardage, and at least 2 TD Passes per game (both to Randy so he can break Rice's record) to have his name next to the single season TD Passing record over Peyton. This and the pursuit of perfection should be enough to keep the Pats playing hard (as though Belichick would allow anything else) as they cruise into the post season. Final Foes: 1-13 Miami and 9-5 Giants. You should go 2-0. That's what most of us are hoping for. Whether we like the Pats or not, we want to see history being made. (if the Jets really wanted to hurt NE, they should have waited until this week to claim spying. That way we'd look back and question the whole season rather than the first game. Because they were caught week one, we can assume they've accomplished this feat without the use of any extra cameras on the sidelines. Don Shula thinks there should be an asterisk by this season because of "spy-gate." Of course he does! He was the coach of the '72 Dolphins!)

2)Green Bay (12-2) Last week: 3

Football fans say the NFL is more exciting because every game counts. Few things could prove that more true than last weeks match-ups. With a huge loss by Dallas there is a slight glimpse of hope that the 'Boys may have to head to GB for the playoffs! If Dallas loses either of the two games remaining and you don't, it's yours! And a 33-14 win over STL is some pretty good momentum. Final foes: 5-9 Chicago & 6-8 Detroit

3)Dallas (12-2) Last week: 2

A crushing defeat! Not only was it a loss, but it was to your division rival Eagles! TO must have been livid to lose to his former team! It was ugly, too. You didn't have the weather to contend with like Pitt/Jax, NE/NYJ, or Buff/Cleve. Just Tony's new girlfriend. Some say it was because your new flame Jessica Simpson was in the stadium that you played so terribly. They cite the fact that you played awful the last time a gal pal came to watch when Carrie Underwood was in the luxury boxes... Word of wisdom, tell them to watch it on your wide-screen plasma HD TV, they can see you better there anyway! You've got a playoff berth, but you're fighting for that number 1 spot in the NFC. Final Foes: 6-8 Carolina & 7-7 Washington

4)Indianapolis (12-2) Last week: 4

Well, you locked up the #2 seed in the AFC with a 21-14 win over Oakland. I'm not sure what's happening with your team. The score was 10-3 for most of the game and Oakland isn't very good. In fact, at one point they were leading 14-13 late in the game! Having to come from behind against the Raiders is no way to start the playoffs. Looks like you may be missing Harrison more than we first thought. Final Foes: 7-7 Houston & 8-6 Tennessee

5)Jacksonville (10-4) Last week: 5

JMO:JTF is proud of the call they made regarding your game. Pittsburgh had been undefeated at home this year at 7-0. You were reeling from the INDY loss and Pitt had something to prove after losing to NE. Yet, JMO:JTF was among the few that said that you, the underdog, was going to upset the big bad Steelers on their home turf, and you did! It was a close game, but you came out on top and those are the ones that are key to win! Finish strong and carry some of that fire into the hunt for the Bowl! Final Foes: 4-10 Oakland & 7-7 Houston

6)Minnesota (8-6) Last week: 6

While I expected you to send the Bears into early hibernation, they nearly chased you back to Greenland! You managed to pull out a win but made far too many mistakes that really would have burned you against a playoff caliber team. While the win keeps you in the hunt for the last playoff spot in the NFC, you've got some other teams itching to see you falter. You face one next week as you line up against your Final Foes: 7-7 Washington & 6-8 Denver

7)San Diego (9-5) Last week: 8

51 points! It's an accomplishment to score over 40. 51! This is the SD we wanted to see all year! A potent LT, a high scoring offense, and a string of wins in a row! You're headed to the post season and let's hope you get farther this year than last. I dunno though, your previous coach did amazing in the regular season, then lost in the playoffs. Does that mean you new coach will do just the opposite? Final Foes: 6-8 Denver & 4-10 Oakland

8)Pittsburgh (9-5) Last week: 7

What came as a surprise to many was not one to JMO:JTF. With the Pro Bowl selections out and some of your key players being snubbed, maybe this will be bulletin board material to get them to play harder. Cleveland is breathing down your neck trying to take the division from you. You can hold them off if you win out, but they are playing like the Browns of old. Don't look back, they're right behind you! Final Foes: 3-11 St. Louis & 4-10 Baltimore

9)Cleveland (9-5) Last week: 10

As professionals, you hate having to play in that kind of weather. As a non-professional, I wish I could've bundled up and played an all out smash-yer-face-into-the-snow game of tackle football with my friends in a blizzard like that! An impressive win 8-0 over Buffalo. A kicker who aims 25 feet to the left of the uprights only to have the wind curve it back in and hit the support bar again! The way you've been playing, I would not want to face you in these last two weeks. The post season may be different due to the lack of playoff experience on your team. But right now you are entertaining, playing great, and almost in the playoffs for the first time in years! Final Foes: 5-9 Cincinnati & 4-10 San Fransisco

10)New York Giants (9-5) Last week: 9

Here comes the end of the year slide. It was quite surprising to see you lose 22-10 to Washington. You'll need some better luck in the future... I'd tell you to break a leg, but you've already got that covered! Shockey, Petitgout, Kiwanuka, and Ward all out with fractures or breaks to their fibula (one of the two bones that connects the knee to the ankle). These are four major keys to victory for you. One would almost think you could weather losing Manning better than those four! You haven't yet secured a post season slot. You have to win one more. Better do it this week because the week after isn't looking too good! Final Foes: 7-7 Buffalo & 14-0 New England

Off: No one. While the Giants have lost some consistent contributors, I'd like to see what they can do against before they are removed entirely from the list. Besides, who would join the rankings in their place? TB? no. Seattle? uh-huh. TN? Absolutely not.

I saw the most pitiful spectacle this week. Miami beat Baltimore in overtime to win their first game of the season. They certainly should have lost this game. Had Baltimore gone for the win in the closing seconds rather than the tie, that would most likely have ended it. Baltimore got the ball first in OT and missed a game winning field goal. Then, inexplicably, the Raven safeties decided to take a lunch break as the Dolphins ran a short slant across the middle designed to gain 5-7 yards that went for 64 yards, a TD, and the end of their pursuit of pestilence. The sad part (besides their actually winning) was the celebration they held in the end zone following the touchdown. You'd think they just won the Super Bowl, the Rose Bowl, or perhaps even some minor really long sponsored illogically named bowl (the Sunshine State Firestone Snow Tires Rogain Mary Kay Bowl). Or perhaps some major milestone was achieve as a team (the 1000 win for example). Nope, they are now 1-13 and they are celebrating because they are still mathematically capable of 3-13. It almost brings a tear to one's eye...

Non-Sports!

Ok, I've taken some time to post about non-sports things. Even though the Mitchel report is out (listing 83 MLB Players who have taken performance enhancing drugs) I'm going to stick to purely non-sports material. Here's the table of contents: The Writer's Strike, I Am Legend, Politics, ending with I'm not making this up

Writer's Strike: I think this is ridiculous! I really don't think the leaders of the Writer's Union thought this one out. I've been attempting to hold my tongue on this situation, but it's gone on too long for me to keep quiet any longer. First question: Why would the studios give in? What do they have to lose? Reality TV is just as big as it ever was with new shows debuting daily! (Clash of the Choirs, Crowned: the mother of all pageants, and The Next Great American Band to name a few) Let's not forget the barrage of game shows that are invading our homes! (Duel, Don't forget the lyrics, Singing Bee, and that true-or-no-money show) All this strike is doing is forcing the studios and producers to invent newer and dumber ways to make shows that don't require writers. The TV stations are running repeats and garnering about 80% of their regular audience so it's not hurting them too badly. Second question: What are they striking for? Internet and on demand airings of their show! They want to be paid for each one! How does this make any sense? I can log onto NBC.com and view an episode of the Office for free, so where do the writers think the studios are going to get the money to pay them for the viewing? Are they going to start charging for each access? Guess what, they're gonna have a lot fewer people accessing their shows! As I expected certain writers are "making deals" with their individual shows so they can start making some money again. This strike will have no effect on how this new medium is handled. And if the writers truly wanted to make a point, their signs should have been blank.

Movie review I Am Legend: I'd like to begin by saying that I'm glad I learned a few more details about this movie before I actually saw it. Had I not been alerted to this massive portion of the story I'd have felt completely misled, duped, and hoodwinked. The previews in absolutely no way inform the potential audience member what this movie is about. All we know is that it's Cast Away in New York City where the part of Tom Hanks is played by Will Smith and the part of Wilson is played by a dog. I Am Legend is actually supposed to be a suspenseful scary movie. But, like most modern scary films, every scare was cheap, with a sudden visual and loud noise. There were no clever reveals, no dramatic irony, no intelligent scary moments. I shouldn't expect anything more from a director whose only made music videos and the Keanu Reeves film Constantine. Before I begin with the spoilers, if you don't mind not actually knowing what a movie is about and enjoy stories that are too slow at times and don't take full advantage of each opportunity, then go see I Am Legend. Otherwise, wait for the DVD. OK CAUTION: THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS SPOILERS. Here's what I'm SO glad I found out: This is a Vampire movie! You read that correctly! The cure for cancer causes a sickness that becomes airborne and kills 95% of humanity. Of those that survive, 1% were immune, the other 4% illicit symptoms that resemble vampires: high susceptibility to UV light, aggression, hunger for blood. Will Smith was immune and is attempting to discover a cure. While the previews are misleading, the direction lacking, and the story contrived, the message is somewhat redeeming. If I so desired, I could uncover several Christian themes. There is a disease that seems to effect all of mankind. It takes one who is immune to it to spill his own blood to rescue everyone. Also, there was some discussion regarding God's hand in the catastrophe. The most memorable line referencing that is Will's when he says, "God didn't do this, we did this." True regarding sin as well. Lots of CGI, some philosophical moments, decent acting in the confines of a disappointing story. 2 stars out of 5. I say catch a matinee or wait for the DVD, don't drop a Hamilton on this one.

Politics: Joe Lieberman (D) just endorsed John McCain (R) for president. He didn't endorse a fellow Democrat, he didn't even endorse his Connecticut comrade Christopher Dodd (D)! Is the Democratic party leaving their moderate members in the dust? If McCain doesn't win the nomination, will Lieberman return to his side of the aisle and endorse the Blue State candidate? I hope not. Perhaps this is just payback for the Democratic party supporting his opponent as he ran for re-election. Lieberman lost in the primaries and was forced to run as an independent. When he won, he promptly changed back to the Democratic party so they'd retain their narrow margin in the Senate. Looks like someone hasn't forgotten... I love politics, it's so much like junior high it makes my face break out.

I'm not making this up: A doctor in NY who donated sperm to a lesbian colleague, so that she and her partner could have children, has been ordered to pay child support. Did I mention the boy is now 18 and headed off to college? The doctor admits that for the first few years of the boy's life he sent gifts and cards signing them "Dad." However, before he was a teenager, the boy's moms took him out of state. Since the move, the doctor has spoken to him about once every other year on the phone and has not sent any gifts or cards. This is nothing more than a despicable attempt to legally extort money from a man who did something he thought was a good deed. If you truly needed the money, why didn't you take this action 15 years ago? Why did you wait until at least 7 years after he stopped sending the cards? Is he taking the position away from someone else? There are two women raising this boy, is one of them his dad? What judge thought this was a good idea?! There are two lessons in this: 1) Always get it in writing! It was agreed verbally that the doctor would have no responcibility in raising the child, but he has no proof of that. 2) I have to agree with the doctor's lawyer when she said, "I guess it's true, no good deed goes unpunished!" (The articles that I've read list only one woman, I wonder where the other one is...) Just in case you are wondering, this isn't the only account of such preseedings. A court in Washington ruled that a donor is not liable for child support unless they signed something accepting some sort of responcibility. However, a court in Pennsylvania ruled that a man was responsible finacially because he purchase a gift for the child born due to his donation. And the situation that is most infuriating is that of a lesbian couple in the UK. They had a child with a donor, then they separated. Now the woman who has custody of the child is seeking child payments from the donor. Not the woman who had agreed to be a parent to this child, no no, that would make too much sense! Do we see the messes we create when we try to play god?

Any thoughts from my readers? Feel free to disagree, after all, these are just my opinion.

NFL Power Rankings Week 14

The playoff picture is shaping up as several teams have already clinched their divisions. A few remain undecided and the wild card teams are hoping that they get to go to the big dance! Here's how the teams currently sit on the Just My Opinion:Just the Facts Power Rankings:

1)New England (13-0) Last week: 1

14-13 at the half. A Brady to Moss to Brady to Gaffney bomb to start the second half and you never looked back! Your fans must have enjoyed watching you return to the form they've grown accustomed to this season. Two slam dunks with division "rivals" Miami and New York up next. Then a trip to the Meadow Lands as the New York Giants remain the final hurdle on your journey to the perfect season. I think 13-0 is an ok time to start seriously considering that it may actually happen! Brady needs 5 more TD passes to surpass Mannings single season record and Moss needs to catch 4 of them to surpass Rices record. Watch for both to happen against the Jets as they experience the payback for "Spy-gate!"

2)Dallas (12-1) Last week: 2

WOW! 18 seconds left when you took the lead! This win was solely due to the ineptitude of the Detroit Coaching staff! They gave you too much time at the end of the first half, as you scored during the final minute, and then they let you do it again in the final seconds of the second half, on a play that any Dallas fan with eyes knew was coming: Romo to Witten up the left seam! The only reason you don't drop is because of the thumping you gave GB last week! The good teams win late, but that was pushing it!

3)Green Bay (11-2) Last week: 3

Another powerful win as you clinch your division! 38-7 vs the Oakland Recliners is a bit more than expected. Perhaps you shouldn't have been running up the score like that. Good momentum, though... You've gotta keep your team focused as you head into 3 weeks of relatively meaningless games.

4)Indianapolis (11-2) Last week: 4

Wow, talk about piling it on! 30-0 before the end of the first half! Baltimore must have used all they had in their attempt to defeat the best team in the NFL last week and had nothing to offer the Colts. They looked pretty bad out there. With the first round bye basically in the bag, you too have to find a way to motivate your players, especially as you face your upcoming daunting opponents. With contests against such foes as Oakland and Houston, I really don't expect you to lose again. (Which means you'll probably drop the final game of the season to TN at home. You usually surprise everyone by doing things like that!

5)Jacksonville (9-4) Last week: 5

You made quite a rebound! Although, taking your aggression out on CAR for the whuppin' you got from Indy doesn't make up for the loss. Right now you are the front runner for a WC spot, but you have to keep winning to stay there! Even though you do face Oakland (It seems like everyone on the list has the benefit of playing them as the season winds down) you also have to over come Pittsburgh and Houston at home. They just beat TB so don't count that one before the final horn!

6)Minnesota (7-6) Last week: 6

You proved that you belong this high in the rankings by squaring the 49ers 27-7! You have a four game winning streak, you've taken over the second WC spot in the NFC, and in the last 3 games, you've out-scored your opponent 110-34! You may only be 7-6 but you are a force to be reckoned with and I would not want to face you at this point in the season!

7)Pittsburgh (9-4) Last week: 7

Don't feel bad. No one really expected you to win. And if your safety Anthony Smith hadn't guaranteed it, no one really would have noticed that you didn't. I saw him get beat deep twice! Which means he probably gave up another play or two that I missed. You better focus more on playing and less on talking as you have Jacksonville and Baltimore yet to overcome if you want to keep your lead in the division over the Cleveland Browns!

8)San Diego (8-5) Last week: off

Welcome back! You haven't visited us since you were removed having lost to Jacksonville the week after you defeated Indy! However, after looking at your schedule and the games you've won, and after noticing that you are on a 3 game winning streak, and after realizing that though Seattle has a better record, they have a much weaker schedule, JMO:JTF has decided to have you back on! You really ought to finish out 2-1 with Detroit Denver and Oakland up next. Looks like though you started 1-3 that you just might be headed to the post season!

9)New York Giants (9-4) Last week: 8

Squeaked by the Eagles. You haven't yet locked down that place in the playoffs and there are a lot of hungry NFC teams waiting to take your reservations! Division foe Washington would love to be a spoiler and Buffalo has been a hit or miss team this year. You don't know which Bills team you are going to face! You can just count the final game against the Pats as a loss right now! is 11-5 enough?

10)Cleveland (8-5) Last week: 10

The Jets could have won this week. Lucky for you they stuck to their plan of consistently finding a way to lose! With Buffalo, Cinci, and SF as your final showdowns, it's difficult to say for certain that you are in. You nearly have to win out. Can you do it?

Off: Tampa Bay. I give you some props by putting you up to 9th spot and you make me regret it by losing to Houston! Not just Houston, but a hurt Houston without their starting QB or RB! You were the only team that prevented JMO:JTF from having a perfect week! With the ease of your remaining schedule, even if you win out, I don't expect to see you back on this list until we start talking about the playoffs.

And Miami remains winless! Only Baltimore, New England and Cinci remain. Looks like they've one real chance left, the same week the Pats play for perfection!

NFL Power Rankings Week 13

Oh my! I thought that I had posted this but there it sat in "draft" status (just like Marcus Vick) on my blog. Terribly sorry! Well, to end the suspence, here is what Just My Opinion: Just The Facts said before all of this week's games were played:

1)New England (12-0) Last week: 1

Two weeks of mortality! Is this just a "Market correction?" No better time to do it than against teams that shouldn't beat you to begin with! Of course, you can't afford to play that way against Pittsburgh. Well, maybe you can, they fell a notch or two this week anyway. Win this week and only the Giants stand the way of perfection!

2)Dallas (11-1) Last week: 2

No problem against Green Bay! I never doubted it. I didn't see it, but I never doubted it. Even though 3 of your last 4 are on the road, facing a spiralling Detroit and an up-again-down-again Philly, and a bottom of the pack 'Skins team, you should have a good chance of going 15-1. Carolina looks to be the only real opponent you have left. 15-1... What a year to do that! only to be over shadowed by a 16-0 Pats and an 0-16 Dolphins!

3)Green Bay (10-2) Last week: 3

Tough to win when you lose an MVP candidate. Though surprising sucess from his back-up! You also have a rose-garden stroll into the post season: Oakland, at St. Louis, at Chicago, and Detriot at home. Your only two losses could be to the only two teams that have been above you on this ranking the entire season! That says quite a bit about you as a team (and just a little about me as a judge of NFL power...)

4)Indianapolis (10-2) Last week: 5

I'm just going to start every description of you with "False start, Offense, #18, 5 yard penalty, repeat the down." until someone actually calls the rule! Ok, so I was wrong. You handled the Jags relatively easily. It'll be interesting to see how you manage in the post season this year. My calculations give you a first round bye, but you know how much you hate coming into Foxboro in the winter. Hey Peyton, I have your Super Bowl tickets here. Do you want the 50 yd line or luxury box?

5)Jacksonville (8-4) Last week: 4

Come on! You are built specifically to defeat your divisional rival! When was the last time you did it?! Was it while Dungy was coaching in Tampa Bay? Or while Peyton was playing PeeWee football?! You've got a good chance at a wild card spot and if you make it past the Chargers (the team you'd likely play) you'll have another shot at Indy (Providing Cleveland defeats Pittsburgh. Which is possible, we'll get a preview after Pitt losses to Brady, Moss, and Co.

6)Minnesota (6-6) Last week: off

To debut at number 6 on the chart means I've missed something! Your late season surge is paramount to that of the Rockies or Phillies of the MLB (More the Rockies though, as the Phillies "surge" required a Mets "self destruct" whereas yours requires no other team to lose.) You shrunk the Giants and dismantled Detroit! Winners of three in a row and on your way to the playoffs! Where did you come from (and don't say Scandinavia!)?

7)Pittsburgh (9-3) Last week: 6

If you had been playing any other team besides the Bungles (save Miami) you would not have won that game! Wille Parker put the ball on the ground 7 seven times! Twice recovered by the Steelers, once incorrectly overturned by official review, and four times turned over. What did the men in the orange jumpsuits do with it? NOTHING! Lost to the Jets? Won 3-0 over Miami? I don't expect this team to give NE a hard time, though there are many who think the streak ends next week. I'm pretty sure New England will be 13-0 when they face the Dolphins and Jets in weeks 14 and 15.

8)New York Giants (8-4) Last week: 8

Proving once again why there are only three NFC teams above you on the list, you easily handled Chicago. I don't expect too much trouble from division rival Philly this week as they've been stumbling recently. Looks like a wild card spot for you, can you over-come last year's unfortunate finish against Seattle? Or will it be one and done?

9)Tampa Bay (8-4) Last week: 10

Talk about sneaking under the radar. You haven't even done anything amazing except win and take the division. Let's see what you can do now that you are under the microscope of some JMO: JTF scrutiny

10)Cleveland (7-5) Last week: 9

You lost to Arizona! Normally, that's grounds for banishment from the list, but no one else did anything worthy of addition. That and I've been impressed with your recent victories. Keep it up and you may see post season play!

Off: Detriot. You've lost four in a row! And you're facing Dallas next week, that doesn't look too promising! You nearly had me believing that Kitna could bring you into the playoffs... I feel silly.

And Miami remains winless! With Buffalo, Baltimore, New England and Cinci left. They better win this week or their last chance is against the Bungles!

ok, so, again, sorry it's so late. Next weeks rankings will be up in a day or so

NFL Power Rankings Week 12

Whadaya know? I'm getting the rankings up before any of the games this week! It's week one of the NFL network sticking it to the majority of NFL fans as two 10-1 teams face of on their over-priced, under-available station! Some of my friends are going to a bar to watch the game, but I won't give the No Football the Live network the satisfaction. I call for a boycott! The greatness of the NFL used to be that everyone could see their games. Now they are going the way of MLB, and I don't like it one bit! But I digress. On to the real reason for this post: Just My Opinion: Just The Facts Power Rankings:

1)New England (11-0) Last week: 1

Philly actually made NE look mortal! They found a weakness in the NE defense: the in route! Of course, this just means that Jedi Master Belichick (or is he Sith? I suppose that depends on which team you root for) will devise a way to stop it. He is like the robot on The Incredibles: When you find a way to defeat it, it finds a way to overcome it. I considered dropping NE to #2 following this poor defensive performance, but I didn't think that GB or Dallas could overcome Brady and Co. So here they stay, at #1.

2)Dallas (10-1) Last week: 2

Shame on you for piling it on! 34-3 over the hapless Jets! (Oh, wait, you don't play in Foxboro, so it's ok if you do it.) The big show-down is this week! You're playing to force GB to come to Dallas in the postseason. You certainly don't want to have to head to the frozen tundra in January! Your secondary is suspect, but without a running game to keep you honest, you should be able to defeat Favre and the Packers. I think you'll win by 4.

3)Green Bay (10-1) Last week: 3

Had you beaten Detroit like Dallas beat the Jets you might actually have visited the #2 spot this week, but you allowed Kitna a chance to win! If you want to defeat Romo, you can't give him the same opportunity, he'll capitalize.

4)Jacksonville (8-3) Last week: 4

You are one of the participants in the best game that people will actually see this week as you showdown against your division rival the Colts! Garrard is approaching an NFL record of most passing attempts without and INT! You're firing on all cylinders and I think you leave Indy after handing Peyton "False Start" Manning his third loss of the season!

5)Indianapolis (9-2) Last week: 5

Shame on you for piling it on! 34-13 over the hapless Falcons! (Oh, wait, you don't play in Foxboro, so it's ok if you do it. And it was ok when you did it in 2004 and 2005, too. But again, not a team run by Belichick, not a team from NE, it's acceptable.) Still no Harrison, no Freeny, not looking like you once did. You are struggling (and losing) to teams that you shouldn't be (TN, HOU, SD). I believe (yes, and hope) you fall into the grouping of the 9-3 after this week!

6)Pittsburgh (8-3) Last week: 5

Welcome back to the top 5. You beat Miami 3-0 and normally winning by such a small margin over a team that may go 0-16 would plummet you on the list (maybe even off the list!) But no one can fault you in a game where a punt hit the ground and stuck like a javelin! You're ground crew falls a few notches, but you over came the swamp that they called a field, the rain, and the fish to win the game. That is no small feat.

7)Detroit (6-5) Last week: 8

For the second week in a row you've lost the game and moved up in the power rankings! Having a chance to win on Turkey day over Green Bay when you were down by three scores is something to be proud of. You couldn't close the deal, but the fact that there was even some doubt raises you up to #7.

8)New York Giants (7-4) last week: 6

Four interceptions. Three run back for six points! I could understand it if you were playing your brother, or that team that piles it on... but no one, no one should lose 41-17 to the Vikings! Is this yet another late season collapse? Should NY be looking for a new QB? Looks like the little brother isn't going to live up to the hype!

9)Cleveland (7-4) Last week: 10

Cleveland has moved up! The first time in team history they are at #9! I don't think anyone thought the Browns would be 7-4 at this point in the season. I also don't think anyone thought they'd be in the top 5 for total points scored! And their back up QB is Brady Quinn! I expect more great things from this team!

10)Tampa Bay (7-4) Last week: 9

You beat Washington by only 6. If you are as good as the "experts" are claiming, it never should have been that close. With Cleveland's success and your difficulty with the Redskins, you two switch places. At least you're still on the list!

Off: None: There weren't any truly impressive performances by any of the fringe teams (SEA, SD, StL (just kidding)) and no massive monumental collapses (save perhaps the Giants) that caused anyone to fall off, so the brotherhood of ten remains.

Miami still remains winless! As Miami was the last team to go undefeated, the sheer poetry of the possibility that the Patriots may match that record (technically break it, as the 'fins did it when they only played 14 games per season) in the same season that Miami matches Tampa Bay's infamous 0-16 season is priceless! I'm pulling for both! Miami's best shot at a win is this week when the 2-9 Jet's visit ProPlayer Stadium. (I never thought I'd say this..) Go Jet's!

1 part politics, 2 parts sports

What a surprise, this post is about politics and sports! I'll start with politics so most of you can stop reading once that part is complete:

Russia: Former International Chess Champion Garry Kasparov has been arrested and imprisoned in Russia. What was his crime? Speaking out against Vladimir Putin. That's it. All he did was voice his opinion against the Head of the Russia state. This is a despicable cowardly action that is only now coming to light because Putin has finally arrested someone of note. He's been breaking up demonstrations and quieting opposition voices for quite some time now.

Why do I bring this up? Well, it's been a few days now, and I don't hear the outcry from people who exercise the freedom in this country that Kasparov has been denied in his. I don't hear the Left crying for his release. Where is the outrage?! What if it were Bush doing this? We'd never hear the end of it (Just look at how they respond on behalf of people who want to destroy our country! Could you imagine how they'd respond if it were someone who thought that what he believed in was best for the country?!) What I would expect to hear is, "Well, it's not our country, we don't have any right saying what they should and shouldn't do, but Bush needs to release the prisoners at Gitmo!" Hmm. Funny, they welcome the criticisms of the French and Germans regarding our country (And anyone else who agrees with them, for that matter.) When did the Left because isolationist anti-world-cop? Oh, right, it was when the policies they'd normally support coming from a (D) started coming from an (R)!

So, here is Putin, recent regular critic of the White House, imprisoning a dissenting voice with seeming impunity. Well, I call for Kasparov's release! Russia is no longer a Communist Nation with disappearances and a strong armed government! Putin: Free the chess master!

AL Cy Young Award: Beckett got robbed! What a joke that C.C. Sabathia was awarded the AL Cy Young award! Everyone knows that the awards are based on stats, so let's take a look at them. There are only 12 stats that matter when determining the best pitcher in the league and they are usually separated into four groups: First and foremost (normally) is Wins, all by itself. If you lead the league in wins, you've got the best chance at the Cy Young. Somebody better be blowing you out of the water if they have fewer wins and want the hardware. The second group consists of Strike outs, ERA, and Hits given up. If you have more wins, this category is where your opponent must be head and shoulders above you to have a shot at victory. The third group that is considered, but not very important consists of Earned Runs given up, Runs given up, Home Runs surrendered, and Walks. The final group that is more academic than anything is made up of innings pitched, Complete games, Shut outs and number of starts.

So, how do C.C. and Josh compare? Well, Josh was the only 20 game winner in the Major Leagues (that's AL and NL). If Josh wore any other uniform, other than one with a "B" it'd be a given that he's the Cy Young Pitcher. In category two C.C. leads Josh in SO (by 15), ERA (by 0.06 runs per 9 innings) but gave up more hits (49 more, to be exact). This is by no means a blowout in those stats. Category three: C.C. gave up more earned runs (13), more runs (18), three more HRs, but allowed three fewer walks. Based on these stats, does C.C. really sound like a better pitcher?

Supporters of C.C.'s victory cite only two stats: Strike Outs (remember he had 15 more than Josh) and innings pitched (241 for C.C., 200 2/3's for Josh). Somehow, this is why he's worthy over Beckett! The biggest problem with this is that these two stats contradict each other! Of course he had 15 more strike outs, he had 39 1/3 more innings in which to compile them! Fans of Sabathia say that's also why he had hits, runs, etc. Hmm, I for some reason, I doubt that.

I would say that 200 innings is more than enough to gather an accurate average for a pitcher. I propose we extend Josh's season to 241 innings, just like C.C. pitched and see how the numbers compare then!

Stat.....C.C.....Josh(real)....Josh(w/241 IP)
IP......241......200.6........241
Wins.....19.......20...........24
Loss......7........7............8
SO......209.......194.........233
Hits....238.......189.........227
ERA.....3.21......3.27........3.27 (it's an average)
ER.......86........73..........88
R........94........76..........91
HR.......20........17..........20
BB.......37........40..........48

Even if we extend Josh's workload to 241 innings, he still doesn't beat C.C. in every category. He'd have given up more earned runs (2) and more walks (11). But I'd like you to note that in both cases (actual and extended) more batters struck out when facing Josh than managed to hit safely!Josh's numbers are so far and away better than C.C.'s that, if Sabathia had more wins, I wouldn't have been surprised if Josh still won the Cy Young. Which makes it even more of a travesty that Josh didn't walk away with the award!

NL MVP: It appears that the writers who voted for this award used the same criteria as those that voted for the AL Cy Young. Somehow Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies edged out Matt Holliday of the Rockies for the MVP. Just check out their stats! The only categories Rollins leads in are At Bats and Strike outs!

Stat.....Rollins........Holliday
AB........716............636
Hits......212............216
Avg......(.296).........(.340)
OBP......(.344).........(.405)
SLG......(.531).........(.607)
TB........380.............386
Runs......139.............120
2B.........38..............50
3B.........20...............6
HR.........30..............36
BB.........49..............63

It's staggering just how obvious who the winner should have been!

At least they got the AL Rookie of the Year right! Congrats PedROYa!

NFL Power Rankings Week 11

My apologies on the tardiness of this weeks rankings. I understand that three games have already been played (Thankfully, without any surprises). Therefore, I shall attempt to bestow my football wisdom as though it were before Thanksgiving and Thursday's games:

1)New England (10-0) Last week: 1

I've heard some complain that you are "piling it on." Well, can we blame you? After week one's "Camera-gate" you're out to prove that you didn't even need it. I'd hate to be one of the final 6 teams that stand between you and the undefeated season! Most of all, I'd hate to be the Jets. The NFL record for most points scored by one team in a game is 73 by the Chicago Bears in 1940. Anyone wagering that record will be broken when the Jet's visit Foxboro? Anyone? 23.5 pt spread over Philly. No question, you'll cover.

2)Dallas (9-1) Last week: 2

Your 28-23 win over Washington makes the game look closer than it really was. You've drawn the Jets on Turkey day, which means an easy win. The question is, can your secondary contain Favre's receivers next Thursday. It'll be a great game where two 10-1 NFC teams face off and no one is watching because it's on the NFL Network!

3)Green Bay (9-1) Last week: 3

Depending on how you handle Detroit, you could take the #2 spot on this list! It'll be fun to watch a team with no running game (you) play against a team that tends to give up big plays in the air (Dallas). But I think that Dallas is more well rounded and has a bit of an edge. T-day's match up against Detroit shouldn't be too difficult, they've yet to rise above the bottom four of this list all year.

4)Jacksonville (7-3) Last week: 7

You have rocketed to number 4 for two reasons: You've strung together a couple of impressive wins: TN, SD. Nobody else deserves it. I'll admit, I struggled a bit putting you this high, but someone has to be #4, and seeing your name here made my football senses squirm less than any of the other options.

5)Indianapolis (8-2) Last week: 4

Your fall continues. Yes, you won. You beat KC. But you did it by 3 and you were losing 10-3 at the end of the first half. Vinitiari had four consecutive misses and you nearly lost to a QB named Croyle! It's disgraceful! Sounds to me like Mr. Manning needs Harrison and Freeny a bit more than people like to admit. You've been handed a huge confidence booster with ATL this week (I hear one lucky fan will get a chance to be their QB) but unless you find a way to look like the Colts of old, you can expect to continue your plummet on JMO: JTF.

6)New York Giants (7-3) Last week: 6

You managed to hold off Detroit, but you sure don't deserve to move up for that win! Talk about missed opportunities! Kitna isn't exactly known for his game winning drives and he certainly shouldn't have had a chance at one this week! If you want to crack the top 5, you have to finish with 7 more than you finish with 3!

7)Pittsburgh (6-4) Last week: 5

You're lucky to still be on the list. I've removed people for less than what you managed to do this week! Losing to the Jet's is inexcusable! They sacked Big Ben more times than they sacked any other QB this season combined! Maybe you should have borrowed Belichick's tapes, you might have had a better chance! Pitiful.

8)Detroit (6-4) last week: 9

Yes, you lost and you gained a spot. There must be a reason that New York wasn't able to simply stomp on you. So for showing heart, getting some key interceptions, and keeping it close with a team that's much better than you: You get to be number 8. Let's see how you handle GB on Thursday.

9)Tampa Bay (6-4) Last week: off

I've toyed with bringing you on board a few times. Now seemed appropriate with your 31 to 7 grounding of the Falcons combined with TN's loss to DEN, and SD's lack of "Charge" against JAX. Welcome to JMO: JTF, you've shown yourself as a force to be reckoned with.

10)Cleveland (6-4) Last week: off

When I added you for defeating Cinci when you scored 52 and then removed you the next week, I thought that would be the last we'd hear of the Browns on the power rankings. But yet again, Romeo has surprised me! You've beaten Baltimore 33-30 and you've beaten 5 other teams this year! The number of teams you've beaten is more than the number of TDs I thought you'd score all year! And some of the games you've lost have been close! I doft my cap to you and welcome you back.

Off: Tennessee: A two week losing streak has dropped you from the list. But it's not just the two in a row (Detroit has managed that as well), it's also the manner in which you've been beaten. You really should have handled JAX and DEN and you were unable to do either. It may take some extra special effort for you to find your way back on the list. San Diego: Honorable mention over. Yes, you toppled Indy, and for that we thank you. But then you go and lose to Jacksonville without much of a fight. You've got all of the same "superstars" that you had last year. The only difference is Marty isn't your head coach. Maybe if you beg, he'll come back for next year. I wouldn't.

Miami remains winless. The Patriot's "net points" (254) are higher than "total points for" all but five teams (Dallas: 324, Cleveland: 288, Indianapolis: 278, Pittsburgh: 269, and Green Bay: 259.)! And the Pat's D is stout as well. Fourth in the NFL (Points Against: Pittsburgh 145, Tampa Bay 151, Tennessee 152, NE 157).

One additional thought on the NFL. The NFL Network is a terrible idea! There are some key games on that station which means 97% of football fans won't be able to see them. (the 10-1 Cowboys vs the 10-1 Packers. And New England's final game of the season vs the NYG where the Pats could be making history!) It's gotta end!

NFL Power Rankings Week 10

What a week in the NFL! It was one of those weeks where if you actually know anything about football, you'd have been lucky to have picked 8 of the games correctly! Let's see where the chips fell on Just My Opinion: Just the Facts after this semi-stunning week:

1)New England (9-0) Last week: 1

Definitely the easiest game for them not to lose all season. They had their bye. Seven teams left and seven teams gunning to be the spoiler! I think Pitt or NYG have the best shot, but in the past it's been a team like NYJ or Miami that's ended the run at perfection for other teams. But the question remains, can anyone beat the Patriots?

2)Dallas (8-1) Last week: 3

I feel as though you've somehow you've slipped under some people's radar. However, with another convincing win over the Giants, I think everyone has to sit up and listen now! Oh, that and you've knocked Indy from the number two spot.

3)Green Bay (8-1) Last week: 4

You're the only team in the NFL that only has one loss and it wasn't to the Patriots. Your loss to Chicago was painful. Mostly because you actually had a chance to win. You, too, could be undefeated which is why I've placed you at number three. That and you shut out MN. Even though they lost their RB for the year in that game, it's still not an easy task. I think there are only two teams that would definitely defeat you, too bad one of them is in the NFC.

4)Indianapolis (7-2) Last week: 2

A two game losing streak? That's unheard of in Indy! Truthfully, I don't recall the last time I watched a game and wished that somehow both teams could receive a notch in the loss column! SD scored 1 offensive TD! Adam "I'm not in Foxboro anymore, Toto" Vinitiari missed a "chip shot" 27 yard FG to win! And you can't have a six interception game and stay in the top 3. Harrison is still questionable and Freeny is out for what may be the rest of the season! I'm beginning to think you may end the season with four losses, not just two!

5)Pittsburgh (7-2) Last week: 5

You had to come from behind to beat the Browns. Just so you know, if any team beneath you had performed somewhat above expectations, you'd have dropped a spot or two even though you won. Lucky for you, nobody did.

6)New York Giants (6-3) Last week: 6

It's difficult to punish a team for doing exactly what was expected of them. You lost to Dallas. It wasn't a blow-out, you gave your fans a little bit of hope, but couldn't overcome Romo and TO. So here you'll stay this week, at number six.

7)Jacksonville (6-3) Last week: 9

Well, you evened the score. I believed that you would fall to TN just as you had earlier in the season. I was wrong! Winning convincingly helps you leap-frog over the Titans into 7th on the power rankings.

8)Tennessee (6-3) last week: 8

The only reason you get to stay at number 8 after being handed your helmet's on a platter with the 13-28 loss to Jacksonville is because there's nobody to put above you! Detroit fell, Washington fell, and SD and TB didn't do quite enough to over come you. However, yer on the block. Do something against Denver or don't expect to see your name on this list next week!

9)Detroit (6-3) Last week: 7

Someone referred to you today as an "enigma." I could not agree more! You've lost to Arizona and Washington and yet you've beaten Tampa Bay, Chicago, and Denver! If I didn't know it to be true, I'd think those stats were completely reversed! Now stop Kitna-ing around and start being consistent!

10)San Diego (5-4) Last week: off

When you topple the champs you make the list. Granted, the only power you showed was the power to run back kicks, the power to challenge the spot of the ball, and the power to be the luckiest team on the field. (However, the two interceptions by Cromartie were amazing!) You're lucky because Adam V. is usually a gimmie and there is absolutely no way that you should have 6 interceptions and still need to rely on a kicker choking so you can win the game! Consider this an "honorable mention." Do something this week to truly earn a spot in the top ten!

Off: Washington: Power has to start at home. Not necessarily on your home field, but you've gotta be able to handle the teams in your division. It looked like the Eagles took you by surprise. Even if that's not true, they beat you and they shouldn't have. Maybe you can make it up next week.

Congrats to the Rams on ending their win-less streak! Wouldn't it be poetic if the year someone matches Miami's '72 unbeaten season the Dolphins go without a win completely!?

That would be amazing!

Logic? Where?!

While watching a national "unbiased" news station the other day, I saw the following opinion poll:

"Do you think that abstinence only programs in schools should be abolished?"

Take a moment and read that again.

My basic reaction to this is, "What the..?!" Are you kidding me? Abolished? I paused to consider what rational thought might be behind this inquiry. The only one I could come up with is the age old "Well, we know they are going to do it anyway." Alright. If they are going to do it anyway, why encourage them not to? What else should we apply that bastion of wisdom to?

drugs
Let's end all of the "Just say no" campaigns. It's unreasonable to expect our teens to resist drugs entirely and, because we know they are going to do it anyway, let's provide them with clean needles so at least they aren't spreading disease.

alcohol
Clearly we are losing this battle. but, if they are going to do it anyway, we might as well provide them with the fake IDs. No sense in them spending their money on them. Let's stop arresting parents who provide their kids with booze, too. No better place to get loaded than with mom, right?

reckless driving
Why do you think their car insurance is so high? Because they're all doing it! Let's institute a "teen only" night on those roadways that we know they use. Berlin Turnpike in central CT. Route 1 on the North Shore of Boston. Meadow Road in my old home town. That way they'd only risk hurting themselves.

cigarettes
Despite the evidence and the warnings, teens are still lighting up. Seeing as we can't stop them all, we might as well manufacture a less dangerous cancer stick for youths. We'll call 'em "Cigs" and the tag line can be "these ain't your father's smokes." Half the tar, twice the taste, just as addictive.

Ridiculous, right? Why, then, do we actually hold this view:

sex
We know that nothing ends the days of youthful irresponsibility quicker than a teen pregnancy and many STDs are incurable but, we know they are going to do it anyway. So let's not encourage them not to all together and give them the tools they'd need to engage in this at risk behavior. Let's also encourage this activity so that they separate love and sex earlier and earlier ensuring that their understanding of commitment will be underdeveloped and our divorce rate will be underestimated. We certainly don't want to be viewed as "unhip" or "party-poopers."

I think the problem is that opponents of these programs that support abstinence from any of these dangerous choices feel that because we can't convince them all, we should stop trying to convince the rest. By that logic, because we can't send everyone's cancer into remission, we should attempt to save any.

Those programs helped me, and I know some people who wished that they'd listened when they were a member of the targeted demographic. Let's start acting like mentors by assisting our young people in growing to be responsible adults, rather than trying to be their buddies and not wanting to restrict their "experimentation." The 60's are dead. Let's leave it that way!

NFL Power Rankings Week 9

We're half way through the regular season and it's been another stellar week for Just My Opinion: Just the Facts! Every team but one was the victor over the opponent that they were expected to defeat based on this power ranking! That makes JMO:JTF 19 for 20 over the past two weeks! The loss by Jacksonville will cause them to fall from 7th. Where did they land? Read on to find out:

1)New England (9-0) Last week: 1

And then there was one! The Patriots have faced and defeated 3 teams this season that had not yet experienced the bitter taste of defeat this season until they faced off against New England. That, in itself, is quite a feat. But overcoming Manning, the Colts, and the zebras* was no small task either. So the Patriots have two games left that concern this writer: Pittsburgh (A saving grace is that it's in Foxboro) and the Giants (If it were the Giants in week 10, I wouldn't be worried, but it's the final game. The game Belichick is notorious for not playing his starters when they are headed to the post season). Once the Steelers are sent packing you may hear the mention of 16-0 on this list. But not before. With a bye next week, the 72 Dolphins will have to keep the Champaigne chilled until much later in the season.

2)Indianapolis (7-1) Last week: 2

It was the latest in any previous season that two undefeated teams met on the field. They are the defending Super Bowl Champions. It was on their home terf, and yet they were 3 point underdogs. Even with the help of the men in black, they were unable to overcome the juggernaught that is New England. I expect that when these two teams face off again in January, the winning team will remain the same, but the margain of victory will be much greater. The game will be in Foxboro and the refs will be unbiased.

3)Dallas (7-1) Last week: 3

That is how it's done. You showed everyone how to man handle a team and leave no question that you are superior. You effectively clipped Philly's wings and kept the post season on the endangered species list for them. Well done!

4)Green Bay (7-1) Last week: 4

I've heard some say that KC is a formidable opponent this year. I've yet to see much evidence of that. It was another come from behind win, but you overcame by 11. That'll do to keep you in the fourth spot.

5)Pittsburgh (6-2) Last week: 5

Handly defeated the Ravens. Prevented them from scoring the entire second half! Now, if I thought you could win over Green Bay that would have jumped you up a notch. But I don't think you can, so you stay where you were before: rounding out the top 5.

6)New York Giants (6-2) Last week: 6

(to the tune of "Bye-bye love") It's your bye week/ you didn't lose, so to speak/ I think you will lose, next week/ Hey do not harbor malice/ it's 'cause you're playing Dallas.

7)Detroit (6-2) Last week: 8

I debated on whether or not to bump you up over the Giants, and at 6-2, that certainly isn't out of the question. But I'm not totally sold that you can be consistant. Seems like you're beating teams you shouldn't be beating and losing to teams you should be walking all over. Display some staying power in the next few weeks and we'll see what happens.

8)Tenessee (6-2) last week: 9

You held Carolina to a single score. Now-a-days that's not so difficult, but you made it look easy. Let's see how you fare against Jacksonville next week, there's the real test. I see your two teams as fairly evenly matched, but I've got you to win, don't let me down.

9)Jacksonville (5-3) Last week: 7

You fell to New Orleans, pretty badly, too. Granted, NO isn't as low as they were, but they aren't on this list, and they probably sit somewhere below TB and SD. Putting them in 13th at best (even that might be too generous). A 41-24 loss should have been enough to plummet you to tenth, but considering what Washington did, you only drop two spots. You're welcome.

10)Washington (5-3) Last week: 10

Ok, you lost 52-7 against NE, then you barely beat the crashing 1-7 Jets by three points? You won, so you stay, but this is your last chance. Make a statement or one of the teams waiting in the wings will take your place!

Off: once again, Nobody: Sure, there are some teams that are inching they're way closer to the list. However, none, as of yet, warrent being a new addition. Once we get this far into the season, there are less teams moving on and off, and more teams moving up and down. Of course, those with the greatest risk of falling off of the list are the ones at the bottom. Watch for Jacksonville vs Tenn this week as the game of the week!

Anyone think that Miami or Saint Louis will win at least one game this year between the two of them?

*I'd just like to point out that not only did the Patriots defeat the Colts, they also defeated the back judge who obviously had money on the game! Someone explain to me how pass interference can be called on the cornerback being taken down by the wide receiver? Or on the wide receiver in the air with his back to the defender? Just wondering.

NFL Power Rankings Week 8

What a week Just My Opinion: Just the Facts had! Every team that was ranked last week won except the one team that played another team in the top ten, and the higher ranked team came out on top of that match-up. JMO:JTF was perfect for week 8! There's some reshuffling of the rankings, but, for the first time this season, no one falls off the list:

1)New England (8-0) Last week: 1

This is it. NE vs Indy. Battle of the Titans (no offense TN.) Ares vs Mars, Sasquatch vs Big Foot, Coke vs Pepsi. The winner of this weeks match-up will immediately be the recipient of a miriad of predictions regarding an undefeated season. To be perfectly honest, seeing what NE has done this year (including holding the 'skins scoreless until the final 3 minutes of the game) vs what Indy's accomplished (like beating TN by 2). I no longer see it as a question of who will win. The question I pose now is by how much will the Patriots win? My answer? 20 points.

2)Indianapolis (7-0) Last week: 2

A convincing win over Vinny T and Carolina. After week 9 you shall be among the top ranked teams at 7-1 unless you are able to locate and exploit a weakness in NE that many better minds than my own have been unable to recognize.

3)Dallas (6-1) Last week: 4

You moved up on your bye because someone above you moved down. See if you can stay here next week.

4)Green Bay (6-1) Last week: 3

You only needed one play in over time to beat Denver. Why couldn't you get it done during regulation? You did what Pitt did last week, you allowed Denver to hang around late and it nearly burned you. Not being unable to buck off the Broncos in 60 minutes drops you a notch this week.

5)Pittsburgh (5-2) Last week: 6

Not so much what you accomplished as it is what a team above you failed to accomplish. You did what you should have done, beat a weaker team by at least 10 points. Good job.

6)New York Giants (6-2) Last week: 5

Ok, I understand you had to play football in front of 10,000 people who don't understand it. I understand that you had to play in the rain, and I understand that you had to play in a stadium that's named after a Fraggle. But, come on, you played Miami! You couldn't beat them by more than 3 points?! Be glad you didn't fall more that one spot!

7)Jacksonville (5-2) Last week: 9

Wow. Tampa Bay has been my big "new guy" killer. I put a team on the list and Tampa Bay takes them off. You managed to hold off the curse by defeating them by 1 point. Truthfully, though, they are basically the 11th team on the list so it's no small task to send them home with a loss.

8)Detroit (5-2) last week: 10

Just as the Bears were starting to heat up and you were starting to cool down you hold them to a single score! Granted you only had 16 points of your own, but that's why you only rose to the eigth spot. Still, good win, keep it up.

9)Tennessee (5-2) Last week: 7

Oakland held you to 13 points?! You, who came within less than a field goal of beating Indy, were held to 1 TD by the silver and black? And you only beat them by 4? That'll cost you a few spots on this list.

10)Washington (4-3) Last week: 8

Many will question this ranking. You were beaten 52-7 and yet you get to stay? The problem is two fold, I can't fully fault you that you were knocked silly by a team that's taking their aggression out for the whole Jets filming debacle on everyone they play and I think that you'd beat any team that's not on the list. There's nothing else for me to do but place you at the bottom of the best.

Off: Nobody: I'm still surprised by that. (and I didn't keep Washington on just so I could say it. Which team not on the list would Washington fall to?) What a week, let's see if the list can hold it's own against the constant surprise called the NFL this week!

Still counting down the days till NE v INDY! I can't wait!

World Series : more thoughts

A few further World Series thoughts:

Did anyone else notice how fast the baseball wound up in Jason Varitek's back pocket once the game was over?! I couldn't help but wonder if he had dollar signs in his eyes like Doug Mientkiewicz did after the 2004 championship. Well, showing the class which he is known for, 'Tek has already handed the ball over to the team.

I was thinking today that yesterday I certainly wasn't thinking like a pre-2004 Sox fan. There wasn't any panic when Okejima gave up the two run shot. I wasn't concerned that it was all starting again. Who ever would have thought that I'd be able to be calm (not relaxed, but certainly not frantic) in such a situation. Gone are the days of Buckey Dent, Mookie Wilson, Aaron Boone. Now are the days of Dave Roberts, Jonathan Papelbon, and the World Champion Boston Red Sox. (I just looks so nice!)

During the game, the announcers posed the question of which team was better, the 2004 Sox or the 2007 Sox. (Which the reporter on the feild was stupid enough to ask of 'Tek after the win. It was a crazy dumb question that did nothing but waste our time listening to the answer we knew was coming, "they are so different, you can't compare.") See, but I can. So I thought I'd compare the two teams to come to a conclusion which was better:

Pos...2004.........2007........Edge
1B......Millar..........Youk........2007
2B......Bellhorn......Pedroya...2007
3B......Meuller.......Lowell......Push
SS......Cabrera.......Lugo........2004
C.......'Tek.............'Tek..........Push
CF......Damon........Crisp........2004
RF......Nixon.........Drew........2004
LF......Manny........Manny......Push
DH.....Ortiz...........Ortiz........Push
SP......Pedro..........Beckett.....Push
SP......Schill..........Schill........Push
SP......Arroyo........Dice-K......Push
SP......Wake..........Wake........Push
SP......Lowe..........Lester........2007
CP......Foulke........Papelbon...2007
BP*....See list........See list.......2007
BH^...See list........See list.......Push
TD#...See list........See list.......2004

*BullPen
2004.......2007
Timlin.......Timlin
Embree......Tavarez
Lesckanic...Lopez
Myers.........Delcarmen
..................Okajima
..................Gagne

^Bench
2004.........2007
Reese..........Elsbury
Roberts.......Hinske
Youk...........Kielty
Mirabelli.....Mirabelli
Kapler
Mientkiewicz

#Trades
2004............2007
Gone.............Gone
Nomar..........Minor leaguers
In..................In
Roberts.........Gagne
Mientkiewicz
Cabrera

So there you have it. It looks like the 2007 team just barely edged out the 2004 victors. Of course, this is merely academic as both pulled off amazing feats and will hold a special place in our sports lore for years to come!

Bring on 2008!

Just a minor side note, Scott Boras (A-rod's agent) claims that it was not his intention to over shadow the World Series, that word got leaked to a reporter who announced it. That's why everyone who reported it said that Scott Boras sent an email to the AP, it was an accident...(I can't stand that guy!)

How Sweep it is!

The Boston Red Sox
are 2007
World Series Champions!

For the second time in 4 years the Red Sox are the World Series Champions! Looks like they are back to their winning ways when they won 5 of the first 15 contests of the best.

Like the White Sox two years ago, and the 2004 Red Sox before them, this years champs proved that pitching wins championships! The Sox pitching staff had an ERA of .250 holding the Rockies batters to a team average of .218, while Colorado's pitching racked up a 7.68 ERA and Boston got a hit once every three at bats! Let's not forget that certain bats came alive when they were needed. I don't have the stats in front of me but I know I'm not the only one who feels that David and Manny didn't really do much this series. The Sox relied on the speedy Elsbury, Lugo, and Pedroya (and the big bats of Youk (in Fenway) and Lowell) This just goes to show that this team is the best built team in the majors. David and Manny carried the team through the early part of the post season, then they got to rest and the remainder of the lineup took over (Even Bobby Kielty got in the mix with what turned out to be the game winning home run tonight!)

I'd like to go on the record saying that I still don't agree with Francona's decision to start Ortiz at first at Coors Field. While he didn't prove to be the liability in the field that everyone expected him to be (quite the contrary, truth be told, making several plays that I expected him to be unable to complete, including saving an error when Lugo made a terrible throw in tonight's game.) But his bat wasn't what we expected and Youk was on fire, batting over .400 in the series to that point and better than .350 in the playoffs. Whose to say that the Sox wouldn't have lost had Kevin been at first, but I think he might have been more productive at the plate than David was.

Looking back at the scoring that I had postulated pre-series, it looks like I was a bit off:

Game 1: 5 - 2 Sox
Actual: 13-1 Sox
Game 2: 8 - 3 Sox
Actual: 2-1 Sox (my game 5 happened, with a diff winner)
Game 3: 3 - 2 Rox
Actual: 6-5 Sox (One run...)
Game 4: 5 - 4 Sox
Actual: 4-3 Sox (Hey, 1 run and right team!?)
Game 5: 2 - 1 Rox
Actual: Unnecessary
Game 6: 11- 4 Sox
Actual: Unnecessary

But I'm not complaining!

Before the MVP award was bestowed, I had a list of possible recipients. I'd like to share that now:

Papelbon: Saved 3 out of 4 of the games. All three saves were more than one inning, one was a six out save, something he'd been unable to accomplish during the regular season. Little Pap's ERA for the series? 0.00.

Elsbury: Hit after hit after hit. Moved into the ever important lead-off spot when Youk had to sit in the NL park and shone! Had some game saving plays in the outfield and game winning hits at the plate. Set a record for most hits by a rookie in a World Series Game during game 3.

Pedroya: Willing to move into the #2 spot in the NL park and it didn't affect the effectiveness of the little man's huge swing. Lead off the series with a round-tripper. Gold glove performance in the field and you'd never know he was a rookie when he stepped up to bat. Better be American League Rookie of the Year!

Lowell: When David and Manny's bats cooled off his stayed consistent with key hits and huge RBI's. Unflappable defense (including handling the awkward throw by Lugo to get the lead runner at third yesterday) combined with clutch hitting is why Mike was my choice for MVP so I was thrilled when he was handed the trophy. (I still say that he'll finish third behind A-rod and Ordonez in the AL MVP voting. Though he should be second as A-rod did have a career year!)

Once again, I find myself admitting something a little out of the ordinary. I was ever so slightly hoping that the Sox might maybe possibly lose this game so there would be another one to watch. As I am not a member of cable-nation or satellite-ville it's been quite the treat to be able to watch every game. But the Sox outscored the Rox 25-10 in four straight games to take home the multi-flagged hardware. So really, I'm not complaining!

And leave it to A-Rod to try to overshadow the Red Sox victory. He's opting out of his Yankees contract and, barring some amazing turn of events, he will not be in pin stripes next year. With so few teams that can afford him and with the fans practically demanding that Lowell be signed (He's a free agent), unless the Sox trade Lugo it looks like A-Rod will be a Met next year. Maybe Texas will take him back, at least then they'd be paying themselves 21 million per year instead of the Yankees. (In case you are unaware, the Rangers paid the Yankees $21 million per year to go towards A-Rod's contract. Yeah, go figure!)

So, look for the Yankees to disintegrate this off season and, unless Toronto does something amazing, watch for the Sox to be the AL East champions next year too! Great young talent and talented veterans means that this team should only get better!

On a final note: my brother-in-law purchased a new couch on opening day during a promotion that promise that if the Red Sox won the World Series, all purchases that day were free. Yeah, he just got a free leather couch!

NFL Power Rankings Week 7

Well, I typed this before the weekend but never got a chance to post it... For those who are curious, here are my comments regarding last weeks power rankings after this weeks games. Without further delay, here's Just my opinion: Just the Facts for week seven:

1)New England (7-0) Last week: 1

Next week: 1. The week after: 1. It's like watching the Varsity team intersquad against the freshman, every week! Often, I feel that I can see the weakness in the team that keeps winning and can't understand why others don't exploit it. I have yet to see your weakness. I don't think Washington, Indianapolis, or Pittsburgh will be able to find one either.

2)Indianapolis (6-0) Last week: 2

You may end up with one loss this year, too bad you have to play the Patriots every season. At least you seem to get home field advantage. I just learned that Vinny will be the QB for the Panthers. You'll be undefeated when you match up against the Pat's in two weeks.

3)Green Bay (5-1) Last week: 3

Boring! Bye

4)Dallas (6-1) Last week: 4

You keep winning, but so does your competition! Giants are on a roll, Philly's none too shabby, and Washington's been proving to be pretty tough. Don't get comfortable just because you can roll over Minnesota!

5)New York Giants (5-1) Last week: 7

Five in a row. That's enough to pop you into the top five. Welcome. With this week's game against Miami, it shouldn't be to hard to stay there. Too bad you have to go to London to do it. What, NFL Europe is doing about as well as Euro Disney?

6)Pittsburgh (4-2) Last week: 5

Killer loss to Denver in the final seconds of the game! That's what you get for letting them hang around. Let that be a lesson to you. Though Cinci should be an easy target this week.

7)Tennessee (4-2) Last week: off

welcome back. it's like a sick joke, I add someone to the list, they lose a game they shouldn't the next week. You lost to TB, I added TB, they lost to Detroit. I'll add Detroit, they'll lose to the Bears, just you watch!

8)Washington (5-2) last week: 10

Ok you beat Arizona. And you go up because everybody else lost. You've got NE this week. No one is expecting you to win, but show up to play and you might stay on the list. If New England makes you look like Hobbits (Like they have with everyone else) don't bother checking to see if you made it.

9)Jacksonville (4-3) Last week: 6

Yes, you lost, but you lost to Indy. Can't really fault you for that. It wasn't a killer loss (see Pitt/Seattle or NE/SD). Do better next week and you'll start to climb again.

10)Detroit (3-2) Last week: off

Ok, you've been on and off and on again. Just please please beat the Bears next week! (for me?!)

Off: Baltimore: You cannot lose to Buffalo and stay on the list. Better luck next week. Off: TB: I did you a favor and finally gave you some respect, what do you do? Throw it back in my face by losing to a team I'd taken off JMO:JTF. It'll be harder to get back on next time!

Counting down the days till NE v INDY! I can't wait!

This post could cost each reader $0.02!

Just a quick rant:

I was reading a headline the other day that stated that the "Wars could cost each American $8,000." Not surprisingly, this really riled me up! Not for the reason that was intended by the headline (Which was obviously designed to burn some britches), but for another, far less obvious reason.

My first point: This is a total cost. You see, the wars are temporary. This is why we can put a price tag on them. So, we've been fighting for 5 years. That's roughly $1,600 per person per year. But the wars will end. We will be able to say, "that war cost the American taxpayer $X Trillion."

My second point: Don't you love it that it costs the "American Taxpayer" so much to fight a war, but when it's something the liberals want the government to "provide" it's "free?" "Free" healthcare. "Free" preschool and kindergarten. "Free" abortions for underage girls. "Free" hypodermic needles for addicts. "Expensive" war. Really? Is the money coming from two different places for these expenditures? No. They both come from my pocket.

My final point: You will never see a headline that says, "Government healthcare program costs each American $9,700." Why is this? Well, for one thing, it's a hell of a lot more expensive than fighting a war. The (approximately) 2.4 Trillion dollars this war has cost is over the course of five years. Any universal healthcare program would certainly cost more than $48 billion per year (the average cost of the war) and it would never end. So instead of reading "cost each American $8,000" any headline would have to read "cost each American $3,500 per year!" And this, of course, is not something the liberals in government or the media want you to consider.

"What liberal Media?" You ask. That one.

2007 World Series Sox v Rox

What an interesting match up the baseball muses have created for us. One team merely 14 years old, the other well over 100. One team has the second highest payroll in the league (and the only of the top 10 to ever win it all), the other is 27th out of 30. One team took the lead early and held on to it the entire season, the other came on very late needing to force a "play-in" play-off just to get to the post season and has won 20 out of the last 21 games. One team finished with the second to worst record for teams in the playoffs, the other with the best. One team was nick-named "kid Rock" and the other has players in their 40's. One team was picked to win it all in April, the other was picked to get a high draft pick. And now they must face off!

It's odd to see the things that the Red Sox used to do happening to their opponents. In 2004 vs the Yanks it was a key ground rule double that prevented the runner on first from scoring preserving a tie game. Against the Cards it was Suppan miss hearing the 3rd base coach and not only not scoring, but being so bamboozled that he was gunned out trying to go back to third by a cannon of a throw from Ortiz! This year it was Lofton's listening to the "Dale Suaine" of the Indians and not scoring on the base hit down the third base line. It feels funny, like the ball went under the 1st baseman for the Mets, or Rivera threw the 11th inning bomb in 2003.

I've been impressed that we've won the games against Cleveland using all of the players in the line-up. When Manny and David couldn't do it, Dustin and Kevin stepped up. Even Jacoby and Lugo got into the mix in game seven. And who can forget J.D.'s heroics along with 'Tek's and Lowell's consistency! Now if our pitching can continue to be lights out, I think we have a good chance.

Colorado is a very young team! One could say that their success in the post season already shows that they aren't easily flappable by the big stage. But they haven't been to the World Series in Fenway yet!

I think that it takes Colorado a few games to settle down, dropping both in Fenway to the Sox. I think they take two out of three in their home park, but drop game six to come in second.

Game 1: 5 - 2 Sox
Actual: 13-1 Sox (Only a huge homer would've guessed that score!)
Game 2: 8 - 3 Sox
Actual: 2-1 Sox (see game 5, with incorrect winner? Schill strikes again!)
Game 3: 3 - 2 Rox
Game 4: 5 - 4 Sox
Game 5: 2 - 1 Rox
Game 6: 11- 4 Sox

Watch for some officiating assistance in game three to ensure that FOX gets at least 5 games out of the series.

I must admit, I'm a little embarrassed to add this, but it must be said: I was ever so slightly minutely minusculy disappointed that the Red Sox won against Cleveland. Watching the losses was so difficult and hoping that they would win was so stressful, that my body was nearly ready for the roller coaster to be over. One can't actually expect a sweep in the series. Both teams are there for a reason and will put up a good fight. Mind you, come the 8th inning of game 7 (once Dustin hit the two run jack) I was very excited that the stress from the ALCS was over and I had a few days of rest before the stress from the WS began.

Here is my line-up card that Terry will never use (along with some of my reasoning on the side)

1st Dustin 2B (ALROY, little man, big swing. Deserves this spot)
2nd Kevin 1B (I'd play him over Ortiz in the NL park)
3rd Ortiz DH (If he's hurt, I drop Lowell into this position)
4th Manny LF (Don't mess with what's working!)
5th Lowell 3B (if he's in for Ortiz, 'Tek here)
6th J.D Drew RF (He's finally hitting here, don't move him now!)
7th 'Tek C (w/Ortiz out, DH Hinske here. Get Tek in all 3 in CO)
8th Jacoby CF (He's got the bat and the glove, use Coco for late D)
9th Lugo SS (Get on base in front of the powerhouse front 5!)

As long as it doesn't jeopardize my marriage, ministry, or mental health (in that order) I will endeavor to watch every inning of the 2007 World Series.

(And don't forget, the last time the Sox won it all, so did the Pats! Will history repeat itself? I sure hope so!)

NFL Power Rankings Week 6

It's like a city bus! Two jump off and two jump on! Or like a variety show: You never know whose going to appear on JMO:JTF! Let's take a look at this week:

1)New England (6-0) Last week: 1

If there was ever any doubt (just for the record, there wasn't any here on JMO:JTF) there can be none now. Or will the Pats-haters say that Dallas isn't really a good team, just like SD wasn't either? Now we can all hold our breath for two weeks when the Pats travel to Indy (please note, the only tough team the Pats got to face at home was SD.)

2)Indianapolis (5-0) Last week: 2

Bye week. Still undefeated. 'Nough said.

3)Green Bay (5-1) Last week: 5

As I look around and see the teams you've beaten (Wash, Philly, NYG) You've actually taken out more big guns than the team that follows you on this weeks edition. Congrats on cracking the top three. By the way: Favre, I've always liked you (except when you were playing against Dallas for the NFC Championship) so feel free to continue making me look like a buffoon for suggesting that you retire (but don't give away any more games like you did against the Bears!)

4)Dallas (5-1) Last week: 3

You didn't look terrible against the Patriots. You showed some good D and some great heart. But you did allow the most points that NE has scored all year and as we look back over your victories (NYG for example, Buff) you do tend to give up a lot of points. Keep winning and cut back on that and you'll regain your previous post in the top three.

5)Pittsburgh (4-1) Last week: 4

Bye

6)Jacksonville (4-1) Last week: 6

Second week in a row at number 6. Do something, will you? I know you can only play your schedule, but show some power. Blow a team out!

7)New York Giants (4-2) Last week: 7

You defeated a team you should have defeated. This is a lesson on how to stay exactly where you were last week. Next time try making it look easy, or try beating a more difficult team.

8)Baltimore (4-2) last week: off

Welcome to the list. You've made it on here, not because of who you've beaten (as you've won over teams you should've lost to and lost to teams you should've beaten) but rather how you've done it. Many of your scores more resemble a baseball game than football. 9-7 over SF (The Red Sox/Indians games 1 & 2 had more points than this one!) and you held St. Louis to just 3!

9)Tampa Bay (4-2) Last week: Off

Here is another team that has found a way to sneak in the back door that's been left open by the absence of such teams as San Diego, Chicago, and Cincinnati. Big wins over TN, CAR, and a tough loss to INDY. You do not have the easiest schedule in the world, that's for sure!

10)Washington (3-2) Last week: 9

Yeah, you lost, but you hung tough against a team that's pretty high in the power rankings. It wasn't enough to drop you from the list entirely.

Notable removals: Tennessee: One word: youlosttoTampaBay! That's why your off the list and they're on it. Cardinals: We all knew it wouldn't last. A loss to Carolina knocks you from the top ten.

Honorable Mentions: San Diego: Another step in the right direction. But still not enough to regain a ranking.

Go Red Sox! 1 down, 2 to go! Take'em one at a time! Remember, you're in Fenway! You don't have to do it on the road like in 2004!

Oh yea, and one more thing: Good for you Torre for not taking what would've been the worst deal in baseball! A pay cut and incentives only if you take the team all the way?! Well, when you leave and A-Rod, Posada, Rivera, and Petit do the same, I'd like to see how the next manager fares! (more like fails!) Hold your head hi Joe, I'm with you!

NFL Power Rankings Week 5

What a year it's been already! So many teams climbing on and so many falling off! Just My Opinion: Just the Facts may set a record this year for most different teams listed in a single year! (And the list isn't even using any performance enhancing drugs!) Here are this weeks top 10:

1)New England (5-0) Last week: 1

It'll be very difficult for you to play the "no respect" card this year. While the win over Cleveland wasn't perfect, it was still a win, and still a convincing win at that. Second big test (SD was considered a test at the time, even though they've tanked since) is next week in Dallas. Someone has to walk away with a loss!

2)Indianapolis (5-0) Last week: 3

Classic Indy. Early lead + no mercy = Colts win. But one must admit, you've got a very easy schedule. You're first big test isn't until the Patriots visit the dome in two weeks. Even then, you've got them at home.

3)Dallas (5-0) Last week: 2

I really wrestled over where to rank you this week. 9 points in the last 40 seconds could be deserving of a #1 spot for resilience and ability under pressure. But the fact that you needed to score 9 points in the last 40 seconds in order to sneak a win past Buffalo is what ended up dropping you to 3rd. A win next week could catapult you to #1. A loss with a good showing could keep you at #3. I can't wait for that game!

4)Pittsburgh (4-1) Last week: 6

Handing out the first shut-out of the season brings you back into the top five. Especially since it was against a team that made it into the power rankings last week (you'll note their conspicuous absence this week!) Strong D so far this season. And we all know it's the Defense that wins championships. The question is: can it get you to the post season?

5)Green Bay (4-1) Last week: 4

I wanted to send you farther than fifth for the game you handed to Chicago (which wasn't Favre's fault, by the way. It's tough to make a difference in a game when your offensive Co-coordinator won't let you throw the ball, but would rather run using a talentless back running against a D that hasn't allowed it all game) but I couldn't determine who to put above you. Even though you lost a game you should have taken easily, you're still a very talented team. Still in JMO:JTF's top five.

6)Jacksonville (3-1) Last week: 8

Held KC to seven points: Respectable. Only scored 17 against them: somewhat troubling, but the victory moves you up the ladder.

7)New York Giants (3-2) Last week: 10

Another come from behind win. Playing in the only NFL game where both teams are the home team you managed to over come a late deficit to the Jets (who are none too shabby.) Welcome to the highest you've been on the list since week 1.

8)Tennessee (3-1) Last week: 9

You didn't climb like Jacksonville because you had way more trouble with Atlanta than you should have. But, in the end a win's a win and it ticks you up one notch.

9)Washington (3-1) Last week: Off

You've one loss, and it's to division rivals the Giants. You easily defeated Detroit (another JMO:JTF dropout), not to mention a victory over NFC east enemy Philly. You're not looking to bad right about now.

10)Cardinals (3-2) Last week: Off

What a year! The Cleveland Browns have been on this list. The Detroit Lions have been as high as #7. I was totally wrong about Favre. Now the Arizona Cardinals are in the top 10 of the NFL. I checked your schedule. You've beaten some tough teams (Seattle and Pittsburgh) and, at least for right now, you deserve it. (Don't make me regret it by losing to St Louis or anything like that!)

Notable removals: Detroit: What is up?! One week you lose by a land slide to Philly, then you beat Chicago like they are a Powder Puff team, then you lose to Washington like you needed a map to the end zone? Inconsistent play does not warrant a spot on the list! Seattle: Don't I have egg on my face. And it's Seahawk egg. The week after I induct you onto the power rankings you go and get shut out by a team I'd ranked lower than you!? How could you do this to me? Now straighten up and flight right!

Honorable Mentions: San Diego: Wow, you looked like your old self again! But one good win does not a season make. You shall have to spend another week in shame on the sideline. Chicago: Well, you took advantage of GB's game plan of "we're not trying to win, we're trying not to lose." Which never works. But that doesn't mean we should let you back on the list with your friends. Let's see another big win and then we'll talk about it. Maybe.

Don't forget: Red Sox try to take the first game of the series against Cleveland on Friday!

Sox in, Yanks out!

The Yankees Loooose! Theeeeee Yankees Lose!

Alright, that's out of my system! And thank goodness I no longer have to hear "An A-bomb, from A-Rod," "theeeeee pitch," and "There's a strike." Not to mention that Susan is the Madden of baseball! Some select quotes: "They're losing because they are swinging at pitches that they aren't hitting." Because that never happens in baseball. "It's Mientkiewicz's job to determine if the pitch is going to be a ball or a strike, because you don't want to swing at it if it's a ball." Really? Wow, no kidding. Who is she broadcasting to? Preschoolers? Aliens? Cricket-lovers? Yeah, that and she was crying in the clubhouse after the game. I'm sure we all know: "There's no crying in baseball!" I hope one of the Yankees off season moves is to trade her for an announcer to be named later.

Further Yankees thoughts: It's been rumored that if the Yankees lost in the first round that it would end Joe Torre's relationship with the Evil Empire. As a Red Sox fan, I'm thrilled about this. There is no manager that I fear or respect more than Mr Torre. As a sports fan, however, I have to say this is probably one of the stupidest things I've heard in a long time. Torre has been with the team for twelve years. During his tenure, they've had twelve post season appearances (that's 100% for those not paying attention), they've won the division ten times, they've had eight ALDS victories, six world series appearances and four championships. If that isn't a manager who needs to be fired, I don't know who is! (Dungy and Belichick better watch out, they're next!) He dealt with injuries, slumps, and inconsistent players and still managed to bring the team to the playoffs yet again! But this idiocy is all part of Steinbrenner's lunacy and lust for power. Let him make the mistake. Maybe Lou Panella or Ozzie Guillen will be available!

How'd the AL MVP do in the series? Well, he was 0-5 in the first two games. Went 2-4 with a 1B and a HR tonight. Sounds like typical A-Rod October ball.

Hey Roger: Why'd you go to New York, again? The chance to win it all, right? Oooo, so sorry. Why don't you retire again for about eight months and then come back and earn 15 mill for four months of work? Sounds like a plan. Oh, one more thing, don't call us, we'll call you.

Ok, now that the ALDS's are over, baseball is no longer just for the elite! (I can actually catch some games now!) What the heck was MLB thinking putting all of the games on TBS?! Not only did this alter the way the games were called (Game two of the Yankees/Indians matchup was running long, so suddenly everything became a strike. It was either TBS putting the pressure on the umps, or the man behind the plate had a roast in the oven!) but it meant that your blue collar fan (the "average American" baseball is supposed to be aimed at) couldn't watch his team unless he subscribed to a cable package that offered TBS. The SuperStation must have paid a SuperFortune for MLB to have made as SuperHuge of a SuperBlunder as they did. I'm SuperIrked! Go FOX!

So we have the next step of the playoff picture in view: Boston vs Cleveland and Arizona vs Colorado. Colorado is on fire, winning 18 of their last 20 (which means it's gotta end eventually, I see Arizona taking this series in 5). Boston took the regular season series against the tribe and I expect them to take this one as well. Watch for Boston in 6.

Now for some straight Boston thoughts: If there ever were a time for Manny and David to find their groove it's now! I swear, Mike Lowell has been carrying the power load for this time all season and now he's got some help! Cleveland may have Sabathia, but Boston has Becket, Dice-K, and Schilling (who ever would have thought that Schilling would be the third pitcher for the Sox!) Then who? Lester? Four and oh. Buchholz? No-hitter. Wakefield? 18 wins. I'm not cocky, I'm not even confident. I am very very hopeful.