A Friendly Wager

Son20 and I both love pro football. We were thrilled to sit through opening weekend. We watched our beloved Patriots. But we also watched every other game we could find - flipping channels when more than one game was on. It was sweet!

And just to make this season a little more fun for us, we have a little wager going. Each week we select who we think will win all the games. The best record for the weekend wins that weekend. The one with the most weekend wins at the end of the season takes the other out to dinner.

And I had a good weekend. I was winning. I was winning right up to the last 22 seconds of the second game on Monday night. The last 22 seconds of the entire weekend of games. And then San Francisco scored a winning touchdown.

Now I'm just one week closer to buying a steak dinner.

Our National Holiday

So just a few minutes ago, this was the clock at Superbowl.com. But Super Sunday doesn't really begin at kickoff. It is already underway! Face The Nation is interviewing the commissioner of the NFL. Dan Marino and Phil Simms will be interviewed later. And we've had various specials and Sports Centers and other related programs for the past two weeks. Yep, while the game only lasts 60 minutes, the pregame-show-that-never-ends began the moment the conference championships ended two weeks ago.

And if you've paid attention, you would think that the two teams - the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears - aren't really gonna play. It seems like it all boils down to four men....two storylines.

Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith - the first two black coaches to go to the Super Bowl. It is a great thing for this to happen. It is also sad that it has taken this long. And it is sad that we live in a society where race is still an issue. I wish these two men could prepare their teams and just be evaluated based on their skills as coaches. But everyone talks about their color. I'm glad these two are getting recognition. And I'll be glad when coaches of all colors can go to the Super Bowl and we'll no longer have to admit this is a 'first'.

Peyton Manning and Rex Grossman - the two quarterbacks. One who holds almost every record in the NFL and one who is considered the weakest link. And unless you really have not paid attention, I don't have to tell you which is which. The "6'5", 235 pound quarterback with the laser rocket arm" would be Manning. Son of Archie. Brother of Eli. Holder of a bazillion records with a tendency to fall apart in the big games. And "Sexy Rexy" with the big eyes that always look like a deer in the headlights....well, he can be good. He can also play like my grandmother on one of her bad days. And the analysts pretty much break it down to how these two play. The other players....oh sure, they are important. But the spotlight is on Rex and Peyton.

My thoughts...

1) I'm a Patriots fan so I'm not sure which way to lean on this one. I suppose Peyton has paid his dues and it is his time. But the Colts are the 'enemy'. Hard to root for them!

2) Who chooses this halftime stuff? I know it has to be 'big' and it is shown around the world. But last year we watched really old Stones. They were great in their day...but the flabby arms were disappointing. And Prince? I didn't like him when he was popular. Now he seems to be a 'has-been'. Is it just not possible to get a performer who is current and popular and can buy wardrobes that don't malfunction?

3) Are there more nachos????

Another Playoff Victory

Gotta say...I'm very excited! The Patriots were victorious this afternoon over the Jets. This hasn't been their most dominant season, but they are still fun to watch!

GO PATRIOTS!!

Are you ready for some football?

Okay, confession time. I love to watch pro football. I'm not a sports nut. I don't watch much baseball - only the occasional Red Sox game. Basketball interests me even less. And tennis lost my interest with the retirements of McEnroe and Connors and Bjorg. And I hardly even think of golf or bowling as sports! And that is just the pro level. College sports interests me even less.

But pro football is wonderful. I don't care about the 'controlled violence' aspects. I don't need to glamorize it in any way. I just think these are good athletes in a team sport that requires a nice bit of strategy to be consistently successful. Just enough brawn mixed with just enough brain.

And today was a good day. My favorite team - the Patriots - had a bye this week. But it was good for the other 'local' teams. Jets and Giants both won. Washington and Philadelphia both lost - ultimately a good thing for the Giants in terms of standings. And a couple of games came down to last minute drives and even final plays (some with success and some not).

While the 'meat' of my afternoon was really all about doing some laundry and helping the kids a bit with some homework, the games in the background provide a very pleasant bit of entertainment on a fall afternoon.