no longer a backup, pt. 2

Current Mood: still recovering

What would (have) make me feel better after my craptacular blood donation Monday afternoon?

An upset win Bengals over the Patriots on Monday Night Football.

It was not to be, however, as the Bengals got embarrassed losing 34-13 to Tom Brady and his merry men. As much as I am rooting for the Bengals these days, can't say I didn't expect it. Reasons? Let me list some:

* Every commentator on ESPN picked the Patriots. Not that they are very good at predicting winners, but there was no belief in the Bengals
* The national poll overwhelmingly predicted (overwhelmingly like all 50 states) the Patriots would win - even Ohio
* Tom Brady is on fire, completing 80% + of his passes in his first 4 games
* Tom Brady is a pretty high performance QB, all things considered*
* Patriots have the number 1 offense (scoring 34 or more points their first game, highest first four game total in NFL history, and scoring in every quarter since the start of the year) and also the number 1 defense
* I don't want to perpetuate this because I'm sick of hearing about it, but the Patriots are sleazy video-taping cheaters
* The Bengals, though they occasionally show flashes of brilliance, have not been doing well lately
* Our defense is pretty bad, and our barely-there linebackers went from 4 to 2 by the first quarter through injuries

So, hopefully the Bengals spend their bye week this week getting their shit together. Chad, stop dropping balls. Carson, keep doing your thing. TJ, way to come through on the fantasy front. Marvin, hang in there and don't lose your cool. Jeff...you are way too awesome for words.


I kinda feel disappointed by the NFL lately. Here are some thoughts based on ESPN's week 5 power rankings:

1. Patriots
I already told you how good they are. Truth be told, I'm jealous. Even though they're cheaters, they're really good. I hate Tom Brady, I don't want them to be this good, and I hope they lose soon to a good team, or even better a bad team. Quit fucking talking about the '72 Dolphins.

2. Colts
I'm surrounded by Colts fans, and quite frankly I wouldn't be opposed to them being humbled just a bit. I think Peyton Manning is a goofy product placement whore, and I resist rooting for a team just because I'm here in Indiana. I wouldn't mind the Colts beating the Patriots, though.

3. Cowboys
Tony Romo, FUCK YEAH. A few people (including my favorite Cowboys fan, OSU-Eric) have dubbed him the closest thing to the next Brett Favre. I think it's still a little early in Romo's career to declare him a god, but I would be a fool to think Favre is going to be Green Bay's QB for another few decades. Anyway, after watching this (58 seconds in), I am rooting for the Tony and the Cowboys. Do me a favor, Romo, and fuck up Tom Brady's little party. Also, I found out today that Tony Romo likes hair metal.

4. Packers
Jenny's really on cloud nine with their 4-0 start, and as a [lesser] Packers fan myself, I'm happy too. Also a little jealous that "her" team is doing so much better. But mostly impressed with Favre, and happy he's breaking records left and right. What a fun QB to watch! I hope he's around for a bit longer, that GB gets a solid running game going, and they keep their record above .500. It doesn't hurt that Jenny and I play as the Packers on Madden, so I know most of the players and enjoy stomping on rookie-mode opponents.

5. Seahawks
I can get behind the Seahawks because I have a hope that Seattle will be in my future a bit more. I like Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander, but they need to play less sloppy.

6. Steelers
They lost to the Cardinals?! Still, fuck the Steelers. Get out of first place in the AFC North.

8. Jaguars
I like the Jags.

11. Ravens
Stupid Ravens. Marvin Lewis, please make our defense like theirs was.

15. Cardinals
Matt Leinart, you are gone from my fantasy team.

20. Bears
I liked it when Rex Grossman was their QB. That way it was easier to beat them.

22. Eagles
Goddamnit, McNabb. Let's get some consistency, good or bad. I really don't care, because that'll help me decide to play or bench you on my fantasy team.

23. Bengals
*sigh* C'mon, guys. 1-3? We were rated 6th in week 2. Step it up.

25. Browns
Do not want. I don't like Cleveland, I don't like Anderson (he's doing too well), and I especially don't like Brady Quinn (he's from Notre Dame).

28. Falcons
How's it feel to have a normal quarterback, guys? Maybe I'm old school, but I prefer a good rocket-armed passing game over a rushing QB anyday.

29. Saints
How disappointing. Apparently last year's playoffs appearance was a fluke. I'm still hoping you do well, Drew Brees. How about you just shoot for .500 this season? Can you do that for me?

So, Bengals have a bye week this weekend. Instead, my football action will consist of Purdue vs. Ohio State. Awesome!



* Recently found out Tom Brady is from Michigan. I don't care how good he is, I will still hate him for that.