Nov 19
In a matchup that can only be described as even more scintillating than last week’s epic 49ers-Bears tilt, tonight’s installment of NFL Network’s much-plugged Thursday Night Football again features two teams with playoff aspirations. I remember when I was young and had things to aspire to. A month from now, when the Panthers and Dolphins are watching the postseason from their five-figure couches, they’ll know what I mean. Read the rest of this entry »
Nov 17
Peter King has his Fine Fifteen, ESPN has its own composite power rankings, and the legendary Dr. Z’s weekly power rankings were a must-read until he was stricken silent by a stroke last year. So, why can’t TBL get in on the fun? Here’s the 10th installment of the 2009 NFL in-season power rankings, featuring the cherry-loving Rosario Dawson. Read the rest of this entry »
Nov 16
After yesterday’s 18-12 gutcheck road win over the Steelers, the Cincinnati Bengals have four wins in four tries against AFC North foes Pittsburgh and Baltimore. They’ve swept the Steelers in the regular season for the first time since 1998. Say it with me now: “Who dey!” Read the rest of this entry »
Nov 13
Yeah, that’s right, Yankees-Red Sox can eat my ass. It might have greater historical prestige and hold more meaning in the upper right quadrant of the country, but nationally, no rivalry currently carries the cachet of Colts-Patriots . The two winningest franchises of the decade, led by the premier players of their generation, with seven years of disdain and grudgingly-won respect between them. Even if you hate Peyton Manning or Tom Brady or Bill Belichick or Bill Polian or Spygate (or anything involving these two teams), you can’t deny that Colts-Patriots is one rivalry that (almost) always lives up to the hype. Read the rest of this entry »
Nov 12
For those of you who just can’t get enough mediocre football, tonight NFL Network begins its two-month stretch of Thursday night programming with the 4-4 Bears traveling to face the 3-5 49ers. It’s a scintillating matchup that we’ll be watching closely between sips of cognac and snippets of The Vampire Diaries. Here’s a few things about Bears/Niners to watch for: Read the rest of this entry »
Nov 10
Peter King has his Fine Fifteen, ESPN has its own composite power rankings, and the legendary Dr. Z’s weekly power rankings were a must-read until he was stricken silent by a stroke last year. So, why can’t TBL get in on the fun? Here’s the ninth installment of the 2009 NFL in-season power rankings, featuring (unless TBL yanks the picture again) former Dawson’s Creek guest star Bianca Kajlich (can’t believe she didn’t adopt a stage name). [Ed. She's also known as Landon Donovan's wife.]
1. New Orleans Saints (8-0): The Saints didn’t look unstoppable for much of Sunday’s 30-20 win over Carolina, but the mark of a great team is being able to win when you’re not at your best. Two causes for concern: The Saints gave up 182 yards rushing to the Panthers and New Orleans recovered three of Carolina’s four fumbles. As Football Outsiders tells us, that rate is not sustainable. Read the rest of this entry »
Nov 09
Remember back before the NFL season began when the NFC North was supposed to be a three-way “battle” between the Vikings, Packers and Bears? After yesterday’s events - the Packers falling to previously winless Tampa Bay and the Bears getting annihilated by Arizona - that kind of talk seems like a distant memory. Green Bay and Chicago both sit at 4-4, and the odds of either team making the playoffs at this point aren’t great. Read the rest of this entry »
Nov 06
It’s November, which means movie theaters are about to be inundated with Oscar bait. No more explosions, no more sweaty teenage cleavage, no more robots. Instead, we get actors chewing scenery in the hopes of earning the respect and admiration of their peers (and a gold statue, too), directors pursuing critical kudos and movie studios spending millions on advertising campaigns. It’s one big, glossy clusterf$*k and often difficult to navigate. So here’s a short guide to the movies you’ll need to familiarize yourself with before Steve and Al hit the Kodak (so awesome, BTW) in 2010: Read the rest of this entry »
Nov 03
Peter King has his Fine Fifteen, ESPN has its own composite power rankings, and the legendary Dr. Z’s weekly power rankings were a must-read until he was stricken silent by a stroke last year. So, why can’t TBL get in on the fun? Here’s the eighth installment of the 2009 NFL in-season power rankings, featuring the aptly-named Laetitia Casta.
1. New Orleans Saints (7-0): You know that part in “The Power of Love” where Huey Lewis bellows “There ain’t nuthin gonna stop this traaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaain?” He was talking about the Saints. Read the rest of this entry »
Nov 02
Yeah, so most teams have only played seven games and it’s not officially midseason until after next weekend. But screw it, let’s jump the gun! Here are your 2009 NFL Midseason Awards, brought to you by the exotic (and techno-friendly!) beauty of Olivia Munn.
Worst Development of the Half: The “Tom Brady” Rule: In theory, this new rule was enacted to protect the southern hemispheres of NFL quarterbacks, and thus, their well being. Read the rest of this entry »
