Yes, there are certainly terrible individuals in the broadcasting world, and there are a few bad duos as well, but I don't think it's possible to assemble a team as bad as the one that called the Jets-Bengals game. Tom Hammond is usually pretty good, but no one could stop the trainwreck that was Joe Gibbs and Joe Theismann.

There were a ton of notable mistakes, but none more glaring than the following two. Not only could they not figure out who threw the touchdown pass to Dustin Keller (Brad Smith or Sanchez) in the second quarter, but they even praised Marvin Lewis' idiotic decision to challenge challenge an almost meaningless play, and waste his last challenge....in the first quarter. Via the NY Times....

Gibbs and Theismann offered decent but unmemorable analysis. Theismann displayed how much more accurate the erratic Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer’s passing is when he follows through; both described how the Jets were running behind their offensive line to the left, six days after succeeding against the Bengals to the right.

But they were late in recognizing the seriousness of the gamble taken by Bengals Coach Marvin Lewis in using his challenges too early — in fact, Theismann said the second challenge was a good one without saying how the decision might hurt him later.

Then, he and his old coach did not revisit the subject late in the fourth quarter when Chad Ochocinco was ruled out of bounds on an attempted touchdown pass.

Not enough video analysis was given by NBC to determine if the call was right.

A few years ago, I thought that Al Michaels was becoming a bitter old man, but this season and last has proved that theory wrong. He seems to be having fun again, throwing in his lines about spreads in the middle of games, and using great quotes like this one! Via Slanch Report

I decided to not post the recent Cris Collinsworth YouTube video scandal, well....because I posted it over a year ago. Either way, the ex-Bengal and current NBC analyst, apologized for his comments back in the day to multiple news outlets, and here were his comments. Via Watchdog....

As a family man I am extremely embarrassed by an interview I did when I was in my early twenties about dating. My comments were insulting, immature, and foolishly intended as a joke. They do not reflect how I lived my life then... or now.

I was asked to do something humorous about dating, and it has been a major embarrassment to me since the day I said it.

I apologize to anyone who has ever had the misfortune to see it now or a quarter-century ago.

The maps are back, thanks to The506.com. Enjoy your first full weekend of Football, folks!

NBC Sunday Night Football: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth)
ESPN Monday Night Football: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (ESPN, 7pm, Mike Tirico/Ron Jaworski/Jon Gruden) and San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders (ESPN, 10:15pm, Mike Greenberg/Mike Golic/Steve Young)















RED: NY Jets at Houston Texans (CBS, 1pm)- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
BLUE: Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons (CBS, 1pm)- Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
GREEN: Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (CBS, 1pm)- Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots
ORANGE: Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals (CBS, 1pm)- Gus Johnson, Dan Fouts
YELLOW: Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens (CBS, 1pm)- Ian Eagle, Rich Gannon















RED: Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Bucs (FOX, 1pm)- Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa
BLUE: Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers (FOX, 1pm)- Dick Stockton, Charles Davis
GREEN: Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns (FOX, 1pm)- Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick
YELLOW: Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints (FOX, 1pm)- Chris Myers, Trent Green















RED: Washington Redskins at NY Giants (FOX, 4:15pm)- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
BLUE: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (FOX, 4:15pm)- Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan
GREEN: St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks (FOX, 4:15pm)- Ron Pitts, John Lynch

It's here! It's really really here!!! This summer has taken forever, but Football starts tonight, and we're going to be doing some live-blogging. Head on over to 12StepDrop for the stream if you want, but I'm pretty sure everyone gets NBC these days. The fun starts around 8, so join us, won't you?

Streaming Live: Opening Night

Also:

Pierre Thomas Preparing To Play
Barber's Role Diminished
Matt Stafford Named Starter
Off Field Issues Creating Headaches
Chatter

As I mentioned on Friday, I will be live blogging the first preseason game over at 12StepDrop tonight at 8pm. We decided we might try something a little different and embed the viewer here as well. It will have a fantasy slant, but if you are watching a Buffalo-Tennessee preseason game, chances are you play a little fantasy ...

If you haven't been by 12StepDrop yet, checkout the Chatter section. It filters out all the useless tweets by the players and shows you just their thoughts on camp and their teams. Just what the internet needs, more fantasy data.

See you back here at 8 ...

Best Week Ever, and Sports Rubbish, both took note during a special promo for NBC's 3-D offerings surrounding the Super Bowl this year, and an interesting sound came out following the talk aof a show called "Monsters vs. Aliens". Around the :30 mark of this clip, take a listen in the background as someone on the set let's out what sounds like fake orgasm noise....

Colts start at the 26. Manning hits Reggie Wayne for 31, airing it out on the right side to start. All the way up to the Chargers' 43. The next pass goes to Addai for nine yards, and Addai gets stopped for a loss on a 3rd and not much. 4th and 1....going for it...and Peyton throws incomplete. Big, big stop.

Sponge on the break. I haven't heard "Wax Ecstatic" in years, and we get that over Manning Face.

Wow. That was an Andy Reid Moment. - Mal

"My hair says ENERGY!"

Sproles gets stuffed, but takes it for a few yards on the next pass from Rivers. 3rd down rifle to Chambers for the first down, despite the pass interference on the Colts. Sproles rushes for some more, 3rd and 2 is incomplete for Chambers. Fair catch of the punt at the Indy 9.

Manning starts out with a short slant to Marvin Harrison. Addai gets the first down at the 23. He goes deep for Wayne, but Cromartie has him covered. 2nd down after an encroachment, incomplete.

Manning catches the Chargers' defense not even set -- hikes the ball, and hits Reggie Wayne right in stride. TOUCHDOWN, COLTS! 17-14 after the kick. "You Dropped A Bomb On Me," indeed. Just made the entire 11 look silly.

Chargers start on the 20 after Sproles takes a knee on the kick. Six-yard pass to the fullback, Jacob Hester.

Did anyone else notice Norv is wearing glasses now? Like it makes him look any smarter. Acrobatic catch by Chambers on a classic floater back foot throw by Rivers.

"He can't run a lick, but he can move enough just to keep the play alive." - John

At about midfield, and Sproles gets back to the line of scrimmage. The next carry gets him past the first down marker and at the 40. Michael Bennett is in for Sproles, and he barrels through for another first down within the 30. 2nd and 10. Rivers rifles it to Leagdu Naane at the 10. First and goal, nowhere to go for Darren. Sproles gets the next pass, tries to get into the end zone, and the ball is loose in the back of the end zone -- TOUCHBACK, fumble recovered by the Colts!

This Geico ad is now officially getting on my fucking nerves. Cromartie drops a sure pick. He wants that one back right now bad. 3rd down pass is also nearly picked, too. Sproles brings the punt return out to the 45, with a break of Steppenwolf. Sproles gets 9 yards on the carry, going to the Indy 47.

"I love it when they say, 'running backs who try to get small.' He doesn't have to try." - Al on Sproles. Freeney gets his second sack of the night. (MORE, MORE, MORE!!!!) Rivers, on 3rd and 13, rushes 12 yards of those 13 on his own. 4th and 1....Rivers sneaks....and he's got the 1st at the 33 after they measure it.

Rivers aims deep for Chambers in the end zone.....and it's picked off by Antoine Bethea, who runs it out, but there's a chop block by an Indy defender. Peyton will have the ball again.

Got to love Phillip Rivers going Favre with that pass. - 49er16

But he's having a lot of fun out there! Colts start at the 20, swing out to Clark, but there's a tripping call for 10 yards, and that'll be moved back. Goes back to Clark for four yards. Manning slings it to Wayne at the 31 for a first down. Addai grabs four yards. Another first down to Dallas Clark.

Norv looks like my high school principal with the glasses.

Rhodes shoves his way in with his shoulder for a first down in Chargers' territory on 3rd and 2. Cason nearly comes up with the pick on 1st and 10, but it hit the ground first. Manning rolls out, throws it away, and there's a holding penalty. 2nd and 20 gets nothing on the Addai carry. Chargers' D holds as Manning throws incomplete, and the penalty for holding is declined.

Bolts start at the 27 after the punt goes out of bounds. Sproles gets 17 after the catch on the pass out from Rivers. Sproles up to the 49 on the next carry. Another Rex Grossman-style pass from Rivers, and he's lucky that didn't get picked like the last one. Pass out to Bennett, and it's marked just slightly short of the first down....what, really. That's a first down, apparently.

Rivers aims downfield for Naane, and he underthrows him just slightly with double coverage. And down goes Rivers on 3rd down, Robert Mathis gets his second of the day.

That was ingenious Golden Globes advertising, NBC. I'd watch Salma Hayek's Golden Globes in HD.

Scifres punts it again in great field position. Colts start at their own 2, and we get "The Final Countdown."

Addai rushes for six to get out of the end zone. Next carry isn't much. 3rd and 2. Rush on....and DOWN GOES PEYTON AT THE ONE YARD LINE!

Sproles takes a very good punt back to the Colts' 36. Rivers hits Gates for a first down. Another first down to Gates at the 21. Rivers rolls out, can't find anyone, throws it away. Sproles rushes, gets it inside the 10, but short of the first. Colts' time out. Kaeding's on the field. Field goal is up and good, 17-all.

Colts start at the 19 after the kickoff. Short pass to Addai, and they're playing for OT, it looks like. Jyles Tucker is down. Indy gets an extra time out thanks to the injury, because SD is out of them. Manning throws out to Addai again, and the Colts burn another TO. Incomplete, and a kneel, we go to OT. Bolts win the toss.

Sproles brings the kick out to the 25. Raheem Brock is there to stuff him on the first down carry. Rivers throws it away after rolling out on 2nd down. Short out to Sproles -- and he gets past the first down marker on 3rd and 11. Bennett comes in for six yards and the rush. Sproles gets nailed in the backfield, and there's a flag for holding on Indy, for an automatic first down.

Sproles to midfield with 2 yards. Rivers to Gates, who drags tacklers with him for the first down. He loses the ball, but falls right on it. Mathis bull-rushes Rivers and he throws it at the feet of Hester to avoid grounding. 3rd and 8...Chambers on the outside against Jennings, and they call defensive holding. Another automatic first down. And another first down on a Sproles carry, they've called a face mask!

Mighty Mite gets nailed at the 24, loses a couple of yards. Sproles takes the carry, goes outside....AND RUNS ALL THE WAY IN FOR THE TOUCHDOWN! CHARGERS WIN, 23-17! Sproles had more than 300 yards on the day, but none more important than those last 24.

Thanks for joining me tonight. See y'all tomorrow!

Well, I was blatantly wrong in the early game. Let's see if I'm any better this time around.

LDT on the bike: pedalpedalpedalpedalpedalpedalpedal

Darren Sproles takes it out to the 22. LDT can make a cut, I guess. 13 yard gain to start. Two more for LDT, and a throw to Gates for six. 3rd and 2. Robert Mathis then nails Philip Rivers for the first sack, and it's three and out. Punt fair caught at the 9 yard line.

Manning to Harrison right off the bat for eight. Addai gets stuffed on his first carry. Another third down conversion for the Colts, as Manning hits the receiver. He throws it away on first down after Eric Weddle rushes him. Tony Ugoh gets flagged for five. Manning aims deep for Harrison, but it's getting called for PI on Quentin Jammer. First down. Addai gets two in SD territory.

You never want to hear the ref crew being the one that calls the most flags. EVER.

Manning misses Wayne, as the wideout looks the wrong way on the pass after getting Antonio Cromartie looking foolish. Reggie Wayne drops the third down pass, and the Colts will punt. Hunter Smith's kick goes into the end zone.

3rd and 10 after an incomplete pass and Darren Sproles getting nothing. Rivers' 3rd down pass to Gates winds up short of the first down. Scifres punts it 58 yards, with barely a return. Indy starts inside the 20 again.

LT (singing in his head): I love to ride my bicycle. I love to ride my bike. Biiii-cycle. Biiii-cycle. - Mal

Ha. Manning to Dallas Clark for three on a 1st and 15 after a false start. He hits Anthony Gonzalez for six at the 24.

"They also thought he knew the daily double at Del Mar." - Al, as Manning hits Wayne on the screen pass to the 33. Manning to Clark again for another first down. Peyton then goes back to Gonzalez for 36, as he weaves and bobs after the catch. "Looked like a video game," according to Al. Surprised he didn't crack a Madden joke. Gonzalez goes airborne and brings it down at the 3 yard line in double coverage.

Addai can't burrow in on first and goal. Addai on the inside handoff, and it's a TOUCHDOWN, COLTS. Viniateri's kick is good, 7-0, Indy.

Sproles got wailed on at the 25. Rivers to Gates for 6, followed by a five yarder for ineligible downfield. Rivers is hit by Dwight Freeney as he throws to Sproles. 3rd and 9, Sproles gets 13 after the inside handoff and sneaks between the tackles.

"Final minute of the opening stanza." - Al. THIS IS NOT POETRY, THIS IS FOOTBALL.

Sproles gets a couple, but Rivers is incomplete on 3rd and 3. Fits and starts for the Bolts right now, and no passes to either Chris Chambers or Vincent Jackson. Indy gets backed up to its own 3 on the punt. End of the first.

Manning Family shot to start the second. (crosses off list). Short runs and a pass is stopped short of the first down by Antoine Cason. Colts punt out of their own end zone...and it'll get even tougher as Indy gets a delay of game call. Sproles takes the punt back to the 43 yard line of the Colts.

Did Dungy have a Norv face? - James Craven

No. Dungy's facial expression never changes. He's Art Shell, but, y'know, like, successful. (Well, Art Shell 1.0 did fine.)

Everytime they show the charger girls I wonder if the tires on my car are over-inflated. - Mal

Rivers hits Gates again for eight yeards after a rollout. LT gets three to the 33 yard line and a chain movement. Gates again, getting major yards after catch and nailing a first and goal at the 3 yard line. LT busts through an easy hole, TOUCHDOWN, CHARGERS. Nate Kaeding's kick is good, 7-7.

There are no Wendy's within 20 minutes of me. I am tired of seeing their ads now, with that in mind. If you need a diversion, here are the Charger Girls for your perusal.

s2n - "LT busts through an easy hole"???? I didn't know Lindsay Lohan was at the game. - Mal

1,000 cocktails, sir. Colts start at their own 33, and Gonzalez lays out for a very nice catch for 21 yards on first down. Addai, nothing doing on 1st down, but gets nine yards on a pass from Peyton on the next play. End around to Clark for the first down -- AWESOME PLAY CALL. You never run that to the TE, ever. Unless when your DE is Clark; maybe Jason Witten could do that. Gates could do that too. Manning throws it away, sensing a defender coming.

"When you brush away the hair, you know it's not the way it's supposed to be." - John, as if you can get anything nice with helmet hair. 3rd and 10 pass to Clark is short by five yards, Viniateri comes on for a 40+ yard FG try. Up and good, 10-7, Colts.

"[Manning] will get a Vitalis ad out of this." - Al on Peyton Samson's hairdo (via James Craven)

Darren Sproles gets up-ended on the return after bringing it out to the 32. Dwight Freeney violates Rivers' back side for a sack on 2nd down. (MORE, MORE, MORE, COLTS. Hit him in his punk face.) Rivers throws his first non-Gates completion to Sproles, but it's 4th and 11.

MIKE SCIFRES JUST BOOTED ONE 67. Holy shit, that's impressive. Colts start on the 7. 3 for Dominic Rhodes. Wayne bobbles one and doesn't come down with it until he's out of bounds, but Tony Dungy is challenging. This is not gonna be overturned.

Norv just gave a "whew" face after that call stood. 3rd down and some audiblizing on both sides results in a checkdown play, picked up by linebacker Stephen Cooper. Hunter Smith will punt from his end zone again. The punt bounces back to the Indy 45. Sproles rushes for 11 up to the 34. Rivers throws a rope to the sideline, which Chris Chambers reels in and is called a catch. Looked kind of OB to me.

S2N letting out his Bronco fandom with the Rivers hatred - JG

Naturally. Rivers snaps one over the 10 to Chambers for a first and goal. Handoff to Sproles, has a guy grabbing at his leg, and gets right into the end zone! Kaeding's kick is good, 14-10, Chargers.

Sproles made the "money" gesture with his fingers, too. Kickoff, bringing it back out, and there's a FUMBLE!!!! Chargers recover! Wait --- they ruled him down, but this can be reviewed, and SD called a time out.

Ooh, I thought that was a fumble, guys....I don't know about that. Manning nearly picked off by Eric Weddle. Rush to Addai. Bolts' timeout. Addai picks up the first down. Incomplete for Gonzalez at midfield. Addai ends the half with a rush. 14-10, Chargers.

Good first quarter for Arizona, better 2nd for Atlanta. Rackers kicks off to Norwood, who gets out to the 27. Ryan hits Peelle at the 30.

Turner runs....and the ball's knocked out by Dockett! Rolle picks it up and runs into the end zone, TOUCHDOWN, CARDINALS! That was quick, 27 yard return. Rackers, up and good (barely), and it's 21-17, Arizona.

Let the good times Rolle! - SSR

Very punny. Norwood kneels on the kick, start at the 20. Turner had a wide open lane, but Arizona called time-out. He was gone if they hadn't, but let's guess that a TO called that early might bite them in the ass.

Turner gets brought down in the backfield again on first down. Ryan to White...but negated thanks to holding. An incomplete on a rush, and then a delay of game. Does not look good for Atlanta. Ryan throws it away on 3rd and 25, and the refs miss a hold in the end zone that would have been a safety. Breaston gets nailed on the punt before he could catch it -- 15 more yards, and Arizona will start inside the Atlanta 40.

Edge rushes for several yards in his LDT visor. Warner goes for Fitzgerald, who tries to bring it in one handed, but is a couple feet short. Warner to Fitz, it's incomplete, but man, that's a PI flag if I ever saw one. Rackers tries to kick one from 51, but it's wide left. Ken Whisenhunt ought to be fucking furious right now.

Turner gets to the 42. Roddy White brings in another catch, but for not much. 3rd down, and the O-line gets savaged. Incomplete, of course. Punt goes out of bounds at about the mid 20s. Edge gets eight on the next two carries, and Cris is agitating for Pat Tillman in the HOF. Warner to the TE, first down.

"Impressive yards after catch for James, and we did count the times he ran into his own offensive linemen." - Cris, as Warner scampers to the 46 for a first down. James gets into Atlanta territory again for another first down. Tim Hightower gets a couple on the next carry. Warner hits the TE Urban, then checks down to James for another first down at the 25 of the Falcons. Hightower grabs five more to the 20. Warner smokes one into Breaston at the five yard line.

Warner, short pass to Hightower, in the end zone. Rackers point is up and good, 28-17.

Has anyone noticed how odd it is to have Clint Eastwood hunting down Asian gang members. It's like Dirty Harry: The Retirement Years. Looks good though. Atlanta will start at the 20 after a touchback.

Ryan aims downfield for Roddy White....and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie makes an acrobatic interception to pick it off! He got UP THERE. Three and out, though. Punt downed inside the 15. Turner continues to get nothing from Berry and the D-line, Norwood doesn't get much more as the 3rd quarter ends.

Ryan overthrows Jenkins on first down, and he's unraveling. Punt again. Stop hitting yourself, Falcons! 15-yard face mask on the end of an Edge run gets inside Falcons territory. Dumb, dumb screen pass on first down to Arrignton, loses tons of yards. 3rdr and 11. Warner gets harried by the blitz and it's incomplete. Falcons get called for a hold on the punt, giving Arizona ten more yards.

THEY BROKE OUT THE VANILLA ICE FOR MATT RYAN. Good lord.

And they get Matt Ryan in the grasp....and IT'S A SAFETY!!! 30-17. Looks debatable, he held on to the ball too long and they called it as if he was in the grasp and about to go down, and the ref was grabbing Ryan's crotch.

Cris: "He gave him a couple of bucking bronco rides, but the third and fourth was too much." (via Mal)

James burrows for more yards and another first down. Warner out to the TE, about the 22. James gets stopped up in the backfield, there's a flag, and they're battling out of bounds. Holding on Arizona. Warner hits Fitzgerald, but he's short of the first. Douglas takes the punt return out to the 41.

Ryan to Norwood for some serious yardage after the catch, going way deep into Cards' territory. Ryan then goes to Peelle at the 20 -- next pass to Jenkins, short of the first down. QB sneak for the first down. Offsides on the Cards. Toss to White for another first down, and it's first and goal.

Ryan to White -- in the flat, just walks into the end zone, kick is good. 30-24, Cards.

Lost transmission thanks to incompetence at the local station. And now they're not broadcasting in HD. Warner aims for Breaston, who makes the catch and gets into Falcon territory at the 40. Hightower to the 43, and an ATL timeout. An end around to Breaston is broken up big time. And Warner just iced this game with a throw to Spach over the middle and to the 20.

Now they're eating clock, and this game is over with another first down. Your final score will be 30-24, and I totally blew it on this call -- where was this Arizona team all season? See you in a bit for the Colts and Chargers.

Michael Turner, who garnered 4 MVP votes this year, is ready to run all over the place today.

That DP-Matt Millen interview had to be one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever seen on sports television. It's remarkable that Millen admitted to sucking in so many words. Anyway....

Matt Millen just picked the Falcons, so I'm confident the Cards will win this. - Bazooka Jones

That did make me a bit less comfortable with my Falcons pick, but the NFC West is so atrocious.

I cannot be the only one who thinks it's incredibly lame that Arizona somehow thinks it's clever to put "RED ZONE" in humongous lettering over the end zones, as if Cardinals fans are so bad with football that they need it explained where the red zones are. (Of course, this is football in Arizona; that is entirely possible. Is there an actual Arizona Cardinals fan among us here? We would love to hear from you.)

Collinsworth: "Boldin is one of the toughest players in all of football".
Hammond: "You know he's a wide receiver, don't you?" (via Mal)

Thank you Tiki and NBC, for teaching me something I didn't know: they roll the grass at the stadium outside to grow and water it, then roll it back in. That's pretty damn cool.

J.J. Arrington picks up the kickoff and is knocked out at the 12 yard line. The KW-1300 Cybernetic Quarterback throws the first pass of the game high for Larry Fitzgerald. This QB model hides his mechanical enhancements under the gloves. KW-1300 gets whacked as he lets it go on 2nd down, and it's obviously short, as Keith Brooking tried to maul him. 3rd down pass underneath to Ben Patrick, three yards short for a 3 and out.

Edge picked up that blitz like a man ready to leave town. - Mal

Harry Douglas gets the punt at the 30 and returns it 21 yards past midfield for some fine field position to start. Matt Ryan rolls out for three yards and slides after his options are well covered to start. Turner the Burner starts with only a couple yards rushing. Matty Ice fires....and gets picked right away by Ralph Brown. Cards will start at about their own 36.

Edgerrin James picks up about four or five yards on his first carry of the series. He gets a first down by heading past midfield. Another Edge run for 6. One more handoff to Edge -- ooh, we got ourselves a flea flicker -- KW-1300 aims, fires, and Larry Fitzgerald back flips into the end zone with the catch! TOUCHDOWN, CARDINALS. Kick is up and good by Rackers, 7-0, Arizona.

Seriously, double coverage, leaping, back flip, that's major highlight material.

You know how you can sense a disaster approaching. That mall cop movie just pinged every sensor I've got.

"He's like Spider-Man." - Collinsworth on Fitzgerald.

Falcons will start at the 20 thanks to a touchback. Nothing for Turner on first down. False start, then Turner gets about four of those back. Ryan hits Roddy White at the 30 for a first down, and I love Cris breaking down the plays super quick on replays like that. Next throw on first down goes out of bounds. Turner loses a bunch on 2nd down, because Arizona, for some reason, is pegging on the run hard. The Cards have the Falcons on the run right now, and they call time out.

Yep, that was a blown offsides...but it doesn't matter, as Ryan's sacked on 3rd and long. Michael Koenen will come on to punt. Cardinals start at the 24. More Edge, out to the 29.

"Are you sure the Falcons and Cardinals didn't switch uniforms?" - Collinsworth.

KW-1300 then hits Fitzgerald again, who gets out to the mid-40s with some yards after the catch. James inside the 35 of the Falcons. Arrington gets stuffed on his first carry on 2nd and 3. KW-1300 throws it through Anquan Boldin's hands, and this will be a punt, apparently...and it's downed at the Atlanta 5....well, 7 yard line.

Turner gets three on the first carry. Ryan drops back, aims deep for Michael Jenkins, and Rod Hood knocks it away. Bertram Berry takes Ryan down for the second sack of the day, and Koenen will be punting out of his end zone. Left tackle Sam Baker got completely burned. Steve Breaston backs off on the ball, picks it up, and is taken down in good field position.

Fitty gets tied up with the Atlanta defender on first down, ball falls incomplete. KW-1300 gets nailed by Lawyer Milloy as he lets the ball go. 3rd and 10. Warner throws through the hands of Keith Brooking, who should have come up with that.

"Even the defensive players with the bad hands ought to catch that." - Collinsworth

Douglas gets nailed inside the 10 for no return on the punt. Tuner gets two yards, up to the 10. Ryan to White at the 20 for a first down; White is quickly developing into a good wideout. Turner gets leg-tackled by Hood when it looked like he was about to break for 5-10 yards. Norwood gets very close to a first down, busting through for 8...and he's got it to end the first quarter.

I guess Ryan will be added to the QB slurping tree or a replacement for Favre, Brady, Peyton - JG

That ain't new, man. That's been going on all damn year. Turner gets his first good run of the day, 13 yards and another first down. Another first down pass out to Michael Jenkins, who gets 13 more and into Arizona territory. Check down pass to Turner for 7, as Ryan has to bring everyone in around him to get the play call out. It's rather Peyton-esque. Turner hits another first down on the rush. Ball at the AZ 32. Swing pass to Douglas -- and Rod Hood just decked him.

Harry Douglas, you just got KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT.

2nd and 11 on the swing to White, gets a first down near the 24. Ryan to the TE Pollard, completes, and it comes lose, but the Falcons keep the ball.

"One of the things they told Gerald Hayes, I don't want to say this; it sounds bad, but it was: 'Don't think. Just go get the guy!'" - Collinsworth, after Hayes takes Turner down in the backfield. Hood falls down on 3rd and long, and Jenkins winds up being a yard shy on the first because he didn't realize Hood had fallen. 4th down, and a tough call coming.

Kicker and noted author Jason Elam tries a 30-yarder, and it's good. 7-3, Cardinals.

Arizona starts at the 27. KW-1300's pass gets tipped by an airborne D-lineman, and we get our first Leinart shot. The cyborg hits Boldin for his first catch, and he's down after a yard gain. Out to Boldin on the side, the corner misses a tackle, and Boldin is GONE. He burned Lawyer Milloy, badly. Rackers' kick is good, 14-3, Cartdinals. 71 yards all the way. Yeowch.

"I guess that would qualify as some run after the catch." - Collinsworth (via Mal). Norwood returns the kick out to the 23 yard line. 7 yards on the first pass to White, and he gets it again for a first down. Ryan goes all the way across the field for White, who manages not to bring it in. Another throw wide for Jenkins. Jenkins then brings in a pass from Ryan, who had very good protection and the receiver does a great job to come down in bounds.

Turner gets nothing in the backfield again. Arizona's stopping the run very well. Ryan to White again for a first down.

"Have any explanation for that, Cris?" - Hammond
"No, I'm not smart enough to come up with one for that!" - Collinsworth, on why Ryan is more successful throwing to his left than his right.

Ryan to White again for another 12 yards, and they're in the red zone. Ryan scrambles, gets up to the 18.

Atlanta is going all Philly on us and is going pass happy. - SSR
Mularkey's channeling his inner Andy Reid it looks like. - James Craven

Burn. Turner gets up to the 15.....and eventually Turner just walks into the end zone. Kick up and good, 14-10, Cardinals.

Warner faces a 3rd and 10 after having to throw a pass away...and 3rd down is deflected and picked by Cheivous Jackson! Turner rushes up and is just short of the first down....never mind, he got it. Offsides on AZ, first and 5, Ryan overthrows White when he didn't have to at all. 1:12 left to go int he first half.

Ryan to White again just inside the first down. 2 yard line. Ryan to Justin Peelle, easy TE pattern, TOUCHDOWN. Kick up and good, 17-14, Falcons take the lead.

Warner to Fitzgerald for a small screen pass to end the half at that score. See you in the 2nd half thread.

Game 1: NFC Wild Card Playoff
Teams: Atlanta Falcons (11-5, 2nd in NFC South) vs. Arizona Cardinals (9-7, NFC West Champs)
Location: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Start Time: 4:30 PM EST
Announcers and Network: Tom Hammond, Cris Collinsworth, Tiki Barber (NBC)
Miscellany: Ears pegged for mentions of Michael Vick, Bobby Petrino and the amazing comeback of the Falcons, combined with any on-air fellatio of Matty Ice comparable to the QB Trinity (Favre, Peyton, and Brady). Also note hagiography of Kurt Warner, and if Cris comes out and tells us how much the NFC West sucked this season.
Favorite: Arizona (-1.5)
S2N's Pick: Atlanta. Cardinals don't have much in the way of rushing D, Falcons do okay on the pass D. I suspect a heavy dose of Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood will keep Kurt Warner and his three 1,000 yard receivers off the field.

Game 2: AFC Wild Card Playoff
Teams: Indianapolis Colts (12-4, 2nd in AFC South) vs. San Diego Chargers (8-8, AFC West Champs)
Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
Start Time: 8 PM EST
Announcers and Network: Al Michaels, John Madden, Andrea Kremer (NBC)
Miscellany: Naturally, let's be on alert for obvious Manning slurpage, shots of Archie Manning in a luxury box, and shots of both Norv and Manning Face.
Favorite: Indy (-1)
S2N's Pick: Colts. 9 game winning streak > 4 game winning streak. No Gigantor on defense all season for the Chargers means no good pass rush against a good O-line, so Peyton Manning should have all day to throw against corners who have regressed (remember when Antonio Cromartie was a Pro Bowler?). Plus, fuck Philip Rivers right in the goddamn ear, that's why.

Get ready. Live-blog doubleheader starts in about 30-45 minutes.

Obviously this is the quickest announcing schedule ever, because of there only being four games, but I thought you'd still like to see who's calling which game and where. The Wild Card Weekend features some great matchups, and will even mark the first time that the Falcons and Cardinals played on NBC since 1997.

I'm not quite sure why NBC is going with Tom Hammond for the game, but we do get a special treat. Tiki as a sideline reporter! Here's your announcing schedule for this weekend, and full Playoff schedule for the rest of the month. Start trading events with your significant others now!

Saturday, January 3rd

Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals (NBC, 4:30pm)- Tom Hammond, Cris Collinsworth, Tiki Barber
Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers (NBC, 8pm)- Al Michaels, John Madden, Andrea Kremer

Sunday, January 4th

Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins (CBS, 1pm)- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings (FOX, 4:30pm)- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver

FULL NFL PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE

Saturday, January 10th

Baltimore, San Diego or Indianapolis at Tennessee Titans (CBS, 4:30pm)
Arizona, Atlanta or Minnesota at Carolina (FOX, 8:15pm)

Sunday, January 11th

Arizona, Atlanta or Philadelphia at New York Giants (FOX, 1pm)
Miami, San Diego or Indianapolis at Pittsburgh Steelers (CBS, 4:45pm)

Sunday, January 18th

NFC Championship Game (FOX, 3pm)
AFC Championship Game (CBS, 6:30pm)

Sunday, February 1st

Super Bowl XLIII from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida (NBC, 6pm)

It's the Stoned Yokel vs. Marmalard in the Whale's Vagina for all the AFC West marbles, and I figure I'm safer and better off listening to this on the radio on the drive back to my little university town from L.A. rather than watch Al and John. "But you're a Broncos fan, aren't you, S2N?", you might ask, and that would be true. However, after watching this team give up two straight losses and utterly fail on defense, I remember how they lost out on a Wild Card spot two years ago thanks to losing in San Francisco in Week 17, and the last thing I think I want to do is see another similar collapse on TV after Mike Shanahan guaranteed a playoff spot before the season started.

That being said, have at it. I think the only thing I will miss is Rivers acting like a jerk by trash talking with a possible 8-8 record heading into the playoffs.

I didn't want to re-use a photo of Abby Manning, but I couldn't find one without her dopey husband in it.

Mark Jones takes the kickoff up to the 33 yard line, as Andrea tells us about Justin Tuck suffering from the flu. DeAngelo Williams gets five yards on first down, then gets six more to move the chains, as he's flipped over. Jonathan Stewart comes back in and crosses midfield by gaining six or seven yards. Good coverage on 2nd down, as Delhomme aims for a check down, but it's incomplete. Nearly throws a pick on 3rd down as the Giants blitz, and Baker will be on to punt. R.W. McQuarters fair catches the ball at about the 10.

Jacobs gets 3 on first down. He's the recipient of the next short pass, and he has to reach down to grab it. Manning out of the shotgun, incomplete to Domenik Hixon over his back shoulder. 4th down. Feagles shanks it, and Carolina will start at the Giants' 48. Williams gets a yard after they fake the end-around to Steve Smith. Stewart gets up to the 43. 3rd down throw to Muhammad over the middle is broken up by Corey Webster. Baker to punt. McQuarters downs it at the Giant 16.

Eli goes to Kevin Boss to start, who gets up to the 20. 2nd down gets a yard, Eli gets a delay of game on 3rd and 5, turning it into 3rd and 10. Manning finds Boss, who gets more than that 10 and a first down. Next pass goes to Hixon for another 10 yards up to the 41. Jacobs gets three more on the next carry. Ward busts it to the outside once again after cutting through the line, 22 yard gain to the Carolina 33. Manning hits Amani Toomer for his first catch of the day at the 21. Manning hits the fullback Hedgecock, who gets inside the 10 yard line for a first and goal.

Jacobs gets the carry and heads to the 2 yard line, but gets hit hard behind the line of scrimmage on the next carry.

"Sinuses are cleared." - Al
"A lot of things of cleared." - John, after Chris Harris' hit on Jacobs

Manning drops back and hits Kevin Boss coming across the end zone for the touchdown. They kick the point, and it's 21-20, Panthers.

I hate this Diet Pepsi Max ad now, although it's nice to know that Chris Kattan is getting some form of employment. Mark Jones returns the kick to the 36. Delhomme looks deep for Steve Smith, but his pass is incomplete. Williams gets six yards on the carry. Delhomme spots Muhsin Muhammad at midfield and hits him to move the chains on the last play of the third quarter.

Antonio Pierce gets some nice penetration on the running play and brings Williams down for a 1-yard loss. Williams gets that yard back and one more; 3rd and 9. Delhomme hits Dwayne Jarrett, who gets airborne to bring the ball down at the 31 of New York. Williams gets the carry, gets to the outside -- and breaks it all the way for 30 yards for the score! Add the XP, it's 28-20, Carolina. Fourth TD of the day for DeAngelo Williams!

Bradshaw brings the ball out to the 23 this time. Manning's brought down by Tyler Brayton for a 9-yard sack on first down. Jacobs gets back all the way out to the 30, catching the Panthers in nickel coverage. Ward gets to the outside again and is sprung free by a block all the way to the Carolina 33 for a 37 yard carry. Jacobs up to the 31. Eli doesn't like the defense and calls time. Jacobs' hands of stone drop the pass from Manning on 2nd down and 7. On 3rd down, Manning gets shellacked by Julius Peppers from his blind side. You could hear that from miles away.

It knocks the G-men out of field goal range, so Feagles punts, and the Giants bat it out at the one-yard line to pin the Panthers in. Williams gets a yard on the next two carries. He gets up to the 4 yard line on 3rd down. Baker's punt is good; McQuarters runs out of bounds at the Carolina 44.

Hixon gets 13 yards after an initial loss on a penalty. 2nd and 2 after the catch. Derrick Ward gets stopped for a loss of a yard. Manning hits Toomer on the right side, he gets extra yardage by breaking tacklers and is down at the 22. Ward gets two yards on the carry, then grabs three more on the shotgun draw play. 3rd and 5 -- over the middle to Kevin Boss, and he runs to the five before he's brought down. First and goal.

Manning goes for Hixon in the end zone, and it's broken up -- but they call pass interference on Ken Lucas, Carolina's first PI flag all season. Resets the down to first and goal at the 1. Brandon Jacobs rumbles through the line for a touchdown, and the Giants are going for two.

Incredibly good fake to Jacobs out of the shotgun on the conversion, and Manning hits a wide-open Hixon. 28-all! Damn, this is a game we got here.

Another good return by Mark Jones, who is tackled at the Carolina 38. Delhomme to Stewart over the middle, and he crosses midfield to move the chains. Stewart gets a yard on the next play. Two minute warning.

Great break-up of the pass to Steve Smith by Corey Webster, making it 3rd and 9. But Muhammad is there on 3rd down, crossing the marker and being tackled at the 37. Delhomme drops it, but picks it up and hands it off to Williams, who gets 10 yards and a first down -- depending on this flag -- and it's a holding call on Steve Smith. That'll be coming back to the Giants 47.

"That's a good hold. That's a doggone takedown." - John, on Smith's holding penalty.

I believe Steve Smith could make a very good wrestler, even at his tiny size. Williams gets up to the 40.

Glad we got that shot of Justin Tuck being, as Al said, "sick with the flu". - Mal

Donovan McNabb understands Justin Tuck's pain. DeAngelo Williams out of the Wildcat formation, he rushes up to about the 33, getting out of bounds. 3rd and 6, Williams gets two yards, and Kasay is going to try a 50 yard FG.

Kick is up....and WIDE LEFT! We're gonna have us some OT!

Giants get the ball to start, winning the coin toss.

"Looks like Eli Manning said, 'Oh my goodness.'" - John
"Or a reasonable facsimile, when we come back." - Al

Giants' offense starts at the 20 after Bradshaw takes a knee on the kickoff. Ward starts off with a six yard carry, he's over 130 yards rushing on the night. Eli's pass is a bit high for Domenik Hixon. The pass for Toomer is also too high, and the Giants will go three and out.

Feagles punts it to Mark Jones, who's tackled after making it to the 38 yard line of the Panthers. Jonathan Stewart gets six yards on his first OT carry. They go back to Stewart for 2 more yards.

"You how you say key third down? Every third down is a key third down in overtime." - Al

Delhomme's 3rd down pass is tipped and incomplete but Kevin Dockery, and the Panthers will have to punt as well. Baker punts to McQuarters, who muffs it, but is able to fall on it at the 13 yard line. Near disaster right there.

Ward gets a massive hole through the middle and runs right through it all the way to the Carolina 36! Jacobs takes the next carry 3 yards up to the 33. Manning throws behind Hixon on the play. Another shotgun draw to Ward, who is up to 198 rushing yards after taking that play to the 19.

Ward is INSANE, getting to the outside again!

"On a windy night, it's Wind of Earth, Wind, and Fire. 216 yards!" - Al, after Derrick Ward runs another 18 to the outside. First and goal at the 1 -- and BRANDON JACOBS ICES HOMEFIELD WITH THE TOUCHDOWN! 34-28, GIANTS!

301 yards on the ground total for the Giants. Great, great game. Thanks for joining me. I'll be driving to L.A. tomorrow as I'm on vacation this week, so if I get there in time, maybe there might be a Monday Night Football live-blog.

Courtesy of Sports by Brooks, we have the highlights of Titans players stomping on a Terrible Towel after beating the Steelers in Nashville today.



Late game round-ups:

• The Jets go to the West Coast and blow it once again. Seattle wins 13-3 on a couple of field goals, good D, and a TD pass from Seneca Wallace to John Carlson....but we can't forget Favraro's two picks, including one to kill the drive near the end.
  
• Here's a bizarre stat line: 18/25, 236 yards, 2 TDs. That's JaMarcus Russell's passing numbers against the Houston D. 27-16, Raiders, with a minute left.
  
• The Skins are up 10-3 on Philly thanks to a Clinton Portis touchdown and some stereotypically bizarre Andy Reid play calling. (Short screen to Westbrook on 3rd and goal from the 6, ahoy!)
• Atlanta has just owned Minnesota today. 24-10, despite fumbling the ball four times. One TD pass for Matt Ryan, one score each for Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood. 4:30 left.
  
• Buffalo is up 30-23 in Denver, as the Broncos are determined to make the Bills look good and set up a showdown in San Diego for the AFC Worst title next week. Two rushing TDs for Jay Cutler, and Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson both have rushing TDs.
  

With just three short years under its belt, it's hard to crow about a rating being "your highest ever!", but after seeing the numbers it's safe to say that NBC has a right to brag. According to the network, the Giants-Cowboys game pulled 23.1 million viewers, and is now slotted into the third spot among all primetime programs for the year behind only 60 Minutes' Barack Obama interview and the season premier of CSI. Via NBC....

NEW YORK – Dec. 16, 2008 - The Dallas Cowboys 20-8 victory over the Super Bowl champion New York Giants on "NBC Sunday Night Football" drew the most viewers ever for a "Sunday Night Football" game. With 23.1 million viewers, Sunday night's broadcast was the No.1 primetime program for the week and the No. 3 primetime program for the entire television season according to data provided by Nielsen Media Research.

"NBC Sunday Night Football" was No. 1 for the week among viewers (23.1 million) household rating (13.7/21), Adults 18-49 (8.6) and other key demographics. It was a record for SNF in total viewers (excludes Monday afternoon 12/25/06 Philadelphia-Dallas game which drew 23.2 million viewers).

Sunday Night's broadcast is the No. 1 primetime program on any network this TV season among Adults 18-49 (8.6) and is the top primetime telecast on any network in total viewers (23.1 million viewers overall) since the November 16 telecast of 60 Minutes, which featured an interview with President Elect Barack Obama (25.1 million). For the season, this week's SNF broadcast is No. 3 behind only that 60 Minutes and the October 9 CSI season premiere (23.5 million). Additionally, SNF was the No. 1 series in the November sweeps period among adults 18-49 and other key advertising demographics.

Selita Ebanks used to date the Giants' Osi Umenyiora. That's all I need for inclusion (and to avoid running pictures of either Jessica Simpson, Sophia Bush, Carrie Underwood or any other woman either involved or rumored to be involved with Tony Romo.)

Sinorice Moss takes the kickoff out to the 27 yard line. Ward tries to run, doesn't get much as he's hit by Jay Ratliff, and there's a flag to boot -- oops, horse collar tackle on Ratliff. He learned from the best from Roy Safety Williams. Ahmad Bradshaw gets up to the 43 with his first carry. Manning gets four wide, hits Hixon at the G-men 49. Ward gets the first down as he crosses midfield. Terence Newman sneaks inside position on Hixon and picks Eli off -- and we get a quick shot of Manning Face.

Peyton's Manning Face is better, but Eli's is pretty amusing to see too.

So... is that the one that Osi used to... you know... errr... Drop the deuce on? - Rob in WI

Selita is too classy for that, thank you very much. (EW. EW. EW.) Pitch to Barber gets nothing. Romo aims for Roy Receiver Williams, and it's incomplete. Overthrew him again on 3rd down, and the Cowboys waste a turnover opportunity. McQuarters brings in the punt for a fair catch at the 11.

I gotta say it again: that Geico ad with the cash with eyes took a lot of acid to come up with. Ward doesn't get much on the first down carry. Another false start penalty, and Tom Coughlin looks like he wants to go all Sgt. Hartman on someone. Manning rolls out, hits Hixon on the run, and the wideout makes the marker for a first. Another Ward carry for maybe a yard. Manning to T.O.S.S. on a very good, very accurate throw for 19 yards to the 43. Ward up to the 45.

"And Manning goes down for a fifth time!" - Al

I haven't seen the Giants give up this many sacks in a game in a while -- and that's sack #6, and even more Manning Face.

I guess youre saving the Abby Manning pics for next week - JG

Gotta have something on hand besides Carolina cheerleader photos.

Cowboys cheerleaders have changed into their Santa's Helpers outfits. God, why don't the eagles' cheerleaders have Santa outfits? - James Craven

Because the Iggles' front office hates their fans and hates America.

Romo dumps it off to Witten, who heads up to the Dallas 42 while telling Giants CB Aaron Ross to get the hell out of his way. The Texas Stadium PA plays "Pretty Fly For A White Guy" by the Offspring after that, in a case of curious timing. Romo to T.O. on the short slant, and Owens slips while trying to cut back for the first and more. MB3 gets stuffed by the Giants' D-line on 3rd and 1. Punt goes out of bounds at the 9.

Fuck, I thought this game would have more offense. Manning goes to Bradshaw, who takes it for a first down up to the 25. John is talking about the food at Stubbs again as first down goes nowhere. Manning then overthrows Hixon again -- and Eli is sacked for the seventh time tonight.

All I want for Christmas is a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader. Feagles punts to Crayton, who's tackled at his own 27.

I'm from Wisconsin... I'm a fat guy... even *I* say "Damn" to that sandwich. - Rob in WI

I had a heart attack just looking at it. Romo scrambles all over the place and hits Myles Austin at about midfield. He then hits Martellus Bennett in Giants territory.

"He looks like he could play any sport." - John, on the 6'7" Bennett

Tashard Choice gets to the outside and gets the first down. Romo gets a yard on the next carry, and is slow getting up as the third quarter ends.

If you live in an area with Carl's Jr, they're running really dumb ads for their Steak Sandwich, where this schlub dude tells his girlfriend they're going out for steak and she gets all dressed out. "It's how guys do fancy." I love commercials that sell their food to me by telling me all dudes are cheap schlubs.

Choice rambles on for 22 yards and another first down. He's a Rambling Wreck from Georgia Tech, probably not a hell of an engineer, but he's engineering this drive nicely. 1st and 10 at the Giants' 15. Justin Tuck stops up Choice's next rush. Romo to Witten, he gets to the outside by shaking off Antonio Pierce and he's down at about the 1 or 2. More Offspring. Did Witten pick that song to play after every play he makes? Handoff from the shotgun to Choice -- and he's short. Romo takes the next snap out of the I -- and he finds Dion Anderson wide open for the touchdown! Folk's XP is up and good, 14-3, Dallas.

Draw play out of shotgun on 1st and goal from the one???? Hello, Andy Reid! - Mal

(Giggles.) Ahmad Bradshaw jukes his way out to about the 27 with the kickoff.

Miller Lite: The beer equivalent of a fruitcake as a gift. - Rick James Bible Owner

3rd and 3 for the stalling Giants' offense. Toomer gets the catch at about the 39 yard line for a first down. Bradshaw runs the draw play from the shotgun up to the Giants' 47. Mario Manningham makes his first catch of the game, but he's tackled immediately for a loss. And that 3rd and 4 will become 3rd and 9 after a false start penalty. Manning's throw to T.O.S.S. is incomplete, knocked away by the Dallas corner.

"Winning is a great deodorant, isn't it?" - Al, as they show T.O., Romo, and Witten tracked by War's "Why Can't We Be Friends?"

Hmmm....Romo gets sacked in the end zone. EVERYBODY DO THE SAFETY DANCE! 14-5, Dallas. Romo would, but he can't get up right now. Oh, and they play Men Without Hats? Awesome.



It's like Willow on acid or something. Giants take the kick to the 40, Manning then hits Hixon at the Dallas 41. Ward rushes all the way up to the 28 yard line. No-huddle fun. No luck with the aim for Toomer on first down. Manning aims for Hixon in the end zone, and he can't make the one-handed grab. Where's David Tyree when you need him? Manning's third down throw is incomplete as he's rushed by Brady James coming after him. Carney's FG from 47 is good, 14-8, Dallas.

I've seen the trailer for Seven Pounds dozens of times now and I still don't have a whole lot of an idea of what it's about.

Madden is like Grandpa Simpson in that he tells stories that don't go anywhere. - Walnuts

Now get off his lawn! Austin takes the kick out to the 34 yard line. Choice's 9 yard run is negated by holding on Martellus Bennett. Pass attempt is incomplete as the receiver drops it thanks to a Giants' hit. Choice gets nearly all of those 20 yards back on a nice run into a hole on the right side. MB3 rumbles out to midfield for the first down.

Another rush by Choice, then Witten gets flagged for holding on the next one. Choice gets 14 of it back on 2nd and 23. Giants will use their last time out. Romo goes for Witten, he stretches and leans for the first down at the Giants 38. Shotgun draw to Choice --- AND HE BREAKS FREE FOR THE TOUCHDOWN!

"It's the Good Ship Lollipop!" - Al, in a total WTF moment.

Cowboys going for 2. Romo overthrows the fade to Roy Williams. 20-8, Cowboys.

"Tashard 'The People's' Choice." - Al, inventing a Bermanism.

Manning gets sacked for the 8th time, the third time by DeMarcus Ware, I think. Bradshaw takes it up to the 30. Eli then overthrows Amani Toomer, who has been completely benign to the Cowboys defense all night. Manning then hits Toomer, and Jerry Jones' face is melting.

"Sweetness and light." - Al.

Time's gonna run out on us soon, and on the Giants too. Terence Newman gets his second pick of the night as Manning just aired it out. That'll do it, Cowboys win 20-8, and it sets up a game between the Panthers and Giants next Sunday to determine home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs -- and that'll be next Sunday night. See you then, folks!

Kate Mara is the scion of football royalty, the daughter of Giants VP Chris Mara and Kathleen Rooney. That's my excuse for the picture. Not like you would really care about it.

Anyway, late games:

• Minny's up 35-14 on the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale thanks to 160+ yards rushing by Adrian Peterson and 4 TD passes from Tarvaris Jackson (who takes Unlikely Fantasy Performer of the Day honors). 10+ minutes left in the 4th.
• Matt Cassel also has 4 TD passes against the Raiders, but this is less impressive because it's the Raiders. Randy Moss was on the end of two of those passes, and the main highlight was back-to-back kickoff returns exchanged by the squads. 42-20, New England.
  
• Carolina up 30-10 thanks to a TD each from DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, plus a hook-up between Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith. Jay Cutler has to carry the Denver offense and it isn't happening, obviously, so San Diego will stay alive for another week. 10 minutes left.
  
• Defensive showdown in Baltimore (like anyone expected anything else), with the Ravens having kicked more field goals than the Steelers. 9-3 with 11 minutes to go.