Morning.
From the “Talks too much” studios, it’s time to make the doughnuts.
NFL power poll
1. New England. The Patriots were off last weekend and face a battered and weary Dallas team this weekend. Still, the Patriots mission of league – and potential global – domination remains clear. Want to know the key for sustained success? Here’s a nod for consistency within a franchise. New England hired Bill Belichick in 2000. Since then the other three AFC East teams have had 21 coaches, a number that will grow with Miami firing Joe Philbin on Monday.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) passes as San Francisco 49ers linebacker Corey Lemonier (96) applies pressure during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) 2. Green Bay. Even on his less-than-A-game days, Aaron Rodgers is pretty smooth. As his defense was dominating the hapless 49ers, Rodgers completed right at 70 percent of his throws and added 33 rushing yards for good measure. The Packers are going to be a tough out.
3. Denver. The Broncos used more shotgun last week to maximize Peyton Manning’s strengths. That said, Manning’s arm strength is questionable at best, and his first throw – a wheel route to C.J. Anderson – would have been a touchdown rather than a 30-yard completion five years ago. The one think that is not in question, though, is how good the Denver defense is. Wow, that’s an impressive pass rush.
4. Cincinnati. Speaking of impressive front sevens, the Bengals are salty. And this week’s game against Seattle will be a three-hour fist fight. Cincy appears to be the most complete team in the AFC North, but we all know the measure of quarterback Andy Dalton will come in the postseason.
5. Atlanta. You go Dan Quinn. Seriously.
Bottom five
28. Tampa Bay. Welcome back to the bottom, Bucs. We’d missed you guys. This will be a long year – almost always is with a rookie quarterback prone to big plays and big turnovers – but it will still be better than last season’s debacle.
29. Chicago. Man, the Bears season is already so crazy that the national narrative has changed to where Jay Cutler is a tough guy and a good teammate. Where are we and what year is it? That said, the Bears’ injuries are too much for Joe Montana to overcome, nevermind Jay Cutler.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) 30. San Francisco. It really was not that long ago that some national NFL types were proclaiming Colin Kaepernick to be the next it guy. In fact, Ron Jaworski, who watches more video than anyone (just ask him), said a few years ago that Kaepernick was going to be the best in the game and potentially the best ever. Yeah, how’d that work out?
31. Detroit. The Lions can’t run the ball. And apparently they can’t hold on to it when it matters either. Calvin Johnson’s goalie fumble in Monday’s 13-10 loss at Seattle was the latest painful stroke for the league’s only winless team. You know you are under a dark cloud when your best player – and one of the best in the league – is the guy coughing it up when it matters most.
32. Miami. Yes, the Dolphins have one more win than the Lions, who let Monday night’s game at Seattle get away. But Detroit still has its coach and still has a chance. Miami fired Joe Philbin after a disastrous trip to London, and the internal squabbling has turned a once-proud franchise into a punchline.
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More distraught
Which fan base is more distraught, Tennessee or Georgia?
Which fan base is more frustrated, Tennessee or Georgia?
As TFP ace columnist Mark Wiedmer notes here the Vols’ home date with the Bulldogs on Saturday has the shape of a must win.
UT’s head coach Butch Jones exits the field after a timeout while playing Arkansas during the second quarter of play on Oct. 3, 2015.Of course UT coach Butch Jones would never say that. He would never say much of anything, of course. We do know that this is the biggest game of the season because it’s the next game of the season. ( trademark CBJ, LLC.)
Side note: Butch did start to get a little personal in his address with the media on Monday, saying that: “You really in these times find out who’s with you, who’s against you, and you just write it down, you put it in your back pocket, and you file it away for future reference.” Easy big fella.
As for the next challenge, the hurt feelings and the frustrated fan bases of each team will be on display.
And for three hours Saturday – especially for two loyal legions of diehard supporters – the fear and angst of another setback looms greater and more pronounced than any joy that would come with success.
We’ll have more on this game of course this week, but the emotional state of this game – and the fans of each program – took a collective kick to the nether regions last Saturday.
Enjoy CBS.
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Postseason baseball
This may be one of the best sports stretches of the year. Playoff baseball overlapping football in full speed, Good times.
Here are the start times and the channels for the first few nights of baseball:
Tonight – AL Wildcard: Houston at New York Yankees, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Wednesday – NL Wildcard: Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m. (TBS)
Kansas City Royals’ Eric Hosmer celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run to tie the score during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Thursday – AL Divisional: Texas at Toronto, Game 1, 3:37 or 4:07 (Fox Sports 1); Houston-New York Yankees winner at Kansas City, Game 1, 7:37 or 8:07 (Fox Sports 1)
Friday – AL Divisional: Texas at Toronto, Game 2, 12:45 (MLB Network); Houston-New York Yankees winner at Kansas City, Game 2, 3:45 (Fox Sports 1) NL Divisional – Chicago Cubs-Pittsburgh winner at St. Louis, Game 1, 6:45 (TBS); New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers, Game 1, 9:45 (TBS).
OK, prediction time, and feel free to play along.
We’ll go Houston tonight and the Cubs tomorrow.
We’ll take Toronto and Kansas City in the Divisional round with Toronto getting to the World Series.
We’ll take Cubs and Dodgers to meet in the NLCS with the Dodgers breaking America’s heart.
We’ll take Toronto over the Dodgers in 6.
Yep, America’s past time.
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This and that
– This is a very odd and potentially career defining story. Rick Pitino denies anyone in the program had knowledge of the accusations made by a woman who claims she slept with recruits for money. This is one of those deals where if he knew about it, he’s done forever. And if it happened and he didn’t know about it, well, that’s not real good either.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant smiles as he answers a question during media day in Oklahoma City, Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) – Auburn’s disaster of a season continues as the Tigers dismiss their most explosive offensive player in receiver Duke Williams. No es bueno.
– Steven A. Smith and Kevin Durant are no longer besties.
– UTC is now ranked No. 6 in the FCS poll, the highest ranking in program history. That could be a very important number later this year when playoff seeds are announced.
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Today’s question
We’ll have our true or false Tuesday on Press Row, so feel free to offer up your suggestions.
Also today is the 70th anniversary of Billy and the goat being kicked out of Wrigley Field and the start of the famous curse that has plagued the Cubs ever since.
Rushmore of sports curses/superstitions? Whatcha’ got?