2013 Dirty D Championship: James vs Adam (2010 re-match)

Week 15 was a wild one...after the highest scoring week in NFL history (again), my team actually came through in the clutch. Adam also won to set up a re-match of the 2010 Championship.

I don't want to spend too much time on Week 15, but I HAVE to note my team's performance (especially after I wrote a blog last week LOL-ing at my lineup). 203 points is the 2nd highest score in League History... and it was done with a roster that included Ryan Tannehill, Jordan Todman, and Rod Streater. Jamaal Charles also dropped 65 point of his own.... and Jordy scored his first TD since ARod went down. It's been 2 consecutive weeks for my team performing its best all year... Great timing! (especially because it was just 3 weeks ago I had my lowest output of the year in Week 13.)   On the other side of the semi's, Adam was able to hold off a monster comeback effort from Justin Tucker. #AutoBill loses for the first time since before Halloween and his league record tying 6 game win streak comes to an end. D Jax led Adams team with over 40 points, and even in a "bad" game Drew Brees still tossed up 20 points.

Now, lets move on to the championship match!!

Last year I thought Adam and I had the 2 best teams. Adam lost in the semi's but this year he took care of business and we have our re match from 2010.

Just for fun lets look at every matchup Adam and I have had head to head in League history:

2009 Week 3- Adam wins 107-91
2009 Week 14- James wins 151-95
2010 Week 2- James wins 175-63
2010 Week 13- Adam wins 128-102
2010 Week 16- James wins 129-88
2011 Week 5- James wins 101-93
2012 Week 6- James wins 169-131
2013 Week 5-  James wins 130-108

So as you can see I've dominated with a 6-2 record and haven't lost to Adam since before my first Title in 2010.

Unfortunately for me, this literally means nothing for this upcoming week. This isn't real football, I'm not actually playing Adam. My roster is competing indirectly with his roster.

Here is a comparison, week by week of the 2 teams in 2013.

Week 1- Adam 145  James 136
Week 2- Adam 182  James 122
Week 3- James 135  Adam 113
Week 4- Adam 168  James 140
Week 5- James 130  Adam 108
Week 6- Adam 164  James 140
Week 7- Adam 133  James 104
Week 8- James 162  Adam 121
Week 9- Adam 146  James 128
Week 10- James 110  Adam 92
Week 11- James 112  Adam 100
Week 12- James 125  Adam 113
Week 13- James 98  Adam 98
Week 14- James 179  Adam BYE
Week 15- James 203 Adam 144

So if you take out week 14 when Adam didn't have a matchup, our head to head record this year would be 7-6-1. (7 wins for James, 6 for Adam, 1 tie)

Overall, that's about as close as it gets, folks. Something that DOES favor me is that Adams team was strong at the beginning of the year and since Week 7 I've only been outscored by Adam one time (to go along with one tie.)

Both of these teams look a lot different now than they did toward the beginning of the season. In fact, just prior to Week 11 Adam and I made the following trade:

Adam gets: Drew Brees, Andre Brown, Michael Crabtree, Denarious Moore, AZ Defense

James gets: Aaron Rodgers, Jamaal Charles, KC Defense.


This obviously severely altered the look of both these teams. I traded for Rodgers under the assumption he would be back by now...as of this writing it looks like a true coin flip 50/50 situation on whether he will play in Week 16 or not.

SINCE THE TRADE:

Adams average score: 113.75
James average score: 143.40

Obviously the last 2 weeks have helped me pull way ahead of Adam here. In fact, with those 2 monstrous weeks I took over the points lead (played 1 extra game than Adam and Jenna) but also the average weekly score in 2013.

FULL SEASON AVG SCORE

James- 134.93
Adam- 130.57

In case anyone is wondering, those numbers represent the 2 best in the league all year.

Not for nothing but here is the league leaderboard for  # of moves Weeks 1-13 (stats aren't kept on this once the regular season is over)

James- 66
Adam- 37
Bill- 36
Sean- 34

Those are pretty much the 4 best teams. 2013 was a good year to prove my theory that in our league, success can partially be estimated by activity.

Anyway, using almost any metric you want, it's clear these have been the 2 top teams this year and I'm looking forward to the rematch!!!


I will do an in-depth player by player matchup and post it later this week. No Thursday Night game this week (Thank God) so there's plenty of time.

This is Adam referring to the 2010 defeat 

Let's all LOL at my fantasy lineup for Week 15 (Predictions for Semis)

I haven't posted anything about the Dirty D in a while... but we are down to the final 4:

Tahiti Loungers vs Eat More Chicken

and

Team Ice Cream vs The Crossing Guards

The last time I posted here my team was in great shape. Injury free, except for Aaron Rodgers- who I traded fro AFTER his injury. However, as we all know... Rodgers isn't back yet. He ain't coming back. This injury is my worst nightmare... not only do I need to replace my elite QB, but this also drains the value of Jordy Nelson and even Eddie Lacy. Rough city.

Jordy Since Flynn took over at QB:

Week 14-    12 points
Week 13-    3 points
Week 12-    9 points

This past week I also lost Wes Welker to a concussion. Thankfully this was after he contributed 17 points, but on a short week vs SD, he's been ruled out for tonight's game. Too bad, juicy matchup.

Another problem I have this week: Victor Cruz is playing vs Seattle. They give up the fewest points to opposing fantasy WRs. I feel like I cant trust Cruz. I don't want to play him. His past few weeks:

Week 14-   9 points
Week 13-   14 points
Week 12-   2 points

SOOOOO in the final stages of 2013 I'm being forced to make some tough decisions. I picked up Rod Streater and I'm pretty sure I am going to play him over Cruz.

More Packer problems:

Last week Eddie Lacy had a minor injury before halftime, an ankle issue. He came back in and finished the game but now he's being held out of practice and his Week 15 status is in doubt. THANK GOD I was able to pick up James Starks off the waiver... I'm basically guaranteed to have the Green Bay starting RB in my lineup this week, just not sure if it is going to be Lacy or Starks.

Another player I picked up this week was Jordan Todman. He is the speedy back up to MJD... who pulled his hammy at the end of last weeks game. Todman was already getting touches, but if MJD sits out Ill most definitely be playing Todman out of my flex... I'm very much rooting for this to happen.

As far as a QB replacement for Rodgers goes, Ill be turning to yet another new face. QBBC for the win baby!

Since I traded away Drew Brees (LOL, hurts to type) here is what my QB spot has produced-

Week 11- Case Keenum 8 points
Week 12- Case Keenum 4 points
Week 13- Andy Dalton 9 points
Week 14- Joe Flacco 19 points

So Yes, last week was a nice breath of fresh air for me at QB. This week I think I am going to roll with Ryan Tannehill, facing YOUR New England Patriots.

Tannehill has been good. He hasn't scored under 14 fantasy points since Week 8. The past 3 weeks he's scored 19-23-23 points. He's getting rushing yards and now faces a NE defense who gave up 31 points to Jason Campbell last week. He should be good for a minimum of 15 points.

So, without further adieu, here is my potential lineup for this semi final matchup:


QB Ryan Tannehill 
WR Jordy Nelson
WR Rod Streater 
RB Jamaal Charles
RB Eddie Lacy or James Starks
TE Jimmy Graham
Flex Jordan Todman or Ray Rice or Victor Cruz or someone crazy
Defense KC
Kicker None yet


Yikes. Not the ideal lineup like I'm used to, but we'll see if I can get it done and advance to the ship to defend the D!!!


My predictions for the Semi's:

Tahiti Loungers
Tannehill- 17 points
Jordy- 12 points
Streater- 14 points
Charles- 20 points
GB RB- 15 points
Jimmy- 20 points
Flex guy hopefully Todman- 12 points
KC Defense- 12 points
Kicker- 6 points

Total: 128 points 



Eat More Chicken
Tony Romo- 18 points
Dez Bryant- 17 points
Andre Jonhson- 22 points
Matt Forte- 20 points
Lamar Miller- 8 points
Jason Witten- 10 points
Anquan Boldin- 16 points
Seattle Defense- 15 points
Kicker- 8 points

Total: 154 points 




Team Ice Cream
Drew Brees- 19 points
Desean Jackson- 18 points
Pierre Garcon- 14 points
Lions RB- 16 points
Ryan Mathews- 12 points
Garrett Graham- 16 points
Flex (A Brown or Crabtree or Pattersonor Thomas) - 12 points
NO Defense- 8 points
Kicker- 12 points

Total: 117 points 



The Crossing Guards 
Kam Newton- 23 points
AJ Green- 18 points
Vincent Jackson- 14 points
Marshawn Lynch- 18 points
Shane Vereen- 22 points
Charles Clay- 16 points
Torrey Smith- 16 points
SF Defense- 12 points
Kicker- 8 points

Total: 147 points 



So I guess my official prediction is Eat More Chicken vs The Crossing Guards in the Championship. Obviously let's hope I'm wrong!!!

My Thoughts on the Thornton/Orpik/Neal Incident

Last night there were a series of incidents at the Garden in the 1st period of the Bruins-Penguins game that lead to an ugly scene at the Garden.

Theres a video on youtube that has real-time and slow motion replays of all the incidents written about below.


Just 12 seconds into the game, Pens D man Brooks Orpik laid a huge hit on Bruins forward Lou Erikkson. The puck was coming around the boards but took a funny bounce out toward the middle of the ice. Orpik was clearly already committed to putting a body on Ericsson, which he did- even though the puck never arrived near the collision. The hit was high...not very dirty, but it was one that DEFINITELY should have been called for interference.   But unfortunately, it wasnt. It's my opinion (and I referee hockey 3-4 times a week) that the officials could have diffused the entire game/situation with an Interference call here. Given the recent "chippy" history between these two teams, that borderline Interference call was a PERFECT opportunity for the officials to "take control of the game." I once attended a Referee clinic in Los Angeles, run by current NHL officials. A major takeaway from that camp I got was that it is important to establish the baseline of the game with a strong penalty call at the beginning of the contest. The referee actually did call a penalty on this play... after the whistle Chara got a little too aggressive and was called for roughing. This would have been a good "first call" as well, if they hadn't missed the much more important one on Orpik a few seconds earlier.  


The Bruins went down a man right away to the hottest PP unit in the League (8/16 over their previous 5 games. 50%) The Penguins of course scored and now led 1-0. This  was very frustrating to the Bruins. Over the next 6 or so game minutes there were big hits laid down by both teams.

At one point, Shawn Thornton got in Brooks Orpik's face and challenged him to a fight, in essence to "pay" for his questionable hit on Ericsson (who left the game and would not return.) Orpik denied the request and Thornton actually got called for "roughing" on the play. Its unfortunate Orpik didn't just man up and fight Thornton. Orpik isn't a fighter- his last fight was over 4 years ago- but given the fact that this is your biggest in-conference rivals (and team thats beaten the shit out of you over the past 6 games including a sweep in the playoffs), and your wearing an "A" on your jersey... man the F up and fight so hockey justice can be restored and the "playing field" can be even again.  Anyway he didn't fight, and the virtual target on his back remained.

With just under 9 minutes left in the period, things got ugly. It started with James Neal skating out of his zone and intentionally kneeing Brad Marchand in the head. This was a horse shit play... and Neal did end up getting a minor penalty but I am guessing he will get further discipline form the NHL. He should. The principle point of intentional contact was Brad Marchand's head while he was down on the ice. Crazy dangerous. We are lucky Marchand was fine after this.

Further down the ice Orpik was standing near a small scrum. Thornton comes bowling in from the left and immediately goes up to Orpik. Thornton basically shoved Orpik to the ground and punched him twice while Orpik was falling down/on his back. Orpik.... aka glass jaw... somehow got knocked out. Luckily now we know he is OK... it was scary because they had to take him off on a stretcher.

Thornton was given a Match penalty... removing him from the game immediately. When play resumed it was 4 on 4 for two minutes, and as soon as Neal came out of the box, he recieved a pass and sniped another goal making it 2-1 Penguins. This is how the period scoring would end.

Back to Thornton... this is what he said after the game (almost in tears):

"Obviously I made a mistake. Im aware of it. I've been told they're having a hearing and its hard for me to say much more than that. It was not my intention. I feel awful. I felt sick all game. It's always my job to defend my teammates, but I prided myself for a long time to stay within the lines. Its hard for me to talk about right nowI cant say 'I'm Sorry' enough. Im sure Ill be criticized for saying it, but its true and I hope he's doing all right. I heard that he's conscious and talking and Im happy for that."


Clearly Thornton crossed the line in this situation. I am sure he will get a suspension and/or fine... but this is a guy who's known for 'playing the game the right way'  so I doubt they give him the hammer for this one mistake.

Neal, however, should get a suspension as well. I think you can make a pretty big argument that Neal's actions on the play were worse than Thorntons. His intentions were for sure. Kneeing someone in the head is crazy. And then of course he came out of the box to score and take the lead? Fuck you James Neal.


Also, yea this situation sucks and no one wanted it to happen... but hey Pittsburgh... hows it feel? to lose a guy from a cheap shot? Remember that guy named Marc Savard? If this situation HAD to happen to Thornton... I couldn't be happier that in came against the Penguins. Oh and by the way, the Bruins scored 2 goals in the last 90 seconds to win the game in regualtion. Sucks to suck Pittsburgh. See ya in the playoffs. 


Click here if to see the video of ALL of this. 

Robinson Cano: Now one of my favorite players in MLB

Robbie Cano...  just today signed a 10 year deal worth $240 Million with the Seattle Mariners. Here are my thoughts on this signing in bullet point form:



-It's AWESOME to see the Yankees lose out on a free agent, especially when he was originally one of theirs.

-Their reported best offer was 7 years for 175 Mill. Also, there's no income tax in Washington so.... Cano is making a TON more for the Mariners than he would have for the Yankees. They reportedly told Cano they wouldn't go north of 200.

- Please someone tell me how the Yankees are going to justify to this to their fan base? What is their response going to be when people ask why they didn't re sign him? They CANT say it was too much of an investment.. we all know that's a lie. They just gave out 150M to Jacoby Ellsbury... and Cano is much, MUCH more valuable than Ellsbury. Idiots.

-People who say Cano sold out and left for the money... well they are correct. He did. But he's also changing gears in his career. He's going to put an entire franchise on his back. He's a leader and the guy the Mariners will build around. The face of a franchise for the next decade. This is a lot of responsibility.

-Mariners are likely to sign David Price too, now that they are "all in."  Finna be my 2nd favorite team again.

-I remember drafting Cano to my AL Only fantasy baseball team in his rookie season. I liked him a lot back then despite being a Yankee. I've always liked him. He's a stud. and a future HOF'er.

-There's now a major hole in the Yankees lineup and at 2nd base.

-So much for the mistake of hiring Jay Z as his agent. Deal got done so it looks smart again.



PS...  World Championships in the past 10 years:

Yankees 1
Red Sox 3

Dirty D 2013 Regular Season Wrap up

Another regular season is in the books for the Dirty D... and like most years in the past, 7 wins is what it took to get in the playoffs this year. Here is a snapshot of the final regular season  league standings:

-Congrats to Jenna for winning the regular season crown and also scoring the most points. This is also the first time she's qualified for the playoffs.

-Congrats to #AutoBill for finally making the playoffs for the first time in 5 years.

-Dan misses the playoffs for the first time. Luck finally caught up to him... 1753 points against was 91 more points against than the next unluckiest team. He ended the season on a 5 game losing streak

Speaking of most points against, here is the average points against each team this year:

134.8- the rental guys
127.8- Tahiti Loungers- playoff team
120.5- Victorious Secret
120.1- Comeback Story
120.0- Angry Pirates
118.8- The Godfather
115.8- A Pinch Better - playoff team
115.5- The Crossing Guards- playoff team
114.8- Boston Patriots- playoff team
111.7- Team Ice Cream- playoff team
109.8- Eat More Chicken- playoff team

and now, avg weekly points for:

131.9- Eat More Chicken- playoff team
129.5- The Crossing Guards- playoff team
129.5- Boston Patriots- playoff team
129.5- Team Ice Cream- playoff team
126.3- Tahiti Loungers- playoff team
120.8- A Pinch Better- playoff team
118.7- Angry Pirates
112.5- Victorious Secret
110.7- the rental guys
108.9- The Godfather
105.6- A1 Providers
104.3- comeback story


-I'm pretty happy about the playoff teams this year... the 6 teams to qualify were the 6 highest scoring teams. Also, interestingly, 5 out of the 6 teams to have the least points AGAINST them made the playoffs this year. My team was the lone example... I had the 2nd most points against but still managed to get in the playoffs.

-Just to re-enforce a point I made in the pre-season:

Avg # of moves for playoff teams: 30.5
Avg # of moves for non-playoff teams: 18.66

^ As has been the case every year... the more moves you make the more likely you are to make the playoffs. This doesn't necessarily apply to other leagues but in ours... its clear.


Updated # of playoff appearances through 5 years:

5- Tahiti Loungers
4- the rental guys, A Pinch Better
3- Team Ice Cream
2- A1 Providers, Victorious Secret, Boston Patriots
1- Crossing Guards, Eat More Chicken, The Godfather, Angry Pirates, comeback story, fatalberthayneworth




 I also want to note Angry Pirate's record breaking performance in Week 13. Although it was a meaning less game, C Bunny beat the league record by 30 points and a team finally broke 200 for the first time ever:

Lastly, here are the top scorers at each position:

Stay tuned for Playoff Power Ranks...

JET'S Picks for Thanksgiving and Week 13

Seyi Ajirotutu!? Lions can’t just tie the game with a FG or Calvin can’t just hold onto the ball!? Another terrible week is in the books. At least I pushed the Panthers game? Thankfully I made back some ground with the 49ers and Cardinals, but those weren’t my main picks from the blog (Quick Hitters) so it doesn’t help anyone else out. Well, here we go again….

3 Team Turkey Day Teaser

Lions +3.5 vs. Packers (Originally -6.5)

Cowboys +1 vs. Raiders (Originally -9)

Steelers +12.5 @ Ravens (Originally +2.5)

I annually make this bet, and I frequently win it. I plan to do so again this year. Lions are facing off against the Matt Flynn led Packers. That should be enough right there. Stafford should be able to shred the Packers defense. Flynn might have some success too as the Lions pass defense is not good but I see Lacy struggling to get the running game going against the Detroit front 7. I don’t expect this game to be all that close, with the Lions probably covering the full 6.5. Another should be layup teaser spread with the Cowboys just having to win at home against the Raiders. McGloin has looked solid in his first 2 starts, and should do well here against the Cowboys defense, but they just don’t have enough firepower to stay with the Romo and the Cowboys. Steelers and Ravens looked like a poor late night matchup a few weeks ago, but now both teams in the middle of the Wild Card hunt. These games are always close, fun matchups. The Steelers just look like the better team of late. Ray Rice is a shell of his former self, and Flacco is clearly not the QB they thought they were giving all that money too. This game can really go either way, but it should be a low scoring, close game and I will take all those points.

ATS Picks

Bears +1 @ Vikings

The Bears are a tough team to figure out. Right when you think they are good and can make a run, they throw up a stinker. Josh McCown however has looked decent at QB and should have a lot of success against the Vikings. Minnesota blew a big lead and came up with a tie against Matt Flynn. I see the Bears having a big offensive day here and confusing the public even more.

Patriots -7.5 @ Texans

I would probably by the points to make it 6.5 or 7 just in case, but I see the Patriots winning big here. Coming off that big come from behind win last week against the Broncos should have their confidence soaring. The Texans seem to get worse each week after losing to the Jaguars on Sunday when they were 10 point favorites. Nobody except the thought of the #1 overall pick can save Houston now. Patriots in a blowout.

Titans +4.5 @ Colts

The Colts have not looked good as of late. They keep falling into these huge holes early and as we saw last week, it just kept piling out. It seems Andrew Luck is struggling a bit since losing his main target in Reggie Wayne. A couple weeks ago, the Titans were left for dead, but now find themselves holding the tiebreaker for the 6^th seed in the playoffs. Fitzpatrick has been playing well and should continue that against the Colts. The Colts had to come back in their first meeting to win by 3, and that’s the most I see them winning this one by. Give me the points here, and I would consider the Titans outright.

Quick Hitters

Broncos -4.5 @ Chiefs

Jaguars + 7 @ Browns

Panthers -8.5 vs. Bucs

Cardinals +3 @ Eagles

Jets -2 vs. Dolphins

Bills -3 vs. Falcons (in Toronto)

49ers -8 vs. Rams

Bengals +1 @ Chargers

Giants -1 @ Redskins

Saints +5@ Seahawks

It has been a rough first 2 weeks on the blog, but I feel a change coming. If not, then just go against what I say. I Jeremy Guarantee a come back!

Boston Sports Bender: 3 Days, 3 OT Wins!!

For my job, I'm lucky enough to have access to tickets so I can entertain clients and host potential partners at Bruins, Pats, and Celtics games. Last week I was able to get grab a pair of tickets to take someone to the Bruins-Penguins game, so I was pretty excited to go to my first Bruins game of the year... against one of our rivals (ish.) (Penguins)

But then something happened. Ms. N.W.O.T.B. was scheduled to babysit on Sunday night, for a couple who were planning on going to the most anticipated Pats game of the year... the Broncos/Wes Welker game on Sunday Night Football.

The couple calls her and says "We don't need you to babysit on Sunday anymore- we aren't going to the game. Actually, do you and your boyfriend James want to use our tickets and go to the game?"

Needless to say when I heard of this I thought it was a joke.... after a few moments reality sunk in and I realized this most definitely was real and we were going to see a Brady vs Manning showdown in person!

That was around 8:00pm on Friday night. About 90 minutes later I receive a text from my friend and captain of my Adult hockey team:

Ummm YUP!!!! I DO!!!!!

And just like that, I had an epic Boston Sports Bender on tap Saturday through Monday.

Saturday 1pm- Hurricanes at Bruins

Sunday 830pm- Broncos at Patriots

Monday 7pm- Penguins at Bruins 

And here's the recap:

Anyone who knows me pretty well knows I really hate the 1pm Bruins games on Saturdays. They just throw my whole day and sometimes entire weekend off. When I attend these games in person, something just seems right about day drinking and Bruins afternoon hockey. So around 11am I headed over to my favorite pre-game place:  Halftime Pizza

They sell 32oz beers for like $8 and there's nothing better to fill your stomach up with than a greasy slice of pie.

But most of all I love Halfitme Pizza because of the crowd. So many Bruins fans, they are always playing old time hockey fights and brawls on the TVs, people just crowd together and share tables, and the beer flows aplenty.

After a couple brews, Matt and I headed into the game. Matt is a season ticket holder and his seats are in one of the best places to watch a game in the Garden.... THE LAST ROW.

Here's the view during the national anthem:

During the game we had a couple more beers, the game itself was a good one. The Bruins carried the play most of the game, but regulation ended with the score 2-2.

For Overtime, I'd be lying if I said I clearly remember seeing that Claude decided to go with 3 forwards and 1 Defense-man... but that's what he did. And sure enough, just a minute and a half into OT, David Krejci picked up the puck in the slot, showed his worldly patience that still mesmerizes every-time, and put the game winner in for a 3-2 victory.

So the game ended around 3:30 or so, of course at 3:30 on a Saturday afternoon there's really nothing better to do than keep drinking and celebrating the recent OT win. Matt and I met up with my sister Jenna and her friend Jacqui. And #PlayoffMike.

We drank at Boston Beer Works. Upstairs. Not sure how long. Pretty foggy.  Here's a pic:

And then to top off this quintessential Bruins 1pm home game experience, on my walk home I stopped at Reginas Pizza in the North end for a couple slices.

I went home, took a nap, woke up and watched college hockey. Then I saw Boise state lose on TV IN OT, lame)  and went to bed.





My typical Sunday during football season consists of watching TV from 1230pm straight until bedtime. Pretty crazy that the NFL product can keep people entertained for that long, but it does.


This week I headed to Abe's house for #FantasyChef and Red Zone experience.

We ate BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese and watched the 1pm games. Now, its important to note the weather.

The weather on this past Sunday was brutally cold. Easily the coldest day of the season  this year... I'm talking like 15 degrees with tough winds bringing the wind chill into the lower single digits. To say I dressed warm for the Pats game would be an understatement... I made sure I had layers on top of layer on top of layers. One thing was for sure... I was NOT leaving this game early, no matter how cold or how late it was.

Amazingly, the Patriots tickets we were given were club seats and included a parking pass.

For those who aren't familiar, the parking pass is like pure gold. Parking is awful around Gillette Stadium... The parking pass that allows back entry access is priceless. and we had it. Not to mention we had club seats which meant access to the indoor lounge area.

Here's our view from these amazing seats. 50 yard line. Unbelievable.

Anyway, like everyone knows, the Pats came out crazy flat and were down 24-0 by halftime. Let me say that watching that first half in person was one of the most deflating things Ive ever witnessed. So much hype surrounding this game... and the Pats fumbled away any chance of possibly making it interesting.

At halftime, a bunch of people left. The crowd around us sucked. Mostly all older, rich people who clearly don't have much interest in the game itself. I believe these people are called Pink Hats. Yes, the pink hats all left at halftime.

One stat I heard: Teams that go into the half down 24-0  were 6-485 all time.

Then, in the 3rd quarter, magic happened. The Patriots drove down the field and scored. They caused turnovers. They kept scoring INTO the wind. All of the sudden, comeback complete and we had the lead in the 4th Quarter.

As the time winded down in the 4th... the score was tied and OT was apparently going to be needed to decide this wild game. The Patriots won the toss, and Belichick decided to give Peyton Manning the ball, choosing to make him throw it into the wind. Of course, at the time, I thought this was foolish. I was pissed.... and turns out I was wrong.

Peyton couldn't move the ball in the wind. Apparently he has a noodle arm and he's kind of a loser.... a big thing about the game is that the Broncos rushed for 250 yards. Later we found out the Pats simply decided to keep 2 safeties back and they knew Peyton would take the ball out of his own hands and just try running it the whole game. As Tony Massarotti said, Belichick "rope-a-doped" Peyton. Again.

Obviously the play of the game was at the end. With the crowd chanting "WELLLLLL-KKKEERRRRRRR" he actually got rattled and made a critcal mistake. He didnt fair catch the punt and didnt wave off his teammates. The ball hit one of them and the Patriots jumped on the ball.

Here was our view of the game winning kick.

Patriots win 34-31 in OT. Biggest comeback in team history. Amazing game. We got home and in bed around 2am. Very tired, but well worth it. Also, found out the next day, this was the highest rated NFL game in Primetime since 1996! Wild.

Monday Morning was tough. I slugged my way through thew work day, looking forward to the Bruins-Penguins game.

I walked over to the Garden for the 2nd time in 3 days, met my friend/client, and we headed to our seats. Here is the view we had on Monday night:

Awesome seats. Down low so you appreciate the speed of the game, and on the end where the Bruins score twice.

The Bruins were up 3-2 in the 3rd (all 3 goal scored right in front of us) when Cindy Crosby pulled off a miracle and actually tied the game with 0.2 second left in regulation. After a review, they counted the goal, and I was headed to my 3rd OT game in 3 days.

Just like on Saturday, the OT didn't last long. Claude again went with 3 forwards, and less than a minute into the OT Torey Krug did this:

(What a Shot!!! Get this kid on Team USA!!! ) 

3 games
3 Overtimes
3 Boston wins

1 Unforgettable Weekend!!