I have been an observer of sports almost all of my life. I choose “observer” in order to make my point. I spent much of my youth watching the NFL, rooting for the Colts; the NBA, cheering on the Celtics; and MLB, as a Willie Mays and New York Giants supporter. Notice I did not say fan. As I remember back to those days, I can say that I truly enjoyed watching the games. I now realize if I TRULY ENJOYED the games, I was not TRULY a fan. You see, I have come to the conclusion that if you are a rabid, color bleeding, screaming, remote throwing FAN, you CANNOT enjoy the game.
For example, suspend your passion for the Eagles or the Steelers or any other NFL team and, for a moment, assume you are a Seattle Seahawk FAN this past Sunday. First, you must suffer (the natural disposition of a true FAN anyway) through a 20-0 halftime deficit. You have watched your team move the ball up the field only to come up short on two “4th and ones” and to have the clock run out at the half when you are in a position to score a touchdown or a field goal. You end up with neither. You are feeling a sickness in your stomach that beverage, wings, chips, dips cannot dissipate. However, a true FAN believes a 20-0 deficit can be overcome – right? GO SEAHAWKS!
In the third quarter Seattle exchanges touchdowns with Atlanta, so the Seahawks do not eat into the 20 point lead at all. Your agony just gets worse! Pass the Maalox.
You know your defense is good. You just need a break and an Atlanta “choke” (something they are known for in the playoffs). The Seahawks intercept a pass (the break). Russell Wilson runs for a TD, throws for a TD, and hands the ball off to Marshawn Lynch for an apparent score, but he did fumble at the goal line (how is your blood pressure, heartbeat, pounding headache doing now, Seattle FAN?). The ruling is a TD and an extra point is all that is necessary to complete the greatest fourth quarter comeback in NFL playoff history! The extra point is good and the Seahawks lead 28-27 with 31 seconds to play. You, Seattle FAN, have tossed aside the “agony of defeat” and are now experiencing the “thrill of victory”. This rollercoaster of emotions cannot be good for the body, but 31 ticks of the clock stand between you and another excruciating week of playoff football.
Atlanta ball. Matt Ryan to Harry Douglas for 22 yards – timeout- Matt Ryan to Tony Gonzalez for 19 yards – timeout – 13 seconds to go. Matt Bryant kicks a 49 yard field goal.
Falcons – 30 Seahawks – 28
Well, Seattle FAN – How did you enjoy the game? Feeling sick again? Get used to it. It is a feeling you will now have for 8 months.
P.S. You know and I know it is all worth it!!
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)
1. Although I am not always in favor of all the graphics, sound effects, and commentary offered up by the network football coverage, I really do like the addition of Mike Pereira as a rules interpreter for Fox. He is an expert on the rules and, on a number of occasions this year, has truly enlightened the viewers on some rulings. I wish I could say the same for the sideline reporters.
2. The Notre Dame – Alabama game was the second highest rated program in cable television history with over 26 million viewers.
3. I think hockey fans will find the shortened season to actually be more exciting since the regular season games will take on much greater importance than they have in the past. Hockey fans are rather rabid in their support and will come to the arenas to support their teams, despite their disappointment in the prolonged negotiations.
4. The Ravens double overtime win over Denver and the Falcons dramatic win over the Seahawks were two of the best games ever! San Francisco and New England made it look easy, by comparison.
5. Well, I picked San Francisco to win the Super Bowl at the beginning of the season, had my doubts in the middle, but I am feeling pretty good about that choice right now.
NFL PICKS FOR THIS WEEK
(Last week – 2-2) (87-53 for the season – 62%)
SAN FRANCISCO
NEW ENGLAND
