Wild Card Weekend

COVID costs helped push the Mets owners to sell to Steve Cohen, who is already getting popular directly engaging on Twitter and with some picks. Probably in part, if not only for that reason, for what he brings, Marcus Stroman took the qualifying office. The price tag for a year wasn't chump change either. After getting a serviceable catcher (James McCann) and a new lefty reliever probably to replace the one they have (Trevor May), a big deal: superstar Francis Lindor (bye bye other shortstops) and a #2 starter (Carlos Carrasco). They probably need at least a middle range OF and maybe an infielder but already had quite an off-season.

Okay. Time for football. There is an extra wild card team, so six games, three each for Saturday and Sunday. Next week the bye teams will play, so there will be four games. The traditional role for the Bills was to blow it. They almost did, including losing over twenty yards while driving to add to a three point lead. But, the Colts committed enough mistakes [probably including not kicking a FG late in the first half; didn't help to miss a mid-range FG, especially when you lose by three] for the Bills to survive.

While we hope the Bills got their nail-biter out of their system, let's check out the other two games on Saturday. Seattle might be a #3 seed, but repeatedly -- losing to the Giants doesn't help here -- looked off. They did here, the Rams early on needing to go to their "emergency" (regular) QB, pins in hand and all. He didn't do that well, but good enough, a turnover later in the 4th basically sealing the deal.

The night game had Pretty Boy v. some guy with around one start (which he didn't finish; one of the many no more Washington QBs relieved him ... both then on another team). He actually did rather well, that being the fourth or whateve QB with a lot of vowels in his name. He even was able to keep it within one score for one final drive though his team's vaunted defense didn't have much left by the last quarter. So, the end result was as expected, especially if one figured maybe "regular" QB (Alex Smith) of late started instead. XP issues by Tampa made that last drive possible.

So, Bills, Rams and Tampa. Let's deal with Sunday, starting with the best matched duo, Ravens (had a tricky run especially with COVID but finished in dominate fashion) vs. the Titans (sealed the division with a late FG). Titans with a quick 10 helped by a Lamar pick, but then (helped by Lamar running from midfield for TD), it was tied. The Titans defense gave up another ten points, but pretty low scoring game. Titans, however, did little scoring -- getting only three more points. Advantage, Lamar Jackson.

The Bears/Saints game was on both CBS and Nick, the latter with their own booth including a teen girl Nick actress along with some Nick gimmicks (including Young Sheldon popping up at times to explain penalties). It was a pretty nifty thing and something I say they should use again -- nice way to bring in the younger crowd. On the other hand, the game itself wasn't great. The Bears defense kept it close, but the Bears offense was putrid. They couldn't even cover with a garbage time TD, occuring the last play of the game. Thus, no two point conversion attempt to cover the spread.

The series of mismatches continued basically, if in a surprising way. After last week's barely win vs. back-ups, you would think the Steelers would be favored, particulary in their home stadium. Plus, unlike the Steelers, last week's game was a necessary one for the Browns. Still, the Steelers are flawed enough and Browns good enough to have expected a good game. And, then the Browns were up 28-0 by the end of the first quarter. 

Perhaps, to satisfy Browns fans who have long had disappointments, it wasn't just a laughter. The Browns did keep on responding -- such as when the Steelers finally scored near the end of the half -- so it never got TOO scary. Still, they won 48-37 and the 35-23 score at the end of the 3rd Quarter might not have pleased some fans. But, after after trading punts (4th and 1, PUNT -- after a delay of game -- probably didn't please Steelers fans), the Browns scored. Still, Steelers was around mid-field there and could have made it sweaty. Kansas City probably would have won.

So, pretty good outcomes, the Washington game basically "such is life." Rooting for Bills, Browns and guess the Rams (eh; they are facing the Packers and though I'm generally for the underdogs, have no big beef for the Packers).  I'm honest enough to say Tampa/Saints is a good match-up sentimentally and probably as a game, but not too excited for either. I actually guess I'm happy for the Bucs, though still no big fan of Pretty Boy. Except his talent.  Won't let him taint the team here.  Anyway, Bills the best shot to advance though the Ravens are a tough team. Upset possible.