Week 17

And Also: Glenn Greenwald today talks about the hopes of "handful of retired, mediocre politicians" to get my mayor, Michael Bloomberg, to think about running an independent run for President. You know, as a rich big daddy savior (shades of Jean Harlow?). And, since he was once a Democrat until it was no longer politically useful, he has the above the party fray thing going for him, though of course as a Republican (see GG's piece) he did help them out the last few years. Anyway, comes to me that when GG yesterday cited candidates whose supporters are upset about the current political situation, he left out Dennis Kucinich. This is not a unique situation, especially since a Paul sympathizer like him should like DK's opposition to Bush et. al.

Week 17 had some interesting action other than the Giants decision to fold in the Fourth Quarter. A few games actually mattered, two wild card spots open, and the AFC third seed technically so (Oakland had to win ... in fact, even if they did, the Steelers still lost -- thus have the indignity of losing both to the Jets and Ravens). The Bears again affected the playoffs, already pushing Green Bay to second seed (Dallas lost today, big, so might have still lost if they played their regulars all the way ... they finished up one game up on GB in the seeding race), knocked the Saints from the playoffs early. The week before, the Eagles -- also playing some role in the playoffs -- beat the Saints as well. So, after starting off 0-4, the Saints ended on a losing note, after an up and down final twelve games.

The Bengals won (the Ravens going for a tie already gave Miami their win, so Miami played normally ... to lose), so ended their disappointing season on a decent 7-9 note. Not good, but much better than one might think from their record early on. Houston also had their best record in their short history -- 8-8 -- with a win. The Jets, playing their former head coach's team, won in OT ... playing Kansas City, who started off credibly ala the Ravens, but who ended with a stream of losses. KC scored late and had one more shot when a penalty pushed back the winning field goal to a somewhat iffy 42 yd, but showed their losing ways again. Jets 4-12, finale 13-10.

Another low scoring game showing questionable offense (also a problem for the 8-8 Eagles, out of the playoffs in large part thanks to the Giants), following a 10-6 loss against the superior Titans. The Titans had another low scoring game, mostly against the Colts back-ups, in part thanks to Vince Young getting hurt (apparently, not too badly) early. Another familiar face, former NY Giants QB Kerry Collins (who led them to their last Super Bowl appearance), came in and helped (a 50+ field goal helped) them get into the playoffs (knocking off the Browns, who won, but lost the key game the week before) in the last game of Week 17. Earlier, the Redskins overwhelmed the Cowboys -- Owens resting, and playing back-ups part of the game -- making the Vikings' loss (even a win wouldn't have gave a team, thought a shoo-in a few weeks ago, the final wild card spot) in OT largely irrelevant.

Of some interest as well, Tampa Bay -- which some seem to think will be a tough one for the Giants -- lost again, in effect leading them to limp to the playoffs. Onward to Wild Card weekend. Oh, cannot forget about the Falcons winning ... I think the defense had the day off, since there was a combined over eighty points as the Jaguars rested (to a degree) for their game next week -- the AFC clearly has a tough bunch, if this is the fifth seed.