Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Week 8 Roll off the Back of the Stove Predictions

TOXINS/TITANICS: GAME OF THE WEEK!

It's week 8 in the NFL. Usually an exciting, pivotal mid-season week, and there should be no disappointment this year. There are at least 8 teams that are teetering at the "back of the stove" and could roll off into that dark, cobwebby area between the wall and the oven where they will get lost for the season, mired in a puddle of black, viscous, charred pig fat left over from a distant summer dinner of pork chops and sauerkraut. It looks like it might get pretty crowded back there this year.

And with no further mention of old meat, here are the predictions for Week 8.

 Lions- 7
Chiefs- 17
Chiefs finally get a win as the lions take a swan dive off the rear burner. Too hot in the kitchen for the kittens. Chiefs faithful get a glimmer of hope. But that's it.

Buccaneers- 7
Falcons- 42
Blowout of both rear tires sinks Buc's pirate ship. Arrr, matey, there might be dubloons and cold pizza in Davey Jones' locker, but there be nothin' but eviction notices in the Buc locker room.

Cardinals- 28
Browns- 13

Johnny Football was caught drunk again this week, but the police said no harm no foul. But things are really starting to smell foul in blank helmet land.

49ers- 28
Rams- 26

What? SF wins a game? Rams still know how to lose.

Giants- 24
Saints- 27
Not really a doormat game, but both of these teams are seriously under performing, but every one of their games is exciting. This is probably going to be great football. Thanks Drew and Eli!

Vikings- 32
Bears- 10
Yikes are starting to get some mojo this year. Bears are getting their asses handed to them.

Chargers- 17
Ravens- 14
The agony continues. It's funny, the Ravens have been winning close games like crazy for the last 5 years, including their amazing Super Bowl run. I guess the odds have caught up with them. If they are smart, they bench everyone who can play, go 1-15 and get the first round next year. Right now, it's just ground round for them.

Titans- 10
Texans- 14
Worst game of the week. Toxins find a team they can beat. Titans outmaneuver them and give up a pic-6 with 20 seconds to go.

Seahawks- 17
Cowboys- 9
What the network execs thought would be a marquee game with lots of revenue when they scheduled it last year turns out to be the Golden Goose that laid a concrete egg. What a stinker of a game.

Colts- 8
Panthers- 40
See ya later Colts. Sorry about the mice behind the stove.

And so we will officially welcome some teams from the patio to the Doormat Basement this week: Indianapolis, Cowboys, and Ravens. They won't be here long, and no sitting on the orange Naugahyde couch, but we share American cheese melted on potato chips and a cold Lager with ya. Enjoy it while you're here, guys. You might even find out why the Doormat Division is the most interesting place to watch football.

And in closing, let's not forget to give a shout out to the Raydurz. They got some life this year, they even feel a little like the silver and black of old. Jets probably win, but this might be a great game. It's in the "Black Hole," so a must watch!

And that's it from the Oracle for this week. Gentlemen, make your predictions.


Monday, October 26, 2015

DOORMAT WEEK SEVEN WRAP-UP AND INCINERATE



HUGE RE-SHUFFLE!

I have to make this brief this week, there’s a lot to do, and the police should be pulling up shortly and I’d better-  I mean, I have to go to ‘work.’  But we have the space heater keeping us warm for now, one tiny short away from burning down the whole rotting structure, and leaving just the sliding door standing, dog slobber and all. 

In our beloved Doormat Division, where losing is the name of the game, and your own personal football hell turns into hallelujah, there was a bold move in the AFC: the Titanics put on a tombstone of a performance this week, losing 10-7 to Atlanta, and rise to the top of the standings, tied with the Poe-Cravens. 

Here’s the standings, and let’s get to the games.

DOORMAT DIVISION STANDINGS

NFC
                  W-L          PF-PA
Kittens        1-6           139 - 200
Whiners      2-5           103 – 180
Bootineers   2-4           140 - 179
daBares       2-4           120 - 179
Deadskins   3-4           148 – 168
Seahags       3-4          154 - 128

AFC
                  W-L           PF-PA
Titanics      1-5            119 - 139
Cravens      1-5            143 – 162
Toxins        2-5            154 - 199
Gaguars      2-5            147 - 207
Cheaps        2-5           150 - 172
Chargettes   2-5           165 – 198


STIFF OF THE WEEK

TITANS 7, FALCONS 10
With Titanic QB Marcus Mariotta on the bench with 17 injuries after 6-game mugging, dustbin QB Zach Mettenberg comes in and directs a complete snooze-fest.  The Falcons responded with their own freeze job, but have no fear- Mettenberg whipped out the killer late interception with 1:31 to seal the loss.   Titanics take over first place in the AFC. 

BILLS  31,  JAGS 34 (in LONDON)
Better watch out.  The Nils are up to their usual tricks- play a few good games early in the season, and then another memorable slide into frigid Lake Erie.
The Gags, playing in their annual DOORMAT DISASTER in London, could not put the Bills away. Inexplicably up 27-13 enterting the 4th quarter, the Jags engineer 18 straight Buffalo points, combining a long pass play with a pick six in rapid succession, losing the lead with just 5:21 to go.  But it was not to be- the Nils responded by going out for tea, and Jag QB Blake Bortles throws a winning TD pass to shock the 84,000 fans who vaguely had an idea of what might be happening on the field, should they look up from their smartphones which had the match of the day on. 

LIONS 19, VIKINGS 28
Up 17-15 at halftime, the Kittens stopped fooling around, dug a big whole in the cat box and laid down a stinker- 1 first down in the second half, the Vikes nab 6 sacks, Kitties stack up 6 three and outs...  Peee-yuuuuuuuu.  Lions 1-6 and look unstoppable, at least until Dec. 27th, when they travel to ‘San Francisco’ to have the huge Doormat tilt with the Santa Clara Niners. Be there.

RAIDERS 37, CHARGERS 29
Wait, WHAT?  The Raiders scored on their first 7 possessions, which hasn’t happened since Al Davis was alive, had a pompadour that included hair, and John Madden could still eat Mexican food.  WR Amari Cooper is…holy God…exciting.  We’re going out on a limb here, but the Raiders could wind up with a winning record.  They have a long way to go, as in at least 8 wins, but these guys just might be leaving the basement for real. (They still racked up 14 penalties, so don’t get TOO excited.)
The Chargettes, on the other hand, sure can pile up the points while they pile up the losses (non-wins).  

BROWNS 6, RAMS 24
It was no contest.  With a phenomenal 4 lost fumbles, the Blank Helmets couldn’t have played any browner.  Johnny Manzel got some mop-up duty in the 4th when Browns QB Josh McCown left favoring the bench.  I mean, his right arm.  

BUCCANEERS 30, WASHINGTON FATS  31
Up 24-0 in the first half, the Bootineers did what all true losing teams do in those situations- relax, baby!  Here, take the ball, score score score! We’re done!  Enoy! 
Suddenly caught in an avalanche of points they couldn’t stop, the ‘Skins/Fats pulled up dangerously close to the lead, 24-21, entering the 4th quarter. 
But there they anchored, and then it was a vicious field goal freeze out, back and forth, but then- the ‘Skins/Fats are just NO match for the Bucs in the end- the Bucs secondary drops so far back in prevent defense for the final drive that they were getting phone numbers from the Redskin cheerleaders (the Squaws?) at the back of the end zone.  Fats QB “Fats” Cousins has no choice but to throw to a wide open WR "Fats" Reed in the end zone and finish the job with :24 seconds left.  A real Doormat battle to the finish.  Go Boots!! 

TEXANS 26, DOPLHINS 44
Geez.  Fire your coach and start scoring a billion points.  It helps when you play a team that gave up last week on their season.  Down in the dumpy-wumps and crying in their beer, the Texans roll out a bomb for the ages, trailing 41-0 at halftime.  The entire 2nd half was garbage time.  KLUNK!!

STEELERS 13, CHIEFS 23
Two teams without a QB, but one with the ability to give up the ball, three of them- the Reelers get back to losing, and the Cheaps lose ground in the AFC hunt.

COLTS 21, SAINTS 27
Not sure how you total 48 points AND punt 20 times (ten each) but that has to be some kind of record.  Saints exiting basement, Colts hanging out on chilly patio looking longingly in through sliding glass door at the orange couch with all the duct tape on it.  Lose two more, guys, OK? 


NFL WEEK 7 WORST STATS

 Points:         3               Niners
First Downs:  8               Niners
Punts:           10              Saints and Colts- same game!  20 total.
Total Yards: 142            Niners
Passing:       81              Niners
Rushing:       50              Washington Fats
Penalties:     14/136         Raiders
3rd down eff:  1-11          Niners
Yards allowed:  503         Texans

Turnovers :     4             Bills (2int/2fum),  Browns (0/4), Cowboys (2/2)


aaaAAAAAAnd That the View from the BASEMENT!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, October 22, 2015

2-5 Niners in the Driver's Seat

NINERS  3,  SEAHAWKS  20

The San Francisco Forty-Niners,  only two years removed from playing in the NFC Championship game, have done a remarkable turnaround:  Moved the team 50 miles from their supposed home town and alienated more than half their fan base in the process, jacked up ticket prices to the sky,  fired/let walk/couldn't keep the best coach they've had since George Seifert, seen a mass exodus of quality players from the roster, hired a coach who doesn't just look like the guy who sells me salamis at the deli in North Beach, but may in fact BE that guy, have absolutely NO offensive line of any kind, and are still owned by the biggest bonehead west of the Mississippi.

This wasn't even close.  The Hags had NO chance to lose this game.  Whiners QB Colin Kaepernick has now nailed down a 1-6 record against their biggest rival.  What kind of a rivalry is that, if you always lose?  The Doormat kind  (see Browns-Steelers).  If you can't beat your division rival, you need to re-think the guy you have running the offense.  But not the Whiners-  they're on a mission.  They're going straight to the bottom.

3 points
9 punts (one short of the NFL season high)
7 three-and-outs
8 first downs
142 total yards
6 sacks

That's some of the most efficient, and impregnable, Doormat play seen this year.  FLAME ON.

-Wacko






THURSDAY NIGHT DOORMAT

SEAHAGS (2-4) vs.  FORTY-WHINERS (2-4)

There is no doubt about it.  This is a serious Doormat Division game tonight folks.  The two teams that have hated each other for years.  The Thanksgiving game where Seahawks set up a table and started eating turkey dinner right on the Levi's Stadium turf after clocking the Niners. The huge games with the trip to the Super Bowl on the line.  Media hater Colin Scampernick vs. choirboy Russell Wilson.  Richard Sherman and anybody. 

SO WHAT.  The more losses you have, the more vital the rivalry. This game's about nothing. NOTHING. How does that make you feel, fanboy?  Order extra 80-year old security personnel at Levi's Stadium.  Wear your hard hat.

 Two desperate teams, one unwittingly engineering themselves into the Basement (Seattle) while the other has done it from the top down (SF), in a game that somebody just HAS to lose in order to stay in the Moldy Carpet hunt.  3-4 isn't gonna cut it.  Only 2-5 will do.

The Hags lead the league in sacks allowed, while the Whiners haven't sacked anybody since Death Cab for Cutie was the biggest name in music you don't listen to. When push comes to shove...waiting...still waiting...never mind. The Whines expected a dip in the D, after so many rats jumped ship, but instead they've been blessed with an ABYSS of ineffectiveness.

The Hags are coming off yet another impressive last second loss, while the Whiners could not keep out of the end zone (defensive backs that fall down repeatedly are hard to throw to) last week and saw the Ravens grab the loss right in front of them. Galling.

Will this be another 2015 Doormat game where both teams get to rack up 450 yards of offense, and fake the fans into thinking something is devloping?
Or will they make us think the Chiefs are in town?

It may come down to a vicious punting battle.  The Hags check in #2 in the league (32) trailing only perennial champion Buffalo (33), while the Niners have just sketchy enough punting to make you worry every time 4th down rolls around.

EDGE TO LOSE:   We have NO idea.  Whiners.  They won last week.  They're done winning for now.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

THE BEST NAMES IN PRO FOOTBALL

THE BEST NAMES IN PRO FOOTBALL

We all do it.  There you are, innocently watching a football game, without a care in the world (football viewing, as we know, is totally calming and causes viewers zero stress), when the announcer tells you the name of the guy who just got called for holding and you think– “what?  That can’t be his name.  What parents would name their kid D’Brickashaw??"  When you realize he’s a gigantic offensive tackle who is, in fact, like a brick wall, he becomes one of the best names in football.

But, Shirley, that’s rare.  How many oddball names can there be in football?  Think again!  Some names are perfect football names, some sound like they should be in another line of work, some- some you just know the nickname machine never stops in the locker room, and some are just plain fun. 

For today, the Doormat Division expands its roster to the entire NFL to bring you our list of the Most Amusing, Unusual and Appropriate Names in Football.

THE BEST NAMES:

1.     D’Brickashaw Ferguson, T, Jets.   Still #1, just try and run through this guy. Almost like “A Boy Named Sue” kind of deal.
2.     Barkevious Mingo, LB, Browns.  We had our eye on Barky clear back in college and we’re proud he made it to the big time, because the NFL needed this name.  And how can you not love a linebacker whose name sounds like a mischievous wild dog? Plus your sidekick in a western on psychedelics?
3.     Phil Loadholt, T, Vikings.  At 6’8”, 345lbs, I’ll bet he’s a Loadholt, and can fill up a XXXL suit pretty fast. How can you not be a lineman with this name?
4.     Obum Gwachum, DE, Saints (6’5”, 246) Sasquatch really should have come up with a better alias.  It’s kind of obvious.
5.     Ndamukong Suh, DT, Dolphins.  Yeah, you’re just used to him, now.  But, face it, this names sounds like a destroyer of worlds. 

6.     Whitney Mercilus, LB, Texans.  Another great linebacker name.  It may not be Dick Butkus (the absolute “Boy Name Sue” name), but it’ll do.
7.     Baccari Rambo, S, Bills.  If they’d just slip a ‘d’ into Baccari, we’d really be in business here.
8.     Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Packers.  If you get needled about your name in the locker room, how do you respond?  You can’t say “ha-ha, very funny.”  Or maybe it just escalates to “I’ll show YOU ha-ha.”  Also, a “ha-ha” is a sunken fence, so I like how he’s the hidden D-fense, lying in wait, in the secondary. 
9.     Hroniss Grasu, C, Bears.  This is what happens when you try to say ‘yes sir, your honor’ when you’re already tipsy at the law court Christmas party.  Of course, this is most likely a perfectly fine name from another culture, so I should just shut up.  Have another mimosa?
10.  Aaron Ripowski, FB, Packers.  His stiff-arm will take your HEAD OFF.

11.  Jadeveon Clowney, LB, Texans.  Maybe if he was “Ja’sad Clowney” he’d be farther up the list.  Missed opportunity, really.
12. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Bengals.  After you get clocked by this guy a couple times, you definitely fall into a vontaze,  and some guys have to find a bucket and burfict.   Or maybe it’s a condition.  “vontaze burfict.”  Perhaps he had it when he was born (it’s not serious, wears off in a couple weeks), and the doctor filled it in the wrong place in the chart, and things just snowballed from there. 
13.  Brian Anger, Punter, Jags.  Get mad at that ball.  Kick it to Hawa’ii!  Remember all the doubters!  Get pissed!  Kick ‘em to the curb!  Kick ‘em to the MOON.  Punt! Punt! Punt! Punt!- whoa, sorry.
14.  Chad Slade, G, Texans.  I hope his hair is to his butt and the heavy metal is louder than bejeezus at his place.  If his first name was ‘Char’ it’d be pure gold.
15.   Ray-Ray Armstrong, LB, Raiders.  His nickname is ‘Bob.’

16.   Danny Woodhead, RB, Chargers.  I don’t think we have to worry about concussions for Danny.
17.  K’Waum Williams and Tramon Williams, DB, Browns.  Oh, confusion. A coach has had to have this happen:  Hey K’mon, c'waun over here for the next drill!!
18. Boom Herron, Tank Carradine, Boobie Dixon, Ziggy Hood, Tyler Shatley,  Tank Carder, Fozzy Whitaker, Cave Braxston-  all solid football names.  Although maybe we shouldn’t have Fozzy block so much. He looks unsteady.
19.  Hebron Fangupo, DL, Chiefs.  I’m not going anywhere with this.  I just love this name.
20. Golden Tate, WR, Lions.  Every time, every time, I hear the announcer call his name, I yell back a the screen “That’s GOLDEN STATE.”  Geez, get it right.

21.  Jake Stoneburner, TE, Dolphins.   If that doesn’t sound like OVER 5% Neanderthal, nothing does.  I’m 3.9% myself, and proud of it.  All the band-aids for the knuckle dragging is kind of annoying, but I’m used to it.
22.  And then, there’s the Kitchen Team, led by, of course, Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, with Piere Garçon waiting table, Le’Ron Hamm on entrée, and Junior Galette dishing up pastry.  These guys are all on the ‘Skins.  Should they finally change the team name, I nominate “The Fats.” Think about it- Washinton Fats.  If they can pull off some trades, they could get Frostee Rucker, Cyril Lemon, Corey Lemonier (pronounced lemon-yay),  Orie Lemon, and Jaquiski Tartt!  Jaquiski is a 49er. I gotta get a local bakery on this.
23.  Jaquiski (and also Jovorskie Lane) brings up a most welcome development in the wild first name derby by our much appreciated African-American community- who are hands down the improv kings.   Sure they sprinkle in apostrophes like cayenne in the eggs, but when you reach the point where your first name looks like a polish last name, you are really getting somewhere in football names.  Could Ja’warski Legurski be coming soon?
24.  Chris Banjo, S, Packers.  Since most wide receivers are trying to get away from safeties, and most people try to put some distance between themselves and any banjo, this is perfect.
25. Ego Ferguson, DL, Bears.  “Ego, it’s a team game. Team.
26.  Christian Ringo, DT, Packers.  No list is complete without at least one Beatles reference- didn’t Ringo Starr star in “The Magic Christian”?   Please tell me his parents knew this. 

Well, I’m sure I missed a few, so don’t hesitate to add to the list.   Have a fabulous Football Weekend, or if you are keeping busy by giving birth on Sunday, please don't chicken out- GO FOR IT when the moment for the name comes.  GO WILD!!!   

{we would like to add that we love a well-turned phrase, and any name that sounds like it should be in a Dickens novel is very high on our list.  We make our humor with a lot of appreciation for those with the most unique names, because it would be a very boring world if we were all Joe Brown.  And how would Joe Brown feel if we were?  I hope no one takes offense, and can join in the fun.-ed}

aaAAAAAnd That’s the View from the Basement!!!!!!!!

-wacko

Monday, October 19, 2015

WEEK SIX WRAP-UP AND PUNT INTO EXISTENTIAL SKY

WEEK SIX WRAP-UP:

4 teams ended their playoff hopes yesterday, even if one of them won (Detroit!).  Now, at 1-5, they can concentrate on going for the Moldy Carpet trophy we so lovingly grow during the season. We water it each Sunday with 16oz of the cheapest beer from the cheapest store on the cheapest street in town, and then carefully tune the space heater to just the right growing humidity.  It’s like making a rainbow in your own shag carpeting.

But enough about gardening. Let’s gaze at the standings and get to the games, and there were some doozies.

Kittens still rule the NFC with a log-jam of Parity (please, no) below.  The AFC is a tight race, with the Gags just percentage points ahead of the hard-charging Cheaps.

DOORMAT DIVISION STANDINGS

NFC
                  W-L         PF-PA
Kittens        1-5          120 - 172
Whiners     2-4           100 – 160
Deadskins  2-4           117 – 138
daBares      2-4           120 - 179
Aints          2-4           134 - 164
Seahags      2-4          134 – 125
Lambs        2-3            84 - 113



AFC
                  W-L          PF-PA
Gaguars     1-5            113 – 176
Cheaps      1-5            127 - 159
Cravens      1-5             143 - 162
Titanics      1-4             112 - 129
Toxins       2-4            128 - 155
Chargettes  2-4           136 – 161


AW, DARN

Bears 34, Lions 37 (OT)
The last team with a perfect record is no more. 1000+ yards of offense.  This is the kind of Doormat game we want. No defense, normally anemic offenses suddenly look like scoring machines.  The Lions turn it over 3 times, commit 10 penalties, even tried to give daBares a last second TD, but the Bears put their paw down and kick a field goal to only tie it at :00. Lions refuse to score as long as possible, but Bears outlast them-  Kitties kick a FG with 2:29 left in OT.

Amazing Performance of the Week

Colts 27, Patriots 34
Wow, what a…deflating loss. Yes, the Colts are 3-3 and solidly in the Parity Division lead, but the botched fake punt, with the entire team way over to the right, and 3 guys at the ball, resulted in the saddest hike and tackle I’ve ever seen. It’s not a trick play when everybody can see what you’re doing! Ka-lunk!! Intentionally designing the most bonehead alignment possible, and then running it to execution- I mean, perfection- is Doormat Hall of Fame material. Colts don’t recover, and Pats laugh all the way to the next air pump station.

SNATCHING DEFEAT FROM THE JAWS OF VICTORY

Seahawks 23, Carolina 27
No matter how few seconds are left, the Hags still have time to lose. The Seahags have led going into the 4th quarter in 3 of their 4 losses.  And two losses were snatched in OT.  They did it again yesterday, coughing up the win with :32 left.
Losing at the last second is the greater art form than just getting blown out, so I don’t want to hear any bellering up in Seattle about how they could be 6-0. The creative innovation in the defensive secondary, coupled with Red Zone brain failure, is forcing the issue in the Basement, and the Seahags have been allowed in from the chilly patio.  Man, I kinda hate the smell of kelp.

BLOWOUT OF THE WEEK

Titans 10,  Dolphins 38
The Dolphins may seem like they stink, but now they and their fans know better.  Move over, America, the Titanics are in the house! Supported by an offensive line that couldn’t keep 4 drag queens from getting to the stage to lip-synch Madonna tunes (admittedly a tough assignment), QB Marcus Mariota gets flattened 6 times, fumbles twice, and rips two interceptions. Whoa, nelly. Marcus finishes the game in a knee brace and in bad need of a makeover. These guys could go 1-15.

THE REST OF THE SORRY PILE

Jaguars 20,  Texans 31
Think you can strut into Jacksonville’s  Everbanking-on–a-Loss Stadium, all puffed up about how bad you are, and think you'll show them how losing is done in 2015? Please.  You haven’t really cried until you cry tears of teal.  Jags kill three drives with interceptions, with a pick-six mixed in to nail down the loss, no problem. 

Chiefs 10,  Vikings 16
Any game the Chiefs play is the Stiff of the Week.  The Chiefs have a solid game plan: Don’t do anything on offense that any 102 year-old librarian wouldn't do.  Calcified game plans from 4 floors down in the stacks!  

Ravens 20,  49ers  25
Any game between these two teams (both 1-4 coming in) basically boils down to whether Colin Kaepernick or Joe Flacco sails more mid-range passes over their targets or not.  That’s it.  Seriously. Flacco won yesterday.  The Poe-Cravens also started a guy at DB that the 49ers just released, and it was too much knowledge.  Niners forced to score twice on him, win game.  Ravens 1-5 and can now focus on the Moldy Carpet.

Browns 23, Broncos 26
Well, we thought the Brownies were in trouble with this one, and it took OT and 3 turnovers to nail it down, but a loss is a loss- and when you drop one like this at home, even better.  The Brownie Bake Sale lives. 

Washington 20, Jets 34
The Deadskins played football for 30 minutes yesterday.  The Jets played for 60.

THIS WEEK'S LOWS:

Points:      10       (Titans, Chiefs)
Penalties:  9/111 ( Cards)  11/103   (Indy)
Turnovers:  4       (Titans)
First Downs:  14  (Pitt, Seahags, 'Skins)
Total Yards: 225   ('Skins)
Passing yards: 169  (Pitt)
Rushing yards: 34   ('Skins)
Yards Allowed:  548 (Green Bay); 546 (Bears)
Punts:   7      (Seahags)
Total Punts:  14  (Den-Cle)



aaaaAAAAnd THAT'S THE VIEW FROM THE BASEMENT!!