And then there are some old friends lurking on the patio outside the Doormat cave: Carolina, San Francisco, and Arizona. Hey, we thought you had left us all behind, just dim memories like you see when FB shows you a 5-year-old post. (Why do they do that? I usually see those things and think, "Yech, why did I post that? I should quit using FB.") Well, guys, it was great when you were here, but you haven't even texted us since you left, so we are not so sure we want to let you back on the Barcalounger. You will have to stay on the patio and drink coffee and eat hot dogs off the Hibachi for a few more weeks. We might throw a bag of chips out there. If you go 1-9, we'll talk!
Now, we have to admit, the Yikings (Vikings) do have us pretty excited. When Bud Grant blew the horn at the home opener in the new "Prow" stadium, the place went nuts and so did the Vikings, with a serious beat down of the Packers. It's the new stadium syndrome. New place to play, you win it all (are you listening, Cubs?). So maybe we can excuse Minnesota for running off in a tizzy and forgetting about us here in the Doormat Division. As Angie Dickinson said, "If you don't chase a child, and patiently wait, he will come back to you." So see ya soon, Yikes.
And speaking of new stadium syndrome, there is also World Champ syndrome. One major professional sport wins and the rest of the city's teams win. Cavaliers get the NBA, looks like maybe Indians get MLB, so Browns are destined at last for their first Moldy Carpet!
And now for some Doormat predictions from the Oracle in the Basement:
 |
| Eagles are on a roll, Lions are on a dive, should be at least 3 turnovers. |
Cardinals-17
49ers- 10
(Doormat Gold. The rest of the country is thinking, "Do we really have to have this for a Thursday night national broadcast?")
Patriots- 36
Browns- 17
(T-Brady is baaaaack. Brownies stay on path to glory.)
Eagles- 21
Lions-14
(Lions stink up the joint in the Kat Box.)
Bears- 9
Colts-10
(Stiff of the week)
Redskins- 24
Ravens- 21
Texans- 8
Vikings- 30
Jets- 10
Steelers- 35
Falcons- 3
Broncos- 5
(Reality sets in for Matt Ryan, again.)
Bengals- 28
Cowboys-17
Bills- 27
Rams- 30
Chargers- 21
Raiders- 28
Buccaneers- 12
Panthers- 10
(A must miss game, unless you are in Tampa Bay.)
Titans- 17
Dolphins- 21
Gentlemen, make your predictions!
Now they tell me that Carson Palmer is out with a concussion. That changes everything. San Francisco and Arizona could really be one of the all-time doormat games now. Changing my prediction. 49ers 12. Cardinals nine.
ReplyDeleteTHURSDAY NIGHT DOORMAT!!! This game could be just ugliest thing....I have a feeling the Cardinal defense is going to pulverize Gabbert. But I think your updated score is darn close.
DeleteThe Cards have lost two games at the last second, basically. They could easily be 3-1. Backup Stanton is solid, and may, in fact, be better right now, because Palmer's been turning the ball over nearly in 'Fitzpatrick' realm.
DeleteYeah, but they have underperformed in more categories than QB. Larry F can't win it by himself. But SF has NOBODY playing well. True about Stanton, maybe he can come through and maybe Carson Palmer is Andy Dalton 2.0. I still take the 9-0's on this one.
Deleteif tampa beasts the Panther, I will be very upset. Does that count as a local rivalry?
ReplyDeleteI don't think you have to worry. Although I think Cam Newton might be out with a concussion. is that right?
DeleteI think you are correct about Cam man.
Deletelike teenagers, a few teams have left the basement, but who will come back begging ? underage drinkers always get in trouble at some point.... my guess is LA-Lambs. The Cruds are back for sure, and The Pansies, I am not so sure about. (Whiners were back last year so no surprise there, but oh how we yearn for the singletary days!)
ReplyDeleteYeah, like the giants a few years back the Pansies could start one and four and wind up 12 and four. And yes it would be great to have the single minded days back
DeleteNew Stadium Syndrome? Somebody alert the 49ers that they are playing in a new stadium. It is having no effect. In fact, it's gone over so well here, people call it the Red Hole.
ReplyDeleteLike all syndromes, not a 100 percent guarantee. But it does tend to happen more often than not. 49ers blew it because they didn't build a new stadium, they ditched SF and moved to the high rent ZIP code. That jinxed their future for sure.
DeleteBills-Rams is a classic game of two teams desperately trying to shed the Doormat patina. Hard to do that when you play each other. Let's see if one of them lays a real pasting on the other. Otherwise, it's a wash of inconclusive floundering.
ReplyDeleteYes. This could be not just a great Doormat game, but a great game period. Look for a lot of frantic play. This will look more like a hockey match than a football game.
Deleterams vs Bils - who is at Home? doesn't matter, there is a good chance neither offense scores. however gets the fumble return for a TD wins!
ReplyDelete