Superbowl XLVI: Part I

Or, in which Frank and Eric debate the relative merits of teams they don't really care about but which the whole nation will watch.

Look, we all love the game. We want to see who will be the champion of the NFL. We just wish it wasn't the Pats and the Giants. It's not that they aren't great franchises from great cities. It's that they were just here. Both of them. There isn't much of a compelling point here unless you are really excited for a rematch. Or if you really enjoy the "which Manning is better" debate.

No one wanted this Superbowl outside of New York and New England. We saw this already. Merely four years ago in Superbowl XLII, a little known wide receiver named David Tyree made a catch that has immortalized him in football lore. It looked like this:



And guess what sports fans? The Giants are going to leave Indy with yet another Lombardi Trophy.

Manny Ramirez to the A's

Well here you go. The A's are going to make a splash with a clubhouse cancer who hasn't played since, what, April of last year? But imagine if we make the playoffs.... I'm starting to write the screenplay today.

Manny Coming to Oakland?

NFC Championship: Niners v. Giants

One year ago, two awkwardly close friends had a vision. A vision that they could create a blog filled with prose, poetry, laughter, and the occasional tear. A place where they could write their inane ramblings and force a few of their friends to read it from time to time when they felt guilty about it. But most of all, a journal where they could impart their knowledge and incoherent thoughts to an audience stretching worldwide. These two ruggedly handsome yet dignified gentlemen realized this dream, and they both hope you've enjoyed the ride over this first year.

It started with previews of the NFC and AFC Championship game and we'll kick off the second year with the same thing, first, yourrrrr San FranCISCOOOO FOOORRRRTYYYY-NNIIIINNNNNEEERRRRRRSSSSS.

Divisional Weekend

Last week wasn't so good. The experts here at We're In This Thing have a little egg on their faces, as their picks went 1-3 over wild card weekend. However, when at first you don't succeed, just remind Frankie that his Steelers lost to Tebow. I think that's how the idiom goes anyway. Either way, we'll have a good weekend of playoff football ahead of us, and though you may not want to take these picks to Vegas, here's what we see coming this weekend.



Note: If I turn up with black eyes somewhere, it is because Frankie has tracked me down. Do not call the authorities, we'll have sorted it out.

Wild Card Weekend

Seeing as Frankie took the time to post about tomorrow's Steelers-Broncos game, I figured I'd quickly give the other three games this weekend a little love and pick the outcomes. Five out of the last six Superbowls have featured a team who played on Wild Card Weekend, so is it possible one of these teams makes the Big Game? It's definitely a possibility, especially in the AFC. But the NFC could have a surprise in store as well. So, quickly, here's what I expect to see this weekend from the games not involving He Who Must Not Be Named.

Cincinnati 24, Houston 17

The Red Rifle Andy Dalton hooks up with AJ Green for a 80 yard bomb on the first play on offense. Cedric Benson then pounds two more in as TJ Yates and the Houston offense can't hold on to the ball long enough to give their defense a rest. Arian Foster's 130 yards on the ground aren't enough to keep the pressure off the passing game, and Houston laments what might have been had Matt Schaub stayed healthy. The Bengals take over late and head to the divisional round.

Detroit 41, New Orleans 38

In an instant classic, Drew Brees and Matthew Stafford put on a show that really ends in who has the ball last. Brees throws for four touchdowns and over 400 yards, but its just not enough to make up for the defense. Stafford grows up right before our eyes and leads a 1 minute drive to result in a pass to Megatron for the game winning touchdown. Who dat? Easy, it's the Motor City.

New York 24, Atlanta 13

The Giants' front seven shows up and pounds Matty Ice all day. Turner struggles to get going on the ground as well. Tony Gonzalez is able to catch yet another touchdown pass to further add to his hall of fame career, but the Giants and the Manning-Cruz connection pull away in the second half. Manning's two touchdowns and Bradshaw's lone score are the propellent for the Giants to the next round.

So there you have it from We're In This Thing: Steelers, Bengals, Lions, Giants. Take it to the bank.

8 Resolutions For Bay Area Sports This New Year

Now that we've all indulged heavily on delicious treats, both edible and inedible, it's time to rejoice in what we've seen over the past two weeks. It is definitely not time to focus on the moves your favorite baseball team may or may not have made, and it's definitely not time to focus on the egg that your favorite college football team may or may not have laid in San Diego. No, no, no.... instead, we'll focus on the positives. Though they may be few in number, there have been great things going on in the sports world over the last two weeks even if you're an East San Francisco Bay Area fan like I am. So, in case you've been stuffing your face with figgy pudding over the last two weeks, here's your friendly sports update.... of positives....



Even I feel bad for this poor guy

1. The NBA started... the Warriors have hope.
2. The Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Outback Bowl made for a memorable day-after-New-Year's-Day.
3. The 49ers are in the playoffs.

So hey, we've got that going for us. But fear not, this year provides new hope for everyone, and here's a list of 8 resolutions our hometown teams and fans should make to help them succeed in the new year.