The Crystal Ball 2012 Week 14

Come on people, are you really surprised and shocked the NFL proceeded with the Panthers/Chiefs game? If the wouldn't postpone or move the Steelers/Giants game only days after Hurricane Sandy ravaged the Eastern Seaboard with a good portion of New York and New Jersey without power, water or heat, what makes you think they'll stop the money train for one slain woman and her dead NFL killer?

Opening Kickoff

Watching any game featuring Peyton Manning from here on out until the end of his career will be unbearable. The fawning by the broadcast teams and studio hosts has reached a Farveian level of obnoxiousness.

The Way It Was

Rex Ryan momentarily had his fill with Mark Sanchez and benched him during the Jets game. Curious that he finally took Sanchez out when Tebow was unavailable.

The Niners and Rams came close to tying again with a second game that went deep into overtime. They must really like each other to play so much extra football.

Ok, Jim Harbaugh. Explain to me once again how Colin Kaepernick is a better option than Alex Smith? Because I couldn't see this dynamic hot hand in St. Louis.

The last time I remember a head coach replacing his experienced, winning starter for a young, inexperienced quarterback with high upside, it was Mike Shanahan replacing Jake Plummer with Jay Cutler. Cutler sucked, the team started losing and Denver missed the playoffs. Learn from history Harbaugh

Woof, the shine sure is coming off the Bears season in a hurry.

Tony Romo set the career touchdown record for the Cowboys, passing Troy Aikman. But Aikman won 3 Super Bowls to Romo's 1 playoff game. So there might be a disparity between the quarterbacks.

After letting go of DE Jason Babin last week, the Eagles canned defensive line coach Jim Washburn this week. Oh and in between, they lost again. What a nightmare mess.

Andy Reid named quarterback Nick Foles the starter for Philadelphia for the remainder of the season. I heard someone say Foles looks like Napoleon Dynamite, and now I cannot un-see this. Every Eagles game from here on out, all I'm thinking is, "I baked you a delicious bass" and "But my lips hurt real bad!"

Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano went back to his douchebag ways, sending his men to charge the Broncos victory formation. I have to say, for Schiano this is an especially bad call. I think at this point, Peyton Manning has the power to have Schiano excommunicated from football.

The Steel Pit

Steelers 23 - Ravens 20

Who has two thumbs, a half dozen Terrible Towels and has been whistling Zippity Doo Dah all week? THIS GUY! A ha ha ha ha ha!

Oh I couldn't have been happier last Sunday. Just watching Pittsburgh celebrate on Baltimore's field, finally exposing the Ravens for the frauds they are. How can anyone take them seriously now as playoff contenders when a third string quarterback old enough to be the father of some of his teammates can kick their butt on their own field?

That was the exact Steeler team I've been waiting to see for a season and a half now. One just as sick of losing to Baltimore as the rest of us.

Now, we could discuss this week's injury report, which now includes Ike Taylor, or Ray Rice and Torrey Smith learning the hard way to never to mock or bring down the wrath of the Terrible Towel, or even the details of the game with still too many turnovers committed. But none of them are the true story of this game. The true story is one Charlie Batch.

Batch, a lion in winter, rose up to roar triumphantly against Pittsburgh's biggest rival on their field. Batch's phenomenal effort was all you could ask for and more. And this was far from easy. Batch had a terrible week leading up to the game. First he had to face his performance in Cleveland, looking at all the mistakes that were made. Batch owned that and put the onus of the loss squarely upon his own shoulders. He was still unsure if he would have the opportunity for a redemption throughout the week as Roethlisberger was making progress toward returning to action. Add to that the din of naysayers, which was just about everyone, who questioned why he was still with the team and were loudly professing that Batch could not get the job done in this critical game.

But to cap it all off, Batch had to say goodbye to his trusted pet and put his cancer stricken dog to sleep. Anyone who has ever had a dog knows how painful this experience is and how emotionally draining a person feels after they say goodbye to their 4 legged friend. Charlie had all of this swirling about him as he prepared to face the Ravens, on their field, with them having won three straight against Pittsburgh.

And with all of that going on, he came through like a champion. Batch's greatest moment came at the end of the game, when he led the Steeler offense on a 6+ minute, clock killing, game ending drive that culminated in a field goal as time expired and vaulted Pittsburgh to a signature win. Batch shared a long, emotional moment with Roethlisberger at the end of the game, as the weight of the week and the moment hit him. Charlie gave everyone in Pittsburgh an early Christmas present, quieted everyone who didn't believe he could still play and win and engineered perhaps the best win of his career. Congratulations Charlie, and thank you!

Only In Faux NFL Reality…

Jacksonville created their own rip-off of the Terrible Towel, called the Jag Rag. In Pittsburgh, jag is a shortened version of jagoff, a common insult. Too many jokes....

Colts offensive lineman Mike McGlynn alleges that Ndamukong Suh taunted a concussed player during the Lions/Colts game. Wow, ok seriously, who's surprised to hear Suh acted like a raging douchebag on the field? No one?

Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent was arrested for manslaughter after a single vehicle accident caused by drunken driving killed his teammate Jerry Brown. This should never happen! The NFL has services for players who need assistance getting home if they've been out partying and are intoxicated. This is shameful. Thoughts and prayers to Brown's family in this pointlessly tragic time.

Denver's mayor submitted a bid to have his city host the Super Bow. Honestly, I'm surprised Pittsburgh's sports crazy mayor hasn't tried this yet.

Terrell Suggs reportedly was required to surrender his firearms as part of a court order related to a domestic dispute. The part of this article that I focused on was that Suggs and his girlfriend have a history of domestic problems.

Chargers owner Dean Spanos has refuted reports that A.J. Smith and Norv Turner are set to be fired. If anything he should support and encourage those kind of reports.

With still four games to go in the season, Peter Schrager of Fox Sports is already hypothesizing that the 2012 quarterback class could be the best of all time. Here's a crazy thought. How about we let them play for another year or two, you know, just in case one or more turns out to be either flashes in the pan or flukes, you know, before we crown their asses?

Upon Further Review

During halftime of the Eagles/Cowboys Sunday Night Football game, NBC commentator Bob Costas addressed the murder of Kasandra Perkins by Chiefs linebacker Javon Belcher and his subsequent suicide. Costas focused on the issue of gun control, referencing an article written by Fox Sports.com journalist Jason Whitlock that questioned why the NFL would play the game in light of this tragedy.

Costas used a small segment of this article as his base material and augmented it with his own views. In the aftermath of his segment, Costas received tremendous backlash for using Sunday Night Football and the Perkins tragedy to air his thoughts on this controversial subject to millions of viewers.

Whitlock later further detailed his own position on gun control, America's gun culture and their place in this crime in a reasoned well thought out article. He also made clear his initial article was regarding how wrong it was for the NFL to continue with the game in the aftermath of Belcher's terrible actions. Whitlock also defended Costas, calling his stance and commentary as courageous.

However, Costas' commentary was not courageous. It was the wrong discussion at the wrong time. It was self serving, a wasted an opportunity to provide real help with his position and dangerous because it moved focus away from the real issues behind this crime. If Costas actually had any concern for Perkins or her family, her now orphaned daughter or anyone other than himself, he would have used his national platform to address more significant and apropos issues related to this calamity.

I have no problem with Costas' personal views, or the topic of gun control or engaging in intelligent discussion on the matter. But I do not believe Costas really wanted to start an intelligent discussion on the issue. By his commentary, and subsequent actions, Costas seemingly put forth his opinion merely to spark controversy and put his name in the press.

Costas chose to weigh in on a typically divisive issue that often goes past reasonable debate into infantile name calling and resentment with no clear exchange of ideas as each side sticks firmly to their own beliefs. The only person who benefits from such acrimony is the chef who stirred the pot, in this case Costas. The exposure he has received has been across the social media spectrum, an interview with Bill O'Reilly and a Podcast with Whitlock to discuss the issue have been priceless for Costas' publicity. As the saying goes, there's no such thing as negative press.

Sadly, Costas in his rush to push his opinion missed a prime opportunity to do a tremendous amount of good for not only those left behind, but millions of people suffering everywhere.

In the aftermath of Belcher's crimes, questions have been raised of why a man with no history of such behavior would suddenly find the only way out of an acrimonious situation was murder and suicide. Belcher shot Perkins 9 times, then drove to the Chiefs facility to thank Scott Pioli, Romeo Crennel and Gary Gibbs for all they had done for him before taking his own life. That does not sound like the actions of a rational man thinking clearly. It sounds like someone who may have been dealing with real problems and needed professional help. This does not excuse his actions in any way, but would help to explain said actions.

It would have been appropriate to put forth a commentary on mental health and emotional problems and the urgency for those dealing with such issues to seek help. Many people suffer from a litany of problems in silence because they are unwilling or unable to get the help they need. And many others are unable to see the signs of those around them suffering, even close family members, until it's too late. Using this tragedy to raise awareness and put forth information on how to receive help for those suffering from mental and emotional problems would have done a great deal of good for a great many. And it would have been especially apropos now when many people who suffer from depression, instability and a host of other afflictions find their problems too unbearable during the holidays.

In the last week, I find myself thinking of Belcher's mother and her frantic call to 911 while trying to keep Perkins with her until help arrived. I think of Pioli, Crennel and Gibbs, who tried desperately to get through to a young man bent on taking his own life, and had to watch those efforts fail horrifically before their own eyes. I think of the couple's baby daughter, who will grow up never knowing her parents. And of their families and Belcher's teammates like Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles. Charles' wife and Perkins were cousins. I wonder how they are dealing with this?

Discussing these aspects could have been a great way to highlight the importance of counseling and helped viewers who also may be dealing with grief and tragedy and other issues beyond their grasp seek the professional help they need. It could have helped people learn how to spot those suffering in silence and help those people get the help they require.

But what he could have done with his commentary pales in comparison to damage done by what he did do. By using Perkins' murder as his jumping off point to discuss his stance on gun control, Costas has created a media storm that has consumed the story. The focus as shifted to guns, and lost in the din of raging perspectives and the vitriol is the heart of this tragedy, domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a serious issue within this country and the athletic community at large. Unfortunately this problem is one that is rarely spoken about and the victims far too often suffer in silence, sometimes until the perpetrator finally kills them. The Chiefs, to their credit, wisely chose to hold a moment of silence before the game for domestic violence victims.

ESPN.com's Jemele Hill did not miss this subject, and wrote an eye opening, thought provoking piece. Hill not only addresses domestic violence, but the frequency it occurs amongst athletes and punishment meted out to perpetrators of this crime. The portion of the article that goes into detail on the percentage of athletes that are only lightly punished, if they are punished at all, is alarming.

By turning the focus away from Perkins' murder and the issue of domestic violence and toward gun control, Costas pulled the spotlight away from a serious issue that needs addressed. The assumption that Perkins would still be alive if Belcher did not own a gun is naive and dangerous. If a person is intent on harming or killing another person, they will find a way to do it. A gun is merely the method of how Belcher killed Perkins. Considering the details surrounding Perkins' murder, this would have been a very timely and appropriate topic to bring to the public's attention.

Discussing the pertinent subject matter brought forth by Perkins' murder, like domestic violence, mental health, depression and loneliness, therapy or grief counseling while providing information on how those suffering with these afflictions or situations can get assistance could have helped countless people get much needed support toward a better life. It would have made their lives, and the lives of those around them, better. If there could have been a good story pulled from the ashes of this tragedy, that would have been it.

Costas took the focus off of the murder of a young mother and put it on his own personal viewpoint. He wasted an opportunity to do good with a forum that reached millions and instead opted to use the story to further his career instead of showing any concern for the principals involved.

While I do not have the reach of Costas, I will at least try to do what should have been obvious to him. If you need help, or know someone who does, know there are resources out there. Here are a few, and please if help is needed don't be afraid to seek it.

National Domestic Violence Hotline - www.thehotline.org

Domesticviolence.org - www.domesticviolence.org

National Institute for Mental Health - www.nimh.nih.gov

Assistance with finding a therapist - Helpguide.org

Coping with grief - Helpguide.org

He Said He Said

“That was a big win. It was one of those moments, and he and I shared it. I’ll keep it between us what was said, but it was something that was special.” - Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch on his emotional moment with Ben Roethlisberger at the end of the Ravens game

Thank you Charlie, for giving us a feel good story on a surreal day.

“It’s just something that I sensed, that I felt. When you’re around the game long enough, you get that feeling that, ‘You know what? I’ve seen enough, and it’s time to make that change.’” - Jets head coach Rex Ryan, on benching Mark Sanchez

Rex, the time to make a change was months ago.

“‘We have to play accordingly and our fans have to show up accordingly, which we know they will. Hopefully, they’re super- duper drunk. So drink liquor, not beer." - Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway on the teams' impending game against Chicago

Ummm, that's funny but I'd imagine more than a little bit of an irresponsible comment. Plus, come on. Football fans most likely will already be drunk. Have you ever been to a tailgate party?

“When you looked at their faces when they ran off the field, man, this wasn’t the Super Bowl.” - Ravens safety Ed Reed after the Steelers victory over Baltimore

Oh please, every time the Ravens have beaten Pittsburgh they act like they just hit the Powerball. Shut your hole Reed.

"It's not over yet. For some of us, it will be with us for the rest of our lives." - Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel on the Perkins tragedy

The whole thing just breaks your heart.

"When you ask someone how they are doing, do you really mean it? When you answer someone back how you are doing, are you really telling the truth? We live in a society of social networks, with Twitter pages and Facebook, and that's fine, but we have contact with our work associates, our family, our friends, and it seems like half the time we are more preoccupied with our phone and other things going on instead of the actual relationships that we have right in front of us. Hopefully, people can learn from this and try to actually help if someone is battling something deeper on the inside than what they are revealing on a day-to-day basis." - Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn

Quinn showed more poise, eloquence and awareness than Costas could ever hope to.

"Let's not overstate this so much that we forget about the real importance here of what is left behind. We have a three-month-old baby girl who has lost her momma and her daddy. Both of them are gone. Therein lies the tragedy." - Fox Sports NFL commentator Terry Bradshaw

Well, I'm glad someone in the media remembered the most important part of this awful situation.

Idiot of the Week

This week, I don the crown of idiot on the brow of Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Harbaugh wins for not only his ridiculous post game handshake nonsense, but also for being a poor coach.

As I'm sure everyone has seen, after Pittsburgh vanquished Baltimore, Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin met at mid field for the traditional post game handshake. Tomlin gave Harbaugh a terse, short greeting and started to move away. Basically, he was giving Harbaugh the same sort of drive by greeting for which Harbaugh's brother Jim is notorious. John, dissatisfied with that interaction, took exception to this, pulled Tomlin back and said hey, I said congratulations. Tomlin responded with Thank you, that's it, disengaged and went on his way.

Now most of the time, I scoff at those without the class to conduct themselves like gentlemen during the post game handshake, and that goes for victors and the vanquished. But in this case. I have no problem with their interaction. I like to see some animosity and venom from start to finish in Ravens/Steelers games, and that goes for between the coaches as well.

Tomlin sent the appropriate tone as to how Pittsburgh feels about this team, and set the future tone for his team as to how they should regard and dismiss Baltimore.

Now afterward, Tomlin said he just wanted to get to the locker room to congratulate the team and he was so eager to do so, he rushed through his postgame handshake Harbaugh. Harbaugh also downplayed the incident, considering it a non issue. But I believe it is an issue. Word around Pittsburgh is that Tomlin was still fuming from Harbaugh's post game comments to the Ravens team after the Ravens/Steelers first meeting when John said his team, the tougher team won the game.

But I have to ask, what did Harbaugh want? Did Tomlin not properly recognize the defeated genius? Did Tomlin not properly genuflect his conquered opponent? Did Harbaugh want to chew the fat so he wouldn't have to face the media and questions like why didn't you run Ray Rice more? Did Harbaugh need Tomlin to console him and tell him it would be ok? Or did he just not like being treated the same way his brother treats people?

And conversely, Harbaugh wins this week for ridiculously under using Ray Rice yet again. In the Ravens opening drive, Rice did not have a single carry. In the fourth quarter, in which Pittsburgh came back from a 7 point deficit to win by 3 points, Rice did not touch the ball at all. That's right. Trying to cling to a 7 point lead and wick time off the clock, Harbaugh ignored his best offensive weapon and put the game into the hands of his questionable quarterback. And because of that, Baltimore lost its 15 game home winning streak, its 12 game AFC North winning streak, and Harbaugh earns the prestigious award of idiot.

And a first runner up award goes to Ravens safety Ed Reed for his under his breath disparaging of Charlie Batch after the game. Hey Ed, whether he's a good quarterback or not is immaterial. He beat your dumb ass. Idiot.

On Tap This Week

Dang it, I forgot the Thursday pick again! Well I picked Denver, which is no surprise since everyone did. And Peyton didn't disappoint again.

Last week: 12-3

Thursday: 1-0

Season to Date: 124-69

Hold on. Last week showing faith in my team led to me winning the week and vaulting into the top ten in my poll. It may not be a transcendent season, but with a quarter left to go, it could be a memorable one.

Sunday

Atlanta (11-1) at Carolina (3-9)

Carolina can win this game. They almost beat the Falcons in Atlanta a few weeks ago. But they won't.

Panthers over Falcons

Chicago (8-4) at Minnesota (6-6)

the question is can Adrian Peterson win a game by himself? I'm saying, you bet your sweet bippy he can.

Vikings over Bears

Baltimore (9-3) at Washington (6-6)

The Skins have a chance to win the NFC east. You think they're gonna let Baltimore stand in their way? HA! Baltimore's defense will be hamstrung without Suggs who had stabilized them for some time. The exposure happened last week. The collapse begins this week.

Redskins over Ravens

Philadelphia (3-9) at Tampa Bay (6-6)

Rest easy Philly fans, only four more games until this miserable season is over.

Buccaneers over Eagles

San Diego (4-8) at Pittsburgh (7-5)

The game plan for today, DON'T GET ROETHLISBERGER HIT!" It's that simple.

Steelers over Chargers

Dallas (6-6) at Cincinnati (7-5)

I would love to have Dallas come through for me this week, but Cincinnati has been rather resilient thus far this season.

Bengals over Cowboys

Tennessee (4-8) at Indianapolis (8-4)

Chuckstrong rolls along.

Colts over Titans

New York Jets (5-7) at Jacksonville (2-10)

Rex Ryan will stick with Mark Sanchez. He's so stupid.

Jets over Jaguars

St. Louis (5-6-1) at Buffalo (5-7)

I like the moxie you get out of this Rams team. I really do.

Rams over Bills

Kansas City (2-10) at Cleveland (4-8)

How odd to say this, but the Browns winning streak keeps on rolling.

Browns over Chiefs

Miami (5-7) at San Francisco (8-3-1)

Well, even Harbaugh and Kaepernick can't screw this up.

49ers over Dolphins

New Orleans (5-7) at New York Giants (7-5)

Ok, this week is the week New York starts it's late season push. I think. Either way, I have lost my confidence in New Orleans. Sorry Drew, but it's true.

Giants over Saints

Arizona (4-8) at Seattle (7-5)

Wouldn't it be funny if Seattle overtook San Francisco and stole the division? I would love it, especially because it would show what a wanker Jim Harbaugh really is.

Seahawks over Cardinals

Detroit (4-8) at Green Bay (8-4)

And here is where Green Bay takes it's rightful place back at the top of the NFC North.

Packers over Lions

Monday

Houston (11-1) at New England (9-3)

This seems to me to be one of the those games where Bill Belichick will not pull out all the stops, but take a loss just to see what a potential playoff opponent has to offer. Lose the battle to win the war sort of thing.

Texans over Patriots

Thursday

Cincinnati at Philadelphia

Ha ha, I didn't forget this week! Oh like it would matter. I'm going with the easy pick.

Bengals over Eagles