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Blink!

I’m going to give you my first impression of each of those four walk-off playoff games in one quick shot.

Then, like the Average White Band that I am, I’ll go back and “pick up the pieces.”

Bengals over Titans

“Our three interceptions are greater than your nine sacks.”

Niners over Packers (Coach goes all Debbie Harry on you)

“One way…or another…I’m gonna find ya…I’m gonna gitcha, gitcha, gitcha, gitcha…”

Rams over Niners

“Rams save themselves…from themselves.”

Chiefs over Bills

“So…you’re sayin’ there’s a chance?”

Now “circling back”…as much as I hate that term.

Vrabel didn’t do himself or his team any favors. Shoulda just kicked the PAT to take a 7-6 lead. Later called an awful play after making a sound decision to go for it on fourth down. And why not a little more Foreman, and a little less of a rusty King Henry? Mixon is a helluva player, and Chase may be the Next Big Thing, if he isn’t already. Burrow? Pure KGB. And in this case only, I mean that as a compliment. McPherson? G. Gordon Liddy. Looks like the Bengals are going to the AFC Championship Game, doesn’t it? And maybe heading farther west than Kansas City two weeks later. Yes, Cincy will have a chance against the Chiefs.

There is no shame in losing to the 49ers. SF is tougher than a 50-cent ribeye. But the way the Packers lost was disgraceful, and they richly deserved to lose. After a quick TD drive to start the game, the GB offense did nothing. The Packers’ special teams were awful all season, starting back in Week One. But they “overachieved” on Saturday night at Lambeau, getting a field goal blocked, a punt blocked for the late tying touchdown, giving up a 45-yard return on the second half kickoff, and then finally having only ten men on the field to defend against Robbie Gould’s game winner. Most special teams’ coaches have found it prudent to use eleven. Rodgers? His legacy is in Jeopardy. And a little private research shows that eating horse de-wormer immunizes you against going to the Super Bowl.

How’d you like to be Matt LaFleur? The Packers won 13 regular season games in each of his first three years as an NFL head coach, only to flame out in the postseason. He’s going to start hearing about that. And he should. I don’t think LaFleur is in Love with Jordan, either.

Rodgers thus closes out his time in Green Bay (he is GONE!) with an 0-4 playoff record against the 49ers.

Hmmm. You know who else just can’t seem to beat the Niners? The Rams,, who ultimately failed in their valiant effort to lose to the  Buccaneers. LA should have won that game by at least 24. They had a chance for a “two-fer” right before halftime. But Cam Akers coughed it up at the one (foreshadowing things to come), and then the Rams failed to score after taking the second half kickoff.  So instead of a two-fer, the Rams got a “no-fer,” and let Brady and the Bucs back in the game. It’s hard to blow a 24-point lead, at least until everyone really gets into the spirit of it. Everybody pretty much did. Including Cooper Kupp, for goodness sake. And of course there was the encore lost fumble by Akers, bringing the Rams’ total to four.

But the Rams ultimately won because it’s always a good idea for men to take protection to a party. Protection. LA protected Stafford like a Doberman protects a pork chop, while Brady got his mouth bloodied, both figuratively and literally. That Ram pass rush is the reason LA may finally break through against the 49ers next Sunday.

Stafford? He’s a stud, and played like one yesterday. Damn, he throws a pretty ball, doesn’t he?

But I don’ think there’s ever been a prettier joint air show than the one we were blessed to witness Sunday night. And to think those two guys are going to be going at each other for at least the next decade.

And was a Star Born in Gabriel Davis? Four touchdown receptions in a playoff game is, like, a lot. I’m pretty sure even Lady Gaga couldn’t do that.

Not much I can add to what we saw.  Happy for Mahomes and the Chiefs. Bleeding for Allen and the Bills. TBC.

OK, I will add one thing. (I know you’re shocked!) But, damn, Buffalo…squib kick it with 13 seconds left. Make the Chiefs eat up at least a few seconds.

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Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.