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Congratulations to the New York Yankees on winning their 27th World Series title. The exhausting MLB season has finally come to a close, along with the best time of the year for sports…

October and November are some of the most exciting months for sports fans. It is the only time of the year that all 4 major sports are on at the same time.

The MLB Playoffs are nearing the end, where every pitch, every catch and every move matters. This year in the playoff you had two of the more storied franchises in all of sports with the Yankees and Dodgers. Let’s not forget the Red Sox and Cardinals who have both won a World Series title in the past 3 years. And then there are the two most consistent teams in baseball: the Twins and Angels. Year after year, those two teams always seem to be near, or at the top of their respected divisions. After starting 19-28 and firing their head coach, the Rockies came back and made another impressive run to the postseason.

The NFL is in full swing with intriguing story lines, bone-crushing hits and highlight reel plays. There are always surprises with the NFL. Who would have thought that at age 40, Brett Favre would be playing as well as he is… who would have thought that in week 9 we would still have two undefeated teams (Indianapolis and New Orleans both 7-0)… Who would have thought that the Wildcat would make defensive coordinators cringe… From the Ram’s, Lion’s and Buccaneers to the Saints, Colts and Vikings, Sunday’s are days where you can always find excitement with any team.

The NBA season tips off. A clean slate for every team. The Clippers look to spring forward with Blake Griffin, Stephen Curry looks to show off his sweet shot at the professional level, and the rest of the NBA Rookies look to make their mark on the league. This is a league full of superstars. From LeBron and Kobe to Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade, each player brings a different dynamic to the court that can only be classified as incredible.

And finally, the puck drops in the NHL. After a come from behind win against the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Penguins are looking for the first repeat since the Red Wings went back to back in ‘97 and ‘98. With all the free agent moves and offseason trades, the tides may be turning for some teams in the NHL.

Of course, I cannot forget College football. Every sports fan has a favorite NCAA team. With tailgaiting, face painting, BCS discussions, conference title hopes, stadiums with 100,000+ people, and bowl games… College football definitely demonstrates the true passion of fans and athletes.

Ah yes, it really is a great time of year!

By Apryl DeLancey

Well, I must say that I was really missing old John Madden on Thanksgiving drawing silly pictures on the screen and making interesting references to the plays.  Yeah, the other commentators tried their best but nothing beats good, old Madden and his silliness.  I just wonder how much longer he’ll be on the air…I’ll always consider him the coach of the Oakland Raiders…

The poor Detroit Lions.  I just want all of you to know that the rest of us in the nation really do feel for you.  Not only do you have horrible weather right now but your football team stinks.  I mean really stinks.  There hasn’t been a significant reason to root for Detroit Lions football since Barry Sanders.  No wonder he retired in his prime.  The poor guy just couldn’t take it!  I’m guessing you’re showing up at the stadium with paper bags on your heads.

Oh and what is up with Plaxico Burress?  How on Earth do you actually carry a gun to a club?  And then – how do you shoot yourself?  Okay, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt first…he is a big-time NFL player that likely has to be concerned with his security.  Okay.  But what the heck – shooting yourself?  As Mr. Ricky Ricardo would say, “You have some ‘splaining to do!”  I hope it is all just a silly misunderstanding and all works out for him and the New York Giants.  Eli Manning will certainly miss him.  So will the rest of the Giants.

Oh, and don’t forget all of the NCAA football action this weekend.  Forget about a food coma – how about a football coma?  I’m watching the USC vs. Notre Dame game as I write this.  Oh, and hold on…one crazy announcer was saying that Lane Kiffin was not a good choice as the Tennessee Volunteers new coach.  He was going on and on about how that choice needed to be properly vetted and accounted for.  Are you kidding?  Is this person (who will remain nameless out of respect) really totally nuts or just high on too much turkey and stuffing?  The son of the defensive genius that is Monte Kiffin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that was only given very limited control over the Oakland Raiders is an excellent choice.  Simply because the man is in his early 30’s does not mean that he is not qualified.  I mean really!  His father invented the “Tampa Two”…how could some of this not rub off?

At any rate, the rest of the weekend should be interesting.  By the time you read this it will be Monday, Tuesday, or so…we shall see who else has moved or otherwise hurt themselves then…

Disclaimer: As usual, the opinions expressed here in no way represent those of Fathead, LLC.

By Apryl DeLancey

All year I’ve been picking the Oakland Raiders to upset someone…until this week!  They finally came through and beat the Denver Broncos.  I had a feeling it would be someone in their division, but I somehow missed this one.  Argh.  I just knew it!  They not only beat the Broncos…they beat them by three touchdowns!  Why did I miss this one!  It figures.

At least I am not a Detroit Lions fan.  I really feel for you folks!  Don’t get me wrong, I was definitely rooting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  It was nice to see Cadillac Williams back in action, however limited.  I just find it sad to be 0-11.  I find it especially sad to score 17 points and then stop completely as if they thought the game was over.  Oops.  Okay, they did score another field goal, but still…they had the game…they just needed to finish it!

I really thought the San Diego Chargers would pull out the “W” over the Indianapolis Colts.  NOT!  What the heck has happened to the Chargers?  And LaDainian Tomlinson…what the heck?  I am so sad to see him playing so badly.  Where is that monster stud player that cluttered the airwaves with endorsements and highlight reels?  What happened to his “better”?

Oh my gosh – and what was that final score of the New Orleans Saints vs. Green Bay Packers game?  Saints 51 and Packers 29?  Geez!  If you’re the betting type I’ll venture to guess the over/under wasn’t close to that.  Deuce McAllister got his 54th touchdown as a member of the Saints in the slaughter.  Good for you, Deuce.

I really only picked a few right this week – I had the Washington Redskins over the Seattle Seahawks.  That wasn’t too hard to get right.  As I mentioned, I picked the Bucs over the Lions.  That first part of the game really had me worried. I did pick the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, and New York Jets as well.  I just happened to go a little crazy on the upset picks.  I really didn’t have faith that the Tony Romo and Terrell Owens combo would get back in sync.  I was wrong.  I thought it would be a fun time to pick the San Francisco 49ers to win that one.  My bad.

It doesn’t really matter.  The fun thing about picking games is the wild ones.  I don’t bet any money on these picks and I’m not one of those that absolutely has to be right or I’ll have feelings of inadequacy and depression.  Nah, football should be fun.  I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season brings.  I know I’ll be making more wild picks!

Go underdogs!  That means you Oakland Raiders!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post do not represent those of Fathead, LLC.    Although, on a personal note from a lifelong Lion’s fan…I must admit the big “0” in the W category is getting rather depressing!

By Ignacio Salazar

The Houston Texans will be looking to do what no other team in franchise history has ever done before: win for the third consecutive time.  And this week, the Houston team welcomes the Cincinnati Bengals to Reliant Stadium as head coach Gary Kubiak looks to turn the 2008 season into a positive one.

After a horrendous 0-4 start, the Texans finally seem to be getting back to the basics and gelling as a team. Of course, they still have plenty of work to do.  After having the Detroit Lions on the ropes last Sunday, the Texans allowed their winless opponent to come back and get within distance of tying the game.  There is no reason the game should have been close - especially since the Texans were up 21-0 in the first quarter!  A little bit of discipline will go a long way in scenarios like this one.

This coming Sunday, the Texans will take on Cincinnati, another winless team.  However, the Bengals have some talent on the field and far fewer front office distractions drawing their attention away from the game than the Lions.  If the Texans are going to win on Sunday, then the defense needs to put pressure on Bengals backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick while keeping tight coverage on wide receiver Chad Johnson.

Matt Schaub and the offense will do their thing. Against the Lions, Schaub connected with seven different receivers as he went 26-for-31 with 267 passing yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target, Andre Johnson, enjoyed his third consecutive game of 100 or more receiving yards with 11 catches with 141 yards.

Here’s to three in a row!  Go Houston!

Detroit Lions Helmet Fathead wall graphic

Detroit Lions fans finally have a reason to celebrate.  After ten years under the thumb of CEO and President Matt Millen, the team has removed the controversial executive from his post.   Fox Sports, WDFN and The Detroit Free Press are reporting that Millen was informed of the move in a high-level meeting late last night and that “he had large packing boxes in his office this morning.”

As a native of Detroit and long-suffering Lions fan, I think I can safely say that this is the happiest moment in recent memory for the team and fans alike.  The chant, “fire Millen” is a popular one at Ford Field - and has been for years.  Mortified by the team’s performance and the lack of direction from the man at the helm, fans have actually taken to wearing paper bags over their heads at home games!

If you listed all the mistakes Millen has made over his tenure on paper, the volume would make “War and Peace” look like light reading.  Some of the talented players he’s passed up over the years include Brian Westbrook,  Shawne Merrimen, Andre Johnson, Clinton Portis and Bob Sanders.  Then there are those he couldn’t resist.  Two words: Joey Harrington. ‘Nuff said.

At 0-3 this season against their “easiest” opponents, there is little hope for the team to claw their way up to a winning record this year.  It’s time for the Lions to turn their back on the past and look boldly into the future.  Who knows what the post-Millen era will hold for our boys in Honolulu Blue?  For now, at least, fans can dream of a rosier future for the Detroit Lions.

Think Millen’s a scapegoat?  Tell us why.  Care to share a Millen moment from the past decade? (Like when he said last Sunday that “the Lions are on track” after their defeat by San Francisco…)  Feel free to leave a comment or epitath.

Disclaimer: Fathead, LLC in no way endorses the opinion of this writer or any bloggers who respond to this post.