Winless In Seattle
Steve Sauro
Elliott SmithA thought on Christopher Hitchens and your week 15 picks
December 18th 2011 04:26
:
Where the Hawks are one Hanie away from .500
Before getting to the picks, I wanted to write a couple things about Christopher Hitchens. As I'm sure you're aware, he died yesterday after battling cancer for the last year and a half. For those that haven't read Hitchens, you should. Hitchens was a polarizing person; one that could spark debate based on his name alone. God is Not Great, the book about his views on religion, is an excellent read. You don't have to agree with what he writes, but there is something refreshing about someone who can argue and defend his points with such startling intelligence. I remember watching Hitchens on The Daily Show when he was plugging his new book Hitch-22. Jon Stewart asked him why he would write his memoirs so soon (he had just turned 60). Hitchens replied (and I forget the exact quote) "Is it too soon? Maybe, but there's no point in leaving it till it's too late now is there?" He would be dead less than 2 years later.
Christopher Hitchens may have been controversial, but he wasn't dumb. You might not agree with everything he said; I certainly don't; but make no mistake: Christopher Hitchens was one of the most brilliant minds this world had to offer. A man who had travelled all around the globe and had a glimpse of the different cultures and traditions this world has to offer. These experiences gave him a well-rounder view on everything he wrote. In the latest Vanity Fair he wrote a piece (which you can read here, taking on Nietzche's famous quote "Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger"; pointing out its absurdity when applied to a man losing a battle with cancer. He also writes about the fear of losing his ability to write (and with that, probably "the will to live"). That whole section is made more poignant with the realization that it would be the last thing Christopher Hitchens will ever write.
Again, you won't agree with everything Hitchens has written. Nor would he want you to. The loss of Hitchens isn't just what he believes, but who he is. Hitchens was one of the brightest minds this world had, someone who pushed the boundaries and made us think about issues that were affecting our lives. There aren't a lot of those kinds of people out there. In a time when any ranting moron can get a TV spot, it was refreshing to have someone who really was intelligent, and not someone who just said they were. We need more people like Hitchens. The kinds of people who read up on issues and form their own opinion instead of just accepting what they were told. He was a fascinating person, an excellent writer, and someone who did a lot with the time they were given on this Earth. He will be missed.
Onto the picks...
Falcons 41, Jags 14
The Jags are now 1-1 in games in which the score is 41-14. Seriously, what are the odds of having back-to-back 41-14 games? That has to be the first time in NFL history, right? Also, at what point can we start saying that taking Gabbert with the 10th overall pick was a bad choice? Do I have to wait until next season or can we just all agree on it now?
Dallas @ Tampa Bay
The things I most look forward to in December:
1. Holidays with the family
2. The Cowboys sucking
...
392. Anything that has anything to do with the NBA
So, yes, watching Dallas continually blow winnable games is awesome. Unfortunately they're playing a Bucs team that is counting the days until they can turn in their equipment.
Cowboys 31-17
Miami @ Buffalo
Speaking of teams counting down the days until they can turn in their equipment, the Bills are now only one game up on the Dolphins for last in the AFC East. At least they didn't spend eight weeks roping their fans into believing in them. Hey, why did they fire Sparano? I mean, I get that he's been crappy for like four years, but why now? Why not during their 0-7 start? Was the owner a dick and just wanted to get as close to Christmas as possible? Makes no sense. As for this game, anytime I hear rumors that J.P Lohsman might start, I pick the other team.
Bills 28-20
Tennesse @ Indy
Green Bay @ Kansas City
I'm just going to lump these two together because it doesn't make any sense to pick against either streak.
Titans/Packers 38, Colts/Chiefs 10
Seattle @ Chicago
I dreamt that we won this game 28-3, so I'm sticking to that. I realize how irrational that is.
Hawks 28-3
Cincy @ St. Louis
The Bengals follow this one up with a home game against Arizona. Assuming they win both of those, that puts them at 9-6 going into week 17 against the Ravens which should decide a playoff spot. The Rams follow this one up by watching more game tape on the Dolphins, Chiefs and Jags so they can figure out what else they would have to do to get their coach fired.
Bengals 21-12
New Orleans @ Minnesota
I was driving home this morning and it was right before 8 AM, so I was catching the tail end of one of those "financial advise" radio shows on AM radio where the 3 talking heads pretend to give financial advice when really it is just paid programming for whatever company they are working for (at the very end of this show, the station even had a disclaimer stating "the preceding program was a paid advertisement for..."). Anyways, the last 5 minutes of this show, one of the 3 guys started talking telling the other two how to float checks between two banks ("If you have two banks, deposit a check from one bank to the other, it'll take a few days for the check to get withdrawn so you'll have extra cash for a bit"). Then another guy started talking about which grocery stores had the easiest change counters ("I go to Ralph's with all my loose change and that CoinStar machine goes quick") followed by the last guy saying that Wells Fargo lets you drop off a bag of change and they'll just count it later at night, so you're in and out quick. Again, this show was all about FINANCIAL ADVISE! Presumably, they spent the first 50 minutes telling you how to invest your money, and the last 10 minutes talking about how they're broke enough to collect spare change and float checks. Hilarious. Tie that to the Minnesota Vikings however you want, but the bottom line is that those guys and the Vikings both suck at what they do.
Saints 41-21
Carolina @ Houston
I keep picking against the Texans and they keep winning. Seriously, who would have thought that T.J. Yates would end up being a stud QB for a team ravaged with injuries? I'm sure everyone in Jacksonville is stoked that Yates went in the 5th round. Sorry Jags fans (both of you!), that was low.
Texans 26-10
Washington @ NY Giants
How is this game not on Sunday Night Football? It's two NFC East teams! What is going on? By the way, watching Eli Manning come through in the clutch is blowing my mind. It's like watching an Ashton Kutcher movie that is actually enjoyable. You know, assuming he ever makes one.
Giants 26-24
Detroit @ Oakland
Come on Oakland, for us Seattle fans, keep the dream alive...
Raiders 24-21
New England @ Denver
There's no pleasing Tebow fans. I called him a hall of famer last week and I still got yelled at. I don't know what else I can write about him. Tom Brady wishes he was Tim Tebow (is that better?). Anyways, people should really start giving more credit to the entire Denver team. Every week someone steps up to keep the Broncos in the game. I mean, sure, last week it was Marion Barber, but whatever. Denver is finding ways to win and I'm hoping they can do it again.
Broncos 21-18
NY Jets @ Philly
The Eagles are still alive in the NFC East. Awesome. Just know I am whole-heartedly rooting for a 8-8 team to win that division.
Eagles 24-21
Cleveland @ Arizona
How are the Cardinals 6-7? Outside of that Cowboys game, I don't know if I can remember them winning. Maybe the Rams? Probably twice? Hang on...
Almost got it...
Stay put...
Rams twice, Eagles, Niners (forgot about that comeback last week), Cowboys, Panthers. Wow, they've won five of six! Not quite the murderer's row but, hey, they're still alive in the playoffs. They'll probably keep it going against the Seneca Wallace led Browns.
Cards 27-21
Baltimore @ San Diego
It was a good fight Chargers, but this should just about put and end to your season. Hey, Tony Sparano is available!
Ravens 24-20
Pittsburgh @ San Fran
I have some serious concerns about the Niners and I don't think this game is going to help alleviate those concerns. The real bad news is that they won't have the 1st round bye clinched going into the game against Seattle, which means no resting of the starters. But it's too early to think about next week Hawk fans. One week at a time. As for this, Stealers probably win. Effing Stealers. God I hate them (sorry Tebow).
Stealers 29-19
Christopher Hitchens may have been controversial, but he wasn't dumb. You might not agree with everything he said; I certainly don't; but make no mistake: Christopher Hitchens was one of the most brilliant minds this world had to offer. A man who had travelled all around the globe and had a glimpse of the different cultures and traditions this world has to offer. These experiences gave him a well-rounder view on everything he wrote. In the latest Vanity Fair he wrote a piece (which you can read here, taking on Nietzche's famous quote "Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger"; pointing out its absurdity when applied to a man losing a battle with cancer. He also writes about the fear of losing his ability to write (and with that, probably "the will to live"). That whole section is made more poignant with the realization that it would be the last thing Christopher Hitchens will ever write.
Again, you won't agree with everything Hitchens has written. Nor would he want you to. The loss of Hitchens isn't just what he believes, but who he is. Hitchens was one of the brightest minds this world had, someone who pushed the boundaries and made us think about issues that were affecting our lives. There aren't a lot of those kinds of people out there. In a time when any ranting moron can get a TV spot, it was refreshing to have someone who really was intelligent, and not someone who just said they were. We need more people like Hitchens. The kinds of people who read up on issues and form their own opinion instead of just accepting what they were told. He was a fascinating person, an excellent writer, and someone who did a lot with the time they were given on this Earth. He will be missed.
Onto the picks...
Falcons 41, Jags 14
The Jags are now 1-1 in games in which the score is 41-14. Seriously, what are the odds of having back-to-back 41-14 games? That has to be the first time in NFL history, right? Also, at what point can we start saying that taking Gabbert with the 10th overall pick was a bad choice? Do I have to wait until next season or can we just all agree on it now?
Dallas @ Tampa Bay
The things I most look forward to in December:
1. Holidays with the family
2. The Cowboys sucking
...
392. Anything that has anything to do with the NBA
So, yes, watching Dallas continually blow winnable games is awesome. Unfortunately they're playing a Bucs team that is counting the days until they can turn in their equipment.
Cowboys 31-17
Miami @ Buffalo
Speaking of teams counting down the days until they can turn in their equipment, the Bills are now only one game up on the Dolphins for last in the AFC East. At least they didn't spend eight weeks roping their fans into believing in them. Hey, why did they fire Sparano? I mean, I get that he's been crappy for like four years, but why now? Why not during their 0-7 start? Was the owner a dick and just wanted to get as close to Christmas as possible? Makes no sense. As for this game, anytime I hear rumors that J.P Lohsman might start, I pick the other team.
Bills 28-20
Tennesse @ Indy
Green Bay @ Kansas City
I'm just going to lump these two together because it doesn't make any sense to pick against either streak.
Titans/Packers 38, Colts/Chiefs 10
Seattle @ Chicago
I dreamt that we won this game 28-3, so I'm sticking to that. I realize how irrational that is.
Hawks 28-3
Cincy @ St. Louis
The Bengals follow this one up with a home game against Arizona. Assuming they win both of those, that puts them at 9-6 going into week 17 against the Ravens which should decide a playoff spot. The Rams follow this one up by watching more game tape on the Dolphins, Chiefs and Jags so they can figure out what else they would have to do to get their coach fired.
Bengals 21-12
New Orleans @ Minnesota
I was driving home this morning and it was right before 8 AM, so I was catching the tail end of one of those "financial advise" radio shows on AM radio where the 3 talking heads pretend to give financial advice when really it is just paid programming for whatever company they are working for (at the very end of this show, the station even had a disclaimer stating "the preceding program was a paid advertisement for..."). Anyways, the last 5 minutes of this show, one of the 3 guys started talking telling the other two how to float checks between two banks ("If you have two banks, deposit a check from one bank to the other, it'll take a few days for the check to get withdrawn so you'll have extra cash for a bit"). Then another guy started talking about which grocery stores had the easiest change counters ("I go to Ralph's with all my loose change and that CoinStar machine goes quick") followed by the last guy saying that Wells Fargo lets you drop off a bag of change and they'll just count it later at night, so you're in and out quick. Again, this show was all about FINANCIAL ADVISE! Presumably, they spent the first 50 minutes telling you how to invest your money, and the last 10 minutes talking about how they're broke enough to collect spare change and float checks. Hilarious. Tie that to the Minnesota Vikings however you want, but the bottom line is that those guys and the Vikings both suck at what they do.
Saints 41-21
Carolina @ Houston
I keep picking against the Texans and they keep winning. Seriously, who would have thought that T.J. Yates would end up being a stud QB for a team ravaged with injuries? I'm sure everyone in Jacksonville is stoked that Yates went in the 5th round. Sorry Jags fans (both of you!), that was low.
Texans 26-10
Washington @ NY Giants
How is this game not on Sunday Night Football? It's two NFC East teams! What is going on? By the way, watching Eli Manning come through in the clutch is blowing my mind. It's like watching an Ashton Kutcher movie that is actually enjoyable. You know, assuming he ever makes one.
Giants 26-24
Detroit @ Oakland
Come on Oakland, for us Seattle fans, keep the dream alive...
Raiders 24-21
New England @ Denver
There's no pleasing Tebow fans. I called him a hall of famer last week and I still got yelled at. I don't know what else I can write about him. Tom Brady wishes he was Tim Tebow (is that better?). Anyways, people should really start giving more credit to the entire Denver team. Every week someone steps up to keep the Broncos in the game. I mean, sure, last week it was Marion Barber, but whatever. Denver is finding ways to win and I'm hoping they can do it again.
Broncos 21-18
NY Jets @ Philly
The Eagles are still alive in the NFC East. Awesome. Just know I am whole-heartedly rooting for a 8-8 team to win that division.
Eagles 24-21
Cleveland @ Arizona
How are the Cardinals 6-7? Outside of that Cowboys game, I don't know if I can remember them winning. Maybe the Rams? Probably twice? Hang on...
Almost got it...
Stay put...
Rams twice, Eagles, Niners (forgot about that comeback last week), Cowboys, Panthers. Wow, they've won five of six! Not quite the murderer's row but, hey, they're still alive in the playoffs. They'll probably keep it going against the Seneca Wallace led Browns.
Cards 27-21
Baltimore @ San Diego
It was a good fight Chargers, but this should just about put and end to your season. Hey, Tony Sparano is available!
Ravens 24-20
Pittsburgh @ San Fran
I have some serious concerns about the Niners and I don't think this game is going to help alleviate those concerns. The real bad news is that they won't have the 1st round bye clinched going into the game against Seattle, which means no resting of the starters. But it's too early to think about next week Hawk fans. One week at a time. As for this, Stealers probably win. Effing Stealers. God I hate them (sorry Tebow).
Stealers 29-19
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