December 12, 2011

Blown Call Helps Lions Defeat Vikings: The Detroit Lions, helped by a missed facemask call against Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Webb in the final 9 seconds that led to a fumble, won 34-28 to stay in the NFC wild-card hunt at 8-5. Photos show linebacker DeAndre Levy with a solid grip on Webb's mask, pulling his head 90 degrees. In other Sunday games, the New York Giants downed Dallas by scoring two late TDs and icing kicker Dan Bailey, Houston won the AFC South behind backup QB T.J. Yates to claim its first playoff spot in franchise history and Denver excommunicated Chicago with a late 10-point comeback and overtime field goal by Matt Prater.

posted by rcade to football at 10:02 AM - 47 comments

Tom Brady and Pats offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien got into a huge argument after Brady threw an end zone pick.

posted by rcade at 10:34 AM on December 12, 2011

Lovie and the Care Bears have Buddy o' Jesus down two scores with 2 mins. to go. There ain't no way...there cain't be no way...

I feel bad for the broadcasters. The Broncos are now must see TV, and the crews go into their weekly pre-production meetings knowing that they are going to be forced to watch three quarters of the ugliest football they ever saw, in the hope that something remarkable will happen at the end.

Glad to see that the Packers look loose at 13-0. When the Colts were 13-0, they looked like they were holding chicken salad sandwiches between their knees.

The San Francisco area may have the 49ers, but the entire state of Florida is currently 4-9.

posted by beaverboard at 10:35 AM on December 12, 2011

Cutler's reaction during the comeback. This Bronco team makes no sense. I gave up on that game a dozen times.

Wait, Dallas lost? Last I saw they were up two touchdowns late in the 4th. I think that cost me my office pool.

posted by tron7 at 10:52 AM on December 12, 2011

That is an awesome photo, tron. Thanks for digging that up and sharing it.

posted by NoMich at 10:54 AM on December 12, 2011

I hope Garrett was taking notes from Coughlin on how to use your timeouts to ice a kicker or better yet give your team a chance to block the kick.

posted by bperk at 11:11 AM on December 12, 2011

Glad to see that the Packers look loose at 13-0.

That Packers game was almost sick; that was like watching a guy place a chisel on a huge rock in exactly the right place, tap it once, and walk away nonchalantly as it crumbled to gravel.

posted by cobra! at 11:22 AM on December 12, 2011

I don't think I've ever seen more blown coverages and terrible pass defense in an NFL game than I did last night during SNF.

posted by Bonkers at 11:49 AM on December 12, 2011

Tom Brady and Pats offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien got into a huge argument after Brady threw an end zone pick.

They were seen later sitting beside each other on the bench, chatting, and then they hugged it out after the game.

Brady even mentioned during his post-game press conference that he was in the wrong and that he deserved to get yelled at.

As a non-fan of Brady, I was disappointed he handled that so well.

Tough choice for me this week:

I don't like the Patriots, but I also don't like the Tebow hype. I think I'm cheering for Tebow, just so the legend can keep growing, because it just drives people nuts (including myself).

posted by grum@work at 12:00 PM on December 12, 2011

The Bungles are back, baby. Inside of ten minutes left in the game, up 19-10, the Bengals recover a Texan fumble inside the 20 yard line. Instead of falling on the ball, they try to return it for the touchdown, promptly fumbling the ball again. Once again, when presented with a clear chance to fall on the ball, kick a field goal, and probably seal the victory, they try to pick it up and run. The well coached Texans fall on the ball, get a first down on their own 2, and promptly drive for a field goal. The ensuing end-of-game debacle lead to the game winning touchdown that wouldn't have happaned with one more field goal. This franchise ought to put on clinics for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

posted by tahoemoj at 12:22 PM on December 12, 2011

This franchise ought to put on clinics for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

I'm pretty sure the Bears (and specifically, Marion Barber) have earned that award for this week.

posted by bperk at 12:25 PM on December 12, 2011

Slate: reality is now indistinguishable from Tim Tebow fan fiction.

posted by cobra! at 12:42 PM on December 12, 2011

Speaking of the Texans, even if the Bengals blew that game, they still won, and it should be noted that they secured the franchise's first playoff birth yesterday and are still sitting in the AFC's top seed with T.J. Yates at starting quarterback. Good on them.

posted by boredom_08 at 01:22 PM on December 12, 2011

If Barber snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, he'd drop it.

posted by rcade at 01:34 PM on December 12, 2011

I'm pretty sure the Bears (and specifically, Marion Barber) have earned that award for this week

Fair enough, but the Bungles get the lifetime achievement award. And sincere congrats to the Texans are definitely in order. Didn't mean to take anything away from their gritty comeback.

posted by tahoemoj at 01:54 PM on December 12, 2011

That Bronco's game proves it once and for all. God definitely likes Tim Tebow a hell of a lot more than he likes Marion Barber. I have seen proof.

posted by Atheist at 01:55 PM on December 12, 2011

Fair enough, but the Bungles get the lifetime achievement award.

Probably, though I think the Bucs could give them a run for their money. As to the Bengals, they can look forward to the draft, and consider how they fleeced the Raiders for that bum of a QB, Palmer.

posted by bperk at 02:08 PM on December 12, 2011

Slate: reality is now indistinguishable from Tim Tebow fan fiction.

Or my slash fiction.

posted by yerfatma at 02:32 PM on December 12, 2011

Probably, though I think the Bucs could give them a run for their money.

The Cowboys deserve mention as well. Over the last 21 games they have a record of 12 wins and 9 losses, which ordinarily wouldn't seem shocking. However, consider what their record would be if they hadn't blown 4th quarter leads in 8 of their 9 losses ...

posted by cixelsyd at 02:38 PM on December 12, 2011

They once asked James Harrison if he'd like to run full speed at Tim Tebow, and he said no.

posted by bdaddy at 04:25 PM on December 12, 2011

Tim Tebow's pastor in Denver, Wayne Hanson, said that the Broncos are winning because God favors Tebow's religious beliefs. "It's not luck," Hanson said. "Luck isn't winning six games in a row. It's favor. God's favor."

posted by rcade at 09:35 PM on December 12, 2011

So I guess God bought. a few $250 shares in Wisconsin recently.

posted by apoch at 09:38 PM on December 12, 2011

Tim Tebow's pastor in Denver, Wayne Hanson, said that the Broncos are winning because God favors Tebow's religious beliefs. "It's not luck," Hanson said. "Luck isn't winning six games in a row. It's favor. God's favor."

Man, God is petty. Collapsing economy, starvation all over the world, and horrors all over the place and He's spending time helping a football team.

posted by Joey Michaels at 09:46 PM on December 12, 2011

"Luck isn't winning six games in a row. It's favor. God's favor."

Pulpo Paul called seven in a row. And threw a better spiral than Tebow.

And doesn't God take Sundays off? I read that somewhere.

posted by etagloh at 09:59 PM on December 12, 2011

Tim Tebow's pastor in Denver, Wayne Hanson, said that the Broncos are winning because God favors Tebow's religious beliefs.

He's a moron, and Tebow is a moron for listening to him.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:09 AM on December 13, 2011

In Pastor Hanson's own words:

"Wayne is always looking for new and innovative ways to communicate the timeless truths of the Bible and helpful ways for modern day believers and Seekers to apply these truths to everyday life!"

posted by beaverboard at 10:16 AM on December 13, 2011

This coming Sunday is the best match up of all time. GOD VS GOD

The actual GOD (playing through Tim Tebow) and the football GOD Bill Belichek. Just like Greek mythology. Battle of the Gods.

I suppose if Tim Tebow and the Broncos, defeat the Pats run out the season with wins and meet those other current football gods (the Packers) in the Superbowl and win. This Atheist will rethink his position, and next year the Broncos will have to make the following changes.

Cheerleaders will dress like a church choir. Tebow will wear a special collar. The Bronco mascot will have to have a rider dressed like a crusader on top of him with a shield and cross. The band will be replaced with a pipe organ that plays fugues. Just to mention a few.

posted by Atheist at 11:10 AM on December 13, 2011

That Bronco's game proves it once and for all. God definitely likes Tim Tebow a hell of a lot more than he likes Marion Barber. I have seen proof.

True but relative. Given that both are earning millions and enjoying other fine things in life I'm thinking he likes them both plenty.

Except of course JoeyMichaels puts it better:

Man, God is petty. Collapsing economy, starvation all over the world, and horrors all over the place and He's spending time helping a football team.

posted by billsaysthis at 11:53 AM on December 13, 2011

Hey, Atheist, add to your list the only food items to be sold in the stadium will be bread and wine, consecrated of course, and you will have to kneel at a rail to receive them.

posted by Howard_T at 12:07 PM on December 13, 2011

Not to mention all the Bronco players adding those "little bit o Jesus" sacramental wafers to their training diets.

posted by Atheist at 12:48 PM on December 13, 2011

"little bit o Jesus"

New from Kellogs!

posted by Joey Michaels at 01:00 PM on December 13, 2011

And doesn't God take Sundays off? I read that somewhere.

God rests on the seventh day, my calendar shows that to be Saturday.

posted by MrFrisby at 01:05 PM on December 13, 2011

God rests on the seventh day, my calendar shows that to be Saturday.

Then the Broncos may have a problem in the playoffs...

posted by grum@work at 01:15 PM on December 13, 2011

If Saturday is His day of rest, God is clearly a Notre Dame fan. Which is as convincing an argument for atheism as any.

posted by Etrigan at 02:32 PM on December 13, 2011

God rests on the seventh day, my calendar shows that to be Saturday.

God wasn't resting when Tebow was playing for the Gators.

posted by rcade at 03:36 PM on December 13, 2011

God rests on the seventh day, my calendar shows that to be Saturday.

Hence of all of those states that ban alcohol sales on a Saturday.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 03:44 PM on December 13, 2011

Hey, Atheist, add to your list the only food items to be sold in the stadium will be bread and wine, consecrated of course, and you will have to kneel at a rail to receive them.

The only problem with this is that Tebow is NOT Catholic--Christian but not Catholic, so he does not receive communion during mass. (or any other time)

I only bring this up because, recently, it seems many confuse the two way too often. To clarify, Catholics are Christians but not all Christians are Catholics (there are 100's of different religions that are Christian in nature, Catholicism is just one of them)

posted by jagsnumberone at 04:16 AM on December 14, 2011

The only problem with this is that Tebow is NOT Catholic--Christian but not Catholic, so he does not receive communion during mass. (or any other time)

I am not familiar with all of the intricacies of Tebow's church, but it is quite possible that he receives communion. Many churches outside of the Catholic church practice open communion.

Granted, some stadiums may have to settle for grape juice instead of wine.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 09:06 AM on December 14, 2011

Catholics are Christians but not all Christians are Catholics

Depends on who you ask. Be interesting to get Pastor Hanson's take on that.

posted by yerfatma at 09:58 AM on December 14, 2011

Hey, Ma - you'll never believe this. A discussion that was started about Lions and Vikings ended up being all about Christians.

posted by beaverboard at 10:15 AM on December 14, 2011

The only problem with this is that Tebow is NOT Catholic--Christian but not Catholic, so he does not receive communion during mass. (or any other time)

I was brought up Methodist, and we had communion. Not at every service, but we had it.

posted by LionIndex at 10:47 AM on December 14, 2011

Protestants don't agree witht he Catholic idea of transubstantiation but they all, I think, do communion or some form of the sacrament.

posted by tron7 at 11:15 AM on December 14, 2011

Non-Catholics do Communion? I've never heard that before. I was raised Catholic, and thinking back to the times I did that ritual creeps me out.

posted by rcade at 12:00 PM on December 14, 2011

Anglicans/Episcopalians do communion. A lot of other Protestants (a lot of Methodists, for instance) do it with grape juice instead of wine.

posted by Etrigan at 12:16 PM on December 14, 2011

I was raised Catholic, and thinking back to the times I did that ritual creeps me out.

Really? When we do wind up making it to Midnight Mass (we always say we will, but we ought to hire a bus or something since it conflicts with my family's beliefs about drinking), I always consider making a show of really biting down on the wafer and enjoying it a little too much.

posted by yerfatma at 12:37 PM on December 14, 2011

Protestants don't agree witht he Catholic idea of transubstantiation

It's been thirty years since I've been a part of it, so I may not be the most reliable source, but I believe that Episcopaliens are one of the few, if not the only, Protestant sects that do believe in it.

posted by tahoemoj at 12:55 PM on December 14, 2011

Catholics are Christians but not all Christians are Catholics

Just to carry the confusion a bit further, not all catholic churches are Catholic. Any church is referred to as "catholic" that proclaims "the whole Faith to all people". Those churches that are usually referred to as Catholic are those that adhere to the apostolic succession in the consecration of bishops and recognize the Creed produced at the Council of Nicaea in 325. This includes the Anglican Faith, the Episcopal Church in the US, and the several Churches of the Eastern Orthodox Faiths. In general, the term Catholic Church is taken to mean the Roman Catholic Church.

Protestants don't agree with the Catholic idea of transubstantiation

In the Articles of Faith established in September of 1801 in convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States, Article XXVIII (Of the Lord's Supper) states:

"Transubstantiation (or the change of the substance of Bread and Wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions."

In other words, tahoemoj, we Episcopalians don't agree with it.

posted by Howard_T at 03:30 PM on December 14, 2011

LMAO, I started a big religious discussion, when I was just trying to be sarcastic (people where I work thought Tebow was Catholic (instead of evangilical christian) and when I saw the thing about communion I decided to roll with it). For some reason, I actually think Tebow would have a bigger problem be called Catholic, then Catholics have with him being called Catholic. Just saying. Lol.

posted by jagsnumberone at 02:15 AM on December 15, 2011

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