RIP Bud Grant : Hall of Fame head coach Bud Grant, who led the Vikings to four Super Bowls in the 1970s, has died. He was 95.

posted by NoMich to football at 06:05 PM - 5 comments

Report: Bears Trading No. 1 Pick to Panthers: The Chicago Bears are trading the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers for this year's No. 9 pick, a late second-round pick, next year's first- and second-round picks and wide receiver D.J. Moore, sources told Adam Schefter. The only time the Panthers ever used the first pick was in 2011 to select Cam Newton.

posted by rcade to football at 08:53 PM - 9 comments

College football officials considering these rule changes to shorten games, limit 'exposures' for athletes: A convergence of issues has compelled the game's stakeholders to consider more seriously limiting "exposures," the number of plays per game that athletes are on the field. The intent is not necessarily to shorten game lengths but rather protect players' health.

posted by NoMich to football at 12:59 PM - 1 comment

CFL Pickem Champion: Rcade: I'm not saying I took too long to announce the CFL Pickem champion, but the first preseason game is in 100 days. The champion of SportsFilter 2022 CFL Pickem is me. Picking the Argos to upset the Blue Bombers was enough to hold off Cixelsyd. Congratulations to all but mostly me.

posted by rcade to football at 01:38 PM - 8 comments

NFL Playoff Pickem: Super Bowl 0x39 Edition: Super Bowl 0x39 officially begins at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Sunday, though it seems like there's a lot of folderol before the actual kickoff. In the pickem contest Cixelsyd keeps first place followed by NoMich four back and Tron7 trailing by 11. Do well and you might win. Do poorly and you might beat me for the coveted Costanza.

posted by rcade to football at 12:47 PM - 24 comments

Tom Brady Retires from Football: After 23 seasons, seven Super Bowls, three MVPs, 649 touchdown passes and 89,214 passing yards, Tom Brady is retiring from football. He announced his decision Wednesday morning on social media: "I won't be longwinded. You only get one super emotional retirement essay, and I used mine up last year, so really thank you guys so much to every single one of you for supporting me."

posted by rcade to football at 08:43 AM - 2 comments

Super Bowl 0x39: Chiefs vs. Eagles: The Kansas City Chiefs advanced to the Super Bowl for the third time in four years and will face the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs won 23-20 over the Cincinnati Bengals on a field goal with eight seconds left. The Eagles beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-7 earlier Sunday after quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Josh Johnson both left with injuries, leaving the team with no ability to pass in the second half.

posted by rcade to football at 10:10 PM - 4 comments

NFL Playoff Pickem: Conference Championships Edition: And then there were four. The AFC and NFC conference championships will be decided Sunday, starting with San Fran in Philly at 3:00 p.m. Eastern and ending with Cincinnati at Kansas City at 6:30 p.m. Cixelsyd has taken first place in our playoff pickem, followed by former leader Tron7 and Jagsnumberone. Make your picks and don't be a homer like me.

posted by rcade to football at 12:16 PM - 18 comments

NFL Playoff Pickem Week 2: Divisional Round: The Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs begin Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern when the Jaguars travel to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Chiefs. It might be loud. After one week, Tron7 leads the NFL Playoff Pickem with 71 points, followed by Cixelsyd at 61 and Gridironarizona at 51. Make your picks.

posted by rcade to football at 08:46 PM - 22 comments

NFL Pickem Champion: Truthhurts: With a score of 1,280 points, Truthhurts has won the regular season NFL Pickem after holding on to the lead for 12 straight weeks. NoMich finishes in second place 46 back. Bender, who was in second place behind Truth in week 9, claims the coveted Costanza. Congratulations to all, but mostly these winners.

posted by rcade to football at 04:14 PM - 8 comments

Enter the NFL Playoff Pickem: The NFL Playoff Pickem is back. First prize is a Zubaz NFL mens sherpa fleece pullover of the NFL team of your choice, unless you choose the Los Angeles Chargers. Pick the game winners, the spread, lock them to win double or lose 10 points, and pick several props.

posted by rcade to football at 03:48 PM - 21 comments

NFL Pickem Week 18: All the Marbles Edition: The final weekend of the NFL regular season kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Saturday when the Kansas City Chiefs visit the Las Vegas Raiders. Truthhurts is in first 40 points ahead of NoMich. Tahoemoj wins the week with 132. Make your picks.

posted by rcade to football at 09:59 PM - 17 comments

Player Needs CPR During Monday Night Football : The Monday Night Football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals was suspended and later cancelled after Bills player Demar Hamlin collapsed on the field following a tackle and had to be administered CPR for over 10 minutes. The NFL originally planned to resume play after Hamilton was taken off in an ambulance, but both coaches sent their teams to the locker rooms.

posted by rcade to football at 11:17 PM - 4 comments

NFL Pickem Week 17: Zach Attack Edition: The second-to-last week of the NFL season kicks off tonight on Amazon, where the Cowboys visit the Titans at a point that's so low stakes Tennessee might rest players. Good luck making that sound exciting, Al. Truthhurts leads the NFL Pickem for a sixth straight week, 58 points ahead of NoMich. No matter your place in the standings, you're having a better season than this guy. Make your picks.

posted by rcade to football at 08:53 AM - 19 comments

The Ball Kicks Itself: inside the minds of NFL place-kickers.

posted by rumple to football at 12:41 PM - 2 comments

RIP Franco Harris: An icon and hero of my adolescence. Heading into the 1972 Draft, Franco was seen as a workhorse and his Penn State backfield mate Lydell Mitchell was seen as the skill stud. It was stunning when the Steelers drafted Franco well ahead of Mitchell, but they knew what they were doing. Lydell did OK for the Colts, but Franco ascended to the pantheon of immortals. He was a major tone setter for the great 1970's Steeler rosters, which caused great pain to Cowboys fans and others. I was somewhat ambivalent about the team until they handled the Fran Tarkenton Vikings in the Super Bowl. Then I got on board. Anyone who took care of Tark was deserving of a thumbs up in my book. With several teammates and coaches already deceased, I'm glad that Terry Bradshaw is still around and able to clearly articulate his thoughts and feelings in great detail as people reminisce about Franco and those Pittsburgh teams.

posted by beaverboard to football at 11:41 AM - 2 comments

NFL Pickem Week 16: It's a Tie Game Jakobi Edition: Three weeks remain in the NFL season. The Jags and Jets kick off the week tonight on Amazon, followed by a lot of games on Christmas Eve, three on Christmas Day and one on Monday. Truthhurts keeps first and becomes the first player to pass 1,000. NoMich keeps second. Jagsnumberone wins the week with 117 and was the only player to pick Jacksonville. I (sigh) locked Dallas. Make your picks and be true to yourselves and your team.

posted by rcade to football at 09:05 AM - 18 comments

NFL Pickem Week 15: Homestretch Edition: Week 15 of the NFL season starts with a game tonight and three games on Saturday. Truthhurts and NoMich keep first and second place with the same margin after tying with 60 points apieces. Tron7 jumps to third after winning the week with 81. Make your picks.

posted by rcade to football at 11:26 AM - 21 comments

College Football Coach Mike Leach Dies Suddenly at 61: Leach's coaching history was not without controversy, but he did have advice on marriage and was a candy afficionado.

posted by NoMich to football at 10:05 AM - 1 comment

NFL Pickem Week 14: They Play on Thursday? Edition: Sat down to watch Thursday Night Football on Amazon and realized I hadn't posted the pickem. Apologies to everyone who had the Rams beating the Raiders 17-16 on a last-minute drive by Baker Mayfield. In the contest Truthhurts remains in first, six further ahead of NoMich after an 81-point week. Goyoucolts had a week that was as good as the Colts' week was bad, scoring 111 points. Make your picks.

posted by rcade to football at 09:43 AM - 17 comments

NFL Pickem Week 13: Going for 2 to Win Edition: Things might be looking grim for your fantasy football team but you're never on the brink of elimination in the SportsFilter NFL Pickem. As Buffalo faces New England in the Thursday night BezosBowl to begin the 13th week of the NFL season, Truthhurts remains atop the contest but NoMich has pulled to within 17 after a monster 118-point week. Make your picks.

posted by rcade to football at 09:31 AM - 21 comments

NFL Pickem Week 12: Turducken Edition: There's an above average slate of games on Thanksgiving with the Giants/Cowboys, Bills/Lions and Patriots/Vikings. In the pickem I drop out of second and the top three become Truthhurts, NoMich and a tie between Tommybiden and myself. Jagsnumberone wins the Jaguars bye week with 104 points. Make your picks and pass the turkey.

posted by rcade to football at 09:47 PM - 19 comments

CFL Pickem Grey Cup Edition: The Toronto Argonauts face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium in Saskatchewan Sunday in the Grey Cup. There's a new leader as Cixelsyd rockets into first place after scoring 77 during the playoff finals round. Pick the winner, spread, three props and a tiebreaker. Good luck!

posted by rcade to football at 08:01 PM - 8 comments

NFL Pickem Week 11: Jeff Sunday Edition: The Titans visit the Packers Thursday to open week 11 of the NFL season. In our contest, the top three remain Truthhurts, myself and Tommybiden. Howard_T wins the week with 67. The_Black_Hand tries the lock 'em all strategy again to different results. Make your picks.

posted by rcade to football at 08:34 PM - 17 comments

CFL Pickem Playoff Finals Edition: Montreal visits Toronto and B.C. visits Winnipeg in the CFL Playoff Finals on Sunday. Our season-long pickem has a new leader as jagsnumberone scores 45 to take the lead, with ic23b second six back and deposed leader rcade eight behind. Make your picks.

posted by rcade to football at 03:45 PM - 8 comments

NFL Pickem Week 10: J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets Edition: The Falcons and Panthers play tonight on Amazon to open week 10 of the NFL season. Truthhurts holds onto first in the pickem with myself in second and Tommybiden third. The_Black_Hand wins the week with 96 after locking every single game and only losing two. Onwards and upwards.

posted by rcade to football at 09:28 AM - 20 comments

CFL Pickem: Playoff Semifinals Edition: The CFL Pickem continues into Sunday's playoff games. Hamilton plays Montreal and Calgary plays B.C. I'm in first followed by Cixelsyd and Ic23b. Jagsnumberone won the week with 30. Pick the game winners for 10 points and three prop bets on players for 5 points each. Make your selections.

posted by rcade to football at 12:34 PM - 10 comments

NFL Pickem Week 9: Lost Vegas Edition: The NFL returns tonight on Amazon with the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles visiting the Tennessee Titans. Truthhurts continues to lead the pickem with Bender and Tommybiden in second and third place. Tron7 wins the week with 90. Make your picks.

posted by rcade to football at 02:17 PM - 25 comments

Dan Snyder May Be Selling Washington Commanders: Dan Snyder has recruited Bank of America to sell the Washington Commanders, according to Forbes. The sale could be for the entire team or a minority stake. He's already received four inquiries. Snyder is the third owner of the team since its 1932 founding as the Boston Braves.

posted by rcade to football at 11:29 AM - 3 comments

CFL Pickem Week 21: Nothing to Clinch Edition: The second-to-last week of the CFL's regular season begins Friday night when B.C. heads to Winnipeg. So much of the playoff seedings are decided that it's a week with few strong favorites. My grip on first in the CFL Pickem continues to slip as Cixelsyd outscores me by 11 and pulls within 24. Make your picks, clinchers and clenchers.

posted by rcade to football at 08:03 PM - 13 comments

NFL Pickem Week 8: Retirement Looking Pretty Good Edition: Week 8 of the NFL begins tonight when the Baltimore Ravens visit the flailing Tom Brady Buccaneers. Truthhurts remains atop the pickem with Bender rising to second by winning the week and Cixelsyd dropping to third. Make your picks and never choose the Bucs in your survivor pool.

posted by rcade to football at 08:53 AM - 19 comments

Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Other Weirdos: Welcome to the inescapable Sartrean hellscape of entrusting your team to a legendary quarterback.

posted by NoMich to football at 08:45 PM - 2 comments

Panthers Trade Christian McCaffrey to 49ers: The San Francisco 49ers gave a huge draft haul -- a second, third and fourth rounder in 2023 and fifth rounder in 2024 -- to the Carolina Panthers for running back Christian McCaffrey. The 26-year-old is fourth in yards from scrimmage this season. In 2019 he became the third player in NFL history to top 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in a season.

posted by rcade to football at 09:52 AM - 6 comments

CFL Pickem Week 20: Crossover Rule Edition: The second-to-last week of the CFL regular season kicks off tonight with Ottawa vs. Hamilton. I'm holding on to first in the CFL Pickem by a shrinking margin. Cixelsyd is in second. The_Black_Hand wins the week. Make your picks and keep an eye on those fourth- and third-place teams.

posted by rcade to football at 09:14 AM - 10 comments

NFL Pickem Week 7: Drag Russell Wilson Edition: It's already week 7 in the NFL. The Amazon run of meh games continues tonight when the Saints visit the Cardinals. The top three in our pickem remains the same: Truthhurts, Cixelsyd, Goyoucolts. Ufez Jones wins the week with 62, scoring 46 of those points in the final five games. Make your picks and if you run into Russell Wilson, tell him to just be a human willya.

posted by rcade to football at 10:42 AM - 25 comments

NFL Pickem Week 6: Roughing the Passer Edition: Week 6 of the NFL season kicks off tonight when the Washington Commanders visit the Chicago Bears. Truthhurts moves into first place with 314 followed by Cixelsyd at 312 and Goyoucolts at 309. Make your picks.

posted by rcade to football at 10:58 AM - 21 comments

CFL Pickem Week 19: Defence with a C Edition: With three weeks left in the regular season, the Tiger-Cats and Redblacks are playing games Friday night to keep their playoff hopes alive. I'm holding on to first in the pickem but after my 5-point debacle of a week, Jagsnumberone and Cixelsyd are 48 back. Make your selections.

posted by rcade to football at 09:40 AM - 11 comments

It’s Never Too Late to Pivot From N.F.L. Safety to Neurosurgeon: When Myron Rolle was cut from the Pittsburgh Steelers, he fell into a funk until his mother reminded him of his two childhood dreams: Play football, then become a neurosurgeon. It was time for Plan B. (NYT gift link)

posted by rumple to football at 04:46 PM - 3 comments

Fans Can't Believe Two Roughing the Passer Calls : A fantastic strip-sack by Chris Jones of Daniel Carr was negated in the Chiefs/Raiders game by a roughing the passer call. Jones had the ball in his hands when he landed on Carr. His other hand attempted to brace the fall, but the call is not reviewable. A roughing call from a sack of Tom Brady also is raising hackles.

posted by rcade to football at 08:57 AM - 4 comments

CFL Pickem Week 18: Thanksgiving Edition: Week 18 of the CFL season begins tonight with Riders/Tabbies and ends with Redblacks/Als on the annual day in which Americans gather together to ask one another, "Why is Canada celebrating Thanksgiving in October?" I'm thankful to be in first place, followed by Ic23b 47 back. The_Black_Hand wins the week with a mighty 56. Make your picks and enjoy your Nanaimo bars.

posted by rcade to football at 07:49 AM - 10 comments