Leyden's Log - Week Ten

Indy and New England steal the spotlight, but I’m here to tell you why Week 10 is loaded with other morsels of goodness.


Inside This Edition:

A top ten answer wins!
Pittsburgh/Cincy a “two chin-strapper”
INT Watch - Stafford 09 vs. Manning 98
Meaty Prime-Timer – Colts/Pats
Super Bowl XXII Rematch


QUESTION OF THE WEEK


It was random, but sometimes random gets the job done. A bronco in Denver sees a bolt of lightning in San Diego. He charges in a western direction and stops only when he finds _________ ?

Third place goes to Cinda Yasso, one of my favorite people from Allentown, PA, who wrote (and I paraphrase because I mistakenly deleted her response): “…. that he’s thirsty and needs to take a break ATtheWATER” How bout it? A Bronco-specific response. One point.

Matt Boyer from Oakland Township, MI keeps on chugging along, desperate for the Tom LOGbardi Trophy. “…Rachel Alexandra on the trail out west. Her pick-up line: "Wanna go fast?" A horse-racing reference. Two points.

Jim McManus from Oakland, CA takes the top spot largely because he came up with ten responses. Wow:

10 – “…The West Pole”
9 – “…Jimmy Hoffa (Sr.)”
8 – “ …Fault (San Andreas, in particular)”
7 – “…San Diego (duh)”
6 – “…Trick question: you never know when or where a bolt of lightning is ever gonna strike.”
5 – “…Al Cowlings, to return his vehicle”
4 – “…Utah -- there's no horseplay of any kind there.”
3 – “…His hooves getting wet”
2 – “…Mrs. Bronco with a rolling pin”
1 – “…Vegas, baby. Vegas.”


THIS WEEK’S QUESTION

What’s the most likely outcome of a realistic battle between NFL team mascots? e,g. - “A Giant would reach into the sky, grab a Jet and throw it to the ground forcefully. Ready, go!


SONG OF THE WEEK

In New LOG, concrete jungle where dreams are made of…


FOUR TOPS The best four games of the week

I am on board with Bengals. Not only does this team consistently surprise me with solid effort every week –the games are entertaining for their efficiency (vs. Chicago) or their drama (vs. Pittsburgh). Sunday is a road rematch with the world champs, and Heinz Field will be rockin’. Chad Ochocinco called it a two-chinstrap game and that’s an understatement. First place on the line. A season sweep possible for Cincy. Pittsburgh riding a five-game winning streak. Mmmmm.

How bout we go off the board and throw in Lions/Vikings as a possible Four Topper? I just have a feeling about this one. Like the Texans/Colts last week, I don’t see a Detroit upset, but I think the Leos might be able to keep it close under the Hanky Dome. By the way, when did it become Mall of America Field? Missed that one. Peyton Manning, 1998: 28 interceptions. Matthew Stafford, 2009: 12 interceptions. The watch is on!

In a week when the Bears traveled to the 49ers to re-kindle their 80s rivalry, the Cowboys travel to Green Bay to re-kindle one of the best rivalries of the 90s. These two met in the playoffs three straight years and they’ll look to add to the annals Sunday. I call this a swing game because if Dallas wins, they not only remain atop the East, they basically give the North to the Vikings. Minnesota would be four games up plus the tiebreaker with seven to play. Even the Detroit Tigers couldn’t blow that lead. Miles Austin – breakout player of the year.

This is a weekend to save your energy for primetime. Everything else is just an appetizer to the juicy steak of Indy/New England. Winners of 17 straight regular season games, the Colts face the stiffest challenge to date in a rivalry that ultimately defines the 00s. If you watch nothing else in this game, watch the battle between Dwight Freeney and whoever lines up across from him for New England. Freeney has been straight money this year (a sack in every game) and he could chew up Matt Light’s replacement if Light can’t go. I guess you can watch the quarterbacks, too. That’s okay.


HOW’D I DO? Grading last week’s Four Tops

Colts/Texans – You didn’t let me down, boys. Knew it would be good. A

Ravens/Bengals – Not the most entertaining, but big for Bengal fans. B

Chargers/Giants – Despite the horrific outcome, heck of a finish. A

Cowboys/Eagles – Like New Jersey, Philly needs Jon Runyan’s leadership. A

Season Totals – 21 A’s, 6 B’s, 6 C’s, 1 D, 2 F’s


OVERTIME Other games to watch

Denver/Washington – Super Bowl XXII rematch. Ricky Nattiel and the Broncos start strong, but will they hold up against Doug Williams and the Skins?

Seattle/Arizona – May not sell out, but it should be close

Buffalo/Tennessee – No Music City Miracle this week.

Falcons/Panthers – If Atlanta wins this game, they’re going to the playoffs.


SOLID

Jags/Jets, Chiefs/Raiders, Eagles/Chargers, Friday the 13th, Part II

MUSHY

Saints/Rams, Bucs/Dolphins, Ravens/Browns, The English Patient


HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Don Symons, Harold Hines, Kendra Hutchinson, Mona Shane, Risa Balayem, Trish Simmons, Gregg Leyden, Wendy Davis, Bryan Bender, Janice Campbell and Mr. Big, who turns 55 on this Friday the 13th.