Sooo many commercials

Anyone notice how many commercials are being played? CBS came out of a two-plus minute break. Xavier had the ball for one possession, Holloway was called for traveling, a timeout called and CBS goes to another two-plus minute commercial set. This has been going on all tournament long and it's getting pretty frustrating. This is college, not the pros, after all.
Tell me your thoughts on the matter.

Props to the Experts

Gotta say, the experts got this one right.
The majority of sports analysts and talent in practically all well-known mediums -- from SportingNews, to ESPN, to Yahoo!Sports -- said that the Vikings were the better rounded team, but that the Saints would win.
Minnesota posted better numbers everywhere (see below) except the scoreboard ... and turnover margin.
Questioned by the average fan regarding their "superior" knowledge on matters such as these, it's safe to say that for now, at least, these analysts have gained a lead over local weathermen at accurately predicting the future.

Team Statistics
	MIN	NO
First Downs	31	15
Passing	17	8
Rushing	10	4
Penalty	4	3
Third Down Efficiency	7-12	3-12
Fourth Down Efficiency	0-0	1-1
TOTAL NET YARDS	475	257
Total Plays	82	55
Average Gain Per Play	5.8	4.7
NET YARDS RUSHING	165	68
Rushes	36	23
Average Per Rush	4.6	3.0
NET YARDS PASSING	310	189
Completions-Attempts	28-46	17-31
Yards Per Pass Play	6.7	5.9
Times Sacked	0	1
Yards Lost to Sacks	0	8
Had Intercepted	2	0
PUNTS	4	7
Average Punt	39.0	51.3
FUMBLES	6	3
Fumbles Lost	3	1
TIME OF POSSESSION	36:49	27:56

Vikings Poerty

The better team lost
Turnovers, hits took their toll
Vikes falter again

(A Haggy Haiku)

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Brett Favre's tears have dried as the rain of the past few days hardens overnight.
Bars sit vacant, closing early following the hasty departure of hundreds of thousands of people in purple and gold feeling blue.
Arctic winds whistle through an otherwise silent plains.
Miami never felt so distant.
Farewell Purple reign.

"Ball on the Ground"

It's not surprising the Vikings choked on the big stage.
The composition of their team doesn't even matter, they'll find a way to lose.
And the season filled with such palpable expectations and another comeback by Brett Favre ended Sunday night in New Orleans.
Prior to the game the Vikings sang of pants on the ground, but it was the ball and their quarterback who ended up on the turf most often.
Minnesota fumbled the ball six times and the offensive line allowed the Saints to hit Brett Favre on nearly 40 percent of his dropbacks, stalling the offense just enough to grant New Orleans its first trip to the Super Bowl with a 31-28 overtime victory Sunday night.
While it wasn't 1998 all over again, nor were they heavily favored (underdogs by 3 1/2, in fact) like 1970 in Super Bowl IV against Kansas City, the Norsemen found a way to crush the spirits of their loyal fanbase in a game they should have won.
Befitting, Favre once again has a chance to end his career with an interception (he threw one in overtime against the Giants in the 2008 NFC Championship Game, prior to announcing his retirement for the first time).
Throughout, this game was vintage Favre. A combination of talent, grittiness and competitiveness, the ageless wonder took a beating a la Frank Mir against Brock Lesnar Part II, yet continued to make plays. He took a high-low hit midway through the second half, badly injuring his ankle on the play, but limped back onto the field grimacing and ready for more on the next series.
In the end, though, his desire to win took a toll. Rather than scampering for a few yards or throwing the ball away to give Ryan Longwell an opportunity to kick a game-winning field goal at the end of regulation, Favre grew bold -- committing a cardinal sin for quarterbacks -- and threw the pigskin back across the field right into the awaiting arms of Saints cornerback Tracy Porter.
The Saints won the coin toss, drove down the field and Garrett Hartley kicked the air out of the Vikings for the final time and his team into a Feb. 7 showdown with Indianapolis.
A check into the stats indicates a rather different picture than the 31-28 outcome. The Vikings more than doubled the Saints in first downs (31-15) and third down efficiency (58%-25%) and nearly did so in total yards (475 to 257). Minnesota also had twice as many red zone trips as New Orleans (6 to 3).
The playing field was evened by five Vikings turnovers. Third best in the league at taking care of the ball during the regular season, Minnesota coughed it up six times (three lost) and Favre added two interceptions.
Give New Orleans some credit for its aggressive ball-hawk mindset (second in the NFL in takeaways in 2009). Much of the fault lands on the dreadful ball security by the Vikings. Such blunders have become a customary observation for close followers of the Purple and Gold.
Still that's no consolation prize big enough to make the lump in the throat and extra weight in the stomach (beyond the beer and brats) go away. ... Recoup, regroup and prepare for next year.

NOTE: American Idol sensation and creator of the rap "Pants on the Ground," Larry Platt, 62, performed in front of the Vikings team prior to the start of the game.

Maybe it's the Network

The healthiest, hottest team in the NFC versus one of the more explosive league-wide.
A team with recent post-season woes against one with a history of them.
Dallas versus Minnesota.
Who will win?
Fox analyst Terry Bradshaw thinks Tony Romo's Boys will win easily. NBC analyst Chris Collinsworth agrees.
Dallas has the better defense and a well-balanced offense. Minnesota has home field.
The Cowboys negate the fact the Vikings have Adrian Peterson's ability to hit the home run with his breakaway speed or play smash mouth football by using a trio of backs -- Felix Jones, Marion Barber and Tashard Choice -- to do the job.
Romo is every bit as into the big play as counterpart Brett Favre. Both also happen to historically be susceptible to making costly mistakes.
And each team's success on the defensive side of the ball hinges on its ability to pressure the opposition's quarterback.
Before you place your bets on whichever side you believe will win, consider this fact: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will be calling the game from Mall of America Field; The Vikings are 11-0 this season when covered by the Fox network and are 8-0 at home.

Divisional Round

Save the best for last
Cards, Packers play sudden death
Birds win in shootout

(A Haggy Haiku)

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Not surprising. Only one game from the Divisional round of the playoffs was close, predicated on repeat one-sided matchups from Week 17.
Thank goodness the Arizona Cardinals trashed the trend, getting revenge on the Green Bay Packers in an Old West 10 paces and turn affair, otherwise the intrigue of the divisional games and the outcomes would have been as abysmal as Ryan Leaf's professional career.
The Bengals offense showed their ineptness one last time, the Eagles proved too one dimensional for the more complete Cowboys, and Tom Brady and the Patriots shot themselves in the foot too many times in what resulted in the worst first quarter under Bill Belichick. In the last one, Baltimore took advantage and held firm the rest of the way in a 33-14 victory.
Now the playoffs really begin -- fresh matchups and the top four teams record-wise during the regular season return to action after first week byes.
Expect a competition overhaul as three games almost certainly appear destined to be close, or at worst entertaining (high scoring).
Baltimore's defense will make things challenging for the Colts offense and the team's running game can make the score interesting; Dallas is playing great football and the Vikings have a deafening Metrodome, an ageless gunslinger and talented running back; and the Saints have Drew Brees, but are injury-depleted on defense and must face Kurt Warner, a quarterback every bit as precise, and his slew of big play receivers.

Jets coach Rex Ryan said before the playoffs began that his team is the favorite to win the Super Bowl. Defeating the Bengals gets them closer to walking the talk, but hardly counts as proof that this team can contend with the likes of the true AFC contenders, Indianapolis and San Diego.
New York will have its shot this coming weekend against the Chargers.
Mark Sanchez has made few mistakes of late and the defense and rushing attack have been brilliant. The rookie signal-caller's good game management should end in Southern California. San Diego has one of the best offenses in the league, a solid defense and is the hottest team in the NFL.
Sorry Rexy, your run stops after one game.

Deja Vu

Tell me this isn't happening.
The playoffs are supposed to be the most exciting time of the season in the NFL -- and really, in every sport.
But the way next weekend's divisional matchups have shaken out, the first go-round could be watching paint dry kind of fun.
Count them: Of the four games being played next week, three will feature repeat matchups from Week 17. New England's battle with Baltimore is the lone dissident from a scheduling loop.
The Jets will play the Bengals, the Cowboys the Eagles and the Packers the Cardinals (the winners were listed first).
The scores of each game were 37-0, 24-0 and 33-7.
Sure, Arizona and Cincinnati benched their respective starters early, so the outcomes could change next week to some degree.
Any Given Sunday.
At the same time, each of the winners so thoroughly pounded the losers it seems difficult to grasp that next week will produce varied results.
On top of that it's kind of bollocks that fans have to witness the same story and plot line.
Hopefully the ending is more climactic than four score differentials, even if the embarrassed cannot turn into the composed.

Bengals v. Vikings Notebook

Fight to the Postseason

The Twins aren't saying goodbye to the Metrodome just yet.
Jason Kubel hit two three-run homers and Delmon Young added a pair of solo shots powering Minnesota to a 13-4 win Sunday over Kansas City and into a one-game playoff for the second consecutive season, this time against Detroit.
The game will be held at the Dome.
Following an impressive 5-4 win over AL CY Young favorite Zach Grienke Saturday, in which the Twins blew a 4-0 lead before Michael Cuddyer won it in the bottom of the eighth with a blast into the left field bleachers, Minnesota pounded the Royals for 13 runs on an efficient 11 hits, five of which left the park.
Walks to Denard Span and Joe Mauer set up Kubel's first homer. Young's dinger two batters later gave the Twins an early 4-0 after one inning.
And the clouts kept coming.
Kubel went deep in the third after an Orlando Cabrera double and another Mauer free pass.
Kindled by Young's second yardsale and concluded with Cuddyer's second homer in as many days, Minnesota scored at least one run from the fifth inning on.
Kansas City rallied back from an 8-1 deficit, scoring three runs in the top of the sixth and even bringing the tying run to the plate, but Rob Mahay got Billy Butler to strike out swinging to end the threat.
Earlier in the day the Tigers ended a three game slide with a strong performance from ace Justin Verlander, defeating Chicago 5-3.
Scott Baker will face rookie Rick Porcello in Tuesday's one-game playoff.

NOTES:
Cuddyer's dinger was his 10th in September/October, tying him for second on the Twins' all-time list for most long balls hit during those months. Harmon Killebrew once hit 11.
Delmon Young is hitting .529 (9-for-17) in four October games with three home runs and 10 RBI. Since becoming an everyday player on Sept. 7 (24 games), he has batted .347.
Mauer, although his average fell to .363 with an 0-for-3 afternoon, will win his third AL batting title in the past four seasons.
Kubel surpassed century mark for RBI with his second moonshot. He sits at 102.

Tigers Huge Choke Artists

Up seven games three and a half weeks ago, Detroit seemed destined to reach the postseason.
Up three games with four to play Thursday, the Tigers needed to beat Minnesota once more to seal the deal and set up a playoff matchup with the New York Yankees.
They choked -- just like in 2006 when Minnesota claimed the division from them on the regular season's final day.
No team has ever lost the division in the regular season's final week when sitting in first place May 10.
With Minnesota playing its best baseball right now, having won 15 of 19 games, the Tigers could become the first with another loss Sunday.
They'll look to ace Justin Verlander to extend the season at least one more game.
Verlander shut down the White Sox the last time he faced it, giving up an unearned run while going the distance. For his career, however, he is just 4-9 with an ERA barely under 5 against the South Side.

Adrian Peterson Serves as Eagan's Honorary Coach

St. Thomas Academy vs. Hill Murray

Led by its multi-headed rushing attack, St. Thomas Academy continued its string of dominance to begin the 2009 season with a 48-0 romp over Hill Murray, spoiling the Pioneers’ homecoming.

Tailbacks Dan Freund and Augie Braddock powered the Cadets offense with two touchdowns apiece and the defense shut down the Hill Murray (1-3) attack.

St. Thomas Academy, now 4-0, has outscored its opponents 174-27 this season.

The Cadets wasted little time flexing their offensive prowess, scoring on the opening drive of the game courtesy of a 25 yard run up the gut by Freund.

John Garry found Dan Abbott open across the middle for a 10 yard touchdown and Freund ran another in for a 5 yard score on the team’s next two possessions to push STA’s lead to 22, where it would remain through halftime.

The Pioneers never really threatened.

Playmaker Zach LaValle was held in check with the exception of a long screen pass and catch that took Hill Murray into Cadets territory, and starting quarterback Alec Conners was forced out of the game in the third quarter with an injury.

St. Thomas continued to pound the ball in the second half; a tiring Pioneers defense opened the door for some big plays.

Braddock scampered 60 yards untouched into the end zone and ran another in from 10 yards, quarterback Ryan McManus connected with Kyle Rohde for six on a 31-yard strike and John Gould broke numerous tackles during a 64 yard dash on his way to paydirt to cap the scoring.

Catch the Cadets in action next Friday, Oct. 2, as they take on the Henry Sibley Warriors, while the Pioneers head to Tartan to play the Titans.

Brady Loses? A Look at a Couple Week 2 Games

The New England Patriots lost for the first time in 22 regular season tries in games Tom Brady started, falling to the Jets 16-9 Sunday.
The streak began following a 21-0 loss to Miami in December 2006.
(Like that? The Pats had gone 21-0 with Brady since losing 21-0.)

Mario Manningham, a former Michigan receiver who dominated the Big Ten had a colossal game on primetime Sunday. He caught 10 balls for 150 yards and a score in the Giants’ thrilling last-second 33-31 victory over the Cowboys to spoil the opening of the $1.1 billion Dallas Stadium.
The night’s production accounted for 65 percent of Manningham’s career receiving yards and 59 percent of his career catches.
He began playing in the NFL in 2008.

Minnesota Meets The Best

Jukes, speed and quickness
Jahvid Best scores with ease
Gophers suffer defeat

(A Haggy Haiku)

Smile at Misfortune

When your best efforts lead to the worst results -- the showers on the hook for a loss -- there's only one thing to do.
Smile.
The always focused, generally pissed off looking Justin Verlander gave in to the "say cheese" expression Saturday after giving up what proved to be the game-winning hit to Jason Kubel.
The single came with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth of a 2-1 game on a well located 0-2 fastball down and away.
Kubel sliced at the ball, and with the help of Verlander's velocity -- the radar gun registered 100 mph -- blooped it enough to reach the outfield turf for the decisive single.
And Verlander's performance up to that point, holding the Twins to five basehits and one run through 7 1/3 innings went for naught.