Don't get me wrong, this is by far the most demoralizing loss I've ever seen as a Cowboys fan and it's even more embarassing than Tony's blunder in Seattle.

Let's put this in perspective; this is the same team that was pretty much handed the Lombardi in the preseason, and once Brady went down and Manning's Colts had a lackluster start, there was a strong sentiment that the Superbowl was theirs to lose. Even though the Giants and Titans were tearing up the schedule, there was a sense that this was the Cowboys' season and they were throwing it away. 

After Sunday's 44-6 whoopin from the Eagles, consider it thrown. 

Funny how preseason hype (Favre to the Jets, Cowboys as unstoppable) means so little and when it comes down to it...all that matters is how the games are played.

Come on, did you expect to see this weekend's wildcard schedule look like THIS?

You have the team who lost their franchise QB and was sooo bad last season that their coach jumped ship before the season ended versus a team that hadn't won a division title since Ford was in office.

I expect an incredibly high scoring game as the offenses on both clubs are potent. Arizona's defense is suspect and I don't expect them to prevail.

Prediction: ATL 34 ARI 20

It disgusts me that San Diego can win their division and make the playoffs when good clubs like New England (11-5 and no playoffs! What?!) are on the outside looking in. I was mad earlier in the season about the NFC North and NFC West getting playoff positions but I don't support any of the NFC teams who didn't make it. (Including my Cowboys who are closer to winning a daytime Emmy than the Lombardi trophy)

I'm feeling the Colts right now (not jumping on the bandwagon, I'm just sayin, real recognize real) and expect them to stomp the life out of the Chargers in this matchup. 

I also wanna give Peyton Manning his props for winning his 3rd MVP trophy. Part of me wants to hate but honestly he is turning football into a one man sport every game he goes out there. And his commercials are getting funnier. Observe:

Dolphins fans have to be confused. Last year you have the Patriots threaten Don Shula and company from poppin champagne  (ohhhh) and your squad plays abominable football and now Parcells brings in former rival Chad Pennington and y'all win the division. 

Unbelievable. 

Don't front like you thought Brady and Favre would be watching Chad in January!

And they better tune in this weekend...cause I believe this will be a one and done affair for Miami this month.

The Ravens are doing their thing and I don't see Miami stopping them. Their defense is looking 2000esque and no one can deny Flacco has exceeded expectations. 

Don't expect this one to be a shootout though...in fact, you might just wanna follow this one on the ticker.

Prediction: Baltimore 10 Miami 6

This one is hard for me to call. 

I spent most of the season bashing the NFC North and making fun of my roommate for being a Vikings fan. His hatred for Brad Childress is hilarious and I might have to interview him on Art Star so y'all can feel his disdain.

Watching Philly play on Sunday, they were so focused. Granted, they were playing at home against a division rival for a shot at the playoffs BUT they were playing on a level I hadn't seen from them since the early 2000's when they used to win the division. (nightmares!)

You have two teams that frustrate their fan base because they have the potential to be much more. Coming off of solid and necessary wins, their respective readiness should be there. Minnesota is at home but they're really gonna need Adrian Peterson to be healthy and Tavaris not to mess up. (I'm begging you, and I don't even like y'all like that.)

With that said, Philly has the better defense, better coach, and better quarterback so I believe they will win. 

But it's just like Philly to lose the week I actually think they will win. 

Philly 19 Minnesota 10

I hate the Eagles.

Listen to the soundtrack of my nightmares:

As the omniscient Creator you already know that tomorrow is the NBA Draft. 

Lord, I don't need to remind you about how difficult it has been (my whole life!) as a loyal fan of the New York Knicks. We've been through a lot, Father, and I have been patient. You took us through the 90s, when Jordan tortured us year after year. We'd always come close but never close enough. And you were merciful! You allowed him to retire and gave us our chance to beat those Bulls. I thank you for leading us to do so and You even let us get to the Finals then! 

My family prayed a whole lot then. One night we had to pray even extra because Hakeem looked poised to run away with the series, and O.J was tryna run out of the country! But we held on as they pushed the series to a game 7. But then Lord...

WHY LORD? WHY LET JOHN STARKS SHOOT LIKE THAT!!!

But your mercy endureth...and you brought us back to the Eastern Conference Finals the next year, to play the Pacers again. But then Lord, things got rough. I will never forget where I was (Sunday afternoon in the kitchen watching the tv) when the spirit of confusion led Patrick to finger roll instead of dunk that fateful day in Indianapolis. I knew the devil was busy that year because our tormentor returned and dropped 55 on us his first game back in the garden! Yet, another year without a championship.

 The Bulls were back to their normal selves after adding one of the most peculiar players on the planet and they stomped through my Knicks thoroughly on their way to a 4th title. 

But something felt different about that next season and I KNEW that we would finally triumph over our enemies. You blessed us with a 57-25 record only to have us fall to a former ally and his minions on the South Beach. I didn't understand it...but I won't complain.

We would continue to fall short, and just when I gave up hope, you opened a new door. It was a bleak season. Cut short by a lockout, the 99-2000 season was only 50 games and we went 27-23. There were times when I wasn't sure we would even make the playoffs. But then...you opened the heavens with countless blessings. 

First, the miracle in Miami...

Then, the greatest 4 point play in NBA history...

Bless you Father bless you! You sent us to the Finals! And God, I want to apologize for being mad when we lost against the Spurs. I just didn't know how good we had it.

Soon we would trade my hero, and times haven't been good since.

I sometimes can't remember those days. I yearn for a thriller. It's been too long since my team had a legitimate shot. And I don't even know who they should pick in this draft but God they need help. And I want you to know I'm patient. If you decide not to bless us like our old rivals in Beantown, I won't complain. But Father, if that is your will, come 2010, I just wanna be a witness.

In your name,

Amen

(Letter circa Game 4)

Allow me to get straight to the point. I gave up on you last night. I was there, watching the game with my friends and you were getting beaten into the ground. Y'all had Lamar Odom looking like James Worthy! I've been pulling for you all playoffs long but once again you brought the doubt out of me. I'm used to champions straight dominating as soon as they touch the court.

(Letter circa present)

Dear Boston Celtics,

Wow! What else can I say but that you all wiped the floor with the Lakers! Truth be told, I couldn't imagine y'all losing the title on your homecourt but I thought it would at least go to game 7...or be close! I don't appreciate Kobe giving up in the 3rd quarter, as if to say "I didn't try, so this doesn't count." Later for him. There are two reasons I am writing you all today. (Between you and me, I am supposed to hate you but as my Knicks are irrelevant, so is the rivalry)

One is to thank you for killing two birds with one stone--you humbled Kobe and the Zenmaster on the same night! Yes! You see, there is a fundamental problem with both the Mamba and Phil...they don't respect their roots! Both were licking their chops and saw this series as an opportunity to be viewed as the greatest coach and ballplayer respectively. What insolence, on the part of the Zenmaster, to try to dethrone Red Auerbach by beating the team he brought to prominence! And I don't even know what drove Kobe more, winning without Shaq, or being placed in a conversation greater than his Airness? (Sidebar: One of these days I will write a blog about why I am the biggest Anti-Jordan basketball fan you've seen thus far)

Sports Guy says he thinks Phil Jackson goes home and watches Bulls games from the '90s and cries himself to sleep. Thanks to you, I'm pretty sure Kobe picks up the phone and thinks about calling Shaq before fighting back tears and buying his wife something expensive. In my book, both Phil and Kobe, while incredibly talented in their fields, needed this to show them that they can't do it by themselves. Phil had the great fortune to coach Jordan and Shaq in their prime...of course you're gonna win 9 rings! And Kobe has to learn to rebuild his teammates and not just destroy them with his pouting and other forms of foolishness that he calls leadership. So many thanks for giving them that ample slice of humble pie.

But secondly, I must apologize because I doubted y'all...hardbody. Straight up did not think you had a chance and you showed me how wrong I was. Much thanks for that. Who would have thought y'all would have P.J Brown and Sam Cassell out there contributing? I should have known better. I got caught up in all the "team with the best coach and player will win" hype. But the truth is, y'all were the better team. You won because you care about each other, and as KG said so eloquently last night.

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From 24 wins to World Champions...incredible.

(Do y'all think you can mentor my Knicks? For oldtime sake?)

Enjoy it cause you definitely deserve it.

Peace.

I have been complaining all playoffs long about the disappearance of Jesus Shuttlesworth. Where has he been? I know I'm not the only one who remembers the days when Ray Allen could open the skies and let the trifectas fall. He's shown flashes of brilliance this season so I know it's not a question of age. (And you can't complain about age when you're on the same roster as E.T) 

In Game 5, the Celts managed to escape another comeback from the Pistons--though they almost blew a 14 point lead--and now look on the verge of making this commercial seem that much more legit. (Talk about pressure--can the city of Boston manage another team to achieve greatness in all fields except for the one that matters?)

To be frank, the NBA, and consequently America, needs the Celtics to win the Finals. It's the greatest story out of the 4 teams we have left in the playoffs, and it guarantees that the NBA is back as the illest professional sport our great country has to offer. I'm personally pulling for a Celtics-Spurs showdown but it looks like the powers that be will get their way.

Either way, I won't complain. I just hope that L.A's success coupled with Boston's resurgence only means that Stern's dream will come true and the "World's most famous arena" will soon matter again.