The 6th seeded Piana Raze picked the right time to put it all together, as they demolished the #1 seeded and Eastern Division Champion Jody’s C.W.O.T., 63 – 21 on the road. The 4 point home field advantage might as well have been 40, for all the good it did Jody, as the game was a Colossal Waste of Time from his standpoint, starting with the loss of his kicker (Neil Rackers) to a groin injury, and culminating with the failure of his Steelers defense to do anything defensive. In fact, as if the Raze’s 61 offensive points weren’t enough, the Steeler D picked the Championship game to play their worst ball of the year, and handed Brian another 2.

The Raze got off to a great start, with running back Maurice Jones-Drew posting a team leading 14 (on 2 TD’s and 140 total yards) and receiver Reggie Wayne adding 10 points in the Thursday game. Wayne’s dime would be merely the first of three scored by the Raze, as receiver DeShawn Jackson and kicker Rob Bironas also posted 10’s. These four double-digit scores would prove to be insurmountable by the C.W.O.T., even though Jody’s QB Aaron Rodgers did score a game-high (and Player of the Week) 22 on 383 yards passing and 3 scores. The trouble for Jody (other than the atrocious play by his defense) was that running back Stephen Jackson’s 6 points turned out to be 2nd high on the team, with Steve Smith/NYG adding 5, and the home field advantage (and two actual players) posting 4’s. The Raze could have left their Baltimore defense at home, for all they needed them; but, no, and the Ravens stuffed the C.W.O.T. to the tune of 26 takeaway points, just because they could.

Once again, this game proves that you only have to be good enough to make the playoffs. Then, pretty much anything can happen – and has on many occasions over the last XIII years. Congratulations to the Raze on their improbable run to the Super Bowl, and condolences to Jody on missing out. At least, he is assured of not adding to his string of Super Bowl futility this year.

back to scoreboard

The fourth seeded Pirkle’s Wicked Oil Profiteer$ rallied to a 52-51 victory over the 2nd seeded and Western Division Champion Irwin Hellions to take the second spot in Super Bowl XIII last weekend. Eleven was the lucky number for the Oilmen, as quarterback Phil Rivers hit the game-high number with 308 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. Rivers hit wide receiver Vince Jackson (11 pts) on 2 and tight end Dallas Clark (11 pts) on the other two. Rashard Mendenhal, playing in a single back formation, tallied 9 for the Profiteer$, as did Wicked kicker Lawrence Tynes, who – as last player on the field – ultimately put P.W.O.P. over the top.

The Hellions’ failure to reach the Super Bowl can be laid on the shoulders of their coach. A total of 23 bench points went uncounted as Chris chose to start Donovan McNabb (8 pts) over Eli Manning (14), running back DeAngelo Williams (1 pt) over Derrick Ward (6), and the Broncos D (8 takeaway points) over his Eagles (20 takeaway pts.). Yet it still looked good for the Hellions going into the fourth quarter. Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson had led the team with 10 points, and had been matched by kicker Nate Kaeding. And with McNabb’s good, if not great, play, and receiver Chad Ochocinco scoring the right side of his number, the Hellions were on the high side of 60 total points. Even with Pirk’s trio of 11’s on the other side, things were looking hopeful for the Hellions, as Paul’s Vikings defense, normally a strength for the Oilmen, stumbled to a 2 points-against score. But Tynes came through with a field goal and six PAT’s – the last one breaking the 51-51 tie and sending P.W.O.P. into the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

Props to the Hellions for getting their act together after the midseason collapse and coming oh-so-close to making it back to the big game for the first time since the 2004 season, when they came away with their record-tying 3rd Lombardi Trophy.

back to scoreboard