Day 16: The Lions, Lefty, Brett Favre and more

HEADLINES

1) Benji's Detroit Lions finally snapped their 19-game losing streak with a 19-14 win over the Washington Redskins. How long will it be until their next win?

Ben: I cannot explain the joy that occured when I saw the final update on my computer said "Final: Det 19 Wash 14". It has not been an easy 21 months to support the Detroit Lions, but ultimately I'm proud of the way they got through it. That being said, there is plenty to be frustrated with about this team. I'm disappointed they didn't seem to have a killer instinct and put the 'Skins away when they had a chance, up 13-0. I think they have a reasonable shot next week against the Bears, since all of Chicago's games have been close. But after that I think they'll have a legit shot against the Rams. I've got them winning 5 games this year, and potentially could sit at 3-4 after St. Louis on November 8th. Not bad for a team that was 0-16 the year before.

And Boz brings up a good point, this is a great win for the Lions, but a crippling loss to the Redskins. They have been exposed and have not grown at all in the last 11 or so games. Jim Zorn's allowed his team to regress and will be ousted, Andy Roddick style, if he doesn't get this stuff straightened out.

Boz: First off, congratulations to Matthew Stafford, the Lions and Ben on getting their first win since 2007. I can only imagine how hard it has been to be a Lions fan for the previous decade. I have to Lions going winless for the next three games before picking up their second win of the season November 8 when they host St. Louis. The Lions aren't actually the worst team in the NFL. I would put the Browns, Raiders, Redskins, Rams and possibly the Bucs behind the Lions. Stafford is slowly becoming more comfortable with the flow of the game and is showing that he will be a successful quarterback in this league.

The underlying issue in this story is how bad the Redskins are. It has to be only a matter of time before Jim Zorn is fired and until Jason Campbell is benched. The problem is that Zorn is also the quarterbacks coach and calls the plays. That's a lot to replace midseason. Campbell's back-up is Todd Collins who isn't going to save the franchise. Could you maybe see the Redskins trade for Jeff Garcia or Tavaris Jackson? Only time will tell.

2) Phil Mickelson won The Tour Championship after an amazing final round and Tiger Woods took home the FedEx Cup after finishing second to Mickelson. Is this a fitting way to end the golf season? Can Tiger now consider a successful season?

Ben: I love it, because no matter what, people are still talking about the "rivalry" between Woods and Lefty. I felt bad for Mickelson throughout the season and am glad he was able to pull out a big-time tournament.

And I really like Tiger and love watching him compete and be in contention, so the fact that he was in the top 2-3 throughout the weekend, was well worth it, and makes it somewhat a successful, albeit major-less, season for Tiger.

Boz: I think it is a very fitting way to end the golf season. To have both Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson holding up trophies on the final day is great. I feel so good for Phil to finally get a win to end his roller coaster season. He hadn't been playing well in the tournaments that he played in and no one could blame him with what he had to deal with off the golf course. I'm sure winning that tournament was monumental for Phil.

I think that the season was successful for Tiger now that he won the FedEx Cup, but it will always be remembered as one where he failed to win a major. However, winning $10 million for winning the FedEx Cup will make up for not winning a major. Especially when he wins two next season.

3) Brett Favre added to his legendary status by throwing a 32 yard touchdown pass to Greg Lewis to beat the 49ers and take the Vikings to 3-0. Did the Vikings win it or did the 49ers lose it?

Ben: Wow. This game accomplished three things for me: One, the 9ers are for real. They've got a decent offense, a legit defense, and a great coach. I really like Mike Singletary as the head man out there. Two, Farve still got enough left in the tank to lead the Vikings to the postseason, and possibly the Super Bowl. And three, I really don't like Brett Farve. I'm tired of this kind of stuff. I want to watch a different ending. This movie is old, #4 always wins. It's like watching Harlem Globetrotters vs. Washington Generals. Different roster, same results. I need something else.

Boz: The Vikings won it. First off, neither Sage Rosenfels or Tavaris Jackson would have made that throw or even had the Vikings past the 50-yard line during that final drive. Every single player in the Viking's locker room now know why they waited for and continued to pursue Brett Favre and there is not one player questioning his leadership anymore. Also, all the hoopla around Favre's play is diminishing the catch that Greg Lewis made which was amazing. I thought the 49ers played a pretty good game, minus the first quarter, and they put themselves in the position to win the game. The Vikings just stole it away.

4) President Barack Obama will make a trip to Denmark to pitch his hometown of Chicago as the host for the 2016 Olympics. Will Chicago get the 2016 games?

Ben: I would think so, but I'm not necessarily sure I want them in Chicago. Look at Greece, Beijing, and countless other cities that have hosted these Games, and while they end up being a huge success in the present, over time it seems to be a total waste. The Bird's Nest in Beijing isn't used for anything anymore. It seems like the effort, money, and headache that is put into constructing these buildings isn't always worth the payout.

That being said, I think it could potentially be a huge boost to the Midwest economy both as a construction bonus, and the influx of funds around and during The Games. So, I guess ultimately, I'm pulling for President Obama to pull off another great campaign to get Chicago these Games.

Boz: Yes. Tony Blair went to Denmark and London was awarded the 2012 Olympics. Vladimir Putin went to Denmark and Russia was awarded the 2014 Winter Olympics. Obviously it helps to send the big whigs over to Denmark to help make the pitch and make the IOC feel more important. I would love to see the Olympic game back in the states and especially less than two hours away from where I grew up. Chicago is a great city and I only hope that President Obama can bring this home. If he does, it might be something that everyone remembers when looking back at his time in office.

ODDS

1) The Twins trail the Tigers by two games entering a HUGE four-game series. What are the odds that the Twins are leading the AL Central race when the four-game series is over?

Ben: 35%. I think my number has gone back and forth on the Twins over the last 13 games or so, but I'm still behind the Tigers in the AL Central race, and I just think time is on there side. These games at home favor the Tigers, and they'll at least split, basically forcing the Twins to sweep the last series -- and they would still need help.

Boz: 10%. Even if the Tigers take three out of four they are still only deadlocked on top of the division. So the Twins would have to sweep in order to take a two game lead over the Tigers. The AL Central division is basically the only exciting race left in baseball this season and I like the Twins a lot. I can't see Minnesota taking three games in Detroit which means they'll have to sweep Kansas City to finish the season, and with one of those games against Grienke, I think the Twins are done.

2) The Bucs have made the switch at quarterback from Byron Leftwich to Josh Johnson. What are the odds that Johnson finishes the season as the Bucs quarterback?

Ben: 37%. Johnson and Freeman are similiar quarterbacks, and while I personally like Johnson, I don't think the Bucs will stick with him and I would bet that by week 13 or 14 Freeman is behind center taking his lumps for the Bucs.

Boz: 0%. They play Washington next week which is a toss-up on whether or not they'll win or lose. After that they play a string of tough games to finish the season. Johnson's backup is Josh Freeman, who Tampa Bay spent a first-round pick on. They'll be eager to throw him in there if the team is failing to pick up any wins. Seeing that they play a lot of tough defenses coming up, Johnson won't be getting them too many wins.

3) What are the odds that Sam Bradford will play this weekend agaisnt Miami?

Ben: 50%. I think Miami was exposed last weekend against Virginia Tech and Coach Stoops might think he can get by without rushing Bradford back. I truly think it's a toss up whether he plays or not. If he does play though, mark me down for a Sooners win. 'Canes are overrated.

Boz: 80%. The Sooners can't beat Miami with Landry Jones under center. If they want any chance to win a national championship they have to win this game and if they want any chance at winning this game they need Sam Bradford. Bradford knows this and Bob Stoops knows this. I think you'll see Bradford playing but not at 100%...maybe only 80%.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Happy 47th Birthday Irving Fryar. Was an All-American while he played at Nebraska and also spent some time in the NFL with New England, Miami, Philadelphia, and Washington. Probably most notably, played in Super Bowl XX with the Patriots, and watched the Bears dominate for 60 minutes.

Boz: Happy 66th Birthday to Sweet Lou Piniella. An outfielder with the New York Yankees, Piniella won world series in 1977 and 78, then as a manager with the Cincinnati Reds in 1990. He's now the manager of my beloved Chicago Cubs and even though they are finishing off a disappointing season, as a Cub fan I'm already use to saying "Wait til next year."