Watched the Chiefs gift wrap the win for Oakland. Pretty bizarre to watch them make all those mistakes they hadn’t made all year in one half. And in more bad news, Chargers look like they are awake now.

Bama
What a painful loss. It’s always hard to win in Death Valley but the 24-21 score hides four huge realities that Alabama fans better swallow.

First, Les Miles coached to win the game, Nick Saban coached to not lose. Les Miles emptied the playbook, took risks, put more on his players to deliver the win. Saban didn’t. Instead of showing up to dominate and beat the snot out of LSU, Alabama showed up and acted like ‘let’s just try to escape here with a win.’ You don’t escape Death Valley. Show up to play hard or don’t show up at all.

Second, Alabama’s offensive line this year is a smaller, less aggressive, less physical version of the line last year. Last year when Alabama would get in a tight game, it was hand the ball to 22 and let’s pound the ball down the field. This year’s version likes to pass way to much. There is no plan B with this team. If the passing game sputters there is no commitment to the running game.

Third, the defensive line play of Alabama this year has been atrocious. The secondary was what everyone thought was going to be the problem this year for the Tide. It hasn’t. They’ve had some mistakes but with no pressure getting to the quarterbacks, they’ve been asked to cover guys for 4 and 5 seconds. That’s unheard of on the pro level, let alone college. The defensive line does not get pressure on the QB and it does not stuff the run without help from the linebackers. And when a defense has to use it’s LB to blitz to stop the run and get pressure, it makes the secondary that much more vulnerable.

Fourth, the Alabama defense is clueless how to stop a 2-minute offense. When an offense picks up the pace on them, forces them to stay at the line of scrimmage – bad things happen for Alabama. And guess who runs this type of offense better than anyone in the country right now?

By losing the game, Alabama lost a lot. There is no shot at defending the national title. They more than likely lost the chance at a BCS bowl as well. There is little to no chance at an SEC title. Those are some huge stakes for a 3 point game.

The bigger question will be their mental state in the next 3 games. Will they quit? When the Tide lost in the SEC championship 2 years ago, they rolled over against Utah in the Sugar Bowl. It was an ugly moment for Tide fans everywhere. We’ll see how they respond to this. While this year’s goals are gone, the Tide aren’t going anyway. There is plenty of talent coming back for 2011 to try again. They just need to finish strong this year.

BCS
Can’t really complain about the rankings to much. Oregon and Auburn still look like the best two teams in the country. TCU had a huge win over Utah – and yes it was impressive. But do that every week or 3 or 4 times a year, and then you can complain about being number 3.

That’s all for now. Been a rough year football wise.

The Broncos showed the nation that after two years of major trades and drastic measures – they still can’t run the ball, score touchdowns, or rush the passer. That is the frustration of it all – they are the same team with the same issues when they fired Shanahan. Sunday was particularly painful when a decent running game puts Denver in the lead and at least gives them a chance to compete.

And are we getting to a point to call Knowshon Moreno a bust? I was excited with the pick two years ago but he has yet to show that flash or power that he had at Georgia. The good news? Orton looks solid which may mean Tebow plays running back later this year.

The number 1 college football team in the nation – your Alabama Crimson Tide! The Tide looked lost the first half against Arkansas. Defensively, this team isn’t near the team that last year’s team was. With 10 new starters on defense, one had to expect some let down. Ryan Mallet exposed their weakness in the first half with relative ease.

But that’s why they play two halves of football and the second half was classic Alabama football. Play pressure defense and when the opposing team makes a mistake – make them pay for it dearly. Oh, and hand the ball to #22 early and often. Any questions as to who the Number 1 back was in Alabama or in the country that matter were answered on Saturday. Mark Ingram is a beast. Any offensive game plan that doesn’t include him getting the ball 30 times a game is a mistake.

I have a lot of friends in Arkansas and the good-natured teasing went back and forth during the game. (Actually it mainly was coming AT me since Alabama was behind the whole game…) But the truth of the matter is that I pull for the Hogs 51 weeks a year except against Alabama. I’ve seen this script before at Arkansas – incredible offense, exciting team for 3 quarters then the wheels fall off in the 4th. And while it makes for great television, I’m convinced that Hog fans have a 7 year shorter life span because of this.

After the game, the analysts were putting most of the loss on Ryan Mallet and his 3 INTs. I’m not sure that is completely fair. Ryan Mallet was the reason the Hogs had a chance to win in the first place. A great QB (which Mallet is) can put your team in a position to win but running the ball and stopping the run is the difference between good teams and championship teams. Arkansas couldn’t put the nail in the coffin and Alabama had enough moxy and horses to pull a win out of disaster on Saturday.

Florida is next up for the Tide in Tuscaloosa.

Instead, pick #25, Rolando McClain. But McClain is a 10-year pick. It’s a Patrick Willis, Al Wilson, kind of pick. It’s a “this makes so much sense it’s stupid” pick. The Crohn’s disease? He’s handled it since high school. Proves he’s a warrior and disciplined to play at that high level with that issue. Will he be there at 11? I think so. I hope so. Almost every mock draft has him sitting there. And with Doom in a 3-4 – the meltdown of 2010 could be a thing of the past.

McClain actually covers AND tackles AND calls plays AND audibles AND hits people coming across the middle. Something a LB for Denver hasn’t done since Wilson’s days. He can play all 3 downs, he’s a gym rat, he’s smart, fast, and basically the other teams in front of Denver will be idiots if they don’t pick him.

How sold am I on McClain instead of Dez? If a WR is such a HUGE need (last time I checked, they don’t tackle or block), then I’d rather Denver sign TO for a year and draft McClain then let McClain go and draft Dez. How’s that?

The Rest of the Draft
I think if McClain is drafted at 11, the rest of the draft is gravy. As deep as the WR position is in this draft, grab one of those other WR with the 2nd rounder. Trade up and get a lineman/center in the first round. Grab a safety or DB in the middle rounds.

Tebow is an interesting pick. I know Denver worked him out and like all teams that meet him, they loved him. and if he is sitting there late in the 2nd round — heck yeah, roll the dice. If it works out, you’re a genius. If it doesn’t, well you tried. After watching Gruden’s film on the QB, I think Tebow will be a better pro than what was first thought and I think the team that gets him won’t ever have to worry about his work ethic or staying out of trouble.

He’ll be smarter with the ball than Clausen, bigger than McCoy to take the hits and with Orton — really, what is there to lose by drafting him? Worse case scenario, he’s a backup that does a great job on special teams.

NFC Divisional Weekend:
Redskins vs. Rams
Rams win (lose) this going away. Redskins have so much more going for them than the Rams at this point. New coach, new system, new outlook and talent-wise they are not that far away from competing in the NFC.

Rams are hurting all over the place – from talent to ownership. Will they leave St. Louis? If they did, would anybody notice? Rams are much harder to cheer for at this state.

Lions vs. Seahawks
Very close game…almost too close to call. Is it harder to cheer for an old team with a new coach OR a young team with an old coach? The difference is that the Seahawks are in a division where they don’t have to get that much better to be good, whereas the Lions are staring up at the Bears, Packers, and Vikings.

Lions are the harder team to be a fan of.

Conference Championship:
Rams vs. Lions
Make your vote count….all both of you.

AFC Divisional Weekend:
Bills vs. Broncos
It’s close but after the last few weeks, the Bills win (really lose). Chan Gailey was a great coordinator and coach…in the late 80′s. The staff he is assembling right now looks pretty green. Talent level on the Bills not great and they still don’t know who is going to be the QB. Broncos have their drama and problems but talent level (at least on the offense) isn’t one of them.

Raiders vs. Chiefs
As a refugee living in Chefs country, things (according to fans) are actually looking a bit up. Charlie Weiss and Romeo seem to have lit the fires of hope and we all know that hope is a dangerous thing (Shawshank Redemption).

But there is no comparison to the mess that is the “Grrrreaaatness ofthe Raaaydahs.” Pick your poison – ownership, coach, QB, talent, fans, city? It’s all jacked up. I can’t wait for the draft this year to see who the next bust will be. Raiders win (lose) in a blowout.

Conference Championship
Bills vs. Raiders
The easiest odds to guess in the world….

NFC.

Wildcard Weekend:
Panthers vs. Rams
Rams win this contest going away. Rams just suck and there really isn’t much hope on the horizon because as good as Suh is, he can’t block, run, throw, kick, and cover DB’s.

Seahawks vs. Bucs
This game went to OT. The Seahawks got a late game push to lose (win) this game by the hiring of Pete “What NCAA violations?” Carroll. How close was this game? The home city weather pattern and uniforms were the deciding factor – giving the Seahawks the win…which is really a loss. Confused yet? It’s harder to be a fan of the Seahawks than the Bucs and the Seahawks unis are just atrocious.

That sets us up for the Division weekend and the matchups look like this:

Divisional Weekend:
Redskins vs. Rams – another game in which Rams are heavily favored to win…which is really a loss.

Lions vs. Seahawks – Winner (which really is a loser) of this game might just be the favorite to represent the NFC in the Loser Bowl. Oh wait…I forgot about the Rams. Never mind. Slight edge to Lions but it will be another close one.

AFC

The cream of the crop – which is really the bottom of the barrel – is in the AFC.

Wildcard Weekend:
Chiefs vs. Jaguars
Chiefs win (really lose) this one easily. The Jags put a couple of players in the Pro Bowl, they have hope, and they have talent. The Chefs – (misspelled on purpose) not so much in the talent department. But their coaching got better…which is not really going to help either but that’s another story.

Broncos vs. Browns
As it normally is when these two teams meet, it was a back and forth affair. Holmgren and Cribbs made the difference. Or better said, McDaniels the Hun couldn’t work it out with his incredibly gifted and stud DC Mike Nolan who lifted that D from 31 to top 15 in one season with the same players!!! What the HECKKKKKK is going on — sorry, my journalistic integrity was interrupted for a second. Denver won (lost). Looking to compete with Raiders at this point.

Divisional Weekend:
Bills vs. Broncos
Another close game. Mike Geer will have plenty to say about this matchup. Will look to him for advice and insight as he is a Bills fan, I’m a Broncos fan. Hard sharp metal objects from us this week.

Raiders vs. Chiefs
Is there really any doubt who is going to win (which is really lose) this game?

Okay, both of you – let me hear your thoughts.