This animated GIF is probably my favorite of the week. It is Bills’ defensive back Drayton Florence making an obvious flop attempt, which would have made it perfect for this post I did last week on flopping in professional sports.

GIF source: MockSession via Cosby Sweaters

If Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan had been watching this, he might have responded thusly:

GIF source: SBNation

Instead, Ryan had to watch his own defense play in the first half Sunday night, which induced this outburst. Dallas trailed 21-0 at the half, with Ryan’s defense looking totally out of sorts. It led to this classic image of Jerruh Jones:

Image source: MockSession

But there may yet be hope for Jerruh and Rob. As I type this, the Cowboys are down 21-7 and driving with the 3rd quarter near its close. Could they complete the comeback? One team that couldn’t was the Jets, coached by Rob’s brother Rex, whose Jets couldn’t find a way to sneak into the playoffs and reel off another improbable run to the AFC Championship Game.

You’re done Rex.

Image source: Reddit

But you know who is not done? The Green Bay Packers, who won today despite sitting superstar starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Superstar backup quarterback Matt Flynn started in his place, setting franchise yards for yards and TDs in a single game. File that away for trivia use later in life.

Before the game, Rodgers continued his weekly tradition of photobombing the Packers’ team captain photo. Happy New Year!

Image source: NFL.com

But back to people who are done…how about this streaker, who gets taken to the turf by the Packers’ Brad Jones.

Image credit: Morry Gash/AP via Reddit

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Those are my favorites from Week 17. What are yours? If I missed any classic images/GIFs/videos, feel free to post in the comment section.

Now, apropos of nothing, let’s let Chris Bosh take us out.

GIF source: Reddit

And in related news, the Cowboys just scored another TD and are only down 21-14 to the Giants. Time to go watch the finish.

Update: Never mind. It’s been all Giants since I hit ‘publish’ on this post. Just ask Jerruh.

Image source: SBNation

During the heat of competition, the passion that courses through combatants can sometimes take a turn into uglier territory.

The brawl between Cincinnati and Xavier back on December 10 demonstrated an example of athletes allowing their pride and passion to overcome common sense and respect for the game, their organizations, their teammates and obviously, their opponents.

Photo by: Frank Victores | Presswire

Nine days later, Arizona State and Southern Miss had a skirmish between players on court – including a punch thrown – as a result of a battle for a rebound.

Sometimes, however, athletes and sports figures fight for the same reasons that anyone else fights – someone pissed them off or they don’t like someone.  Plenty of bad blood exists between players, coaches, commissioners and even officials, and while it doesn’t always end in fisticuffs, it can be very entertaining when it does.

Although it’s not very “Tebow” of me, I will admit that I treat fights – especially those between wealthy, famous people – like a car crash; I just can’t look away.

Here are some sports feuds that deserve to have a resolution, and I think that the most fascinating way for that resolution to come about is a pay-per-view style mixed martial arts event featuring all of the sports figures who despise each other.  In my dream fight scenario there would be a referee so that things would remain safe (for example, we wouldn’t want an enraged James Harrison to actually tear Roger Goodell’s head off were they to wage war in the octagon) and standard UFC non-title fight rules would apply (three 5-minute rounds).

Here are some battles I would definitely pay to see:

Yancy Gates vs. Kenny Frease (the rematch)

• Height: Gates – 6-9 / Frease – 7-0
• Weight: Gates – 260 / Frease – 275
• Age: Gates – 22 / Frease – 22 (Gates is 3 days older)

Since Gates landed sort of a sucker punch the first time, I’d like to see him face off against Frease again.

Both of these guys are huge, but Frease is truly a behemoth.  Gates obviously has knockout power, however, as we saw during the infamous brawl on December 10.  It would be interesting to see if he can go all LeGarrette Blount on Frease without the distraction of a benches-clearing brawl interfering.

Rex Ryan vs. Brandon Jacobs

• Height: Ryan – 6-3 / Jacobs – 6-4
• Weight: Ryan – A LOT / Jacobs – 264
• Age: Ryan – 49 / Jacobs – 29

Following the Giants’ 29-14 thrashing of Ryan’s Jets on Christmas Eve, Brandon Jacobs had some words for Ryan.

Of course Ryan is no stranger to trash talking, whether it be about football or fighting.  He famously taunted former Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder in the media, and he is known for his boastful declarations about the Jets’ on-field prospects.

Jacobs may be much younger, but I have a feeling that Rex’s mouth has gotten him into plenty of brawls before, and he seems like a pretty confident fella.

 Nyjer Morgan vs. Chris Carpenter

• Height: Morgan – 6-0 / Carpenter – 6-6
• Weight: Morgan – 175 / Carpenter – 230
• Age: Morgan – 31 / Carpenter – 36

T-Plush and Carpenter had a dust-up back in September as the NL Central race was heating up.  Plenty of trash talking from Morgan and Carpenter ensued, and since-departed Cardinals Albert Pujols and Tony LaRussa even got involved.

Morgan and his flamboyant alter-ego Tony Plush did little to squelch the flames of the rivalry, taunting the Cardinals by bragging over the Brewers’ standing atop the division, but the Cards ended up with the last laugh by improbably winning the World Series a few weeks later.

Baseball feuds can run for years, so it will be interesting to see if 2012 delivers another chapter in this feud.  For now I can only wish for a score-settling face off between the smaller, quicker Morgan, and the towering Carpenter.

Kyle Busch vs. Kevin Harvick

• Height: Busch – 6-1 / Harvick – 5-10
• Weight: Busch – 160 / Harvick – 175
• Age: Busch – 26 / Harvick – 36

When NASCAR VP of competition Robin Pemberton issued the statement “Boys, have at it” in 2010, fans of old-school contact racing and the fisticuffs that sometimes follow were elated.

In May 2011 at Darlington, Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick’s growing feud came to a head, with Harvick throwing a punch at Busch after what he deemed over-zealous driving by Kyle.  Later, Harvick’s car owner, Richard Childress, reportedly tried to physically fight Busch as well.

Harvick is known as an instigator, and over the past few years he has been involved in incidents and trash-talking with Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Busch and others.  But given how close Harvick and Busch always seem to run, the potential for an explosive fight is always present.

Shaquille O’Neal vs. Kobe Bryant

• Height: Shaq – 7-1 / Kobe – 6-6
• Weight: Shaq – 325 / Kobe – 205
• Age: Shaq – 39 / Kobe – 33

What can I say about this feud that hasn’t already been said?

Shaq and Kobe feuded publicly for years, and even though they have played nice on camera in recent years, there is no doubt that some lingering animosity is shared by both.  Their sparring was so prevalent that there is an entire Wikipedia page dedicated to the feud.

I would imagine Shaq would be a difficult guy to beat up no matter who you are, but if anyone has the tenacity and killer instinct to do so, it is Kobe.  To see Shaq come into the octagon joking and playing around, maybe rapping “Kobe tell me how my ass tastes,” only to see Kobe enter with that scowl of his would be magical.

Would’s O’Neal’s “Shaq-Fu” be enough to take down the “Black Mamba?”  We’ll probably never know, but I would pay a decent chunk of money to know for sure.

Roger Goodell vs. James Harrison

• Height: Goodell – 6-0 (est.) / Harrison – 6-0
• Weight: Goodell – unknown / Harrison – 242
• Age: Goodell – 52 / Harrison – 33

I hinted at it in the opening, but this fight would definitely need to be governed by strict UFC-style rules.

The size differential isn’t alarming, but one would have to figure that Harrison is the stronger man.  Still, l can’t help wishing that the NFL head honcho, who also performs duties of judge, jury, and executioner in all things disciplinary for the league, would agree to physically brawl with his most troublesome employee.

And who knows?  Maybe Goodell is some sort of secret martial artist, and his whole reign of tyranny over the NFL is unimpeded because most players, coaches, and executives are terrified of him.  If that is the case (and I certainly hope it is), then I would love to see him go at it with this guy:

Mike Piazza vs. Roger Clemens

• Height: Piazza – 6-3 / Clemens – 6-4
• Weight: Piazza – 200 / Clemens – 205
• Age: Piazza – 43 / Clemens – 49

No catcher ever hit for power like Mike Piazza, and few pitchers during the era spanning the 1980s-2000s instilled as much fear in opposing hitters as Roger Clemens.

The two became enemies when Clemens drilled Piazza in the head with a pitch in an interleague game in 2000.  Later that year, in the 2000 “Subway” World Series, Piazza broke his bat while hitting a grounder off of Clemens, and in a bizarre sequence, Clemens picked up the splintered bat and threw it back in the direction of Piazza, who had begun running the bases.

Four years later, Piazza caught for Clemens during the first inning on the All-Star game, and Clemens allowed six runs.  It was alleged that Piazza was tipping Clemens’ pitches to American League batters as a way of retaliating for the previous incidents.

I would like to see these two settle their old score, and just in case, I’ll allow PEDs for these two fighters only.  You know, just for old times’ sake.

Jim Harbaugh vs. Jim Schwartz

• Height: Harbaugh – 6-3 / Schwartz – 6-0 (est.)
• Weight: Harbaugh – 215 / Schwartz – unknown
• Age: Harbaugh – 48 / Schwartz – 45

Back in October, head coaches and Jims Harbaugh (49ers) and Schwartz (Lions) got into a bit of a scuffle following the 49ers win in Detroit.

Harbaugh’s exuberance in the aftermath led to some (probably) over-enthusiastic celebrating and a pretty firm handshake with Schwartz.  Schwartz, obviously upset about losing the game, became enraged by the handshake, and chased Harbaugh down, yelling at him all the way.  Schwartz had to be restrained by players and team personnel.

Since these two teams could meet again in the postseason, we can only hope for more fireworks, but what I truly hope for is being able to watch them compete in an actual fight.

Tim Duncan vs. Joey Crawford

• Height: Duncan – 6-11 / Crawford – 5-8 (est.)
• Weight: Duncan – 255 / Crawford – unknown
• Age: Duncan – 35 / Crawford – 60

Duncan and Crawford have some history, most notably in 2007 when Crawford ejected Duncan for laughing at a call from the bench.  As ridiculous as the ejection was, things became even more strange when the typically reserved Duncan said Crawford challenged him to a fight, and different accounts reported that the two exchanged profanities.  Crawford was suspended for the remainder of the season and the playoffs (breaking a 21-year streak of working NBA Finals games), and Duncan was also fined.

As any avid NBA fan knows, Crawford is a particularly animated referee, and he has been criticized (by me and others) for being too showy while making calls and for being contentious with players.

I would like to see this fight for a number of reasons, chief among them the hilarious spectacle that the age and size differentials would create and the fact that Crawford deserves some comeuppance for his antics over the years.

Reggie Bush vs. Miles Austin vs. Kris Humphries with Special Guest Referee Ray J.

• Height: Bush – 6-0 / Austin – 6-2 / Humphries – 6-9
• Weight: Bush – 203 / Austin -215 / Humphries – 235
• Age: Bush – 26 / Austin – 27 / Humphries – 26

As far as I know, none of these guys has any problem with the others.  But the fact is that they are all jilted exes of one Kim Kardashian.  So what would be more fun than a three-way dance in which the winner gets to reclaim Kim’s heart?

Since Ray J. is the co-star of a certain X-rated home video that broke Kim’s career, he can officiate the brawl.  Given the Kardashian clan’s penchant for cashing in on ill-advised television programs, this would seem to be right up their alley.  Of course, given the success that Bush, Austin and Humphries have experienced, they might not be too excited about this.

This one might have to wait until they are all retired.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao

• Height: Mayweather – 5-8 / Pacquiao – 5-6.5
• Weight: Mayweather – varies / Pacquiao – varies
• Age: Mayweather – 34 / Pacquiao – 33

While we’re on the subject of dream fights that will probably never happen, we might as well throw in the boxing superfight that everyone seems to want except the two guys who would be fighting.

Pac-Man v Mayweather has been speculated about for years, but as of now there are no indications that they will fight any time soon.  I would surely pay for this fight, as I’m sure millions of other sports fans would, so hopefully they find a way to make it happen before the two fighters get much older and have their substantial skills deteriorate.

What sports figures would you like to see fight each other?  List them in the comments below!

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Follow me on Twitter @keithmullett

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Image Credits: usatoday.com, blitzsportsnetwork.com, sportsgrid.com, sbnation.com, nydailynews.com, nbaloud.com, hiphophoney.com

Both teams currently have a 5-3 record, but a loss would give the Patriots both head-to-head wins, which gives them the tiebreaker if the teams ended the year with the same record. Both teams must also keep pace with the 5-3 Bills, who may or may not be for real this season.

New York Jets

The Jets are currently on a three game winning streak, coming off of a commanding 27-11 win over Buffalo last week. These three wins came after three straight losses, with the third being to New England.

The Patriots won that game 31-20, with their offense overpowering the Jets’ defense. Mark Sanchez and the offense did not turn the ball over, but Tom Brady threw for 321 yards, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for 136 yards.

The Jets defense has improved since that game, allowing a combined 38 points over the last three weeks. Their defense is currently ranked 7th in the NFL, right behind Pittsburgh.

They will need to protect the ball on offense, and put pressure on Tom Brady on defense. Brady has already thrown ten interceptions this season, and he threw one in the first game against the Jets earlier this season.

New England Patriots

The Patriots have lost their last two games, including a 24-20 loss last week, a game in which Tom Brady threw two interceptions. He was forced to throw 49 times, and the offense did not get any points on the board until the second half.

The defense has been bad for most of the year. They are among the worst defenses statistically, and I say that because they are 30th in the league, but the undefeated Packers are 29th. These rankings do not always directly correlate to the record of the team, but it is different for the Packers, as their offense is one of the most explosive in recent memory.

Their defense is ranked last in passing yards, which puts a lot of pressure on the offense to put points on the board. When the offense cannot put up at least 28 points a game, they will often lose.

The key for the Patriots on offense will be to try and establish a run game, as this would take the bulk of the load off of Tom Brady. When he is always forced to throw, he tends to throw more interceptions. He already has thrown ten this season, after throwing four all of last season.

Jets-Patriots Prediction

The Jets have gained momentum coming into this game with three straight wins, while the Patriots have been on the decline. The Pats’ defense is reeling, and Mark Sanchez will take advantage of them. The Patriots should be able to snap out of their offensive slump, but the defense will fail to shut down the Jets.

Jets 34- Patriots 28

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New England Patriots at New York Jets

• Patriots-Jets Date, Time, and TV: Sunday, November 13th at 8:20 ET on NBC
• Patriots-Jets Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
• Patriots-Jets Point Spread: Jets -1
• Patriots-Jets Over-Under Odds: 47

Let’s take a look at this game, which will feature Jets head coach Rex Ryan going up against the future Hall of Famers he used to coach in Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

Jets-Ravens Preview

The Jets are heading into Baltimore in a matchup that features two of the top teams in the AFC. Both are 2-1 heading into the game. The Ravens’ loss came to a surprisingly good Titans team, while the Jets lost to another surprising team in the Raiders.

The Jets need this game more than the Ravens. I know it is still early, but the Jets are in a division with not only the perennial powerhouse Patriots, but now the Bills seem to be for real. A loss in this game would drop the Jets to 2-2, and it doesn’t get any easier next week with a trip to Foxboro.

The Jets defense was torched last week by the Raiders. They gave up 234 yards rushing alone, with 149 more through the air. The offense actually outgained that of the Raiders by 66 yards. The difference was two turnovers by the Jets compared to zero by the Raiders.

Rex Ryan is certainly not happy with his defense after last week’s performance. They will need to tighten up the gaps as Ray Rice will definitely try to exploit their weakness up front.

The Ravens are coming off of a dominant win in St. Louis against a Rams team who is among one of the biggest disappointments of the year, along with the Chiefs.

Torrey Smith caught three touchdown passes in the first quarter alone, and Flacco went on to throw for a total of 385 yards. They gained 168 more on the ground, and will likely run the ball early against the Jets.

Jets-Ravens Prediction

The Ravens look like the better team coming into this game. I have a tough time trusting the Jets’ defense until I see them do well against a quality team. They only allowed 3 points against the Jaguars, but they are not much of a test. (I would apologize to Jags’ fans for that jab at their team, but I’m not sure that there are actually fans of the Jaguars in existence).

The Ravens will run the ball early, and if they are successful they can use that to set up the play action. The Jets are always capable of pulling off the amazing, but I don’t see it this week.

Ravens 31-Jets 24

• Jets-Ravens Spread Pick: Ravens -3
• Jets-Ravens Over-Under Pick: Over

Now it’s your turn:

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

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Jets-Ravens Game Info

• Jets-Ravens Date, Time, and TV: Sunday, October 2nd at 8:20 ET on NBC
• Jets-Ravens Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
• Jets-Ravens Point Spread: Ravens -3
• Jets-Ravens Over-Under Odds: 40

Here are a few games that all NFL fans should keep their eyes on on Sunday.

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals – 1:00pm

The Ravens are coming off an interesting victory on Monday Night against the Jets, 10-9. Yet, their offense seems almost too powerful for a Bengals secondary that allowed 38 points against the Patriots in week one.

How does the Bengals secondary stop a three-headed attack of Derrick Mason, Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh? The Jets did somewhat of a decent job, holding them in check all game, but in the end, the Ravens offense recorded 282 total yards of offense

Carson Palmer had a decent outing against the Patriots, throwing for only two touchdowns and one interception. Despite the loss, Palmer recorded 345 yards through the air, which needs to happen again. The Jets had some success against the Ravens secondary, but Palmer will need to rely heavily on the 10 other offensive players to be successful.

Look for both teams to establish the running game early, especially the Bengals because Cedric Benson tallied 237 yards on the ground and two touchdowns against the Ravens in ’09. Benson will be a major benefactor in this game if he receives the correct blocking schemes, as well as uses his vision to find holes in the Ravens defense. 

Prediction: Bengals 27 – Ravens 23

New England Patriots at New York Jets – 4:15pm

Rex Ryan seems to be rather hungry for a victory, especially since all Patriots fans know now that his favorite saying is “Let’s go eat a goddamn snack!” That is plenty of bulletin board material for coach Bill Belichick.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez wasn’t impressive in his week one affair against the Ravens, especially since he threw for a total of 74 yards. Although, against a Patriots defense that isn’t so great, Sanchez and his receivers, Jerricho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards, along with tight end Dustin Keller, should put more points on their brand new scoreboard at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

The defense will miss nose tackle Kris Jenkins, who was excellent at clogging the middle, but don’t think that Ryan is too worried about his defense providing pressure for Justin Bieber look alike, Tom Brady.

Brady and his offense looked like a mirror image of their ’07 squad last Sunday, which put points on the board ever so easily. Although against a Jets team that has been talking all week long about covering Randy Moss, expect cornerback Darrelle Revis to receive a great deal of attention from Brady.

This matchup should be much closer than expected, so don’t assume any blowouts, but in the end, the Patriots will walk away with a victory and 2-0 record. 

Prediction: Patriots 23 – Jets 16

New York Giants at Indianapolis 8:20pm:

Are you excited for the Manning Bowl? It is game two of Eli versus Peyton and I am almost certain that the Manning family circled this game on their calendars when the 2010 schedule was released.

Last time the two brothers met was opening night of the ’06 season and Peyton Manning not only led the Colts to victory in New York, but also, he guided them toward a Super Bowl championship too.

As for the game itself, it features two teams headed in completely different directions. The Colts looked dumbfounded against the Texans, especially when it came to stopping the run. Texans running back Arian Foster ran all over the Colts defense for 231 yards, along with three touchdowns too. The Giants won’t beat their opponent by running, but instead, airing it out to Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham or Steve Smith. Currently, the Giants rank fourth in points, but it will be somewhat challenging for Eli Manning to lead his offense to score more than 31 points.

Expect a possible shootout in Indianapolis, but once the final whistle is blown, the winner should be the home team. 

Prediction: Colts 31 – Giants 17

Hmm…yeah, about that…

I tell you this in an effort to be up front about the fact that while I was pretty accurate at predicting things during the regular season (57% against the spread), my radar has been way off for the playoffs (2-6 record).

Still, that is not going to stop me from trying, and I have already submitted my Conference Championship Sunday picks: Colts to win and cover, Vikings to cover and probably win. This would give us a Super Bowl matchup between the Colts and Vikings that would be quite compelling.

But how compelling would an Indy-Minnesota (aka Favre-Manning, let’s be honest) matchup be in relation to the other three possible Super Bowl matchups?

In this post, I have ranked the possible Super Bowl matchups 1-4, in my opinion, from most favorable to least favorable. At the end of this post, I’ve given you an opportunity to vote on which Super Bowl matchup you’d most like to see.  Please feel free to disagree. That’s why we’re here. I look forward to a healthy debate in the comment section.

#1 – Indianapolis Colts vs Minnesota Vikings

If these four potential Super Bowl matchups were South Park characters, Colts-Vikings would be Eric Cartman. Why? Because you simply have to respect the authoritah of the quarterback matchup this game would present:

• The only 4-time NFL MVP versus one of only two players (the other being Johnny U.) to win three NFL MVP awards.
• The most statistically accomplished passing quarterback in NFL history versus the guy who will most likely retire one day as the most statistically accomplished passing quarterback in NFL history.
• Two quarterbacks who are already in the discussion of the top 10 quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, and possibly already the top 5.

I am speaking, of course, about Curtis Painter and Tarvaris Jackson. Or…not.

No, I am, of course, talking about the incomparable Peyton Manning and the indomitable Brett Favre. Seeing these two men on the same field, playing at the absolute top of their games, with a Super Bowl title on the line, would just be unbelievable.

(The only drawback to this matchup, as you can see from the picture to the right, is the possibility that they could stare adoringly at eachother a little too long and spontaneously start making out during postgame handshake. But since it’s a pretty remote possibility, I won’t knock Colts-Vikings out of the top spot.)

In fact, because of the magnitude of a Manning-Favre meeting in the Super Bowl, you could pretty much throw away every other storyline this game could offer. Despite the other incredible players who would be on the field – Adrian Peterson, Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeny and Robert Mathis, Jared Allen and the Williams Wall, Brad Childress’ customer service headset, Jim Caldwell’s blank steely stares – this game would need nothing else.

The Favre-Manning matchup would imbue this Super Bowl with enough historical gravitas for five Super Bowls.

In a league that is renowned for being “all about the quarterback,” it is impossible to pass this game up as the #1 choice for Super Bowl Sunday.

#2 – Indianapolis Colts vs New Orleans Saints

You could probably go back in time, season by season, and be hard-pressed to find a more compelling quarterback matchup than what we’d see with Manning and Favre on the same field for a Super Bowl. So even though I’m sure a lot of Jets fans think the best of the potential Super Bowl matchups is New York versus Minnesota, with Brett Favre facing the team he played for last season, they probably still understood my reasoning for putting Colts-Vikings at #1.

But I bet most of the Jets fans are ready to click to another page after seeing that I don’t have Jets-Vikings at least in the #2 slot. (More on that game in a bit.)

I’ve chosen Indy-New Orleans as my #2 most desirable Super Bowl matchup because, again, it’s the better quarterback matchup. Nothing against Mark Sanchez, who is proving to be a man among poise, but Drew Brees is one of the most underrated and underappreciated football players of the last decade. Look at Brees’ career stats and his year-to-year consistency. It’s impressive, to say the least.

Drew Brees has been a terrific football player for a long time in the NFL despite constantly battling criticisms that he is too short or doesn’t have a strong enough arm. He will erase every negative that’s ever been said or thought about him and step into the pantheon of great, potential Hall of Fame quarterbacks with a Super Bowl victory.

Moreover, a win would mean that Brees and Saints head coach Sean Payton would have authored the most uplifting and exciting chapter in the post-Katrina reclamation project of one of the United States’ most historic and now downtrodden cities. Even the most heartless, cut-throat Jets, Colts, or Vikings fan would have to at least feel some tinge of satisfaction at seeing the city of New Orleans be able to celebrate a Super Bowl title.

So why Saints-Colts and not Saints-Jets? Well, the only natural storyline even worth mentioning if the Jets go to New Orleans is that they played earlier this year. Whoop-de-do.

If the Colts go to the Superdome, Peyton Manning goes back to the city where his dad was and still is a hero, a city where he and Eli grew up, and a city that they have also helped to rebuild. Drew Brees is obviously the #1 son of the city of New Orleans right now, but Peyton would be the city’s adopted favorite if the Saints falter in the NFC Championship Game.

Putting Manning and Brees on the same field, leading two explosive offensive attacks, would make for a scintillating Super Bowl in many more ways than one. So I’m sorry Jets fans, but your QB is too young, you don’t have enough star power, and there are no inherent ties to the city of New Orleans for you to get into the top 2.

But, remember, you have your chance to vote below; please do not hesitate to do so.

Now let’s move on to rank the 3rd and 4th most desirable games. Based on what I said earlier about Jets fans probably assuming that New York-Minnesota would at least be in the top 2 because of the Favre-Jets storyline, I may surprise you with my pick at #3.

#3 – New York Jets vs New Orleans Saints

#4 – New York Jets vs Minnesota Vikings

I know that I’ve spent this entire post fawning over the potential Manning-Favre or Manning-Brees QB battles in my top two choices. I’m a quarterback guy and love seeing great field generals going head-to-head. I understand if you disagree, but I come by that bias honestly as someone who dreamed of playing the position when I was a kid.

That said, don’t think for one second that I don’t appreciate what the Jets have done and how they play.

The Jets are old school in every positive sense of the word, right down to their vintage Super Bowl III uniforms. They have a coach who is entertaining, insightful, and accomplished. He is also the quintessential emotional leader who can make a good football team play great and can captivate fans and the media alike.

Simply put, Rex Ryan is the 2010 version of Mike Ditka.

The Jets also have an absolutely outstanding individual player in Darrelle Revis who has done his job every bit as well as Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, and Drew Brees have done theirs this season, if not better. Revis just happens to play a position that is not quite as important in the overall equation of winning as quarterback and that is far, far less visible. But watching Revis go up against Marques Colston and Sidney Rice would be very compelling.

New York, of course, also has Mark Sanchez. And while I think Sanchez is being propped up and made out to be playing better than he is while being the caretaker of a great running game and defense, you can’t fault the kid for doing what is asked of him. He’s not ready to win games yet for the Jets, but he has at least shown that he’s talented enough and mature enough not to lose them. For a rookie QB making his first foray into the playoffs, can you really ask for anything more?

So don’t view my ranking the games involving the Jets at #3 and #4 as a personal statement by me that I don’t appreciate what they’ve done to get this far. I do. But when it came down to ranking these potential Super Bowl matchups, one nagging possibility kept popping up: of the four teams left in the playoffs, the one with the greatest chance to be blown out and create a boring Super Bowl is the Jets.

Yes, their defense is great, but even great defenses can give up big plays here and there. If that were to happen, the Jets simply are not built to put up big point totals trying to come from behind. We’ve seen Mark Sanchez throw a lot of picks in a short period of time this season, and no Jets fan wants to see a situation in which Sanchez is forced to throw more than 20 times.

In a one game situation, things can snowball even on solid, conservative teams. I want excitement and drama in my Super Bowl, and the Jets are the team with the most glaring potential to steal that away from us all if their defense is not as great as it can be and their young QB can’t hang with the likes of Favre or Brees.

So why Jets-Saints over Saints-Vikings? It comes down to the annoyance factor.

All Super Bowls have annoying storylines that get old after a day or two, and then get really old after being dragged out for two weeks. If the Colts make it, we’ll get sick of hearing about how they gave up on a 14-0 season. If the Saints make it, we’ll probably get sick of hearing about the love affair between Drew Brees and the city of New Orleans. If the Jets make it, we’ll be fed an endless loop of a goofily smiling Mark Sanchez that will make us all long to punch him in the face. And if the Vikings make it, well, all we need to say is one word: Favre.

But if the Jets and Vikings end up playing in the Super Bowl, the Brett Favre overload will simply be unbearable. I’m not sure how many different ways the media can discuss Favre’s one year with the Jets and what it would mean that he’d be facing them in the Super Bowl, but I bet it’s in the thousands and I bet the media would report every single last one of them.

Additionally, the comparisons between Favre (he has fun!) and Sanchez (he has fun and gets chicks too!) will make us all hate both of them by the time kickoff comes around. We’ll all be secretly praying that they both sprain their ankles during the pregame so that we can see Kellen Clemens and Tarvaris Jackson and escape the Favre-Sanchez obsession.

Does it have the potential to be a great game? Sure. It would be a great contrast of styles and there would be lots of great individual matchups to watch. The problem is that this is also the one matchup that would create serious Brett Favre overload – far more than a Colts-Vikings matchup because of the Favre-Jets angle – and I’m just not sure any of us are ready to deal with that for two entire weeks.

So there are my rankings of the potential Super Bowl matchups. Now I want your opinion. Answer the poll question below so we can get a composite ranking of MSF readers, then chime in with a comment if you want to rank them 1-4.

And if, after reading this article, you are so jazzed about the Super Bowl that you’re ready to lay some money down on it, check out the Super Bowl XLIV odds and scratch your super bowl betting itch.

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* – Peyton Manning / Brett Favre photo credit: Matt Kryger, The Indianapolis Star

* – Drew Brees photo credit: Boston.com

* – Rex Ryan photo credit: AP via New York Post

* – Brett Favre w/ Jets photo credit: DavidTheiss.com

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It can be coming into a situation as murky as the Everglades, as distorted as a Picasso painting, and as confusing as a puzzle. Coming into the situation with your head on right, not letting any certain WR get in the way of you getting to your goal, in order to prove your former team/head coach wrong, and then guide your new team to a 5-0 start.

Recognizable situations, no?

Well if you are still unfamiliar, let me clear things up.

Welcome to my second “Great Debate”, where I will pit two of the best at what they do against each other in an all-out brawl. Comparing and contrasting the two with facts, stats and opinion; where in the end one will come out on top, whether it be by a landslide or a hair.

So without further ado I would like to introduce you to Round 2 of my Great Debate, coach vs coach, defensive mastermind vs offensive guru.

Rex Ryan vs Josh McDaniels.

Jets Head Coach

Rex Ryan

Let’s get to day one:

“The Jets are coming, and we are going to give it everything we got.”

These words were courageously spoken by Rex himself, and very much allowed as well. Rex Ryan proved himself many times in the past, and he’s proving himself now with the New York Jets game after game. Straight from Baltimore to the infamous New York, I present to you Rex Ryan.

Anyone who knows football knows Rex Ryan has the ability to coach. A damn good ability if you ask me. I’m not going to lie to you, I’ve only really began to notice Rex since last year. I mean c’mon, I know the Ravens were an incredible defensive team, and not being a big time Ravens fan I would always assume this was due to Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrelle Suggs, etc.

That being said, I never looked at the big picture, the man behind the scenes, the big cheese, Rex Ryan.

Back in time

Rex left Baltimore with stunning defensive numbers:

• Allowed 224 Points(year)/15.2 PPG (3rd in the NFL) in 08-09 Season
• Point Differential of 141 Points (year) /8.8 PPG (1st in the NFL) in 08-09 Season
• Takeaway/Giveaway Differential: +13 (0.8/g), (3rd in the NFL) in 08-09 Season

Those numbers are staggering for any team in the NFL, and the funny thing is that these stats are only from the 08-09 season, care to look at the others?

• Allowed 201 points (year) /12.6 PPG (1st in the NFL) in 06-07 Season…Are you kidding me!? Only 201 total points given up..that’s disgustingly good.
• Differential of 110 points (year) /6.9 PPG (6th in the NFL 03-04 Season.
• Turnover ratio for 06-07 Season: +17

There are plenty more examples, but I believe you get the picture. Things have changed, players have come and players have gone, and players have changed..heck, Rex Ryan is gone. He’s now in NY and he’s even changed, and the scary thing about that is, he’s doing a hell of a lot better.

Rex Ryan has come into a Jets team that had won nine games last season with a legendary Brett Favre and a decent team. How far did that get them? Home during the playoffs.

That is why Rex has been brought in. In order to change the Jets from a playoff team, to a championship team. I mean, just ask Rex:

Today

From day one he has made an improvement in NY. He turned around the mindset of this NY team from a Brett Favre mindset to a rock hard, destroy you D!

Look at these numbers (compiled before Sunday’s loss to the Bills):

• Jets D is only allowing 17 Points Per game (9th in the league)
• Jets D is only allowing  304 Total Yards Per Game (9th in league)
• Jets Pass D only allowing 194 Pass Yards Per Game (8th in the league)

Without a doubt, these are remarkable numbers defensively for a coach’s first year.

The Jets are outstandingly in the Top 10 in each of those categories. The amazing thing about it is that Rex is doing all of this in his very first year. He has gained not only the trust of his rookie QB, but the trust of his defense, coaching staff, and the rest of the Jets organization.

Even though the Jets are a decent 3-2, [Editor's Note: now 3-3] I’m still impressed with how they are playing. You also have to factor in that their offense isn’t as great (which Rex doesn’t handle that much). Another note is that they have a rookie QB in Mark Sanchez.

Overall: 8.8/10

(The Good) While Rex is a great coach on the defensive side of the ball, (The bad) he needs to contribute more on the offensive side of the ball. If he can do that, and show us a percentage on offense of what he shows us on defense, the Jets would still be undefeated!

Broncos Head Coach

Josh McDaniels

One of the best stories of the year!

Josh McDaniels arrives from a New England Patriots team who….well, do I really have to say it? The Pats have won three rings in a matter of 8 years, and during that span I have to admit that at times I thought to myself that those Patriot teams were the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Off All-Time).

Bill Belichek was the man with the plan. He was the captain of the plane (you can make the argument for Tom as well.)  But many people forget that Bill wasn’t the only man with a headset on the Pats sideline. There was another. There was a guy who would constantly tell Tom which play to call, which audibles to run, and how to run it.

His name is Josh McDaniels, and not only did he help the Pats in their dynasty run on offense and defense, but he is now behind the Broncos incredible 5-0 start, and if things continue the way they are going in Denver, McDaniels just might have another…dare I say it…

Dynasty in Denver.

Back in time

2002

The New England Patriots came off of the incredible Super Bowl XXXVI win against the Rams. Tom Brady was beginning to prove himself, and Bill Belichek was beginning to look like Einstein. Just about everything was beginning for the Patriots. The beginning was also coming for Josh McDaniels, as he was hired as the Pats Defensive Coaching Assistant, working primarily with the defensive backs. Unfortunately,New England did not qualify for the playoffs.

2003

Josh McDaniels continues his Defensive Coaching Assistant occupation, as the Pats defense performs solidly with an NFL defensive average of 12 in every category. The Pats finish first in the AFC East with a record of 14-2, and end up winning Super Bowl XXXVIII.

2004

The next milestone in McDaniels’ career. He is promoted to Quarterbacks Coach, meaning he is a young Tom Brady’s coach. A highly regarded position. The Pats set an NFL record with with 21 straight victories (included from the previous season), while Brady threw for 3,692 yards and 28 touchdowns, with a 92.6 passer rating, and was voted to his second Pro Bowl. McDaniels deserves some credit for this as well. Oh, and I almost forgot, they won Super Bowl XXXIX.

2005

This would prove to be a great year for Brady, equaling into a great year for McDaniels. With the Pats running low in the running category, they would have to rely on the arm of Brady. New England finished with the 6th best passing yardage in the NFL, and Brady finished with a passer rating of 93.2. The downside of the season was the AFC Divisional Playoff loss to the (coincidental) Denver Broncos.

2006

Promoted to Offensive Coordinator while keeping the occupation of QB coach, Josh McDaniels is starting to become more and more recognized. The Pats finish the season with great NFL rankings overall. They finished 7th in points through the air, they finished 11th in pass yards per game, and 6th in given up interceptions. While Belichek is receiving attention from all media outlets, McDaniels is getting his fair share as well. The Pats lose in the AFC Championship game against IND.

2007

Not only the biggest year in McDaniels’ coordinating/coaching history, but the biggest year in the Patriots’ history, and one of the biggest years in the NFL’s history. The New England Patriots finish with an incredible, and NFL record 16-0 regular season record. Brady earns the NFL MVP, and throws for an outstanding 50 TD passes in a single season (NFL record). Randy Moss earns the record for most TD catches in a single season (23). All of the hype, excitement and records ended on February 3rd, 2008, as the Patriots lose in Super Bowl XLII (courtesy of Eli Manning and the NY Giants).

2008

A big drop from last season, as McDaniels must go from Tom Brady to Matt Cassel. Don’t get me wrong, Cassel played a very good season, especially for a backup, finishing with 21 TD’s, 2693 yards, and passer rating of 89.4. The Pats played well and finished with a record of 11-5, but unfortunately missed out on the playoffs.

A very prestigious resume held by Josh McDaniels, but would this be enough to prepare him for the head spot?

Heck yeah! More than enough!

Today

With McDaniels’ reputation on the rise after helping Matt Cassel succeed in the absence of Tom Brady, the question becomes: where would he go?

The Denver Broncos.

The Broncos sign Josh McDaniels as head coach for 4 years and $8 Million dollars. As the season was nearing, with training camp in the air, the Broncos off-season was filled with a flurry of moves and complaints. Jay Cutler’s relationship with the whole Broncos organization deteriorated, and all McDaniels could do was sit and watch as his new team seemed to be falling apart.

In the end, Jay Cutler was traded for Kyle Orton from the Bears.

Then..

Broncos WR Brandon Marshall was not helping the cause as well. Marshall was consistently demanding a trade, disrespecting teammates and coaches all around. The organization eventually took action, and reprimanded Brandon.

So with all of this going on, Denver seemed puzzled and confused on how the season would start off. Well, Denver was sure in for a suprise..

McDaniels took the 8-8 Denver Broncos and is completely turning them around. The Broncos are a baffling 5-0, and McDaniels couldn’t be any happier.

Honestly, Orton isn’t the best QB in the NFL, and Marshall isn’t the best WR in the NFL, and the Broncos D isn’t the best in the NFL either (even though they have players like Bailey). So who does all this credit go to?

The head coach of course!

The Broncos are currently 6th in yards per game, and 5th with rush yards per game. This shows that the previous QB coach can do much more than coach a QB.

Want more?

The Broncos are 22nd in the NFL with 19.8 ppg. Is that good? Not at all. But they are 5-0, what does that tell you? That their D must be doing well:

• 1st in the NFL for opponent’s ppg (8.6)….are you freaking serious!?
• 2nd in the NFL for opponent’s ypg (252.8)
• 5th in the NFL for opponent’s pass ypg (171.8)
• 6th in the NFL for opponent’s rush yards per game (81.0)..WOW.

Number like these are historic. The Broncos defensively are destroying it.

Who does this credit go to? It has to be McDaniels.

Oh, and one last note…Josh beat the Pats to earn his 5th victory of the season. How do you feel Josh?

Overall 9.1/10

To be honest with you, I can’t find much to say negative about Josh. He has won rings, worked his way to the top, and shown us he deserves to be in the NFL (unlike Jim Zorn). The only thing preventing me from putting McDaniels at a 10/10, would have to be the fact that he doesn’t play on the field!

With all that being said, I respect Rex Ryan for what he is doing under the spotlight of a NY crowd and fan base, but McDaniels is proving to be something else. Something we might remember a long time from now.

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* – Josh McDaniels photo credit: AP file photo via MassLive.com

* – Rex Ryan photo credit: William Perlman / The Star Ledger via NJ.com

On Monday Night Football in Miami, Jets v. Dolphins, Number 17 — wearing his new New York Jets uniform — was brilliant, showing off the moves, leaps and most importantly, the hands that Browns fans had not seen since 2007.

Edwards had five catches for 64 yards, one touchdown and another called back on a challenge with the ball placed on the one-yard line. The Jets scored on the very next play.

Despite the loss to Miami, New York fans were buzzing about the Mark Sanchez to Braylon Edwards connection.

Magical.

Ironically, Browns Head Coach Eric Mangini had Sanchez for the taking on draft day. But noooooo! Why would Mangini want all of that excitement and starpower on his team.

Mangini wants team players, currently translated into a bunch of mediocre rookies and retreads who tow the line and make sure to pay for their bottles of water from little fridges in hotel rooms. (It was reportedly Edwards, by the way, who was fined $1,700 for forgetting to add $3 to a recent hotel tab.)

I don’t think Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan is that anal and ridiculous.

By the way, Rex and Rob Ryan (Browns defensive coordinator) must be fraternal twins. Rex is clean shaven with short hair and Rob looks like his schizophrenic brother who really enjoyed the seventies.

The good news is that Braylon is playing with the enthusiasm and focus of a kid, again. The bad news is, Mangini has no room on the Browns for a star.

Next off the sinking ship: Brady Quinn.

It has been rumored around the league that Quinn’s agent Tom Condon is shopping the 24-year-old Notre Dame star. This will be Quinn’s third year in the league and he wants a decent chance to be a starter.

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* – Braylon Edwards photo credit: Doug Benc, Getty Images via The Sun-Sentinel