And then there were 8

For me, the football season ended last Sunday. 21 games came down to 60 minutes of football and shortly after 4pm on Sunday, depression set in. To me, the feeling is horrible. Sure there are still games to be played, and I'll watch them all, but the rooting interest is gone. I'm pulling for the Jaguars since they are the only team from Florida left in the playoffs, but if they lose tonight's game, the feeling won't be the same. Now, as a Bucs fan, I have grown accustomed to this jilted feeling. 31 other years of disappointment. A series of weeks which culminate in a quick exit from the playoffs, or worse, enduring a season like 2006 when we went 4-12. It's actually taken me a week to come back here to this site and even be able to write about last week. I didn't feel that the Bucs had a strong enough team to make it to the Super Bowl or even to the championship game, but I felt that there would be at least one more game left in the season. There is reason for optimism though after this season. Sure, there are still some issues to be addressed in the off season and depth to be added but there were some great stories this season. Earnest Graham, finally getting his chance to shine. Greg White, going from security guard at Best Buy to arena football and then starring on the defensive line for the Bucs. Tanard Jackson, lighting it up at the safety position. Marvice Stovall, becoming a dominant force on special teams. Finally,Michael Spurlock running a kickoff back for a touchdown after all these years. I nearly dislocated my knee jumping around my parents living room as I watched in disbelief.

Still, that doesn't fill the void left by Post Traumatic Playoff Elimination Syndrome. (I tried looking it up on WebMD, but found nothing) As a fan of the game, the symptoms will get worse on a Sunday night in early February when the realization that the entire season is done and we have to wait another 6 months to start it all over again. Nascar, golf and baseball do not fill the void so, somewhere around June I'll pull out the VHS tape of Super Bowl 37 and watch it again and remember the euphoria I felt that night. Well, we'll always have San Diego.

This week's action sees Indy hosting San Diego, Seattle at Green Bay, Giants at Dallas, and finally Jacksonville facing the Evil Empire.

Some quick takes:
Jacksonvilles' DL is a force and they are running the ball with authority. I like the match up of Maurice Jones-Drew on the New England linebackers. The Jags have been winning on the road and I smell an upset here. Jags win 27-24

Brett Farve has had a tremendous season and said earlier this week that he'd like to return next year. The NFL's version of Cal Ripken silenced alot of critics this year who said he should step down at the end of the 06 campaign. The Packers should handle Seattle easily 27-16

San Diego's critics were questioning the off season firing of head coach Marty Shottenheimer midway into the season, but the Bolts quietly rattled of 6 consecutive wins to finish the season to end up 11-5. It appears that the big tightend Antonio Gates won't be playing due to a serious toe injury. Peyton Manning and crew are focused on a rematch against the Pats and roll easily to a 34-20 win.

I wonder how many Giant's fans have offered to buy Jessica Simpson a ticket for Sunday's game. If Tony Romo has a bad game, you better believe there will be some outcry about Wade Phillips allowing him to go on a weekend jaunt to Cabo San Lucas last week. TO has a high ankle sprain but he says he's ready to go. The Cowboys will be facing the Giants for the third time this season, holding a 2 nothing advantage on them. It's difficult to beat the same team three times in one year, but the Cowboys do it in this weeks closest contest. Dallas wins 24-23.

Coming later will be my breakdown of the Bucs season and suggestions for off season moves.
Happy New year to all.