KarateKen

4 hours ago, sensei8 said:

Well, some Divisional NFL games today, January 18, 2025…

The 14-3 Patriots host the 12-5 Texans for the AFC Divisional Playoff, kickoff at 12:00 noon pacific time on ABC. It appears that both teams are an equal across the board with the Patriots are slightly favored to win: Patriots 50.9% and Texans 49.1%. Should be a barn burner of a game.

 

It's snowing in New England, and the Houston offense is struggling.  Four first half turnovers for the Texans and the Patriots lead 21-10 at the half.  The Texans defense has been able to keep them in the game, but they better stop throwing interceptions of they have no chance to win. 

Edit: I don't know if you want to call it great defense or sloppy offense, but the Patriots and Texans combined for eight turnovers, five by Houston, and the Patriots win the game 28-16.  They now will visit Denver next Sunday.  Patriots are in their 16th AFC Championship Game, while the Texans remain the only active NFL franchise to never play in a conference title game, and the four teams that have never played in the Super Bowl (Texans, Jaguars, Browns, Lions) will not play in it this year either. 

Rams and Bears kicking off in a few minutes! 

A wild game in Denver to kick off the weekend.  The Bills lead the Broncos 27-23 late in the 4th, but the Broncos scored a TD with 0:55 seconds left to take a 30-27 lead.  However, the 55 seconds was enough time for Josh Allen to get the team down into FG range, and a 50-yard FG with seconds left to tie it at 30 and send the game to overtime.  In overtime Josh Allen throws a pick, one of five Buffalo turnovers, and the Broncos get the ball, a couple of penalties go their way, and kick a FG to win it 33-30.  The Broncos are onto the AFC Championship Game for the first time in a decade, and do it winning yet another close game, something they have done all year.  For Josh Allen, the Bills, and their fans, the 2025 season ends with yet another brutal, devastation, and heartbreaking postseason loss. 

Edit:  Once again, I look like a fool trying to predict NFL games.  I guessed both #1 seeds would lose today, and they both won.  The second game was not close; the Seahawks flushed the 49ers 41-6  ending San Fran's hope of hosting a home SB game, at least for this year.  Just a quick piece of sports trivia, two teams have hosted the SB in their home stadium, the Bucs and the Rams, and both won.  They were SB 55 and 56, so for 54 years no team had one it, then it happened two years in a row.  Anyway... 

Two more games on Sunday to decide the NFL final four. 

Well @sensei8 the Raiders had a terrible season, but your Golden Knights are playing well right now.  They are in first place in their division and have a six-game winning streak steak going. 

This came up once and our instructor said that he teaches his students everything he knows, rank appropriate of course.  He said "any instructor that does not teach their students everything they know is cheating both the students, and the art."  

Not saying I agree or disagree, but that was his take on it. 

What are your thoughts on RAF? There are a lot more eyes on it recently since some UFC fighters have been competing.  I do not know anything about wrestling; I guess this is a different style than college wrestling.  

At the risk of making a fool of myself, I am going to post some predictions for this weekend.  I predict that the Rams will beat the Bears.  I hope the Bears win, but the Rams have been my pick to win it all since August, so I am sticking with them as long as they are still in it.  I do like Matt Stafford though and would be fine with him winning another ring, so either way it's OK.  

Then I am going to predict that the Bills go into Denver and beat the Broncos.  Denver has won a lot of close games this year, and I question just how good the team really is.  One of the things that makes the NFL so tough to predict is the lack of games.  In a 17-game season, teams that are pretenders can look a lot better than they are.  Is Denver that team? Also, don't get too focused on them having a bye week.  There are many examples of teams over the years who get that first round bye then come out flat and lose on their home field, such as the Lions last season.  This will be the Broncos toughest test yet.  I know the Broncos have been great on defense.  I know the Bills are banged up. I am going with the Bills. 

Then I am picking the 49ers to win in Seattle.  This is the pick I have the least amount of confidence in, but I am just going with my gut.  I am picking both #1 seeds to lose.  The 49ers are banged up, and probably should not win this game in Seattle, but again, I am going with my gut. 

The only home team I am picking this week is the Patriots over the Texans.  The Patriots defense last week was impressive, and so was Drake Maye.  Good news for the Patriots is the Diggs hearing has been pushed back to after the Super Bowl.  

It's divisional round weekend, one of the best sports weekends of the year.  Hope you enjoy it. 

On 1/14/2026 at 8:42 AM, DarthPenguin said:

Amusingly Harbaugh actually got 7 calls with 6 vacancies at the time! Was quite amused by this as in essence one team offered him an interview with an incumbent head coach already!

Had an interesting chat today with someone about which of the Steelers and Ravens jobs is the better bet: Ravens are closer to a SB ready team with Lamar and Henry etc. but the Steelers have lots of loyalty to the HC (only ever had 3!!!) so not sure which is the plum job. I think Steelers personally since Henry only has 1 yr left and then their window might close a bit

Harbaugh is now the new head coach of the New York Giants.  A smart hire by the Giants, maybe he can turn that struggling franchise around. Giants have had three losing seasons in a row, and a combined 7 wins the last two years. Their last division title was in 2011. 

Harbaugh was arguably the most accomplished coach on the market this season.  He won a SB with the Ravens in 2012, and his teams were often in the thick of if it, getting into the playoffs including a few AFC Championship Game appetences. 

On 1/13/2026 at 11:27 AM, sensei8 said:

USPS is releasing a forever stamp to honor Bruce Lee on February 18, 2026.

Stamp shows Bruce Lee in a flying side kick with a background of yellow brush stroke that gives respect to the color of the jumpsuit that Bruce Lee wore in “Game of Death”. The flying side kick makes it appear the he is breaking in half the words “Bruce Lee USA Forever”.

I’m guessing that a book of this forever stamp might cost $18, which is a normal price for USPS Forever Stamps.

I’ll be getting at least 2 books for myself.

Thanks for this information, I will probably get some as well. 

3 hours ago, sensei8 said:

Raiders search for a new head coach is ramping up. Sure they need a HC since they fired their last HC. It might help them next season but getting an iconic HC didn’t help them one bit last season at all. Better QB and Offensive Line is what they need.

Imho!!

Speaking of teams that need a HC, add the Pittsburgh Steelers to that list.  Mike Tomlin has stepped down at Steelers coach after 19 seasons, the morning after the team was eliminated from the playoffs by the Texans.  

To recap, since the list has gotten long, the following teams are looking for a HC: Raiders, Dolphins, Titans, Browns, Ravens, Steelers, Giants, Falcons, and Cardinals.  Did I miss anyone??   If not, that is nine teams in need of a HC.

And yes, Bob, I fully agree the Raiders need to upgrade at QB and OL.  Would the Raiders be interested in Mike Tomlin? 

Congratulations! 

On 1/11/2026 at 9:59 AM, sensei8 said:

I might be way out there in left field but I’m starting to agree with my friend, Dwight, who’s a Seahawks fan, that the NFL is rigged.

How so?!?

I’m not sure. I’ve no proof other than by watching the games. You think the missed kicks, throwing it directly to the other team, and questionable penalties are above par?? 

How does the Bears beat the Packers. At one time the Packers lead the game in the end of the 3rd quarter 21-6. Games end, it was Bears 31 and Packers 27; Bears scored 25 points in the 4th quarter to the Packers 6 points.

Packers had a 3rd and 2. Love could’ve easily ran it but he threw a 40 yard pass…and 4th and 2 they punt?!? 

Something smells fishy. Like pro-wrestling, the NFL knows games outcome before the game starts. Gambling plays a huge role now.

The NFL now feels like a version of the Black Sox to me. Something’s fishy on the gridiron.

IMHO!!

 

More and more people seem to be thinking this.  With betting scandals in MLB, NBA, ect, I don't think it is unreasonable to question if the same thing is going on in the NFL.  

On another note, the Jaguars are eliminated after a 27-24 loss at home to the Bills. Jags had a good regular season, won the division, only to lose at home in the final minute for the first playoff game.  My hope of a Bears/Jags Super Bowl has quickly been taken away.  Oh well. 

Edit: The 49ers have won against the Eagles, ending the Eagles chances of repeating.  Final score was 23-19.  49ers will visit the Seahawks and Rams will be in Chicago to play the Bears next week.  It almost means both teams who were in the SB last year will not be in this year, something we haven't seen in a while. 

Two games left in the wild card round, both in the AFC.  Chargers at Patriots tonight and Texans at Steelers on Minday night. 

Second edit: Patriots defense shuts down Herbert and the Chargers offense, winning it 16-3.  Patriots advance and will host the Texans/Steelers winner. 

Third edit: Texans thump the Steelers 30-6 and advance.  Here is the schedule for the divisional round, all times Eastern.

Saturday: 

Bills at Broncos - 4:30 on CBS

49ers at Seahawks - 8:00 on FOX

Sunday

Texans at Patriots - 3:00 on ESPN 

Rams at Bears - 6:30 on NBC 

The Rams and Bears both win and advance to the next round. 

I don't have a rooting interest in the teams this year so I would like to see some new blood in the Super Bowl, maybe a Bears Jaguars match up.  Jags and never been to the big game and the Bears last visit was against the Colts in the 2006 season.  I could use a break from teams like the 49ers, Eagles, ect that we have seen in recent years.  Let's get some teams that have not been there in a long time! 

Well, that was strange.  Just a couple of days ago Mike McDaniel job was safe, then on Thursday he was fired. Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross decided it was "time to move on," saying that he appreciated the hard work McDaniel put in, complimenting him as having a creative football mind.  If the Dolphins hire Harbaugh, then we know why McDaniels got fired.  The Dolphins were 7-10 this year, missing the playoffs for the second season in a row.  In four seasons with Miami, McDaniel was 35-35 in the regular season and 0-2 in the playoffs.  Early reports are the Lions are interested in interviewing McDaniel for their open OC position.  

Miami Dolphins are the newest of now eight teams looking for a head coach. 

Another place to closely watch your surroundings is gas stations.  If you are filling up the car, be sure to know who is near you, as gas stations are a common place of scammers and hustlers to confront you and try to ask for money.  Often times they will approach you in large vehicle, kind of trying to box you in while you're filling up and will have multiple people with them.  Try to fill up before you get down to empty so you have options, don't let yourself be stuck having to fill up at the next gas station just in case it is sketchy.  As a rule, I fill up when I get to 1/4 of a tank, sometimes I do it at 1/2 a tank.  Like a supermarket, everyone goes to a gas station which means it can lead to encounters with gang members, hustlers, crazies, and weirdos.  We actually had a karate student who told a story about getting into a fight outside a gas station.

Something to think about. 

Todd Bowles was able to keep his job with the Bucs, but he is shaking up the coaching staff, replacing multiple people including the OC.  Tampa finished 21st in total offense. This will be the 9th different OC Bakery Mayfield will have played under in his career.  

Black Monday bleeds into Tuesday as the Ravens have fired head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons.  That missed FG at the end of the game on Sunday cost him his job, and might have saved Mike Tomlin's, as there were chants of "fire Tomlin" from Steelers fans several weeks ago.  

While I did not expect this at the same time it is not surprising.  The Ravens have not been able to get over the hump for a while, continuing to come up short in the biggest games against the best teams. Two Sunday night losses in the last three weeks, one to the Steelers and one to the Patriots, sunk Harbaugh's future with the Ravens. 

Now seven teams are looking to hire a head coach for next season: Giants, Titans, Raiders, Browns, Cardinals, Falcons, and Ravens.

Mike McDaniel will be coming back for the Dolphins, but the team is looking for a new GM since Chris Grier was fired back in October.  Miami was 2-7 but finished strong, securing McDaniel another chance next season.  The Falcons are another team looking for a GM. 

Lions have fired OC John Morton, and Cowboys have fired DC Matt Eberflus. The Jes, Giants, and Commanders have all fired their DC as well. 

1 hour ago, sensei8 said:

I know it’s not of any consequence nor a possibility but why don’t the Raiders entertain, even if just for a second, ask Tom Brady to return to the NFL gridiron to QB for 1 season for the Silver and Black?!? After all, Tom has an interest to see the Raiders get out of the gutter. Unless there’s some NFL rulings that would prohibit that.

Are you calling for Tom Brady to pull a Phillip Rivers?? 

NFL Black Monday is in full swing.  As @sensei8 posted the Raiders have fired Pete Carroll after a disaster of a season.  Also, the Falcons, Cardinals, and Browns fired their head coach.  The Bengals have said they are bringing back Zack Taylor for next year, who will be on the hot seat.  No word yet on if Tampa is going to keep Todd Bowles for another season or move on.  The Bucs imploded in the second half of the season losing seven of their final nine games and missing the playoffs.  The coach's abrasive press conference after the Thursday night meltdown loss to the Falcons failed the inspire the team much. 

2 hours ago, sensei8 said:

Cowboys lost to the Giants 34-17.

 

Sorry. 

Playoff schedule for Wild Card weekend.  All times Eastern.

Sat. Jan 10

Rams at Panthers - 430pm FOX and Fubo

Packers at Bears - 8pm Amazon Prime

Sun. Jan 11

Bills at Jaguars - 1pm CBS and Paramount +

49ers at Eagles - 430pm FOX and Fubo

Chargers at Patriots - 8pm NBC

Mon. Jan 12

Texans at Steelers - 8pm ESPN and ABC and Fubo

Here are the first-round playoff matches for the AFC and NFC, dates and times TDB

AFC:

7. LA Chargers at 2. New England

6. Buffalo at 3. Jacksonville

5. Houston at 4. Baltimore/Pitt winner 

Bye - 1. Denver

NFC:

7. Green Bay at 2. Chicago

6. San Fran at 3. Philadelphia 

5. LA Rams at 4. Carolina

Bye - 1. Seattle

The NFL Draft top 13 looks like this:

1. Raiders

2. Jets

3. Cardinals

4. Titans

5. Giants

6. Browns

7. Commanders 

8. Saints

9. Chiefs

10. Bengals

11. Dolphins

12. Cowboys

13. LA Rams (trade with Falcons) 

After that it gets shuffled depending on who wins the SNF game. 

The Cowboys win over the Giants means the Las Vegas Raiders will get the #1 overall pick, so Las Vegas you are ON THE CLOCK! 

The Colts end their season with a loss to the Texans.  After starting 8-2 and looking like a top NFL team, Indy turned into a sinking ship.  They finish 8-9 and Phillip Rivers prediction that they will make the playoffs does not come true.  They lost every game with Rivers as QB.  What was it all for?? Unless he comes back next year this was the worst decision to come out of retirement of any player I can remember.  Dude was on the verge of maybe being in the Hall of Fame, now he was to wait another five years just to be eligible.  

The Falcons win over the Saints locks up the NFC South for the Panthers, who are 8-9.  Once in a while we see a team with a losing record win a terrible division.  Panthers did that this year. This might put Bucs coach Todd Bowles on the hot seat.  Lots of coaches are likely to be fired in the next few days. 

Jaguars win and take the AFC South.  The AFC North is up for grabs tonight between the Ravens and Steelers.  This is basically a playoff game for both teams.  The winner takes the division and the losing team will be done for this season.  If the game ends in a tie the division goes to the Steelers. 

Vikings and Browns all won in early games.  Right now the Broncos, Patriots, Raiders, Commanders, Lions, and Rams all have a lead in the 3rd quarter. 

Josh Allen's foot injury will not keep him out of Sunday's game against the Jets.  It will be Allen's 126th consecutive regular season start (140 including playoffs), longest of any active QB and second longest in the league behind Jake Matthews of the Falcons who is at 194.  Both are years away from catching Brett Farve's record of 297 (321 including playoffs.)  The Bills are 11-5 and will be a wild card, only playing for seeding this week.  The Chargers are also dealing with a QB injury, but they are sitting Justin Herbert on Sunday and Trey Lance will start for the Chargers.  LA is also a wild card team.  They face the Broncos and if the Broncos win, they would be the #1 seed in the AFC. 

The Patriots can get the top spot in the AFC if they win on Sunday and the Broncos lose, but the Patriots have some off the field problems to deal with as well.  WR Stephon Diggs is facing a felony strangulation charge and misdemeanor assault.  Allegedly, Diggs had a personal Chef who confronted him about unpaid wages.  This led to an argument and Diggs is accused of hitting her in the face then chocking her, then throwing her on a bed.  This alleged attack happened on December 2.  This is a developing story over the last few days.  Diggs has denied the charges but not spoken further on the situation. Also, defensive lineman Christian Barmore is facing charges of aggravated assault.  As of this writing neither player has been suspended by the league or the Patriots.  Patriots have said they support Diggs and will cooperate with the investigation.  

The Bucs defeated the Panthers keeping their playoff hopes alive.  If the Saints beat the Falcons on Sunday, the Bucs will take the NFC South.  If the Falcons win, the Panthers will take the division despite their loss on Saturday.  The NFC top spot is up for grabs as the 49ers can lock it up if they beat the Seahawks tonight, at home.  Right now, Seattle leads 13-3. 

Edit: The Seahawks have held on and beat the 49ers, 13-3.  Seattle wins the NFC West and gets the #1 seed in the playoffs, giving them a first round bye and home field advantage.  

Happy New Year to KF and everyone else reading this! Hope 2026 is a great one of all of us!! 

On 12/25/2025 at 12:05 PM, sensei8 said:

Be Water My Friend; The Teachins of Bruce Lee by Shannon Lee

I have this book and read it a few years ago.  I enjoyed it.  What say you, Mr. sensei8?