KarateKen

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?

An embarrassing performance by the Lions on Christmas Day, committing six turnovers and losing 23-10 to the Vikings in Minneapolis.  The Vikings started a backup QB who was undrafted, and the offense finished with three passing yards for the game, was booed off the field, and that was the team that won.  The Lions will miss the playoffs after winning the division the last two seasons and need to look at how to improve.  They need better offensive line help, a true OC, and see if they can bounce back to the playoffs next season.  Lions had more injuries than any team in the league, and they lost their OC and DC from last season.  It was a down year, but think back to the Lions of 15 years ago, and this was a dream season!! 

49ers win an exciting SNF game against the Bears, the 49ers will host the Seahawks Saturday night for the NFC West title, and home field advantage. Nobody seems to want to win the NFC South, since both Tampa and Carolina can't buy a win, but they will play Saturday afternoon, and the winner will take the division. 

Patriots win the AFC East by way of beating the Jets, and the Bills losing.  The last time a team won the AFC east that was not the Patriots or Bills? The Dolphins, in 2008.  

Steelers laid an egg against the Browns and instead of winning the division they will play the Ravens Sunday night to see who takes the AFC North.  Ravens win over the Packers Saturday locked up the NFC North for Chicago. 

Raiders take another L, this time at home to the lowly NY Giants.  Pete Carroll needs to go.  I realize he inherited a mess but he has not done anything to improve it.  The Raiders are 2-14, worst record in the NFL, and have lost ten in a row.  Carroll may have lost the locker room, including Maxx Crosby who left the team facility because he was upset that he was not going to play against the Giants.  Odds are he will be on the trading block.  Might as well.  The Raiders current situation is hopeless.  They should trade Crosby and stockpile draft choices, looking to rebuild.  Good news for the Raiders is they are in position to get the #1 overall pick.  The Las Vegas Raiders are now on the clock!

The final Monday Night Football game of the 2025 regular season will be between the LA Rams and the Falcons.  

Well that is a rundown of some of the games this week.  Lots to be decided in week 18 and playoff football is just around the corner! 

If all the students are required to take it because of self-defense, then wouldn't the bullies be learning the same techniques that are taught to defend against bullying?

Happy Festivus on December 23.  

Only Seinfeld fans will get that one. 

The Seahawks win 38-37 overtime win against the Rams locked up a playoff spot for Seattle, who is looking to get to top seed.  Big win for them and a tough loss for the Rams who might have just dropped from the top spot to a wild card.  

Bad news for the Packers as Micah Parsons is out for the season with a torn ACL.  He has been the backbone of the Packers D this season and without him they will have to win some big games, including Saturday night against the Bears.  A loss for the Pack would make it tough for them to win the division.  

Lots of big games this weekend. 

Same to all of you, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 

Member of the Year AND Funniest Member of the Year?  What an honor! Thank you to all who voted and awarded me this, and congratulations to all who won and were nominated.

Everything fell the Broncos way on Sunday which means they have a chance to lock up the #1 spot in the AFC this weekend.  If the Broncos win and the Chargers lose, Broncos win the west, if the Patriots and Bills also lose, Broncos will clinch the #1 position.  

Patriots and Bills are both at over 99% chance of making the playoffs, Jaguars 96%, Texans 94%, Chargers 92%, Steelers 62%, Ravens 39%, Colts 19%.  Everyone else in the AFC is eliminated.  The Patriots will clinch a playoff spot if they win against the Ravens on Sunday. In the fight for that #1 seed, Broncos have a 69% chance, Patriots 11% Jags 9% and Bills 6%

NFC odds break down like this with the Rams being the only team already in.  Eagles and Seahawks 99%, 49ers 98% Packers 87% Bucs 77%, Bears 71% Lions 44% Panthers 23% and Cowboys 1%. Rams have a 51% chance of getting the top seed, Seahawks are 31% 49ers are 14%, Bears 3% and Eagles 1%.

Some big matchups' this weekend for seeding like Thursday night between the Rams and Seahawks.  Also, the Panthers/Bucs, Patriots/Ravens on Sunday night, Jags/Broncos, Steelers/Lions, and 49ers/Colts on Monday night. 

On 12/8/2025 at 5:28 AM, Furinkazan said:

But why adjust for rank in competition at tournaments, and not at the school when a student with prior experience in another striking art/style signs up?  Why start them at white belt when you know they can compete at the brown belt level?  

Some schools will do this.  There will be a trail class or two and the sensei will evaluate the student and put them at rank based on their skill, not their knowledge of the testing material at that school.  

Looks like Pete Carroll could be one and done in Las Vegas.  Rumors swirling about the Raiders planning an exit strategy after the season.  At 2-12 the Raiders are one of the worst teams in the league and are having one of their worst seasons in franchise history.  They lost on Sunday 31-0 (the second time this year they lost by that score) and only had 75 yards of offense, the lowest yards total by any offense so far this season.  Carroll believes that his job is not on the line and he hopes to return next season saying that the rebuild was necessary but also expected the season to go better than it has.   After Sunday's loss some reporters had impaled that the team quit on Carroll, who was quick to deny and disagree with that. 

On 12/11/2025 at 7:44 PM, bushido_man96 said:

If Martial Arts become part of a school curriculum, then it takes the instructor's discretion away on a lot of things.  For one, someone that probably doesn't know a thing about Martial Arts training is going to become an arbiter of what is or isn't taught, to what extent, etc, and things could likely get watered down.  Then there is the issue of how to approach gradings.  Insurance and liability become even bigger issues of concern.  The instructor has less ability to control who he/she is teaching; it becomes available to all, especially if it's required.  I like to think all kids can benefit from Martial Arts training, but there will be some that will take in the training for the wrong reasons.  The idea appears appealing at first glance, but I think there are a lot of things that can go wrong.  

This was my first though.  I think the rest of your points are well stated.  

Chargers defeated the Chiefs on Sunday and Mahomes suffered a knee injury.  With KC now eliminated from the playoffs Mahomes might sit the rest of the season, though we do not know the extent of the injury at the time I am writing his.  KC drops to 6-8 and will miss the playoffs for the first time in Mahomes career. The Bills will remain the only team to play in the Super Bowl four years in a row.  It just was not the Chiefs year from the start.  They began 0-2, then 2-3, and were trying to play catch up all season.  The run of three Super Bowls in a row and five of the last six likely took a physical toll on many of the key players who have been there.  They basically have played seven seasons over the last six years because of all the playoff games.  KC might need to do some rebuilding in the offseason.  Kelcie is in the final year of his contract and will likely retire. They still have an elite coach/QB combo, so I expect they will bounce back next year.  

Rivers started the game for the Colts and threw a TD pass for the first time in five years! Unfortunately for the Colts it was not enough as they lost to Seattle 18-16.

Some other teams that lost on Sunday were the Jets, Giants, Browns, Raiders, Panthers, Lions, Cardinals, Bengals, Titans, and Patriots. The Broncos Packers game is in the 4th; Denver has 34-26 lead. 

Edit: The Broncos beat the Packers and with that win the Broncos are now in the playoffs.  Rams also clinched a playoff spot when they beat the Lions. In the Sunday Night game, the Vikings beat the Cowboys 34-26, making the Cowboys playoff chances very slim. 

On 12/11/2025 at 9:33 PM, sensei8 said:

Mahomes seems to me that he’s the most dangerous when he’s forced in a corner. I sure am not counting the Chiefs out as of yet.

How about them Chiefs!!

(Normally I end my posts in the football thread by supporting the team from Arlington, TX but not until next season…maybe!!)

Problem is that KC does not control their own destiny.  Even if they run the table, that would not be enough, they need some other things to fall into place.  

12 hours ago, DarthPenguin said:

This one shocked me when i saw it - do they genuinely think that a 4yrs retired Rivers is better than anyone else available? Apparently his familiarity in the system as he worked in that offence for years is part of the reason behind it

Rivers has been singed to the Colts practice squad.  He was a 2026 Hall of Fame semifinalist but if he joins the active roster, I guess that means he has to wait another five years before being HOF eligible again.  Wild.  Their game in Seattle on Sunday is big for both teams; it would be crazy if he were to play.

Several other games this week that are big for both teams including Lions/Rams, Packers/Broncos, Chargers/Chiefs, and Dolphins/Steelers.  Dolphins and Chiefs need to win, or they will be eliminated.  Dolphins at a 1% chance of making the playoffs, Chiefs at 11%. Other teams just hanging on are the Cowboys at 10% Bengals at 3% and the Vikings at 1%. 

The following teams are eliminated: Browns, Titans, Raiders, Jets, Cardinals, Commanders, Giants, Saints, and Falcons. 

Tis the season. 

The Colts are going to work out.... wait for it.... keep waiting.... little longer.... Phillip Rivers!!  Yes, after Daniel Jones had a season ending injury on Sunday, the Colts have decided to bring in the retired, 44-year-old Rivers for a workout.  Rivers last played in the 2020 season, that was also for the Colts, and he could be their starting QB on Sunday when they host the Seahawks.  After an 8-2 start the Colts have lost three in a row and their chances of winning the division now have dropped down to only 7%. Could the former Colts QB who has not played in almost five years be their saving grace?? 

Just when you think you have seen it all, the crazy side of the NFL strikes again!! 

I've had it with Dan Campbell and this stupid 4th down garbage.  Kick the field goal. 

Turkey Day football kicks off in less than 24 hours.  Here are the matchups for this year.

Green Bay at Detroit - 1pm eastern on FOX

Kansas City at Dallas -4:30pm eastern on CBS and Paramount +

Baltimore at Cincinnati - 5:20pm eastern on NBC

Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble 

Tuesdays with Morrie was a short read, did it in two sittings.  What to read next....

Raiders fired OC Chip Kelly on Monday following yet another lackluster performance on Sunday when they lost to the Browns.  Pete Carroll said "I think we can do better," while Max Crosby said "it was time for a change."  Raiders are on a five-game losing streak and are 2-9.  They have a chance to get a win on Sunday when the visit the Chargers.  I know it is unlikely, but how unlikely was it for the Cowboys to beat the Eagles? 

Josh Allen was sacked eight times in the Bills loss to the Texans on Thursday.  The team looked frustrated as they have a losing road record (2-3) including losses to the Falcons and dreadful Dolphins.  If the Patriots beat the struggling Bengals on Sunday, it would put them 2 1/2 games up on the Bills after 12 weeks.  Who would have predicted that back in September? 

Some winners from Tuesday were the Jets, Lightning, Sabers, Ducks, Red Wings, and Hurricanes with several games going on right now.  Knights, Blackhawks, Islanders, and Sharks all have the lead. 

21 hours ago, bushido_man96 said:

Is he from the Dominican or somewhere like that?  

He was born in the Dominican Republic and I think spends at least part of the offseason there. 

Full meltdown by Raiders fans after the ugly blowout loss to the Cowboys.  It is an embarassing night on Monday for the Raiders who were defeated at home 33-16 against a Cowboys team that has struggled badly and has the worst run defense in the NFL.  The Raiders only ran their rookie RB, their top pick, six times.  After the game Pete Carrol was asked about giving more playing time to the young guys and said, "I don't know how to coach that way, we are trying to win games."  It has been a miserable season for the Raiders with many fans saying the team looks uninspired and not prepared.  Is Pete Carroll on the hot seat? Is it time to move on from Carroll and find someone new after only one season?  It might be.  The Raiders are 2-9, have lost four in a row, and are one of the worst teams in the league.  Coach Carroll has a chance to end the losing streak on Sunday when the Raiders host the dreadful Cleveland Browns.  

Alright, let's break it down.  We are 11 weeks into the season and here are the current seedings.  I've added a number in parentheses that is the statistical  probability that team will make the playoffs.  

NFC.

1. Eagles (99%) 2. Rams (99%) 3. Bears (69%) 4. Bucs (85%) 5. Seahawks (91%) 6. Packers (73%) 7. 49ers (85%) and there are two teams on the bubble Lions (74%) and Panthers (21%)

AFC

1. Broncos (96%) 2. Patriots (97%) 3. Colts (90%) 4. Steelers (39%) 5. Bills (93%) 6. Chargers (60%) 7. Jaguars (64%) and the teams on the bubble Texans (30%) Chiefs (52%) Ravens (77%)

While no team is mathematically eliminated of yet, if your team is not listed the chances of them making the playoffs are very low. Of the teams not listed, the two NFC teams with the best chance of making the playoffs are the Cowboys (6%) and the Vikings (5%).  In the AFC it is the Dolphins (1%). 

The Titans have the lowest chance of making it, under 1%, and if they lose on Sunday they will be eliminated. 

Remember that the % is to make the playoffs, not to keep the current seeding.