Free Republic

This week we wish a happy 90th birthday to New Orleans Saints coaching legend Jim Mora, who successfully led the team to its first playoff appearance in 1986 and its first division title five years later. Born May 24, 1935, in Glendale, California, Mora graduated from Occidental College. His roommate was future Congressman and presidential candidate Jack Kemp. Mora later became head coach at his alma mater, before coaching at other colleges and then joining the professional coaching ranks with the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. Mora was hired by legendary Saints General Manager Jim Finks after two years...

The only thing hotter than a ticket for the Bills-Chiefs AFC title game might be football fans' hatred for referees' perceived partiality toward the Chiefs. I caught wind of a penalty trend from Warren Sharp (Sharp Football Analysis) via ESPN and had to see for myself just how rare it was historically. Turns out, Kansas City is in rare air. The Chiefs have gone 11 straight playoff games without committing more penalties than their opponents, the longest streak by any team in the last 30 years. The only teams with longer streaks in playoff history were the 1970-82 Dolphins (18)...

Fool's Ball, Conference Championships!!!!!!!!!! Your home for all things Fool's Ball! In Memoriam Danny Lee (BENDER2)

Fool's Ball Divisional Round!!!!!!!!!! Your home for all things Fool's Ball! In Memoriam Danny Lee (BENDER2)

Fool's Ball Wildcard Weekend!!!!!!!!!! Your home for all things Fool's Ball! In Memoriam Danny Lee (BENDER2)

ATLANTA -- — The Mets are headed to the postseason after Francisco Lindor's two-run homer in the ninth capped a wild back-and-forth over the final two innings, giving New York an 8-7 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday in the opener of a makeup doubleheader squeezed in before the start of the playoffs. Atlanta would also earn a wild-card berth by winning the second game, which would eliminate Arizona. If the Mets sweep, the Diamondbacks would get in at the Braves' expense. The Braves led 3-0 heading to the eighth behind rookie starter Spencer Schwellenbach, but that was long...

We have our theory as to how we got here: The relative incompetence of the NFL refs combined with the league's sudden embracing of gambling has created skepticism about the legitimacy of game results. In other words, some NFL fans are now habitually accusing the league of "rigging" games - especially, of course, when that fan either loses by way of his team's failure, or loses a bet. And now comes the AFC Championship Game, with the selection of the officiating crew for the Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens showdown ... and a respected NFL analyst floating the idea...

Fool's Ball: Divisional Round Your home for all things Fool's Ball! In Memoriam Danny Lee (BENDER2)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had his helmet shattered on a hit from Miami Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott during Saturday night's frigid AFC wild-card playoff game. The Chiefs still won 26-7. With a game-time temperature of minus-4 degrees Fahrenheit, the game was the fourth-coldest in NFL history, and it was unclear whether the temperature made the shell of Mahomes' helmet more brittle than usual. Regardless, the reigning league MVP was left with a fist-sized chunk of plastic missing from just above his left eye after the clash of helmets on a 13-yard scramble deep in Dolphins territory. Rarely do...

Fool's Ball: Wildcard Weekend Your home for all things Fool's Ball! In Memoriam Danny Lee (BENDER2)

If the Dolphins had beaten the Bills in Week 18, they'd be getting ready to play a wild-card game in the balmy weather of Miami, but due to their loss, they're now headed to Kansas City for what will likely be the coldest game in franchise history. When the Dolphins and Chiefs kick off on Saturday night, the temperature is expected to be around 3 degrees with a wind chill approaching -30, according to the National Weather Service. If that projection holds up, then this will become the coldest game that the Dolphins have ever played in, which isn't great...

Washington Huskies fans don't have much faith in beating No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl to advance to the national championship. Washington is the only College Football Playoff team that has yet to sell all of its national championship ticket allotment. How do we know this? The Huskies sent out an email reminding donors and season-ticket holders that tickets are still available. Washington has a 20,000 ticket allotment for its fans if the Huskies reach hte national championship game. Fans can claim those tickets, which will be refunded if Washington fails to reach the national championship. It's pretty sad...

Who had Tommy DeVito and Zach Wilson on their ‘NFL Players of the Week’ bingo card? Heading into Week 14 of the NFL, there was zero “superstar” talk when it came to New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito and New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson. I mean, yeah, there was your average talk about both being the starters for their respective teams — nothing more, nothing less. But that was about it. Now? Both of them are all over the news after winning the NFL‘s Offensive Players of the Week, with DeVito winning it in the NFC and Wilson getting...

I'm completely embarrassed by the dismal performance by Dave Roberts and the Dodgers. They'll always be my team but this was disgusting.

Super Bowl LVII: Live Thread Your home for all things Fool's Ball! In Memoriam Danny Lee (BENDER2)

Fool's Ball Conference Championships! Your home for all things Fool's Ball! In Memoriam Danny Lee (BENDER2)

Fool's Ball Divisional Round! Your home for all things Fool's Ball! In Memoriam Danny Lee (BENDER2)

The Phoenix Suns announced that they will honor Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner with a No. 42 decal on their home floor at Footprint Center for the remainder of the NBA playoffs. Griner is still detained in Russia after being taken into custody in February. Customs officials alleged they found vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil in her possession as she went through security at a Moscow-area airport. In March, a Russian state-owned news agency TASS reported that Griner was expected to remain in custody until at least May 19. ESPN's T.J. Quinn also reported that month that Griner faces...

Super Bowl LVI Live Thread Your home for all things Fool's Ball! In Memoriam Danny Lee (BENDER2)

Fool's Ball Conference Championships!!!! Your home for all things Fool's Ball! In Memoriam Danny Lee (BENDER2)