Saints vs. Bucs

The Saints lost. It's the end of the world. This team is in ruins. What's wrong with the offense? Can the defense stop anyone on 3rd down? The Saints can't win a playoff game, etc. etc. etc.

Man, what a difference a week makes. A week ago, the Saints were the NFL media darlings. One loss and everyone's picking them apart. Nevermind that they've still got the top record in the NFC and the NFC playoff will most likely still have to go through New Orleans. No, ESPN and other media outlets have moved on, they like the Eagles or the Cowboys better now.

Well, good for them. The bandwagon was too full of the not real fans anyway. So the undefeated season is gone, so what? The big goals are still out there and that starts this week. With a win against the Bucs, the Saints will clinch homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. You can't take that away from them. And fans will no longer have to wonder if Coach Payton would rest starters in the last game against Carolina. That game wouldn't matter.

I think the Saints will come out on fire this week. They smashed the Bucs last time they played and this time could be even worse. The Saints don't have to prove anything to anyone, but they will. They'll show that this is still the top offense in the league and that the Superdome is the toughest place in the NFL to play.

Prediction:
Saints 42
Bucs 10

Doctor Who: The End of Time

David Tennant's run as the Doctor is coming to an end:

I wish it was Christmas today

Can't beat the original though:

Saints vs. Cowboys

The Saints will play one of the most anticipated games of the season on Saturday when the Dallas Cowboys come to town. The 13-0 Saints will be looking to keep their perfect record going, while Dallas is playing for its playoff lives.

The Superdome will be rocking for the national television audience on the NFL Network, and Saints fans will be practicing for next month's playoff games. If the Saints get two more wins or Minnesota drops two games, the road to the Superbowl will pass through the Big Easy.

Prediction:
Saints 38
Cowboys 27

Lost Rewatch: Week 27

As the Lost Rewatch winds down to the end of season 5, the anticipation for season 6 continues to build. There are rumors of new promos coming to ABC (remember that the Lost producers aren't planning to show any season 6 footage, so these promos have to be creative, as Doc Jensen blogged about this week). And speaking of Doc Jensen, I'm not sure when this was posted, but it ties into the Lost Rewatch: Doc Jensen's season 5 report card.

Now onto this week in the Rewatch:

Dead is Dead (Zap2It Recap)

• GulfCoastOffense's original recap. LongLiveLocke's original recap.
• Flashback focuses on Ben just after he was healed by the Others in 1977, stealing Alex in 1989 and banishing Widmore from the island.
• Ben is surprised to see the 815ers in the DHARMA Initiative photo. How much of his memory was lost when Richard healed him? He doesn't remember any of them in DHARMA (or is he lying again), what else doesn't he remember?
• Christian told Sun that Locke would help her get to Jin. How is this going to happen. With Locke being the Man in Black, has Christian been working for him all this time? Is Christian Smokey or is Locke/Man in Black Smokey? Locke always seemed to be off somewhere else when Smokey was appearing.
• How does Ethan join the Others? When he goes with Ben to kill Rousseau, DHARMA is still active on the island. Also, Ben tells Rousseau to run the other way whenever she hears whispers, is this confirmation that the whispers are the Others?
  

Some Like It Hoth (Zap2It Recap)

• GulfCoastOffense's original recap. LongLiveLocke's original recap.
• Flashback focuses on Miles, first learning of his ability as a child, when his mom was ill, being recruited by Naomi, using his con-skills on a father and being recruited by Bram.
  
• Hurley and Miles can both talk to the dead, but in different ways. Miles is able to read their last thoughts, while Hurley interacts with them. All along, I thought Hurley's ability was just part of his mental state, but it may very well be an ability. So how are they both able to talk to the dead? How did Miles get this ability (being born on the island or an experiment by his father)?
• Shadow of the Statue group ... how do they know so much? Bram knew where Miles was headed, knew about Miles' father and his ability. He told him that he's playing for the wrong team. So are their three fractions battling over the island (Bram's group, Ben and Widmore)? This group has ties to Jacob, but how and why are yet unknown.
• How long was Daniel in Michigan and what has he been doing all that time?
  

The Variable (Zap2It Recap)

• GulfCoastOffense's original recap. LongLiveLocke's original recap.
• Flashback focuses on Faraday and his relationship with his mother. We also get to see Widmore pay him a visit and invite him to join the freighter group.
• Little Daniel is good at piano, could he have been the one who set the code in The Looking Glass station to the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations." Many fans speculate that it was Daniel, but when would he have done this?
  
• Remember a few episodes ago when Charlotte was testing Daniel's memory with playing cards? This is explained in this episode because Widmore told him that his memory would be fixed on the island.
  
• Did Daniel know that his mom would shoot him? He was defiant when he walked into the Others camp and didn't back down when confronting Richard. Perhaps he knew it had to play out this way, even though he does seem surprised when he puts the pieces together that his mom knew that she knew his entire life that she kills him in 1977.
• Why didn't Hawking try to change things? Why not push Daniel toward music instead of pushing him so hard toward his destiny in science and math? Was she ultimately protecting the island or does she still know something that we don't?
  
• We learn in a few episodes that Ellie was actually the leader of the Others and not Widmore. When did she leave the island and why? She tells Penny that for the first time in a while, she doesn't know what happens next. How did she know how everything would play out anyway?
  

The Big Four

Metallica has announced that the rumors are true and the "The Big Four" are indeed playing together.

Now, Metallica playing with Anthrax and/or Slayer, while still a big show, isn't that newsworthy, but Metallica sharing a stage with Dave Mustain's Megadeth is huge. Any Metallica fan knows that Dave was the original guitarist in Metallica and Lars and James kicked him out just before they recorded "Kill 'em All." Kirk Hammett was brought on board and the rest is metal history.

To say that Metallica and Mustain had a rocky relationship from there would be putting it lightly. So for them to be in concert together is historic and shows the materity that these guys have gone through over the years.

Now fans can only hope that "The Big Four" make it to the states.

Lost Season 5 DVD: DHARMA Initiative Orientation Kit

You may have seen last week's post about me winning the season 5 DHARMA Initiative Orientation Kit from LongLiveLocke ... so what exactly is this orientation kit?

I haven't received the DVDs yet, but many bloggers have gotten a chance to review the set. The above picture shows everything that's included in the kit and Zap2It's Lost blog has a good Q&A about the set, if you are considering buying them yourself. And as always, don't forget to check out Doc Jensen's latest at EW.com. He's posting weekly again through season 6!

Also, check out the extended "Amazing Grace" season 6 trailer:

13-0!!! Who Dat!?!?

It was closer than it should have been, but in the end, the Saints stay perfect!

Saints at Falcons

This week the Saints put their 12-0 record on the line could get the franchise record for wins in the regular season as they take on the Atlanta Falcons.

Last week New Orleans basically pulled off a miracle in coming away with a victory over the Redskins. They needed a little luck along the way, but ultimately in this league, you make your own luck and this team is very good, so the lucky breaks keep coming their way.

Speaking of lucky breaks, the Saints appear to be catching the Falcons at a good time. Both Matt Ryan and Michael Turner are questionable and will be game-time decisions. One or both may try to give it a go and play, since the Falcons are hanging by a thread in the NFC playoff race. At any rate, you have to really like the Saints chances to go 13-0.

I think the Saints would like to make a statement and show that their close call against the Redskins was more of a fluke. If they pick up a convincing victory on the road to their biggest rival, it should keep them going heading into a bigger contest next Saturday night on national television against the Cowboys.

The Saints secondary is still banged up, but if Chris Redman is behind center for the dirty birds, I don't see the Falcons being able to take advantage. If Michael Turner is able to go, he could cause headaches for the Saints' front seven, as he went over 100 yards the last time these teams played. Despite Turner's efforts though, the Saints were able to take the Falcons out 35-27. I don't see this week's game being as competitive.

The Saints offense is on fire right now and since the week 5 bye, their lowest scoring game has been 28 points against the Rams. Robert Meachem has been on a tear, and I see Jeremy Shockey getting more involved this week. The team should also try to get the running game back on track after stumbling in that area against Washington.

Prediction:
Saints 33
Falcons 13

Lost Rewatch: Week 26

I need to start off this week by giving a shout-out to e at LongLiveLocke. During the offseason, e's been having monthly contests over at her blog to kill time before season 6. Her most recent contest was for the deluxe edition of the season 5 DVDs, the limited edition DHARMA Initiative Orientation kit. Well, you'll never guess who won ... that's right, yours truly. So thank you to e for hosting the contest, but most importantly, for keeping an awesome Lost blog.

Also, if you haven't already seen it, check out the newest season 6 promo:



Now onto this week in the Rewatch:

Namaste (Zap2It Recap)

• GulfCoastOffense's original recap. LongLiveLocke's original recap.
• Episode showed what happened to the passengers on Flight 316 (Jack, Kate and Hurley in 1977 and everyone else in the present).
• The biggest question remaining is why Jack, Kate and Hurley were transported to 1977, while everyone else crash-landed in the present?
• When Flight 316 is heading for the island, you can hear the recording of the numbers over the radio. How is that possible if Rousseau changed the message and then she turned it off?
  
• The DHARMA barracks sure did look a lot worse than they should have been, even if the Others had abandoned them for three years. Is this a clue that the Losties changed things in the past?
• Radzinsky is the architect behind the Swan Station, but why was his activities down there so secretive (blast door map, anyone?), if he was one of the main members of DHARMA? What happens to him once the Swan is built that leads him to be secluded down there and ultimately blowing off his own head?
• We are reintroduced to another character, Ethan. So why's his last name Rom?
  

He's Our You (Zap2It Recap)

• GulfCoastOffense's original recap. LongLiveLocke's original recap.
• Flashback focuses on Sayid, starting our showing him kill a chicken then what he did after working for Ben and ultimate how he ended up on Flight 316.
  
• Did Illana know that her ticket to the island was to take Flight 316 and that she had to bring Sayid with her? What about her back story about being a representative of the family of the man Sayid killed on the golf course, where did she find out about that? She's part of some group that is close to Jacob, so what's her role in everything?
• Why are lines altered from the marina scene? Is this a clue about a time warp or that the Losties were able to change things?
  

Whatever Happened, Happened (Zap2It Recap)

• GulfCoastOffense's original recap. LongLiveLocke's original recap.
• Flashback focuses on Kate and her going to see Cassidy (Sawyer's last request before jumping out the helicopter) and leaving Aaron with Claire's mom.
• Kate reveals that the reason she goes back to the island is to find Claire, but we haven't seen her do much looking. I guess it's kind of hard to do in 1977.
• Kate, Sawyer and Sayid turn out to be responsible for Ben ultimately turning into the leader of the Others by their actions in 1977. I still think the Lost writers took an easy way out in cleaning up the plot by having Ben not remember anything from this incident, but it works. What did Richard or the Temple do to heal Ben? What does Juliette know of these healing powers as its her suggestion to bring Ben to the Others?
  
• Richard comments that he doesn't answer to Charles. Was it part of Jacob's plan to have Ben healed? What is the relationship between the Others' leader, Richard and Jacob? Richard is an adviser, but looks like he has the real power.
• Does Ben remember anything about being shot? If not what did they tell him happened?
  

12-Eaux!

Sometime its better to be lucky than good! And remember, don't bet against the Saints.

Saints at Redskins

The 11-0 Saints are set up for another trap game this week, when they travel to Washington on a short week. The Saints defeated New England Monday night, and will now have to go on the road against a team that has nothing to lose.

With all that said, who doubts that Sean Payton and Drew Brees won't have the team focused and prepared to play?

There's already lots of talk among fans and media about the team going undefeated. But the team says that they are focused on winning one game at a time.

Normally, coaches may rest their players for the playoffs and not push for a perfect season, but the Saints are only one game ahead of the Vikings for the top seed in the NFC playoffs. So New Orleans will need to keep winning to maintain home field advantage. That should be focus enough for the team to take care of business this week in Washington.

Prediction:
Saints 31
Redskins 16

SEC Bowl Lineup Taking Shape, LSU Likely Headed to Capital One

Media outlets across the SEC are reporting that the SEC bowl lineup has been decided. Here's The Baton Rouge Advocate's report on where SEC teams are headed:

• BCS Title Game: SEC Championship Game Winner (Florida or Alabama) vs. BCS #2 (likely Texas)
• Sugar Bowl: SEC Championship Game Loser (Florida or Alabama) vs. BCS Selection (likely Cincinnati)
• Capital One Bowl: LSU vs. Iowa or Penn State
• Outback Bowl: Auburn vs. Wisconsin or Northwestern
• Cotton Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma State
• Chick-fil-A Bowl: Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech
• Liberty Bowl: Arkansas vs. Conference USA Champ (Houston or East Carolina)
• Music City Bowl: Kentucky vs. ACC (likely North Carolina or Miami)
• Independence Bowl: Georgia vs. Iowa State or Texas A&M
  
• PapaJohn.com Bowl: South Carolina vs. UConn or South Florida
  

Best Lost Promo Ever?

Check out Doc Jensen's take on what some are calling the best Lost promo ever, or watch the video yourself:

Second Family Guy Star Wars Special

Lost Rewatch: Week 25 (and Doc Jensen)

Lost fans, the Lost Rewatch is back this week after taking a short break for Thanksgiving. Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday. Before continuing with a look back at season 5, I have some good news for Lost fans ... Doc Jensen is back! Well, he technically never left, but he's once again posting weekly columns about Lost at EW.com. Check out his first post about the upcoming season, where he previews season 6 and talks about the move to Tuesday nights, or this week's article on the Groundhog Day Conspiracy. Now onto this week in the Rewatch:

316 (Zap2It Recap)

• GulfCoastOffense's original recap. LongLiveLocke's original recap.
• Episode shows how the members of the Oceanic 6 returned to the island.
• We are introduced to the Lamp Post, off island DHARMA station, but all we know is that its the station that DHARMA used to locate the island and that it was created by someone clever. How did DHARMA originally learn about the island? Who is the clever person who created the Lamp Post (Faraday?)?
• To get back, the group had to recreate as much of the original flight as possible. Why was this a requirement?
• A few more questions: What else does the island need Desmond for? Who else knows about the Lamp Post? Why did Jack, Hurley and Kate appear in the 1970s?
  

The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham (Zap2It Recap)

• GulfCoastOffense's original recap. LongLiveLocke's original recap.
• This episode shows what happened to Locke after he turned the donkey wheel and tried to persuade everyone to come back.
• It's safe to assume (or is it?) that this is the first time that we see "Man in Black" posing as Locke. (Unless he started posing as Locke sooner, as some fans have speculated).
  
• How long has Widmore been monitoring the exit point in Tunisia and why wasn't he monitoring it when Ben was dropped there? When did Locke tell Jack that Ben was off the island?
  
• Walt tells Locke about his dream, seeing Locke on the beach in a suit and people surrounding him who want to hurt him. Did Walt just describe episode 1 of next season?
  
• We still aren't sure who the good guys really are. Ben keeps telling everyone that they are the good guys, but everything Widmore says and does seems to also be for the good. Who can really be trusted?
  

LaFleur (Zap2It Recap)

• GulfCoastOffense's original recap. LongLiveLocke's original recap.
• This episode shows what happened once the island stopped jumping and the group adapting to living in 1970s DHARMA.
• Horace is now with Amy. When we originally met Horace it was implied that he and Olivia were together. So where is Olivia now?
• In the 1970s, DHARMA brought all the pregnant women off island to deliver, but Juliette is successful in delivering Amy's baby. Sawyer assumes that the child birth issue hasn't started yet, but why do they bring the women off island then? When does the child birth issue start?
• A few more questions: When was the statue constructed and who built it? How is Richard able to get by the sonic fence? Why does he need Amy's husband's body to prove the truce is still on? (Does it have something to do with dead bodies coming back to life on the island?)
  

Saints 11-0!

WHO DAT?!?!?!