From my grandfather's passing to football..

....that's me, master of the segue.

Y'know, I didn't really do my dear departed Papa justice yesterday. He introduced me to football and the Washington Redskins. He held Super Bowl parties in 1982 and '83 (a Redskins win and loss) and again in 1985 for the improbable New England Patriots team that made it to The Big Game only to be trounced (badly) by the Bears. He steered me towards the Boston Red Sox instead of the Baltimore Orioles because he'd been a Washington Senators fan (and would never root for a Baltimore team). We'd spend afternoons watching baseball during the summer or, in winter, hockey. Before he died, he was high on Cam Neely and the Boston Bruins because the local Capitals were "boring to watch."

One of the saddest things I remember after his death was the Redskins' January 1988 Super Bowl win. He'd have loved that. He'd also have loved the 1991-2 Super Bowl win against Buffalo and he'd adore the Alexander Ovechkin version of the Caps.

I'll sum it up: he was a father figure to me, one of several.

On to the ballgames of week 15:

Carolina at Pittsburgh: this is not a "trap" game for the Steelers. This is a leisurely walk 'round the Monongahela River. The Steelers will rape the Panthers, figuratively of course.

Dallas at Arizona: Merry Christmas! Here's a sucky game! It's like thinking you're getting coal in your stocking Xmas morn and realizing that it's - in fact -dogshit. Cowboys.

New England at Buffalo: this could be a trap game. Pats need one more win to clinch home field and Foxboro is unkind to many, many road teams. But Buffalo doesn't roll over. Still, Pats.

NY Jets at Chicago: I think the Jets' toes will freeze in the cold, and Rex's wife will be shooting video. Oh, that's hot. ewww.. Bears.

Baltimore at Cleveland: Browns might surprise the Ravens, but the Ravens are the safe pick.

Tennessee at KC: Chiefs will win at home. Randy Moss tries out for the St Louis Blues just for fun, to see if anyone cares. Safe home, Randy

San Fran at St Louis: no one wants to win this game. 49ers.

Detroit at Miami: Lions, as the Dolphins are susceptible to a good pass rush. I think Detroit is ready to take A Big Step next season

Washington at Jacksonville: I think the Redskins will sneak one away from a lackadaisical Jacksonville team.

Indy at Oakland: Raiders are better than their record, Colts are exactly what their record says. Raiders

Houston at Denver: Texans, but no one cares. Safe home, Gary Kubiak

San Diego at Cincinnati: Chargers will win, and won't need boats to play the game.

NY Giants at Green Bay: Tough to pick against Green Bay after last weekend when they took the Patriots to the mat. Packers at home.

Seattle at Tampa Bay: I think the Seahawks might actually be motivated to make a play for the NFC West title. Maybe.

Minnesota at Philly: Philly. It'll be like walking your dog along the Schuylkill River Trail.

New Orleans at Atlanta: finally, a game that really matters. I think this will be an absolute hoot to watch. A high-scoring thriller. And the Falcons will win it.

Well, that's it for football. I might not have time to write anything tomorrow because of last-minute Xmas shopping and cooking and all of that - so to all of ya that read this crap have a safe and Happy Christmas with you and yours.

Blackford out.