Everybody keeps asking. Who do ya think is gonna win? Who you going with on Sunday? Who's going to win the Super Bowl? I don't think you're going to like my answer.
Let's be clear, the number one thing I hate about sports talk radio is predicting games. We do it on the show (quite often tongue in cheek) for entertainment, but I'm not a gambler and I never claim any inside info on games. There's nothing enjoyable about the radio host that gives you his "locks" of the week or offers his thoughts on the lines for a particular game. Even worse is “I called it" guy. You know the type that can't wait to tell you over an over again that he knew what was going to happen and as if predicting a win somehow played a role in getting that win.
All that being said, I will make a prediction for Super Bowl XLV. That prediction is PAIN! With apologies to Clubber Lang from Rocky III who made that phrase famous, I think this Super Bowl is going to hurt....a lot!
I'm not talking about James Harrison or Clay Matthews knocking the spit out of opposing player’s kind of pain (although that will occur). Nope I'm talking about a pain that won't go away with an ice bath, a numbing pain killer shot or even surgery and rehab. This Super Bowl will leave the kind of pain that will hurt all over and last a long time. Maybe even years.
The NFL is poised for a work stoppage after the end of this season. The owners and players association have not been able to agree on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement for the past two years. The deadline isn't actually until March, but in reality the NFL as we know it will stop after Super Bowl XLV. No free agency, no signing draft picks and no trades. NO FOOTBALL.
I can go on and on about billionaires versus millionaires, or killing the golden goose, but why bother. Both sides have known about this for too long to not have the framework for a new deal in place. I cannot empathize; I have little in common with either side, except a love for the game. I have no interest in waiting to see who will blink first.
There will be a winner Sunday in North Texas. There will be a whole lot more losers everywhere else as this season sees its final curtain. You don't know what you got, until it's gone. Sadly we are going to find out all about that adage after the final whistle of Super Bowl 45. So if you want my prediction for the big game here it is: I want a tie! Overtime rules be dammed! Low scoring, high scoring, I don't care. I just need a tie that keeps the players on the field and that doesn't allow the game to end. "No pain no gain" is a great catchphrase, but I like this one better..."no end no pain!" Enjoy the game everybody.
