New Year's Day used to be the best day in sports, before the BCS.

Some years, there'd be as many as three or four bowl games affecting the national championship, and sometimes we might even get a split decision!

Whining about subjectivity aside, the flawed old bowl system gave us a day full of meaningful games. Today they are precisely as you describe them - watered down exhibitions.

There's no incentive, aside from parochial rooting interest, to really pay attention any more.

San Diego is back. LT is finally healthy (and Antonio Gates to boot). Expect a Chargers win.

Also think Cardinals will find a way to beat Atlanta.

Think the other two will go as you predict.

Happy New Year, King!

Was it Madden who called this matchup a divisional rivalry? These teams know each other pretty well. Colts won the game in San Diego earlier this year. If it comes down to a field goal the edge goes to Vinateri, but wait, didn't Naeding just kick a 57 yarder?

That gives the Chargers some hope, but Naeding seldom drives the kickoff into the end zone, and the Colts have a decent return game. Watch how many times the Colts start a series outside the 30 or the 40 yard line. You simply cannot give Manning that kind of field position.

Next year the Bolts need a kickoff specialist. This game will a lot closer than it needs to be. Forecast for rain. That might actually favor the Chargers passing game, they have (3) viable TE's.

Colts D did not gell late this year.

Norv may have a few faults, but unlike Marty S, his playbook won't be on the third iteration. Chargers may have a few surprises.

And being a one point home dog, thats your motivational speech. Bolts by 7.

No MLB Network. Oh well. I'm tempted to sign up for cable if it means I get to see things like Larsen's perfect game on a regular basis. That would be pretty cool.

I didn't watch the hockey game, though I wish I did. I had some bowl game or other on during the afternoon, and kept not caring despite a long history of enjoying New Year's Day specifically because of the bowl games. To the extent that I did pay attention, it was clear that the announcers felt the same way, except they were required to feign excitement. Their insistent rumble about how "special" it all was rang hollow, particularly when Todd Blackledge offered his recipe for making New Year's Day "mean something again." Oops, did he really say that?

But, of course, it was true. The BCS is bad enough, but the whole, spread 'em out until practically February doesn't help. Years past, today was the day when college football was done, or maybe there would be one last game tonight. But January 5th, January 8th? WTF? That's pro playoffs time.

I will say this: Sanchez can throw the ball. And Stafford too. Damn.

Where are the kid's football picks, King?

--"Daddy, no more coin flips from ME 'till I get Chocolate Milk WHENEVER I want it!"--Daisy

--"Dad, I want a quarter for EVERY pick I make!"--Buster

--"We want our own office with 50" TVs, Satellite Radios, Hig Definition DVD players, a snack bar with all our favorite snacks and Lounge Chairs!"--The Kids

And from the start of the pre-game festivities through the end of the first period, it was the best sporting event I've ever been to. The crowd was awesome, the atmosphere was electric, everyone simultaneously thinking to themselves "this is reall, really cool."

Then the Hawks decided that they could lay down against Detroit with a two goal lead, and Detroit made them pay. Maybe it's Wrigley Field that's cursed, and not the Cubs. It is built on a seminary, after all.

But yes, I agree that the NHL has outmaneuvered college football to take over New Years' Day, and I'm not all that upset about it.

I just heard Costas say on MLB Network that no sport lends itself better to a 24/7, 365 day network than baseball. He may be right because baseball probably has more obsessive compulsive fans than any other sport.

If they do it right with content (including the airing and discussion of controversial topics like the obscenity of the Yankee payroll) and on air personalities, MLB Network could evolve into a serious competitive threat to ESPN in the long run.

Sorry I can't resist but...

Hockey mentioned in Salon sports?

I'm still rubbing my eyes!

I couldn't understand building a roofless stadium for the Twins when baseball likes to start the season in late March and the playoffs go through late October (will the home plate umpires have little snow shovels?). I saw no need for a U of Minnesota football stadium when the Metrodome works just fine. I see the silver lining now: in a couple years, the Minnesota Wild will have a facility to host the Winter Classic.

you are right about the bowl games. The bloom is off even the Rose Bowl. I can't imagine the MLB network is any better though, I guess you are trying to stir up some controversy but try as I might I can't think of a reason to disagree with you. Except in my opinion a game of soccer is better than a game of baseball. Wait I didn't mean that, I am just depressed about college football. The only thing worse than soccer is college lacrosse maybe.

As to the NFL, I think it speaks volumes that the road team is favored in every game. Volumes of what, I will leave to you guys to decide. Going on the theory that the favored team has to lose at least half the time, I am going to take the Chargers (as long as LT is healthy) and the Vikings at home, and the Falcons and Ravens on the road.

Although I would not be surprised in the least to see Norv Turner blow the game, he is clearly the worst coach still working. I would also not be surprised to see Adrian Peterson fumble in the fourth quarter, thus costing the Vikings the game. I would also not be surprised to see Kurt Warner go off, although that seem less likely than my other two not to be surpriseds. The one thing that would surprise me would be a Dolphins win.

My super bowl pick, Carolina and Tennessee. I know, not really going out on a limb, but Tennessee looks unstoppable to me and NY cannot go all the way without Plaxico.

And I will say Tennessee for the championship.