Anderson costs Browns,Devils win

Rarely can you say that one player loses a game in sports, but yesterday in windy Cincinnati-Derek Anderson did just that and with it could cost the Cleveland Browns a playoff spot.

The Bengals' 19-14 win over Cleveland was pretty much all due to the poor play of Anderson as both Bengal touchdowns were short TD drives that were set by Anderson interceptions late in the first half.
The drives of 5 and 20 yards were to be the only touchdowns of the day for Cincinnati and proved to be the difference in the game.
But that was not all for Anderson, as twice he was picked off in the Bengal red zone to end scoring threats.
If both those drives end in field goals-Browns win.

Other things added up as well.
Dave Zastidil dropped a snap on a field goal attempt and Braylon Edwards was called for offensive pass interference on the final drive that ended with Anderson's pass falling helplessly to the turf.

However, one other issue must be addressed-the poor clock management on the last possession.
Too much time wasted calling plays at the line of scrimmage and not spiking the ball likely resulted in at least 2 and maybe as many as 4 plays lost at the game's end.
I don't know whether to blame Anderson or the coaching staff for this, but either way, that definitely needs working on.

The defense allowed a bunch of yards to Bengal backup Kenny Watson, but I didn't think that really mattered much and the Bengals did not score a TD off a sustained drive all day.

The Browns now have to rely on the Indianapolis Colts to defeat the Tennessee Titans Sunday night for a trip to the playoffs.
Even though the teams are tied, the Browns game next week at home vs San Francisco is essentially meaningless, everything rides on the Titans-Colts game.

The Browns had their chance to control their destiny and could not finish the job and even a win next week to finish at a surprising 10-6 cannot take away the loss of luster off a season that could have been so much better.
3 road losses by less than a touchdown each to teams with losing records could haunt Browns fans all off-season.
Let's go Colts!!

If you like top-notch goaltending, then you would have loved the New Jersey Devils 1-0 overtime win over the Calgary Flames.
Marty Brodeur and Mikka Kiprusoff each made amazing saves and stopped great scoring chances by each team and the game was an exciting one.
This was a game to show the "finesse" 6-5 hockey fans that 1-0 games are not always dull and boring.
Patrik Elias stripped the puck from Craig Conroy seconds into overtime, played tic tac toe with Brian Gionta before sliding the puck past Kiprusoff for the game-winner and Elias' 8th goal of the year.
The shutout for Brodeur was his 95th of all time and moved him into sole possession of second place on the all-time shutout list in breaking his tie with George Hainsworth.
The Devils return to action Friday vs the Buffalo Sabres.....

Bullpen Notes

I am sure you will read more about this as the week goes on, but the NFL needs to address this "resting players for the playoffs" issue.
The Colts have announced that Peyton Manning will play the first half at most against Tennessee Sunday night.
The NFL needs to tell these teams that the schedule is 16 games for a reason and making the last game a glorified exhibition game makes the league look like a joke.

I have had people ask me why I am a Democrat when I vote for both parties and not a straight party ticket.
Basically, it is so I can vote in Presidential primaries.
If Maryland had the same rule as New Hampshire, where Independents can vote in the primary of their choice- I would be happy to register as an Independent.

In case that I do not post tomorrow-Merry Christmas to everyone!

Photo Credits
Anderson=Tom Uhlman-AP Photo
Hill-Otto Greule-Getty images
Gionta-Larry MacDougal-Canadian Press