Your “The Devil You Know” Wednesday Evening Open Thread

NFL News:

• Shockingly, the owners approved the new playoff format.
  • It’s one extra wild-card game per conference.
  • Using MATH, nfl.com worked out that the move to 14 playoff teams means 43.7 percent of all NFL teams would qualify for the postseason, compared to 33.3 percent in MLB (33.3), 51.6 in NHL and 53.3 in NBA.

• Even more shocking, Tom Brady has ended up with the #12 in Tampa.
  • Former wearer Chris Godwin volunteered the number with no apparent compensation given in return.
    • “He’s the GOAT,” Godwin said, who will now wear #14.
      • Quarterbacks Vinny Testaverde, Brad Johnson and Ryan Fitzpatrick are the most notable No. 14s in team history.
  • Hopefully, this ties in with the news the Bucs are revealing their new uniforms next Tuesday.

• Despite long odds, the league is still planning on starting on time, running a full 16-game schedule plus the international games.
  • The schedule of games will likely be released on or around May 9.
  • The only concrete date is the Super Bowl, which is fixed for February 7, 2021 in Tampa.

• Speaking of undelayed timelines, the draft is still scheduled for three weeks from now.
  • Friend of the site DrawPlayDave has some very good opinions on this:

The NFL has a tough choice coming pic.twitter.com/4LrwTJMbTm

— Dave Rappoccio (@DrawPlayDave) April 1, 2020

Today’s good internet dog is Sunny, a six-year-old Golden Retriever who delivers groceries from her owner’s house to the senior next door.

HERO OF THE DAY: This golden retriever is helping his elderly neighbor practice social distancing by picking up her shopping list, giving it to his owner, and then delivering her bags of groceries https://t.co/PVt3piQOP4 pic.twitter.com/7zaC78GIyM

— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 1, 2020

Again, using the notion that dogs cannot transmit the disease between humans, Sunny’s owner does the shopping for the neighbour, who delivers her list via Sunny, who then returns later once the owner has done the shopping.

In the absence of actual sports, I’ve decided that we need to relive the glory that was MXC.

For those of you too young, or too old, to remember, MXC was a show on SpikeTV where mainly Japanese people compete is various obstacle course like activities. The events were very challenging and often involve people taking some very nasty bumps. The show was called Takeshi’s Castle in Japan and episodes of this show have been dubbed over in English with hilarious commentary and other voice work. ^{(Urban Dictionary)}

Anyway, let’s start with Episode 1 – Meat Handlers vs. Cartoon Voice Actors.

Oh yeah, that takes me back. Future episodes will pop up on [DFO]’s newly christened “MXC Mondays”.

Tonight’s … entertainment?:

• Wrasslin’:
  • AEW Dynamite – 8:00PM | TNT / TSN2
  • NXT – 8:00PM | USA
    • a few more “Raod To Wrestlemania” matches plus storyline builds.
• Forged in Fire – 9:00 PM | HIST
  • In a throwback to the Iron Age, four smiths must forge daggers as if they were in 650 B.C., relying solely on coal forges and brute force to get the job done.
• Very Cavallari – 10:00 PM | BRAVO  
  • Kristin and Jay’s friends show up in Italy and bring the party with them. The crew embarks on a wine-fueled romp through the Italian country-side, having a fabulous time along the way. But conflict erupts when a drunken Justin starts flirting with another man.

In Canada, running all day but starting at 8:00PM ET, TSN3 will be replaying some of the “The Ocho” broadcasting, including Dodgeball, Highland Games coverage from Vegas, and the World Tetris Championships.

Now – go forth & commentate!