Instant Hippo Thoughts – Wild Card Saturday (2023 Season)

I don’t really have much to say – but what the hell.  A Sunday morning placeholder, I guess!

NBC’s matinee was a pretty compelling football match, for about 35 minutes of play.  #ThePauls even led 14-10 in Q2!  I know, it was cray.  Back and forth, and it looked pretty even.  But then the 500s re-took the lead, and got a stop.  They were able to successfully milk the last 5 and change before half AND convert for 7.  Houston led 24-14, and would receive the opening kick in Q3.  The scene was set for a kill shot.

CJ Stroud had other 230 yards passing in the first half, and both squadrons got explosive plays downfield, from both starting and backup TEs.  I expected the aforementioned kill shot, and was a bit surprised when Houston had to punt.  Perhaps we still could have game?

Uh, no.  Kill shot delayed was NOT kill shot denied, as back to back Pick Sixes ensued.  Coldblooded rookie Stroud sank his teeth into the jugular on the late Q3/early Q4 drive, for the insurmountable 45-14 lead.  The game went into mutually agreed walkon time, earlier than any playoff game I can recall this century.  45-14 it would end, no MOAR fairytale for Mr. Elite.  Still one hell of a ride, though.  When you meet a buzzsaw, shit just happens.

Next, we fire up the tablet to stream Fins Sticks/Chefs on Peacock.  At least the quality was good, and I already subscribed for Premier League footy.  Cris even chickened out!  Princeton Red ain’t much of an upgrade, but really – he was tolerable last night.

Things I surely did not expect – placement men going 5/5 in the first half.  That’s an extra point each, and THREE Buttkicker FGs.  Mahomes had significantly better passing numbers, aside from the jump ball prayer TD that Tyreek reeled in.  Andy Reid was (somewhat predictably) WAY too cute with his playcalling, rather than giving Pacheco 40 touches off-tackle.  But medium slant/cross routes to Rashee Rice were also working, and it mostly bled the LOLfin secondary to death.

A goshdarned FOURTH placement made it 19-7.  Nothing else happened Q3, aside from Mahomes’ helmet cracking (no, not THAT helmet, Mrs. Mahomes).  By now, everyone just wanted to go home, but they made ’em finish the game out.  I quit paying attention at 26-7, though.  Pacheco got to get a score, bully FOAR him.

Sadly, no football until 4:30 on Fox (Cowpersons/Packers), followed by the Fatthew Vengeance game in Detroit (8:00, NBC).  But really…isn’t Baby Buster the one who should feel aggrieved?  Fatthew just asked for a trade, and it was granted.  Where does the vengeance come in?  I wanted to see Mad Max – Snowmageddon Edition in WNY, but I guess at least we get an MLK doubleheader.  Hydrate/nap accordingly.