Happy Holidays, Hochuli

NFL referee Ed Hochuli was good this year. No doubt about it. How else can you explain the gift from Santa Claus, Hail Mary to Touchdown Jesus, cosmic justice of a Week 17 playoff play-in for the AFC West title.

Broncos at Chargers is a do-or-die rematch that should be called the “Hochuli Bowl.”

We all know about Hochuli’s one mistake in 2008. And, in case you forgot, here’s a quick synopsis, written following the controversial 39–38 Mile High win in Week 2:

“In the final minute of a back-and-forth battle between AFC West rivals, the Broncos trailed the Chargers, 38–31, on 2nd-and-Goal from the San Diego 2-yard-line. Then, an already strange game — which included malfunctioning video replay equipment earlier in the contest, resulting in an interception ruling for Denver cornerback Champ Bailey rather than the correct simultaneous possession call in favor of San Diego receiver Chris Chambers — took an unexpected twist.

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler rolled out of the pocket and cocked the ball to throw to the right side of the field. But as Cutler raised his arm, the ball slipped out of his hand and onto the ground, where Chargers linebacker Tim Dobbins recovered the apparent fumble off the first bounce.

But in between the time it took for Cutler to drop the slick new pigskin and Dobbins to pick it up, referee Ed Hochuli — who was standing in the backfield behind Cutler — whistled the play dead while waiving his arms to signal an incomplete pass.

Following a booth replay, Hochuli admitted his mistake, claiming that the call on the field should have been a fumble rather than an incomplete pass. But since he had ended the play before San Diego recovered the football, there would be no change of possession. Instead, Denver would keep the ball where it was recovered.

Rather than losing possession of the football and, almost certainly, the game, the Broncos lost only eight yards of field position.

‘It was clearly a fumble,’ said Chargers coach Norv Turner. ‘Ed (Hochuli) came over, the official, and said he blew it. And that’s not acceptable to me. This is a high-level performance game and that’s not acceptable to have a game decided on that play.’”

Prior to this crucial botched call, Hochuli was considered arguably the best referee in the league and definitely the most well-known — due to his muscular physique and descriptive explanations of calls.

Hochuli played linebacker at UTEP from 1969-72 before graduating from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1976. An attorney since 1983, he is a founding partner of the Phoenix-area law firm Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, P.L.C.

But Hochuli is known more for his seasonal part-time job as an NFL referee. Since 1990, he has been one of the most popular officials with players, fans and the league office that grades referees on a game-by-game basis.

The referees with the highest grades are the ones charged with calling playoff games. Hochuli is a perennial playoff ref, with five conference championship games and two Super Bowls (XXXII and XXXVIII) under his belt.

Now, thanks to a Festivus Miracle, karma or just the Broncos losing back-to-back games — at the Panthers (30–10) in Week 15 and against the Bills (30–23) in Week 16 — Hochuli is off the hook. If the Chargers win, they’re in. Otherwise, they have no one to blame but themselves.

Two Turtle Doves

“It’s become a nice rivalry. We’re both younger guys and both on pretty good teams in the same division; and we get to see each other twice (per season). I’m just not that big of a fan of the guy. … I don’t like how he carries himself. I don’t like some of the stuff he does on the field.” — Jay Cutler, on FOX’s Best Damn Sports Show, discussing his rivalry with Philip Rivers.

Santa, Baby

While the Broncos and Chargers (NBC, 8:15 p.m. ET), Cowboys (at Eagles, FOX, 4:15 p.m. ET), Ravens (vs. Jaguars, CBS, 4:15 p.m. ET) and Dolphins (at Jets, CBS, 4:15 p.m. ET) all control their own playoff destiny — and, coincidentally, were all flexed to better time slots for both regional and national coverage — so do the Vikings (vs. Giants, FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET). But there are several teams that need a postseason gift.

Here’s an attempt at a simple rundown of what needs to happen for the following teams to make the playoffs (in order of proabability), excluding ties because that never happens — except for the 13–13 Eagles at Bungles coal-filled stocking of Week 11, which will likely keep Philadelphia out of the playoffs and should be a lesson to every team.

NFC:

• Bears (9–6) – defeat Texans in Houston AND have Vikings lose to Giants.
• Buccaneers (9–6) – defeat Raiders at home AND have Cowboys lose at Philly.
• Eagles (8–6–1) – defeat Cowboys at home AND have Bucs and Vikings or Bears lose.

AFC:

• Patriots (10–5) – defeat Bills at Buffalo AND have Dolphins or Ravens lose.
• Jets (9–6) – defeat Dolphins at home AND have Patriots or Ravens lose.

NFL:

• Lions (0–15) – defeat Packers at Lambeau Field OR join winless ’76 Bucs in infamy.

Welcome Home

Two teams — the Titans and Giants — have clinched the No. 1 seed and subsequent homefield advantage throughout the AFC and NFC Playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Steelers and Colts have already earned playoff berths in the AFC, and the Panthers, Falcons and Cardinals have done the same in the NFC.

Last week, the Music City Miracles and Big Blue Wrecking Crew proved to be the best in the NFL. Tennessee crushed Pittsburgh, 31–14, in Nashville while New York outlasted Carolina, 34–28 in overtime, in Jersey.

Snoop Dogg was in attendance in Music City, wearing several shades of Titans blue. A friend of running back LenDale White — the “Smash” to rookie Chris Johnson’s “Dash” — it wasn’t so long ago that the Doggfather was wearing a No. 21 USC jersey on the sidelines of White’s college games.

But in true D-O-Double style, both teams assumed the 37-year-old Calvin Broadus was there to see them, since the Long Beach, Calif., rapper often wears Steelers jerseys — let’s say, for “other” reasons — in music videos.

Either way, Snoop was probably going to a Christmas party no matter who won, after sitting in the cold like a real Titans-Steelers fan. Rumor has it a playoff remix-rematch and gig at the Ryman Auditorium are in the works.

Coed Bowling

While Sunday’s lineup is loaded with NFL Playoff scenarios unfolding, fantasy football Super Bowl frustration from teams resting stars and NFL Draft mocks updated as soon as the regular season is officially over, there is a full day of football on Saturday.

The Tar Heels, Seminoles and Golden Bears are staying close to home, while the Mountaineers, Badgers and Hurricanes are taking long flights to support their teams.

This will definitely be WVU quarterback Pat White’s final collegiate game; but will almost certainly not be FSU coach Bobby Bowden’s last time on sideline safari.

Meineke Car Care Bowl — Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina vs. West Virginia (ESPN, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Champs Sports Bowl — Orlando, Fla.
Florida State vs. Wisconsin (ESPN, 4:30 p.m. ET)

Emerald Bowl — San Francisco, Calif.
California vs. Miami (Fla.) (ESPN, 8:00 p.m. ET)

Festivus Miracle

This year, Frank Costanza probably had plenty to say about the BCS, Big 12 South and Heisman Trophy race during his annual “Airing of Grievances” on Dec. 23. But there was at least one “Festivus Miracle” in college football, at least where the BCS is concerned — Boise State lost the “Feats of Strength” to TCU, 17–16, in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.

Add that bowl name to the grievances list but scratch that the Smurf Turfers were passed over by the Fiesta Bowl as an at-large bid in favor of Ohio State.

With the previously undefeated Broncos falling to the Horned Frogs, there is only one unbeaten remaining. The Utah Utes (12–0) play the Alabama Crimson Tide — the only 12–0 BCS team before losing to Florida in the SEC title game — at the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2, 2009 in New Orleans.

As a result, only Utah (and possible Texas) can stake a legit claim to the national title and force a ridiculous “split” champ discussion — last seen after LSU beat Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl for the BCS crown and USC knocked off Michigan in the Rose Bowl for an AP Poll-designated co-championship.

Christmas Eve Service

While Catholics across the country were at midnight mass, the Fighting Irish were on the football field in Hawaii. Thankfully, Notre Dame broke its nine-game bowl losing streak, with a dominant 49–21 blowout that wasn’t even as close as the final score indicates.

Sophomore golden boy quarterback Jimmy Clausen completed 22-of-26 passes for 401 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions — breaking school bowl records for completion percentage, passing yards and passing touchdowns in the process.

Three of those scoring strikes went to aptly named sophomore Golden Tate, who finished with six catches for 177 yards and three scores — setting new ND bowl marks for receiving yards, touchdown catches and longest touchdown reception.

More important than individual records or statistics, the 2008 Irish became the first team to win a bowl game since Dr. Lou Holtz’s 1993 squad beat Texas A&M, 24–21, in the Cotton Bowl.

Year – Bowl – Opponent (Score) – ND coach
2006 – Sugar – LSU (41–14) – Charlie Weis
2005 – Fiesta – Ohio State (34–20) – Charlie Weis
2004 – Insight – Oregon State (38–21) – Kent Baer *
2002 – Gator – NC State (28–6) – Tyrone Willingham
2000 – Fiesta – Oregon State (41–9) – Bob Davie
1998 – Gator – Georgia Tech (35–28) – Bob Davie
1997 – Independence – LSU (27–9) – Bob Davie
1995 – Orange – Florida State (31–26) – Lou Holtz
1994 – Fiesta – Colorado (41–24) – Lou Holtz

* Baer was interim coach, replacing Willingham for Insight Bowl.

Speaking of the Cotton Bowl, the Fighting Irish had names on the backs of their jerseys for the first time since the 1988 Cotton Bowl and it seemed to work.

A few other tricks also paid dividends. Head coach Charlie Weis — who is a large man with surgically repaired knees — coached from the press box, something he did as the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots when veteran Drew Bledsoe was the quarterback. After unknown young gun Tom Brady took over, Weis moved to the sideline so he could bark instructions into Brady’s ear.

Replacing Weis on the sideline was soon-to-be Miami (Ohio) head coach and current Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood, who played the part well in his last game as an assistant before taking over the “Cradle of Coaches” job that has produced greats like Paul Brown, Ara Parseghian, Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes.

One Honolulu native likely in attendance at Aloha Stadium was five-star linebacker recruit Manti Te’o, who is the No. 3 ranked prospect on the Athlon Consensus 100. The 6’2”, 230-pounder is reportedly interested in Notre Dame, BYU and UCLA — supposedly crossing USC off of his list, until Signing Day that is. A weak linebacking corps could allow Te’o to play right away in 2009, which by all accounts is finally the year the Irish are going to be good again.

With a proven championship-winning commodity in Florida’s Urban Meyer and a rising star in Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly both proclaiming Notre Dame to be their “dream job,” Weis appears to be in BCS or bust mode for 2009. And that doesn’t necessarily mean getting run off the field by the Buckeyes or Bayou Bengals — or beating Hawaii.

Feliz Navidad

While the Fighting Irish ended a nine-game losing streak on Christmas Eve, the country’s other leprechaun loving team, the Boston Celtics, had a 19-game winning streak snapped by the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day.

Hollywood Spaniard 7-footer Pau Gasol wanted to wish the Celtics a Merry Christmas (“Prospero Ano y Felicidad”) from the bottom of his heart by slamming home 20 points — including nine points in the fourth quarter on perfect shooting (3-of-3 FG, 3-of-3 FT) — several of which came on emphatic dunks.

“I had to make sure I took it to them, not settle for easy jumpers,” said Gasol, who earned the reputation of a soft player during his days with the Memphis Grizzlies from 2001-07. “We were pretty physical.”

Meanwhile, cutthroat Kobe Bryant had 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists after telling Magic Johnson in an ESPN interview that he’d pass the torch to LeBron James “when I retire.”

Lakers coach Phil Jackson became the sixth coach in NBA history to win 1,000 games — Jackson has a 1,000–423 record over 17 seasons with the Bulls and Lakers — during a 2008 NBA Finals rematch that had the look of a 2009 NBA Finals preview.

Yankee Swap

A game also known as “Dirty Santa.” The New York Yankees have signed three players to contracts worth a combined $423.5 million. And why not, with a $1.3 billion ballpark, new Yankee Stadium, opening in 2009?

• Mark Teixeira, 1B — 8 years, $180 million
• CC Sabathia, LHP — 7 years, $161 million
• A.J. Burnett, RHP — 5 years, $82.5 million

After watching their streak of 13 consecutive trips to the playoffs end this season, the Bronx Bombers want to win and they want to win now. One question… with all the troubles down the road on Wall Street, if the pinstripes don’t see a return on their investment, will this offseason turn into a house-of-cards Ponzi scheme?

Ghost of Christmas Past, Present or Future?

The Jets defeated the Dolphins, 20–14, at Miami in Week 1 during Brett Favre’s debut as “Jet Favre” of the “Broadway Bretts.” This week, the J-E-T-S host the Marine Mammals at the Meadowlands in a Week 17 rematch.

Along with the playoff implications — New York needs to defeat Miami and have either Baltimore or New England lose — this could very well be Favre’s final game in the NFL. But after completing 67.0 percent of his passes for 3,239 yards, 21 touchdowns and 19 interceptions for an 84.0 passer rating through 15 games, Favre doesn’t want a sentimental false-start. Wait until after the game.

“My focus is Miami,” said Favre, who will make his 269th straight start this week.

“There is still one game left. Do I see myself playing here next year? I didn’t see myself playing here at this time last year, so there are some things that obviously the team has to think about as far as next year is concerned and some things I need to think about and some things we need to discuss amongst ourselves.”

This isn’t the first time Favre has talked about retiring. Notably, the three-time MVP and Super Bowl XXXI champion cried in former coach Mike Holmgren’s arms after a Lambeau Field finale in 2005 and was played off to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne” after an emotional upset of the Bears at Soldier Field in 2006. He even went so far as the file the necessary retirement paperwork last year.

This time, in order for Favre to go out on his own terms, he must defeat the Jets former signal-caller, Chad Pennington, while reversing a trend that has seen the 39-year-old gunslinger throw one touchdown and six interceptions while losing three out of four since back-to-back road wins over the Patriots and undefeated Titans in Weeks 11 and 12.

Believe it or not, the Brett Favre era could be coming to an end, after 18 seasons.

“This very well could be my last game,” said Favre. “I’m aware of that and I’d like to make it a memorable one.”

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