Seeing this GIF really brought me back to the days of my Nintendo and Sega Genesis. Seemed like every sports video game had at least one play that was unstoppable. They play if executed properly would always result in a touch down, home run or goal. I vividly remember Joe Montana’s Sports Talk Football, and utilizing the Fake Punt or Fake Field Goal on first down, resulting in a long Touch down. The voice over announcer would proclaim “It’s First Down and I Can’t Believe it… It’s a Fake…” I could spend the entire game executing the same two plays and dominating friends or the computer.

The NHL ’94 side-ways S move that always left the puck in the back of the net. I recall being disappointed with games that didn’t result in at least 20 goals. NHL 93 had a similar play where you could take the puck down the side and pass back to the center for a one touch into the goal.

Perhaps it was just me, but finding these perfect plays were just a part of the video game experience. I don’t think they ruined the game, but just taught game developers to do some serious beta testing and not rely on simple game logic. Now a days these glitches are near impossible to find. In fact I gave up 10 years ago… but the ones that I discovered still have a special memories.

It was always our goal as video gamers to discover these cheese moves first and perfect them before anyone else. It appears as though this guy has done just that.

Padres ARE good
The Padres have achieve the 20 win mark on the back of their pitching staff and speed on the bases They boast one of the lowest starter ERAs and lowest bullpen ERA thus far. If I remember correctly the bullpen has only lost 2 or 3 games this season. That’s pretty tough for another team to contend with if you can’t get to the starter early. The Padres also boast the highest number of stolen bases in the major with 40. When the batters get on base they are running and stealing bags on a nightly basis. This makes for an entertaining game especially if they aren’t hitting home runs.

The Div is Struggling
With the exception of the Giants, the rest of the division is having some major issues. The Dodgers starters are not what they were, the Diamond back Bullpen blows up nightly and the Rockies can’t seem to put a complete game together. It will be interesting to see how the Padres finish out the 10 game span where they play the Dodgers and Giants five times each.

Shane’s Predictions

Mike’s Predictions

Before the first pitch is thrown or ball is hit… I can tell you with 90% certainty which players will make the team. So… here’s my prediction for the Padres 25-man Opening Day Roster.

There you go… I hope Adrian gets a huge contract, and stays in San Diego… but knowing the Padres past contracts it probably won’t happen. (See: Jake Peavy)

Chargers - Ladainian Tomlinson

LT Joined the Chargers back in 2001, when San Diego traded their #1 pick to the Falcons and used their 5th pick to draft the future league MVP. Looking back now, aren’t you glad we didn’t grab Vick! Three years later LT passed Paul Lowe to become the Chargers all-time leading rusher. In 2006 against the Broncos, LT broke the touchdown in a season record. He finished with 31 touchdowns.

LT is a class act. Always the professional. He brings good values and team leadership to a league where most players are finding their way into trouble. He was awarded the Walter Payton award for his “Touching Lives Foundation” off-field contributions.

LaDainian’s Future
LT has 2-3 good years still under his belt. Like San Diego favorites in the past, LT will seek out a contender team, in hopes to add value to their line up and grab a super bowl ring. The big team rumor out there is the New England Patriots where former Chargers Junior Seau, Wes Welker and Rodney Harrison found their Super Bowls. If he becomes another member of the San Diego Sports Curse, I’ll be pissed but I hope LT finds his way to a good team, with quality team mates. The Spano’s have already acknowledged they will retire his number, and they should offer him the 1 day contract where he can retire as a Charger.

Chargers Future
With LT’s departure, the Chargers now have a HUGE hole in their line up. Daren Sproles is not your every down running back. We will have to look toward free agency and the draft to find a replacement for LT. Luckily for us this draft looks to be rich with running backs.

The weekends games start tomorrow and I’m feeling super anxious and excited to see how they all play out. So 8 teams, left and looking across the board I don’t think many people had both AFC Wild Card and Both NFL Divisional teams winning their games. Road victories are touch, and I think all the road teams have their handsful this weekend.

The Match Ups

#4 Phoenix Cardinals vs. #1 New Orleans Saints
The Cardinals sure know how to put up points, but so do the New Orleans Saints. Both teams are historically relatively new to the playoffs. That given I expect to see another high scoring affair, but the difference in the game will be a mistake, and most likely that will be a turn over giving the other team a short field. I’m liking the Cardinals in this game. Can’t put a finger on it… just a hunch.

#1 Indianapolis vs. #6 Baltimore Ravens
The Colts were the hottest team in the NFL for quite a time, with their perfect record, but they finished the season with 2 losses and a bye. They really haven’t played a game for 3 weeks and because of their #1 ranking they didn’t need to. The Ravens come in hot off a strong defensive win in New England. But when these two teams met in Baltimore earlier in the season, Peyton Manning was able to deliver a game winning drive. Ravens are going to have a difficult time keeping up with the Colts at the RCA Dome. Colts win and host the AFC Championship.

#3 Dallas Cowboys vs. #2 Minnesota Vikings
The Cowboys wiped out the Eagles last weekend in Dallas this time. I was quite surprised, but this week the Cowboys won’t have their go-go dancers, err… cheerleaders rooting them on from their stripper poles. Farve is experienced in the playoff and knows how to handle pressure. I can’t say the same for Tony Romo getting his first playoff win last week. Adrian Peterson might be the key to this game. A healthy dose of AP will keep the Dallas Offense off the field and give Minnesota the advantage. Vikings Win.

#2 San Diego Chargers vs. #5 New York Jets
When I first saw the Jets made the playoffs, I thought of the Jets Chargers Wild Card playoff a few years back where a missed field goal cost the Chargers a win. Seeing the Jets come back into San Diego, my mind goes back to that game again, but these are two very different teams. So everyone’s talking about the #1 defense going against the #4 pass happy chargers offense. Somethings got to give, and I believe its going to be the Jets D. Despite their outstanding secondary, I don’t think they have enough personnel to cover all the Charger receivers. I see Norv, putting Gates in motion to the outside, to expose blitz packages, and think Floyd is going to have a field day. Chargers win and head to Indy.

Another week another set of predictions. Championship games next weekend and then the SuperBowl two weeks later.

The Wild Card match ups this week feature three rematches from the previous week and a divisional match up. They are all teams that are familiar with each other, so there should be a lot of action, and a whole lot of strategy by the head coaches.

The Match Ups

#4 Cincinnati Bengals vs. #5 New York Jets
This is the first of the previous week match ups. The Jets dominated the game last week, but the Bengals were very vanilla, not showing anything. the Jets #1 Defense and Head Coach Rex Ryan will have his handful this week, as the Bengals pull out all the stops, against a weaker New York Jets team. Bengals win and travel to Indy.

#3 New England Patriots vs. #6 Baltimore Ravens
This probably is the toughest game to pick. New England is favored by a field goal, but they are also at home, so that means jack squash. Wes Welker, New England’s Wide Receiver (and former Charger Kick Return Specialist) left the game last week with an ACL and MCL injury. Neither team has been exceptional this year, but I expect the Baltimore defense to dominate and second year quarter back Joey Flacco to take a win, and pack their bags to San Diego.

#3 Dallas Cowboys vs. #6 Philadelphia Eagles
The Cowboys wiped out the Eagles last weekend in Philadelphia. No easy task, but they also beat the Eagles earlier in the season at the new Cowboy Stadium. Philadelphia Andy Reid is nearly perfect in the first round of the playoffs, and Dallas Quarterback Tony Romo has yet to win a play off game, but I expect both of those things to change this weekend. Dallas is getting hot at the right time. Dallas wins.

#4 Phoenix Cardinals vs. #5 Green Bay Packers
Another previous week match up, which the Packers won, easily. I would normally say, who cares about this game, either teams will be eliminated next week, but the Cardinals proved me wrong last year, and found their way to a Super Bowl. For that reason alone, I like the veteran Kurt Warner and the Phoenix Cardinals to send the Pack home, ending their season.

There you have it. If I was in Vegas this is where my bets would fall. I’m anxiously awaiting the results of the games to determine who the Chargers, Colts, Vikings and Saints will match up against in the divisional round.

Speaking of… here’s a classic King Stalman commercial:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E8wxvXE1IA]