Play it Again, NFL

Replay has to be rethought and recast. The NFL approach has been settling for halfway measures instead of availing itself to the technological advances in recent years. Pro football, with its large officiating crew, may not be as vulnerable as, say, a low-scoring game like soccer with a single referee, where a single whistle for a penalty kick can prove decisive. Soccer has, in fact, endured recent scandals involving officiating in both Europe and Latin America. But in a world where corruption routinely invades our most hallowed institutions, it's silly to think the NFL is immune. The league has the tools and should take the steps to protect itself from further embarrassment and the possibility of something far worse.

Wild, Wild Weekend

I have been so wrong so consistently about NFL teams and games this season that, while I do not run a tout service and would never encourage you to wager based on my predictions, betting against me seems almost a foolproof scheme. I am predicting a historic first--two wild-card teams in Super Bowl XL.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos

Denver has been an extraordinarily opportunistic team, and it's safe to say that, if the Steelers turn the ball over five times like the Patriots did last week, the Broncos will be Super Bowl bound. But I love to ride the karmic trail and the Steelers seem to be on it. Moreover, I don't care how professional the officiating crew is, it will lean over backward to spare Pittsburgh another bad call. I think the Steelers can duplicate the Patriots' success against Denver's touted running attack, leaving the Broncos in the hands of quarterback Jake Plummer. And while "Jake the Snake" is clearly improved, he was shaky enough, at times, against the Pats for me to pick Big Ben and the Steelers. Pittsburgh 24, Denver 20.

Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks