I spend 8-12 hours a week watching NFL football. Between you and me, my twice-weekly contributions to DIS are not the reason why.

I love the game; have ever since I was a pup. Safe bet, I’ll never stop watching. But I found myself watching the NFL network last month and decided to keep an informal tally

The verdict? I watch 2-3 hours of analysis a week. If the Steelers lose, less. When they win, I can’t get enough.

Adding my drive time listening to Sirius NFL radio and I’m approaching 20 hours/wk.

Man, what a loser.

Wouldn’t be so bad if all the punditators and analysts said something refreshing or insightful after the first commercial break.

Here’s a sampling of what most former jocks offer if a team loses:

“Well Chuck, the (insert team name here), just aren’t making plays.”

“Usually, Fred, the team that makes the most mistakes loses the game.”

Here are a few gems you hear if a team wins:

“Yes, Bert, the (insert team name here) made the plays when they had to.”

“That’s right, coach, they took care of the ball and the scoreboard took care of them.”

I have a masters degree–honest. This is what I watch?

The Steelers face the Browns tonight. Sometime during the telecast you will hear some ex-jock say the “records don’t mean anything”. You will see graphs illustrating the Steelers inability to stop teams in the fourth quarter. You will hear idiotic phrases like “Super Bowl hangover” and “loss of focus” to describe the Steelers woes.

Here’s the facts: in six losses the Steelers were defeated by more than three points once. They’ve lost two overtime games. In at least two of those games, defensive backs dropped interceptions that hit them two inches above their belly buttons.

Thing is, about 22 other teams could say the similar things about most of their losses–which probably explains why the “experts” keep regurgitating the same analysis ad nauseum.

Maybe I’m not that much of a loser after all.

THURSDAY’S PICK

The 13.5 points is tempting and there is no doubt the Steelers are reeling.

Adversity reveals character.

Mike Tomlin believes in his football team’s character.

I believe in Mike Tomlin. Take the Steelers, giving the Browns the points.

I’ll post my weekly pick sheet before Sunday’s kickoff.