Most of the time, I try to refrain from taking pleasure from the suffering of others. Gloating while others suffer is admittedly a bit on the inhuman side. Schadenfreude is not something I’m proud of…unless it happens to involve the Green Bay Packers losing. That’s why this morning I’m driving the Schadenfreuded Express in the fast lane of the Expressway to Hell. It was with no small amount of enjoyment that I watched the Packers lose to the New York Giants 37-20 yesterday. The Packers had gone 15-1 this season, including an 8-0 record at home…so watching them go down in the playoffs AND on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field was especially sweet. That some of my family are Packers fans only makes me a cold, cruel, heartless bastard it that much sweeter.
I can revel in the Packers’ demise because I’m a Minnesota Vikings fans. Growing up in Minnesota, a 2-14 season would have been considered a success…if the two wins came at the expense of the Packers. Just be a mensch and kindly refrain from discussing those four Super Bowl losses, willya?? I’d appreciate that. ;-)
Sadly, Minnesota mailed in the 2011 season, finishing 3-13 (and going and ugly 0-2 against Green Bay), so I have to take my enjoyment where I can find it…and there was much to be found yesterday. The idea of watching someone besides Aaron Rodgers lifting the Lombardi Trophy in triumph on Super Bowl Sunday fills my cold, black heart with glee and puts a smile on my face. The Dallas Cowboys didn’t make the playoffs (that bottomless well of antipathy is another story for another time) and the Packers are out of the playoffs. Life is good.
And how about those Houston Texans, who lost to Baltimore 20-13? Sure, it was the first time Houston had made the playoffs, so congratulations are in order for that. Once they got past Cincinnati, though, Gary Kubiak’s squad reverted to the Texans brand of football I grew accustomed to while I was living in Houston- dumb mistakes, poor decisions, and untimely turnovers. Yes, it’s tough to win a championship when you give up 17 points off turnovers, eh?
Good night. Game over. Drive home safely….
