It’s Super Bowl week—which for many men is the most important gambling day of the year. The one question on gamblers’ minds everywhere is not who will win the game, but which team will cover the spread?

This is a particularly hard year to bet on the Super Bowl because both teams seem to be evenly matched and the spread is small, with the Green Bay Packers favored by just 2 ½ points over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

If you’re struggling with who to bet on this coming Sunday then you’ve come to the right place.  I’m having a hard time picking this game myself, so I’ve decided to consult with my wife, Mrs. Sacks, and perhaps with her female intuition she can accurately predict which team will cover.  I sat down with my better half recently and asked her to break down the game like only she can.

Johnny Sacks: What are your initial thoughts about Pittsburgh?

Mrs. Sacks: I’ve been to Pittsburgh a few times and I don’t like it. It tries to be like Philadelphia but it’s not nearly as good.   I also hate that their fans wave those stupid towels and I don’t like that “Black and Yellow” song.

Johnny Sacks: I hate that song too.  I believe you are referring to the Terrible Towel.

Mrs. Sacks: Yes. Those things.  They’re stupid.

Johhny Sacks: How about Green Bay?  What do you think about them? (more…)

CLICK HERE FOR THE SUPER BOWL XLVI DRINKING GAME (GIANTS VS. PATRIOTS)

With the New York Jets exit in the AFC Championship game, I am once again left without a rooting interest in the biggest football game of the year.  For fans of my team and the other 29 teams that are not in the Super Bowl, we need to a find a way to make the game interesting.

There are two ways to make the Super Bowl interesting if your favorite team isn’t playing:

1.       You could gamble on the game (The BetUs Super Bowl odds have the Packers favored by 2 ½ by the way). Gambling can make just about any game exciting…

2.        …or you can drink heavily.  If gambling isn’t your thing, then you should try the second annual Living with Balls Super Bowl Drinking Game.

I’ve created a game that you can play with either beer or shots—or you can combine the two.  It’s up to you! (Though the shots one could potentially get dangerous)

Disclaimer: This drinking game is not for the casual drinker.  Proceed with caution. Living with Balls is not responsible if you get violently ill from playing this game.  Feel free to adjust the rules to your tolerance or just quit playing when you’re good and drunk.

What you’ll need: You’ll need lots of a beer and a bottle of any type of hard liquor (if you decide to play with shots). Here are the rules… (more…)

I write these words moments after my beloved New York Jets came up just short of the Super Bowl for the second straight year. I am legitimately depressed right now. After just staring into space for the past 30 minutes, wondering what went wrong and going through all the “what if” scenarios of this game, I decided to vent my frustrations by writing this blog post.

Throughout the game, my emotions went on a wild roller coaster ride. I went from despair (Jets trail 24-0 in 2nd quarter), to hope (Jets cut the lead to 24-10), to excitement (Jets have 1st and goal, trailing 24-10), to frustration (Jets get stuffed at the goal line thanks to retarded play-calling), to unbridled enthusiasm (Jets get safety and TD to make it 24-19) to devastation (Steelers run out the clock to win the game).

It was a crazy ride that left me mentally exhausted—and I’m certainly not alone. Millions of football fans across the country experienced these same swings of emotion today. No matter what the sport, die-hard fans have these strong feelings for their team throughout the year. Few things in life can conjure up such uninhibited emotions like sports can.

And this begs the question? Why do we care so much? Why are sports fans like myself so passionate about it? Think about how silly it really is… (more…)

Is it a coincidence that this ad is posted right below a picture of Rex Ryan? Not bloodly likely. Rex is a jolly fan man but he’s all business this week. I hear he told the Mrs. to wear thermal socks until the playoffs are done. No distractions. Unfortunately, the Jets only hope this weekend is if Rex eats all the grit out of Wes Welker and Danny Woodhead.

Also, it’s nice to see that Mark Sanchez has been elevated to the status of Blake Lively and Natalie Portman. (see the Hot Topics). Why isn’t Tom Brady up there? Oh yeah. “Tom Brady’s an asshole. Fuck Tom Brady”

(Click on the image to view a larger picture)

Back in September, Don Valdez, Deuce McGee and I got together and did a podcast with predictions for the 2010 NFL Season.  Well the regular season is now over and its time to take a look at how we did.  The results weren’t pretty.  Let’s take a look…

As you can see, Deuce McGee did the best of the three, picking three out of eight division winners and selecting seven of 12 playoff teams.   He also accurately picked the Falcons to finish ahead of the Saints.   Not too shabby. (more…)

Here’s a conversation with Don Valdez about a NFL transaction that went largely unnoticed…

Don Valdez: Tight End on the Detroit Lions was put on Injured Reserve today…Richard Dickson.

Johnny Sacks: So?

Don Valdez: Who named that guy?  They had to have known—Dick Dickson.

Johnny Sacks: I didn’t even pick up on that.  That’s awesome.   There was actually a college player a couple years ago named Lucious Pusey.

Don Valdez: No way.  That’s ridiculous…redickulous actually…  He’s a linebacker. It be great if he lined up to cover Richard Dickson.

Johnny Sacks: That would be fitting.

Don Valdez: It would be.  Considering Lucious never made it to the NFL… I would assume… Richard Dickson would tear right through Lucious Pusey.  I’m convinced. (more…)

Before the season started, I gave you amazing fantasy football advice, telling you to pass over the top QBs and take Philip Rivers instead. I later predicted Arian Foster to be a breakout fantasy football player. Rivers and Foster are two of the top-ranked players in fantasy football this season.

Then, I subtlety started an NFL Pick of the Week, where I selected one team which I thought had the best chance to cover the spread and win you some money. Amazingly, after 12 weeks I am 9-3! I can’t believe it myself. When it comes to NFL betting, you should be taking my advice. Don’t waste your time reading scouting reports and analyzing stats. Just come right here, read a few funny posts and get a winning pick.  The pick is on the top right sidebar.

Sadly, I have not won a dime off my amazing run since I haven’t actually bet on any of these games myself.  I’m afraid if I start I’ll go on a losing streak.

This week, I like the Rams -3 over the Cardinals.  (more…)

This past Monday, Michael Vick turned in an unbelievable performance for the Philadelphia Eagles, throwing for 333 yards and 4 touchdowns, while also rushing for 80 yards and 2 TD’s.   The Redskins had no answer for him.

Vick played so well that it reminded me of his video game counterpart in the 2004 version of Madden. Anyone who grew up playing Madden knows the version I’m talking about.  Vick fittingly graced the cover of that year’s edition and he was pretty much unstoppable.

This got me thinking: Who is the greatest football video game athlete of all-time?

When having this debate, there are really only two people who can be in the discussion:  Tecmo Bowl Bo Jackson and the Madden 2004 version of Michael Vick.

I will objectively break down each player in the latest edition of “The Great Debate.” After reading my arguments for both, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section. (more…)