Bryan Paul’s Puzzling NFL Predictions: Week 13

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When someone attends a football game, they will hear several sounds: referees’ whistles, players colliding, fans cheering and music.

Music has accompanied football throughout the sport’s history. Football games begin with a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” America’s national anthem. Several National Football League teams have fight songs. Washington’s “Hail to the Redskins,” Philadelphia’s “Fly, Eagles Fly” and the Buffalo Bills’ “Shout Song” play after the home team scores points. The 1985 Chicago Bears recorded “The Super Bowl Shuffle” during their historical 18-1 season. Sam Spence’s compositions helped NFL Films create a theatrical illustration of football.

NFL stadiums often host musical events. On Sept. 19, 21 and 22, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed at MetLife Stadium, home of the Jets and Giants. On April 28, 15,000 fans watched a Dallas Opera simulcast of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” on Cowboys Stadium’s 72-foot high video board. The Tennessee Titans’ LP Field houses the main stage for the Country Music Association Festival every June in Nashville, Tenn.

The Super Bowl halftime show allows musicians to perform live for millions of viewers around the world . On Oct. 16, the NFL announced Beyoncé, will headline the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show. She will join music legends such as Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney and, infamously, Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake,  who’ve graced the Super Bowl stage

In honor of the motivation, excitement and power it provides on NFL game days and its place within American sports culture, the Week 13 predictions theme is music.

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New Orleans Saints (5-6) at Atlanta Falcons (10-1)-Nov. 29-8:20 p.m.-NFL Network

George Harrison, a former member of the Beatles, died on Nov. 29, 2001. The Falcons miss the “quiet Beatle.” Atlanta is 7-15 against New Orleans since Harrison died. Seven of those losses have happened at the Georgia Dome.

Bryan Paul’s Pick: New Orleans

Pollock’s Pick: Atlanta

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Indianapolis Colts (7-4) at Detroit Lions (4-7)-Dec. 2-1 p.m.-CBS

Each former Beatle has had a solo career. In years a former Beatle has released a solo studio album, the Colts are 105-128 in road games. The Lions are 113-109-1 at home. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the two living former Beatles, both released albums this year.

Bryan Paul’s Pick: Detroit

Pollock’s Pick: Detroit

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Carolina Panthers (3-8) at Kansas City Chiefs (1-10)-Dec. 2-1 p.m.-Fox

Rivers Cuomo, lead singer and guitarist of Weezer, was born in 1970, the year the Beatles disbanded. Weezer formed on Feb. 14, 1992 in Los Angeles. Chiefs fans shouldn’t listen to any of the band’s songs before this game. Since 1992, Kansas City is 40-41 in December games.

Bryan Paul’s Pick: Carolina

Pollock’s Pick: Carolina

Springsteen and Steinbrenner fans debate over who’s “The Boss”

Zack Witzel says as he became a New York Yankees fan, he began admiring owner George Steinbrenner’s determination to win.

“He would exhaust every resource in order to field a winning team,” says Witzel. “He paid whatever price he thought would give him a championship.”

Witzel says he dove into Bruce Springsteen’s music when he began attending college. He says he marvels at Springsteen’s relentlessness.

“He’s able to embody the everyman,” says Witzel, a 2011 St. Bonaventure University graduate. “He’s ruthless. He’s ageless.”

Springsteen and Steinbrenner share the nickname “The Boss.” They’ve earned that moniker in similar and different ways.