You know, we meant to get into the whole "It's Got to Be the Morning After" thing earlier but forgot to do it in all the sports hurly-burly. So, yes, the title comes from the theme song to The Poseidon Adventure by Maureen McGovern. And yes, we're old. So, anyways, if you want to check out the actual song that gave the column it's name and get all "I Love the '70's" with it, check out the video.

PS- and yesterday's It's It's Got to Be the Morning After, Bitch was indeed a shout-out to Ms. Spears, y’all.

49ers 20 Cardinals 17- The opening game of the NFL season is like Christmas and watching the game and checking out the team is like opening presents. If the Raiders are the present that comes from your crazy aunt Sadie who sends you something completely crazy every year, the Niners this year was the present from your cool uncle who kept on telling you for months how great the present was. Well, the packaging might have looked pretty-- the team wore their Old Skool unis, Nolan was decked out in his suit, and ESPN found just which cheerleader to focus in just such a way, the present was kind of meh. All those shiny new offensive toys the Niners were supposed to play with didn’t really work. Gore never got on track, passes were dropped, and Smith didn't look very accurate. On the other hand, Smith had the big play of the game, scrambling for a long run with about a minute left in the game to get a first down. Oh, yeah, the Niners did win with a stirring last minute comeback, but this game was like sitting down for what was billed as an action-packed thriller but getting a slow, character driven movie instead, more Jackie Brown than Pulp Fiction. Still, a win is a win is a win and this is what they call in the biz as a win. Nicely done Red & Gold.

In Raiders news, they finally got around to signing JaMarcus Russell. Nothing like losing to the Detroit Lions to make you see your senses. The deal is the biggest rookie contract in NFL history- $60 million for six years and about half of it guaranteed. The 2008 season is looking up already, Raiders fans.

Dbacks 5 Giants 3- At an intimate gathering among some of their closest friends, the Giants bullpen blew yet another game in yet another fun-filled fashion. Up 3-2 in the ninth, Brad Hennessey gave up a lead-off double, threw a wild pitch, and then walked another batter after getting a couple of outs. With two on and two outs, kiss it goodbye-- Arizona's Jeff Salazar hit a three run home run to take the lead. The Enchanter, btw, was all set to get the win but was Cained yet again.

As 9 M's 3- The A's regained a measure of respect after their Lost Weekend by taking their frustrations out of the free, free-falling (come 'on, everybody sing!) Damage was done by Kurt "Not Ichiro" Suzuki who hit a grand slam and Joe Blanton who won his fifth game out of six. The Mariners have now lost fourteen out of sixteen games and, well, ouch. Thanks to their collapse, as well as the Tigers, we have them to thank for the Yankees getting into the playoffs. Thanks guys.