L.A. Benched / Week 17

* At 1 p.m. it was 61 degrees in Los Angeles with winds out of the southwest at 15 mph. The was a 70% chance of rain and 0% chance of professional football.

* Let’s see, the two former local teams started strong, but finished the season shakier than Don Knotts in an episode of “The Andy Griffith Show.” The Raiders started 8-2, looked like Super Bowl contenders, then lost six in a row and missed the playoffs. The Rams started 4-0, were the talk of the league, looked playoff-bound for sure, then went 3-9 and missed the playoffs. Yes, it’s a real shame the Raiders and Rams no longer grace the Southland.