All-Star Weekend

This past weekend was quite exciting for sports fans. There was the NFL Pro bowl and there was the NHL All-Star weekend.

During the NHL All-Star weekend, there was a first ever fantasy draft for all the all-stars. Personally I thought the fantasy draft was awesome, they should do this for all sports. There was Team Lidstrom and Team Staal. Team Lidstrom had the first pick of the fantasy draft; he took Tampa Bay forward Steven Stamkos. Team Staal had then choose Cam Ward. Eric Staal and Cam Ward play on the same team during the season, so it was only appropriate for Eric Staal to choose his Goalie first. Phil Kessel was the last player picked in the draft. Because he was last he received a car, which is pretty cool. Whoever thought being picked last was a good thing?

During the skills competition Team Staal dominated Team Lidstrom. On Sunday, the game started quickly for Team Staal, starting with a 4-0 lead. Team Lidstrom soon scored 4 goals and tied it up. The game went back and forth, but in the end Team Lidstrom was victorious, winning 11-10.

During the Pro Bowl, a lot of players were mic’d up. All of the six quarterbacks and a few of the middle linebackers had a mic. It was cool watching the game and listening to the plays that were being called out. Overall it was a pretty pathetic game. The AFC looked terrible, throwing interception after interception. The game ended with a score of 55-41, NFC won. Every person on the NFC side was impressed with Calvin Johnson. At every interview, everyone had something great to say about Johnson. About how is a beast, and everyone wishes he was on their own team. I’m glad Calvin Johnson plays for Detroit.

The Road to the Super Bowl

So the match is set, and it’s a good one. On one side we have the Pittsburg Steelers, led by two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Big Ben Roethlishberger. Oh and did I forget to say he was also accused of sexual assault two times, that the same number as championships he has won, weird. On the other side are the Green bay Packers, led by the air-apparent to Brett Favre, and the so-called WWE Champion, Aaron Rodgers.  The game will be decided on February 6^th at the Cowboy Stadium.

For the first four games of the season Ben Roethlishberger was suspended and not too many people had their eye on the Steelers. Surprisingly the Steelers went 3-1 in those first four games, with Charlie Batch as quarterback. Their four looses in the season came from the Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, and the New York Jets. All four of those teams went to the playoffs and it didn’t look to good on the Steelers because they couldn’t beat a playoff team in the season. The Steelers did beat Atlanta in week one, their only win against a playoff team.  The Steelers had home-field advantage in both of their playoff wins. The first win came against the Baltimore Ravens, in what was an epic game. I had the Ravens winning that game but with a minute and a half left on the clock Rashard Mendenhall scored and gave the Steelers the win. Last weekend the Steelers played and won against the New York Jets. The Jets didn’t feel like playing in the first half of the game and the Steelers didn’t feel like playing in the second half of the game. But the Steelers won the game and that’s that. I also had the Jets in that game, so you can probably guess who I want to win in the Super Bowl.  But just think if the Steelers do win, Ben Roethlishberger might try to go for the three peat, three rings, and three sexual assault cases.

Now for the Green Bay Packers. Lots of people thought Green Bay was the favorite in the NFC when the season started but then came the injuries and people lost faith in the Packers. The Packers had a few bad looses to Washington, Miami, and my hometown team the Detroit Lions. (Just give them a couple years and the Lions will be a powerhouse, you just wait.) The Packers also lost to the Bears, Atlanta, and New England, all playoff teams. In the Wild Card game against the Eagles, Rodgers threw for three touchdowns and he gained his first playoff win. In the Divisional game the Packers dominated Atlanta and won 48-21. Last weekend against Bears was a great game.  Jay Cutler was the Packers favorite player. He played a couple snaps when the second half started and he wasn’t seen on the field again.  He did tear his MCL, that’s a good enough excuse not to play in my book. No one knows what could have happened if he did keep playing but I think the results would have been the same and that’s with the Packers going to the Super bowl. 

I’m not going to pick my Super Bowl champ until the game comes a little closer but after reading this you can probably imagine who I want to win the big game.

NFC/ AFC Championships

Game 1. Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

My Pick= Green Bay Packers

This is the first time these two teams have played each other since 1941. The Bears won that game. This is going to be a different outcome. The Packers proved that they are the team to beat in the playoffs. The Packers went into Atlanta and shattered them. Atlanta was supposed to be unstoppable at home but last week it looked like anyone could have beaten them. The Bears beat the Seahawks, the Seahawks shouldn’t have even been in that game, but that is why there are upsets. The Bears have one of the best defensives left in the playoffs. The Bears also have the best special teams game in the NFL. But the Packers have a better secondary than then Bears. Packers also have a better offensive than the Bears. Aaron Rodgers has been a stud throughout the playoffs. He has throw for three touchdowns in both playoff games and you should expect nothing left from Rodgers in this game. This is Jay Cutler’s first big game and it will be interesting to see how he performs under pressure. Packers win 24-17.

Game 2.  New York Jets vs. Pittsburg Steelers

My Pick= New York Jets

I am going out on the limb on this and I am picking the New York Jets. Obviously Big Ben will be a huge factor in this game. But I think that the Jets secondary is too good.  Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie are the best tandem of cornerbacks on any team in the league. The Jets already beat Payton Manning and Tom Brady in the playoffs because of their defense. As long as Mark Sanchez doesn’t turn over the ball and make stupid mistakes, the Jets will have a great chance to win this game. The Jets have already beaten the Steelers in Pittsburg and they could do it again. It’s been a strange week for the Jets. All week the Jets have been saying how great Ben Roethlishberger is, and how he is almost impossible to prepare for. I’m a little confused by this. The first two weeks of the playoffs they talked smack against both the Colts and New England but now they are praising the Steelers. Is this part of their strategy? I think so. But either way it is going to be an exciting game to watch. Jets win 23-20.

Week 2 Playoff Picks

Last week I was 2-2 on my picks hopefully they will be better this week. So here I go.

Game 1. Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburg Stealers

My Pick=Baltimore Ravens

This is going to be a physical football game. Both teams have great defensives and it looks like it might be a low scoring game. I think this is Joe Flacco’s time to shine. He has three good receivers to throw, four if you count Ray Rice.  On the other side the Stealers do have Mike Wallace. The fastest receiver in the league, look for him to have a big game. I really think the Ravens will win this game and advance to the AFC Championship.  Ravens win 17-13

FYI- Each time Joe Flacco wins a playoff game he gets a $200K bonus.

Game 2. Greenbay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons

My Pick= Atlanta Falcons

It was tough to choose a winner for this game but Atlanta is playing at home. Matt Ryan is 20-2 at home. Atlanta has a great running game with Michael Turner. They have one of the best receivers in the league with Roddy White. Atlanta is stacked on offensive and they have a good defense.  The Falcons are not a fluke, they are a great team in every aspect.  Now don’t get me wrong Aaron Rodgers is a great Quarterback. He is easily a top 5 QB. Rodgers just came off his first playoff win of his career and his adrenaline is flowing. This game will be an all out war. Falcons win 28-24

Game 3. New York Jets vs. New England Patriots

My Pick-New England Patriots

Bill Belichick vs. Rex Ryan. Tom Brady vs. Matt Sanchez.  Round 3.  All week Rex Ryan has been saying this is personal. Didn’t Rex say that last week when the Jets played Colts? He has to come up with a new phrase. The Patriots have the best QB in the NFL. Brady is the veteran on his team and the MVP of the league this year. The Patriots are very young and hungry for a championship.  Brady doesn’t throw interceptions, only four the entire year. It will be a close game for a while but after half time the Patriots will let loose. Patriots win 31-21

Game 4. Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks

My Pick= Chicago Bears

Yes, Seattle beat the Saints in the first round. If they can beat the Saints they can beat the Bears. Wrong. Chicago has quietly had a very good season. Only lost 5 games, 6 if you count the Lions. The Bears have beaten Greenbay, Dallas, Philadelphia and the Jets this season. The Bears want redemption when they lost to Seattle in week 6. Seattle is going to help them out.  Pete Carroll says he is going to kick to Devin Hester. Why would anyone kick to Devin Hester?? The Bears defensive will be able to stop Seattle run game and Jay Cutler will be able to show off his arm strength. Bears win 23-17

The Perfect Season

The Perfect Season

Auburn and Cam Newton completed the undefeated season last night. Auburn beat Oregon in the National Championship Game and wow what a game it was. Everybody in the world thought the game would be a high scoring, back and forth battle between two great offensives and it was anything but. It was a defensive battle and Auburn won the battle. There were fumbles, interceptions, and even a safety. It was everything a sports fan wanted in a football game.

Auburns defense held the best running game in college football to only 75 yards.  The Heisman Finalist, LaMichael James only ran for 49 yards on 13 carries but he did have two receiving touchdowns. Nick Fairley and the defensive line shut down Oregon’s offense. Nick Fairley looked unstoppable. He had 5 tackles for a loss of yards and 1 sack.  Fairley won ended up winning the Defensive Player of the Game and no one else deserved it but him.

And then there is Cam Newton. He put all controversy with his dad behind him and won the game. His father wasn’t even allowed to come to the game but people know he was thinking about his father when he was holding up the championship trophy. Newton called his own number when it was a 3^rd down and he ran for the first down. Cam Newton won the Heisman Trophy because he had an amazing year and he took his team to the promise land. Newton will mostly declare for the NFL draft. With his year he will go middle or late 1^st round. He reminds me of a Vince Young but Newton is a better running the Young. Players like Cam Newton are always unpredictable in the NFL.  Some fail. Some succeed. Only time will tell what Cam Newton’s legacy will really be.

Weekend Wrap-Up

Weekend Wrap-Up

So the first weekend of the playoffs is over. The big upset was obviously Seattle beating the defending champs, New Orleans Saints. I would like to say Seattle won this game but it looked like New Orleans just lost it. Their defense lost them the game, pure and simple. The 67-yard run by Marshawn Lynch to clinch the game for Seattle was one of the most pathetic attempts at tackling by the Saints I have ever seen. Now Seattle has to play the Chicago Bears and they actually will have a decent chance to win this game and advance to the NFC Championship game, Good Luck.

The Jets outplayed the Colts and won the game on a game winning field goal by Nick Folk. I did think the Colt would win this one based on their experience but I was wrong. The Jets now get to play the unstoppable Patriots, Good Luck cause you’re gonna need it.

Baltimore dominated the Chiefs. Their defense was relentless and ended up forcing 5 turnovers on the Chiefs, which won them the game. Next up for the Ravens is the Pittsburg Steelers. This game will probably be a low scoring game because they both have great defenses. This game should be a great one. The Packers beat the Eagles just like I said they would. The game came down to the wire but Michael Vick ended up throwing an end zone interception to give the game to the Packers. Now it’s Greenbay vs. Atlanta. This game looks like it is going to be a shootout and it will be exciting to watch.

NBA News

It looks like Carmelo Anthony is on the move and its not the to Knicks. The New Jersey Nets, the Denver Nuggets, and the Detroit Pistons are part of this three-team trade that will bring Carmelo to the Nets. The deal hasn’t been finalized yet but it looks like it will be within a couple of days. The trade would bring Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony to the Nets. The Nuggets would wind up getting Derrick Favors, Devin Harris and Anthony Morrow. Now Detroit would receive Nets Center, Johan Petro, Troy Murphy, and a possible 1^st or 2^nd round draft pick. Also Al Harrington could go to the Nets as well. This trade would make the Nets a strong playoff contender and Detroit would get rid of Rip Hamilton, which they have been trying to do all season long. Stay Tuned.

Other News

Tonight at 8:30pm is the BCS National Championship Game. Auburn Tigers vs. Oregon Ducks. Both teams are very similar. They both have quarterbacks that can run and pass the ball. This game will be a track meet. It will go back and forth all throughout the game. Auburn is a bigger team, starting with Cam Newton. He is 6’6 250 and he just dominates games. I really don’t know who will win this game. Both teams have the talent to win but the one thing Auburn has that Oregon doesn’t have is Cam Newton.

Week 1 Playoff Picks

My Week 1 of the 2010 NFL Playoffs are here.

Game 1. New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Seahawks

My Pick=New Orleans Saints

The Seahawks are the first team in NFL history to make the playoffs without a winning record and that is will it will end. Unfortunately the Seahawks have to play the current Super Bowl Champs. The Saints do have some running problems with Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory out, but they have Drew Brees. Brees will spread out the ball and I have the Saints winning 28 to 10

Game 2. New York Jets vs. Indianapolis Colts

My Pick=Indianapolis Colts

Rematch of last season's AFC championship game. The Jets are looking for revenge.  The Colts are playing at home. Their running game has been playing very well lately and the team much more experience than the Jets. Peyton Manning is having a great year but he has been overlooked by Tom Brady. The Colts have had a ton of injuries on offense this year and Manning has still managed to win 10 games this year. Colts 27-20

Game 3. Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs

My Pick=Baltimore Ravens

Overall the Ravens are just the better team.The Ravens defense will overpower the Chiefs offensive line. The Ravens will stop the run and pressure Matt Cassel all day long. Flacco will dump the ball off to Ray Rice and Rice will have a huge game, running the ball and catching the ball. Ravens win 24-14

Game 4. Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

My Pick=Green Bay Packers

Clay Matthews is the key to this game. If Matthews continues to pressure Michael Vick and stop him from running the ball, the Packers will win. Aaron Rodgers has been playing very well lately and I believe he will continue that throughout the playoffs. The Packers won week 1 of the regular season against the Eagles and they should win week 1 of the postseason against the Eagles. It will be a close game but Packers win this one 27-24