The normalities of life have resumed. Europe’s top club competition is back, and with it has come the unforgiving knock-out stages. The reformatted setting which stretches the ties over a two week period have added some spice and anticipation to what is already a gut wrenching affair. If the past is any indicator of the present, one thing is certain; tears will be shed! Whether tears of joy or sorrow, football respects no one. The simple truth is games can be won or lost in the blink of an eye, through pure footballing genius or a mishit shot, legends can be made.
Fortunately for us, luck is not the total determinant of success in the beautiful game. There are a myriad of factors one could list that significantly alter the result of games, but the ball is round as they say. Looking at the individual ties, some naturally stand out. AC Milan versus Manchester United is one which definitely catches the eye. In a replay of the 2007 semi-final, where a tired looking United bowed out with nothing more than a whimper, this time around may be more intriguing. There is reduced emphasis on tactics and balance when this match is viewed, with both teams driven by one individual. The bare truth is the effect Ronaldinho has on his Milan team mates versus the influence Wayne Rooney can exert on the game may just be the tipping point that settles matters. [read more]
Week 16 NFL Preview
Well, so much for NFL history as the Saints fell to the Cowboys 24-17 in New Orleans. That was unexpected, but then again we probably should always remember the old saying “On any given Sunday, any team can be beat.” The Colts on the other hand continue their perfect season and seem like they will calmly continue to do so.
Chargers at Titans – Two years ago the Chargers met up with the Titans and faced a Fisher team whose attitude has much changed. They’re a nasty team to play, with a nasty attitude. Several injuries and fines came from that game in a Chargers win in overtime. The Chargers expect more of this type of play, some may say is dirty at times, and they won’t be intimidated this time around either. At this point in time the Titans may be tough and have a tough attitude even at 7-7, but the Chargers being the better team should rise above it.
Prediction – Chargers 31 Titans 28
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NFL Week 15 Preview
Now is the time of year that most of the games really don’t mean much except for those few that are the cream of the crop and have risen to the top. Most teams are just trying to either finish with a decent record or see who they need to replace in 2010. The Colts and Saints are just a couple of weeks away from reaching an NFL record and it does not look like they will have any problems obtaining that either because it does not look like there is anyone that can beat them. At least not in the regular season.
Colts at Jaguars - With nothing left to prove the Colts have the number one seed in the playoffs, most consecutive wins and the most wins in a decade, they still plan on playing all of their starters when they go to face the Jaguars. This is not good news for the Jaguars who need to win out to be able to get into the playoffs. And with a defense that has problems with the pass rush, this pretty much spells doom this week for the Jags with Peyton Manning at the helm.
Prediction - Colts 35 Jags 24
Cowboys at Saints - The Saints are still standing with no losses and although the last few games haven’t been that easy for them to win, they still have managed to find ways to win. And that is what good teams do. With the Cowboys coming into New Orleans and struggling in December, as they have done in the past, the likelihood of them beating the undefeated Saints is probably slim to nil.
Prediction - Saints 38 Cowboys 28
Miami at Titans - A little while ago both teams were playing so bad that no one would ever have thought that either team would be trying to get into the playoffs. But this week spells the end of one of these teams hopes of doing just that. The Titans who started 0-6 will have their hands full knowing that they have to not only beat out an entire group of 7-6 teams but also the Steelers and Texans who are both 6-7. If all things go well, all the teams losing where they should, the Titans could have a shot. If Miami can keep Titan’s running back Johnson at bay though, the game could go in Miami’s favor.
Prediction - Miami 33 Titans 30
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NFL Preview and picks for Week 14
It has never been seen before where two teams in the NFL have achieved an undefeated record. Of course we know that it has only been done twice in NFL history with the Dolphins and Patriots. But to have two teams, now that’s something. But here we are in week 14 and both the Colts and Saints still remain undefeated. Both of these teams know how to win, make brilliant comebacks when need be as well. Both teams are equally talented. Are both teams on the road to the Super Bowl? We’ll know in a few weeks.
Steelers at Cleveland - The Super Bowl Champion Steelers probably have been one of the years disappointments. It is doubtful that anyone would have predicted that they would be standing at 6-6 by week 14 of the NFL season. But here they are going into Cleveland with just that. The Steelers defense literally had a complete meltdown against a bad Raiders team that has the 31st ranked offense. To make matters worse, key receiver Hines Ward will more than likely be out for the game with a hamstring injury. And to add to that their top defensive player, Troy Polamalu will be out with an injured knee. Could the feeble Browns pull off an upset? Highly unlikely with having the 32nd overall ranked defense. Lucky for the Steelers.
Prediction - Steelers 21 Browns 14
Jets at Buccaneers - With winning back to back games, the Jets have helped their playoff hopes brighten a little, but going into Tampa, they will be doing it without their starting quarterback, Mark Sanchez. Kellen Clemens will be taking his place in what will be their important home stretch of games. Clemens has not started a game since 2007, but he may not have to worry about passing much since the Jets have the number one running game in the NFL, averaging 168 yards per game. The Buccaneers on the other hand simple have not been able to get out of the starting gate with just one win to show for it. Their rookie coach Raheem Morris is not have a season that he had hoped for. Like the hapless Rams, this is a young team with mediocre to average talent. The Jets should be able to continue their hunt for a playoff spot.
Prediction - Jets 28 Buccaneers 10
[read more]
UFC 107 preview
UFC 107 will take place on December 12 in Memphis, Tennessee. The main event will feature UFC lightweight champion BJ Penn (14-5) versus the challenger Diego Sanchez (21-2).
Penn beat Kenny Florian in his last match and is back where he belongs - the top spot and king of the UFC lightweight division. It looks like no one can beat Penn. He has the best stand-up and ground game in the 155-lb division.Diego Sanchez earned this title shot against Penn after reeling off four straight wins. Sanchez beat Clay Guida and Joe Stevenson to claim number one contender status. [read more]
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Week 13 NFL Preview and picks
Boy, if my life depended upon me getting these weekly predictions right, guess I wouldn’t have much time left on this earth. But then again, no one is perfect. Oh wait there are some who are….the Saints and Colts are still perfect on the season. These two teams have just a few short weeks left to make NFL history. That would be both the NFC and AFC having undefeated teams at the end of the regular season. Can they do it? We’ll see.
Jets at Bills - The Bills have had four straight losing seasons, and stand at 4-7 right now, you would think the Jets might have no problems. But remember this, the Bills are coming off of a really big win against the Dolphins last week. After scoring on an average of 12.3 points per game, the Bills beat the Dolphins in the 4th quarter with 24 unanswered points. With Ryan Fitzpatrick the kid out of Harvard connecting with TO, the Bills offense is actually beginning to gel. On the other side of the ball, the Jets at 5-6 and their offense floundering, it will be up to the defense to try and help this team fight for it’s very slim playoff chances.
Prediction - Bills 20 Jets 17
Patriots at Dolphins - Both these teams are reeling from games they lost last week. But the Patriots loss has got to be the most painful since they were humiliated by Drew Brees and his Saints on prime time TV last week, 38-17. The totally manhandled Pats are in dire need of this road win to rebuild confidence in themselves. Problem is, they’re going to Miami with a team that is not too happy themselves for getting beat by the Bills last week. With the Dolphins being just one game behind the Pats in a tight AFC East race, this game is crucial for the Dolphins. In the Dolphins favor, the Patriots have yet to win a game on the opponents field, London doesn’t count since neither team was at home. Important game for both teams.
Prediction - Dolphins 24 Patriots 21
[read more]
NFL Predictions for Week 12
Packers at Lions - There was a day when this used to be a pretty fun match up on Thanksgiving Day, but as of late, the Lions haven’t been much competition on Thanksgiving Day. Their last win was against the Packers back in 2003. Sure you might say that it’s their time to win, but; they are facing a Packers team that is standing at 6-4 in their division.
The Lions have been struggling all season and now will be facing the Packers without their young quarterback Matthew Stafford. Not only will they be short their future franchise quarterback, but they will be facing the number one defense in the NFL. It’s unlikely that the 2-8 Lions will muster up enough offense to fight off the Packers this Thanksgiving.
Prediction - Packers 38 Lions 17
Raiders at Dallas - The Cowboys are coming into this game a little banged up with a roughed up Tony Romo and their key receiver, Jason Witten, won’t even be on the field. Although they stand at 7-3 in their division, the Cowboys have been struggling. They haven’t been able to muster up any points through the first three quarters of their last two games. This could be a key factor in this game.
The Raiders may only be 3-7 but they are coming off of a very good win for them last week and are rallying behind their new quarterback Bruce Gradowski. He was able to lead them to victory against the Browns in his first start since December of 2008. This could be an upset for the banged up Cowboys.
Prediction - Raiders 24 Cowboys 21
[read more]
Champions League Picks November 25 2009
Group A
FC Girondins de Bordeaux (10 points) against Juventus (8 points)
Bordeaux and Juventus played to a draw last time they met. Iaquinta and Plasil each scored for their respective teams to force the draw.
Juventus failed to prevent the Plasil led offensive attack. Buffon was great for Juventus, stopping an early strike from Fernando.
Bordeaux is coming off a momentous win over FC Bayern Munchen while Juventus escaped Maccabi Haifa.
Bodeaux will cement its status a top Group A with a victory over Juventus
Group A
FC Bayern Munchen (4 points) against Maccabi Haifa FC (0 points)
Maccabi finds itself at the bottom of the group standings while Munchen is looking to fight its way to the top.
Munchen destroyed Maccabi in their first meeting. Muller had two goals and Van Buyten scored one to lead Munchen.
Maccabi played great defense in the first half until Van Buyten smashed his way past the line in the 64th minute. Maccabi completely lost focus and concentration on the defensive end late in the game.
Munchen is fresh off a loss against Bordeaux while Maccabi is still searching for its first win.
Maccabi will continue its losing streak and pick up its fifth straight loss at the hands of Munchen.
[read more]
NFL Preview Week 11
There are just two teams left that are standing at 9-0. Both the Colts and the Saints are undefeated in their own leagues. Although the Saints came close to losing, in an upset against the Rams last week, they still stand at 9-0. Was this a weakness in the Saints armor? Doubtful, they just had their hands full with the likes of Steven Jackson. Jackson may be on a losing team, but he’s up there statistically with the Vikings Adrian Peterson.
Dolphins at Panthers - Both teams are standing at 4-5 and play during a short week playing on Thursday. Both teams just played this last Sunday, and more than likely this will have an effect on both teams, but more so on the Dolphins who are also the visiting team. Both teams have had a good season when it comes to running, but Jake Delhomme has been on fire lately and it will probably come down to how well he plays. This game may have already been decided by the time this is read, but here’s my prediction anyway.
Prediction - Panthers 30 Dolphins 21 [read more]
