In the past week more than ever, Tim Tebow has been trending. And I’m not talking about Twitter (although he is). Tim Tebow is trending worldwide in everyday life. You can’t go anywhere without hearing a discussion about the mile high savior. With the Patriots – Broncos matchup this Sunday, everyone is putting Tebow up against Brady. Take what I’m about to say with a grain of salt because as much as I love the Pats, I am a Tebow fan (except this week). I like the guy’s competitive spirit and will to win. He’s done some magical stuff over the past few weeks, but there’s just no way you can put him next to Tom. I don’t see the fire staying lit beyond the New England Patriots. Let’s be honest, the Pats are going to put up numbers this week. They’re going to break down the Bronco defense and score points. We may not have the greatest defense out there, but Denver doesn’t put up points. They haven’t under Tebow all season. I mean last week against Chicago they had zero points entering the final few minutes of the game. There’s just no way the Pats lose this game Sunday. It was a good run Timmy, and maybe you can continue it next week. But for now, Tebow Time has expired.
After being beaten in a game which they lead by 12 points in the 4th quarter to the rival Giants last week the Cowboys have put themselves in as close to a must-win situation as it comes. Tony Romo played great last week, and I expect that to continue against the horrendous Buc’s defense, which ranks near the bottom of the league. Dallas lost DeMarco Murray for the season, which definitely will hurt them, but Felix Jones looked good and seemed ready to carry the load on the ground. I can’t see Americas team falling again this week.
Prediction: Cowboys 30 Buccaneers 17
Sunday December 18th, 2011
Bengals @ Rams 1:00PM
Cincinnati must win to even have a slim chance at a playoff birth and this is exactly the opponent they would like to face in a must win situation. The Rams looked absolutely pathetic last week, and their overall coaching staff is partly to blame. They had six attempts from the one-yard line and it took them until the 6th time to put the ball in the hands of their only offensive star in Steven Jackson.
Prediction: Bengals 27 Rams 10
Redskins @ Giants 1:00PM
The Giants are flying high after a huge come from behind victory last week and I expect it to continue. The Redskins took the Patriots to the wire last week and their offense looked better than usual, but then again they did play the Patriots and their horrific defense.
Prediction: Giants 28 Redskins 20
Saints @ Vikings 1:00PM
This one could be very lopsided, especially if Adrian Peterson isn’t around to help the Vikings run some clock and keep the ball away from Drew Brees and the red-hot Saints offense. The Saints have played exceptionally well the past few weeks and I don’t expect this one to be too much of a struggle.
Prediction: Saints 34 Vikings 17
Packers @ Chiefs 1:00PM
Packers fans have to be happy with the way Coach McCarthy used his start players last week, even with the unfortunate injury to star receiver Greg Jennings. Expect Green Bay to score early and often to break this game open early. My bet is they will play these final three games to win them, and will pull their stars once they get a comfortable lead.
Prediction: Packers 35 Cheifs 13
Panthers @ Texans 1:00PM
I’m not predicting the upset, but I also would not be shocked if it happens. The Panthers offense has been much improved this season, but their defense just lacks the talent to be a legitimate playoff contender. I still don’t believe rookie T.J Yates will be the answer at the QB position, but its what they have and it looks like its what they will stick with. I got the Texans, but barely.
Prediction: Texans 24 Panthers 20
Seahawks @ Bears 1:00PM
The Bears look to have fallen apart this season, pretty similar to their mental collapse last week vs. Tim Tebow and the Broncos. Its astonishing that they managed to blow last weeks game and it just shows that without Jay Cutler or Matt Forte this team cannot get the job done offensively. It’s the exact opposite for the Seahawks who went from being one of the worst run offenses early in the year, to one of the best later in the season. Keep the skittles comin’ as Lynch and the Seahawks take this one.
Prediction: Seattle 20 Bears 17
Dolphins @ Bills 1:00PM
In a matchup of two teams going in opposite directions the Dolphins look to stay hot and continue their winning ways. Miami just parted ways with head coach Tony Sporano, which to me came at a weird time considering they had just started winning games, and doing so in convincing fashion.
Prediction: Dolphins 23 Bills 17
Titans @ Colts 1:00PM
The Titans aren’t exactly sure what their QB situation will look like this week, but fortunately for them they get to wing it against a winless Colts team. Expect a lot of action from Chris Johnson, which in turn will result in a Titans victory.
Prediction: Titans 24 Colts 13
Lions @ Raiders 4:05PM
Carson Palmer has struggled dramatically during his shortened season with the Raiders, and so far it looks like another terrible front office move by the Raiders, and a great move for a Bengals franchise that seems to be headed in the right direction. The Lions will get Ndamukong Suh back this week and their defense should improve from the past two weeks. This is a must win for both teams if they want a shot at a playoff berth this season.
Prediction: Lions 28 Raiders 14
Jets @ Eagles 4:15PM
The only role the Eagles have a chance to play in this season’s playoffs outcome is the spoiler role. Not exactly what they were expecting back in September. They have the talent to beat the Jets and potentially put an end to their season, its more a question of whether they will show up to play or not. I like the Eagles in this one as Andy Reid looks to hold on to any hope of coming back next season.
Prediction: Eagles 24 Jets 23
Browns @ Cardinals 4:15PM
The Cardinals are coming off an impressive victory against a great 49er team and I can’t see the Browns bringing them down. The Browns defense is much improved but their offense is just terrible and lacks any threatening weapons.
Prediction: Cardinals 20 Browns 13
Patriots @ Broncos 4:15PM
In what everyone is calling the game of the week veteran QB Tom Brady will attempt to show the nation how a real quarterback plays. Yes, I am on the Tebow bandwagon right now and I love the way the guy plays but I believe Coach Belichick can get even a defense as bad as the Patriots ready to contain Tebow. The Broncos defense has been great for the most part but they have to go up against an experience Patriots offense with many weapons. The only hope I see the Broncos having is if they can at least hold the Patriots offense in check until the so-called “Tebow Time” comes around. “Tebow Time” is going to have to be more than just a solid five to ten minutes of play in the 4th quarter this week.
Prediction: Patriots 31 Broncos 20
Ravens @ Chargers 8:20
The Chargers are clinging on to the small bit of hope they have of making the post season this year as they attempt to turn their season around and sneak in. In order for that to happen they are going to have to win out, and then hope for some more help along the way. I see their season coming to an end this week in front of a nation audience.
Prediction: Ravens 24 Chargers 21
Monday December 19, 2011
Steelers @ 49ers 8:30PM
This is shaping up to be one of the best defensive battles of the season, especially if the Steelers offense is without Big Ben. I think he toughs it out and plays this week and the Steelers stay in the hunt for the top seed in the AFC. I expect this one to be low scoring which fares well for the 49ers that need a win to keep pace with the Saints for a chance to have a first round bye in the playoffs.
A few Thursdays ago we had two hockey goals go head to head in the Video Match-Up. I’ll blame finals week for not having a match-up last week, but regardless this goal takes the cake. Danglesauce everywhere with a side order of cream cheese. Shout out to DeCandia for the clip!
There was a youth basketball tournament held last weekend in Lakeville, Minnesota. Normally this isn’t big news at all, usually just a fun time for the kids to go out and play a sport they enjoy playing. It wasn’t so much fun for Steven Wilson’s son. Mr. Wilson’s son apparently didn’t play up to his father’s expectations during the tournament, so his father let him know it. While most parents would be more of a coach like figure if they wanted to help their son, apparently Steve Wilson thought taking on a Mike Tyson-like approach would work better. According to many witnesses Steve Wilson grabbed his son with one hand and began punching the eight grader in the face numerous times. Parents at the scene had to intervene to break the fight up. Steve Wilson was arrested and released on $10,000 bail.
Wilson faces a $3,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail. The fact of the matter is, if Wilson does not have a prior record he more than likely won’t even serve jail time, which I believe is a complete joke. Unfortunately events like this happen all the time. This guy was just stupid enough to do it in public. What kind of sick individual punches his eighth grade son numerous times over a basketball game? Sounds like this guy could use a little time in the slammer, followed up by some serious anger management courses.
After a great offense performance by a normally dormant Jaguars offense last week they come in this week to face against a Falcons team that is fighting for a playoff berth. The Falcons can’t afford to lose to a team like the Jags, but if MJD plays like he did last week than anything is possible. The only way the Jags hang around in this one is if MJD can put up a big performance and carry the offense on his back. Matt Ryan has improved over the past couple weeks after starting off the season with a few less than stellar performances. Atlanta needs this one too much to let one slip away to a team like the Jaguars, especially at home.
I know this is the Boston Sports Blog, but I was pretty interested when I stumbled upon this article about Jeter. After being named one of the “Most Fascinating People in 2011,” (sorry Manny) he interviewed with Barbara Walters and was talking to her about the racism he faced growing up in Michigan. I guess I understand where he is coming from, but I really don’t think that this should be the focal point of the interview. Can we talk about the fact that this guy gives the girls he sleeps with a gift basket afterwards? I mean how much of a G can you be? Trust me, on the baseball diamond I hate Jeter as much as everyone in Boston…he was the guy who hit the so-called home-run in the 1996 ALCS against the Orioles that was clearly the worst call in the history of sports (if you don’t know what I’m talking about YouTube Jeffrey Maier). However, this guy is absolutely incredible off the field. He pretty much does what he wants with the media, has dated the most ridiculous list of Hollywood Celebrities ever, and he gives the girls who leave his Trump Tower Penthouse a gift basket of signed memorabilia that is left in the limo that drives them home. I mean come on! Jeter also mentioned that he wants to head up a Baseball Operations for a team, potentially indicating that he is does not plan on extending his contract past 2013, a move that I think would allow him to leave still on top. I know you hate him because of the pinstripes, but this guy knows how to get it done off the field.
With the NBA starting back up in a few weeks and the huge shadow it’s cast over the NHL, the Bruins are doing everything they can to make sure people do not forget they are the world champions. Last night the Bruins put the Senators away late in the game, coming out on top 5-2 to begin a new 3 game winning streak. Timmy Thomas was spectacular in net, making 47 saves and only allowing 2 behind him. Since November 1, the B’s are 17-3 and sit comfortably atop the Northeast Division. Little bit of a turnaround from the 3-7 campaign throughout October. The Bruins have a two day break until they’re put to the test against a strong Flyers squad in Philly. The season is still young, but we’ve seen the kind of team we have though both ups and down. The Stanley Cup hangover has been well pushed aside and the boys mean nothing but business from now til June, when the bottles start popping again and Lord Stanley gets another joyride down Boylston Street.
Can anyone keep up with the NBA? Don’t get me wrong, I love basketball and the Celtics but the coverage on the NBA over the past 3 months has been outrageous. Don’t even get me started with the lockout. I’ll spare you the frustration and move to recent news. Everything has been pending, rumors, and a whole lot of he said, she said. It gets to the point we (the fans) get left with nothing concrete to let us fall asleep at night. But today, ESPN decided to help us out. They released a Player Movement Tracker this morning that puts each team’s trades, acquisitions, drafts, etc. into an order we can all understand. Take a look at it here: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/transactions-11-12/2011-12-nba-player-movement-tracker. Sleep well NBA fans!
I played basketball against Central Catholic in high school and for the most part they always smoked us. Pulling in talent from all around the area, they’re just an all around good sports school, especially when it comes to basketball. Don’t get me wrong, I have no love for the school at all, but you just have to give it up to their fan section here. Well done.
Due to the fact that there have been multiple hostage crises in the NBA over the last few weeks, many people have failed to notice the bomb that went off in the MLB. Ryan Braun, the most recent NL MVP, tested positive for synthetic testosterone back in October of this year. I’d like to start by saying that these allegations are being appealed and investigated, but all signs point to Braun taking some serious PEDs. What an idiot. In this day and age, each player is underneath a microscope, especially a player on a team that is in the playoffs. Why the hell would anyone even risk this? If these allegations are proven, which many sources say they will, I think that you have to strip him of the MVP title and dish it off to the next in line. Personally, I think that Matt Kemp should have gotten it off the bat, but I get that the Brewers made it to the playoffs so I’m not going to complain. After this incident, the Brewers will be in some seriously hot water. With Braun out for the first 50 games and Prince likely to be in another uniform next year, the Brew Crew has lost almost all of its offensive firepower. Regardless, Braun’s name is forever tainted by this situation and may have just cost the Brewers their future.
Boston Sports Blog 