This week we saw blowouts, we saw tight bore-fests and we saw Detroit come back from the dead against Dallas, just days before Halloween. NFL Week 8 recap, starting now:
Duuummb. As a Dallas fan, there’s only so much I wanna say about Detroit’s heroics. But my professional integrity wins out. Imma need a stiff drink after this…
So all of a sudden, Steven Adams seems to have worked his way not only onto the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA roster but into a contributing role. A few weeks ago, we all assumed he’d be looking forward to a developmental season spent mostly in the D-League. A number of things have gone his way since then:
Last Season: 60-22
Key Player: Russell Westbrook. Kevin Durant is a known commodity and perhaps the best pure scorer in the league, but Westbrook’s role for OKC, as evidenced in last year’s playoffs, is crucial.
What To Watch For: Basketball’s premier Flying Kiwi: Steven Adams.
Key Question: How much has the Harden trade set this franchise back on their championship path?
2013 Prediction: 55-27
Last Season: 41-40
Key Player: Oh man, are there any left? Rajon Rondo will lead this band of misfits, reluctantly, until he’s gifted a free pass outta town.
What To Watch For: Boston fans getting fed up with this unaccustomed level of mediocrity. They’ve had too much to cheer for recently, what with the Red Sox, the Bruins & the Patriots.
Key Question: How long until Rondo gets traded?
2013 Prediction: 34-48
The Breakers lost their third game in a row for the first time since 2010. This one was nothing to be ashamed of however. Perth is definitely the team to beat in 2013, and they proved it with a dominating performance away to the defending champs. The Breakers flew out to a 9 point 1st Quarter lead, but in the 2nd Q Perth’s sharpshooters really stepped up. The talk was all about James Ennis...
Last week was my worst for picking results this season, but for once, Carolina did me right. Thus I’m perfectly happy to pick the Panthers once more. Especially against Tampa Bay, whose running back Doug “Muscle Hamster” Martin (sorry, Dougster) is out injured...
Both teams led their respective leagues in runs scored. Both have shown this postseason that they can handle this stage. But which side holds the edge in hitting?
The Red Sox got here on the back of late, clutch...
Just as Darth Vader defeated Obi-Wan, Andrew Luck can now start writing his own legacy, having toppled Peyton Manning. Hopefully he doesn’t turn the Colts into an evil empire, but hey, even if he does, he’s earned it. This is HIS team now. Here are the stories from the week in the NFL:
Fresh Prince - Champions - Indiana
Top 5: Miami, Oklahoma City, Indiana, Chicago, LA Clippers
I just don’t see Miami delivering a three-peat. The pressures of emulating Jordan’s Bulls, Shaq/Kobe’s Lakers will prove too much for the Miami squad and I see Indiana upsetting Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals.
His Airness - Chicago
Top 5: Miami, Chicago, Indiana, San Antonio, Oklahoma City
Nighthawk - Miami
Top 5: Miami, Indiana, Oklahoma, San Antonio, Chicago
Ah, so close! It all came down to the final play, Kerron driving towards a crowded basket, kicks it out to a wide open CJ Bruton, who’s misses the defining shot, and the Breakers go down by 1. It was always gonna be tough playing back to back, but the Breakers competed well early. The first half was a bit of an arm wrestle, with a lot of fouls, just as we saw last game. The kiwi team...
The momentum of their opening win didn’t last long, as the Breakers dropped their first game on the road, in a performance punctuated by sloppiness. They held strong for two quarters, taking the half time lead after a long rage buzzer-beater from Kerron Johnson. But in the third the kiwi team fell apart, scoring just 13 points. With main rebounding threats Mika Vukona and Alex Pedger spending...
It doesn’t even matter that this team is at home, Arizona cannot beat Seattle. And I’m happy to make that call. Carson Palmer has the second worse QBR of all players this year to have started more than 3 games (Eli is last), while Russell Wilson is in the top 10. Palmer has thrown 11 interceptions, and now...
Despite a number of new names (including new coach Dean Vickerman), and without 2013 League MVP Cedric Jackson, who’s off to try his luck in Europe, among others, this was a typically clinical win from the 3 time defending champs. The first quarter was a close affair, but the fabulous Breaker boys established a lead in the second and never looked like giving it up. Daryl Corletto (19pts 4ass)sparked a 19-6 second quarter run with some lights-out shooting from...
Don't be fooled by the hype! - The Giants genuinely suck this year. Eli Manning is doing his best to throw an interception for every TD his brother throws and they’ve given up at least 3 turnovers (and at least 30 points) in each of their first five games this year. Jay Cutler’s Cutlets showed a lot of heart against New Orleans in a game I thought they’d get...
One game stood out above all others this week. It had 99 points, over 1000 yards of offense, crucial turnovers and quarterback mastery. Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos are a known commodity, but not many expected The Dallas Cowboys to keep up with them. On the back of a truly elite performance by Tony Romo, however, they did just that, rallying from 15 points down in the third quarter to take an incredible 48-41 lead. Their maligned defence couldn’t hold it...
Don’t snark, this is not as bad a game as it looks. Brian Hoyer is finally living up to some of the expectations he had as a backup in New England. He’s playing well enough that Cleveland may have to trade him under the ‘Trent Richardson Precedent’. Buffalo, meanwhile, have toppled the Panthers and Ravens already, so they can’t be underestimated (as if anyone can in this league). None of the...