Following multiple victories for road teams in the wild card playoff round, the National Football League playoffs shift to the conference divisional round.
The Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens took care of business on the road to move on to the NFL playoffs as the favored defending Super Bowl champions, New Orleans Saints, came up short against the unfavored Seattle Seahawks.
In the American Conference Football league, the New York Jets defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 16-14, to move on and face their AFC East division rivals, the New England Patriots.
The Jets are clearly not favored across the board to beat the unstoppable Patriots in New England but Jets' coach Rex Ryan continues to preach his team is going to win the Super Bowl this year.
I am a Jets fan and optimistic about the Jets' chances to pull a upset but anything is possible when a team has its back against the wall and nothing to lose. My prediction is a Jets upset over the Patriots.
As for the other AFC playoff game, the Ravens face their AFC North rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Like the Jets, the Ravens are a dangerous match-up for the Steelers because both teams know each other inside and out and the Ravens have nothing to lose.
The Ravens are a dark horse to me because this team is capable of anything with the outstanding defense it has but its offense is always a question to some and the offense is the obstacle in the way of Raven from becoming a championship team.
I pick the Ravens to beat the Steelers this week because I have faith in the Ravens offense coming through in this game.
Now moving on to the National Conference League, the Packers who are clear favorites to reach the Super Bowl, head into Atlanta to face the Falcons.
Despite being the No. 1 team in the NFC, no one is sold on the Falcons because the team is not taken serious. The Falcons have been successful in past seasons and continued the success this season behind quarterback Matt Ryan.
On the other hand, the Packers were picked before the NFL season to win the Super Bowl but the team lost key players through injuries which set the team back. The Packers managed to rally back and make the playoffs in the final weeks of the season.
Packers quarterback, Arron Rodgers, was one of the key players to sit out with concussions but now he looks to be healthy and on top of his game.
The match-up will be a exciting, hard fought match and football fans should not be disappointed in this game. I pick the Packers in this game because I feel the Packers are a runaway freight train on its way to the Super Bowl.
In the other NFC playoff match, the surprisingly Seahawks, with first year coach, Pete Carrol, head on the road to face the Chicago Bears.
No one expected the Seahawks to be playing this far into the NFL postseason following a horrible season last year but the Seahawks found a way to make the postseason with their 7-9 season record.
No one had the Seahawks winning at home against the Saints but the Seahawks disproved everyone and won the game.
Once again no one will have the Seahawks beating the Bears on the road this weekend. I predict the Bears winning easily because of their great defense and good offense.
In summary: I predict the Jets and Ravens to be playing in the AFC championship game and the Packers and Beats to be playing in the NFC championship game following this weekend.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
NFL MVP race heats up
With two weeks remaining in the NFL regular season, the talk about who deserve the NFL's Most Valuable Player award begins.
The two candidates who are clear favorites are New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady and Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Michael Vick.
The Patriots have clinched themselves the American Football Conference East and the Eagles have clinched the National Football Conference East while both teams have guaranteed spots in the postseason.
With no questions asked, both quarterbacks have been a big factor for their team's success this season and have performed spectacular in several games.
Brady has had a great season as he has been averaging 254-yards per game and has 3561 pass yards on 31 touchdowns thus far in the season with two games left on the schedule.
As well as Brady, Vick is having a great season as he is averaging 250-yards per game and has 2755 passing yards on 20 touchdowns thus far in the season with two games left as well.
The two are putting up great stats as well as spectacular games.
Against the Detroit Lions in week 12, Brady threw 341-yards on 21 of 27 completed passes with four touchdowns to win the game 45-24. He repeated his performance a game later against the Jets when he poured 326-yards on 21 of 29 completed passes with four touchdowns to win the game 45-3.
Brady's performance has lunched the Patriots to a 12-2 record thus far while on a six game winning streak.
On the other hand Vick has done his own work to keep the race between the two quarterbacks close.
Against the Chicago Bears in week 12, Vick passed for 333-yards while completing 29 passes on 44 attempts for two touchdowns but lost the game 31-26.
In last week's game against the New York Giants, Vick threw for 242-yards while completing 21 passes on 35 attempts for three touchdowns and rushed 10 times to get 130 rushing yards for one touchdown to win the game 38-31.
The win against the Giants won the AFC East for the Eagles and gave the team a 10-4 record thus far for a three game winning streak.
Either player is worth winning the award without any disappointment from the fans.
Personally I would like to see Vick win the award after overcoming his legal issues and serving time in prison for his actions. But Brady is most likely going to win the MVP award because his team is performing beyond expectation.
The two candidates who are clear favorites are New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady and Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Michael Vick.
The Patriots have clinched themselves the American Football Conference East and the Eagles have clinched the National Football Conference East while both teams have guaranteed spots in the postseason.
With no questions asked, both quarterbacks have been a big factor for their team's success this season and have performed spectacular in several games.
Brady has had a great season as he has been averaging 254-yards per game and has 3561 pass yards on 31 touchdowns thus far in the season with two games left on the schedule.
As well as Brady, Vick is having a great season as he is averaging 250-yards per game and has 2755 passing yards on 20 touchdowns thus far in the season with two games left as well.
The two are putting up great stats as well as spectacular games.
Against the Detroit Lions in week 12, Brady threw 341-yards on 21 of 27 completed passes with four touchdowns to win the game 45-24. He repeated his performance a game later against the Jets when he poured 326-yards on 21 of 29 completed passes with four touchdowns to win the game 45-3.
Brady's performance has lunched the Patriots to a 12-2 record thus far while on a six game winning streak.
On the other hand Vick has done his own work to keep the race between the two quarterbacks close.
Against the Chicago Bears in week 12, Vick passed for 333-yards while completing 29 passes on 44 attempts for two touchdowns but lost the game 31-26.
In last week's game against the New York Giants, Vick threw for 242-yards while completing 21 passes on 35 attempts for three touchdowns and rushed 10 times to get 130 rushing yards for one touchdown to win the game 38-31.
The win against the Giants won the AFC East for the Eagles and gave the team a 10-4 record thus far for a three game winning streak.
Either player is worth winning the award without any disappointment from the fans.
Personally I would like to see Vick win the award after overcoming his legal issues and serving time in prison for his actions. But Brady is most likely going to win the MVP award because his team is performing beyond expectation.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Jimmie Johnson: Five-time champ
A five-time Sprint Cup champion is what Jimmie Johnson can now call himself.
Johnson, the driver who has been dominating the sport of Nascar since 2005, was looking to add his fifth consecutive Sprint Cup championship today.
The goal of winning the fifth title was not easy because Johnson was 15 points behind Danny Hamlin in the points leader board of the Sprint Cup chase.
Not only did Johnson have to leap over Hamlin for the first place finish but he also had to worry about Kevin Harvick, who was not far behind in third place in points.
The finale of the 2010 Nascar season was coming to a close in Homestead, Florida, where the three drivers looked to win the title for themselves.
Johnson qualified to start the race in the top ten, and the other two drivers started lower.
Hamlin was far behind in the back of the pack, where he had to fight his way through the traffic and reach the front of the pack.
Unfortunately as the laps started to add up, Hamlin ran into Greg Biffle on a lap after 20 laps were completed.
Hamlin's car suffered some damage that would result in him not recovering from and being the deciding factor for him to lose his chance to win the Sprint Cup.
As for Harvick, he battled along side Johnson midway through the race for forth place and looked to have a great chance to win the title.
But near the end of the race, Harvick was penalized for speeding out of the pitstop.
Harvick finished third behind Johnson but that was not enough for Harvick to win the title.
Johnson finished the race second behind Carl Edwards and that was enough for Johnson to win his fifth consecutive Sprint Cup title.
Johnson can surely secure his name in Nascar history as one of the greatest drivers to dominate the sport.
Johnson proved champions know how to win when pressure is breathing down their neck.
Johnson, the driver who has been dominating the sport of Nascar since 2005, was looking to add his fifth consecutive Sprint Cup championship today.
The goal of winning the fifth title was not easy because Johnson was 15 points behind Danny Hamlin in the points leader board of the Sprint Cup chase.
Not only did Johnson have to leap over Hamlin for the first place finish but he also had to worry about Kevin Harvick, who was not far behind in third place in points.
The finale of the 2010 Nascar season was coming to a close in Homestead, Florida, where the three drivers looked to win the title for themselves.
Johnson qualified to start the race in the top ten, and the other two drivers started lower.
Hamlin was far behind in the back of the pack, where he had to fight his way through the traffic and reach the front of the pack.
Unfortunately as the laps started to add up, Hamlin ran into Greg Biffle on a lap after 20 laps were completed.
Hamlin's car suffered some damage that would result in him not recovering from and being the deciding factor for him to lose his chance to win the Sprint Cup.
As for Harvick, he battled along side Johnson midway through the race for forth place and looked to have a great chance to win the title.
But near the end of the race, Harvick was penalized for speeding out of the pitstop.
Harvick finished third behind Johnson but that was not enough for Harvick to win the title.
Johnson finished the race second behind Carl Edwards and that was enough for Johnson to win his fifth consecutive Sprint Cup title.
Johnson can surely secure his name in Nascar history as one of the greatest drivers to dominate the sport.
Johnson proved champions know how to win when pressure is breathing down their neck.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
RCC women's water polo wins state title
Riverside City College women's water polo team defeated Long Beach City College 9-7 today and won the California state title.
Riverside and Long Beach settled for a 3-3 tie after one quarter. Riverside had a 5-4 lead after two quarters and added four more goals to lead 9-6 after three quarters. Long Beach shut out Riverside in the fourth but Riverside held on to win the match 9-7.
RCC was led by Southern California Co-MVP, Jamie Clark with three goals. Chelsea Harrod had two goals.
Andrea Antonissen had four saves for Riverside.
Riverside completed the undefeated season as the team went 32-0 this season. RCC sure did disprove the saying, "No one is perfect," because they sure did achieve a perfect season.
Stay tune as Viewpoints continues the developing story on the RCC women's water polo team.
Riverside and Long Beach settled for a 3-3 tie after one quarter. Riverside had a 5-4 lead after two quarters and added four more goals to lead 9-6 after three quarters. Long Beach shut out Riverside in the fourth but Riverside held on to win the match 9-7.
RCC was led by Southern California Co-MVP, Jamie Clark with three goals. Chelsea Harrod had two goals.
Andrea Antonissen had four saves for Riverside.
Riverside completed the undefeated season as the team went 32-0 this season. RCC sure did disprove the saying, "No one is perfect," because they sure did achieve a perfect season.
Stay tune as Viewpoints continues the developing story on the RCC women's water polo team.
Friday, November 19, 2010
RCC football plays in bowl game
A 9-1 record along being undefeated at in conference was not enough for the Riverside City College football team to compete for a state title.
The format for the California Community College Athletic Association football state finals playoffs only picks up the four best teams from Northern California and the four best in Southern California.
Riverside, ranked No. 5 missed the chance to play for the state title this year after having a remarkable turnaround in a year. Last season the team won a game and lost nine games.
Therefore RCC will settle for a bowl game tomorrow at home.
Riverside the winners of the East Central Conference, will take on Los Angeles Harbor college, the winners of the West Central Conference, for the Central Bowl at 6 p.m. at Riverside City College.
The format for the California Community College Athletic Association football state finals playoffs only picks up the four best teams from Northern California and the four best in Southern California.
Riverside, ranked No. 5 missed the chance to play for the state title this year after having a remarkable turnaround in a year. Last season the team won a game and lost nine games.
Therefore RCC will settle for a bowl game tomorrow at home.
Riverside the winners of the East Central Conference, will take on Los Angeles Harbor college, the winners of the West Central Conference, for the Central Bowl at 6 p.m. at Riverside City College.
One away from state title and perfect season
With a 12-1 victory over Foothill College at the California Community College Athletic Association semi-finals, the Riverside City College women's water polo team is a game away from have a undefeated season.
The Tigers took on Foothill today in Sacramento and shut the team down like Riverside has been doing to the majority of its opponents this season.
Jamie Clark led the Tigers with four goals and six steals as RCC goalkeeper Andrea Antonissen had 14 saves.
Riverside improves to 31-0 and are one win away from winning the state title.
Riverside faces Long Beach City College tomorrow as the perfect season and state title are on the line for RCC.
The Tigers took on Foothill today in Sacramento and shut the team down like Riverside has been doing to the majority of its opponents this season.
Jamie Clark led the Tigers with four goals and six steals as RCC goalkeeper Andrea Antonissen had 14 saves.
Riverside improves to 31-0 and are one win away from winning the state title.
Riverside faces Long Beach City College tomorrow as the perfect season and state title are on the line for RCC.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
RCC football wins seven straight
The Riverside City College football team wins seven straight games, as College of the Desert were the latest victims tonight in a 42-23 beat down by the Tigers.
RCC is now 8-1 overall on the season and 4-0 in the East Central Conference. The Tigers can win their final game of the season and head into the postseason a high note when they head to SouthWestern College on Nov. 13.
The team is looking to make the postseason again since 2005.
Last season the team had a 1-9 record and during the offseason, the team replaced coach Bill Brown with Tom Craft.
What a year can make with a new coach running the team.
RCC is now 8-1 overall on the season and 4-0 in the East Central Conference. The Tigers can win their final game of the season and head into the postseason a high note when they head to SouthWestern College on Nov. 13.
The team is looking to make the postseason again since 2005.
Last season the team had a 1-9 record and during the offseason, the team replaced coach Bill Brown with Tom Craft.
What a year can make with a new coach running the team.
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