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| Barring unforseen injuries, in late-January, the AFC Championship Game
between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts
will decide who will win the Super Bowl. They are by far the two
best teams in the NFL. I don't think I've seen a year where there is no
one even close. The only team that has a remote chance to ruin the
matchup is if the San Diego Chargers play up to their talent level.
However, they will have to win a playoff game against the Pats or Colts
on the road because they are too far back to snag one of the two byes
in the AFC Playoffs. The game that may decide who has homefield in that
game will be on November 4th when the Pats travel to the RCA Dome. The
question is which of these two juggernauts is better?
The Indianapolis Colts are the defending champions, and they will have
the benefit of having to play in the playoffs this year without the
pressure of never winning the big one. Their defense has clearly
carried over the momentum they gained from last year's playoffs. They
have allowed the fourth fewest points in the NFL. It is truely amazing
how improved this defense is, and the difference maker is Bob Sanders.
When he is in the lineup, the Colts' defense is much, much better. With
the defense playing well, the Colts are able to play a rugged type of
game. This allows the offense to take a much different approach than in
year's past. They can grind it out with Joseph Addai, who is a terrific
young back. Reggie Wayne has taken over, for now anyway, as Peyton's #1
target. Marvin Harrison clearly isn't the same wide-out he once was,
but still very valuable. To beat the Patriots this year though, the
Colts will have to revert back to the shoot-em-out type of team. That
really shouldn't be a problem for Peyton and co., as it will just be a
matter of if can
they outscore the Pats. Other than Adam Vinatieri, the Colts' special
teams has always been a weakness and continues to be so.
The New England Patriots added Wes Welker, Donte Stallworth, and some
guy named Moss this offseason. With those additions the Patriots have
been transformed from a good offense to perhaps the best the NFL has
ever seen. They haven't scored less than 34 points yet this season, and
they are on pace to shatter the NFL points in a season record. Tom
Brady has been unconscious this season, and is on pace to throw a
record 61 TD passes (Peyton 49). Wes Welker has been unbelievable for
this team. The Pats have always been great on 3rd down, so adding a 3rd
down WR like Welker makes them unstoppable. The scary thing about this
team is that they haven't put a solid run game together yet. Laurence
Maroney has only rushed for 283 yards this season, and missed three
weeks due to injury. So, when he gets fully healthy, that will only add
another threat to the high-octane Pats offense. The Patriots' defense is
one of the best in the league, but may not be as strong as it was in
recent years. I wonder if that is because the Pats have gone from the
grind it out type winner in years past to the scoring machine they are
now. The intensity of holding the other team's offense in a 17-14 game
is a little different than holding them when they have a four touchdown
lead. It may not matter though.
Who am I taking? I will take
the Patriots, as so far, they have been the most impressive team by
far. They were a 3rd and 4 completion away from beating the Colts last
year with Reche Caldwell as their best receiver. Now they have the
three headed monster in Moss, Welker, and Stallworth. As improved as
the Colts' defense is, I still believe the Pats' defense will be better in the
big spot. The Colts must beat the Pats on Nov. 4th to give themselves a
shot at homefield in the AFC Championship. They will not win a game in
Foxboro in late-Jan. If the Pats win on Nov. 4th, they will have a
great chance to go undefeated, and they will embrace it unlike the 2005
Colts. I can't wait for that matchup in 12 days at 4:15 on CBS!
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| To http://sportsgerbil.blogspot.com/
This move will take place tomorrow with World Series
predictions/breakdown. When I return home tonight, I will say farewell
to xanga by comparing the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis
Colts.
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| Boston 11, Cleveland 2 (Boston Wins 4-3)
What trumps Tom Brady throwing for six touchdown passes to lead
the Patriots to a 7-0 start? Well, how about another postseason
comeback for the Boston Red Sox. All the karma that was working against
the Red Sox, from Babe Ruth to Aaron Boone, has the nice beginnings the
last four years in starting to evening things out. It was not a 3-0
series comeback this time, but a 3-1 comeback off a very good Cleveland
team. The final score may have been 11-2, but this game was much
closer. The key play was in the top of the 7th when Franklin
Gutiérrez hit one right down the third baseline, but Kenny Lofton was
inexplicably held up at third base. He would have easily scored, which
would have tied the game 3-3. The next batter, Casey Blake, then
grounded into a double play perserving the Red Sox lead. Dustin Pedroia
would then take over hitting a 2-run homer to give the Red Sox
daylight, and then breaking the game wide open with a 3-run double.
Daisuke Matsuzaka was far from dominate, but he gave five soild innings
before passing it to the bullpen. Jake Westbrook battled as well,
giving the Tribe six hard worked innings. He really could have given up
more runs. The Lofton miscue took the wind out of the Tribe's sails,
and Rafael Betancourt, who had been so good, was beaten up for six
runs. The Tribe had a fantastic year, and with their talent they should
be back. However, Josh Beckett was the stopper the Red Sox needed
giving them a fantastic Game 5 performance allowing the series to be
sent back to Boston. That changed the whole series and that is why he
is the series MVP. Once the series returned to Fenway it was going to
be very difficult for the young Tribe to win. Homefield is not a big
factor in baseball, but if any park yields the best advantage it is
Fenway. A great job by Boston and
they will be seeking their second championship in four years. Sounds
better than two in 86 doesn't it?
Coming Up:
Can Anyone Stop the Pats?
World Series Breakdown and Prediction
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| Boston 12, Cleveland 2 (Series Tied 3-3)
The greatest term in all of professional sports is "Game 7", and
that is where this series is headed tomorrow night. Fausto Carmona was
awful tonight as he only lasted 2+ innings. He loaded the bases with no
one out in the first, but quickly got two outs making it look like he
would probably get out of the jam. J.D. Drew has not done anything all
year, so come on, it is an easy out! Right? Well, Drew finally came
through as
he hit a 3-1 fat one to straight away center for the grand slam. Drew
would add another
RBI later for five on the night. Francona's decision to start Jacoby
Ellsbury in place of Coco Crisp also paid off, as the bottom third of
the order combined for three RBI. Curt Schilling was not great, but he
battled hard in the early innings when the game was still close. The
first two runners in the third reached with the top of the order coming
up. It was 4-1 Red Sox at the time, so any damage here could have
changed the
whole game. Schilling got out of it without giving up any runs, and the
Red Sox offense went to town in the bottom of the 3rd. The key for the
Red Sox the last two games is they have been able to score first
putting the pressure on Cleveland. Remember, the Tribe scored first in
the
first four games of the series. The Indians' 3-1
series lead is long gone, but I believe they have the advantage with Jake Westbrook
vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka tomorrow. If on, unlike Westbrook, DiceK can really dominate, but I
believe the long season has really worn on him. Red Sox fans have to
hope he can give five solid innings, and then perhaps pass the game on to
Beckett (in relief) and Papelbon for two innings each. It should be a fun night with
all the cards now on the table. The winner will host the Colorado
Rockies Wednesday night in Game 1 of the World Series, while the loser
will go home for the winter. Enjoy the game!
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| Joe Torre rejected a one-year, $5 million (with incentives) deal to
come back and manage the Yankees for the 2008 season. The offer also
included a team option for $8 million for 2009 should the team win the
AL Pennant in '08. The $5 million was a paycut however, and Torre has
never been offered just a one year deal to manage the club. One year
deals for managers, coaches, etc. are always tough because their
authority is greatly compromised when being a lame duck. Torre's
performance next year would have been under the microscope more than it
has ever been next year. Would a five game losing streak in July spell
the end? Probably not, but I do not think Joe wanted to deal with all
of that nonsense all year long when he has made the playoffs every year
for his 12 years.
My biggest problem with the Yankees' offer to Torre was the $3 million
in incentives he could have earned had the 2008 team made the World
Series. Team President, Randy Levine, said in his comments that the $3
million was there to motivate Torre in October. So, basically what you
are saying is that Joe was not motivated to win the World Series? Are
you *add expletive* kidding me? Is it Torre's fault that his ace,
Chien-Ming Wang could not pitch five innings in either of his ALDS
starts? That may be the most retarded thing I have ever heard. The
incentives to motivate is what turned Torre off to this deal most of
all as stated in his press conference. That is highly insulting!
As much as I personally hate the Yankees, it is hard for anyone not to
admire Joe Torre. The man has more class than just about any athlete,
coach, front office person, or owner in all of sports. He defied the
odds by lasting 12 years with an owner like George Steinbrenner. Even
though just about any manager could win with the Yankees resources,
Torre was a perfect fit in the high pressured NYC market. He was able
to handle Steinbrenner, and, of course, the relentless New York media with
ease. Whoever the next Yankees manager is will have a rough time filling Joe
Torre's shoes. Bring on Tony LaRussa!
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