NFL
There was a fairly big showdown between two strong teams from different conferences. No, it is not likely to be a Super Bowl preview, and ten years later, it can hardly be described as a Super Bowl rematch, as these teams met in Super Bowl XXXVIII, which was an excellent quality game that tends to be overshadowed by the "wardrobe malfunction" at halftime.
As it turns out, last night's game between the two teams was not such a bad game, either.
It went back and forth, with both teams flexing their muscles at times, and answering each other with seeming consistency.
So, perhaps it was not a surprise that it came down to the final possessions, with a thrilling end. The Patriots were deep in Panthers territory with very little time left (mere seconds), and needing a touchdown rather than a field goal, as they were down, 24-20.
And so came the controversy at the very end, on the last play, as it were. Brady threw a pass to Gronkowski for what would have been a last second, game winning touchdown on the final play. It was intercepted instead, but Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly and safety Robert Lester ganged up on Gronkowski, clearly interfering with the play, all but mugging Gronko. The pass went to Lester for the interception to officially end the game. Besides, there was no time left on the clock by the end of the play, anyway.
But here's the thing: flags were thrown, and it seems clear enough that they were thrown for pretty clear-cut defensive interference. Yet, mysteriously, no call was made, and the game was officially over.
Now, I'm not really a big fan of the Patriots (I should also note that, despite being a Giants and Jets fan, I'm not what you would call a "hater" of New England - I reserve that for the teams in San Francisco and Washington), but it seems clear enough to me that they were clearly robbed of an opportunity to at least get another play, which would mean another chance to win it. I'm not saying that it would automatically, have resulted in a score to win the game in breathtaking fashion for the Patriots, but I also will not say that the Panthers would definitely have held them off to secure the victory.
It seems, unfortunately, once again, that we have a clear cut case of refs essentially not doing their job, and this lapse resulting in one team at the very least being robbed of a legitimate opportunity to win the game right at the end.
In any case, Carolina obviously officially takes it, to raise their record to 7-3, with their now sixth straight win in a row. By virtue of the loss by the undefeated Chiefs, who had won nine in a row going into this past weekend, the Panthers now share with the Seahawks the longest active winning streak at six.
As for the Patriots, the loss drops them to 7-3, and robbed them of a golden opportunity to effectively put the division out of the reach of their rivals, particularly the Dolphins and the Jets, who are both at 5-5. New England still holds a sizable margin of two games, but a three game margin, with six games left, would have seemed downright out of reach.
Still, all in all, one hell of a game! Too bad it ended on such a sour note, though.
Predictions
On Thursday Night Football, I like the Saints remaining hot with a win, albeit perhaps a relatively close one, against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Packers finally end their three game losing streak with a victory over Minnesota. Kansas City defuses the Chargers. Detroit rolls over Tampa Bay.
St. Louis managed to defeat the Bears in a tough game. Chicago is good, and needs to play at their best to keep up with the more talented Lions. But the Rams are tough, and better than their record indicates. So, I'll take St. Louis at home in this one.
The Texans have an eight game losing streak, currently the longest in the league. Remember, this was a team that were picked by many (including yours truly) to be an elite team this season, and to have a realistic chance at reaching the Super Bowl. Instead, here they are at 2-8. But they are playing the one team that has fared even worse generally than they have. And even though Jacksonville has been showing signs of life recently, I see the Texans beginning to show something, as well. They have lost five straight close games, and although they do keep losing them, they are getting closer. This weekend, they get it done against Jacksonville.
I like Carolina pulling it off at Miami, although the Dolphins will provide a tough challenge.
Unfortunately, I see the Jets ending their "win one, lose one" tendencies, but in the wrong direction, with a loss to Baltimore. I know, I know, the Ravens hardly look like the Super Bowl champions that they were last season. But one thing about this team: they are tough at home in Baltimore. And they will likely prove to be just too much for the Jets. Both teams absolutely need this win, but the Jets have a tough time of it one the road, it seems.
Cleveland has not been playing well as of late, while the Steelers are starting to show some undeniable signs of life. But still, I will predict the Browns to pull off a surprising victory over Pittsburgh, to remain in the playoff hunt, although their window of opportunity is closing.
The Cardinals should pull off a surprise victory in an exciting shootout against the Colts. The Cardinals are better then people think.
Oakland should win when they host Tennessee.
Then, some big showdowns. The Giants host the Cowboys, in a game that means a lot to both teams. Dallas seemed to be on top of the division for most of the season, but now find themselves outright in second place, behind the Eagles. Also, the Giants, who seemed to be in serious contention for the first pick of the draft earlier this season, have started to get things right again, and are only a game behind Dallas. It depends on how big home field advantage is, and I think the Giants should benefit from it. They are beginning to play their best ball, and I expect some decent balance between the running attack and the passing game, as well as a defense that is beginning to find their groove, as they manage to pull off their fifth win in a row.
I know some Dallas fans, who tend to be rather obnoxious and with a false sense of entitlement in regards to their team. And I have been teasing them a bit, saying that Dallas's destiny this season is a "third place four-peat". They don't find it funny. But if the Giants win this game, which I hope they do, and expect them to, then that would become a realistic possibility.
Then, on Sunday evening, the Broncos visit New England. It's another Brady versus Manning clash. Also, Wes Welker returns to New England. A lot at stake, and two of the elite teams meet in a nationally televised game. It will be tough, and I think this one is kind of a toss up. Denver is not rolling on offense like they were earlier this season. They can still put up some points, but not fifty points a game.
In the meantime, New England is not what they were in recent seasons, either. But they are a tough and crafty team, and this will be a home game for them. That makes it tough for anyone, and so I expect the Patriots to pull it off - barely.
Finally, Monday Night Football. Two teams that I really do not like square off. San Francisco at Washington. Tough game, with both teams on a losing streak. But the 49ers are the better team, I think, and so it would be difficult not to expect them to win.
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