NFL
On the Thursday Night Football game, the New Orleans Saints dominated the hosting Carolina Panthers, 28-10, to take over sole possession of first place in the NFC South. Of course, that is probably the worst division in the league this season, and it surely is right now, the way all four teams combined have been playing.
Still, the Saints have been playing much better, following a dismal 1-4 start that seemed to have placed them in a hole that they might not be able to dig themselves out of.
Mark Ingram, son of the former Super Bowl XXV champion, rushed for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns on 30 carries. Drew Brees completed 24 of 34 pass attempts for 297 yards and 1 touchdown, although he was also intercepted once, and sacked 4 times!
Cam Newton, in a losing effort for the Panthers, had a horrible day, completing 10 of 28 passes for 151 yards and 1 interception, although he was effective on the ground, running 7 times for
43 yards and a touchdown - the only one the Panthers scored all day.
The Panthers had been in the lead in the NFC South all season heading into this game. But the Saints, who started off 1-3, have now reversed that and won three of their last four games to even their record at 4-4. They have now won two games in a row, and own a game and a half lead over the Panthers, and a two game lead now over the Atlanta Falcons.
CFL
The season is winding down. None of the games have been on local television as of late that I have noticed. Still, having seen a couple of games now, that was enough to get me intrigued in the league, and what's going on in it.
The Calgary Stampeders are in the playoffs, with a 14-2 record, and only two games left to play. They have pretty much been the best team all season, and nothing so far has really interfered with that.
However, now with the elimination round, there is always danger, since your regular season record is erased, and the new season - the postseason - is really all that matters for the championship (unlike in European sports, where the season champion is the team that was the most solid all around performance that season).
Still, Calgary looks great so far, and it is difficult to envision the Gray Cup being played without them this season. They look like they should earn it.
However, it is not all good news for the Stampeders at the moment. John Forzani, a former great player for the franchise, is on life support after suffering a heart attack in California. We all wish him well!
One thing that I found while doing some research for the CFL was a new addition that should prove entertaining and informative for anyone interested in the league: a new power ratings article that will evidently be a regular feature from this point onwards! Very cool, and you can find the link below:
CFL Super Power Rankings: The perils of the division crossover playoff game By Ian Denomme of 55 Yard Line, October 30, 2014:
https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/cfl-super-power-rankings--the-perils-of-the-division-crossover-playoff-game-153736833.html
MLB
Yes, the Giants continue their even year dominance. They won the World Series in 2010, then again in 2012, and now, they have also won the 2014 World Series, their third title in a span of five seasons. They are the budding dynasty in baseball, and look to solidify this status within the next couple of seasons. They certainly would be regarded as a dynasty if they manage to win another World Series, and would be seriously tough to beat as the team of the decade (remember, 2010 does not technically count as this decade).
Now, I will admit that I was pulling for the Kansas City Royals, a team that had not won the World Series, or even a playoff game, since 1985, when they last won it all. This was a team that came from out of nowhere to suddenly get hot at the right time, and took this momentum all the way to Game 7 of the World Series. They were very close to winning it all, and giving the small market teams a boost in the process, I think.
But, alas, it was not meant to be. Hopefully, they can return to the big dance in the near future, and maybe, hopefully win it this time!
MLS
Yet more bad news for sports in Kansas City, as their defending champions, Sporting Kansas City, were ousted from this season's playoffs by the Red Bulls, who advance to the next round, while the Sporting KC now goes home.
The Red Bulls came from 1-0 down with two goals in the final 13 minutes of play. Both goals were scored by Bradley Wright-Phillips. The first of those goals was set up by 37-year-old Frenchman Thierry Henri, a former World Cup champion (1998 France) and elite player in Europe and the world. Henri will soon be retiring.
The Red Bulls can earn a place in the championship game now if they win their next playoff series.
No comments:
Post a Comment