Tuesday Sports Review

NFL

Monday Night Football Recap

So, who could have foreseen this a year ago? The Jets pulling out a victory on Monday Night Football, on the road against the Atlanta Falcons, to raise their record to 3-2, and in the process, shedding some of the considerable doubts that they are, in fact, serious contenders. For that matter, who could have foreseen the Atlanta Falcons sitting at 1-4, already with as many losses in five games this season as they suffered in eighteen games last season, including the postseason.

The New York Jets were underdogs, and many were those, myself included, admittedly, who expressed cynicism at this sudden reversal of fortune to the status of contenders this season. True, they had engineered some incredible and improbable victories against the Bucs and the Bills, but neither of those teams exactly rank among the elites in the league. And yes, the Jets had pushed the Patriots to the limit earlier this season. But in the end, they had lost, rather predictably.

So, it looked like their early success was built on a bubble, and that bubble seemed about to burst after a blowout loss at Tennessee last weekend, and then a visit to Atlanta this Monday.

Instead, however, they dominated the first half, really asserting themselves in a dominant second quarter, and building a 17-7 halftime lead.

The Falcons responded, of course. They got a touchdown midway through the third quarter, to pull within three.

But the Jets answered right back themselves, with a field goal right at the end of the third quarter, and then yet another follow up with a touchdown early in the fourth. They seemed to have the game well in hand, leading 27.

Atlanta, though, came very close to qualifying for the Super Bowl last season, and enjoyed the best record in the league. This was for a reason, and they showed it in the fourth, as Jacquizz Rodgers capped a strong drive on a 19-yard touchdown run. Then, Matt Ryan showed off his skills on another scoring drive very late in the game, finding Levine Toilolo in the end zone just after the two minute warning to seemingly clinch the victory.

I'll admit to assuming it was over right there. The Jets drive would stall. Maybe they would get one first down, but that would probably be it. The drive would stall, or maybe Smith would throw the pick. Or someone would fumble. Or time would run out. Something would surely go wrong. These are the Jets, after all.

Yet, there they were, calmly working their way down the field, and putting themselves, rather surprisingly, in the position to win. To steal back a game that was on the verge of being stolen from them. To pull off a very memorable victory. For once, they seem to be doing just that this season.

With the victory, the Jets pulled into a second place tie with the Miami Dolphins, and are now within a game of the New England Patriots, who themselves looked far less than super against the Bengals. Despite their poor record, the Falcons are still generally regarded as a solid team, which means that the Jets road victory was against a quality opponent, adding strongly to their own credibility.

And what a way to win it! Watching the end of the game, with the Falcons marching down the field, down 27-21, it was all too easy to predict what would happen next: Atlanta would get the go ahead touchdown, and win the game, 28-27. The sports reporters would talk about how close the jets had come, and wasn't it a shame that they couldn't pull it off? But they would not pull it off, and with a losing record, they would be in a tough spot. Week by week, they would suffer more such losses, until they were out of the division race and, eventually, out of the playoff race. And another dismal season for the Jets, a now consistent pattern dating back to the days following Joe Namath's guaranteeing victory in Super Bowl III. That one day was the highlight for this franchise, but it has been pretty much all downhill since.

What I did not see was that they would remain cool and calm, that Geno Smith would orchestrate a brilliant drive, quickly and calmly leading his team down the field, and getting them in position for the winning field goal attempt. I will also admit that I was skeptical when they seemed to let the clock run down too far. There were three seconds left when they called that final timeout, and would have one attempt at the winning field goal. But why not leave, say, eight seconds? If something goes wrong with the snap, then at least you have another crack at it?

But all of that matters little, because the kick went through the uprights, and the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets Jets! now have a winning record once again, and they are most certainly very much alive, and with growing expectations for this season.

I had predicted an embarrassing defeat. But I can admit to being wrong. I'm actually starting to believe in this team! And wouldn't it be nice if the Jets could be good in the very same season that the Super Bowl is going to be played in their home stadium? While the Giants are floundering, maybe the Jets can bask in the spotlight? Maybe, they can pull off a few upsets along the way, make the playoffs, and then pull off some more upsets? Maybe, come February, the green and white will....

Hold on! Got carried away there for a minute. It's a good, solid victory, and I am glad that the Jets pulled it off. Glad that they proved me wrong. But it is one win, and there is obviously a long way to go. But this team, at least for now, definitely has a chance!




Week 6 Predictions

I am aware that my team, the New York Giants, look like the worst team in the NFL. Particularly on defense, where they have allowed an average of over 36 points per game.

But they will have to win sooner or later, won't they? So, although I know the game at Soldier Field will be tough, I am going to go ahead and predict an upset, because the Giants have now reached the point where they are desperate and need to take chances. Sooner or later, the offense will shine, right? Sooner or later, they will limit the turnovers. Sooner or later, the defense will actually plug the holes enough to notch their first "W".

Going against Chicago at Chicago is tough, no question. But the Bears have been reeling the last couple of weeks as well, suffering two straight tough losses to the Lions and the Saints, after that 3-0 start. They are vulnerable, and I predict the G-Men to pull off an upset, like their cross town rivals, the Jets, just did.

You probably think I am crazy.

But let me make the other predictions, as well:

I like Cincy pulling off a tough road win at Buffalo, and Houston should get back on track against St. Louis. The Vikings defeat the Carolina Panthers in a tough game, and the J-E-T-S, Jets! Jets! Jets! hold off the Steelers. the Eagles stay hot against Tampa Bay, and the Chiefs remain unbeaten against Oakland. Tennessee will lose at Seattle, and the Denver Broncos should pound the hapless Jaguars (Hey! Maybe the Giants aren't the worst team in the league, after all!). The 49ers stay strong against the Cardinals, and the Cowboys hold off the Redskins.

Now, here are the really tough games. I see the Packers pulling out a tough win at Baltimore, and Cleveland shocking the Lions. The Saints stay hot against a suddenly struggling New England franchise.

Finally, on Monday Night Football, I like the Colts staying hot and beating San Diego.



Tennis


"Nadal to be No. 1 after reaching Beijing final", by the Associated press, October 5, 2013

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nadal-return-no-1-china-081703146--ten.html

Nadal is back to being Number one again!

After reaching the Final at the China Open, Rafal Nadal took the top ranking away from his perennial rival, Novak Djokovic, who has ended the previous two calendar years with the year end top ranking.

But this year seems to be a real dog fight right to the end, as Djokovic promised that he would make Nadal fight for his number one ranking. The race is incredibly tight at the moment.

Both men have two ended years atop the rankings, and both are seeking a third time with this distinction for their careers.

Truth be told, I think Nadal should be the year end number one. He once again was a dominant force on clay, like he always has been. But the dominance that he displayed this year on the hardcourts really set him apart, and should be enough to clinch not only the number one ranking at year's end, but also solidified his already considerable legacy that much more, as he continues to challenge Roger Federer's claim to being the best of all time!




Soccer/Football





MLS



Top Ten

1	New York Red Bulls	32	11	53
2	Sporting Kansas City	31	15	51
3	Houston Dynamo	31	2	47
4	Montreal Impact	30	3	46
5	Philadelphia Union	31	0	45
6	Chicago Fire	31	-4	43
7	New England Revolution	31	8	42
8	Columbus Crew	32	-2	41
9	Toronto FC	32	-17	26
10	D.C. United	31	-35	15

France Ligue 1 Standings:

Rank	Team	GP	GD	PTS
1	Monaco	9	11	21
2	PSG	9	9	21
3	Lille	9	7	17
4	Marseille	9	6	17
5	Nantes	9	6	16
6	Nice	9	1	14
7	St. Etienne	9	1	13
8	Montpellier	9	2	12
9	Reims	9	1	12
10	Bastia	9	0	12
11	Rennes	9	-1	12
12	Toulouse	9	-3	12
13	Guingamp	9	2	11
14	Lyon	9	1	11
15	Bordeaux	9	-1	10
16	Evian	9	-7	9
17	AC Ajaccio	9	-6	7
18	Lorient	9	-8	7
19	Sochaux	9	-11	5
20	Valenciennes	9	-10	4