Monday Night Football
Mike Ditka - a man who most people automatically identify with the Chicago Bears, was honored last night at Soldier Field, when the Bears hosted the Dallas Cowboys in a very important Monday Night Football showdown.
The Bears certainly did not play a vintage brand of conservative Ditka football last night, but they did do what the franchise used to do quite often during the Ditka years: win.
The Bears won running away, 45-28, in a game that was not as close as the final score would suggest.
Chicago won with an incredibly explosive offensive performance, behind the stellar play of Josh McCown, the backup quarterback behind Jay Cutler. He stepped in wonderfully, and showed incredible poise and precision, completing 27 of 36 passes for 348 passing yards, including four touchdown passes, with no interceptions. He also ran for another touchdown. His overall quarterback rating for the game was an incredible 141.9!
The big Bears wide receivers simply just put a hurting on the Cowboys defense, who had no answers. The Bears got almost 500 yards of offense in the game.
One side note - it was a very cold day. So cold, it ranks as the second coldest day in Dallas Cowboys history - presumably behind the legendary "Ice Bowl" against the Green Bay Packers in the sixties. The wind chill factor made it feel like it was below zero.
Chicago, with the win, keeps pace with the Detroit Lions atop the division, which they needed, because they were swept by the Lions this season. Had they lost, they would have found themselves a game behind with three games left to play, and the Lions owning the tie breaker straight up. So, it was a good, solid, and very necessary victory for them.
For Dallas, the loss means that, for the first time this season, the Cowboys are trailing another team within the NFC East division, as their record dropped to 7-6.
Predictions:
I see the Broncos struggling a bit on Thursday Night Football, but ultimately getting past the San Diego Chargers, and staying on track to gain home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
On Sunday, I see the Jaguars knocking off the Buffalo Bills. I'm a Giants fan, but even I can see the writing on the wall this season: the Giants just are not that good. And the Seahawks are, so I expect them to win convincingly over the G-Men at the Meadowlands, in what may be only their first taste of the MetLife Stadium, if they should make it to the big dance. The Eagles should get a solid enough victory in Minnesota, while Houston receives it's twelfth straight loss on a road trip to Indy, who already clinched the division title. Kansas City is the better team, but I see them struggling in Oakland, only really squeaking by to win it at the end. The Jets get crushed in Carolina, which makes the New York offense look ridiculous. The Bears should beat the Browns in Cleveland. The Falcons should handle Washington in Atlanta. The Saints take care of business against the Rams in St. Louis. I also like Arizona at Tennessee, because they are fighting for their playoff lives at this point. Dallas and Green Bay play a key game with playoff ramfications on Sunday, but without Rodgers, it's hard to see the Packers being able to keep up, because Green Bay does not have a backup on the caliber of a Josh McCown.
On Sunday Night Football, I see the Bengals knocking off the Steelers, and staying on course for a division title, which they very well might clinch this weekend. They are also in pursuit of a potential playoff bye, while for Pittsburgh, the season is over.
Upsets?
How about the Bucs over the 49ers. That may be wishful thinking, but Tampa Bay has been playing really well as of late, and the defense is finding itself. Plus, the 49ers are not nearly as good on the road as they are at home.
Also, expect the hot Dolphins to upend the Patriots in Miami.
MLS
Sporting Kansas City won their second ever title this past Sunday, outlasting Real Salt Lake in the penalty kick shootout following a tied game in regulation and extra play.
Kansas City, by winning it's second title, became the fifth team in the league to have won multiple titles with the victory.
Sporting Kansas City secured their win after Real Salt Lake's Lovel Palmer hit the bar and missed the shot, securing the title for Sporting KC.
A tremendous victory for Sporting KC, who also are a young team loaded with talent, and could very well enjoy a sustained period of similar success, if they stay focused and healthy.
At the very least, right now, they certainly have plenty to celebrate, as the offseason starts, with the holiday season right around the corner.
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