A big congratulations goes out to Auburn’s quarterback Cam Newton. He won the Heisman Trophy award over the weekend and will bask in the spotlight until it comes time to take on Oregon for the National Title on January 10. He clearly was the best player this year and his skills will try to be emulated by teams for years to come. But with all of the allegations already and more sure to be dug up, will he be able to keep his trophy?
There are just 3 weeks left in the NFL season and unlike previous years, all the games are meaningful and only one team has secured themselves a spot in the playoffs. In some divisions it is still possible for the last place team to vault all the way up to first place. There is so much going on in the league and the playoff picture won’t be complete until the final game is played.
This is the time of year when there is another variable thrown into some football games; the weather. The Chicago Bears and New England Patriots pretty much played in a blizzard on Sunday and it definitely affected the Chicago offense. When it snows or rains the teams with the better running backs tend to win but defenses always end up with more turnovers. It keeps things even more interesting during the push towards the playoffs. Mother Nature plays no favorites.
If you need any more proof that Mother Nature is a force not to be reckoned with, check out this video of the Metrodome’s roof being brought down by snow. This has forced the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings to delay their game and play it in Detroit. Should make things very interesting for that game when it eventually does get played.
Top Games to Watch
1. NFL – Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants – Dec. 19 @ 1 pm
At this stage in the season, this game could be the difference between making the playoffs and not for these two teams. When the Giants are eventually able to play the Vikings they will need to win in order to keep in step with Philadelphia and stay tied for first place. Michael Vick has been unbelievably good this season and has lead the Eagles to one of their best season in years. The Giants have been a pretty solid team most of the season but have faltered at times. With the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints in their Conference, neither the Giants or Eagles will get the Wild Card spot into the playoffs so this game is of the ut most importance to each. Will Eli Manning be able to step up and lead his team or will Vick continue to amaze us with his comeback? The Giants will be coming off a hectic week of traveling to Minnesota and then diverted to Detroit, will that weariness carryover to this week? This old school rivalry will be renewed with so much on the line and you will want to watch and see who exactly is the best.
2. NHL – Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers – Dec. 14 @ 7 pm
Pittsburgh is currently the top team in the league behind their leader Sid “The Kid” Crosby and they are looking to keep that position to make sure the entire playoffs run through Pittsburgh. But the Flyers are just one point behind and they are looking to show that their late season surge into the playoffs last year was no fluke and they really are the best. Oh, and they’re in the same division so this is a battle for first place on all levels. This will be a hard fought game that will test both teams from start to finish. Make sure you watch to see who will get the bragging rights this time.
3. NFL – New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers – Dec. 19 @ 8:20 pm
The Patriots have emerged as the dominant team in the NFL by beating two first place teams in the span of 6 days and doing so soundly. There was no doubt who the better team was in any of the contests and Tom Brady has pretty much earned himself the MVP in the process. The Packers started the season as one of the top teams but have not played up to expectations and find themselves outside of the playoffs if the season were to end today. It didn’t help by having quarterback Aaron Rogers go down with a concussion against the Detroit Tigers and lose last week. Rogers should be able to play in this game but if he doesn’t then consider the Packers’ season all but done. A loss wouldn’t eliminate them from the playoffs but it would require a miracle to make. A win for the Patriots would get them one step closer to the best record in the conference and thus get homefield advantage for the entire playoffs where they are nearly undefeated with Tom Brady as quarterback. Both teams have huge motivation for this game, see if the Packers have what it takes to regroup and take down the top team.
Things To Keep An Eye On
- When the Vikings and Giants do finally play, it is speculated that Brett Favre will not be able to make the start and that will end his consecutive games played streak. Try to catch at least the beginning of the game just to see if he does play and if he doesn’t, what will the crowd reaction be?
- The NBA has all teams playing this week but nothing really in the way of a marque matchup. Plenty of big names but not really any playing each other. Check out the schedule to see when your team will be playing next.
- Take a look at the entire College Football Bowl schedule and make sure you catch your teams game and cheer them on
