Oh and Leo’s favorite player just happens to be Messi.

Soccer may not be a big deal here in the States but everywhere else it is huge and this kid is the equivalent of Lebron James. He is young and being sought out and purely raw talent. Who knows what will happen to this kid in the coming years but Real Madrid is placing their future in this young kid. All it takes is a slip and fall on a play ground somewhere for this kid to roll and ankle and never be the same. I surely hope not but this is a lot of pressure and responsibilities to put on a kid who is probably just learning to tie his cleats himself.

So keep an eye out for this boy on the world stage because in the upcoming years he could be the biggest thing since sliced bread.

• Beavis and Butthead will return to television and MTV has released the first peek at America’s favorite idiots.

• New footage for the new Batman game, Arkham City, has been revealed and it should get your kids very excited.  This is the follow up to 2010’s Arkham Asylum which was one of the best video games ever.
• Lucasfilm has shown a teaser for some of the deleted scenes from the original Star Wars trilogy that will be available on the Blu-Ray box set coming out later this year.
• LEGO has announced that they will be making DC and Marvel Superhero playsetsand figures.  Now kids can build LEGO machinery for their favorite super heroes and villains.

How great will family car rides be when you can interact with the windows and the environment around you.  This is only the tip of the technology too.  I would imagine games and applications will be developed and then eventually it will all be connected to WiFi and you’ll basically have a computer screen on your window.

Kids can be kepts entertained and parents would get some peace and quiet (perhaps) during those long highway miles.  I would imagine movies will eventually be able to play on the windows as well.  Plus this also paves the way for completely clear computer monitors.  Technology is amazing.

My favorite thing is how the drawings move across the window as if they were stationary.  Something about that is just so cool.

What could you do with this sort of technology?  What sort of fun games would you want for your car window?

Christian was the lucky guy who snagged New York Yankee Derek Jeter’s homerun ball which also happened to be Jeter’s 3,000 major league hit; a major milestone and has been accomplished less than 30 times.  After the 1998 season when Mark McGwire’s homerun balls were going for hundreds of thousands of dollars, it was estimated that this baseball would be worth at least $200,000.  So when Christian ended up with the ball everybody assumed he would make a mint.

Instead, Christian did the right thing and simply wanted to give the ball back to Derek.  This gesture absolutely floored sports fans and the Yankee organization who was ready to hand over a big check.  After all was said and done Christian walked away with numerous autographed memorabilia and game tickets for the rest of the season in a luxury suite.  He didn’t ask for any of that but the Yankees gave it to him in appreciation.  Christian got to meet Derek and get an unprecedented look in the Yankee clubhouse and front office.  It would be every Yankee fan’s dream to not only get all that stuff but to forever be remembered in Yankee history.

But then the punishment loomed its ugly head.

The IRS stepped up and said that Christian (who was already deep in student loan debt) would be responsible for the taxes on the items.  They estimated the total to be anywhere from $4,000 – 14,000.  Again, Christian went against the grain and simply said that the IRS is doing their job and he would find a way to pay the taxes.  He didn’t complain or seek help, he just took it.

Well now other companies are stepping up and rewarding Christian for everything.  Miller High Life is going to pay any taxes that may come up.  Mitchell Modell, CEO of Modell’s Sporting Goods (a company that sponsors the Yankees) is giving Christian his 2009 World Series ring.  Then along with his friend Brandon Steiner, CEO of Steiner Sports, guaranteed Lopez at least $25,000 each towards his student loans.  Steiner is setting up auctions now to help raise even more money for Christian.  The baseball card company Topps has also stated that they will issue a limited edition baseball card of Christian.  How cool is that!?  He gets his own baseball card.

So this time a good deed was punished but then a mob of public support saved it from turning bad.  This whole thing has been a perfect display of humanity at some of its better moments.  People doing the right thing and then others doing the right thing by helping him out of the jam.  Thank you America.  Sometimes good will can defeat greed.

They invited the young player to join the team during a practice and there were plenty of pictures to be taken.  The contract doesn’t mean a payday for the youngster but it does mean he’s already on the radar of professional sports.  He does have it in his blood though, his grandfather was a professional player for the club in the past and as you can see by the video, the little guy can kick it.

There is no further information besides Nintendo saying there will be a “2012 launch” but you can expect big things from Nintendo at this years E3Expo held June 7-9 in Los Angeles.  It is there that they will display the new console and its capabilities.  The Wii has floundered in sales ever since Microsoft released the Kinect adapter for their X-Box console which allows people to be their own controller and interact using motion.

I have been involved in video games my neighbors had an Atari system in the mid 80’s and I have followed the evolution from Nintendo to Super Nintendo to Nintendo 64 to Game Cube to Wii and now to whatever is next.  I don’t know how much better gaming could get really because the graphics are so good now.  But I also remember saying something like that when the Super Nintendo came out and I thought that was the epitome of gaming.  Oh boy was I wrong.

So keep an eye and ear out in the next few months for more information because before too long your kids will be aware and then there will be no stopping the next wave of video game consoles making their way into our homes.

The NBA Playoff race is seriously heating up and none of the seedings are set in stone.  Any of the top 3 teams in each conference could theoretically make a run for the best record in the league or at least in their conference.  The team with the better regular season record gains home-court advantage in any playoff series and that is a huge advantage.  If a series goes the distance and a deciding game is played, the team who gets to play at home has a very big advantage.  In the Finals that means one team doesn’t have to fly across the country and feel jet-lag and/or any other fun things that come with air travel.  So being at the top does have its advantages and the serious teams will take every psychological advantage they can get with their own crowd at their backs.

Say good-bye to hockey because this is the last week of their regular season before the push to the Stanley Cup happens.  The Eastern Conference is pretty much set but the Western on the other hand is really up in the air.  Only the top three teams have secured playoff spot and only 4 points seperate 4 place and eighth.  Those 4 points can be made up in two games and with each teams playing this week, you never know who will end up in and who will end up out.

Lots to enjoy this week so get the family together and watch some sports memories!

Top Games To Watch

1. NCAA Championship Game – Connecticut Huskies vs. Butler Bulldogs – April 4 @ 9:23 pm

The NCAA Tournament has been cut down to the only two teams still left undefeated.  The Butler Bulldogs knocked out the Virginia Commonwealth Rams to earn their second straight spot in the National Title game.  Kemba Walker has lead his UCONN Huskies team all the way through the tournament and with their narrow victory over the Kentucky Wildcats, he now has a chance to solidify his lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft.  If he can push his team to one more victory it will probably be the last we see of him in the college game and he’ll make millions in just a few months while he’s still in the national spotlight.  Butler lost last year by just one basket and they are hungry for redemption and to prove they are a top team who should no longer considered and underdog.  It should be a great game and if it’s close you should make sure to be watching the last couple minutes.  That’s when Kemba will prove his mettle or Butler will prove theirs. 

2. NBA -  Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls – April 7 @ 8 pm

The Celtics have just not been the same team since the Kendrick Perkins trade but that doesn’t mean they won’t get things together and be the Celtics of old soon.  The Bulls have the leading contender for the MVP award in Derrick Rose as well as the best record in the Eastern Conference.  A big win against the Celtics will give them a boost of confidence into the post season and further solidification of as a contending team.  Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen each still have the ability to win games and will be looking to get their own confidence and momentum into the post season.  This should be a classic match between two very good teams with a lot to play for.

3. NBA – Boston Celtics  at Miami Heat – April 10 @ 3:30 pm

Boston has their hands full at the end of the week with Chicago plus the super Miami Heat.  Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh have come together to be a very strong team and not they are looking to make their mark in the playoffs.  But first they have to fight for a better record than the other big contenders to secure home-court through playoffs.  The Heat may not be the ultra powered team people projected but they are still one of the best in the league and only getting better as time goes on.  They will have their hands full with the veteran Celtics who have mostly played together for many years and don’t want to give any sort of momentum to the Heat.  Even though the season is almost over, this game has many implications tied to it and both teams will but on quite a show to make sure their side wins.

Things To Keep An Eye On

• The NHL standings are close to being set.  The playoffs are nearly here but there are still more games left to decide the fates of a couple teams.  Check out all the info over at NHL.com
• Baseball is just starting but you can get all the news and info over at MLB.com

Baseball is coming back!  One of the longest seasons in all of professional sports begins this week when Major League Baseball kicks off.  The San Francisco Giants are the reigning champs and it will be interesting to see if they can repeat against the other powerful team.  The Phillies are my pick to win it all this year.  They have the best pitching rotation in the league and if their staff can stay healthy their team will put up some staggering numbers when all is said and done.  But the best part about baseball kicking off is that it means Spring is here and Summer is just around the corner.  Time to bust out the caps and jerseys to enjoy a hot dog at the ball park.  America’s pasttime is back and you should enjoy it with the family.

Then to top all that off, the NBA season is winding down and their are still plenty of playoff picture left to be decided.  Teams currently slated to make the playoffs (top 8 teams in each conference) are jockying for seeding position and seventh and eight teams could still be knocked out and replaced with others.  There are about 10 games to go and the best record in the league can still be obtained by numerous teams.  But if baseball has one of the longest regular seasons, then basketball certainly has one of the longest postseasons.  Playoffs begin in about 3 weeks left in the season but the ultimate champion won’t be crowned until June or even July.  So get ready because the playoffs are coming but pace yourself because it’s a long ride.

Top Games To Watch

1. NCAA Tournament – Final Four – April 2 – No. 4 Kentucky vs. No. 3 UCONN @ 8:49 pm, No. 11 VCU vs. No. 8 Butler @ 6:09 pm

There is nothing better in sports than a win-or-go-home situation because it means the athletes involved give it their all and then some more.  These kids are not professionals yet and the majority of them won’t ever be so this could be their only chance for greatness in their athletic careers and they won’t give it up easily.  These college kids will play their hearts out and you get to watch it all happen.  Both of these games are great but for different reasons.  Kentucky and UCONN should be a classic game between great programs featuring great players.  Kemba Walker of UCONN has the makings of an NBA player but he needs to be able to perform under this kind of pressure and spotlight.  Kentucky’s coach, John Calipari, is considered one of the best in the game and he will need to prove himself against a team that is considered better.  The other game, VCU and Butler is worth watching because there really are no NBA quality players on those teams.  Some will get drafted and could even be good, but there is no player that stands he and and shoulders above the rest.  These are great teams that have played together with coaches who know how to utilize their skills.  The winner of this game will be the ultimate Cinderella story and the clear underdog going into the championship game.  This will be the game of the night because the heart of either of these teams will astound you and one of them is just going to have to come out on top.  Great, great night for sports memories.

2. NBA – Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers – March 31 @ 10:30 pm

Neither of these teams are worried about not making the playoffs, each has secured their place in the post season but they are still fighting for the better overall record to secure home-court advantage.  Kobe Bryant has the Lakers in full stride going into the playoffs and they have only one loss since the All-Star break.  They look like they have a great chance of capturing their third consecutive NBA title.  The Dallas Mavericks would love to take down the Lakers and get a great boost to confidence and momentum.  Plus, there’s only one game separating  these teams in the second and third positions in the standings so this game is huge for playoff position.  Dirk Nowitzki of the Mavericks has lead his team this entire season with his uncanny shooting ability and determination.  Will he be able to go into the Lakers’ house and take them down and break their stride?  He’ll certainly try and Kobe will certainly do his best to stop them.   

3. MLB – San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – March 31 @ 10:30 pm

This is already one of the fiercest rivalries in all of baseball history but now that the Giants are reigning champs the intensity gets ratcheted up a little.  The Dodgers would love nothing more than to start their season off right by knocking out their hated rivals in front of a sold out stadium of their fans.  In baseball, one game doesn’t mean much, especially in the beginning of the season, but there is history here and the fans hatred for each other has resulted in deaths.  Plus you get to see Tim Lincecum and Clayton Kershaw, two of the hot young pitchers in the league, face off to establish superiority this year.  Should be a lot of fun to watch and you never know if emotions will spill over and things get heated between players.  A great way to start this season!

Things To Keep An Eye On

• The NHL season is also wrapping up and teams are gearing up for the playoffs.  Check out all the information about your team and all teams over at NHL.com

“At the time, we were completely devoted to that audience ages 9, 10, and 11,” TeenNick GM Keith Dawkins says. ““It was ground-breaking and for the young viewers, a powerful and pivotal time in their lives. Those kids who are now 22, 23 and 24 want to bring that back.”

 This, along with the news that Thundercats is back, is some of the best news I have heard in a long time.  I don’t care that this is an obvious atempt to gain old viewers back, I”m falling hook, line and sinker for it.  I’m a kid at heart and I love nothing more than my classic cartoons and their characters.  I can’t wait to see Tommy and Chucky back in diapers, Pete wiggle his tattoo Petunia, Doug try to woo Patty Mayonaise and all the other great things from my childhood.

These cartoons withstand the test of time and should be a great way for you and your kids to enjoy some quality programming together.  Just think about all the cartoons they watch all the time and that you hate.  Now think of them watching all the cartoons you love and enjoying them just as much.  Well pretty soon it will happen and nothing could be sweeter I think.

There are plenty of Nickelodeon show I would love to see again.  Give me more Salute Your Shorts, You Can’t Do That On Television, Round House, Ren and Stimpy, etc.  What shows would you like to see Nick bring back?

Although, the $1.1 million is not a record for a comic book, that honor belongs to “Action Comics” No. 1 which sold for $1.5 million and features Superman on the cover.  The amazing thing (besides Spider-Man of course) is that the previous record for this particular issue was $227,000, that’s what a billion dollar movie franchise does I guess.  And with the upcoming reboot to the series, “The Amazing Spider-Man” , set to come out in 2012, the value of this book will only increase.

Now I don’t know much about college basketball.  I really only know what I hear on the radio and that isn’t much.  But this time of year everybody you talk to will seem to know something about it.  It’s March Madness time again.  Time for the NCAA to have its annual tournament to see which team is the best in the land.  There are 64 teams this year that will be vying for the #1 ranking and sometimes the difference between advancing or going home is a last second, buzzer beating shot so it really is anybodies opportunity.

But before the official tournament bracket gets released, there are still conference titles at individual conference tournaments with the winner getting an automatic bid to the big tournament.  These are the tournaments where Cinderella teams earn their shot and upset the bigger school who will get invitations anyway.  But as always with sport, pride is on the line and these kids want to bring home as many trophies as they can so they will play with their hearts and some will come together as they never have before. 

Watch to see which small school will earn their shot at national glory.

The second half of the NBA is alive and kicking as well with the dominant teams beginning to show their true colors and the lesser teams start to crack and fall apart.  With so many “Super Teams” out there now, there are always great games with many stars each week. 

So enjoy this time of year for some great basketball and get ready for the next couple weeks when suddenly anything and everything will involve the word “bracket” in it.

Top Games To Watch

1. College Basketball Conference Championships

I can’t tell you what the top college games to watch this week are because nobody knows yet.  There are many conference championships that need to be played out and each one means so much so instead of telling you which to watch I will give you the tools necessary to pick on your own.  Along with a few tips along the way:

• Check out the official NCAA Conference Championship Central to get a complete run down of all the conferences.  There are links to each individual conference as well as tools to see more about each team.
• To find out which individual players you should be watching before their NBA careers start, check out the latest on the NBA Draft Rankings for the top college players.
• Here are there current rankings of all teams.  The conferences the top teams belong to are the conferences to watch because while the ranked team will most likely get an automatic bid, the others have to earn theirs by winning.  This is where top teams can slack off and give a small school some huge momentum to advance.
• Check out ESPN.com coverage of Championship Week to get knowledgeable insight to the games from experts.

2. NBA – Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat – March 10 @ 7 pm

There isn’t much that needs to be said to hype up this game.  Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Pau Gasol, Dwayne Wade, Lamar Odom, Chris Bosh, Ron Artest, the list goes on to a veritable All Star game.  These two titans will clash yet again but this time the situations are different.  The Lakers are on a hot streak since the All Star break and a win in Miami would be huge for them to continue to prove that they are the reigning champs and deservedly so.  The Heat on the other hand are on a downward spiral of losing big games in the final minutes.  Their coach even reported them crying in the locker room.  A win for them would renew their confidence and set them back on the right path.  This game should be a lot of fun and neither will be taking it easy this time around.

3. Watch more NCAA Basketball. 

There are so many games to be seen and not much NBA or other sport action.  If you aren’t interested in the game at least watch the last 5-10 minutes of any close game and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Things To Keep An Eye On

• The NASCAR season has just started but it is already off and running with lots of big races and new drivers stepping up.  Check out all the NASCAR info you could ever want over at NASCAR.com
• Baseball’s Spring Training has begun so you can get up to the minute news on all your favorite players and teams here.
• To see where your NHL team is in the standings go here and see what they are up against for the rest of the season as well.

This is a fantastic week for basketball fans, with big playoff style games being played.  Sunday will be the highlight with an afternoon filled with top quality basketball match ups.  We’re past the half-way point in the season and now teams will be looking to situate themselves for a strong run in the post season.  Now we get to see which teams want to secure home court advantages against tough opponents which can be critical in Game 7 situations.  The cream of the crop will rise and surging lesser teams will make strong pushes for a chance at the top.

I”m going to apologize again for the lack of hockey being included but as I’ve always been honest with, I know nothing about the sport so trying to figure out which games are better than others is a bit rough.  If you’re a hockey fan, please comment and let the people know what games they should be watching.  (That way I’ll know too)

Top Games To Watch

1. NBA – Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs – March 4 @ 9:30 pm

San Antonio is out to a hot hot start and are currently the top team in the league.  Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker are a Big 3 that have been together the longest and are looking to put one more title run together before they break up and go their own ways soon.  The Miami Heat have Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh who are looking to make themselves the elite Big 3 in the league and take out the “old” guys.  This could very well be a preview of the Finals and these teams will treat it as such when they meet to establish superiority this time around.  I personally hope San Antonio puts the young upstarts in their place but with the talent on Miami, it’s really any-one’s game to win.  Gonna have to watch and see. 

2. NBA – Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat – March 6 @ 1 pm

Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer were hoping Lebron James would bring his talents to the city of Chicago over the summer but instead he went to Miami and now Chicago is coming to show him that he made the wrong choice.  Derrick is on his way to his first MVP award with the type of play and leadership he has displayed on the court this year and adding Boozer has only helped him.  Chicago is a great team that will be in the running for the title and taking down the hot/sexy team in the Eastern Conference will prove wonders for their confidence and pay dividends if these teams should meet again in the playoffs.  See if Lebron made the right decision or the wrong one (at least for this game).

3. NBA – Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs – March 6 @ 3:30 pm

The two teams in the Western Conference that have the best chance of capturing the title meet in a mid season showdown that will end up feeling like a playoff game.  The Lakers are the New York Yankees of the basketball world; you either love them or loath them and trust me when I tell you, the people of San Antonio do not like the Lakers one bit.  The Lakers were on a downward spiral before the All Star break but have since regained their winning ways and beating good teams again.  Beating the Spurs would go a long way for the Lakers confidence and momentum.  Kobe Bryant won’t let his team go down without a fight when it’s all said and done and we’ll see if he comes out swinging in this game and prove that his winning of back-to-back titles is no fluke. 

Things To Keep An Eye On

• NASCAR season is just getting into first gear but the drivers are racing like it’s the last race of the season.  If you can, watch this week’s race, theKobalt Tools 400 in Las Vegas and then check out the standings, results and points leaders over at NASCAR.com
• Get all of your hockey info and updates at NHL.com

This week the NBA hits it’s halfway point and gives us a weekend celebration of the sport.  Unfortunatly the NBA All Star game has nothing but bragging rights on the line so the intensity and competition can be rather laxidasicale at time.  One of these days a team will make a conscious effort to score 200 points and they will, thus proving the NBA All Star game is crap.  But it has some of the best athletes in the world playing against each other in the game they love and it does make for some very memorable moments.  So enjoy this weekend of sports memories!

 Top Games To Watch

1. & 2. – NBA – All Star Saturday Night & Game - Feb. 19 & 20 @ 8 pm

This NBA All Star Weekend is a celebration of the biggest and best stars in the NBA.  It all starts on Saturday night that features the Skills Competition, Three-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest.  The Dunk Contest gets the most hype and this year it features the hottest star in the NBA, Blake Griffin.  He’s a rookie who has taken the league by storm with his vast athleticism and monster jams.  But I think this year’s Three Point Competition will be the best part of the night.  Ray Allen, the newly crowned best three-point shooter in NBA history, takes on his teammate, and 2010 champion, Paul Pierce.  These two Boston Celtics may love each other every other night of the year but on this night they will be competing to be best and because they are so close, neither will want to let the other win.  They may be all smiles during the introductions but I promise you, once they step up to the ball racks they will have a fierce intensity to win.  They will put on a memorable show for sure but just to make sure, Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durrant is very capable of giving either Celtic a run for their money.  Mark my words; watch the Three-Point Competition because it will be something worth remembering.

The actual game between East and West is on Sunday and to be quite honest the only parts worth watching will be the first 10 minutes and last 10 minutes.  The first 10 features the starters and thus the biggest names in the NBA playing on the same teams and against each other.  Once the starters put in their time they will be taken out (unless one is having an unbelievably great game) and bench players put in.  While the bench players are still big names worthy of being an All Star, the game isn’t taken very seriously until the last 10 minutes.  Then the players realize that being a winner or loser is now on the line and the intensity gets real.  Watch the game to see which player decides they just want it more and bring their “A” game while everyone brings their “B” and win the MVP.  If you want to see all the biggest stars in the NBA playing a competitive game where they play hard and something is on the line….don’t watch this game.  If you want that, watch any game that features two of these teams; Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics or Miami Heat.   But this game is worth watching just to see who steps up and decides they want MVP honors.

3. NASCAR – Daytona 500 – Feb. 20 @ 1 pm

With this being the 10th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt’s death, it is fitting that his son, Dale, Jr., is sitting in the Pole Position to start the race.  Jr. has never been the racer his father was but his name has made him the most popular racer of them all.  If he can pull out a win at this race he will cement his legacy in NASCAR and with its fans.  This is the first big race of the season and every team will want to come out and start off with a win.  Will Jr. finally be able to get a big win or will perhaps Jimmie Johnson continue his domination of the sport and win yet again?  It’s the beginning of the season and it could be any one’s time to step up and take over.  Watch and enjoy one of NASCAR’s biggest races with the awesome TV coverage they provide.  I’m rooting for Jr. and the huge story it would be and how fitting it would be for him to win on this anniversary of his father’s death.

Things To Keep An Eye On

• The NHL season is skating along nicely and you can keep up with everything by going to NHL.com and reading all the latest news.  The closer we get to the playoffs the higher the intensity of the players so get ready for some very physical hockey to be played.

It was a great game to watch with very enjoyable commercials to break up the game a little.  A fantastic day for football and a fantastic way to cap off another great football season.  Now all we have is a long off-season that could get longer if the players and owners can’t come to an agreement on things for the next couple years.  Read all about the sticky situation here.

Now that football is done, the rest of the sports world can proceed without any real competition.  The NBA looks to establish its superiority with a bunch of high profile games this week.  The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are the biggest draws in the NBA and they will capitalize on that with those teams playing each other as well as the other big names in the league.  This is now and NBA world and as we get closer to the playoffs, things will only get better.  Teams will start to show their true form as they get in playoff condition and fringe teams will gain momentum going into the post season and see how long they can carry that wave.

So get ready for a lot of NBA talk and what a better way to start that off than to have a few HUGE matchups this week.  Enjoy!

Top Games To Watch

1. NBA – Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics – Feb. 10 @ 8 pm

Easily the biggest rivalry in the NBA and quite possibly all of sports, these teams have been holding grudge matches for going on 40 years now.  Most recently these teams have met in 2 out of the last 3 NBA Finals with each taking one off the other.  Now they are looking to complete this generation’s rivalry with one more Finals matchup to see who wins best-of-three.  This may just be a regular season matchup but these teams should play with an intensity like it’s the playoffs.  The Celtics spanked the Lakers a few weeks ago in Los Angeles and now the Lakers will be looking to do the same to the Celtics in Boston.  Watch to see Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, Pau Gasol, Kevin Garnett, Lamar Odom, Ray Allen, Ron Artest and Rajon Rondo play each other with some actual intensity in a game that actually means something, unlike the upcoming All Star game.  This is a game that can’t be missed so I would make sure to have dinner made and everything set because this is gonna be a good one.

2. NBA – Los Angeles Lakers at New York Knicks – Feb. 11 @ 8 pm

The second night in a row that Kobe and the Lakers are headlining in a marque matchup of basketball giants.  After facing Boston the previous night, they travel to New York to take on the reemerging Knicks being lead by Amare Stoudemire in the fabled (new) Madison Square Garden.  Kobe dropped 61 points in New York on Feb. 2, 2009 (see video) and holds the record for most points there so perhaps Spike Lee can motivate him for a new record.  The Lakers’ intensity will all depend on whether or not they win against Boston in the previous night.  If they had won then they may be a little too tired and not play up to expectations but if they are coming off a loss then look out because Kobe is going to be angry and looking to make a statement.  Will Amare and his Knicks be able to withstand the West Coast’s big team? 

3. NBA – Miami Heat at Boston Celtics – Feb. 13 @ 1 pm

The high-powered Miami Heat are next into Boston after Kobe and the Lakers leave.  It’s a good thing the Celtics have a few days rest before this game coming off their win or loss against the Lakers because they will either be celebrating in the streets of Boston or grieving in the Streets of Boston.  Either way they better get over it quick because the Heat are looking to make the presence known by the Celtics and the fans of Boston.  Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh will treat this like a playoff game and bring the highest intensity into this game.  In a week of fantastic NBA games, this is the cherry on top.

Things To Keep An Eye On

• Take a trip over to NHL.com to check out everything in the NHL.  See where your team is in the standings and see who they’re playing next at the schedule.
• To see the best of the Super Bowl commercials, check out this link.

5. Super Bowl XXXIX – New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Patriots won their second consecutive championship and third in the last four years in this high scoring, exciting game.

4. Super Bowl XLIV – Indianapolis Colts vs. New Orleans Saints

The Saints pulled out all the stops in this game and capped off a magical season for them and their fans by beating the favored Colts and Peyton Manning. 

3. Super Bowl XXXVI – New England Patriots vs. St. Louis Rams

The Patriots began their dynasty with this win against the heavily favored St. Louis Rams who were being hailed as “The Greatest Show on Turf” and expected to win by two touchdowns but instead lost by a last second field goal.  Tom Brady began to show everyone what he was made of and why he’s the best at what he does.

2. Super Bowl XLIII – Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals

After being down from the very beginning the Cardinals scored 16 points in 4th quarter to suddenly lead.  But then the Steelers stepped up and marched down the field to score on an amazing catch by Santonio Holmes.

1. Super Bowl XLII – New England Patriots vs. New York Giants

A game that will go down in legend for the way the Giants came down the field in the 4th quarter and after a miracle catch by David Tyree, they scored a touchdown to beat the undefeated Patriots and stun the football world.  It all came down to the last few minutes but the game will last for lifetimes in football lore.

Super Bowl XLV

Even non-football fans should watch this game because the big plays will be worth watching plus, everybody’s favorite, the commercials.  The commercials run during the Super Bowl set the standard for commercials for the rest of the year and are often looked forward to more than the game.  The Half-Time Show is just as big as the game ever since Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson had their, uh, “malfunction” at Super Bowl XXXVIII and this year the NFL brings out the big guns with The Black-Eyed Peas.  Their awesome theatrics and crowd pleasing songs will make for a very fun show.

And if you don’t like any of that stuff, it’s a perfectly good reason to have a party and yell and cheer.  It’s a game that means a lot to a lot of people but the bottom line is that it should be fun to enjoy.  Don’t take it too seriously and enjoy it safely.  This is the last week of actual football games for a few months,  live it up while it lasts.

Top Games To Watch

1. NFL – Super Bowl 2011 – Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers – Feb. 6 @ 6:29 pm

Easily the biggest sporting event in the United States and one of the biggest in the world, this game will be talked about for weeks after it’s played and you’ll want to make sure you watched.  The Steelers are playing to solidify themselves at the top of the all-time NFL teams and prove they are the best run organization in football.  The Packers are looking to reclaim the trophy named after their great coach and get back to their winning ways.  The quarterbacks each also have their big story lines; Ben Roethlisberger is looking to redeem himself after a tumultuous off-season and Aaron Rogers wants to show that he truly was the better pick over Brett Favre and if he wins then he will have exactly as many as Brett has.  Big defensive names like Troy Polamalu and Clay Matthews will keep things interesting for both quarterbacks and lurking, trying to make that big play that turns the tide of the game.  The past few Super Bowls have come down to game-winning drives in the 4th quarter that will go down in football lore for decades, will you be watching when something legendary happens this year?

2. NBA – Miami Heat at Orlando Magic – Feb. 3 @ 8 pm

The Miami Heat have gelled and become the team everybody thought they would when Lebron first made his big decision.  Now they now one the the top in the NBA and very well could stay up there for years to come.  But they still have to go up against the best the league has during the playoffs and the Orlando Magic will be one of those teams.  The Magic have reloaded their team with Gilbert Arenas and they are stronger than ever.  They will be a tough team to beat now, let alone in the playoffs, and the Heat will come out looking to make a statement to get in the Magic’s heads for when they meet later in the year.  This is a clash of the Florida heavyweights and each team will want to beat the other.

3.  NHL – Philadelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay Lightning – Feb. 3 @ 7:30

When the top two teams in a conference meet it usually means first place is on the line but this time it won’t be immediately impacted because the Flyers currently have a 4 point advantage over the Lightning in the Eastern Conference.  But just because they won’t move immediately up in the standings doesn’t mean this match-up isn’t huge.  The season is closer to the end than the beginning and soon enough we’ll be in the playoffs where it’s win-or-go-home time.  This will be a hard hitting game that will be for bragging rights and momentum into the rest of the season that both teams will fight too and nail to win.  One team for the opportunity to say they really are the best because they beat the best and the other to say that they are the absolute best because they beat the next closest team.  Watch this game to see some good hockey and get a little excited for the next best thing in hard hits once football is over.

Things To Keep An Eye On

• Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics – Feb. 6 @ 2:30 pm – Why the NBA would schedule this big of a game on Super Bowl Sunday I have no clue, but this is a big game and the only reason is isn’t in the Top 3 is because it runs at the same time as the Super Bowl and you should be watching that.
• Check out ESPN’s list of Top 100 Greatest Super Bowl Moments

Before I jump fully into why you need to watch football all afternoon on Sunday, I want to let you know about the NBA’s newest big thing; Blake Griffin.  Don’t let the fact that he plays for the Los Angeles Clippers deter you, he is going to be great.  In the past week he has lead the Clippers (the CLIPPERS!) to huge wins over the Miami Heat and town rival Los Angeles Lakers.  He is going to be an All Star this year and for many years to come.  His monster dunks have earned him a spot in this year’s dunk contest and I expect a big win for him there.  He’s already wowed media and critics and now he is just going to get better.

And now, football.

We are down to just these last two Conference Championship games to decide who will be going to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas.  It has been a fantastic post season so far with many upsets and good games and these last ones will not disappoint.

Sunday is going to be an afternoon filled with plenty of snacks, beverages and football.  Enjoy this last full afternoon while it lasts because it will be the final one for months.  After this there is just the biggest game of the year and then nothing.  You won’t want to miss any of it.

I couldn’t decide which game will be better to watch so I called it a tie and let their start times decide on which to list first.  So after the Packers and Bears clash, just flip the channel and keep enjoying the best football of the year.

 Top Games To Watch

1. NFL – NFC Championship – Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears – Jan. 23 @ 3 pm

The most storied rivalry in all of the NFL gets renewed when one of these teams will move and and the other can only lament during the long, sold off season.  Aaron Rodgers and his Packers may have stumbled during the end of the season but they have shown poise and intensity when it counted most and have got this far in the playoffs rather easily.  The Chicago Bears have always been known for their tough defense and with Brian Urlacher leading theirs, they easily continue that tradition of defensive dominance.  But with the addition of big-arm quarterback Jay Cutler the Bears have the offensive power to return to the Super Bowl and win.  These two teams have been meeting for years but for the first time in a long time there is something very real on the line; a chance to go to the Super Bowl. 

1a.  NFL – AFC Championship – New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers – Jan. 22 @ Jan. 23 @ 6:30 pm

Mark Sanchez and his big talking New York Jets were able to beat the mighty New England Patriots and now they face one of the toughest defensive teams in the league; the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Steelers defense is lead by Troy Polamalu who just flys over the field making plays and turning the tide of games.  Pittsburgh fought past the Baltimore Ravens and now will be looking to put the upstart Jets in their place.  They have been down this road before and won it all twice so the stage won’t be anything new to them.  But the Jets are young and the intensity of this game could overwhelm young Sanchez.  They have shown poise and have a swagger so far and it got them past Tom Brady so now we get to see if they can back up their talk again and make it to the Super Bowl.

3. NBA – Los Angeles Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers – Jan. 20 @ 10:30 pm

There is no other reason to watch this game besides the facts that it:

1. Features Blake Griffin playing against a lowly Trail Blazers team that he should whoop up on.
2. There aren’t very many marque match-ups this week in the NBA.
3. It’s the only game on at this time.

Watch this game for Blake Griffin and enjoy his awesome athleticism and abilities.

Things To Keep An Eye On

• We are almost to the midway point of the NHL season and injuries are starting to affect big teams.  Check out the standings and schedule to see how teams are doing and who they face next.

I don’t think I can emphasis enough how good the games this weekend will be though.  After their shocking upset over the reigning Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, the Seattle Seahawks are the talk of the NFL.  They looked very good against the Saints and it appears that Coach Pete Carroll has carried over his knack for winning the big games from his college days.  Now they get to go up against a tough Chicago Bears team that has looked both very good and very bad this season.  If the Bears don’t show up this week and the Seahawks can pull off enough huge upset, then the Seahawks will have made it to NFC Championship after having finished the regular season with a losing record.  The ultimate underdog story of this post season.  Watch this video to see how they really did just run over the Saints on their way to victory.

So after Monday there will be no more college football and a new champion will have been crowned.  Then the focus will be turned towards the upcoming NFL Draft when today’s college stars become NFL rookies thrown into the trenches with the tough veterans.  Most of them will be labeled “busts” but the few that can succeed at the next level will live on in sporting lore for decades.  The entire college football world will be filled with draft talk and we’ll all be sick of it before you know it.  But also please remember that the college stars of today are going to the the professional stars your kids pay attention to later in life.

Top Games To Watch

1. College Football – BCS National Championship Game – No. 2 Oregon Ducks vs. No. 1 Auburn Tigers – Jan. 10 @ 8:30 pm

Heisman Trophy winner, Cam Newton, leads his Tigers towards the pinnacle but the high powered Oregon offense will be looking to stop them and take the ultimate prize for themselves.  Any player can make or break his NFL career before it ever starts in games like this and there are literally millions of dollars at stake for these potential NFL draft picks.  The elite players have money on the line but it’s the lesser known players, the ones only playing only for themselves, that have the chance to make their names to go down in legend.  If it is a good game then all it takes is one play to change the fortune of both teams.  It could come down to an interception, fumble, kick return or last second touchdown but whomever is lucky (or unlucky enough) to be involved in that play will forever be remembered for that moment.  Those are the moments that you want to watch and will remember.  Two great teams with everything on the line make for one game you do not want to miss. 

2.  NFL – Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers – Jan. 15 @ 4:30 pm

These two powerhouse defensive teams met twice in the the regular season and they each won at the other’s stadium.  There was a grand total of five touchdowns during those two games because each of these teams are known for their tenacious defense.  Pittsburgh is lead by safety Troy Polamalu who lurks out there on the field just waiting for a a mistake by the quarterback so he can pounce and make a huge play.  But the Ravens have an equally great player in linebacker Ray Lewis who’s big hits have put the hurtin’ on offensive players for years now.  Each of them is capable of changing the game from the defensive side of the ball but quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers) and Joe Flaco (Ravens) have been around for a while now and know how to take care of the ball.  This will have more intensity than these team’s regular season meetings because of the playoff setting so look for even bigger hits and bigger plays.  The team left standing at the end with the least amount of injuries will end up winning this one.

3. NFL – New York Jets at New England Patriots – Jan. 16 @ 4:30 pm

The Patriots surprised everybody this year by finishing as the top team in the league because they had such new players to their system and so many veterans leaving.  But they proved that any system with Tom Brady leading the offense and coach Bill Belichick running the entire show can win and win big.  They go up against the Jets now, a team that has a certain swagger and prideful manner about them that gives them confidence and the ability to win games.  Second year star, Mark Sanchez quarterbacks their offense and he has been able to navigate to rough waters so far.  These teams are pretty much polar opposites though.  The Jets are full of hubris and their coach leads them all with his outspoken ways.  The Patriots are a humble, strictly down to business team that strives to simply win and be the best.  But the one thing they have in common is that they both want to win and will fight with everything they have to be the best.  You’ll want to watch this game to see just who comes out on top and move on towards bigger glory.

Things To Keep An Eye On

• Hockey season skates along and closes in on the halfway point of the season.  Check out the standings and schedule to see how your team is doing and where they’ll be next.
• The same goes for the NBA.  Check out the Power Rankings to see how your team stacks up against the rest.

There is plenty to watch for the first full week of 2011 and you will want to watch to get a jump start on all the memories this year is sure to bring.  Enjoy!

Top Games To Watch

1. NFL – New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts – Jan. 8 @ 8 pm

The young, upstart Jets being lead by second year quarterback Mark Sanchez, have the swagger and ability to play among the best but will they show up against a hard-nosed veteran team like the Colts?  We know Peyton Manning will show up and give it everything he has and expect his team to do the same.  After meeting in last years AFC Championship, the Jets were sent home and Peyton and the Colts went on to lose in the Super Bowl.  The Jets have been talking themselves up since before the season even started and now it is their chance to put-up-or-shut-up and back up all that talk.  I’m sure Peyton would love to teach them a little thing about hubris though.  Watch to see which will move on and which will move onto the off season.

2. NFL – Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles – Jan. 9 @ 4:30 pm

Aaron Rogers was able to overcome a late season concussion and got his Packers into the playoffs while Mike Vick has been able to perform better than ever and has been a post season favorite most of the season.  Now it’s time to see if Vick can truly show he’s not the man he was before the dog-fighting and actually a better one.  If he can lead Philadelphia deep into the playoffs he will have come full circle and proven his critics wrong.  But Aaron Rogers has waited many years behind Brett Favre and now has a chance to show that the Packers made the right decision in going with him over Brett.  See which quarterback continues his way into the record books and which will have to wait until next year.

3. NHL – Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals – Jan. 4 @ 7 pm

Fresh off their Winter Classic victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Capitals will be looking to move into first place with a big win over the Lightning who are in the exact same position as the Capitals and could very well move into first themselves.  There are still plenty of games to be played in the season but big wins over other top teams for a long way for a teams psyche and building momentum.  These teams know each other and know that they could very well face each other in the post season and having a regular season victory over the other will go a long way for pride.  Alex Ovechkin has turned around the Capitals who suffered a long losing streak but have since regained their winning ways and this win will mean a lot to the young star.  This should be a rough and tumble game that will go down to the final horn and even then it may not be decided.  This should be fun.

Things To Keep An Eye On

• The NHL season is chugging along and the top tier teams are starting to separate from the pack.  Check out these standings and then go to the schedule to see when your favorite team is playing.
• Supposedly Brett Favre has said that he will not return next year but until next season officially begins I will not believe it.
• This college football bowl season doesn’t have a lot to offer (I feel) and really the only game left to look forward to is the National Championship Game between Oregon and Auburn on the 10th.  But for a complete list of results and upcoming games, visit the scoreboard to get all the info.

The video of Starr’s hair-raising performance (seen below) already has more than 200,000 hits on You Tube!  And, while Willow’s quick rise to super-stardom has undoubtedly earned the young singer many fans and imitators, this video is one of our favorites.

Watch as the nine-year old skater pulls off some Olympian-style moves to a remix of Willow Smith’s ‘Whip my Hair!’  It’s the hippest figure skating routine we’ve seen in a long time.  Possibly ever.

Wearing a pair of Chuck Taylor skates and neon hair extensions, Starr spins, leaps and gives her neck a work out, nailing the routine. Next stop: Winter Olympics?

Nice work!

The NFL season is coming down to the very last whistle for the first time in a very long time.  This is the last week of the regular season and there are a handful of teams that still need to work to get into the playoffs.  The team to beat seems to be the New England Patriots being lead by top MVP candidate Tom Brady and now that they’ve secured home field advantage for the entire post season, they are going to be even tougher.  Watch these last games because they have meaning and teams will fight for every yard and through every tick of the clock.

The college football National Title game is coming in a few weeks but the second biggest bowl game is perhaps the Rose Bowl coming up this week.  It’s a perfect way to nurse any sort of hangover or tiredness from the night before and watch a quality football game.  This year there is a good match-up and it really is any one’s ball game.

The Los Angeles Lakers are reeling after a tough Christmas week that included two home loses with one of them being the the hyped Miami Heat.  The Heat thoroughly trounced the Lakers in front of their home crowd and proved to the entire league that they are for real.  They are going to be tough for anyone and expect them to go deep into the playoffs for years to come.  We’ll see if the Lakers can bounce back with a quality win over the San Antonio Spurs this week and show their time isn’t up just yet.

Top Games To Watch

1. College Football – Rose Bowl – No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers vs. No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs – Jan. 1 @ 5 pm

Even though they went undefeated through the regular season, the Horned Frogs won’t get a chance for the National Title game because Auburn and Oregon are just too good.  But now they get to play in The Granddaddy of Them All, The Rose Bowl, against a very tough Wisconsin team that has had a brilliant season with only one loss and plenty to prove in this big time bowl game.  This prestigious game has been played since 1902 in Pasadena, CA and playing well in it can define a college career and make a millionaire out of a player.  These guys will play with with all of their hearts and souls in hopes of going down in history as the 2011 Rose Bowl Champions and you’ll want to see they make it out to be a legendary game.

2. NHL – Winter Classic – Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins @ Heinz Field – Jan. 1 @ 1 pm

The two best players in the league meet up for this outdoor match played in a football stadium.  Check out the video below to see just how they do it.

Alex Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals have not had the greatest of starts to the season and will look to come out and make a statement to their rivals.  Sidney Crosby and his Penguins are currently sitting at the top of the league and he is currently on a consecutive games points streak that has no end in sight.  This nationally televised game is very important to each team and with the addition of the outdoor elements, we’ll see who comes to play old-school like.  Watch to see if they end up playing in the falling snow or rain.

3. NFL – St. Louis Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks – Jan. 2 @ 8 pm

In what I will dub “The Underdog Bowl,” this game will decide which team out of the dismal NFC West Division will go on to the playoffs. The Rams are currently in first place but if they lose then they and Seattle will each have a 7-9 record but Seattle holds the tiebreaker between these teams and they would end up in the post season.   If Seattle can pull out a win they will be the first team to ever get into the playoffs with a losing record.  Rams’ quarterback Sam Bradford will get the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award with his outstanding play over the entire season but this game will test his mental toughness and see if he can win/perform when his team needs it most.  Whichever team wins will be the ultimate underdog in the playoffs but those teams can often be the most dangerous.

Things To Keep An Eye On

• I don’t have the energy to type out all of the ways the games this week could affect the playoffs so CBSSports.com has graciously done it for me.
• For the entire Bowl Game schedule, click here.

The NBA gives us all the biggest gift of them all with the game of the year (so far).  Two-time NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers, lead by Finals MVP Kobe Bryant, will welcome the much hyped Miami Heat, lead by Lebron James, to Los Angeles for a little Christmas Day battle.  This is the game that everyone has talked about since the NBA schedule was announced where we’ll get to see the reigning champs take on the upstart super team.  While the game doesn’t mean a whole lot in current standings, it will mean a lot to the leading stars who are the most competitive people in the league and will give it their all to beat the others.  This is by far the game of the week to see and a great way to spend the evening digesting after the early meal and festivities. 

So enjoy all the games and lets hope Santa brings us all the gift of great, happy memories on this Christmas. 

Top Games To Watch

1. NBA – Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers – Dec. 25 @ 5 pm

Kobe Bryant. Lebron James. Pau Gasol. Dwayne Wade. Lamar Odom. Chris Bosh. Ron Artest.

‘Nuff said.

2. NBA – Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic – Dec. 25 @ 2:30 pm

The rematch of last years Eastern Conference Finals should be quite the warm-up act to the Lakers vs. Heat game and could very well surpass it in greatness.  The Celtics are hungry to prove they are the best in the East again and are on a warpath the get to the Finals again.  The Magic just went through a player make-over of sorts, trading away players to re obtain Hedo Turkoglu and get troubled star Gilbert Arenas in the process.  They have a new team that still hasn’t played much together and that will factor in against a Celtic team that has played many together and know each other’s tendencies very well.  While it doesn’t have as much star power as the Heat/Lakers it does have two outstanding teams that play intensely and will give it everything they have to beat their opponent.  If this is a close game make sure to watch the last minutes because they will be well worth it because each team will scrap until the very end.

3. NFL – New York Giants at Green Bay Packers – Dec. 26

After a huge heart-breaking loss on the last play of the game to the Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Giants are floundering to stay in the playoff mix.  The Green Bay Packers also messed up in the last seconds of the game to nix any chance of a victory and they will need all the help they can get to stay in the mix as well.  Each team would have to win these last two games of the season to even stand a chance of making the playoffs but each would require other teams to lose in order to do so.  Neither are in control of their own destiny but in order to even consider the possibilities they need to win this game so basically it’s a playoff type game itself.  The Packers were without star quarterback Aaron Rogers who should be available this week after suffering a concussion and that will help them.  The Giants need to regroup and focus on what needs to be done.  Both teams will come out with everything they have and should leave it all out on the field.  Good teams with plenty on the line make this a game that should be watched.

Things To Keep An Eye On

• Don’t forget about the NHL either, their season is in full swing and teams vie for the top spots.  Check out the schedule to see when your team is playing and who.
• The College Bowl season is upon us and the better match ups are just around the corner.  Visit the schedule to see when you’ll want to watch.

But don’t worry football fans, this NFL season has been unlike others in recent times and actually features games worth watching and with playoff consequences.  The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers just finished battling it out for first place in the AFC North Division and now the New England Patriots and New York Jets will do the same for the AFC East.    Because each of the losing teams will then be vying for a Wild Card spot, one of these teams may not even make the playoffs with so little time left in the season. 

On the opposite side of the country and football spectrum is the NFC West Division.  Currently the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks are in a tie for first place.  Each with a record of 5-6.  That’s right folks, it is very possible that a team with a losing record will make the playoffs

Things are going to get very interesting these last few weeks with top teams trying to secure their playoff hopes and lesser teams trying to play spoiler.  Should be a fun four weeks.  Enjoy while it lasts!

Top Game To Watch

1. NFL – New York Jets at New England Patriots – Dec. 6 @ 8:30 pm

This game is for sole possession of first place in the AFC East Division and that means both teams will be coming out to prove not only to the fans but to each other that they are the best team in all the land.  The Patriots are riding on Tom Brady who continues to have another MVP type season, leading the young, patch-worked team to a 9-2 record.  Mark Sanchez is a young star quarterback who continues to impress more and more after each week and has potential to be one of the best in the league.  Brady is one of the biggest competitors in the game and has such a high intensity for playing the game perfect that he will expect nothing less than perfection from his team for this game.  Sanchez needs to dig deep and play with everything he has in order to prove he can play with the likes of Brady.  The Jets do have the edge with their superior defense but with leaders like Brady and Coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots could have the motivation and momentum.  Don’t miss the great Monday Night Football matchup.

2. NFL – New England Patriots at Chicago Bears – Dec. 12 @ 4:15 pm

The schedule is not kind to the Patriots this week who fight it out for first place on Monday and then travel to Chicago to fight it out with the first place Bears team lead by strong-armed quarterback Jay Cutler.  The Bears have emerged as one of the best all around teams in the league with a high powered offense and a defense that can flat out stop teams cold.  They will be a formidable opponent to the mighty Patriots who could either be reeling from a loss to the Jets or could be basking in the glory after a triumph.  Either way the Patriots will be on a short week and that could be costly to them depending on how Monday’s game goes.  This should be a very interesting game to watch a if the Patriots can pull off two wins in this one week then they can pretty much write themselves into the playoffs.  Watch and see.

3. NBA -Miami Heat at Utah Jazz – Dec. 8 @ 9 pm

Lebron silenced his nay-saysers in Cleveland by dropping a season high on them last week and now he will move on with his season.  That was a big step for him, going back to Cleveland, and now that he knows it didn’t affect him he can play more comfortably.  But he can’t let his guard down, especially with Deron Williams and his scrappy Jazz team.  They have come back from big deficits many times this season already so never count them out.  Perhaps they are just lulling their opponents into complacency but whatever it is, it is working.  Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and the ENTIRE Heat team will have to pull together to win this one.  The Jazz play very well together and will be looking for some big momentum by beating this much hyped Miami team.  Watch to see which team came to play together.

Thins To Keep An Eye On

• The Bowls have been set.  Check out you complete college football Bowl Schedule here.
• The hockey season is well underway and things are beginning to heat up as teams separate themselves from others.  Check out the standings and schedule to see what you team is doing.

College Football is also riding a roller coaster this year.  Top teams are losing and there could very well be no team that goes undefeated.  That will really throw things for a loop in the BCS. The SEC is still the supreme conference in the land but the PAC-10 continues to show that its teams can compete.  These last few weeks will be exciting as conference titles are decided and bowl games are set.  Get ready because the BCS Bowl Season is almost here and soon enough we’ll be talking about snubs and upsets.  Hold on, it’s going to get rough.

So enjoy the football games while they last because, like it or not, they are both past the half way points and closing in on the end.  Then it’s just the long, cold winter ahead of us.  Watch them while you still can!

Top Games To Watch

1.  NBA – Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers – Dec. 2 @ 8 pm

This will be Lebron James’ first appearance back in Cleveland since he departed on very (very) ugly terms.  The city of Cleveland pretty much hates Lebron James (despite him bringing a few extremely successful seasons to the city) and the sound of their boos every time he touches the ball will be deafening.  How will he respond though?  Will he be affected by the negativity and let the Cavaliers get a huge win against him or will he take the negativity, bottle it up and put on a basketball skills display that will go down in legend?  You and your family will want to watch and see how he responds to the most negativity he has ever faced in his life.  It will truly be a memorable moment in sports.

2.  College Football – No. 1 Auburn Tigers at No. 19 South Carolina Gamecocks – Dec. 4 @ 4 pm

The Tigers are riding the Cam Newton Wave and using him to carry the team to the National Title game.  Despite all the the reports of NCAA violations and perhaps being payed to play, Cam Newton has put together a Heisman Trophy worthy season and the Tigers are strong candidates to be the best when all is said and done.  The Gamecocks don’t have National Title aspirations but they will be in a bowl game and they have already beat No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide when they were the top team in the country.  Auburn is just coming off a close win against the Crimson Tide and need to be ready for a hard hitting South Carolina team that will be looking to put another feather in their hat by knocking off another top team.  Watch to see what happens.

3.  NFL – Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens – Dec. 5 @ 8:20 pm

Don’t expect any sort of high scoring game when these two teams meet.  This will be a hard fought defensive game that will be won using lots of field goals and limiting turnovers.  These two defenses are among the best in the league and whichever one can hold the other team back will be the winner.  Previously these teams only had defensive stars but with Baltimore’s quarterback, Joe Flacco, emerging as one of the top in the league and Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger already among the elite, the offenses will be on high alert to avoid turnovers.  Mistakes leading to turnovers will be the losing teams downfall in this game; who ever has more will lose, no doubt about it.  Watch to see two of the best defensive lines ever battle it out in what will almost assuredly result in at least one injury on each side.  IT will be a defensive clinic and any young football player should watch and take plenty of notes.

Things To Keep An Eye On

• Boise State could not pull off a win against over the weekend and now they will never be considered for this year’s National Title game.  Can TCU prove that they belong?  Keep an eye on the BCS Rankings to see how things will end up.
• The NFL is lumbering to the finish line and soon the Super Bowl will be here.  Check out the standings to see where your team is.
• Sorry NHL fans, not much for you this week.  But you can keep up at NHL.com on all news, stats and standings.

I said it last week and I stick by it.  Brett Favre will most likely not play another game in the NFL.  After a dreadful 3-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers over the weekend, the Vikings fired head coach Brad Childress and I think Favre will follow shortly.  Most likely citing any injury to avoid perception that he quit, but one way or another I think Brett Favre is done in the NFL.  It’s unfortunate it had to be this way but he should never have come back fore this season and I think he realizes that now.  Keep a lookout for further details in the upcoming days.

A HUGE congrats goes out to NASCAR racer Jimmie Johnson.  He accomplished the unthinkable over the weekend when he out raced Denny Hamlin and earned his unprecedented 5th consecutive Sprint Cup Championship.  For half a decade he has dominated his sport and proven that he is going to go down as the best driver in the history of NASCAR.  The next racing season is just around the corner so plan ahead and if you get a chance to see a race near you, you should because you’ll want to say someday down the line that you witnessed this man race.

So here are this week’s games.  Plenty of top tier teams facing off against each other with lots of consequences on the line.  Enjoy and have a great Thanksgiving!

Top Games To Watch

1. NFL – New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys – Nov. 25 @ 4:15 pm

It is a Thanksgiving tradition to have the Dallas Cowboys be on the television.  They could be considered “America’s Team” and have played on the holiday for decades.  This has been an extremelly disappointing year for the Cowboys.  First they couldn’t win a game, then they lost their quarterback Tony Romo with an injury and to top it all off they end up firing their head coach.  Since that firing though they have seemed to come together and have won their last two games.  They have a lot of momentum built up going into this game and a win against the reigning Super Bowl champions could help salvage a season.  Theoretically if the Cowboys can win all their remaining games they could make the playoffs.  This is a long shot but still there is a glimmer of hope if they can pull it together.  But they are also playing the powerful New Orleans Saints who won’t go down without a big fight.  Their high powered offense, lead by Super Bowl MVP quarterback Drew Brees, can put up dozens of points on the board and the Cowboy defense will be hard pressed to stop them.  If the Cowboys can pull off a victory the game will be legendary and will always be a part of Thanksgiving 2010.  (Same thing goes if they get their butts whooped too.)

2. NFL – Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons – Nov. 28 @ 1 pm

After an overwhelming win over the inept Minnesota Vikings, Aaron Rogers and the Green Bay Packers are now tied with the Chicago Bears for first place in the NFC North division and tied for second in the entire league.  They are poised to make a strong run to the Super Bowl and need every win they can get.  Matt Ryan and his Atlanta Falcons currently lead the NFC South and are tied for the top spot in the entire league.  They are quietly flying under the radar as one of the best teams in the league and have been playing extremely good football.  These teams could very well meet in the NFC Championship and who ever wins this game will have the edge going into that game.  This will be a great game to watch between two great teams and will be a proving ground to see which team deserves to be at the top. 

3. NBA – Miami Heat at Orlando Magic – Nov. 24 @ 7:30

The Orlando Magic currently sit at the top of the Eastern Conference and look to keep that spot for the entire season.  They are playing great team basketball right now and deserve to be in that spot.  The Miami Heat still are strugglingto be an actual, cohesive team and with the injuries to Dwayne Wade and other starters, they could struggle even more.  They are currently 4th in the conference and even that is well below expectation going into the season.  This interstate match-upwill be a very hard fought game with each team looking to make a strong statement to the other.  In their previous matchup the Heat wipedthe floor with the Magic and beat them by 26 points.  But that was in Miami and before the Magic were playing this well.  Will the Magic be able to fight back and prove they are the better team and put Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in their place?  They better do it now before the Heat start playing up to their true potential and dominate night-in and night-out.

Things To Keep An Eye On

•  The Detroit Lions are also a Thanksgiving Day tradition but until they become relevant their game against the New England Patriots (@ 12:30 pm) will not be a headliner.  Most likely the Patriots will easily walk up and down the field almost scoring at will but if the Lions should manage to pull off a miracle, this Thanksgiving Day game will go down in history.
• Hockey is going on as well.  Check out the schedule here to see when your favorite team is playing.  And if you have any hockey knowledge (because I sure don’t) please comment and let others know what would be worth watching.