Baltimore Ravens

The NFL's final four are set. We're left with a two, a four, and two sixes. The four is actually more surprising than the sixes. I would guess that very few people had the Arizona Cardinals hosting the NFC Championship. I certainly didn't and I even managed to go four-of-five in my picks last week (five-of-six if you count Utah over Florida, which I'll give myself the benefit of a doubt since the BCS leaves us with nothing but doubt). The Cards got over the hump by winning on the other side of the Mississippi River. Sure, Jake Delhomme was awful, setting all kinds of records for turnovers (6) and interceptions (5), but the Cardinals fell behind 7-0 quickly and responded just as quickly. They could have gotten down on themselves while trailing on the road, but they fought back and blew out the Panthers instead. Hell, they even had a running game for the first time in weeks. That likely won't be the case against the Eagles, but they may not need it as they look to have Anquan Boldin back. When Kurt Warner is right, he's one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the league. With Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, they have two of the biggest deep threats in the league, so they have a chance against any defense, even one as good as the Eagles have been lately.

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When I was a sophomore in high school playing on the JV basketball team, we went into our Christmas break undefeated and feeling pretty good about ourselves. Over the break we were scheduled to play one game against a team from the division below us. We practiced a few times, nothing too serious, and went into the game feeling good. But the week and a half layoff killed us and we lost by four, our only loss of the season.

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The Rams and the Steelers both continued their 2008 season trends in Week 15. The Steelers turned defeat into victory while the Rams did just the opposite. I was glad for both outcomes. The Steelers clinched the AFC North by beating the Ravens 13-9 to make their fourth consecutive playoff appearance while the Rams lost the tiebreaker with Seattle by getting swept by them, better positioning themselves for the upcoming draft. The Cincinnati Bengals upset the Washington Redskins, giving the Bengals an overall record of 2-11-1, meanin that St. Louis is now tied for the second worst record in the league with the Kansas City Chiefs, trailing just the winless Detroit Lions for the top pick. The Rams now stand a very good chance to pick second in the draft for the second straight year. Jim Haslett may not be around to enjoy it though. Haslett's been the only one enjoying the Rams playbook lately.

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The ultimate All-Star linebacker of the Baltimore Ravens, Ray Lewis is all things awesome about professional football. He is a cunning and talented field general with winning in his blood.  As only a freshman at the University of Miami Lewis compiled 81 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and four pass blocks in addition to being named to the freshman All-American team.In his sophomore season, Lewis earned 1st team All-American and All-Big East. Lewis led the conference with 152 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, two sacks, and an interception.Lewis was once again named to All American and Big East honors in his junior year. He lead the Big East in tackles, was the runner up for the Butkis Award, and set the record for the second most tackles in Hurricane history with 160 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, four blocked passes and a touchdown. Lewis decided to forgo his senior season at Miami to enter the NFL draft. He would later finish his Bachelor’s Degree.

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With the MLB playoffs set to begin, there is a subtle difference in the air compared to start of any other postseason. In the NHL, fans can potentially look forward to a great Canadians/Bruins series that is not only exciting, but has a historical kick to it. Likewise basketball fans always have the chance to see if the Suns can finally get past the Spurs and football fans love seeing the rivalry of the Eagles Vs the City of Philadelphia when the Eagles so much as get tackled for a loss.

Continue reading "The Ups and Downs of the MLB Playoffs"