So...after all the blood, sweat and tears, we have our 12 playoff contenders. Week 17 delivered some high stakes but the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets handled the pressure and punched their ticket to the post-season.
The wildcard games begin at the weekend. In the AFC, they will feature the Jets at the Cincinnati Bengals and then the Ravens at the New England Patriots. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers can put their feet up as they await the victors.
Over in the NFC, the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings have an extra week to prepare themselves while the wildcard teams scrap it out. The Green Bay Packers travel to the Arizona Cardinals while the Dallas Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles, having beaten Donovan McNabb and company on Sunday.
After 16 hard fought regular season games, it all begins again this weekend. What has gone before counts for little as the race to Super Bowl XLV heats up.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Soccer: Coyle heading to Bolton?
Bolton's search for Gary Megson's replacement might bring former Trotter Owen Coyle back to the club.
Coyle, now the Burnley boss, played for Bolton between 1993-1995 and reports suggest that he has been in discussions regarding the post at the Reebok Stadium.
Megson was never a favorite with the Bolton fans but Coyle would instantly enjoy greater respect and support. It would be tough on Burnley, who have made a bold start to life in the top flight, but few could blame Coyle for being ambitious.
Coyle, now the Burnley boss, played for Bolton between 1993-1995 and reports suggest that he has been in discussions regarding the post at the Reebok Stadium.
Megson was never a favorite with the Bolton fans but Coyle would instantly enjoy greater respect and support. It would be tough on Burnley, who have made a bold start to life in the top flight, but few could blame Coyle for being ambitious.
Cricket: Third Test in the balance
As far as England are concerned, much now depends on Matt Prior. The wicketkeeper batsman ended day two on 52 not out as the tourists reached stumps on 241-7.
England made a bright start to the day as they bowled South Africa out for 291 but things quickly deteriorated as Morne Morkel took three wickets and Andrew Strauss' men slumped to 73-4.
A handy 65 from Alastair Cook and a frustrating 48 from Ian Bell kept the hosts at bay while Prior completed his fifty as the evening session drew to a close.
England trail by 50 runs with three wickets remaining and the morning session on day three will be pivotal. If the tourists are bowled out in a hurry, the South Africans will be in the driving seat. Yet Prior, alongside Graeme Swann, could tilt the contest slightly in England's favour if they can build a first innings lead.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith took the new ball late in the day and it will have plenty of shine still tomorrow. If England can survive the first half hour without losing a wicket, they might just push the home side onto the back foot.
England made a bright start to the day as they bowled South Africa out for 291 but things quickly deteriorated as Morne Morkel took three wickets and Andrew Strauss' men slumped to 73-4.
A handy 65 from Alastair Cook and a frustrating 48 from Ian Bell kept the hosts at bay while Prior completed his fifty as the evening session drew to a close.
England trail by 50 runs with three wickets remaining and the morning session on day three will be pivotal. If the tourists are bowled out in a hurry, the South Africans will be in the driving seat. Yet Prior, alongside Graeme Swann, could tilt the contest slightly in England's favour if they can build a first innings lead.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith took the new ball late in the day and it will have plenty of shine still tomorrow. If England can survive the first half hour without losing a wicket, they might just push the home side onto the back foot.
Soccer: Leeds stun Manchester United
Leeds sprung the shock of the FA Cup Third Round with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Jermaine Beckford’s winner dumped Sir Alex Ferguson’s side out of the competition and struck a mighty blow for the underdog. United rotated their squad for the fixture but still started with Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov leading the attack. In truth, it should have been no contest.
But Ferguson’s men are yet to hit their stride this season and this was the latest sign that all is not well for the Premier League champions.
As for Leeds, their outstanding display earns them a tie with Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham in the next round.
Elsewhere, Arsenal showed resilience in beating West Ham 2-1 and Chelsea thumped Watford 5-0.
Jermaine Beckford’s winner dumped Sir Alex Ferguson’s side out of the competition and struck a mighty blow for the underdog. United rotated their squad for the fixture but still started with Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov leading the attack. In truth, it should have been no contest.
But Ferguson’s men are yet to hit their stride this season and this was the latest sign that all is not well for the Premier League champions.
As for Leeds, their outstanding display earns them a tie with Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham in the next round.
Elsewhere, Arsenal showed resilience in beating West Ham 2-1 and Chelsea thumped Watford 5-0.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Soccer: Fringe players, youngsters likely to see FA Cup action
With the FA Cup Third Round ahead this weekend, expect to see fringe players and youngsters out in force as the Premier League sides look to keep their stars fresh for league action.
Manchester United face Leeds on Sunday and you can be sure that Sir Alex Ferguson will take the chance to rest his big hitters. Similarly, Chelsea and Arsenal - the other sides in the thick of the title race - will look to shuffle the pack.
It is a real shame for the prestige and rich history of the FA Cup but nowadays the competition comes a distant third behind the Champions League and Premier League in the eyes of the top teams.
Manchester United face Leeds on Sunday and you can be sure that Sir Alex Ferguson will take the chance to rest his big hitters. Similarly, Chelsea and Arsenal - the other sides in the thick of the title race - will look to shuffle the pack.
It is a real shame for the prestige and rich history of the FA Cup but nowadays the competition comes a distant third behind the Champions League and Premier League in the eyes of the top teams.
Cricket: Englnad hope to keep same side and stay ahead
The England camp will be praying that Paul Collingwood overcomes his dislocated finger ahead of the Third Test so they can pick an unchanged side.
After the emphatic innings victory in Durban, coach Andy Flower could not have been happier. Everything went right for the tourists with Alastair Cook and Ian Bell recording hundreds under pressure as England took a 1-0 series lead.
Hampshire batsmen Michael Carberry has been called up as cover for Collingwood but the hope will be that the Durham man recovers in time.
The Third Test begins on January 3 at Newlands, Cape Town.
After the emphatic innings victory in Durban, coach Andy Flower could not have been happier. Everything went right for the tourists with Alastair Cook and Ian Bell recording hundreds under pressure as England took a 1-0 series lead.
Hampshire batsmen Michael Carberry has been called up as cover for Collingwood but the hope will be that the Durham man recovers in time.
The Third Test begins on January 3 at Newlands, Cape Town.
NBA: Spurs end year on a high
After a sluggish start to the season, the San Antonio Spurs are starting to come good and they head into the New Year as one of the NBA's in-form teams.
A 108-78 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday night was the latest impressive outing, with Tim Duncan putting up 23 points and 10 rebounds. Heat star Dwyane Wade was held to just 16 points on 6-18 shooting.
With Portland struggling due to injuries and Denver unable to get the job done on the road, the Spurs have eased back into contention and might yet be the ones to push the Lakers the closest in the West.
A 108-78 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday night was the latest impressive outing, with Tim Duncan putting up 23 points and 10 rebounds. Heat star Dwyane Wade was held to just 16 points on 6-18 shooting.
With Portland struggling due to injuries and Denver unable to get the job done on the road, the Spurs have eased back into contention and might yet be the ones to push the Lakers the closest in the West.
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