![[SPORTS] COLLEGE FOOTBALL CONFERENCE TITLE GAME PICKS](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_8771-1.jpg?resize=718%2C490&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Nov 30, 2018 | SPORTS
Who’s Going Home Crowned As Conference Champs?
It’s that time of the year again in college football!
After a long journey, the best of the best from the Power 5 conferences are set to do battle for their conference championships.
It’s Championship Saturday, with a rematch of last year’s National Championship thriller between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs headlining the slate of games.
Another anticipated matchup, the one that will happen at AT&T Stadium between Red River rivals as the Oklahoma Sooners look for revenge against the Texas Longhorns.
Pac-12 Championship Game: No. 17 Utah vs. No. 11 Washington
A rematch of a Week 3 matchup in Salt Lake City from September in which Washington rolled to a 21-7 victory in enemy territory, Utah should provide the Huskies with more of a fight here.
Utah changed quarterbacks, going from Tyler Huntley to freshman Jason Shelley, who is a dual-threat option capable of causing Washington fits. In a game third down conversions and extending drives will count, look for Jake Browning and Washington to be the better of the two teams in that category.
Prediction: Washington 27 Utah 16
ACC Championship Game: No. 2 Clemson vs. Pittsburgh
Clemson is listed as a -27.5 favorite vs. Pittsburgh this Saturday at Bank of America Stadium, which tells you all you need to know about this matchup. If this game is in anyway competitive, it’ll be because of Pittsburgh’s front four putting constant pressure on Trevor Lawrence.
Unlikely.
Prediction: Clemson 42 Pittsburgh 13
Big Ten Title Game: No. 6 Ohio State vs. No. 21 Northwestern
Coach Pat Fitzgerald did an excellent job with this Northwestern football team during the regular-season. Northwestern was 8-1 in conference play, with their lone loss being a 20-17 home defeat vs. Michigan back at the end of September. As we saw this past Saturday, Ohio State is a little better than Jim Harbaugh’s football team.
From a talent perspective, these two teams aren’t close. If Northwestern wants any chance at victory, they must establish a rushing attack early and often with freshman Isaiah Bowser to keep Ohio State off the field. I’m betting against it.
Prediction: Ohio State 44 Northwestern 23
Big 12 Championship Game: No. 5 Oklahoma vs. No. 14 Texas
The stakes were high for Oklahoma the first time these teams played. While it’s hard to say how much Oklahoma has improved since losing the first meeting in a wild 48-45 shootout in Dallas, Texas, it’s unlikely that Oklahoma has three turnovers like they did back in October.
Those three turnovers — two by Heisman hopeful Kyler Murray — changed the momentum of that game. Protecting the football is one of the strengths of Lincoln Riley’s football team, and we’ll see a different game take form here because of that in what should be a convincing but high-drama battle.
Prediction: Oklahoma 48 Texas 40
SEC Championship Game: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Georgia
While familiarity with a team plays a significant role and Kirby Smart’s team has plenty of it, I can’t see Georgia’s offense enjoying the same level of success vs this stout Alabama defense as they have against others this season.
Early on Georgia should be able to make this a competitive game because of their outstanding front four and their ability to stop the run, but it won’t be long before Tua Tagovailoa and that explosive Alabama offense gets it going.
Prediction: Alabama 34 Georgia 16
What are your thoughts on this Saturday’s Conference Title games? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] BOOM: GIANNIS GREETS FORMER TEAMMATE IN FOUL MANNER WITH POSTER](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_8770-1.jpg?resize=960%2C540&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Nov 29, 2018 | SPORTS
Greek Tings
Jabari Parker spent his first four seasons in Milwaukee before leaving in free agency this past summer as a restricted free agent.
Oft injured, Parker couldn’t live up to his lofty billing as the second overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Flying ahead of him in Milwaukee, a man drafted a year before him with the 15th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“The Greek Freak” has reached NBA superstardom over the past few seasons, being selected as an All-Star in each of the past two seasons.
On Wednesday night he welcomed back his former teammate in one of the rudest of ways in what was Parker’s second game this season back in Milwaukee.
Take a look.
I mean, all things considered, it wasn’t that bad … right?
Is Giannis Antetokounmpo going to win MVP this season? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] NFL WEEK 13 PICKS: SAINTS EXTEND STREAK TO 11; PATS EDGE VIKES](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_8768-1-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C675&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Nov 29, 2018 | SPORTS
Dallas’ Resurgence Will Be Halted By Brees, Saints
Week 12 Results: 13-2
Record this season: 114-62
There’s no easy road to a playoff spot.
I entitled this week as “trap game central” for a number of playoff contenders which include the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, and Seattle Seahawks.
When looking at the Houston Texans in particular, their upcoming game against the Cleveland Browns looks like a harder game than it did just a few weeks back.
The Cleveland Browns have played spoiler in their past two games to teams looking to make playoff pushes, but now appear to have fallen completely out of the playoff race.
Houston is red-hot, but their current win streak has seen them play it close and narrowly win. They may be in for a bumpy ride vs. a newly reinvigorated Browns team that has looked much improved on offense since firing both Hue Jackson and Todd Haley.
A loss to the Cleveland Browns would set the stage for Indianapolis to overtake them in the AFC South next week, but if they’re shaky on Sunday their game in Jacksonville may result in disappointment.
Week 13 kicks off with a anticipated matchup on Thursday night in Dallas as the Dallas Cowboys get a litmus test from the visiting New Orleans Saints.
That will be followed with a number of fun-filled matchups on Sunday like the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots locking horns in Foxboro and the Los Angeles Chargers visiting the big ketchup bottle for a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys
All season long the Dallas Cowboys defense has been the strength of Jason Garrett’s team. The problem here is that the New Orleans Saints defense has now become a strength as well. The Cowboys won’t win this game without running the ball, and that’ll be tough to accomplish vs. a team allowing the fewest rushing yards per game this season at 73.2.
Prediction: New Orleans Saints 31 Dallas Cowboys 13
Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta’s offense has cooled off dramatically over the past three weeks, averaging 17.3 PPG. Unsurprisingly, the team is 0-3 over that stretch. In comes a Ravens team with the league’s top defense and a sensational young quarterback. Key word, young. This is Lamar Jackson’s first career road game against a team that up until last week was one of the best in protecting the football. That’ll be the difference here.
Prediction: Atlanta Falcons 24 Baltimore Ravens 17
Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals
The Denver Broncos have won their past two games vs teams with a combined record of 15-6-1. Certainly, Von Miller and the Broncos can’t afford to trip up here on the road vs. a team that’s lost five out of their past six games. Expect the defense to take care of the Andy Dalton-less Bengals.
Prediction: Denver Broncos 23 Cincinnati Bengals 9
Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions
This is a terrifying matchup for Matt Patricia and the Detroit Lions. The Lions aren’t getting pressure on the quarterback and that’s proven to be Los Angeles’ only Achilles heel for their offense. Also consider the Rams are coming off a bye and need a dominant defensive showing, this has the makings for an ugly one, quickly.
Prediction: Los Angeles Rams 38 Detroit Lions 13
Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans
Baker Mayfield over his past two games has looked like the quarterback the Browns franchise has been looking for all along. But both of those games came vs. two of the worst defenses in the NFL. The Browns run defense is among the worst in the league and Lamar Miller and Deshaun Watson are sure to do damage against it.
Prediction: Houston Texans 27 Cleveland Browns 21
Chicago Bears at New York Giants
It doesn’t matter if it’s Mitchell Trubisky or Chase Daniel, this game is likely to be controlled by Chicago’s defense. Stopping Saquon Barkley will be a unique challenge for Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s unit, but the Bears defense should keep the Giants passing attack neutralized with Khalil Mack and company barreling down Eli Manning all afternoon.
Prediction: Chicago Bears 21 New York Giants 13
Arizona Cardinals at Green Bay Packers
Steve Wilks’ defense had been respectable for much of the season up until an embarrassing 45-10 loss last week to the Los Angeles Chargers. Now they travel to play a early afternoon game in frigid temperatures in Green Bay vs. a desperate Packers team in need of wins fast. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see where this one goes.
Prediction: Green Bay Packers 34 Arizona Cardinals 14
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
The Buffalo Bills have the No. 2 ranked defense in the NFL, their rookie quarterback back and healthy and a banged up Dolphins team in front of them. While picking Buffalo to win consecutive games is risky here, keep in mind that Miami is allowing the fourth most rushing yards per game in the NFL at 139.8 and they’ll be facing a Bills offense that is primarily a run heavy one.
Prediction: Buffalo Bills 20 Miami Dolphins 16
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The last time the Carolina Panthers faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they allowed 400 passing yards to Ryan Fitzpatrick in a 42-28 victory. They’ll now face Jameis Winston. Cam Newton is 9-3 in his career vs. the Buccaneers, with one loss coming over the past eight games. In a must-win game to keep pace, they’ll do enough here on the road.
Prediction: Carolina Panthers 34 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Indianapolis Colts will face Cody Kessler instead of Blake Bortles, who was benched by Doug Marrone following a stinker last Sunday in Buffalo. Kessler isn’t a much better option than Bortles, especially with Leonard Fournette suspended for his fight last Sunday. The Colts underrated defense will shutdown the Jaguars offense and the rest will go as planned.
Prediction: Indianapolis Colts 24 Jacksonville Jaguars 6
New York Jets at Tennessee Titans
Lost in a deflating 34-17 loss last Monday night in Houston was the fact that Marcus Mariota went 22-for-23 for 303 passing yards and two touchdowns. Mariota hasn’t been the reason for Tennessee’s two-game losing streak, but rather the defense, which has dropped the ball by allowing 72 points in their last two games. Even if Sam Darnold returns, the Titans rushing attack and Mariota will give them the edge here.
Prediction: Tennessee Titans 31 New York Jets 16
Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders
The Kansas City Chiefs have lost two games this season by a combined six points. In those games Kansas City turned the ball over a combined seven times. Expect a locked in and loose football team on Sunday in Oakland vs the Raiders, who will be victimized by a team that had to sit on a bitter loss for nearly two weeks.
Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs 45 Oakland Raiders 17
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson and his Seattle Seahawks were once apart of one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries with the San Francisco 49ers. Now in his 14th career game against them, he’ll be looking opposite from the field at a former Seahawk in Richard Sherman, who will be out for revenge in what is sure to be an emotional game for him. While a inspired performance from the 49ers defense should be expected, this is a game the Seahawks aren’t going to lose coming off two huge victories in a row over tougher opposition.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 23 San Francisco 49ers 13
Minnesota Vikings at New England Patriots
This was expected to be a Super Bowl 52 Rematch after Carson Wentz went down with a season-ending ACL injury last season, but we all know how that turned out. New England’s offense hasn’t been as efficient as in years past, with Brady missing a number of throws he normally makes (Oh father time, is that you?). Minnesota’s defense is tough, but nothing resembling last year’s unit. With this game being in New England where the Patriots are 5-0 and the fact their secondary is strong enough to contain Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, New England wins a tough one.
Prediction: New England Patriots 33 Minnesota Vikings 27
Los Angeles Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have won their past three home games by a combined 70 points. Add that Melvin Gordon will miss this game, you have a California-based team coming to Heinz Field in early December to face a Steelers team coming off a loss. Bad spot for Anthony Lynn’s club.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 36 Los Angeles Chargers 24
Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
There’s not much good you can take away from Philadelphia’s previous game, which was a 25-22 squeaker over the 3-8 New York Giants at home. As tempting as picking Washington here to win is, it’s hard to put your faith in a team that struggles even more than Philadelphia to score points. Of course, we’ll get a game a little higher scoring than anyone would’ve probably thought.
Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles 27 Washington Redskins 23
What are your thoughts on Week 13 of the NFL season? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] MITCHELL, GOBERT EXTEND NETS’ WOES](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_8767.jpg?resize=1080%2C641&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Nov 29, 2018 | SPORTS
Nets Allow Another Fourth Quarter To Disappear In Loss
Coming off one of their most heartbreaking losses of the season on Sunday to the Philadelphia 76ers, it was DeJa Vu in a way in Brooklyn’s return back to the court.
The Brooklyn Nets once again couldn’t hang onto a fourth quarter lead in a bitter 101-91 loss to the Utah Jazz.
Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points while snagging five rebounds and four steals while Rudy Gobert finished with 23 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks as the two dominated this game late for Utah.
Holding a 78-70 lead to begin the fourth quarter, the Nets offense couldn’t keep the pressure on while a desperate and hungry Jazz team in the midst of a funk fought to tie the game midway through the period.
With it being anyone’s game tied at 82-82, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert helped rally the Jazz to victory. Mitchell and Gobert combined to score Utah’s final 17 points of the game.
Brooklyn’s offense was idle in the fourth quarter, finishing the period with just two field goals while being outscored 31-13 in a humbling final quarter of basketball.
The Brooklyn Nets had one of their worst offensive performances of the season, shooting 34.9 percent from the field while committing 20 costly turnovers in what was their fourth consecutive loss.
It was a low scoring affair in the first half with the Utah Jazz holding a 43-42 lead at the half over the Brooklyn Nets.
Brooklyn would be held to 34 percent shooting in the first half while committing eight turnovers.
A credit to Kenny Atkinson and his coaching staff’s ability to make halftime adjustments, Brooklyn came out with a improved plan to attack Utah’s defense.
Spencer Dinwiddie would have the hot hand late in the third for the Nets as he would score the team’s final 14 points off the bench. They went on to outscore the Utah Jazz 36-27 in the third quarter.
He finished the game with a team-high 18 points.
D’Angelo Russell — who was coming off a 38-point masterpiece on Sunday vs the 76ers — could not find the iron on Wednesday night as he finished the night 6-for-25 with 14 points. He would add seven assists to his game.
One area where Kenny Atkinson will look for improvement from his team on Friday vs a defensive minded team is pace of play.
The Brooklyn Nets (8-14) played the kind of game a limited offensive team like the Utah Jazz wanted to play. Looking at the final box numbers, Brooklyn’s defense allowed Utah to shoot 47.6 percent from the field. That number indicates Brooklyn was fighting a losing battle in the first half of the game before ramping it up in the third quarter, only to fizzle out in the fourth once more.
The Brooklyn Nets host the visiting Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night as they look to end their four-game losing streak.
![[SPORTS] EMBIID, 76ERS DRILL LIFELESS KNICKS IN PHILLY](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_8766-1.jpg?resize=600%2C460&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Nov 29, 2018 | SPORTS
T.J. McConnell Would’ve Been The Best Knicks Player On This Night
Trying to pull positives from the New York Knicks’ beatdown at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers on the second night of a back-to-back is a harder task than it appears.
Considering the game was over in the first few minutes, we’ll make this a quick recap.
The New York Knicks were clobbered by the Philadelphia 76ers 117-91 on Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center to drop their second game in as many nights.
Tired, lifeless, selfish, and lacking focus, the New York Knicks were knockoff Nikes you buy one of your little cousins on Christmas, except in some ways they managed to top themselves in that regard.
New York didn’t have much of an answer on Wednesday night for anything the Philadelphia 76ers threw their way.
Taking advantage of the Knicks being road weary and perhaps mentally fatigued, Philadelphia ran early, off of missed shots by the Knicks and in the half-court along the perimeter as J.J. Reddick carved up the Knicks early.
Philadelphia scored 41 points on nearly 70 percent shooting in the first quarter to blitz the visiting Knicks and take a early double digit lead that grew to 25 in the second quarter.
Joel Embiid spent the night terrorizing Knicks “defenders”, with the highlight being his spin move leading to an uncontested slam dunk that brought the Philadelphia crowd to its feet.
Embiid finished with 26 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists.
J.J. Redick continued his strong season, scoring 24 points while hitting four of Philadelphia’s 11 3-pointers on the night.
It wasn’t a banner night on either end for New York, who finished the game shooting a season-low 34.8 percent from the field.
Shot making was an issue on Tuesday night in Detroit, and problems to make a basket manifested themselves at a even worse clip on Wednesday as Tim Hardaway Jr. and the Knicks couldn’t hit a basket even if they had a ladder to the rim to get there.
The starting backcourt duo of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Emmanuel Mudiay combined to shoot 2-for-16 for 8 points while the team finished with only 14 assists as a team, 20 fewer than Philadelphia.
Enes Kanter and Mario Hezonja each scored 17 points on Wednesday night, while Dameyean Dotson made the most of his 24 minutes off the bench, scoring 16 points.
There was too much hero ball from the guards collectively, with Allonzo Trier taking a step back with silly shot attempts.
A night after scoring 24 points, a point shy of his career-high, Trier selfishly looked for his own shot far too often at times, something David Fizdale can live with from a young scorer but won’t be able to live with for very long.
Yes, not even the Knicks most exciting player this season is immune from criticism, and neither is this team from how awful they looked.
It’s nights like these where David Fizdale would trade coaching the Memphis Grizzlies rather than what that team was on the floor tonight.
The New York Knicks return home to face the Washington Wizards on Friday night at Madison Square Garden looking to end their two-game slide.
What are your takeaways from the Knicks ugly loss in Philadelphia? Leave your comments below!
![[SPORTS] NASTY: EMBIID PUTS BURKE IN BIND FOR JAM](https://i0.wp.com/sloppyvinyl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/img_8765-1.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
by sloppyvinyl | Nov 29, 2018 | SPORTS
Dream World
Joel Embiid has an area of improvement he’s currently working on, and that’s his ability to be a consistent threat from beyond the arc.
While he’s refrained from ever being considered a “stretch big” or “stretch five”, he’s worked tirelessly to become as complete a player as possible.
That’s why after missing this 3-pointer vs. the New York Knicks in the second quarter of Wednesday’s night game, he reminded everyone why he’s the NBA’s best center in the NBA today.
Take a look
https://twitter.com/BBallSociety_/status/1067944601468788737
Look out Trey Burke! A seven-foot plane is incoming!
What do you rate this play on a scale of 0-10? Leave your comments below!
