Super Bowl Preview

By Chris Lehman

At the beginning of the year, NFL fans were eager and hoping to just see a season. Now that the season has come and gone, as have the playoffs, it’s now time for the biggest game of the year. This year we have a rematch of the 2008 Super Bowl between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. Last time, the Patriots were heavily favored to win and to achieve perfection, but the Giants ruined those plans when Eli Manning made “The Play.” Manning somehow avoided the pass rush and heaved a ball up and David Tyree made the helmet catch, which is considered by some to be the best play in a Super Bowl ever. Soon after, Manning found Plaxico Burress wide open in the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown. That was then, this is now.

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round

By Chris Lehman

After coming within two points of calling the Saints vs. Lions game, and missing the Texans vs. Bengals outcome by a six point swing, my Saturday predictions were fairly accurate. Sunday, however, was another story. The Atlanta Falcons followed the “safety first” rule that we are always taught and the Denver Broncos stunned the world. 

Just like ESPN analyst, Skip Bayless, I have supported Tim Tebow and the Broncos since day-one of his starting campaign. But just like the rest of the world, I was shocked to see him step up and take down the Steelers. Tebow throwing for 316 yards brings up an interesting thought. Everyone knows that at Florida, Tebow wore John 3:16 on his eye tape. Does this mean anything or was this game all a coincidence? Perhaps it was also a coincidence that Ben Roethlisberger threw that interception on 3rd and 16, or that Tebow averaged 31.6 yards per completion that game. It’s not a conspiracy, but just a thought. As much as I support and respect this Broncos team, what everyone wants to overlook is what made them win. Big Ben was still severely banged up. The Steeler’s starting running back, Rashard Mendenhall, was out. Isaac Redman stepped up nicely in the backup role, though. But more importantly, their starting Safety, Ryan Clark missed the game. You have to think that had he been there, he would not have bitten so hard on the play action allowing Demarius Thomas to break that 80 yard touchdown pass in overtime. Once again, just a thought. With everything that happened last weekend, we now have four games to look at for next week.

Here are the divisional round predictions:

Wildcard Weekend

By Chris Lehman

My mid-November predictions proved to be fairly accurate as I predicted ten of the twelve playoff teams. I had the Cowboys and Bears making it as opposed to the Falcons and the Giants.  This week, there are four games on the schedule, all of which should actually be very close and competitive. In my Super Bowl Predictions article, I broke down the Saints / Lions matchup and the Texans / Bengals game but will revisit those anyways. Here’s what to expect:

NFL Pro Bowl Rosters

By Chris Lehman

After the millions of votes were totaled, we now have the winners who will take the field in Hawaii. While some of the players were obvious selections, there were several others who had great years but were left off the rosters. Those spots were filled by big name players who didn’t necessarily have the best year. This happens every year. Fans vote for their favorite player as opposed to who actually played well that year. Similar to when Yao Ming was voted to start in the all-star game after not playing a game all year due to a career ending foot injury. Here’s what went wrong:

Drew Brees: A step towards greatness

By Chris Lehman

What does it take to be considered an all-time great quarterback?

Some would say having Steve Young’s accuracy. But barring an absurd amount of drops, isn’t completion percentage the ultimate indicator of accuracy? The quarterback who completed an NFL record 66.0% of his passes since joining the league in 2000, is Chad Pennington. 

NBA Playoff Predictions

By Chris Lehman

With the NBA season starting on Christmas Sunday, it’s only right that we make some predictions about the upcoming year. Here’s a prediction of what the playoff seeds will be. 

NBA Off-Season Recap

By Chris Lehman

After one of the most bizarre off seasons in recent history, it’s finally time for basketball to resume. 

Wild Week 15

By Chris Lehman

Week 15 in the NFL sure was a crazy one. We saw some great performances that were expected but then some that were far from it. We saw some reawakened giants and some that are waking up for the first time. Here’s a recap of the excitement from week 15.

Tim Tebow: Unlikely MVP Contender

By Chris Lehman

Call me stupid and say I don’t know what I’m talking about. But hear me out.

MVP = Most valuable player. There’s a common misconception that this stands for the player who puts up the best stats. But stats don’t make an MVP. While Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady will probably win the award this year, and much deservedly so, Tim Tebow makes a very strong case to be in the running.

Still don’t believe in Tebow?

By Chris Lehman

“He is not an NFL Quarterback.”

These were the exact words that ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith said on ESPN First Take Friday morning in a debate with Skip Bayless about Tim Tebow’s value.