A sports blog by and for Midwest Sports Fans
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The Blackhawks, once again, beat their rival Detroit Red Wings, but this time it was a much more excited and intense game.
This game had a playoff feel to it. Both teams played like the Cup was on the line, and because of that it earned its title as Game of the Week.
The Hawks came busting out of the gate and quickly took a 2-0 lead gaining all the momentum in the 1st period, but the momentum would rapidly shift throughout the whole game.
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In today’s edition of the link dump, we round up a few leftovers from the divisional round playoff games – including Brett Favre leading the Vikings in the signing of a stupid, annoying song – and we also provide an inordinate amount of links that guys will enjoy. Not sure why…they just kept showing up in the inbox today.
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Update: In what was his second career play off start, New York Jets CB Darrelle Revis hauled in his second interception. While covering Chargers WR Vincent Jackson, Revis went up to break up the pass causing the ball to bounce around including bouncing off Jackson's foot, never hitting the turf and ending up in the hands of Revis who promptly got up and rain for a gain.
Fantasy Impact: Revis has lived up to any expectations on his shoulders heading into the ply offs. With an interception in both games and continuing to cause havoc for the #1 receivers he faces week after week. Next week he will likely be covering Colts star receiver Reggie Wayne.
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Very interesting trade rumor reported today at MorningJournal.com. The Cavs have apparently offered Zydrunas Ilgauskas to the Hornets for forward David West. Here is some of the details on the Zydrunas Ilgauskas for David West trade rumor:
The Cavs are dangling center Zydrunas Ilgauskas out there for the Hornets, who want to avoid paying the luxury tax at all cost.
The Hornets could buy out Ilgauskas’ contract and waive him. Then he could return to the Cavs in 30 days.
Or they could hang onto him and let his $11.5 million deal expire after this season.
Am I missing something, or does this not look like an absolute slam dunk for the Cavaliers?
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Update: San Diego Chargers Kicker Nate Kaeding who was selected as the AFC Pro Bowl Kicker missed two key field goals from 40 and 36 yards, and a third from 57 yards just before half.
Fantasy Impact: Kaeding had not missed a field goal in 20 attempts including 69 in a row from within 40 yards including play offs.
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Update: Indianapolis Colts WR Reggie Wayne played a solid game for his team catching a total 8 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown as his Colts handed the BAltimore Ravens a 20-3 loss.
Fantasy Impact: Wayne and the Colts will now battle The New York Jets next week in the Conference Final where Wayne will likely be covered by Pro Bowl Corner Darrelle Revis who already an interception in both play off games this year.
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Update: Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning lead his club to a 20-3 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Its Peyton's first time winning while at home after the bye in four tries, pushing the club into the Conference final against the New York Jets.
Fantasy Impact: Peyton didn't play his best game, but was still able to get the win throwing 2 TD's and 246 yards. He had been receiving critique due to his inability to win at home after the bye, but was able to put those accusations to rest.
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During last year’s NCAA tournament – as a reminder - every 1, 2, and 3 seed made it to the Sweet-16. Two 4-seeds made it, a 5-seed, and the lowest other seeded team was the PAC-10′s Arizona (12). There were no George Masons last season, but there were some memorable tournament upsets.
Four actually. And they belonged to Cleveland State, Siena, Dayton, and Western Kentucky.
A 2010 update on those upset-minded teams from a year ago is below:
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Within the space of the week, the Pistons have gone from the depths of a 13 game losing streak to riding the hope generated by a current 3 game win streak.
The Pistons hit rock bottom when they lost to the Chicago Bulls at the Palace 120-87. Detroit then avoided tying a franchise record 14 game losing streak with a gutty 99-90 road win over the even more bedeviled Washington Wizards.
They followed that victory up with a tough 110-104 overtime home win against the New Orleans Hornets and a 94-90 4th quarter nail biter at home against the New York Knicks.
In their three wins, the Pistons didn’t play a perfect 48 minutes with constant focus, ball movement, effort, and execution on both ends of the court, but they played through the lulls to persevere and pull out the wins.
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As one commenter posted on my divisional round picks post after last night’s games were completed:
Wow, I would say you were very inaccurate and think you should stop taking picks. I throttled you by taking the obvious, being the opposite of all your playoff picks. Did you even pick ONE winner? Don’t quit your day job!
I really wish that there was some way that I could defend myself; alas, there is not. After a stellar regular season during which I picked 57% of the games correct against the spread, I am now 2-6 in the playoffs. I’m beginning to feel like Norv Turner.
And speaking of Norv Turner, I now realize that I trusted him and Wade Phillips last week. Anyone reading my picks should have immediately stopped listening to me right there. What was I thinking? Regardless, it is now time to turn the page to a conference championship round with two incredibly intriguing games.
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UPDATE: Ben Williamson of ESPN.com reports that San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson is having a long day. He had 20 yards on nine carries, San Diego’s defense played great in the first half. The Jets have not been able to establish a decent run game.
FANTASY IMPACT: Tomlinson seems to be on the decline, but he is playing against the NFL’s best defense. Both Tomlinson and Chargers RB Darren Sproles are off to slow starts, but Sproles is a big play threat. He has three carries for 33 yards, 22 of which came on one play.
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UPDATE: According to StarTribune.com, Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo never owned a Brett Favre jersey and chose No. 16 as his high school uniform in honor of Joe Montana. That would be understandable if he had grown up in, say, California. Except Romo lived in Burlington, Wis., 150 miles south of Green Bay, while Favre won a Super Bowl and earned three consecutive MVP awards. Not that Romo didn't enjoy watching Favre play every Sunday. He loved the swagger and passion for the game. In fact, people find those same qualities in Romo.
FANTASY IMPACT: Romo must be feeling the pressure of facing his childhood idol. He has struggled early and turned the ball over three times so far in today’s divisional round matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Though Romo has not played well, his offensive line has not helped much. The Vikings defense has dominated the line of scrimmage, sacking Romo six times so far.
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UPDATE: NFL.com reports that Chicago Bears DL Gaines Adams died Sunday morning after going into cardiac arrest because of an enlarged heart, Greenwood County Coroner Jim Coursey said.
FANTASY IMPACT: Adams was on pace to become one of the NFL’s best defensive ends. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007, Adams had 13.5 sacks in three years with the team before getting traded to the Bears early this season. This is a tough loss for a Bears defense that has not finished in the top 10 total defenses since 2005. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Adams family and the Bears organization.
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UPDATE: Matt Mosely of ESPN.com reports that Dallas Cowboys OL Flozell Adams has left the game with a right calf strain and his return is questionable, according to the club. He was replaced by OL Doug Free on the Cowboys' last possession. Free filled in at right tackle for seven games during OL Marc Colombo's injury absence, but he's not seen any time on the left side.
FANTASY IMPACT: The Cowboys offense has struggled early against the Minnesota Vikings’ pass rush. Vikings DL Jared Allen has dominated his matchups so far. He even got a shot at Cowboys TE Jason Witten in a one on one situation, clearly a mismatch. Expect things to get worse for the Cowboys if they cannot find a way to slow Allen down.
