This is the first installment of my sports blog. I'll talk about a variety of topics from college, pro, recruiting, gambling and other random things. Anything that I find interesting is fair game.
So last night on Monday Night Football our Detroit Lions fell to the Chicago Bears 13-7. Detroit has been a disappointment this season after making the playoffs last year and they had a prime time opportunity to make up for the slow start but disappointed us again. We knew the Bears defense is arguably the best in the NFL but when the Lions were able to take drives into the redzone they could not capitalize. Not only did they not capitalize they turned the ball over. Detroit had 4 possessions in the redzone and aside from a touchdown in the last minute of the game they had 2 fumbles and 1 interception. The Bears defense deserves a lot of credit because not only did they have 4 takeaways but they forced 3 more fumbles. Also, how about the job Charles Tillman did on Calvin Johnson. Peanut was able to hold Megatron to only 3 catches and 34 yards with a touchdown saving pass breakup. Matthew Stafford targeted Calvin a team high 11 times but was pressured all night and was having a difficult time hooking up with his receivers. This was a game that Detroit needed to win to get its season back on track and they definitely had their share of opportunities but they were derailed by turnovers forced by a Chicago defense that is playing like '06 and their Superbowl run. If the Lions want to get back on track they will need Stafford to bring back some of the magic from last year. Now I don't expect him to throw for 5,000 yards and 40 TD's again but I wasn't expecting him to have more interceptions (6) than touchdowns (5). This next stretch will tell us a lot about our Lions with a home game against the Seattle followed by road games at Jacksonville and Minnesota. The Seahawks are playing well and have shown they can beat good teams at home taking out Green Bay and New England but they haven't been as successful on the road. The Jaguars are in shambles right now with their workhorse Maurice Jones-Drew going down and the Vikings are the surprise of the NFC North. With games left against the Packers (2), Texans, and Falcons the Lions need to take 2 out of the next 3 games if they want any hope of making the playoffs for the second straight year, something they haven't done since '94-'95.
This past weekend was the big Michigan - Michigan State football game. I was fortunate enough to work the game for the Big Ten Network (a show called Tailgate 48 airing on Wednesday at 6:00pm) and be on the field, which is a completely different perspective than sitting in the stands. To be honest I'd rather be in the stands. Even though I was right there for the action, I found myself still watching the big screen because I couldn't see the plays at the other end of the field. As for the game itself, it was a boring 1st half that turned into an exciting finish. I didn't know what to expect going into the game. MSU had won 4 straight in the series and was coming off a tough double overtime loss to Iowa while Michigan had won its last 2 games by an 89-13 margin. In the betting world the game opened with Michigan -10 but was bet down to -8.5 by game time. The Spartans defense was strong as expected keeping UM out of the end zone and containing Denard Robinson as they have for every game they've faced him. The Wolverines D was sturdy as well holding Le'Veon Bell to 68 yards and only 2.6 yards a carry. MSU coach Mark Dantonio even ran one of his patented fake punts for a big 1st down in the 4th quarter. But who would have thought the game would be won on the legs of 2 Michigan kickers. They have had such a bad history of poor place kickers the last several years that I never would believe they could win a game without scoring a touchdown. Matt Wile started it with making a 48-yarder on the first field goal attempt of his college career, then Brendan Gibbons hit the game winning 38-yard FG with :05 left in pressure packed situation. I must say that I was surprised the fans rushed that field after it was over. I understand it was a rivalry game and Michigan hasn't beat MSU in 4 years but come on. Michigan had a better record, they were ranked, and were a heavy favorite in the game! To rush the field the number 1 criteria is your team at least has to be the underdog. But nonetheless, it was great experience and being a Michigan fan it was good to be there for such an exciting finish.
Finally, tonight on ESPN is the 30 for 30 "Benji". It's the story of Chicago's Ben Wilson, the #1 high school basketball player in the country at the time, who was killed before his senior year. Most basketball fans have heard of Hank Gathers and Len Bias who were taken before they reached their potential in the NBA but Benji isn't too well known outside of Illinois. It is said that this will be a very powerful and emotional documentary of a player that has been honored by other Chicago greats like Juwan Howard, Derrick Rose, and this year's #1 high school player Jabari Parker by wearing Benji's number 25. I highly suggest checking it out tonight at 8:00pm on ESPN.
No comments:
Post a Comment