Unless the Giants win the Superbowl, Celtics lose to Minnesota, and Memphis State loses to UCF during the first week of February, I think it’s safe to declare this week the official upset week. America has done their part in cheering on their underdogs, but have we come to a point where even the favorites should be worried?
On Sunday, the New York Giants upset the favorite Green Bay Packers in overtime. The Giants, in simple words, were basically written off not only by sports writers, but even by local New York papers. After the memorable upset win, the Giants are now headed to the Superbowl against the 14 point favorite Patriots. New York has made the improbable run to the Superbowl by defeating three of their playoff opponents, while not being favored once, and on the road for all three. Do the Giants have what it takes to march down 5th ave with the Lombardi Trophy? If they did it three times in three consecutive weeks, why not a fourth?!
The Patriots are clearly favored due to their spectacular offensive season. Tom Brady has had the best QB season in history, Randy Moss has had the best WR season in history; a defense that has shown to be pretty effective so far this playoffs. For the Giants to win this game, it will take more than just pressuring Brady the way they did with Brett Farve. New York hasn't sacked Farve all game, but the defense did make some key contributions in other areas by forcing 2 turnovers, including the interception by Corey Webster, to eventually lead to the game winning Field Goal. The Giants must also keep Moss in his cage to make this game even worth watching. During the regular season, both Baltimore and Philadelphia covered Moss limiting him to a combined 77 yards lost to the patriots by 3 or less. So do the Giants have a chance? I'm not going to go as far to say as the 14 point spread is way too much, but the Giants are indeed way in this one and can bring one back for New Yorkers.
The Australian open in Rafael Nadal's eyes looked as if he will finally reach a Grand Slam finals hard court. Rafael Nadal was opposed against the unranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Last night Rafael Nadal found out what Australian Open fans already knew, Tsonga is for real! Tsonga dominated the favored Nadal in the Semi-finals in Australia 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. Although ranked #2 in the world, Nadal has never reached a hard court final in his tennis career. He was looking to score some points here and make and reach the big game, but Tsonga had other plans. Tsonga is for real and he has been playing great tennis so far, but will I go as far to say that this kid will beat Federer or Djokovic? Absolutely not! There is no way I will put Tsonga even in the same sentence as our #1 ranked defending champion. Tonight, Federer will face Novak Djokovic to see who will play Tsonga in the Australian Open finals. Djokovic is 1-5 against Federer, but beat him the last face off they had. Either of the 2 that make the finals will be extreme favorites over Tsonga. Just to give comparisons as to what kind of favorites we're looking at, imagine the New England Patriots facing the 0-8 Baylor State college team.
Maryland added to the week of upsets by getting a big win of their own by defeating the undefeated Tarheels(1). Maryland was trailing by a small margin all game long, and showed their fortitude to bounce back after North Carolina pushed ahead by four in the final 2 1/2 minutes. After Ellington missed a 3-pointer and a driving shot, North Carolina could only watch as Tyler Hansbrough's last gasp 3-pointer bounced off the rim at the horn as the Terrapins ran to midcourt to celebrate. The Tarheels cannot afford to let this loss get to them. Indeed, they lost their #1 spot to Memphis, but they have to bounce themselves back and regain life in themselves and continue their winnings. They are on there best start in 2 decades and they don’t want to let this loss ruin that.
Upsets are inevitable in sports; Cinderella stories will happen. With the right game and the right encouragement, anyone and everyone can upset their favorite. Please see 2007 and 2006 NL Champions, and the Knicks short winning run last week.
On Sunday, the New York Giants upset the favorite Green Bay Packers in overtime. The Giants, in simple words, were basically written off not only by sports writers, but even by local New York papers. After the memorable upset win, the Giants are now headed to the Superbowl against the 14 point favorite Patriots. New York has made the improbable run to the Superbowl by defeating three of their playoff opponents, while not being favored once, and on the road for all three. Do the Giants have what it takes to march down 5th ave with the Lombardi Trophy? If they did it three times in three consecutive weeks, why not a fourth?!
The Patriots are clearly favored due to their spectacular offensive season. Tom Brady has had the best QB season in history, Randy Moss has had the best WR season in history; a defense that has shown to be pretty effective so far this playoffs. For the Giants to win this game, it will take more than just pressuring Brady the way they did with Brett Farve. New York hasn't sacked Farve all game, but the defense did make some key contributions in other areas by forcing 2 turnovers, including the interception by Corey Webster, to eventually lead to the game winning Field Goal. The Giants must also keep Moss in his cage to make this game even worth watching. During the regular season, both Baltimore and Philadelphia covered Moss limiting him to a combined 77 yards lost to the patriots by 3 or less. So do the Giants have a chance? I'm not going to go as far to say as the 14 point spread is way too much, but the Giants are indeed way in this one and can bring one back for New Yorkers.
The Australian open in Rafael Nadal's eyes looked as if he will finally reach a Grand Slam finals hard court. Rafael Nadal was opposed against the unranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Last night Rafael Nadal found out what Australian Open fans already knew, Tsonga is for real! Tsonga dominated the favored Nadal in the Semi-finals in Australia 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. Although ranked #2 in the world, Nadal has never reached a hard court final in his tennis career. He was looking to score some points here and make and reach the big game, but Tsonga had other plans. Tsonga is for real and he has been playing great tennis so far, but will I go as far to say that this kid will beat Federer or Djokovic? Absolutely not! There is no way I will put Tsonga even in the same sentence as our #1 ranked defending champion. Tonight, Federer will face Novak Djokovic to see who will play Tsonga in the Australian Open finals. Djokovic is 1-5 against Federer, but beat him the last face off they had. Either of the 2 that make the finals will be extreme favorites over Tsonga. Just to give comparisons as to what kind of favorites we're looking at, imagine the New England Patriots facing the 0-8 Baylor State college team.
Maryland added to the week of upsets by getting a big win of their own by defeating the undefeated Tarheels(1). Maryland was trailing by a small margin all game long, and showed their fortitude to bounce back after North Carolina pushed ahead by four in the final 2 1/2 minutes. After Ellington missed a 3-pointer and a driving shot, North Carolina could only watch as Tyler Hansbrough's last gasp 3-pointer bounced off the rim at the horn as the Terrapins ran to midcourt to celebrate. The Tarheels cannot afford to let this loss get to them. Indeed, they lost their #1 spot to Memphis, but they have to bounce themselves back and regain life in themselves and continue their winnings. They are on there best start in 2 decades and they don’t want to let this loss ruin that.
Upsets are inevitable in sports; Cinderella stories will happen. With the right game and the right encouragement, anyone and everyone can upset their favorite. Please see 2007 and 2006 NL Champions, and the Knicks short winning run last week.
2 comments:
Good luck with your blog and may gd bless america
thank you
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