SportsNation Blog Archives
Buffalo Bills
The first game of the NFL season kicks off in a little more than 24 hours, and we'd be lying if we said we weren't at least a little excited. Pro football can be a messy affair at times -- see the entire labor battle during the offseason -- but it's a glorious sport at its heart. Most every team's fan base has something to look forward to this weekend, although Colts fans may be dreading a future without Peyton Manning after the news that he'll miss at least his first game with a neck injury.
- Rank: Is Peyton Manning still in the MVP race? | Which are football's best teams?
- Vote: Which teams are the favorite to win each division?
Best game?
There are a lot of good matchups in Week 1 of the NFL's 2011 regular season. Steelers-Ravens, for example, could be a preview of a future AFC playoff game.
Colts without Manning?
Peyton Manning is out for an undetermined amount of time. This could be a prime opportunity for other teams to break Indianapolis' stranglehold on the AFC South.
As if Bills and Bengals fans don't have enough reasons to be depressed, now they can go to sleep at night knowing they might have had quarterback Michael Vick if not for some nudging from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Vick says he viewed both teams as better options than the Eagles but was convinced otherwise by the NFL. Whether Vick would have flourished in either location the same way he did in Philadelphia is unknown, but we're sure fans of both teams would have liked to find out. That aside, do you believe the NFL did something wrong?
- "If I was a Bengal or Bill fan, I'd be upset the commish had a hand in pushing a potential starting QB away from my team. Sounds like tampering to me." -- SN commenter jodya2229
- "Interesting that Goodell is steering superstar athletes away from small market teams and handing them over to the NFL's more beloved franchises. I thought this league prided itself on its parity. Apparently not. Who punishes Goodell for tampering?" -- SN commenter Stephen02120
- "He made the right choice in going 2 Philly he would of went crazy if he went 2 the Bills or Bengals." -- SN commenter Super_Thursday203
Is this what "collusion" means?
Michael Vick says the NFL played a role in getting him to sign with the Eagles. Was it a shrewd move by the NFL or something much less sinister?
Revisionist history?
Michael Vick says in 2009 he saw the Bengals and Bills as better landing spots than the Donovan McNabb-led Eagles. Would you have agreed?
Vick's approval rating?
Michael Vick understands some people still hold a grudge. "There may still be masses of people who feel that way. Just don't put it in my face. Because I will take the initiative to put it back in your face."
AFC East
The Patriots responded to their 14-2 record last season by signing or trading for several marquee names. Are they good enough to beat the Jets?
AFC North
The Steelers fell just short of winning the Super Bowl last season, as their vaunted defense wasn't able to stop Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
AFC South
Peyton Manning took a pay cut in order for the Colts to keep some of their key players, but is it enough for Indianapolis to win the AFC South?
AFC West
There's a brewing quarterback controversy in Denver, with Kyle Orton delaying the seemingly inevitable succession of Tim Tebow to the starting job. Can the Broncos compete with Orton?
NFC East
The Eagles made a number of humongous moves this offseason, including trading Kevin Kolb and signing Nnamdi Asomugha. Are they the team to beat in the NFC East?
NFC North
Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on an incredible run to a Super Bowl title last year. Are they the favorites in the NFC North once again?
NFC South
The Saints looked to make another deep run at a Super Bowl, but were stunned by the lowly Seahawks. Are they still an elite team?
NFC West
Speaking of the Seahawks, they won the NFC West despite a 7-9 record. Will they sneak into the playoffs once more?
We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2011 MLB survey
2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)
Take part in the 2011 NFL survey
2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Overall: No. 20)
Take part in the 2011 NBA survey
2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)
Take part in the 2011 NHL survey
2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)
1. Bigger bummer for Shawne Merriman: no wins or no sun?
The forecasted high in Buffalo tomorrow is 40 degrees. The forecasted high in San Diego is 79 degrees -- just like it seems to be about 350 days a year there. Did anyone have a worse Wednesday than Shawne Merriman? Not only was the former All-Pro claimed by a winless team; it's a team that plays in Buffalo's winters.
- "He grew up in D.C and played for Maryland in College.....cold weather is nothing new." -- SN commenter thelizrdking1971
- Rank 'Em: How do first-rounders stack up in fantasy football? | Vote: Rookie roles?
- More: Matthew Berry and Nate Ravitz talk to Sam Bradford | Fantasy analysis
The folks in charge of running the Bears, Panthers, Ravens and Redskins weren't the only general managers without a pick in the first round of the NFL draft. In fact, they have company that numbers in the hundreds of thousands. Fantasy owners could only sit and watch the picks unfold Thursday night, but now they're in the game. C.J. Spiller was the first running back off the board, but does he become a viable fantasy option if he's sharing touches with Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson? Will Carson Palmer find a go-to option in rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham?
And beyond the eight fantasy-eligible players selected in the first round, what impact will something like the 49ers drafting two offensive linemen have on the fantasy fortunes of Alex Smith? With protection in front of him, Frank Gore behind him and Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis to throw to, could Smith finally become a factor in fantasy football?
“People out there stop putting the T.O. jacket on Dez Bryant it doesn't fit. So many times owners listen to these so called guru's and miss out on Pro Bowl type players, nice pick Jerry.,
” -- tripplecitty
“I hope this means BUF is getting rid of Lynch because if they aren't this pick is pointless. With so many holes on that team to take a RB at #9 was a serious stretch. I'd love to see Spiller as the next Chris Johnson but remember TEN has a very solid O-line, where as BUD started 12+ different lineman last season alone.
” -- SMojsov
“Jahvid Best could have Chris Johnsonlike ability.
” -- AjP_
“i absolutely LOVE this pick, mathews definitely looks legit. with the combo of power, good speed, breaks tackles, bloacks well, can still catch well enough, he's the perfect fit for our offense. sproles and mathews are gonna be beastly this coming season, mark my words
” -- chargerschica
It's just like the census, only this one is fun and doesn't come in the mail. And nobody from FOX News or MSNBC will yell at you about it. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2010 MLB survey
2009 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 1)
2. Milwaukee Brewers (Overall: No. 7)
3. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 16)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 23)
5. Philadelphia Phillies (Overall: No. 24)
Take part in the 2010 NFL survey
2009 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (Overall: No. 3)
2. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 13)
3. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 14)
4. Tennessee Titans (Overall: No. 15)
5. New England Patriots (Overall: No. 19)
Take part in the 2010 NBA survey
2009 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 5)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 9)
3. New Orleans Hornets (Overall: No. 12)
4. Houston Rockets (Overall: No. 17)
5. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 18)
Take part in the 2010 NHL survey
2009 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Carolina Hurricanes (Overall: No. 2)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 4)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 6)
4. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 8)
5. St. Louis Blues (Overall: No. 10)
- Vote: Power Rankings | MVP Watch | Running backs | Coaches | Pick 'Em | Spread
- NFC blogger chats: NFC East | NFC North | NFC West
- AFC blogger chats: AFC South | AFC North | AFC West
- Weekly chatters: Chris Mortensen | Matt Williamson | Mel Kiper | KC Joyner
- Local team chats: ESPN Boston | ESPN Chicago | ESPN Dallas
Maybe it's people finally coming around on Andre Johnson as the league's best receiver (or at least good argument fodder against Larry Fitzgerald). Maybe it's fans of every other AFC playoff participant channeling Machiavelli. But at least within the confines of Week 17 and the wild-card race, the Houston Texans are more "America's Team" than that other team.
That SportsNation appears to be rooting for the Texans against the Patriots and against the playoff odds this weekend is a little surprising, considering the team hasn't exactly been highly regarded this season. As you can see, SportsNation ranked it last among the five main wild-card contenders (sorry, Dolphins and Jaguars) at just about every stop.
So what needs to happen for the Texans to claim their first playoff berth? Just beat the Patriots and get help with two wins from the Chiefs, Raiders and what's likely to be the Bengals' second string. Uh-oh. Assuming a win against the Patriots, here are the scenarios.1. Jets lose or tie against Bengals AND Ravens lose or tie against Raiders
2. Jets lose or tie against Bengals AND Broncos lose or tie against Chiefs
3. Ravens lose or tie against Raiders AND Broncos lose or tie against Chiefs
- Vote: Broncos v. Eagles | Jets v. Colts | Ravens v. Steelers | Chargers v. Titans
- Pick 'Em: Straight up | Against the spread
- Rankings: AFC Playoff Race | MVPs | Power
- Weekly chatters: Chris Mortensen | Gary Horton | Matt Williamson | Drew Bennett
- Divisional chats: NFC North | NFC West | AFC North | AFC West | AFC South
Just in case the playoff races weren't generating enough story lines, the NFL has blessed us this holiday week with several side dishes to munch on. Brett Favre and Brad Childress aired out some grievances which led us to ask you which one has more power on the Vikings. Mike Holgren took a job as the main man in Cleveland but fans are wondering if Seattle might have been a better opportunity. The Saints lost and pretty much every former player on ESPN's payroll is laughing at SportsNation's belief that a loss can be a good thing. And there were at least a few folks in Montana who didn't completely dismiss the Redskins' botched fake field goal as the worst play they have ever seen.
- Vote: Cowboys-Saints | Power Rankings | MVP Watch | Coaches | Pick 'Em | Spread
- NFC blogger chats: NFC East | NFC South | NFC North | NFC West
- AFC blogger chats: AFC East | AFC South | AFC North | AFC West
- Weekly chatters: Chris Mortensen | Matt Williamson | Mel Kiper | KC Joyner
- Local team chats: ESPN Boston | ESPN Chicago | ESPN Dallas
Your move, Mr. Brees. Peyton Manning used his national (sort of) stage to full advantage Thursday night, leading the Colts to yet another come-from-behind win in the fourth quarter with a memorable long touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne. Now it's Drew Brees' turn to keep his team marching toward perfection on a national (sort of) stage Saturday night.
Unlike the Heisman race, which seemed in search of a favorite all season, the MVP chase in the NFL has been a two-man duel since early in October.
On the flip side, Wade Phillips and the Cowboys might not be so thrilled about having Saturday's spotlight all to themselves. Phillips matched a season low last week with a 14 percent approval rating from SportsNation, and a loss in New Orleans won't improve matters.
- "If Dallas loses out, I don't see how Wade Phillips keeps his job. Unfortunately, I see Dallas losing out. New Orleans, I see winning out. This is their only test left. Roy Williams is giving instigation to a team that doesn't need to be instigated. I use to think Roy Williams was a class act until this season. The Saints are going to do everything in their power to finish 16-0. ... DAL 16 NO 32." -- Read Feldman9000's full post.
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