There are only 4 shopping days until Christmas, and counting. Seriously. You're out of time. You procrastinated once again, and you’re at the point of having to go buy gift cards at the corner store.
The Dolphins take on the Buffalo Bills up in Buffalo on Sunday at 1:00 pm. The other game we need to keep our eyes on is the matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots at 4:25 pm. All the Dolphins have to do is win their two remaining games and they’re in the playoffs.
Here’s more on the Dolphins from Armando Salguero:
Here is this week’s NFL schedule. I was 4-2-1 last week on my picks, and my record so far this season is a very respectable 55-45-5 against the spread, and 63-42 straight up.
SUNDAY
Dolphins @ Buffalo +2 ½ 1:00 pm CBS
I know the Bills beat the Dolphins a few weeks ago, but that was then, and this is now. Ryan Tannehill is marching towards becoming the only Dolphin QB to reach 4,000 yards in team history not named Marino. With five wins in their last seven games and three in a row, the Fins look to reach the playoffs for the first time in five seasons. To paraphrase the song, “there’s no stopping them now”. Taking the Fins and giving the 2 ½ points.
Indianapolis @ Kansas City -7 1:00 pm CBS
Cleveland @ NY Jets -2 1:00 pm CBS
Tennessee @ Jacksonville +5 1:00 pm CBS
Denver @ Houston +10 1:00 pm CBS
Minnesota @ Cincinnati -7 1:00 pm FOX
The Bengals are looking to clinch their division with a win against the Vikings and a loss by the Ravens to the Patriots. Gonna happen. The Bengals are 6-0 at home, while the Vikings are winless on the road this year, and have lost five of their last six games in Cincinnati. Taking the Bengals and giving up the points.
Tampa Bay @ St. Louis -5 1:00 pm FOX
Dallas @ Washington +2 ½ 1:00 pm FOX
New Orleans @ Carolina -2 1:00 pm FOX
I’m gonna throw a change-up here. Normally, I would be all over the Saints in this meeting. Not so this week. NOLA has been pretty bad on the road this season, as evidenced by the fact that they only score 18 points per game on the road, while they light up the scoreboard at home, averaging 33 points per contest. The Panthers lead the NFC with 45 sacks, and the Saints will be starting a rookie at left tackle this week. Look for Carolina to try and establish the run to open up the passing game. Taking Carolina and giving the points
NY Giants @ Detroit -9 4:05 pm FOX
The Lions lost a heartbreaker on Monday Night, falling to the Ravens on a 61-yard field goal with 38 seconds left. The Lions have shot themselves in the foot in their last couple of losses, with numerous dropped passes and a huge number of penalties. It is now or never for them. The Giants continue to be awful, and they look like a team looking forward to the offseason. It is a big number, but I’ll take the Lions at home minus the points.
Arizona @ Seattle -10 ½ 4:05 pm FOX
Pittsburgh @ Green Bay +7 4:25 pm CBS
Green Bay will again be without Aaron Rodgers, but Matt Flynn has been pretty good in his absence. Call me crazy, but I'm taking the Packers at home.
Oakland @ San Diego -9 4:25 pm CBS
New England @ Baltimore -2 ½ 4:25 pm CBS
The Patriots haven’t loss consecutive games since week 3 in 2012, and that was a 31-30 loss to the Ravens in Baltimore. Not gonna happen this time, even though the Ravens have won four games in a row. The Patriots will help the Dolphins out with a win. Taking the Pats plus the points.
Chicago @ Philadelphia -3 ½ 8:30 pm NBC
Both teams are looking to win their divisions, and a win here will put them in position to do that in week 17 - the Eagles will face the Cowboys, and the Bears will play the Packers. Philadelphia was trounced last week by Minnesota, 48-30, while the Bears got past the Browns, 38-31. The Bears’ defense, which is the worst in the league against the run, has to face the NFL’s rushing leader, LeSean McCoy. Tough game to call, but I’ll cautiously take the Bears on the road plus the points.
MONDAY NIGHT
Atlanta @ San Francisco -12 8:30 pm ESPN
The 49ers cannot afford a letdown against the lowly Falcons. SF is 10-4, but they aren’t guaranteed a playoff berth just yet. I have to take the 49ers here, I hate the large number, but it is what it is.
Here’s ESPN’s NFL Nation Blog, with more news from all around the league:
Of course, we can all continue to sleep at night, knowing full well that Aaron Hernandez remains in jail, where he belongs.
Here’s the latest around baseball:
Marlins’ pitchers and catchers report February 16th, position players arrive February 20th, and the spring training games begin February 26th, when the Fish play the University of Miami Hurricanes. They will then play the FIU Panthers on the 27th. Both of those games will be in Jupiter.
Here is the complete preseason schedule for the Fish:
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: When is the last time the Dolphins were in the playoffs and when is the last time they won a postseason game? The answer comes later, alligator.
In college football,
The College Bowl season kicks off on Saturday with four games.
SATURDAY
GILDAN NEW MEXICO BOWL
Washington State vs Colorado State 2:00 pm ESPN
Two teams that have slowly turned their struggling programs around. Watch Colorado State running back Kapri Bibbs, who leads the nation with 28 rushing touchdowns this year. On the Washington State side, keep your eyes on QB Connor Halliday, who is fourth in the nation in passing yards with 4,187. Remember that they almost beat Auburn earlier this season, and Auburn is playing in the National Championship game. I like Washington State in this contest.
ROYAL PURPLE LAS VEGAS BOWL
Fresno State vs USC 3:30 pm ABC
USC will be led by their third acting coach this season, so motivation may be a factor. Fresno State finished the season 11-1, just missing out on a potential BCS bid, losing to San Jose State 62-52. Fresno State is a fun team to watch on offense, but USC’s defense is 16th in the country and first in the Pac-12. This one could be a barnburner. I like Fresno State.
FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL
Buffalo vs San Diego State 5:30 pm ESPN
A matchup of 1,000 yard runners in SDS’ Adam Muema and Buffalo’s Branden Oliver. San Diego State is playing in a bowl game for the fourth consecutive season, while Buffalo, interestingly enough, is making only their second bowl appearance in their history. I like SD State in this one.
R+L CARRIERS NEW ORLEANS BOWL
Tulane vs Louisiana-Lafayette 9:00 pm ESPN
Both starting QB’s are questionable for this game. Terrance Broadway makes the Ragin’ Cajuns go, and the Green Wave is led by Nick Montana, Joe’s son. I like Louisiana-Lafayette in this one, especially if Broadway is able to play.
The BCS National Championship game will have the Florida State Seminoles squaring off against the Auburn Tigers in Pasadena on January 6th. The rest of the bowl schedule is here, including a good one in the Orange Bowl Classic, where we will see the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes do battle at the Seven Names Stadium.
Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan have the latest from Coral Gables.
Here’s the latest from FIU. David J. Neal of the Herald has the details:
Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and #1-ranked FSU:
From Gainesville and the University of Florida:
Moving to the hardwood:
The Miami Heat take on the Sacramento Kings tonight at the AAA. They will then welcome the Atlanta Hawks here on Monday, before heading out to Los Angeles for a Christmas contest against the Lakers.
The Heat’s schedule for the remainder of 2013:
Hawks @ Heat Mon 12/23 7:30 pm Sun Sports
Heat @ Lakers Christmas Day 5:00 pm ABC
Heat @ Trailblazers Sat 12/28 10:00 pm Sun Sports
Heat @ Nuggets Mon 12/30 9:00 pm Sun Sports
More Heat coverage:
Here is the Heat’s complete regular season schedule:
On the NHL ice, the Panthers have won five in a row and seven of their last eight, after beating the Ottawa Senators last night, 4-2. They will remain north of the border as they go face the Winnipeg Jets tonight.
In boxing news,
Here is Santos Perez’ weekly boxing spotlight column from the Miami Herald:
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I’m selling three lots totaling a little over five acres in the beautiful North Carolina mountains, overlooking the New River, a quick 35-minute drive from Boone and Blowing Rock. Click here to see some photos and feel free to contact me if you have any questions:
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THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: When is the last time the Dolphins were in the playoffs and when is the last time they won a postseason game?
First part was easy, as I gave you the answer in my analysis of this week’s game. The year was 2008 as they lost to the Baltimore Ravens. Their last win in the post season was an overtime 23-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in 2000.
Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day.
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