Throwback Saturday Part III

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. A year ago today, I gave a preview for Super Bowl XLV predicting that the Steelers would come out victorious. I was wrong.

By Josh Kramer

A wise man once told me, “There is no present or future, only the past, happening over and over again.”  Though, I am not in full agreement with that statement, it does set the stage for the third edition of “Throwback Saturday.”  What was happening on February 4, 2010 in sports?  How about on February 4, 2009?  Let’s find out.

One year ago..

Super Bowl XLV

Here is a snippet from the end..

My X-Factor in this game goes to the coaching staff.  Yes I said it.  I feel like Dick LeBeau’s amazing defensive mentality will give Rodgers just enough fits to lead the Steelers to a victory.  In addition, I think that the Steelers will get more production from Mendenhall than the Packers will get from Starks.  But the difference in the game will come down to coaching.  I give the Steelers and D-Coordinator Dick LeBeau the edge.

I got the Steelers winning an absolute thrilling game 24 to 21.  It should be fun.  Big Ben will join some elite company with his 3rd Super Bowl Title.  Do not sleep on the Packers though.  Aaron Rodgers and the Cheeseheads will be back (To finish reading the post, click this link).

NFL Conference Championships

Photo courtesy of inquisitr.com. Jim Harbaugh (pictured above) has pulled a David Blaine like job in San Francisco. Can he get one more win and help the 49ers get to the Super Bowl?

By Josh Kramer

This Sunday is by no means rocket science in terms of the NFL.  Let me clarify any confusion if there is any. If you win, then you’re in.  If you lose, well, you join the rest of America to watch the country’s biggest sporting spectacle on your couch.  At least the commercials for the big game are good right?  All four of the remaining teams are outstanding groups that are still standing for a reason.  28 teams are already making preparations for next year.  This esteemed group of four has their sights set on the present.  They have their sights set on the one and only Lombardi Trophy.

“Tebow Time” may have struck midnight.  And the seemingly invincible team from Green Bay is out, but this weekend will be a treat without a doubt.

Championship Weekend:

Key Storylines:

-Will we get a rematch of the epic game from February 3, 2008?

-Will Jim Harbaugh continue to shock the world?

-Ray Lewis or Tom Brady?  Which superstar will represent the AFC in Indy?

-Will the Ravens recent inner turmoil cost them a spot in the big game?

NFL Playoffs 2012: Divisional Playoff Weekend Recap

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. The often criticized Alex Smith (pictured above) has finally turned the corner and had a Montana-like moment on Saturday. Can he lead San Francisco past the Giants and into the Super Bowl?

By Wesley Kaminsky

After a Wild-Card weekend that featured Tim Tebow shocking the Steelers in overtime, nobody thought the divisional weekend could top the one prior.  Everybody was wrong.

The divisional playoffs started off with a bang Saturday afternoon, when the 49ers and Saints combined for 28 points in the final four minutes of the game, with Alex Smith hitting Vernon Davis for the winning touchdown with nine seconds left. That game was just more proof of the amazing job Jim Harbaugh has done this season in San Francisco, and it’s not over yet. Harbaugh transformed Alex Smith from Ryan Leaf to Joe Montana. (Okay, at least for one game). He inherited an almost identical 49ers team that struggled in 2010 and made them a contender. There is something about that Harbaugh family.

Food for Thought 1-17-2012

Photo courtesy of cbssports.com. Not too many people are talking about Creighton star sophomore Doug McDermott (pictured above). Soon enough, everyone will be talking.

By Josh Kramer

This weekend was one for the ages in sports.  A perfect time for my 800th career post on “TheSportsKraze.” Great NFL playoff action, college basketball upsets galore, and so much more.  There is so much going on in sports right now and sadly I am only able to hit on a few things.  Here is what has caught my attention.

Jimmer Show Part II?

Last year, Jimmer Fredette taught America “How to Jimmer.”

NFL Wild-Card Weekend

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Much of the talk regarding the Bengals/Texans matchup on Saturday has been centered on the rookie quarterbacks. The return of Andre Johnson (pictured above) may have a heavy impact on the outcome as well.

By Josh Kramer

It is finally the time that we have all been waiting for.  And no I am not referring to “Tebow Time,” though there is a possibility of some “Tebowing.”  America’s most popular sport is now down to the final 12.  By Sunday night, the field will be narrowed down to eight, as teams desperately try to book a trip to Indianapolis for the Super Bowl on February 5th.  What team will be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy around 10:30PM on February 5th?

I know you have all been anxiously awaiting the final “TheSportsKraze Pick’em Challenge” results.  The final standings were as follows:

TSK:  172

CV3:  163

CB:  161

DC: 158

(TSK is the champion for a second consecutive year)

Let’s take a deeper look at the upcoming weekend.

Wild-Card Weekend:

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans

The Word:  A game of firsts.  Houston is in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and Cincinnati has not won a postseason game since January 6th, of 1991.

Final NFL Regular Season Power Rankings: It’s Playoff Time

Photo courtesy of sports.gearlive.com. The Packers have been number one in the power rankings all season long. Can they hold up their end of the bargain and repeat as Super Bowl champions?

By Wesley Kaminsky

In the final edition of power rankings before postseason play starts next weekend, I’m ranking teams on their entire body of work for the 2011 season. It was a crazy season, just as it always is, and one of the most exciting regular seasons we have seen in quite some time.

Some of the wild events just to name a few were “Tebow Mania,” the Packers near run of perfection, and Dan Marino’s single season passing record getting broken (twice). We truly have seen the gamut this season.

Now, it’s the best time of the year, the playoffs. Who will be this years Packers? Or will the Packers win back to back Super Bowls?

Weekly Nickel 1-2-2012

Photo courtesy of sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Can Dirk Nowitzki (pictured above) get the Mavericks back on track this week?

By Josh Kramer

Happy New Year to all!  2011 has finally come to a close.  And boy was it a busy year in the wide world of sports.  In the words of the greatest rapper of our generation (Jay-Z), “On to the Next One.”  2012 will for sure be a memorable one with so much going on as we enter the first week.  Plus, the word CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) has officially become a foreign term again in that no major sports agreements are expiring in the near future.  Here are the events to keep an eye on this week.

5.  The Miami Heat finally appear to be the “Unstoppable Force” that many envisioned a year ago.  LeBron, Dwyane, and the “MonStars” are now 5 and 0 and straight cruising (they defeated the Bobcats by 39 yesterday).  It is so nice to have the NBA back.  What would SportsCenter be without a highlight featuring Blake Griffin and the newly formed “Lob City” on a nightly basis?  Though there are many great games this week, my eyes are fixed in on a showdown in San Antonio.

Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs:  Many of you are probably questioning my choice for the “NBA Game of the Week.”  Why would anyone in their right mind choose a game that features teams with a combined record of 4 and 4?  A matchup that pits the teams that occupy the cellar and the first place spot in the Southwest division?  Well its simple frankly.  This is the “Battle of Texas.”  The Mavericks and Spurs have been perennial contenders for some time now and are two teams commonly vying for the Western Conference Championship.

NFL Week 17 Predictions

Photo courtesy of Cincinnati.com. Can rookies Andy Dalton (left) and A.J. Green (right) lead Cincinnati to victory on Sunday which would result in a playoff berth?

By Josh Kramer

This is it folks.  After a very uncertain off-season, the 2011/2012 NFL season has lived up to all of the hype and more. Without question, it has been the “Year of the Quarterback,” defined by guys like Tebow, Rodgers, Brees, Newton, Brady, and more.  As is usually the case, there is still plenty to be determined in Week 17, with three playoff spots still available.  Plus the winner of the second annual “TheSportsKraze Pick’em Challenge” must be determined.   Grab your popcorn, because the season finale will be fun.

As has become the tradition, we are once again having “TheSportsKraze Pick’em Challenge.”

The participants this season are as follows:

TheSportsKraze (TSK) (defending champion)-Josh Kramer-Founder/Editor-In-Chief of “TheSportsKraze” and former ESPN intern.

CV3-Chad Vordenberge-An elite high school wide receiver and a very successful business owner.

CB-Craig Baker-A former collegiate baseball player and current special education teacher.

DC-David Clark-A dedicated sports fan who was coached by TheSportsKraze on his fraternity flag football team.  After playing for TheSportsKraze, he has developed a slow but steady motivation to show his coach who the real pick’em champion is.

After Week 16, here is the scoreboard.

CB-152

TSK-159

CV3-151

DC-148

Week 17 Slate:

NFL Week 16 Predictions

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Mark Sanchez (pictured above) will have to bring his "A" game on Saturday if the Jets want to keep their playoff hopes alive.

By Josh Kramer

Don Shula and the 1972 Dolphins can breathe a major sigh of relief, while the 2008 Lions, well, their record is safe.  Week 15 was one of those weeks that typified why the NFL is the benchmark of parity in American professional sports.  Nobody could have predicted all of the improbable outcomes that occurred.  Now we have just two weeks left, and five playoff spots yet to be determined.

As has become the tradition, we are once again having “TheSportsKraze Pick’em Challenge.”

The participants this season are as follows:

TheSportsKraze (TSK) (defending champion)-Josh Kramer-Founder/Editor-In-Chief of “TheSportsKraze” and former ESPN intern.

CV3-Chad Vordenberge-An elite high school wide receiver and a very successful business owner.

CB-Craig Baker-A former collegiate baseball player and current special education teacher.

DC-David Clark-A dedicated sports fan who was coached by TheSportsKraze on his fraternity flag football team.  After playing for TheSportsKraze, he has developed a slow but steady motivation to show his coach who the real pick’em champion is.

After Week 15, here is the scoreboard.

CB-141

TSK-147

CV3-139

DC-138

Week 16 Slate:

Food for Thought 12-20-2011

Photo courtesy of sportsillustrated.cnn.com. The Philip Rivers (pictured above) that we all expected to be a frontrunner for the MVP has finally arrived.

By Josh Kramer

“Tebow Time” finally struck midnight.  Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are no longer invincible.  Plus the Cincinnati Reds just made the blockbuster trade of the offseason thus far (Pujols, Reyes, and Wilson signing were free agent moves).  It has been a wild past few days to say the least.  Here are the items that have caught my attention.

Rivers has finally arrived

-Have you ever heard the expression “Too little, too late?”  In the case of Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers, this may be the case.  You better believe the franchise that had won four straight AFC West crowns before last season and has not experienced a losing season since 2003 is not going to go down without a fight though.  Many, including myself, had anointed Philip Rivers as “the guy” this year in the NFL.  He was going to take home the MVP honors and lead San Diego to a deep playoff wrong.  Many, including myself were incorrect.