NFL Week 5 Preview and Predictions

Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall is set to make his season debut after recovering from an ACL injury. (Justin K. Aller)

I literally got knocked out by a band riser tonight, so these previews are going to be brief. I don't think that my reasoning will be affected any.

5. Atlanta Falcons (4-0) @ Washington Redskins (2-2) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Everything for these teams start with their respective quarterback. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is maturing into an elite quarterback. His cool demeanor and presence gives him the authority to lead his team to victory in games they would not have otherwise won. The Redskins counter with their rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III. RG3 is an electrifying, duel-threat quarterback. He has game-changer potential and room to grow and mature.

Predictions: Falcons 31 Redskins 20

4. Buffalo Bills (2-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (3-1) - 4:25 PM EST, CBS

Bills running backs C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson have battled injuries all season. Their team needs now more than ever against the 49ers talented defense. Last week, the Niners came into New York and destroyed the Jets 34-0. They limited the Jets to 145 total yards. Offensively, they rushed for a combined 245 yards and three touchdowns.

Prediction: 49ers 30 Bills 13

3. Denver Broncos (2-2) @ New England Patriots (2-2) - 4:25 PM EST, CBS

It is another installment in the Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady annals. The Broncos have had their share of ups and downs so far this season. Last week, the team played very well in a blowout of the Oakland Raiders. Manning threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, it was the Patriots who got off to  a slow start against the Bills. That didn't last long as they scored 45 points in the second half to win by 24.

Prediction: Patriots 28 Broncos 24

2. Houston Texans (4-0) @ New York Jets (2-2) - 8:30 PM EST, ESPN/WatchESPN

The Texans have been one of the best teams in all of football so far this season. This is their opportunity to prove it on national television. Quarterback Matt Schaub leads a steadily consistent offense that rarely makes mistakes. The Texans defense has been dominate and appears to be built to be so. The Jets have struggled mightily with inconsistency and not knowing what to expect. They need to come together as a team under one set of common goals.

Prediction: Texans 38 Jets 6

1. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2) - 1:00 PM, FOX

The Eagles' three wins have come by a combined four points. This could mean they are very good or very lucky. Which one it is remains to be seen. What is for sure is that the Eagles odds of winning significantly increase when quarterback Michael Vick doesn't turnover the football and instead, distributes it well. The Steelers are coming off a bitter loss to the Raiders and a bye week. The good news for the Steelers is that they will reportedly have James Harrison, Troy Polamalu and Rashard Mendenhall back from their respective injuries. They are more than capable of taking over the game.

Prediction: Steelers 24 Eagles 20

College Football Week 6 Preview and Predictions

South Carolina is going to need a big game out of running back Marcus Lattimore if they are going to defeat Georgia. (Streeter Lecka)

Only have time for short previews this week. I am giving you an impact player to watch on each of the teams, plus my usual predictions.

5. Miami (FL) (4-1) vs. #9 Notre Dame (4-0) (in Chicago) - 7:30 PM EST, NBC

Stephen Morris, Miami quarterback - Morris put up huge numbers against N.C. State, including 271  passing yards in the first quarter. He must continue to be accurate and limit mistakes as much as possible.

Manti Te'o, Notre Dame linebacker - Te'o has been in beast mode since the season began. He has forced five fumbles in four games. The combination of speed and skill Te'o possesses makes his very presence a game-changer.

Prediction: Notre Dame 27 Miami 24

4. #21 Nebraska (4-1) @ #12 Ohio State (5-0) - 8:00 PM EST, ABC

Taylor Martinez, Nebraska quarterback - Martinez leads a dynamic offense that is capable of keeping up with the scoring of Ohio State. His dual-treat nature keeps opposing defenses guessing and on their heels.

Philly Brown, Ohio State wide receiver - Brown had the game of  his career last weekend against Michigan State. He had 12 catches for 84 yards. Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller will likely look Brown's way first, so he has to be ready.

Prediction: Ohio State 31 Nebraska 27

3. #8 West Virginia (4-0) @ #11 Texas (4-0) - 7:00 PM EST, FOX

Geno Smith, West Virginia quarterback - Smith has been putting up extraordinary numbers all season long. Last week, he completed 45 of 51 passes for 656 yards and eight touchdowns. Smith has thrust himself into the national spotlight and Heisman race.

Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas defensive end - Jeffocoat leads a talented Longhorns defensive line and unit. He has 25 tackles, including eight for a loss so far this season.

Prediction: West Virginia 52 Texas 41

2. #4 LSU (5-0) @ #10 Florida (4-0) - 3:30 PM EST, CBS

Sean Montgomery, LSU defensive end - Montgomery leads a loaded Tigers defense. Controlling the line of scrimmage has been key. He has 6.5 of the Tigers' 41 tackles for a loss.

Mike Gillislee, Florida running back - Gilliselee is a big, strong power back is difficult to take down. He has rushed for 402 yards and five touchdowns so far this season. The senior could be in for a big game against a Tigers defense that looked suspect against the run in their game against Towson.

Prediction: Florida 17 LSU 13

1. #5 Georgia @ #6 South Carolina - 7:00 PM EST, ESPN/WatchESPN

Jarvis Jones, Georgia linebacker - Jones is a superb talent and game-changer on defense. In their last game against Tennessee  he was limited to only eight tackles. Jones will be looking to make a big play in Saturday's showdown.

Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina running back - Lattimore, who is coming off season-ending surgery last season, is putting up big numbers this season. He has even diversified his game to become an important receiver for the Gamecocks as well.

Prediction: Georgia 31 South Carolina 27

MLB Postseason Preview & Predictions

In Friday's AL Wild Card Game, the Orioles will rely on newly acquired starting pitcher Joe Saunders. (Ben Margot)

For each of the ten playoff teams, 162 games are in the books. Two of the teams will only play one more game. Others wait to find out where they will play their next game. Regardless, I am going to go ahead and predict what I think is going to happen for the entire postseason. Call me crazy if you wish, but what do I have to lose.

AL Wild Card Game - Baltimore Orioles @ Texas Rangers - Friday, 8:37 PM EST, TBS

This is a very difficult pick because you don't know what you will get with either team. The Orioles are a young, inexperienced team that must go on the road to play in a high intensity atmosphere. They will turn newly acquired Joe Saunders on the mound. He has pitched well as of late, but has struggled badly against the Rangers in his career. Speaking of the Rangers, they lost nine of their last thirteen games to put themselves in this situation. They will give the ball to rookie Yu Darvish. He been very good lately as well, but will be making his postseason debut.

Prediction: Rangers 3 Orioles 1

NL Wild Card Game - St. Louis Cardinals @ Atlanta Braves - Friday, 5:07 PM EST, TBS

For much of the season, people wondered if the Cardinals would have a chance to defend their status as reigning World Series Champions. They turned it on at the right time in the season to earn the NL's second wild card spot. They will turn to Kyle Lohse to the decisive game. If you told me before the season that Lohse would finish the regular season with a 16-3 record and an ERA of 2.86, I would have told you that you were absolutely crazy, but that is exactly he has accomplished. The Braves successfully avoided the meltdown they experienced last year when they missed the playoffs. They will have Kris Medlen on the mound. While this may seem like an interesing choice, the Braves haven't lost one of his starts in over two years.

Prediction: Braves 5 Cardinals 2

AL Divisional Series - New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers - Begins October 7

Since I have already talked about the Rangers, I will focus on the Yankees here. With the Orioles in hot pursuit, the Yankees had to be superb baseball to remain in first. Second baseman Robinson Cano is one of the hottest hitters in baseball. Raul Ibanez has added some clutch hits. The Yankees pitching has improved lately as well.

Prediction: Yankees 3-1

AL Divisional Series - Oakland Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers - Begins October 6

How about them Athletics? In the stretch of three months, they have gone from 13 games out to winning the AL West. Without any real superstars and the lowest AL payroll. The Tigers held off the Chicago White Sox to win the AL Central. They must now look for a way to slow done the Athletics for one game.

Prediction: Tigers 3-2

NL Divisional Series - Washington Nationals vs. Atlanta Braves - Begins October 7

Since the Braves have already been discussed, the focal point is here to look at the Nationals. Their magical season has earned their team home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. A balanced offense is pushed by a talented pitching staff, lead by Gio Gonzalez.

Prediction: Nationals 3-2

NL Divisional Series - Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants - Begins October 6

The Reds have simply played balanced baseball this season. A mostly consistent pitching staff and reliable lineup allow them to easily win the NL Central. The Giants have had their share of ups and downs this season. While certain players have struggled and are no longer available, others have stepped up to fill their holes.

Prediction: Giants 3-2

AL Conference Series - New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers - Begins October 13

While the Tigers may have better individual players, such as Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander, I believe that the Yankees are the better team from top to bottom.

Prediction: Yankees 4-2

NL Conference Series - Washington Nationals vs. San Francisco Giants - Begins October 14

The main difference in this matchup is experience. How much of factor does it play? With a matchup this close, I've decided to use that as my deciding factor.

Prediction: Giants 4-2

World Series - New York Yankees vs. San Francisco Giants - Begins October 24

This would be an excellent matchup in all aspects of the game. When it comes down to separating the two sides, I believe that the Yankees have more depth in their lineup and pitching staff.

Prediction: Yankees 4-1

Bottomline: I am predicting the New York Yankees to win the World Series.

Athletics Beat Rangers to Force Decisive 162nd Game

Athletics starting pitcher Travis Blackely threw six innings of three-hit ball in his team's win over the Rangers.  (Ben Margot)

The Oakland Athletics had trailed the Texas Rangers for almost the entire season. Entering tonight's match, they were one game back in the AL West, but the odds seemed to be against them with starting pitcher Travis Blackely on the mound. In his last start, just five days ago, the Rangers knocked him out of the game on five runs in the first inning. Blackely looked to bounce back tonight with his team's divisional dreams on the line.

Blackley looked good Tuesday night, but it was the Rangers who got on the board first. In the top of the third, outfielder Josh Hamilton doubled home second baseman Ian Kinsler. That was the last hit Blackley gave up. He threw six innings of three-hit ball, allowing only the one run. The Athletics offense came alive in support of his efforts.

In the bottom of the fifth, catcher Derek Norris plated two on a RBI single. One inning later, it was Jonny Gomes, the designated hitter, hitting a solo shot to increase the Athletics' lead to 3-1. The A's bullpen was superb in support of Blackley as well. Sean Doolittle threw a scoreless seventh inning, Ryan Cook threw a scoreless eighth, and Grant Balfour threw a three up, three done ninth for his 24th save of the season.

A night after clinching their first playoff berth since 2006, things got even better for the Athletics. After trailing the Rangers by 13 games in the AL West on June 30, the A's have battled all the way back to tie the Rangers for the division lead. This means that the winner of tomorrow afternoon's season finale at 3:35 pm EST will win the AL West and avoid the Wild Card Game. The Athletics have taken a share of the division lead for the first time since March 29. One win tomorrow and none of that will matter.

Yankees Power Their Way to AL East Lead Once Again

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer in his first game back in the lineup since September 8. (Elsa)

Entering tonight, the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles were tied for the AL East lead. Both teams had one last three-game series against a division rival to end the season. The Yankees are hosting the Boston Red Sox, while the Orioles are in St. Petersburg to take on the Tampa Bay Rays.

Yankees 10 Red Sox 2
 
Sitting 23 games out of first place, the Red Sox simply hoped to play spoiler to the Yankees hopes of a division crown. Those plans got off to an abrupt start Monday night. The Bronx Bombers lived up to their name in the second inning. They tied a club record with four home runs in the inning. Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz only lasted 1 2/3 innings, giving up eight earned runs on six hits (three home runs).

Following his recovery from a strained left calf, Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira returned to the Yankees lineup for the first time since September 8. He greeted Red Sox reliever Alfredo Aceves with a two-run slam to the second-deck. The Yankees scored nine runs on eight hits in the inning to break the game wide open.

Meanwhile, Yankees ace CC Sabathia was dealing on the mound. He threw eight strong innings, giving up just two runs on four hits while striking out seven. Freddy Garcia came out and threw a eight pitch ninth inning to complete the Yankees 10-2 victory.

Rays 5 Orioles 3

The Rays came into this final series holding onto the slimmest of playoff hopes.  They completed step one Monday night. The game began as a pitchers' duel between Rays starter Alex Cobb and Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen. The Rays struck the first blow of the game in the fourth inning on a solo shot by shortstop Ben Zobrist. In the seventh inning, Orioles catcher Matt Weiters answered with a solo home run of his own.

In the bottom half of the frame, Rays designated hitter Ben Francisco broke the deadlock with a sacrifice fly. Later that inning, catcher Chris Gimenez came through with the big hit, a two-RBI double to deep right. The Rays tapped on one more run in the eight to take the 5-1 lead into the ninth.

In their last at-bats of the game, the Orioles tried to make a comeback. They got halfway there on a two-run home run by right fielder Chris Davis. This forced the Rays to bring in their closer Fernando Rodney. Rodney struggled some, but still managed to close the door on the Rays 5-3 win for his 47th save of the season.

Looking Ahead

The Yankees now lead the AL East by one game. They have decided to start rookie David Phelps tomorrow against Red Sox starter Jon Lester. In the other pivotal matchup, the Orioles will go with Miguel Gonzalez against Rays ace James Shields. If the Yankees win and the Orioles lose, the Yankees will win the division. The Rays must win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Both games tomorrow are scheduled to begin shortly after 7:00.

NFL Week 4 Preview & Predictions

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will have to overcome struggles this season and a rough history against the Giants. (US Presswire)

5. New England Patriots (1-2) @ Buffalo Bills (2-1) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

After getting blown out by the New York Jets in Week 1, the Bills have bounced back with two straight wins to be tied with those very same Jets for the AFC East lead. The Patriots are unexpectedly looking up at both those teams after losing two straight games, which is a total rarity in the Bill Belichick era. The latter of which was a hard fought loss to the Baltimore Ravens on a field goal as time expired.

The Patriots must protect quarterback Tom Brady. Brady is one of the best distributors in the league, but he must have adequate time to do so. Offensively, the Patriots must also prove that they can run the football to get some of the pressure and focus off Brady. Another player to keep on eye on for the Patriots is tight end Rob Gronkowski. His numbers have been down some so far this season, but he is capable of breaking out at any given time.

The Bills have a lot of uncertainty at running back right now. Both C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson are listed as questionable and are likely game-time decisions come Sunday. This means that the Bills offense has to be prepared to air it out a lot with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm. The Bills' danger man is wide receiver Steve Johnson, who is capable of the big play at any time. On defense, the Bills young secondary will have their handful with the Patriots. They must be consistent and at their best on Sunday.

Prediction: Patriots 31 Bills 23

4. Minnesota Vikings (2-1) @ Detroit Lions (1-2) - 1:00 PM, FOX

After going 1-1 in close games against the likes of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts, I doubt anyone other than a blinded Vikings fan could pick them to beat the San Francisco 49ers. They did just that, picking up a double-digit win against one of the Super Bowl favorites. The Lions have not looked particularly strong so far this season. Last week, they lost in a shootout to the Tennessee Titans. With their dynamic offense, that rarely happens. Now sitting 1-2, the Lions will look to get back to .500 against their NFC North rivals.

The Vikings have gradually increased running back Adrian Peterson's workload as he returns from a knee injury. While he has yet to have a huge game this season, he is certainly capable of pulling one off at any given time. Second-year quarterback Christian Ponder has improved drastically so far this season. He is able to be accurate and smart with his passing when mobile and extending the pocket. On defense, the Vikings young secondary will have their handful with the Lions passing game. They must be consistent and do their best to contain as much as possible.

The Lions offense is one of the best in the league, particularly when passing the football. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and stud wide receiver Calvin Johnson are one of the best dynamic duos in football. Defensively, the Lions must do a better job of playing tighter defense. They gave up too many big plays last week. They must contain Peterson and Ponder as much as possible.

Prediction: Lions 28 Vikings 20

3. San Francisco 49ers (1-2) @ New York Jets - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

After beating a pair of playoff teams (Packers and Lions) from last season, the last thing the 49ers must have expected was to lose to the Vikings. The 49ers must be prepared to bounce back quickly as they travel cross-country to take on the Jets. It might have taken overtime to knock off the Miami Dolphins, but the Jets now have a 2-1 record, including 2-0 against their division.

The 49ers must look to rush the first and foremost with stud tailback Frank Gore leading the way. His hard determination and drive help draw the opposing defense. This benefits quarterback Alex Smith, tight end Vernon Davis, and the rest of the 49ers offense. It also helps their defense stay fresh and energized on the sideline.

The Jets need consistency out of quarterback Matt Sanchez. He is the focal point of their attack, and his play affects the attitude of the whole team. Defensively, the Jets must do a better job of pressuring the football. Through three games, they only have three sacks. That is simply unacceptable and must be improved upon if they are going to pick up many more wins.

Prediction: 49ers 24 Jets 20

2. Chicago Bears (2-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (2-1) - 8:30 PM EST (Monday), ESPN/WatchESPN

The Bears have had their share of ups and downs so far this season. They bounced back from a disappointing loss to their division rival Packers with a solid, team-effort victory over the St. Louis Rams. Running back Michael Bush had a touchdown, and safety Major Wright's pick-six helped seal the win. Interestingly enough, the Cowboys are 2-1 and have had their ups and downs as well. After getting beat down by the Seattle Seahawks, they returned home and defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16-10.

The similarities continue in the matchup as well. Both defenses have carried their respective teams each week. On the other side of the football, both offenses have to do a better job of limiting turnovers and mistakes. Running back Matt Forte is questionable for the game, so quarterback Jay Cutler would certainly benefit from a big game out of wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The Bears brought him in for situations just like this.

The Cowboys offensive line must protect quarterback Tony Romo. The weapons around him have struggled with inconsistency. He has been unreliable at times as a result. More than anyone else, tight end Jason Witten must step up his game. Romo relies on him for security, but he hasn't been up to the task so far this season. The Cowboys leader on defense is DeMarcus Ware. He must put pressure on Cutler and help to contain Forte in the backfield.

Prediction: Bears 17 Cowboys 13

1. New York Giants (2-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) - 8:20 PM EST (Sunday), NBC

After going 1-1 a pair of close games, a loss to the Cowboys and a win over the Buccaneers, the Giants finally put it all together in a slaughtering of the Carolina Panthers. The Eagles eked out one-point victories in the first two weeks, but played poorly in a blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3. The three turnovers and poor play defensively doomed the Eagles from the very beginning.

The Giants having been airing the ball out a lot this season, but the Eagles boast a strong pass defense. Giants quarterback Eli Manning has had a great season so far, but always benefits from having a running game he can rely upon. Defensively, the Giants must avoid giving up the big play. Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, running back LeSean McCoy and wide receiver DeSean Jackson are all dynamic and capable of breaking a play at any given time.

As I just mentioned, the Eagles could use big plays out of the likes of Vick, McCoy and Jackson. They offensive is operating at full capacity when all three are playing well. The defense must put pressure on Manning and control the line of scrimmage. They would certainly benefit from their offense keeping the ball away from the Giants as much as possible.

Prediction: Giants 27 Eagles 24