Sunday marks the NFL Conference Championship games. Yes, the last time this season to enjoy multiple football games on one day. I guess it’s back to watching Scandal on your DVR. Darn.
Speaking of DVR, don’t forget to set it to record UFC rock star Ronda Rousey on SNL, with musical guest Selena Gomez, on Saturday.
Grab the popcorn,
The LNG Team
NFL
New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos, 3:05 pm (EST) on CBS
- What are the odds? Patriots -3 (favored by three), over/under 45
- Saved the best for last. This game is most likely final match up of two legendary quarterbacks Tom Brady (Patriots, age 37) and Peyton Manning (Broncos, 39 and expected to retire after this season).
- You never know. The quarterbacks have played each other 17 times and Brady leads series 11-5 but their record is split 2-2 in the playoffs.
- Break out your bikini. Weather not expected to be issue in the game as the forecast calls for a tropical 46° at kick off.
- Trash talk. Denver Broncos defensive players have labeled Tom Brady a crybaby who always complains to referees. The defensive backs also said they were going to aim for Patriots’ 6’6” Tight End Rob Gronkowski’s knees when tackling (Gronkowski was knocked out of a game vs Broncos earlier in the season from a low hit around knees) so Gronkowski fired back with this mature tweet. Dude.
Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers, 6:30 pm (EST) on FOX
- What are the odds? Panthers -3 (favored by three points), over/under 48
- Feels like the first time. This is the first time two Heisman winning quarterbacks have faced each other in the playoffs – Carson Palmer (Cardinals) and Cam Newton (Panthers).
- Same same but different. The teams have a similar make up. Both have high scoring offenses and strong defenses.
- Break out the stilettos. Panthers’ field was in poor condition last week and it could play a factor in this weekend’s. The players have had a hard time getting traction and most will be wearing longer cleats than usual.
The winners of each game will play each other in Super Bowl 50 on February 7th in Levi Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers.
- Take that glass ceiling. Buffalo Bills make history by hiring the first full-time female coach, Kathryn Smith, as Special Teams Quality Control Coach.
NBA
- You da man! The starters for the NBA All-Star game, as voted by the fans, have been announced.
West
- Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers - leading vote getter for the NBA. He announced that he will retire after this season.
- Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder – 2013-2014 MVP. He gave a moving speech about his mom in his MVP acceptance speech.
- Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs - first time starter and 2014 NBA Finals MVP
- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors - reigning NBA MVP
- Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder - reigning NBA All-Star game MVP
East
- LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers - leading vote getter for the Eastern Conference
- Paul George, Indiana Pacers – George had a miraculous comeback after breaking his leg in a 2014 USA basketball scrimmage.
- Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks - 10-time All-Star
- Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat – 2006 NBA Finals MVP, Miami Heat all-time scorer and married to actress Gabrielle Union
- Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors - A tweet of support from fellow Canadian Justin Bieber gave him enough votes to become a starter.
The game is February 14th in Toronto, Canada.
Overtime
- Colorado State Rams’ (CSU) Junior Emmanuel Omogbo is learning the power of sports. Omogbo received word that his parents and two-year-old niece and nephew passed away in a house fire on Tuesday. He insisted on playing in the game on Wednesday. He received the game ball after the CSU win even though he only scored one point. CSU started a Go Fund Me Page to help cover expenses. Word got out about the tragedy and Omogbo’s humble appreciation for the support his team and school provided. As of this morning the fund has raised $84,480 from 1,619 donors with a goal of $100,000. (In case you’re wondering the NCAA has ruled he can only use the money for expenses directly related to tragedy).
Sideline Stat
- If it’s free, it’s for me. FOX will be broadcasting a free fight on Saturday night at 8 pm (EST).
The main event, features Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero vs Danny "Swift" Garcia.The 147 weight class is without a champion after Floyd Mayweather retired.
Coaches Corner
- NFC vs AFC? The NFL has two conferences, the NFC and AFC. The NFC is the National Football Conference and the AFC is the Atlantic Football Conference. Each conference consists of 16 teams. The Broncos and Patriots are playing for the AFC title rights and Cardinals and Panthers for the NFC’s.