NFL Super Bowl XLVII
It’s here! We’ve invested 5 months in the regular season, all building up to tonight, and it’s the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans playing host to the greatest show on turf, the Super Bowl!! The Baltimore Ravens are facing off against the San Francisco 49ers (2330 – Sky Sports / BBC2, 1830 – CBS in the US). All the pertinent info about the teams, their seasons and the matchups can be found in the preview posts, but this sporting-showcase isn’t just about the football; it’s a whole bigger spectacle than that. Before the big game the American National Anthem will be sung by Alicia Keys and this year’s Halftime Show will be a performance by Beyonce – so there’ll be something to watch for those not-quite-so obsessed with the game itself. If you are going to watch only one game of NFL per season, the Super Bowl should be that game. Line up some drinks, open up some snacks, sit back (in a comfortable chair) and enjoy.
NFL - Pro Bowl
This weekend Hawaii plays host to the annual all-star-game, where the best players (expect those who are Super Bowl bound) from each conference face off (2330 – Sky Sports). The AFC have Peyton Manning starting at QB (with Andrew Luck and Matt Schaub waiting in the wings); on the ground, Arian Foster, Jamaal Charles and C.J. Spiller; through the air, A.J. Green, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne and Demaryius Thomas. On defence J.J. Watt and Elvis Dumervil will be vital in the pass-rush; Champ Bailey and Antonio Cromartie will be in coverage on the outside. Looking at how much talent the NFC possess, it’s hard to not favour them slightly, they have Drew Brees, Eli Manning, and Russell Wilson to choose from at quarterback. At running back, Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin; at receiver, some of the best in the business, Julio Jones, Victor Cruz, Larry Fitzgerald and Vincent Jackson. On defence Jason Pierre-Paul and Julius Peppers will be propping up the ends of the line of scrimmage.
Crashed Ice, Saint Paul
Crashed Ice is back for the second of five outings in this 2012/13 championship. We're not hugely confident on the start time, but when it does get going, it's going to be some fast and furious downhill ice action, with the names we are growing to love once more battling it out for supremacy on skates. Kyle Croxall, defending Crashed Ice champion, was victorious at the last round at Niagara Falls, with Cameron Naasz and Kilian Braun following him to the top of the standings. Everything can change at the drop of a skate, though, so stay tuned to find out what happens this evening!
NFL Playoffs - Conference Championships
After an epic 4 games last weekend we are left with 2 huge games on Championship Sunday. Now that the Matt Ryan has overcome his playoff-jinx, Atlanta look like they could be the real deal. However, they will only want to replicate their first half performance against Seattle, or risk being bowled over by the O/D phases of ‘9er-football. San Francisco’s defence is solid and we’ve now all seen how truly lethal the offense is when being run by Colin Kaepernick – watch out, he’s dangerous! NFC: 49ers @ Falcons (2000 – Sky Sports). Just as New England’s luck all but gifted them the bye-week, the Broncos loss means they’ve lucked-into hosting the Championship Game as well. Unfortunately for the Pats (& Gronk), they are only adding to their list injuries to key players, but even this is unlikely to harm the Pats’ offense. Their weakness lies in their defence, especially against a Baltimore offense with a now elite-looking Joe Flacco at the helm. AFC: Ravens @ Pats (2330 – Sky Sports).
NFL Playoffs - Divisional round
On the road the Super Bowl XLVII; the next step is the Divisional Round. Many say this is the best weekend for American Football: 2 days of double-headers involving the best 8 teams in the league. First up we have many people’s pick for the title, Peyton Manning’s Broncos hosting the Joe Flacco’s Ravens (2130 – Sky Sports). In the late-night KO, the Packers will pit the experience of Aaron Rodgers and the strength of his passing-game, against the 49ers’ fast-footedness and ball-on-a-rope skills of Colin Kaepernick (0100 Sun am – Sky Sports). First on Sunday a game that some a dubbing ‘the battle of the birds’ as the high-flying Seahawks take on the top-billed Falcons (1800 – Sky Sports). If the Patriots beat the Texans, in the final game of the weekend (2130 – Sky Sports), then Tom Brady will become the sole owner of record for most postseason victories for a QB. My recommendation, watch as many as you can – I can’t even begin to decide which match-up will be the best!
NFL Playoffs - Wild Card Weekend
It may be 2013 already, but in the NFL it’s the start of the 2012-season playoffs; don’t forget, it’s win or go home. On Saturday the #6-seed Cincinnati Bengals travel to the #3 Houston Texans, who want a big performance (on top of the win) to regain early-season confidence (2130 – Sky Sports). In the late KO the #3 Green Bay Packers will be looking to avenge their loss to the #6 Minnesota Vikings in a repeat of last week’s game (0100 Sun am – Sky Sports). On Sunday the surging #5 Indianapolis Colts play the off-form #4 Baltimore Ravens (1800 – Sky Sports). Baltimore have some added impetus as legend Ray Lewis has just announced these playoffs are to be his ‘retirement party’ Finally the #5 Seattle Seahawks play at the #4 Washington Redskins (2130 – Sky Sports); will RG3 have enough fitness back to be as much of a threat as he has shown he can be?… (1 hour highlights package late Monday on BBC2 – 0010 Tues am).
NFL Week 17
The end of the regular season is here, and the NFC is still alive with playoff scenarios, with 5 teams in the mix for the 2 remaining unconfirmed berths. The first game features the Chicago Bears taking on the now 4-11 Detroit Lions (1800 – Sky Sports). The Bears need a win as well as a loss for the Vikings if they are to keep their post-season ambitions alive. Next, the Green Bay Packers, who have already qualified, can clinch a first-round bye with a win against the Minnesota Vikings (2115 – Sky Sports); who themselves will be sure of a spot if they were to win. And finally a game that the NFL have flexed to the late-slot so that it’s primetime for US TV-audiences; the Dallas Cowboys play at the Washington Redskins (0120 – C4). The Cowboys will win the NFC East with a victory, and the same it true for the Redskins, who can, with a loss, still make it in if the Bears and Vikings both lose. All in all, complicated? Not half.
Doctor Who - The Snowmen
I try not to add too much to these blurbs over what the BBC tell us, because it's so easy to accidentally spoil things. Here goes: "Christmas Eve, 1892, and the falling snow is the stuff of fairytales. When the fairytale becomes a nightmare and a chilling menace threatens Earth, an unorthodox young governess, Clara, calls on the Doctor for help. But the Doctor is in mourning, reclusive and determined not to engage in the problems of the universe. As old friends return, will the Doctor really abandon humankind, or will he fight to save the world and Christmas from the icy clutches of this mysterious menace?"
NFL Week 16
With the festive season well and truly upon us, it’s out with Thursday & Monday Night Football, and in with a late-Saturday game. The Atlanta Falcons are the current NFC #1 seed, and can secure home-field advantage for the playoffs with a win against the 4-10 Detroit Lions (0130 Sun am – BBC). The Pittsburgh Steelers are still alive in the race for the playoffs, but it will only stay that way if they beat the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday (1800 – Sky Sports). A Bengals win will give them the final AFC spot, a Steelers win gives them the upper hand going into the final week. The defending Superbowl Champs the NY Giants are in a tough spot, tied at 8-6 with 4 other teams, so desperately need a win against the out-of-form Baltimore Ravens (2125 – Sky Sports). Finally we’ve the San Diego Chargers playing at the NY Jets (0120 – C4); these two teams have nothing left to play for this season, and will be already looking to 2013.
NFL Week 15
One step closer to the end of the season means teams are one step closer to having their playoff futures finalised. The Green Bay Packers will win the NFC North if they beat the Chicago Bears, who will (at best) have a less-than-100% Jay Cutler, on Sunday evening (1800 – Sky Sports). Next up are 2 teams, both at 7-6, scrabbling around trying to secure one of the 2 wild-card spots in their respective conferences, as the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Dallas Cowboys (2125 – Sky Sports). With the New England Patriots having already won their division, the San Francisco 49ers will be eying a win to secure themselves a berth, and with a Seahawks loss, their division as well (0120 Mon am – C4) – could this be a Superbowl preview? The NY Jets have managed to claw themselves to 6-7, and with one of the easiest run-ins, are lining themselves up to sneak a wild-card spot; they take on the Tennessee Titans on Monday night (0130 Tues am – BBC).
NFL Week 14
As you might be aware from Steven Roy’s post, this week is Sky Sports’ rookie-week; so if you’ve not got into NFL, either so far this season or not at all, then this is as good a time and an even better place to start. The Sky show should explain a lot of different aspects of the game and the rules, but anything they don’t quite cover can be posed to our ‘NFL-regulars’. The games they have chosen for this showcase are the Baltimore Ravens hosting the Washington Redskins (1800 – Sky Sports) and the New Orleans Saints playing at the NY Giants (2125 – Sky Sports). The late KO will see the Detroit Lions, who are currently on a 4-game losing streak taking on the somewhat resurgent Green Bay Packers (0130 Mon am – C4). Monday night plays host to a huge matchup between the current top two AFC seeds when the Houston Texans play in New England against the Patriots (0120 Tues am – BBC); a Houston win all-but assures them the #1 spot.
NFL Week 13
We’ve now reached the sharp end of the season – where certain key results will start to seal teams’ playoff places. The Chicago Bears are looking for a healthy again Jay Cutler to keep them in pole-position in their division as they travel to the Seattle Seahawks (1800 – Sky Sports). A win for the Baltimore Ravens and they will clinch a playoff berth (together with a loss for the Bengals and they’ll take the AFC North title); they are hosted by the Pittsburgh Steelers (2125 – Sky Sports). The final 2 matches of come straight out of the NFC East: Late on Sunday, the slumping Philadelphia Eagles will give recovering Mike Vick 2 flack-jackets so that he can try to play at the Dallas Cowboys (0120 Mon am – C4). On Monday night the New York Giants, who have recently been mediocre by their standards, take on the Washington Redskins, who are starting to make their own late bid for the post-season (0130 Tues am – BBC).
Crashed Ice, Niagara Falls
It's time for the long-awaited return of Crashed Ice, the crazy high-adrenaline sport that pits four guys down an icy track with nothing but their skates and their wits to help them out. It's an odd season this year, extended to five events, but with one in December and then a big wait until the next in 2013. Let's make the most of this one then as we welcome back familiar names like the Croxall brothers, Marty Neifnecker, Arttu, and many more. It's cold, it's exciting, it's brilliant, this is Crashed Ice!
NFL Week 12
It’s Thanksgiving! And the NFL holiday-schedule means we get 2 big bites at the week-11 cherry, resulting in a veritable glut of games. We have 3 games on Thursday: Houston Texans at Detroit Lions (1730 – Sky Sports); an iconic game for Thanksgiving, Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys (2115 – Sky Sports); and an AFC East rivalry for the ages, New England Patriots at New York Jets (0120 Fri am – Sky Sports). Then on Sunday watch out for RB Adrian Peterson busting through the Chicago Bears’ D as they play the Minnesota Vikings (1800 – Sky Sports). Up second, will new ‘superstar’ QB Kaepernick get a bigger role (if not the starting gig) for the 49ers when they travel to play the New Orleans Saints (2125 – Sky Sports)? The late-KO sees two teams both top of their respective NFC divisions, New York Giants host the Green Bay Packers (0120 Mon am – C4). Finally on Monday night expect a tight game when the Carolina Panthers play the Philadelphia Eagles (0130 Tues am – BBC).
NFL Week 11
With the F1 circus rolling into town, the first round of this weekend’s fixtures will have the USGP competing for our attention – the Green Bay Packers play the Detroit Lions (1800 – Sky Sports). The must-watch (if F1 permits) game of the week is the Indianapolis Colts facing the New England Patriots (2125 – Sky Sports). The last 2 games should come under the heading of QB-Injury-Report: Ben Roethlisberger (out), as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens (0120 Mon am – C4); Big-Ben has a dislocated rib, and his replacement (Byron Leftwich) will be in for a fight against a toughening Ravens team. Then on Monday, with Jay Cutler (out) & Alex Smith (out), the Chicago Bears take on the San Francisco 49ers (0130 Tues am – BBC; now with added studio!!). These two high-flying NFC teams will be without their starting QBs, so expect a tough, ground-and-pound game, in the ‘battle of the back-ups’ – Campbell vs Kaepernick.
NFL Week 10
After (me) getting confused by two lots of changing time-zones over the last two weeks, hopefully everything’s correct this time... The still unbeaten Atlanta Falcons are hosted by divisional rivals New Orleans Saints in our first match on Sunday (1800 – Sky Sports) – what makes this game even more of a must-watch; it’s a must-win for the Saints. Next up two teams who are having a tough time of it (QBs especially) as the Philadelphia Eagles play the Dallas Cowboys (2125 – Sky Sports). Finally on Sunday, two teams with 7-1 records do battle when the Houston Texans take on the Chicago Bears (0120 Mon am – C4) – expect strong offensive and defensive performances from both sides. On Monday night, a fast rising team host another who are at the forefront of the race for the First Pick in the 2013 Draft; the Kansas City Chiefs play at the Pittsburgh Steelers (0130 Tues am – BBC).
NFL Week 9
After this weekend, every team will be at least halfway through their schedules, and situations are starting to get serious. The first game is the Carolina Panthers taking on the Washington Redskins (1700 – Sky Sports) – last year’s all-action multiple-threat rookie QB Cam Newton faces off against this year’s (possibly better version) in RGIII. Another top-level QB-battle is on the cards when the Pittsburgh Steelers play the NY Giants (2015 – Sky Sports) – both have also have strong defences meaning this game will be a top-level matchup all round. The late-night game sees ‘America’s Team’ the Dallas Cowboys travel to the still undefeated Atlanta Falcons (0020 Mon am – C4) – will this be the weekend that the Falcons meet their match? Our Monday game is the New Orleans Saints hosting the Philly Eagles (0030 Tues am – BBC) – Eagles’ QB Mick Vick is close to losing his starting job, so will be looking to play up against a tough Saints’ D.
NFL Week 8
This season’s Wembley-Game has arrived, and it promises to be a corker! The New England Patriots are being hosted by the St Louis Rams (1800 – Sky Sports). Ok, so St Louis isn’t hosting the match in its truest sense, but they are the ‘home team’. The Rams are coming off a tough game against the Packers – their defence took a pounding, and the challenge this week will be similar. The Patriots have had by their standards a bumpy start to the season – on the way to being 4-&-3 they dipped below .500 for the first time in a regular season since 2002. London games always have a great atmosphere – ohh, and next year there are 2! Also this weekend: Giants @ Cowboys (2115 – Sky Sports), Saints @ Broncos (0120 Mon am – C4), and 49ers @ Cardinals (0130 Tues am – BBC).
Apple iPad Mini event
The press invite declared "we've got a little more to show you" and months of rumour and speculation appears to have been true. There aren't many left that still deny that Apple is very likely to be launching a smaller iPad to the world and in a short while we will find out for sure. Many have wondered whether it'll be called the Mini, Air, Jr or even iPad Touch but my guess is that it'll be differentiated only by it's size, similar to the MacBook Pro and iMac line-ups. Join us for the special event from the California Theatre in San Jose to see what gadgetry goodies will be vying for a place on this year's wish list.
NFL Week 7
Even though a chunk of decent teams are on a Bye, it doesn’t mean that quality of this weekend’s match-ups are diminished in the slightest. The first match sees 2 teams that are streaking away from the rest of the AFC as the Baltimore Ravens play at the Houston Texans (1800 – Sky Sports) – the injury-plagued Ravens might just be the underdogs this time. The must-not-miss game this weeks is where the NY Jets take the short trip to the New England Patriots (2115 – Sky Sports) – the Pats should beat a freewheeling Jets team, but stranger things have happened. Another interdivisional game finds the AFC North’s Cincinnati Bengals hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers (0120 Mon am – C4). Our Monday night game is an encounter that any zoo would draw huge crowds for as the Lions take on the Bears (0130 Tues am – BBC) – Grrrrrrrr!!