Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.
Saints Attempt to Exorcise Road Demons – Travel to Phili on Wild Card Saturday
The NFL Wild Card round kicks off this Saturday – the evening game features two teams that saw a resurgence this season – from brutal to formidable thanks largely to coaching.
Cappers Picks Golf handicappers have all your latest golf news and information so be sure to make us your trusted source for up-to-the-minute golf details. PGA Golf betting fans will also have plenty golf action to focus on as this year’s PGA Majors are on the horizon.
Bridgestone Winter Classic Could Be…. A Classic
Two Original Six teams in the NHL and two teams fighting to remain in the playoff hunt in the NHL’s Eastern Conference meet in front of 107,000 fans at the Big House in Ann Arbour Michigan Wednesday afternoon in the latest installment of the NHLs schedule of outdoor games.
NFL Power Rankings – Where Every Team Finishes a Crazy 2013
The NFL Regular season is in the books – what a year of ball it was! The best league in the world had its share of storylines this year and last week.
Red Hot Canuck Host Surging Flyers Monday Night
The Vancouver Canucks will try to finish December with a perfect home record (7-0-0) when they host the Philadelphia Flyers Monday – a team that started the year 1-7 but has gone 17-10-4 since.
Western Conference Elite Clash – Kings Visit Blackhawks Monday Night
A rematch of the 2013 Western Conference Final highlights a light night in the NHL Monday when the Los Angeles Kings try to put an end to a two game losing streak by visiting the Windy City.
Broncos Look to Wrap Up Home Field Sunday Versus Lowly Oakland
The Oakland Raiders will attempt to close out a miserable 2013 campaign in style Sunday when they host a banged up Denver Broncos team that will be without Vonn Miller on defense and perhaps Wes Welker again on offense. Oakland has been terrible the last half of the season and they did lose 37-21 to Denver in September.
Disappointment Bowl – Giants and Skins Close it Out Sunday
Pride and only pride will be on the line when the Washington Redskins travel to New Jersey to take on the New York Giants in Week 17.
UFC Closes Out 2013 With 2 Title Bouts
UFC 168 comes our way from Las Vegas this Saturday and what a card it is to bring 2013 to an end. Two title fights and two rematches highlight at card full of potential fireworks.
UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva 2
Date: December 28, 2013
Time: 10pm ET/7pm PT
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: Pay-per-view, Fox Sports 1
Main Card (PPV)
Chris Weidman (10-0-0): +135
Anderson Silva (33-5-0): -165
UFC Odds From Bovada
This has all the makings of Fight of the Year with Anderson Silva trying to avenge his only loss in his last 17 tries inside the Octagon. Both fighters are extremely well rounded, both have an abundance of confidence and both will be out to prove that they are without a doubt the top Middleweight on the planet.
For those of you that thought the first fight between the tow was a fluke. Consider that Weidman is a former Division 1 All-American wrestler, Ring of Combat Middleweight champ, he won the U.S. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion as a purple belt and he has enviable striking chops to go along with his grappling – he is used to competing at the highest level and dominating.
What more need to be said about Anderson Silva? He is the best striker MMA has ever seen. His mix of speed, power, footwork, accuracy, technique, and creativity is legendary as is his ability to hurt you with both legs and both hands anytime anywhere. What is often lost is Anderson’s ability to get it done on the mat as well – remember what he did to Chael Sonnen? What may make Silva more dangerous this time around is the realization that he may have finally learned his lesson about clowning around – he shouldn’t take anything for granted against Weidman like has had done in so many fights before.
The one hole in Anderson’s Silva’s game may cost him in this fight – I can’t see him getting caught again in a standup war. But I can see Weidman hitting a few takedowns and controlling Silva from the top. Anderson has traditionally had all sorts of troubles with wrestlers and Saturday night will likely be no different.
Pick: Chris Weidman +135
Ronda Rousey (7-0-0): -900
Miesha Tate (13-4-0): +600
Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate get to finally put all the talk behind them and fight. This one, on paper is one of the easier fights to call in some time. Tate got this fight when Cat Zigano who beat Tate was injured, opening the door. Rousey has already faced Tate and beat her by armbar in the first round – just like every one of Rousey’s victims to date.
Rousey is too strong, too athletic and her 4th level black belt judo is just too much to handle. Meisha Tate may hang around but she will be beaten the whole way along. I like Rousey by armbar (what else?) in the second round.
Pick: Ronda Rousey -900 – It’s not a big payday but it is a payday nonetheless
Josh Barnett (33-6-0): -200
Travis Browne (15-1-1): +160
An up and coming star in the Heavyweight division Travis Browne will try to take the next step in his career Saturday when he takes on the experienced and very dangerous Josh Barnett – the winner will likely get a title shot in the near future. Both men love to stand and bang and neither is afraid to take a shot.
Barnett is better on the ground – Browne may be better in the standup and I think that’s where this fight stays. Barnett needs to close the gap, get in tight and take this fight to the ground but Browne’s Muay Thai background and his ability to keep opponents on the outside with kicks will serve him well here.
In an entertaining bout, I like the underdog to prevail. Browne would be undefeated if not for a torn knee ligament against Antonio Silva and he already beat Alistair Overeem – he takes an enormous step toward a Title shot with a win Saturday.
Pick: Travis Browne +160
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Jim Miller (22-4-0): -365
Fabricio Camoes (14-7-1): +290
Fabricio Camoes climbs into the octagon with Jim Miller on Saturday night sporting a 1-2-1 record in his second stint in the UFC. Camoes is best described at a “C+” fighter while Miller, although he has had some blemishes the last year is still in the “B+/A-“ zone.
Jim Miller has a ton to prove and should outclass Camoes in this one in relatively easy fashion.
Pick: Jim Miller -365
Dustin Poirier (14-3-0): -220
Diego Brandao (18-8-0): +180
Featherweights kick off the PPV portion of UFC 168 when Dustin Poirier takes on Diego Brandao. Brandao will try to extend his win streak to four while Poirier will be looking to throw his hat right back in the mix of the Featherweight division.
Both men will come to put on a show – both are exciting as they come and both will be motivated for a big showing here. The difference to me is cardio and how Brandao will be able to keep Poirier’s pace. I see Poirier doing damage early and significantly slowing Brandao down.
From there Poirier picks Brandao apart.
Pick: Dustin Poirier -220
Preliminary Card (FS1, 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)
Uriah Hall (7-4-0): -300 vs. Chris Leben (22-10-0): +240
Pick: Chris Leben +240
Gleison Tibau (28-9-0): -150 vs. Michael Johnson (13-8-0): +120
Pick: Gleison Tibau -150
Manny Gamburyan (13-7-0): +195 vs. Dennis Siver (21-9-0): -245
Pick: Dennis Siver -245
John Howard (21-8-0): +110 vs. Siyar Bahadurzada (21-5-1): -140
Pick: John Howard +110
Preliminary Card (Facebook, 7 PM ET/4 PM PT)
Bobby Voelker (24-10-0): -170 vs. William Macario (6-1-0): +140
Pick: Bobby Voelker -170
Robbie Peralta (16-4-0): -185 vs. Estevan Payan (14-4-0): +155
Pick: Robbie Peralta -185
Scuffling Leafs Host Improving Sabres Friday
The Toronto Maple Leafs play one of two tune-up games before the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Friday night when they host the Buffalo Sabres, a team that showed steady improvement as we approached Christmas.
Steelers Continue Improbable March Toward Playoffs – Host Browns in Week 17
It is hard to believe but the Pittsburgh Steelers are still alive in the AFC playoff picture. They will need a win Sunday and a lot of help but the fact that they are still standing is a testament to this team.
Seahawks Look to maintain Home Dominance Over Rams in Week 17
The Seattle Seahawks will be looking to start a new home winning streak Sunday after their 14-game CenturyLink streak was snapped last week at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals.
Chiefs and Chargers Meet With Tons on the Line in Week 17
AFC West foes Kansas City and San Diego wrap up their 2013 Regular seasons Sunday with a pivotal showdown in San Diego – pivotal fort the Chargers who are still barely alive in the playoff race.
Two more weeks of NHL action is in the books and predictably, there has been a shakeup in the Power Rankings. The Ducks and the Penguins are the hottest teams in the land – the Rankings reflect that, while a few of the early season powers have hit a bit of a hiccup as we approach Christmas.
NFL Power Rankings – Where Every Team Sits After Week 16
Week 16 is over and the playoff picture is as muddy as it was last week – a few of the top contenders lost and in turn failed to cement their position on the Rankings. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought that no team wanted to head into the playoffs on a high.
Devils Try to Knock off the Champs – Jersey Travels to Chicago Monday Night
The resurgent New Jersey Devils travel to the Windy City Monday night to take on the Chicago Blackhawks who will be eager to get back on the ice after surrendering a two goal lead only to lose in a shootout Friday to the Vancouver Canucks.
