Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Boomer's Diamond/Gridiron Notes: Giants Sweep & NFL chatter

The SF Giants make it two out of three World Series,
with their 4-0 sweep vs. the Detroit Tigers
And to think, this Giants squad was left for dead in their NLDS series vs. the Cincinnati Reds after falling behind 0-2 heading to Cincinnati for three games. Well, they rallied for three straight wins in the Queen City, then came back from a 3-1 hole vs. the St. Louis Cardinals to win the NLCS in seven games, then got the brooms out against the Detroit Tigers in the World Series with their 4-0 sweep in the series. The Giants won 7-straight postseason games to finish off their historic postseason run, winning their 2nd World Series championship in the past three seasons. The SF Giants, became the 1st National League team to sweep the World Series since 1990 (Cincinnati Reds). They used some outstanding pitching, along with some timely hitting, to bring the World Series trophy back to the Bay Area. Congratulations, goes out to the SF Giants, on one of the craziest postseason runs in Major League Baseball history. Giants mini-dynasty run.

Pablo Sandoval, 2012 World Series MVP,
4th player all-time to hit 3 HR's in a WS game.
Brees & the Saints, where no match, vs. Peyton & the Broncos,
who all of a sudden look like the best team in the AFC.
Weather had an affect on a number of NFL games this past weekend, while the Eagles & Jets continue to struggle. The Eagles, who had never lost after a bye week under Head Coach Andy Reid, got thumped at home vs. the 7-0 Atlanta Falcons, 30-17. While the Jets at home, got embarrassed by AFC East rivals, Miami Dolphins, 30-9. For weeks now, the question has been what do the Eagles & Jets do with their QB position, as Michael Vick continues to struggle leading the Eagles and Mark Sanchez just  is not getting it done at the helm of the NY Jets. Are these two teams to stubborn to make a change at the QB position, and with the change will that be the "white-flag" signal of their season. The Falcons remained undefeated with their win over the Eagles, while the Giants, Bears, and 49ers remain on top of their respective NFC divisions. In the AFC, after starting the season at 2-3, the Denver Broncos have won two-straight and are starting to look like the best team in the AFC, under the guidance of QB Peyton Manning, who looks like the "old Peyton" coming back from neck surgery a season ago. The Texans, Ravens, and Patriots lead their divisions and at this point of the season, any one of these four teams I could see representing the AFC in the Super Bowl this season. NFL Power Rankings: Week 9

Games to watch this week in the NFL: (Complete Week 9 Schedule)

Baltimore at Cleveland, The Browns look to make it three-in-a-row at home, heading into their bye week, the Ravens are 4-0 under John Harbaugh following a bye week.
Miami at Indianapolis, Thought to be a match-up of rookie starting QB's, might not happen with the uncertain status of Dolphins QB Ryan Tannelhill. Still, it's a important game for both teams, who are surprises thus far this season in the AFC race.
Minnesota at Seattle, Another match-up of surprising teams in the NFC clash out in Seattle this week.
Pittsburgh at NY Giants, Following that wild ending down in Dallas, the Giants host the Steelers, in a game featuring two of the top three QB's from the 2004 NFL season, Big Ben vs. Eli.
Dallas at Atlanta, The Cowboys look to end the Falcons perfect run, good luck, the Dirt Birds are looking really good and the Cowboys (3-4) with QB Tony Romo are in a "must-win" situation on SNF.
Philadelphia at New Orleans, A meeting between two bad defenses, we could be in for a shoot-out b/t Vick & Brees in the Superdome on MNF.