Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Boomer's Diamond/Gridiron Notes: Winter months in MLB & Down the stretch in the NFL

Progressive Field up in Cleveland, turns into a sort of Winter Wonderland
during the off-season.
Just a short 76 days till pitchers and catchers (non-World Baseball Classic players) have to report down south for spring training. While we all wait around for Opening Day 2013, most ballparks in the winter turn their ballparks into Winter Wonderlands for their hometown fans. Now, lets take a look at what's happening around the diamond & gridiron.

MLB News & Notes: (ESPN MLB Homepage)
Games to keep an eye on in Week 13: (Week 13 Schedule)

New Orleans at Atlanta, In this NFC South showdown on TNF, Falcons can wrap up the NFC South division with a win and Buccaneers lose. The Saints are in "must-win" mode from here on out the rest of the season, handed the Falcons their first L, back in Week 10.

San Francisco at St. Louis, The last time these two divisional rivals played (Week 10), the game ended in a tied. The biggest question heading into this one, is who's the starting QB for the Niners?

Minnesota at Green Bay, Following their no show on SNF last week, the Packers look to get back on track at home vs. divisional rival the Vikings. The Vikings are another team in "must win" mode the rest of the season, as they start a December stretch of games playing three out of five on the road, including three divisional games.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore, It's a 50-50 chance that the Steelers will have Big Ben back for this AFC North showdown. These two teams played a snoozer of a game two weeks ago on SNF, with the Ravens winning 13-10 in the Steel City, the Ravens lone touchdown coming on a punt return.

Philadelphia at Dallas, The Cowboys having a couple extra days of rest, following their Thanksgiving Day home loss to the Redskins, are one of six NFC teams, that will be in "must win" mode from here on out, host the struggling Eagles on SNF. The Eagles went winless in the month of October & November.

NY Giants at Washington, The spotlight will be on RG3 in this MNF NFC East divisional contest. Following his 4 TD performance vs. the Cowboys on T-Day, the rookie QB looks to guide the 'Skins to a W on primetime vs. the defending Super Bowl Champs. The Giants won a close one, 27-23 in the first meeting between the two divisional teams back in Week 7.