Hello everyone, but especially to…
THE BUFFALO BILLS
The Buffalo Tickets had its ups and downs in November with two losses and two flimsy wins. They opened December by returning to their dominant selvescrossing in front of patriots24-10.
- Josh Allen threw touchdowns at Stefan Diggs and Gabe Davis and committed a single turnover. The Bills are 7-1 this season when he has one or zero turnovers and 2-2 when he has several.
- In another positive development, the rookie james cook recorded career highs in touches (20) and scrimmage yards (105), and another running back Single diviner found the end zone.
- Bills have now won three straight New England games for the first time since 1992-94.
Buffalo’s significant talent advantage – particularly on offense – was evident throughout the game, as Mac Jones and the New England offense struggled to get things done. Jones was filmed be lively (and explicit) about the call to play.
The bills, on the other hand, have quietly won three games in a row and now have a few extra days to prepare for a crucial streak against two of the three teams that have beaten them this season: the Jets and the dolphins.
Honorable Mentions
And not such a good morning for…
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GERMANY AND BELGIUM
Entering the World Cup, eight teams had +1200 or less chances of winning the World Cup. Thursday, two of those eight went home without making it out of the group stage.
Belgium finished third in Group F after a goalless draw with Croatiaand Germany finished third in Group E despite a 4-2 victory more Costa Rica.
- Belgium, ranked second in the worldhad plenty of chances, and no one will feel worse than Romelu Lukakuwho missed several close-range opportunitiesincluding one who hit the post. Roberto Martinez has resigned as Belgium coach.
- Morocco win group F with a 2-1 win more Canadaand Croatia also advanced.
- Unlike Belgium, Germany did everything he could advance, but a clash elsewhere sealed the fate of the Germans: Japan surprised Spain, 2-1behind the goals of Ritsu Doan and Ao Tanaka not only to eliminate the Germans but to dominate Group E. Spain has also evolved.
- After lifting the trophy in 2014, Germany have failed to break out of the group at each of the last two World Cups.
- Just like Tuesday and Wednesday, there was a lot of drama and controversy.
While eliminations are big stories, Japan’s advance is a shockand this is largely thanks to manager Hajime Moriyasuwrites football expert James Benge.
Morocco will face Spain and Croatia will face Japan in the round of 16. Here are our experts’ picks for today’s action.
Not so honorable mentions
NFL Week 13 pick: Chiefs-Bengals, Mike McDaniel’s 49ers homecoming title loaded slate 🏈
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There are no two ways around this: Week 13 is absolutely busy. I’m happy to sit on my couch and watch sports all day on Sunday (having done so on Saturday, of course).
Last week the bengals beat the Titans in a rematch of their AFC Divisional Round game last year. Now they will try to replicate the result of last year’s AFC Championship game when they host the Chiefs. There’s an absurd amount of attacking talent in this one – especially with Ja’Marr Chase should come back – so our senior NFL writer Pete Prisco expect a lot of points.
- Price: “This Chiefs team is the best in the league right now. Patrick Mahomes and the passing game will be hard to stop. But it will be the same Joe Terrier with Ja’Marr Chase returning. It will be a shootout. The chiefs gain a relative. Take: Chiefs 35, Bengals 34“
As with the other teams that know each other, the 49ers host the dolphinsincluding the head coach, Mike McDanielcoached at San Francisco from 2017-21. Miami has won five in a row and San Francisco has won four in a row, so something has got to give. Here is the opinion of our NFL expert, Jordan Dajani:
- Dajani: “It’s a fascinating game as Miami leads their offense to wins, while San Francisco leans on their defense. Tua Tagovailoa still hasn’t lost a game this season despite playing the entire contest, and he’s 5-0 since returning from his concussion. He hasn’t thrown an interception since September! People tell me defense wins championships, but I say offense wins this game. … The choice : Dolphins +4 | Projected Score: Dolphins 30-24“
Here are all the picks from our experts:
Pete Prisco | John Breche | Jordan Dajani | TylerSullivan
All about the CFB conference championships 🏈
As if the NFL doesn’t have enough amazing games, we also have college football conference championship weekend. It starts tonight with No. 11 Utah to assume No. 4 USC. The Trojans finally entered the CFP top four this week, but to stay there, they’ll have to avenge an October loss to the Utes — their only loss this season.
Here is Tom Fornelli’s choice:
- Fornell: “USC has played some of its best football recently, and the quarterback Caleb Williams seems to be on the verge of winning the Heisman. Teams change throughout the season, and I think late November USC is better than mid-October USC, especially on defense; I don’t think the Utes have improved. The Trojans will have their revenge. USC 37, Utah 27 | USC-2.5 “
We also have previews of all these league matches:
I also recommend checking out this from Dennis Dodd at how the Riley brothers – Lincoln (USC) and Garrett (TCU) – could both do the CFP.
How the USMNT can surprise the Netherlands in the round of 16 ⚽
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The United States Men’s National Team face the Netherlands tomorrow with a quarter-final berth down the line. It’s a big opportunity for the Stars and Stripes, who haven’t made a quarter-final since 2002, but also a big challenge: The Netherlands is a -250 favorite at Caesars Sportsbook.
But it is not an impossible challenge. Roger Gonzalez has the keys to how the United States can beat the Netherlands in his scouting report.
- González: “One thing they don’t do particularly well is take on defenders one-on-one. They’ve only attempted 22 cup clashes and finished 12, 26th overall of all teams…. The midfielder can fight the pressure… and USA are expected to put pressure on them and not let them settle in and dictate the pace they want .”
The United States will also have to limit the breakout star Cody Gakpo, who already has three goals. James Benge wrote about what makes Gakpo so good and how the US can stop him. As for the USMNT attack, Christian Pulisic — who scored one of USA’s goals and assisted the other — clarified the exact nature of his injuryand former American striker Charlie Davies explain why Josh Sargent deserves another top start so healthy.
Make sure you know how to watch the biggest USMNT game in a long time.
What we’re watching this weekend 📺
⚽ We watch the World Cup all weekend. Here is the program.
Friday
🏀 Lakers to Bucks7:30 p.m. on ESPN
🏈 No. 11 Utah vs. No. 4 USC8 p.m. on FOX
🏀 No. 16 Illinois at No. 22 Maryland9 p.m. on BTN
🏀 Bulls at Warriors10 p.m. on ESPN
Saturday
🏈 No. 10 Kansas State vs. No. 3 TCUNoon on ABC
🏈 No. 14 LSU vs. No. 1 Georgia4 p.m. on CBS
🏈 Purdue vs. No. 2 Michigan8 p.m. on FOX
Sunday
🏈 Here’s the NFL Week 13 schedule.
🏀 Michigan at No. 19 Kentucky1 p.m. on ABC
