The NFL could easily fix their playoff problem by creating two divisions with 8 teams in each conference (teams would still play those in their current division twice and the rest of the division once). Here are the final standings if the NFL adopted this solution.
NFC East and South
1) Carolina 12-4
2) New Orleans 11-5
3) Philadelphia 10-6
4) Dallas 8-8
5) NY Giants 7-9
6) Atlanta 4-12
7) Tampa Bay 4-12
8) Washington 3-13
NFC West and North
1) Seattle 13-3
2) San Francisco 12-4
3) Arizona 10-6
4) Green Bay 8-7-1
5) Chicago 8-8
6) Detroit 7-9
7) St. Louis 7-9
8) Minnesota 5-10-1
The playoff seeding would look like this:
1) Sea, 2) Car, 3) SF, 4) NO, 5) Phi, 6) Ari.
So the Wild Card round would look like this:
6) Arizona [10-6] at 3) San Francisco [12-4] and 5) Philadelphia [10-6] at 4) New Orleans [11-5]
instead of:
6) New Orleans [11-5] at 3) Philadelphia [10-6] and 5) San Francisco [12-4] at 4) Green Bay [8-7-1].
AFC East and North
1) New England 12-4
2) Cincinnati 11-5
3) Pittsburgh 8-8
4) Baltimore 8-8
5) NY Jets 8-8
6) Miami 8-8
7) Buffalo 6-10
8) Cleveland 4-12
AFC South and West
1) Denver 13-3
2) Indianapolis 11-5
3) Kansas City 11-5
4) San Diego 9-7
5) Tennessee 7-9
6) Oakland 4-12
7) Jacksonville 4-12
8) Houston 2-14
The playoff seeding would look like this:
1) Den, 2) NE, 3) Cin 4) Ind, 5) KC, 6) SD.
This is the same seeding as the actual playoffs, however, Kansas City rested their players in week 17 because in the current format, they had already locked up the 5th seed. But in this format, they could have been as high as a 3 seed, giving the Chiefs a home game in the Wild Card round.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 30, 2013
Another Obnoxious Pound-for-Pound List
Here is the updated version of my obnoxiously unnecessary and utterly superfluous list of the top 10 pound-for-pound boxers. The previous list was posted on September 24.
1) Floyd Mayweather (45-0, 26 KOs), [Previous Rank: 1]
2) Wladimir Klitschko (61-3, 51 KOs), [PR: 3]
3) Andre Ward (27-0, 14 KOs), [PR: 4]
4) Guillermo Rigondeaux (13-0, 8 KOs), [PR: 6]
5) Sergio Martinez (51-2-2, 28 KOs), [PR: 5]
6) Timothy Bradley (31-0, 12 KOs), [PR: 10]
7) Juan Manuel Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs), [PR: 2]
8) Manny Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KOs), [PR: 7]
9) Danny Garcia (27-0, 16 KOs), [PR: 9]
10) Adonis Stevenson (23-1, 20 KOs) [PR: NR]
Exiting the list::
Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KOs), [PR: 9]
1) Floyd Mayweather (45-0, 26 KOs), [Previous Rank: 1]
2) Wladimir Klitschko (61-3, 51 KOs), [PR: 3]
3) Andre Ward (27-0, 14 KOs), [PR: 4]
4) Guillermo Rigondeaux (13-0, 8 KOs), [PR: 6]
5) Sergio Martinez (51-2-2, 28 KOs), [PR: 5]
6) Timothy Bradley (31-0, 12 KOs), [PR: 10]
7) Juan Manuel Marquez (55-7-1, 40 KOs), [PR: 2]
8) Manny Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KOs), [PR: 7]
9) Danny Garcia (27-0, 16 KOs), [PR: 9]
10) Adonis Stevenson (23-1, 20 KOs) [PR: NR]
Exiting the list::
Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KOs), [PR: 9]
Thursday, December 26, 2013
New NFL Setup Update
Here is what the new set up should be to make the NFL Playoff seeding fairer.
Here are the updated standings: actual and new. If the playoffs began today, the AFC playoffs would look like this:
Byes: 1) Den 12-3; 2) NE 11-4.
Home playoff games: 3) Cin 10-5; 4) Ind 10-5.
Road playoff games: 5) KC 11-4; 6) Mia 8-7.
AFC playoffs in the new format:
Byes: 1) Den 12-3; 2) NE 11-4.
Home playoff games: 3) KC 11-4; 4) Cin 10-5.
Road playoff games: 5) Ind 10-5 ; 6) Mia 8-7.
The new format just makes things fairer. Kansas City, Cincy, and Indy would all be battling for the two wild card round home games. Plus, Cincy would have a chance at the division championship if they win and New England loses.
If the playoffs began today, the NFC playoffs would look like this:
Byes: 1) Sea 12-3; 2) Car 11-4.
Home playoff games: 3) Phi 9-6; 4) Chi 8-7.
Road playoff games: 5) SF 11-4; 6) NO 10-5.
NFC playoffs in the new format:
Byes: 1) Sea 12-3; 2) Car 11-4.
Home playoff games: 3) SF 11-4; 4) NO 10-5.
Road playoff games: 5) Ari 10-5; 6) Phi 9-6.
In the NFC, we would have both divisions up for grabs. And instead of one of the mediocre teams from the NFC Central getting into the playoffs and hosting a playoff game, San Fran, New Orleans, and Arizona would all be in the playoffs and battling for the two home games in the Wild Card round because they have better records than the Eagles and the Bears.
Here are the updated standings: actual and new. If the playoffs began today, the AFC playoffs would look like this:
Byes: 1) Den 12-3; 2) NE 11-4.
Home playoff games: 3) Cin 10-5; 4) Ind 10-5.
Road playoff games: 5) KC 11-4; 6) Mia 8-7.
AFC playoffs in the new format:
Byes: 1) Den 12-3; 2) NE 11-4.
Home playoff games: 3) KC 11-4; 4) Cin 10-5.
Road playoff games: 5) Ind 10-5 ; 6) Mia 8-7.
The new format just makes things fairer. Kansas City, Cincy, and Indy would all be battling for the two wild card round home games. Plus, Cincy would have a chance at the division championship if they win and New England loses.
If the playoffs began today, the NFC playoffs would look like this:
Byes: 1) Sea 12-3; 2) Car 11-4.
Home playoff games: 3) Phi 9-6; 4) Chi 8-7.
Road playoff games: 5) SF 11-4; 6) NO 10-5.
NFC playoffs in the new format:
Byes: 1) Sea 12-3; 2) Car 11-4.
Home playoff games: 3) SF 11-4; 4) NO 10-5.
Road playoff games: 5) Ari 10-5; 6) Phi 9-6.
In the NFC, we would have both divisions up for grabs. And instead of one of the mediocre teams from the NFC Central getting into the playoffs and hosting a playoff game, San Fran, New Orleans, and Arizona would all be in the playoffs and battling for the two home games in the Wild Card round because they have better records than the Eagles and the Bears.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
New NFL Setup Update
Here is what the new set up should be to make the NFL Playoff seeding fairer.
Here are the updated standings: actual and new. If the playoffs began today, the AFC playoffs would look like this:
Byes: 1) Den 11-3; 2) NE 10-4.
Home playoff games: 3) Cin 9-5; 4) Ind 9-5.
Road playoff games: 5) KC 11-3; 6) Bal 8-6.
AFC playoffs in the new format:
Byes: 1) Den 11-3; 2) NE 10-4.
Home playoff games: 3) KC 11-3; 4) Cin 9-5.
Road playoff games: 5) Ind 9-5 ; 6) Bal 8-6.
In the new format, both AFC divisions would still have tight races. Denver and Kansas City would still be tied for first as they are now, but the Patriots would be up by only one game over the Bengals. In reality, the Colts have clinched the division, but in the new format, they would more appropriately be fifth and only a game ahead of 7th place.
If the playoffs began today, the NFC playoffs would look like this:
Byes: 1) Sea 12-2; 2) NO 10-4.
Home playoff games: 3) Phi 8-6; 4) Chi 8-6.
Road playoff games: 5) Car 10-4; 6) SF 10-4.
NFC playoffs in the new format:
Byes: 1) Sea 12-2; 2) NO 10-4.
Home playoff games: 3) Car 10-4; 4) SF 10-4.
Road playoff games: 5) Ari 9-5; 6) Phi 8-6.
The race for one division between New Orleans and Carolina would be for the 2nd seed. San Francisco would not be battling to get into the playoffs (despite Chicago and Philadelphia being in position for home playoff games even though they have worse records), but for a home playoff game, as they should.
Here are the updated standings: actual and new. If the playoffs began today, the AFC playoffs would look like this:
Byes: 1) Den 11-3; 2) NE 10-4.
Home playoff games: 3) Cin 9-5; 4) Ind 9-5.
Road playoff games: 5) KC 11-3; 6) Bal 8-6.
AFC playoffs in the new format:
Byes: 1) Den 11-3; 2) NE 10-4.
Home playoff games: 3) KC 11-3; 4) Cin 9-5.
Road playoff games: 5) Ind 9-5 ; 6) Bal 8-6.
In the new format, both AFC divisions would still have tight races. Denver and Kansas City would still be tied for first as they are now, but the Patriots would be up by only one game over the Bengals. In reality, the Colts have clinched the division, but in the new format, they would more appropriately be fifth and only a game ahead of 7th place.
If the playoffs began today, the NFC playoffs would look like this:
Byes: 1) Sea 12-2; 2) NO 10-4.
Home playoff games: 3) Phi 8-6; 4) Chi 8-6.
Road playoff games: 5) Car 10-4; 6) SF 10-4.
NFC playoffs in the new format:
Byes: 1) Sea 12-2; 2) NO 10-4.
Home playoff games: 3) Car 10-4; 4) SF 10-4.
Road playoff games: 5) Ari 9-5; 6) Phi 8-6.
The race for one division between New Orleans and Carolina would be for the 2nd seed. San Francisco would not be battling to get into the playoffs (despite Chicago and Philadelphia being in position for home playoff games even though they have worse records), but for a home playoff game, as they should.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
New NFL Setup Update
Last week I talked about how fixing the NFL playoff seeding to make it fairer is very easy.
Here are the updated standings: actual and new.
If the playoffs began today, the AFC playoffs would look like this:
Byes: 1) Den 11-2; 2) NE 10-3.
Home playoff games: 3) Cin 9-4; 4) Ind 8-5.
Road playoff games: 5) KC 10-3; 6) Bal 7-6.
AFC playoffs in the new format:
Byes: 1) Den 11-2; 2) NE 10-3.
Home playoff games: 3) KC 10-3; 4) Cin 9-4.
Road playoff games: 5) Ind 8-5 ; 6) Bal 7-6.
If the playoffs began today, the NFC playoffs would look like this:
Byes: 1) Sea 11-2; 2) NO 10-3.
Home playoff games: 3) Phi 8-5; 4) Det 7-6.
Road playoff games: 5) Car 9-4; 6) SF 9-4.
NFC playoffs in the new format:
Byes: 1) Sea 11-2; 2) NO 10-3.
Home playoff games: 3) Car 9-4; 4) SF 9-4.
Road playoff games: 5) Phi 8-5; 6) Ari 8-5.
See how the playoff seeding (and who makes the playoffs) is much fairer that the way the NFL does it now? Also, in the AFC, we would have two division races: Between Denver and KC and between New England and Cincy. In the NFC, we'd have one division race: Between New Orleans and Carolina, but the race for a home playoff game and to just make it into the playoffs would be far more exciting and fair.
Here are the updated standings: actual and new.
If the playoffs began today, the AFC playoffs would look like this:
Byes: 1) Den 11-2; 2) NE 10-3.
Home playoff games: 3) Cin 9-4; 4) Ind 8-5.
Road playoff games: 5) KC 10-3; 6) Bal 7-6.
AFC playoffs in the new format:
Byes: 1) Den 11-2; 2) NE 10-3.
Home playoff games: 3) KC 10-3; 4) Cin 9-4.
Road playoff games: 5) Ind 8-5 ; 6) Bal 7-6.
If the playoffs began today, the NFC playoffs would look like this:
Byes: 1) Sea 11-2; 2) NO 10-3.
Home playoff games: 3) Phi 8-5; 4) Det 7-6.
Road playoff games: 5) Car 9-4; 6) SF 9-4.
NFC playoffs in the new format:
Byes: 1) Sea 11-2; 2) NO 10-3.
Home playoff games: 3) Car 9-4; 4) SF 9-4.
Road playoff games: 5) Phi 8-5; 6) Ari 8-5.
See how the playoff seeding (and who makes the playoffs) is much fairer that the way the NFL does it now? Also, in the AFC, we would have two division races: Between Denver and KC and between New England and Cincy. In the NFC, we'd have one division race: Between New Orleans and Carolina, but the race for a home playoff game and to just make it into the playoffs would be far more exciting and fair.
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
The NFL Playoff Set Up is Unfair
The NFL is the least fair league in American sports when it comes to determining who makes the playoffs and what seed each team gets. I have a plan to change that. Each conference has two divisions of 8 teams. The NFC East and South become one division and the NFC Central and West become another. Int he AFC, the East and North merge and so do the South and West.
The teams currently in NFC East play each other twice a year. They play teams in the former NFC South once a year, rotating home games every year. The NFC East teams play the former AFC East teams once every four years just as they do now. Those teams play two teams in the NFC North and West.
The two division winners from each 8-team division in each conference gets a bye. The other four slots are determined by best record.
If the playoffs began today, the AFC playoffs would like like this:
Byes: 1) Den 10-2; 2) NE 9-3.
Home playoff games: 3) Ind 8-4; 4) Cin 8-4.
Road playoff games: 5) KC 9-3; 6) Bal 6-6.
So wait, Kansas City is tied for the second best team in AFC and gets the fifth seed and a road playoff game against a team with a worse record? How the hell is that fair?
AFC playoffs in the new format:
Byes: 1) Den 10-2; 2) NE 9-3.
Home playoff games: 3) KC 9-3; 4) Ind 8-4.
Road playoff games: 5) Cin 8-4; 6) Bal 6-6.
That's much fairer. But it gets better. Right now the Bengals have a 2 game lead in the AFC North and the Pats and Colts have three game leads. That makes for a pretty boring stretch run. But in the new format:
AFC East and North standings:
1) NE 9-3; 2) Cin 8-4.
AFC South and West standings:
1) Den 10-2; 2) KC 9-3; 3) Ind 8-4.
Suddenly we have 2 out of 2 division races instead of 1 out of 4. Now let's check the NFC. If the playoffs began today, the NFC would look like this:
Byes: 1) Sea 11-1; 2) NO 9-3.
Home playoff games: 3) Det 7-5; 4) Dal 7-5.
Road playoff games: 5) Car 9-3; 6) SF 8-4.
So Carolina and San Fran will start out on the road even though both teams have better records that the teams they're facing? Let's check out the new format to see if it's fairer.
Byes: 1) Sea 11-1; 2) NO 9-3.
Home playoff games: 3) Car 9-3; 4) SF 8-4.
Road playoff games: 5-6) Dal, Det, Ari, Phi are all 7-5, so a complicated tiebreaker would determine the top two teams. Right now, Dal and Det would be in because they're division champs, but the new format would judge them based on their record and not the records of the teams in their division.
Well, that made things a lot fairer. With regards to the division races, they wouldn't necessarily be any closer, but more teams would be on the fringe of making a run, particularly in the new East and South division.
So there you have it, an easy way to fix the NFL playoffs.
The teams currently in NFC East play each other twice a year. They play teams in the former NFC South once a year, rotating home games every year. The NFC East teams play the former AFC East teams once every four years just as they do now. Those teams play two teams in the NFC North and West.
The two division winners from each 8-team division in each conference gets a bye. The other four slots are determined by best record.
If the playoffs began today, the AFC playoffs would like like this:
Byes: 1) Den 10-2; 2) NE 9-3.
Home playoff games: 3) Ind 8-4; 4) Cin 8-4.
Road playoff games: 5) KC 9-3; 6) Bal 6-6.
So wait, Kansas City is tied for the second best team in AFC and gets the fifth seed and a road playoff game against a team with a worse record? How the hell is that fair?
AFC playoffs in the new format:
Byes: 1) Den 10-2; 2) NE 9-3.
Home playoff games: 3) KC 9-3; 4) Ind 8-4.
Road playoff games: 5) Cin 8-4; 6) Bal 6-6.
That's much fairer. But it gets better. Right now the Bengals have a 2 game lead in the AFC North and the Pats and Colts have three game leads. That makes for a pretty boring stretch run. But in the new format:
AFC East and North standings:
1) NE 9-3; 2) Cin 8-4.
AFC South and West standings:
1) Den 10-2; 2) KC 9-3; 3) Ind 8-4.
Suddenly we have 2 out of 2 division races instead of 1 out of 4. Now let's check the NFC. If the playoffs began today, the NFC would look like this:
Byes: 1) Sea 11-1; 2) NO 9-3.
Home playoff games: 3) Det 7-5; 4) Dal 7-5.
Road playoff games: 5) Car 9-3; 6) SF 8-4.
So Carolina and San Fran will start out on the road even though both teams have better records that the teams they're facing? Let's check out the new format to see if it's fairer.
Byes: 1) Sea 11-1; 2) NO 9-3.
Home playoff games: 3) Car 9-3; 4) SF 8-4.
Road playoff games: 5-6) Dal, Det, Ari, Phi are all 7-5, so a complicated tiebreaker would determine the top two teams. Right now, Dal and Det would be in because they're division champs, but the new format would judge them based on their record and not the records of the teams in their division.
Well, that made things a lot fairer. With regards to the division races, they wouldn't necessarily be any closer, but more teams would be on the fringe of making a run, particularly in the new East and South division.
So there you have it, an easy way to fix the NFL playoffs.
Monday, November 04, 2013
Fights I Want to See
Not all of these fight are possible, but these are the boxing matches I'd like to see.
Heavyweight
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Vitali Klitschko
The brothers can decide which is the true heavyweight champion.
Light Heavyweight
Adonis Stevenson vs. Sergey Kovalev
Both are explosive power punchers, but true light heavyweight champ Stevenson showed slick boxing moves last fight and Kovalev is a pressure fighter. Should be far more exciting than your average power punchers' snoozefest. Winner can take on super middleweight kingpin Andre Ward.
Middleweight
Gennady Golovkin vs. Peter Quillin
Golovkin is a power puncher who can box; Quillin is a boxer with power. Quillin is underrated. Winner faces Sergio Martinez for the true middleweight title.
Welterweight
Floyd Mayweather vs. Tim Bradley
Bradley's relentless will should be a rare test for Mayweather. I wish that Golden Boy-Top Rank cold war would end.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Danny Garcia
I don't think Garcia can compete yet with Mayweather, but his power should pose a good test for Pacquiao (if the latter gets by Rios). The cold war gets int he way of this one.
Junior Welterweight
Danny Garcia vs. Ruslan Provodnikov
The win over Alvarado and performance against Bradley makes Ruslan a viable contender against Garcia. Both guys have power, will, and are hittable. Should be an all action, fight of the year candidate.
Heavyweight
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Vitali Klitschko
The brothers can decide which is the true heavyweight champion.
Light Heavyweight
Adonis Stevenson vs. Sergey Kovalev
Both are explosive power punchers, but true light heavyweight champ Stevenson showed slick boxing moves last fight and Kovalev is a pressure fighter. Should be far more exciting than your average power punchers' snoozefest. Winner can take on super middleweight kingpin Andre Ward.
Middleweight
Gennady Golovkin vs. Peter Quillin
Golovkin is a power puncher who can box; Quillin is a boxer with power. Quillin is underrated. Winner faces Sergio Martinez for the true middleweight title.
Welterweight
Floyd Mayweather vs. Tim Bradley
Bradley's relentless will should be a rare test for Mayweather. I wish that Golden Boy-Top Rank cold war would end.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Danny Garcia
I don't think Garcia can compete yet with Mayweather, but his power should pose a good test for Pacquiao (if the latter gets by Rios). The cold war gets int he way of this one.
Junior Welterweight
Danny Garcia vs. Ruslan Provodnikov
The win over Alvarado and performance against Bradley makes Ruslan a viable contender against Garcia. Both guys have power, will, and are hittable. Should be an all action, fight of the year candidate.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Game 5 - Ortiz Shines Again
David Ortiz has had a legendary World Series. Ortiz is hitting an unconscionable .733 against St. Louis with 2 homers and 6 RBIs. His OPS for the five games is over 2.000. In the first, he doubled home Dustin Pedroia to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead.
Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright settled down and pitched five straight shutout innings. Meanwhile Matt Holliday homered off of Jon Lester in the bottom of the third to tie the game. But int eh seventh, Xander Bogaerts and Stephen Drew began a rally which ended with two runs plated when it was all over. Boston had a 3-1 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Koji Uehara struck out two to solidify the victory. Boston take sa 3-2 lead heading into Game Six back east.
Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright settled down and pitched five straight shutout innings. Meanwhile Matt Holliday homered off of Jon Lester in the bottom of the third to tie the game. But int eh seventh, Xander Bogaerts and Stephen Drew began a rally which ended with two runs plated when it was all over. Boston had a 3-1 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, Koji Uehara struck out two to solidify the victory. Boston take sa 3-2 lead heading into Game Six back east.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
2013-2014 NBA Predictions
Check out the preview on Amazon. Only $1.49.
East
Just missing the playoffs: Atlanta
Out in first round: Boston, Brooklyn, Cleveland, Detroit.
Out in East Semis: Miami*, Chicago*
East Finals: Indiana defeats New York*
West
Just missing the playoffs:
Out in first round: Denver, Golden State, Houston, LA Lakers.
Out in West Semis: Oklahoma City*, LA Clippers*.
West Finals: San Antonio* over Memphis.
* Division winner
2014 NBA Finals: San Antonio over Indiana 4-2.
East
Just missing the playoffs: Atlanta
Out in first round: Boston, Brooklyn, Cleveland, Detroit.
Out in East Semis: Miami*, Chicago*
East Finals: Indiana defeats New York*
West
Just missing the playoffs:
Out in first round: Denver, Golden State, Houston, LA Lakers.
Out in West Semis: Oklahoma City*, LA Clippers*.
West Finals: San Antonio* over Memphis.
* Division winner
2014 NBA Finals: San Antonio over Indiana 4-2.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Game 4 - Going Going Gomes
The Cardinals go on the board first when Carlos Beltran singled home Matt Carpenter. The Sox's Clay Buckhholtz only pitched one more inning, but Felix Doubront pitched another 2 and 2/3 innings giving up only one run.
With the score 1-1 in the top of the sixth, Jonny Gomes homered in Dustin Pedoia and David Ortiz. That ended Lance Lynn's day.
In the bottom of the ninth, a banged up Allen Craig pinch hit and laced what normally would be a double off the wall. Instead, he limped to first. Kolten Wong pinch ran. One batter later and with Carlos Beltran up, Wong jumped off first. Boston's closer Koji Uehara picked off Wong and for the second consecutive night, the game ended on a bizarre play.
Boston won 4-2 and tied the series at two.
With the score 1-1 in the top of the sixth, Jonny Gomes homered in Dustin Pedoia and David Ortiz. That ended Lance Lynn's day.
In the bottom of the ninth, a banged up Allen Craig pinch hit and laced what normally would be a double off the wall. Instead, he limped to first. Kolten Wong pinch ran. One batter later and with Carlos Beltran up, Wong jumped off first. Boston's closer Koji Uehara picked off Wong and for the second consecutive night, the game ended on a bizarre play.
Boston won 4-2 and tied the series at two.
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