NFL Week 9 Preview/Predictions

Don't forget to follow ''Smeltzer on Sports'' on twitter as well as Google Plus. Leave your thougts in the comments section below. 
Hello, all. The boys are back for week 9 of NFL Predictions. Joseph Arthur Smeltzer is still the king with a record of 73-46, and I do not expect that to change after this week. Let's get into why we picked what we picked (as usual, Ryan will not be giving any explanations). Also, the Steelers were covered in a different preview that can be read right here http://joesmeltzer775.blogspot.com/2015/11/steelers-raiders-3-keys-to-victory.html

1:00

The ''why can't we be like New England?'' game of the week
Dolphins (3-4) at Bills (3-4)
Joe: Before the season started, both of these teams were expected by some to dethrone the Patriots in the AFC East. That isn't going to happen. Both Buffalo and Miami have been unimpressive overall this season, but Miami has been playing much better football since Dan Campbell took over as interim head coach. I foresee a big day out of Lamar Miller, and I predict that Miller will have 85+ yards rushing with two touchdowns. Miami will be playing with a fire after being embarrassed by Buffalo in their first meeting in week 3, and I think that they will get a measure of revenge. Fins up. Dolphins 34, Bills 20.

Brad: Tyrod Taylor coming back will lift Buffalo to a close victory.

Jeff: The Dolphins are starting to play well, and I think that this will continue Sunday.

David: Buffalo isn't that good, and Miami is playing with a fire.

The ''this is gonna be good'' game of the week
Packers (6-1) at Panthers (7-0)

Joe: This is a very tough game to predict, as these are two of the NFL's best teams. As good as Carolina is, I don't see Aaron Rodgers having another off performance, like he did last week in Denver, as he is one of the best in the world and will be hell-bent on bouncing back. Cam Newton is strong, but Rodgers is a little stronger, and I think that will be a huge factor in a Green Bay victory. Packers 33, Panthers 21.

Brad: Carolina is at home, and they are playing well, so I think they will pull out a close one.

Jeff: Green Bay rarely loses two in a row, so I think they get the job done on the road.

David: I don't know how long I can keep picking against Carolina, but Green Bay doesn't lose two games in a row.
The ''who the hell cares'' game of the week
Jaguars (2-5) at Jets (4-3)

Joe: A bad Jags team will be facing off with a Jets team without a QB. How fun. The Jets are still the better team in my opinion, so Geno Smith will be good enough to pull out a win here. Jets 24, Jags 14. Not that I care.

Redskins (3-4) at Patriots (7-0)

Will the Patriots lose?
No

The ''Archie Bowl.''
Titans (1-6) at Saints (4-4)

This title is in reference to Archie Manning, who played for both the Saints and Titans (then the Houston Oilers) over his career that spanned 14 seasons. Marcus Mariota makes his return behind center for Tennesse after two weeks on the shelf, but I don't think that will save the Titans here. The Saints have won three in a row, and Drew Brees is on fire. The Titans have lost 6 in a row, and I don't think that playing in the Superdome will help their cause. Expect Brees to throw for 350+ yards in a Saints route. Saints 38, Titans 17.

Brad: I'm not sure about this game, but I'll pick the home team here.

Jeff: The Saints offense is working, and they will keep rolling up the points.

David: Brees is starting to roll, and New Orleans is better than people think. Their defense is terrible, but the Titans are god awful.

The ''battle of the backs'' game of the week
Rams (4-3) at Vikings (5-2)

Joe: This is a battle of present and future, as Adrian Peterson will take on Todd Gurley in a battle between two of the best runningbacks in the game. Peterson has been elite for years, while Gurley is having a remarkable rookie season. I think that Gurley will win this battle, and his defense will be a big reason why. As I have talked about before, the Rams defense is fantastic, and they will make life hard for Teddy Bridgewater and the rest of the Vikings offense, Peterson included. I predict that Gurley will have over 100 yards rushing while AP will not, and the Rams defense will come up big yet again to be the difference in a close game. Rams 20, Vikings 14.

Brad: Minnesota is quietly sitting at 5-2, and I think they will keep it rolling in St. Louis

Jeff: The Rams will win in a battle of two bad teams.
4:05
The ''I don't have a good title for this'' game of the week

Giants (4-4) at Buccaneers (3-4) 
Joe: The Giants are a tough team to evaluate, as they have been a mixed bag all year long. New York has struggled on the road, with a record of 1-3, and I still think their defense will be struggling after last week's nightmare in New Orleans, while Tampa is flying high after a big win at Atlanta. I predict that Jameis Winston will shine today, and he will inspire the Bucs to victory. Tampa has the potentional to be something really special in the near future, and that will show in this game. Bucs 34, Giants 24.

Brad: If Jameis Winston continues to play well, Tampa can beat this Giants team.

Jeff: The Giants have a good offense, and I think that they will score just enough to win here.

David: Giants in a shootout.
The ''I left lots of points in San Fransisco'' game of the week 
Falcons (6-2) at 49ers (2-6)

Joe: The Falcons offense has not been potent over the past few weeks, and I think that playing against the woeful 49ers will get them out of their slump. Matt Ryan has not had a big game in a few weeks, and I think that ''Matty Ice'' is due. Juilo Jones had a huge game in a losing effort to the Bucs last week, and I think that this will carry over. Ryan to Jones will become a common theme in this contest. Falcons 38, 49ers 14.

Brad: The 49ers have no offense, so they do not stand a chance against Atlanta's powdered keg.

Jeff: I see Atlanta's offense getting back on track.

David: Atlanta is not as good as their record shows, but San Fran is starting Blane Gabbert for god's sake.

4:25
The ''welcome back Peyton'' game of the week
Broncos (7-0) at Colts (3-5)

Joe: It is amazing to think that Peyton Manning could make histroy in the city where he became a legend. Manning has a chance to break two important NFL records on Sunday, as he is 284 passing yards away from breaking Brett Favre's record of 71,838 while simultaneously being one win away from breaking the record for wins by a QB with 187 (also held by Favre). I think that Manning will break both of these records, as the Colts are having a forgettable season while the Broncos are high off of a big win over Green Bay last week. Something like this is too fitting not to happen, so I think it is destiny that Manning breaks these records in a stroybook fashion to a standing ovation from a crowd that still regards him as a hero. Broncos 35, Colts 21.

Brad: A turnover prone Andrew Luck will struggle against the aggressive and talented Broncos defense.

Jeff: Colts suck.

David: This will be closer than people think, but Denver will get the job done.

The ''bring back Faith Hill'' game of the week

Eagles (3-4) at Cowboys (2-5)
Joe; Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea. The Cowboys are lost without Tony Romo, and every week brings more dissapointment in big D. Philidelphia will be ready to avange their week 2 home loss to Dallas, and Demarco Murry will be poised to make up for his awful performance on that day. Murry will have over 100+ yards rushing and the Eagles will win somewhat comfortably. The recent Greg Hardy revelations will also serve as a distraction that the Cowboys do not need. Eagles 34, Cowboys 17.

Brad: Dallas will continue to lose without Romo.

Jeff: The Cowboys will continue to play poorly.

David: I don't like either team, but I think the Cowboys will pull it out at home.

The ''bring back Hank Williams Jr.'' game of the week
Bears (2-5) at Chargers (2-6)

Joe; This should be fun. Both teams suck, but they both have entertainig quaterbacks that should provide for a fun game. The Chargers have had some hard luck losses this year, and Phillp Rivers has played steller football that deserves better than 2-6. I think that because San Diego is at home and overall a better team, they will pull out a win here with Rivers outdueling Jay Cutler. Even with the loss of Kennen Allen, Rivers still has enough weapons to get the job done. Chargers 34, Bears 28.

Brad: Not going to bet against Rivers at home, but I would against any other team in the NFL.

Jeff: Bears will win in a shootout between two bad teams.

David: Hedging my bet with the Chargers, as both teams suck. I'll be happy if the Bears pull it out. Long live Rex Grossman.

Smeltz: Steelers-Raiders: 3 keys to victory

By: Joe Smeltzer
Don't forget to follow "Smeltzer on Sports'' on twitter and to follow this blog on Google Plus
Hello, all. We are halfway through the 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers campaign, and it's been a rather strange year. Before the season started, it was expected that Pittsburgh's offense would be a powdered keg that would light up scoreboards around the league while the defense would struggle. It has been the opposite, as the defense has greatly overachieved while the offense has been disseminated by injuries. Due in large part to these injuries, the Steelers currently stand at a pedestrian 4-4. To make matters worse, Pittsburgh lost the best running back in the NFL this past Sunday when Le'veon Bell went down with a severe MCL injury. To put into perspective how much injuries and suspensions have affected the Black and Gold, the Steelers will end this season with their four best offensive weapons (Bell, Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Ben Roethlisberger) playing together for a total of half of a game. Needless to say, many fans are rather concerned about the direction the Steelers are headed. This week, the Oakland Raiders will travel to Heinz Field in a game that could have huge AFC playoff implications. If the Steelers still want to sneak into the postseason as a wildcard, I think that this week is a must win for them. Here are three things that are important for the Steelers to do in order to get back on track.

Key #1: Limit Derek Carr 

Derek Carr is developing into one of the better quarterbacks in this league, and his arm is a big reason the Raiders are having success this year. Carr is the one who makes this offense go, and Oakland has yet to win a game in which Carr has thrown for less than 285 yards. The Steelers secondary did a good job of limiting Andy Dalton last Sunday, and it is important that they do the same here. If the Steelers can limit Carr to under 250 yards passing, I think that they have a very realistic chance of winning this game. However, this is much easier said than done, and it will be interesting to see if the Pittsburgh can execute this key. It's a coin flip, but I think that the Steelers defense will be playing with a do-or-die mentality, and this along with the home field advantage and the return of Stephon Tuitt could allow the Steelers to execute this key. It's anyone's guess as to what will happen, however, and it should not come as a surprise if this kid goes off.

Likelihood of execution: Moderate 

Key #2: Ben be Ben 

If the Steelers want to win, they need a bounce back performance from their leader. Ben Roethlisberger's return to the lineup last week did not go as planned, as Ben threw 3 interceptions and looked pretty bad overall. Fortunately for #7, the Raiders secondary ranks just #25th in the league. Even without Bell, Roethlisberger still has Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, and the reliable Heath Miller to throw to, so a big passing day is still very much realistic for Big Ben. Expect the Steelers to throw early and often and score more points. Roethlisberger is likely to be still fuming about last week's disappointment, and it is rare for a player like him to have two off games in a row. 

Likelihood of execution: Solid 

Key #3: Play as if there are no other options 

Simply put, the Steelers have to win this game if they want to be a playoff team. If they lose tomorrow, I see them finishing at a very disappointing 7-9 and missing out on the postseason. In other words, the Steelers need to leave everything on the field on Sunday and play like they have to win. Their focus needs to be more intense than it has been all season, as this is the most important game the Steelers have played so far. Ben Roethlisberger knows how to win big games, and as the unquestioned leader of the team, I think that he will successfully motivate his troops.

Likelihood of execution: High

Prediction
I think that the Steelers will win this game because they have no other choice, and they will be more focused than they have been at any other point this season. Oakland has the potential to be a good team, but I do not think they are ready to win an important game like this, especially considering they will be on the road. I predict that Big Ben will outplay Derek Carr as he is more experienced in situations like this. I think that it will be a close game, for the most part, but Pittsburgh will pull away in the end.

Steelers 34, Raiders 20

Smeltz: In or Out? My outlook for all college football playoff contenders

By: Joe Smeltzer

Follow Smeltzer on Sports on Twitter or add me on Google Plus.

Hello, everybody. It's been a long time since I wrote about college football not being played by Penn State, but I sure am glad to be back. Since the first college football playoff rankings came out on Tuesday, it is perfect timing for me to write about the teams in contention for a national title. Let's get into it.


The Top 4

#3 Ohio State

We begin at the top with the defending champs. It's hard to call a team that is 8-0 underwhelming, but that's what the Buckeyes have been this season. OSU was expected to run rough shot over all of their opponents up until this point, but that hasn't been the case, and instead the Bucks have had trouble with far inferior opponents such as Maryland, Indiana, and Northern Illinois. Part of this can be pinned on Urban Meyer. There is no debating that this man may be the best coach in the country, but his decision to start Cardale Jones over JT Barrett at quarterback for seven weeks was puzzling, and I think the Buckeye offense suffered as a result. Now they will be forced to turn to Jones again, as Barrett foolishly picked up an ODI this past Saturday and has been suspended for this week's game at Minnesota. The Buckeyes have four games left, with 2 being at home and the other two on the road. Ohio State's last two games will be interesting as they are at home against Michigan State and of course, away at Michigan.

If Barrett has learned his lesson, I think that he will be the spark that the Buckeyes need to find their mojo. If this happens, good luck everybody else.



#2 LSU

Lenord Fournette 

As usual, Les Miles has a very strong team. At the heart is Leonard Fournette, who leads the nation in rushing with 1,352 yards and is looking to become the first Heisman Trophy winner since Billy Cannon did it in 1959. Unfortunately for the Bayou Bengals, an elephant is standing in their way. LSU will travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide, and I find it quite challenging to bet against Nick Saben in a big game, especially at home.


#1 Clemson

In my opinion, this is the most complete team in the country, and they deserve to be #1 in the first playoff poll. The Tigers have it all. On offense, Deshaun Watson has played at a level that is worthy of a Heisman invatation, while Wayne Gallman is a tank at running back. The Tigers also have a talented group of receivers led by Artavius Scott, who leads the team with 514 receiving yards. Aside from last week at NC State, the Tigers defensive unit has been rock solid with Ben Boulware being a force at inside linebacker, Shaq Lawson a beast at defensive tackle, and Mackenzie Alexander a shutdown corner. The Tigers have everything they need to win a championship. If they can defeat Florida State at home this Saturday, they have a crystal clear path to an undefeated season, as their final three games are at Syracuse, at home against Wake Forest and at South Carolina, none of which appear to be a threat. I see the Tigers playing North Carolina in the ACC title game, and I don't see them as a threat to Clemson's dreams either. 

#4 Alabama

Surprise surprise. Ever since suffering a shocking home loss to Ole Miss in week 3, the Tide have been on a roll, and they find themselves in a familiar spot, chasing a national title. Derrick Henry has established himself as one of the best running backs in college football, while Jake Coker has done a fine job in his first season as starting quarterback. Bama's defense has been excellent as usual, and Nick Saben is poised to make a run at his 5th national title. Bama has a tough stretch to close out the year, as their showdown with LSU will be followed by a game in a tough environment at Mississippi State, a cream puff in Chattanooga, and at Auburn in the annual Iron Bowl. Since the LSU game will be at Bryant-Deny Stadium, I do not foresee Alabama losing that game, nor to I foresee a hiccup at Mississippi State or Auburn, and I also don't think Florida is good enough to stop Bama in the SEC title game. The Ole Miss debacle awoke the sleeping elephant, and this elephant will not be denied in it's quest to reach the playoffs.




The realistic possibilities

#5 Notre Dame

The Irish are back in a big way, and Brian Kelly deserves serious Coach of the Year consideration considering all that the Irish have overcome. After losing their starting QB in Malik Zaire and their starting running back in Taren Folston both within the first two weeks, not a lot of people expected the Irish to be in this situation. However, true freshman Devonte Kaiser has stepped up in a big way in Zaire's place, as him and standout wide receiver Will Fuller are leading a very effective Irish offense. The Irish have an away tilt with Pitt on Saturday, followed by home games against Wake Forest and Boston College. All 3 of these games are very winnable, and they will set up an interesting season finale for the Irish in which they will travel to Stanford, who themselves are looking to sneak into the top 4. I think that the Irish will have a slip up against the Cardinal due to playing in a tough environment in a game that can go either way, and finish 10-2, which will not be good enough to get them into the playoffs.

#6 Baylor

As has come to be expected, Art Briles has an offense that is a powdered keg. Even though the Bears have lost their quarterback in Seth Russell for the rest of the season with a fractured vertebra, true freshman Jarrett Stindham is more than capable, as evidenced by his 419 yards passing at Kansas State on Thursday night. Stindham will be helped out greatly by Corey Coleman, who is arguably the best receiver in the nation. Baylor's remaining schedule is not easy, as they will have to play on the road at Oklahoma State and at TCU, who are both undefeated as well. Baylor's offense is putting up numbers that usually are only seen in a video game, as they average close to 666 yards and 57 points per game. Baylor's defense, however, may not be championship worthy, as they rank just 37th in the country in points allowed. The Bears do not have an easy road ahead, as they have to play two road games at TCU and at Oklahoma State, both of whom are undefeated. Unfortunately for the Bears, I do not see them winning both of those games without a Heisman hopeful like Russell.

#7 Michigan State

Much like Ohio State, Sparty has gotten the job done this season without doing anything overly flashy. It must be said that they are incredibly lucky to be undefeated, as Michigan was a well-executed punt away from knocking off their rivals. That said, it's better to be lucky than good sometimes. Connor Cook has been solid behind center, as he has thrown 17 touchdown passes so far this season, and Aaron Burbridge has been his #1 receiving target with 830 yards. The Spartan defense has been solid as usual in their first year without Pat Narduzzi calling the shots, and the Spartans are overall a complete team. MSU will travel to Lincoln to take on Nebraska this Saturday, followed by a home game against Maryland. These two winnable games will set the stage for a showdown at the Horseshoe with the defending champs. If Sparty can somehow find a way to knock off Ohio State, their playoff chances are very good. Unfortunately, I just don't see that happening if JT Barrett and Ezekiel Elliot have anything to say about it.

#8 TCU

This is an interesting one. The Horned Frogs have an offense that is on par with that of Baylor, and that is the reason that they are undefeated. The Horned Frogs may be doomed, however, as they play in the Big 12 conference. By law, that means that they don't play defense.

The trio of Trevone Boykin(quarterback/possible Heisman winner) Aaron Green (running back) and Josh Doctson (wide receiver/likely Biletnikoff Award winner) is in my mind, undoubtedly the best offensive trio in the country.  That said, the Horned Frogs defense has been horrendous, and they have been living on the edge throughout this season as a result. TCU has a gantlet to close out the year, as three of their final four opponents have a combined total of one loss, with two of those three games being on the road. I will bet money that TCU will lose at least one of those games, and I would not be surprised if they lost two of them.

The "outside chances"
#9 Iowa

In my eyes, this is the most underrated team in the country, and being underatted that is a label that head coach Kirk Ferentz has embraced over the last decade. The Hawkeyes are currently undefeated but lack the attention that, in most other years, they would most defiantly be receiving. Unfourtanly, the Hawkeyes get lost in the shuffle of all of the other unbeaten teams in the land, and unlike most of those teams, Iowa was not ranked at the start of the season. It doesn't seem fair, but preseason rankings will be a huge factor in determining Iowa's playoff chances. Jake Canzeri spearheads Iowa's offensive attack with 698 yards rushing along when 9 touchdowns. Iowa's defense is what is driving this team to perfection, and they can compete with any unit in the country. Iowa's last four games are all against cream puffs, so I fully expect them to finish this regular season without a blemish, but losing to Ohio State in the Big 10 championship game. 

#10 Florida 

It's hard to believe that a 7-1 SEC team would be anywhere outside the top 5, but that's the predicament that Florida is in right now. The Gators have been a surprise this year under first-year coach Jim McElwain. Even after QB Will Grier was handed a season-long suspension last month as a result of using performance enhancers, the Gators have not skipped a beat, and their close loss at LSU is the only blemish on their record. Trevon Harris has done a fine job of filling in for Grier, and the Gators defense has been fantastic. Sadly for Florida, their situation is similar to that of Iowa's: unranked in the preseason top 25, relatively easy schedule and a lot of good teams ahead of them in the rankings, and losing to a better team in their conference title game.  

#11 Stanford 

One word is currently haunting Stanford: Northwestern. Unlike Florida and Iowa, the Cardinal started the season in the top 25 at #21. However, Stanford suffered a shocking week one defeat at the hands of Northwestern. Had Stanford won that game, they would be 8-0 and right in the heart of the playoff discussion. But they didn't, and are instead in the "outside chances" group. A lot will be riding on Stanford's last regular season game against Notre Dame at home, but even if they can take down the leprechauns, I still don't think they deserve to be in the playoff, and the mediocrity of the Pac 12 won't do them any favors as far as the committee goes. So, at the end of the season, Stanford fans will be cursing Northwestern and wondering what could have been.

#12 Utah 

Just like their Pac 12 counterparts, one bad loss will haunt the Utes when it's all said and done. Utah is a fine team, with Devonte Booker leading the charge as one of the better running backs in the nation and an extremely punishing defense. However, that slip up against Cody Kessler and USC will prove to be very costly for the Utes. Utah was ranked #3 heading into that game, and would be right in the thick of things had they left LA with a win. But they didn't, and no matter what happens the rest of the way, Utah will not be in the college football playoff.

So, after breaking everything down, my prediction is that the four playoff teams will be: Clemson, Ohio State, Alabama, and LSU. Notre Dame will have a hiccup against Stanford while Baylor and TCU both will falter down the stretch. LSU will narrowly beat out Michigan State to sneak in the playoffs as the #4 team due to having a more challengeing strength of schedule in a decision that will spark much controversy, as has become a college football staple.

These are my thoughts. Leave yours in the comment section below. 

Smeltz: After rough end to regular season, West Allegheny poised for playoff run

By: Joe Smeltzer

Terrance Stephens 

It wasn't the regular season ending that anybody at West Allegheny wanted. The Indians went into last Friday's tilt with the Central Valley Warriors on the verge of clinching a #1 seed for AAA in the WPIAL Playoffs. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned, and CV crashed the party with a 23-13 win, spoiling the last regular season game that the Class of 2016 will ever play at Joe P. DeMichela Stadium. Now, the Indians will try to move forward and go on a deep playoff run.

The senior class understands that West A needs to step up in order to win a WPIAL Championship, and the Hollidaysburg Tigers will be their first hurdle. ''Tomorrow we need to go out, lock arms, and take care of business,'' said Max Clements, who has played a key role this season as a fullback/inside linebacker, as well as being a senior leader. Another senior leader who has stepped up this season is center/defensive tackle Justin Baker. Baker, who was named a co-captain at the team's annual end of year banquet this past January, stated: ''We need to get back to our old ways of not saying stuff but just going to work with our brothers''. Another team captain is Terrance Stephens, who has rushed for 1,176 yards this season and averages an excellent 10.2 yards per carry. 

The White bothers, Whitney and Kenny, have also contributed to West A's running game, with Whitney as the teams second leading rusher with 567 yards. Nick Ross has been steady in his first season as starting QB, while sophomore Brandon Lipford has established himself as the team's #1 receiver. The boys up front have also made a difference, with Nick Lonerio, Justin Baker, Kieran Fiermant, Sam Hammers and Derek Clontz leading the way on the O-Line, making everything happen. With all of these weapons at their disposal, the Indians have scored in bunches for most of this season, and I see no reason why this can't carry over into the playoffs. 

Bryan Cornell's defense has been rock solid throughout the year, as the Indians allowed only 12 points per game in the regular season. On the D-Line, Fiermant and Baker have combined for 95 total tackles. Tom Burke and Clements make an effective inside linebacker paring, and Joe Gluzmen and Kam Cornell are a solid pairing on the outside. The secondary includes the White brothers as well as Stephens and Skyler Mason, and they have done the job keeping quarterbacks from going deep. West A has the personnel on both sides of the ball to do some damage in the post-season, but they'll need to put it all together. 

West A and Hollidaysburg last met in 2013, where the Indians cruised to a 38-6 win. Hollidaysburg has improved since than, as they are 6-3 and looking for an upset. The Indians could see two different QB's on Friday night, as Jarrett Cavalet and Ryan Adams have both seen a lot of action behind center this season. The Tigers are not to be taken lightly, and the Tribe will need to earn everything on Friday.

West Allegheny will be have last season's disappointing end in mind, and they would like nothing more than too see Central Valley again at Heinz Field - a possibility with CV as the #1 seed and West A at #3. This time,West A wants to stand on Heinz Field with the first place medals around their neck. As for now, however, all West A should have on their minds is Hollidaysburg. 

Who needs a high payroll? The Royals won with brains instead of cash

It's 1985. Careless Whisper by Wham is the number one song in the country. Gas prices are $1.20 a gallon. The Chicago Bears are jamming to the "Super Bowl Shuffle". And baseball isn't being dominated by teams in the big cities.

In the 80's, the Kansas City Royals were on top of the world. With the likes of George Brett, Dan Quisenberry, and Bret Saberhagen, KC defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games to bring Kansas City their first World Series title in that faithful year of 1985. It marked a simpler time in baseball, before teams in the big cities started to rule the world with the mighty dollar. Then the 90s came. The World Series was cancelled due to greed, free agency became out of control, and the Royals began to lose. I mean, really lose. 

Over the next 28 seasons, the Royals not only failed to get back to baseballs mountaintop, but they also they failed to achieve a single playoff berth. In the 2000s, the franchise fell into a bottomless pit. From 2000-2010, Kansas City averaged just 67 wins per year and were a true representation of the hard knock life that small market franchises had to live with. Every fall, Kanas City had nothing to do except watch teams like the Red Sox, Yankees and the cross-state rival Cardinals participate in the party that their team was once a part of. It was as if Kansas City and New York weren't even playing the same sport. As much as fans cried foul, the calls for financial help remained unanswered, and the losing went on and on. 

As a die-hard Pittsburgh Pirates fan, the similarities between my Bucs and the Royals are extremely striking. Both franchises were successful in the 70s and 80s, and both went into great decline starting in the 90s due in large part to being in small markets. The thing that strikes me most of all is how both teams experienced a revival in the past three years, and both revivals were due to smart front office minds. Neil Huntington has done a phenomenal job in building the Pirates back up into a powerhouse. As good as Huntington is, however, he has yet to win the big one. Early Monday morning, On Sunday, Dayton Moore accomplished that very feat. 

Moore took over as general manager on June 8th, 2006. Unlike so many men in his profession, Dayton had a clue. He understood how to manage the limited resources that he was given. He knew how to draft (Mike Moustakas and  Eric Hosmer were his first two #1 draft choices, while Greg Holland was selected as a hidden gem in the 2008 draft). He understood that for KC to one day be successful, they would need to hold on to many of their young stars, such as Moustakas, Hosmer, Salvador Perez, and Alex Gordon. The thing that I admire most about Dayton Moore is that he did not let his critics change his vision for the future of Royals baseball.

In May of 2010, Trey Hillman was fired as manager. Moore decided to turn to Ned Yost, who had a very pedestrian .477 winning percentage in 6 seasons as mananger of the Millwakue Brewers. It did not look like a special move, but Yost has been the caption of this ship that was saved from sinking, and it can be attributed to Moore seeing something in him that a lot of people did not see. In December that same year,  Moore traded away Zach Grenkie for Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, Jeremy Jeffress and Jake Odorizzi. The move was a risk, as Grenkie had established himself as one of the best pitchers in the game while none of the players he received in return had proven much. But Moore believed that this was the best thing for the franchise, and five years leader, I'd say he's proven himself to be right. Grenkie is a superstar, but Cain and Escobar both played major roles in the Royals success, and were far less expensive than Grenkie. The deal that I give more the most credit for happened over two years later.

After the 2012 season, the Royals were feeling pretty good about their future. All of the young talent that Moore had worked hard to build up was starting to assemble, and 2013 looked to be a year in which KC could potentially make some noise. With this in mind, Moore pulled off a very risky blockbuster deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, sending Will Meyers, along with Jake Odorizzi and Mike Montgomery to Tampa for James Shields, Wade Davis, and Eliot Johnson. Many fans and experts felt that Moore was hurting the future of the team by giving up a prospect as gifted as Meyers, who was almost a consensus choice for 2012 Minor League Player of the Year, as well as Odorzzi, who is a fireballer. Moore had to have known that there would be some backlash to this, but he didn't listen to the critics and did what he felt was the best thing for the franchise. Once again, Dayton was proven to be right.

Meyers only lasted two seasons with the Rays before being traded to the Padres this past winter. As for KC, Shields played a vital role in getting the Royals to the World Series in 2014 as the ace of the pitching staff, before departing via free agency that winter, and Davis has become one of the nastiest and best relievers in the game. I remember when this trade took place, and I felt at the time that Dayton Moore was an idiot. I was wrong, Dayton was right, and this is why I am writing about baseball teams as opposed to running them. I remember a time when Moore was thought of to be a joke, and I bought into that idea just like so many others, as it was hard not to considering how awful the Royals were throughout his first 6 and 1/2 seasons on the job. Early Monday morning, Dayton officially completed his transition from chump to champ, and I could not be happier for the guy.

One thing that made this World Series special for me was that both teams were  the brainchild of a smart GM. Even though the New York Mets are a large market team, their General Manager, Sandy Alderson, did an admirable job of turning absolutely nothing into a big-time something by drafting well and building up his farm system. It was a joy to watch two teams that did not go crazy in the free agent market battle it out for the game's greatest prize, and it is very strong evidence that the big market teams do not rule this game anymore.

Considering that the Royals were the AL equivalent to my Pirates for several years, I know a lot of my fellow Bucco fans must be agitated that Kansas City got a title before Pittsburgh could. While I understand the disappointment, I think that this should be looked at by all fans as a major victory for baseball. The Kansas City Royals are proof that big thinking can often be more valuable than big spending. As for Dayton Moore, he finally has his trophy that represents nearly a decade of work. Although he might not get the credit that guys such as Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez do, he is very deserving of it. Moore has done something that Billy Beane and Andrew Friedman, two of the most celebrated small market GM's, have yet to achieve, and it is a testament to his conquering of the ultimate rebuilding project.

So in conclusion, I would like to say congratulations to Dayton Moore, Ned Yost and the rest of the Kansas City Royals organization and fans. You deserve this, and may my Bucs join you ASAP. 

Gordon: West Coast Hustle: 2015-16 NBA Preview

By Alex Gordon

            Basketball is the most predictable of all sports.  In the last 35 years, only ten different teams have won the championship. The best team usually comes out on top, especially in a seven game series.  Maybe that’s what makes this season so intriguing. We’ll start with the east, or the few teams that have a snowball’s chance in a Nevada parking lot of beating a healthy Cavaliers squad.  It comes down to will Derick Rose ever look anything like the MVP he once was.  The Bulls, when healthy, are the only team that has anywhere near the depth or defensive ability to contend with the Cavaliers.  They have Jimmy Butler, as close a LeBron foil as you can find, and the size, when healthy, to compete on the boards.  That’s a CAPSLOCK “if” though. With the mileage on this group, seeing a full strength Bulls team trading haymakers in the eastern finals would make me believe in miracles.  An injury riddled Cavaliers swept the Hawks in the Eastern finals last year, and nothing predicts a different result.  The Raptors and the Wizards have nobody to deal with LeBron, not to mention Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving.  In a nutshell, the east is the Cavs to lose.

The West is a much different story. Six teams could easily find themselves in the Western finals. The Warriors, Thunder, Clippers, Spurs, Grizzlies, and Rockets will all jockey for position in that top six till April rolls around.  Then we only know the fans will be winners for certain.  Here’s a quick rundown on their chances.

Warriors: The reigning champs bring back basically all the key pieces from last season.  David Lee was traded away to free up cap space (all the best to him), but they can play still play any style and always find a way to shut you down and score just the same.  They showed us a selfless and beautiful style of basketball that captivated diehard fans and casual observers alike, and yet, some experts don’t have them as the favorite.

Rockets:  This is the sleeper that many see awakening this year.  Assuming Ty Lawson can find his near all-star from after arrests and lost years in Denver.  This team is expected to make noise.  General Manager Daryl Morey’s asset swapping seems to have finally panned out as they are as deep as they come.  A healthy Warriors-Rockets conference finals rematch would probably provide one of the best series that we’ve seen in the last decade.  With all these other competitors, however, hope is all you can do in the western conference.

Thunder: A storm is brewing in Oklahoma City (wow a bad pun and a potentially insensitive tornado country joke. I’ll show myself out.) After two lost seasons since their finals appearance in 2012, the hourglass is slowly running out.  As long as they have a healthy Durant and Westbrook they will be in the conversation, but they’re in their primes, and could leave if they don’t see more success soon. The supporting cast won’t blow you away (oh goodness there’s another), and round out the weakest team in the top six on paper. When you have two of the best 15 basketball players on the planet, though, that’s all it is.  A piece of paper.

Spurs: With the acquisition of Lamarcus Aldridge the Spurs have somehow keyed up for another assault on the playoff ladder. I’ve learned two things about professional basketball: never bet against the Spurs, and injuries define success.  These two theories will test each other this year as one has to wonder if the team that’s been “too old.” For the past four seasons will finally show its years.

Clippers: After somehow signing Deandre Jordan after he signed with another team, the Clippers kept their core intact and surrounded it with some go-for-broke gambles. They brought in Josh Smith and Lance Stevenson, along with other veteran pieces that need to pan out if they’re going to be competitive. They have to have someone else lean on for offense besides Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and the occasional Jamal Crawford heat check.

Grizzlies: Always overlooked, but always there in the second round, the Grizzlies have been a playoff mainstay for the last five years.  Based on a talented and old school big man pairing in Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph they beat you on the glass, on defense, and with sharp passing.  Their only significant additions were Matt Barnes and Brandon Wright. Though good players, neither have the skill to remedy their long time Achilles heel of outside shooting.  

  

Smeltz: NFL Week 8 Preview/Predictions

By: Joe Smeltzer

Hello, everybody. We are back for week 8 of the NFL Season, and this week is extra special because we are welcoming David Rutz to our panel. Rutz was the roommate of Ryan Stewart from 2006-10 at Vanderbilt University, and he is also a supporter of the Atlanta Braves, Hawks, and Falcons. As you can see by the graphic above, I, Joseph Arthur Smeltzer, am still the king with a record of 63-42, and we are all a perfect 1-0 so far after the Patriots trounced Maimi on Thursday night. Let's get into our picks for week 8.

1:00

The "Who the hell cares" game of the week

Lions (1-6) at Chiefs (2-5)

God give us a good game 
These matchups are so lame 

Joe: That my friends was a quick parody of the English national anthem, and I think it is extremely necessary given the awful matchups that the NFL schuledes for the United Kingdom. As I wrote last week, if the NFL wants to greatly expand their audience overseas, they need to put their best teams out their at least every once in a while. A 1-6 team going against a 2-5 team doesn't qualify as a marquee matchup. Last week's game between the Bills and the Jags was very good, but the problem is neither of those teams are flagship franchises in this league. As for my game prediction, the Chiefs appear to be getting their act together at least somewhat, as evidenced by their 23-13 win over my Steelers last Sunday. Tamba Hali will sack Matt Stafford twice, and the Chiefs will add to Jim Caldwell's miserable, miserable fall. 24-10 Chiefs. Not that I care. 

Brad: Chiefs. The Lions are awful

Jeff: KC is playing with great confidence, and I think that they will win their second straight game

Ryan: Kansas City. Detriot is bad.

The "This matchup would have been awesome in 2006" game of the week 

Chagers(2-5) at Ravens (1-6)

Joe: Another 1-6 vs. another 2-5. Back in 2006, both of these teams were among the best that this league had to offer, but those days are gone. I don't think that either Baltimore or San Diego are as bad as their records indicate, as both teams have been victims of tough schuldes and hard luck. Nonetheless, both teams seasons are virtually in the can, so this matchup does not spark great interest. I think that the Ravens are due for a win (the really should be 0-7) and that is what they will get. Joe Flacco will lead a last minute drive to pull out a 23-20 win for the dirty birds. All 6 of the Ravens losses have been by less than 10 points, so the deserve one. It will be a Greta feeling for the Ravens to win a game that wasn't given to them by Mike Tomlin. 

Brad: Chargers. The Ravens stink and won a game they should have lost.

Jeff: Phillip Rivers is on a roll and the Ravens woes will continue

Ryan: The Chargers defense is not good enough to stop Justin Forsett, who is back at full strength. 

The "this might get ugly" game of the week 

Cardinals (5-2) at Browns (2-5) 

Joe: The Browns have suffered a lot of close losses this year, but primarily as a result of weaker competition. The Cards will be the best team that the Browns have faced this year, so the city of Clevland might want to prepare themselves for a beat down. Carson Palmer and Chirs Johnson will provide plenty of offense, as Clevland can't stop a nosebleed, and Arizona's defense will not give Josh McCown much ground. Cards 38, Browns 17. Also, expect the honey badger to be all over the field. 

Brad: I picked the Browns last week and they were terrible. I have no faith in them.

Jeff: Cards. No doubt in my mind. Super Bowl team right here. 

Ryan: The Browns offense is good enough to hang with Arizona for 3 quarters, but Chirs Johnson will run for 120+ yards with two scores against the worst run defense in the league.

The "we used to be able to compete with Green Bay" game of the week 

Vikings (4-2) at Bears (2-4)

Joe: There was a time when both of these teams were not forced to bow down to the Packers in the NFC North. Unfourtanly, those days are over. However, Minnesota has a good chance theoretically to sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard, so things don't look so bad from their standpoint. Chicago, on the other hand, is a franchise continuing to spiral downhill, and the only thing they have to look forward to this January is watching Derek Rose and Patrick Kane excel at their respective sports. Minnesota's Teddy Bridgewater is showing the potential to be a star in this league, and I expected another quality performance out him on Sunday. Oh, and Adrian Peterson might just have a role in dictating the outcome of this game. Vikings 34, Bears 20. 

Brad: I like the Vikings a bit more than I like the Bears.

Jeff: I have a gut feeling that the Bears will pull this one out.

Ryan: Jay Cutler will sling the ball around the field and lead Chicago to victory.

The "dad's a little conflicted" game of the week 

Giants (4-3) at Saints (3-4)

Joe: Archie Manning was the foundation of the New Orleans for 11 years, while his son, Eli, will be behind center for the New York football Giants on Sunday, going up against his dad's old team. There is a reason for Archie to be a little torn, but I think he will be pulling for Eli. Now to talk about the matchup. The Saints have shown signs of being a good football team this year and have played very well at the Superdome. Since this game will be played in the dome, I am confident in picking New Orleans. The Saints defense has been playing better as of late, and I expect them to make some big plays against a still banged up Giants offense. On the other side of the ball, Drew Brees is, well, Drew Bree's, and he will have over 300 yards passing. Home in the dome will be very kind to the Saints, and I see them pulling this one out. Saints 27, Giants 17. 

Brad: I think that the Giants are overrated and will probably never pick them against a solid team. 

Jeff: Again, going with my gut.

Ryan: The Saints defense has been playing well and the Giants are overrated. 

The "Matty ice and everything nice" game of the week 
Buccaneers (2-4) at Falcons (6-1)

Joe: Yeah, that  was the best title I could think of. Tampa Bay is an upstart team, but they are not ready to compete just yet. The Falcons, on the other hand, are very much for real, and they have the advantage of playing in the Georiga Dome. Matt Ryan will have 300+ yards passing while Devonte Freeman will have 100+ yards rushing, and the Falcons will make up for their weak offensive performance in Nashville. Falcons 34, Bucs 17. 

Brad: Matt Ryan+Freeman+Juilo>Winston+Martin+Evans. 

Jeff: Easy blowout dub. 

Ryan: Falcons are too strong at home.


The ''Welcome back Ben'' game of the week

Bengals (6-0) at Steelers (4-3)
Joe: The Bengals start to the season has been awesome, but I think that Sunday will mark the first blemish on their record. Ben Roethlisberger is back, baby, and it could not have come at a better time for Pittsburgh. Although I don't think Ben will have quite the explosive passing day that we have become used to seeing, I think that he will provide enough of an upgrade for the Steeler offense to squeak out a W. I can't see the Bengals starting 7-0. Steelers 28, Bengals 20.

Brad: Big Ben is 2-4 in games coming back from injury. 

Jeff: Ben will struggle in his return, so I got the Bengals here.

Ryan: The Bengals are a better all around team and they had a full week to rest up. 

4:05

The ''Hedi'' game of the week

Jets (4-2) at Raiders (3-3) 
Joe: On November 17th, 1968, the Oakland Raiders met the New York Jets in the AFL Game of the Week. The Jets had a 32-29 lead with less than a minute to play, but Oakland scored twice to win 43-32. It was a fantastic finish, but the problem was nobody who was watching on TV got to see it. ABC assumed the game was over, so they switched their broadcast to the Shirley Temple classic film ''Heidi''. I think that things will be a little different in 2015 in that the Jets will come up on top. Both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Derek Carr will have prolific days passing, but I think that Fitzpatrick will come out on top. Oakland is not ready to compete yet while the Jets are pretty damn close, and I see New York escaping the Black Hole with a win (which hasn't been that uncommon in the past ten years). NYJ in a close one. Jets 26, Raiders 20.  

Brad: Derek Carr and Amari Cooper will lead Oakland to a big win. 

Jeff: The Jets have a good team and they will prove it here.

Ryan: Oakland will win a big game with wildcard implications. 

4:25
The ''we really were expecting to be better'' game of the week
Seahawks (3-3) at Cowboys (2-4)

Joe: Both of these teams were NFC powerhouses in 2014, but this year has been a different story. The Seahawks have been inconsistent while the Cowboys have been banged up, and neither team is where they would like to be at this point. Since the Seahawks are healthy, I see them coming out on top here. The Cowboys have lost 4 in a row, and I cannot foresee Matt Cassell getting it done against Richard Sherman and company and breaking a 4-game losing streak. The Seahawks defense will carry over their momentum from last Thursday in San Fran, and they will win this game by double digits. Seahawks 33, Cowboys 14. 

Brad: Dallas hasn't won without Romo and Richard Sherman will lock down the returning Dez Bryant. 

Jeff: The Cowboys have Dez back but not having a QB will cost them. 

Ryan: Dallas fans will spend all year wondering what might have been. 

Sunday Night
The ''bring back Faith Hill'' game of the week
Packers (6-0) at Broncos (6-0)

Joe: This is a difficult game to predict, but since Denver is playing at home, I have a gut feeling that the will pull it out. It's a toss up between two good teams, but I think that Peyton Manning will outplay Aaron Rodgers to back up the Denver defense in a close win.  Mile High is very tough to play at, especially at night, so the coin I am flipping will land on the Broncos logo. Broncos 24, Packers 17

Jeff: The Broncos defense will not be able to stop Aaron Rodgers. 

Brad: The Broncos defense is elite but has not faced an offense as good as Green Bay's yet. GB's full body of work makes them the team to beat. 

Monday Night
The ''bring back Hank Williams Jr.'' game of the week

Colts (3-4) at Pathers (6-0)

Joe: I didn't imagine I'd be saying this, but the Panthers will be 7-0. The Colts are not the team they were last season, and facing what may be the NFC's hottest team won't help anything at all. Cam Newton will run for a touchdown and pass for two, and the Carolina defense will make Andrew Luck suffer. Carolina 31, Indy 14. 

Brad: I believe the Colts will lose this game. 

Jeff: Colts are playing poor and I'm starting to buy into the Panthers. 

Ryan: Indy still has the weapons on offense, and I think that they will start to get back on track on Monday night.