Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/5/2025

Happy New Year Sports Fans!  Many consider this the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" with Bowl Games and NFL drama.  Not to mention NBA, NCAA Basketball, and Hockey.  The last week of the NFL had a number of teams competing for limited playoff spots, but one game had stakes including a first-round bye versus road game the next week.  The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings were the first regular season game in NFL history to feature a total 28 wins.  28 wins is more than the Patriots, Browns, Jaguars, Titans, Raiders, Jets, and Giants combined.  After a defensive struggle in the first half which ended 10-6, the Detroit Lions busted out their offense in the second to defeat the Vikings 31-9 and get the first-round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.  And led by a commanding performance by runing back Jahmyr Gibbs.  Gibbs thrashed the Vikings defense for a total of 139 yards on a yeoman-like 23 carries and 3 TDs.  He caught another 5 passes for 31 yards and a fourth TD.  The entire Vikings defense knew he was their scoring player and couldn't stop him.  Gibbs will be a huge part of the Lions postseason run to balance a great passing game and is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/29/2024

For the final Sportsman of the Week Blog of 2024, we stick to the gridiron but shift to the pros.  The biggest game in Week 17 in the NFL was the red-hot Green Bay Packers at the somehow still under-the-radar Minnesota Vikings.  The Vikings expectation was low after moving on from Kirk Cousins and starting journeyman Sam Darnold at quarterback when their rookie draft pick was injured.  They've since lost just two games.  Darnold was at his best against NFC North Rival Packers registering a season high passing yards at 377.  Three touchdowns.  The totals pushed him over 4000 yards for the season.  In a game that looked like the Vikings were coasting to victory, Darnold was clutch on the final drive registering two first downs to run out the clock.  The 14 wins on the season are a record for a first-year quarterback on a team.  The Vikings will go for the top seed in the NFC next week, but either way are expected to make a deep playoff run.  Sam Darnold is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Note: This is the 13th Anniversary of the Sportsman of the Week feature, having started January 1, 2012 with Keith Price of the Washington Huskies.  There have been approximately 676 weekly honorees representing 579 individuals removing repeat winners.

Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/27/2020

Perhaps the best all around offensive weapon in the NFL was unleashed upon his foe and showed no mercy.  New Orleans Saints uber-back Alvin Kamara kept gashing the Minnesota Vikings for huge chunks of yards, many times the only thing that stopped him was the end of the field when there were no more yards to gain.  Many times is six times.  Six touchdowns on 22 carries tied an NFL record that was over 90 years old.  Kamara rushed for 155 yards total or 7 Yards Per Carry without any gains over 40 yards.  The Saints clinched the NFC South with the victory with an eye on the number one seed and a potential bye.  Either way they are positioned for two home playoff games with a win on Sunday.  Kamara complementing Drew Brees and the potent passing game my put the Saints in the Super Bowl for the first time in over 10 years.  He is the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/21/2018

The NFL season continues to push towards its climax, and we are now set with the best two teams for Super Bowl LII.  While many, if not most, expected the New England Patriots to be in the game, few before the season, or after the injury to Carson Wentz, expected the Philadelphia Eagles to be there.  But here they are, and they made it look easy in the the NFC Championship Game, thanks to Wentz's replacement Nick Foles.  The sudden star in 2013 (for which he was honored as the SotW) turned journeyman who almost retired is as hot as a quarterback can get.  He shredded the Minnesota Vikings defense, completing 26 of 33 passes for almost an 80% clip.  The passes totaled a Brady-esque 352 yards and 3 TDs, with nary an interception.  His decision-making was strong as well, taking just one sack for six yards.  Foles isn't the first backup QB to lead his team to the Super Bowl, but he certainly looks the part of a starter and is a Sportsman of the Week!

2017-18 NFL Championship Weekend Playoff Preview

A step back, but numbers don't lie. I'm doing pretty good.

After an amazing Divisional Playoff Weekend, it's hard to believe there are only three games left in the NFL season, and by default, the football season.  September is so far away.  But we will remember last weekend forever.  The amazing catch by Stefon Diggs.  The see saw affair between the Jaguars and Steelers.  The last minute gasp and odd fourth down playcall ending the Falcons NFC title defense.  And the Patriots continuing to do what the Patriots do.  Reach the AFC Championship game for the seventh straight season.  The best four teams are left, and we break down the games below.

J.R. Ewing and "Bulldog Babe" (@bulldogbabexo) will offer you a full range analysis of the NFL playoffs week by week.  Here each playoff game will have a short breakdown with thoughts on key factors then a final score predict.  The final score predict then gives you a Straight Up, Over/Under, and Against the Spread (ATS) pick to chew on for "recreation purposes only".  We'll be tracking our own progress.  Or if you're someone with disposable income, gamble away (but this blog is not responsible for losses).

My Steelers are out, but I still got some life in my picks!

Not a good week for either of our pickers last week.  Not horrible, but not good.

J.R. Ewing (0-3-1 ATS, 2-2 S/U, 4-0 O/U).  Not a good week ATS.  Had the Falcons, they lost.  Thought the Titans would keep close, they didn't. Thought the Steelers would roll, nope.  Vikings won by the spread (we won't enter the PAT debate).  At least had the Patriots/Vikings winning and wow, did get a lot of the over/under (the overs were a strong play).  All of J.R.'s picks can be tracked at CappedIn.com
(Totals through two weeks: 4-3-1 ATS, 5-3 S/U, 6-2 O/U). 

Bulldog Babe (1-2-1 ATS, 2-2 S/U, 2-2 O/U).  BDB didn't do bad at all against the spread, hitting with Falcons and Bills covers.  Straight up though, only got the Saints winning (although she will tell you that was her most important game from a rooting interest standpoint).  And we won't talk about the over/under.
(Totals through two weeks: 3-4-1 ATS, 3-5 S/U, 2-6 O/U).

Lines and spreads are from VegasInsider.com.

January 21 2018: 15:05 EST
Jacksonville Jaguars (+9, +350) New England Patriots (-9, -450) O/U 46.5

Jacksonville Jaguars (12-6)
Last eight games: 5-3
Road: 5-4
Against Playoff teams: 3-3 (2-1 on road)

New England Patriots (14-3)
Last thirteen games: 12-1
Home: 7-2
Against Playoff teams: 6-2 (2-2 at home)

J.R. Ewing prediction
The Patriots have been here before, like the last six years before.  It's Foxborough, it's January, it's Tom Brady.  I just don't see them losing this game to the upstart Jaguars and Blake Bortles.  The Jaguars defense is being touted but they did give up 42 points to Pittsburgh.  The machine wins.  The house wins.  It's just the way it works.  Patriots big.
Final Prediction: Patriots 31, Jaguars 21

Bulldog Babe prediction:
Jacksonville had the best upset of the weekend when they came into Pittsburgh and completely dominated. I feel like they had a lot of confidence and they wanted that win and they got it! It was very impressive and as a Steelers fan, I gained a lot of respect for the Jags. They wanted it more than Pittsburgh did. Now they're headed into a tough environment in Foxborough to face the Patriots this weekend and if they come into that game with the same confidence as they did with the Steelers, they can win and I firmly believe they will win. They have a complete team and they are hungry! I have the Jags winning this one.
Final Prediction: Jaguars 24, Patriots 20

January 13, 2018: 18:40 EST
Minnesota Vikings (-3, -170)  at Philadelphia Eagles (+3, +150) O/U 38.5

Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
Last thirteen games: 12-1
Road: 6-2
Against Playoff teams: 4-2 (1-2 on road)

Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
Last six games: 4-2
Home: 8-1
Against Playoff teams: 3-1 (1-0 at home)

J.R. Ewing prediction
I doubted the Eagles last week.  That won't happen again.  I felt like the Falcons were the best offense in the NFC and the Eagles defense tamed them.  The same will happen with the less experienced and frankly less talented Vikings and Case Keenum (which for all intents and purposes should have lost last week).  The Vikings defense is good too, so I see a very low scoring affair.  But the Eagles prevail.
Final Prediction: Eagles 24, Vikings 13

Bulldog Babe prediction:
This is the most deserving NFC matchup. Both of these teams have had an amazing season and they should be very proud. With that being said, only one team can win and I feel like neither team will back down without a fight. Both teams are coming off of close and crazy wins and it makes this weekend's matchup just that much better. I just feel like the Eagles are the stronger team. Yes, Carson Wentz is out with an injury but that's not stopping the Philly offense at all and that will go into this weekend. It will be close for sure, but I have the Eagles winning this. 
Final Prediction: Eagles 34, Vikings 31

J.R. and Bulldog Babe have spoken.  What do you think?  Either comment on our tweet or this post and we'll respond!  Meanwhile, enjoy Championship Sunday!

Sportsman of the Week Ending 1/14/2018

The NFL Playoffs Division Round typically separates the contenders from the pretenders.  The men from the boys.  Teams coming off a week of rest in their own stadium just two wins from the Super Bowl.  The most thrilling game over the weekend was the late game Sunday and it ended in historical fashion.  With ten seconds left on their side of the field and no time outs, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs did the impossible.  Simply hoping for a sideline throw, to set up a field goal try Vikings QB Case Keenum threw a perfect pass (go back and look at the location, it was perfect) to Diggs on the sideline who performed a Houdini act to avoid two defenders and streak down the sideline and score.  Game over, Vikings defeat the New Orleans Saints 29-24.  Diggs was already Keenum's highest yardage yielding target of the day prior to the miracle finish, but the 61 yard strike enabled Diggs to finish with 6 catches, 137 yards, and the 61 yard TD.  In one play, Stefon Diggs rewrote the NFL history books, and certainly earned the Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!

2017-18 NFL Divisional Weekend Playoff Preview

Follow me for ATS profits!

After a Wildcard weekend full of surprises, the NFL playoffs now move to the best eight teams.  Some call the Divisional Playoff Weekend their favorite, because you get a full four games and it literally is the best teams.  Road teams typically don't fare well because 1) they're the inferior team by record, 2) they of course are the road team, and 3) the home team had a week to rest up.  Will there be any upsets?  Vegas thinks so and actually has a road team favorite!  More on that in a minute

J.R. Ewing and "Bulldog Babe" (@bulldogbabexo) will offer you a full range analysis of the NFL playoffs week by week.  Here each playoff game will have a short breakdown with thoughts on key factors then a final score predict.  The final score predict then gives you a Straight Up, Over/Under, and Against the Spread (ATS) pick to chew on for "recreation purposes only".  We'll be tracking our own progress.  Or if you're someone with disposable income, gamble away (but this blog is not responsible for losses).

Down but not out

But first, much to Bulldog Babe's chagrin, we must look back on first week performance.  Hint, it doesn't end well for our Steelers fan.

J.R. Ewing (4-0 ATS, 3-1 S/U, 2-2 O/U).  J.R. hit a parlay on the Jacksonville win, but not cover, while staying under.  Outside of that game, He missed the Titans win along with the over on the Saints/Panthers and the under on the Falcons/Rams.  But a very successful week otherwise.  Be sure to track his plays on CappedIn.com

Bulldog Babe (2-2 ATS, 1-3 S/U, 0-4 O/U).  BDB didn't do bad at all against the spread, hitting with Falcons and Bills covers.  Straight up though, only got the Saints winning (although she will tell you that was her most important game from a rooting interest standpoint).  And we won't talk about the over/under.

We also picked the College Football Playoff final game.  Neither of us had the winner as we both picked Georgia.  Both of us won Georgia ATS as they covered the 4 points.  Bulldog Babe won the over on that one, while JR thought it would be just under (which it was before stupid overtime).

Lines and spreads are from VegasInsider.com.

January 13 2018: 16:35 EST
Atlanta Falcons (-3, -150) at Philadelphia Eagles (+3, +130) O/U 41

Atlanta Falcons (11-6)
Last eight games: 7-2
Road: 6-3
Against Playoff teams: 3-5 (1-3 on road)

Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
Last five games: 3-2
Home: 7-1
Against Playoff teams: 2-1 (0-0 at home)


J.R. Ewing prediction
By far the most intriguing game of the week, when you take the best team in the conference, put them at home, then give them points.  Yes, they do have a backup quarterback.  But backup quarterbacks have had success in the playoffs, such as Jeff Hostetler and Frank Reich.  The Eagles are a more complete team than people think.  However, I do feel like the Falcons are playing their best football of the year and have playoff experience in spades.  I see the Falcons defense continuing to play well and shut down the Eagles for a relatively easy Falcons win.

Final Prediction: Falcons 27, Eagles 13

Bulldog Babe prediction:
This game is tough to predict, to be honest. Atlanta and Philly are both great teams, but there can only be one team good enough to make it to the NFC Championship and I feel like the Eagles are the team. They lost Carson Wentz in the regular season due to a torn ACL, but they have proven they can win through adversity. This weekend will be the same way. Philly wins. 34-20.

Final Prediction: Eagles 34, Falcons 20

January 13, 2018: 20:15 EST
Tennessee Titans (+13.5, +700) at New England Patriots (-13.5, -1100) O/U 48

Tennessee Titans (10-7)
Last five games: 2-3
Road: 4-5
Against Playoff teams: 3-2 (2-1 on road)

New England Patriots (13-3)
Last twelve games: 11-1
Home: 6-2
Against Playoff teams: 5-2 (1-2 at home)

J.R. Ewing prediction
You just don't see point spreads this wide in the playoffs.  Unless you're talking about the Patriots, who had a similar easy first game last year against the Houston Texans (who actually kept it closer than experts thought).  I've railed all year that the Patriots defense isn't that good.  The Titans aren't exactly world beaters, but with Derrick Henry toting the rock and Marcus Mariota creating, this ends up close. Within the points.

Final Prediction: Patriots 31, Titans 24

Bulldog Babe prediction:
I’m all for upsets and I think that will happen in this game. The Titans came back against the Chiefs in dominating fashion to get to this game and that is so crazy considering how down they were the entire first half of that game. I feel like if they can play the way they did in the second half of the Chiefs game, they will have success against the Patriots. New England I feel like just isn’t as dominant as they used to be and they are completely beatable. I think the Titans will upset them this weekend. 31-27.

Final Prediction: Titans 31, Patriots 27

January 14, 2018: 13:05 EST
Jacksonville Jaguars (+7, +300) at Pittsburgh Steelers (-7, -400) O/U 41

Jacksonville Jaguars (11-6)
Last seven games: 4-3
Road: 4-4
Against Playoff teams: 2-3 (1-1 on road)

Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)Last eleven games: 10-1
Home: 6-2
Against Playoff teams: 3-2 (2-2 at home)


J.R. Ewing prediction
The Steelers are playing some of the best ball now having only lost one game to the Patriots in their last 11.  And some thing they actually won that game on a controversial TD reversal.  The Steelers are way too much at home and Jacksonville's defense, while good, won't be able to keep their offense in the game.  Steelers win pretty easily.

Final Prediction: Steelers 27, Jaguars 17

Bulldog Babe prediction:
The rematch from week 5. I don’t think the Steelers will let what happened in week 5 happen again, that was just the one down game they had. I know that getting Antonio Brown back will be huge for the Pittsburgh offense and it will be a factor in how they perform. The absence of Ryan Shazier still looms upon the Pittsburgh defense, but they’ve been able to get after the quarterback and defend the ball really well. I think the Steelers will have enough in the tank this time to get a win & a berth to the AFC Championship.

Final Prediction: Steelers 27, Jaguars 10
 
January 14, 2018: 16:40 EST
New Orleans Saints (+5, +190) at Minnesota Vikings (-5, -230) O/U 46.5

New Orleans Saints (12-5)
Last seven games: 4-3
Road: 4-4
Against Playoff teams: 5-4 (2-3 on road)

Minnesota Vikings (13-3)
Last twelve games: 11-1
Home: 7-1
Against Playoff teams: 3-2 (2-0 at home)

J.R. Ewing prediction
I feel like the Vikings aren't nearly getting the credit they deserve.  Just one loss since October 1.  Case Keenum isn't a game manager, look at the numbers he put up in college.  The Saints, while strong, had a tough game last week and will be tough to get that much energy back up again.  The Vikings win this one relatively pedestrian.

Final Prediction: Vikings 27, Saints 20

Bulldog Babe prediction:
The Vikings have surprised me this season, I can’t believe they’re in the playoffs and were even able to get a first round bye. With a week off, they will be healthy to compete with Drew Brees and the Saints, who are coming off of an incredible win over the Panthers last week. This will be a close one, I feel like and I have the Vikings in this one. I think they can keep their composure and strength long enough to get to the NFC Championship.

Final Prediction: Vikings 27, Saints 24

Can you believe there are only seven football games left this season?  And four are this week.  Don't miss out, find a way to watch!

2012 NFL Week One Playoff Preview

Betting information courtesy of 5dimes.com at the time of post (this blog has no affiliation with that site).

JR Ewing is back for more gambling.  Took a bath in the College Football regular season, but recouped some in the Bowl Season.   It's time for every sports fans favorite time of year, the NFL Playoffs!  Each week (hopefully earlier than Saturday) I'll preview the games, predict final scores (and oh, by the way, see how the straight up, ATS, and O/U bets go).

Without further ado!

January 5, 2013: 16:30 EST
Cincinnati Bengals (+4, +183) vs. Houston Texans (-4, -198) O/U 42.5
A rematch of this exact time slot last year, with the same points spread roughly.  This time, Matt Schaub is healthy, but certainly not hitting on all cylinders.  The Bengals are somewhat of a hot team now (winning 7 of their last 8, but only one of those wins over a playoff team).  The Texans are ice cold, blowing home field advantage in the last two weeks and losing 3 of their last 4.  I think the collapse completes as the Bengals use last years loss as motivation to upset the reeling Texans. Final Prediction: Bengals 23 Texans 14.

January 5, 2013: 20:00 EST
Minnesota Vikings (+7.5, +330) vs. Green Bay Packers (-7.5, -370) O/U 45.5
The Packers didn't figure to lose that much fire power from last year, but a few injuries and some ineffectiveness have rendered this team a little more ordinary than usual.  Another team that blew home field last week might weigh on their minds as they could be sitting at home watching the 49ers have to play this game.  Meanwhile, the Vikings had to play their way in winning 4 in a row, the last two over playoff teams on the road.  And Adrian Peterson is good and on a mission and Green Bay has struggled to stop him.  It's hard enough to win in Green Bay, but to do it twice in 7 days is near impossible.  This one is close, but Green Bay pulls it out. Final Prediction: Packers 27 Vikings 24.

January 6, 2013: 13:00 EST
Indianapolis Colts (+7, +265) vs. Baltimore Ravens (-7, -295) O/U 47
Following the theme above, the road team underdog (Indianapolis) won 5 of 6 to secure the Wild Card easily.  The Ravens, injured on defense and struggling on offense, have lost 4 of 5.  And, note, have a worse record than the Colts.  The Colts got an emotional lift from the return of Chuck Pagano last week (#chuckstrong) while the Ravens will get a boost from Ray Lewis and his retirement announcement.  I'm just not feeling the Ravens in this one, the Colts look like a team that is peaking and are probably the 3rd best AFC team. Final Prediction: Colts 24, Ravens 14.

January 6, 2013: 16:30 EST
Seattle Seahawks (-2.5, -143) vs. Washington Redskins (+2.5, +133) O/U 46.5
Two red hot teams here, Seahawks have won 5 straight and 7 of 8, the Redskins have won 7 straight since their bye week.  There are some questions about RGIII's health and ability to run, but other than that, not much to not like about either of these teams.  Both have rookie QB's so no advantage there.  Very tough to call, I like the Redskins to eek one out at home behind a hungry crowd.  Final Prediction: Redskins 27, Seahawks 24.

For fake gambling purposes, I'll assume $1,000 on S/U, $1,100 on ATS + O/U on the above bets (3 per game, 12 total).  If I had to pick the three "best bets" it would be:
Bengals: Money Line
Colts: ATS
Vikings vs. Packers: Over

Sportsman of the Week Ending 12/16/2012

This week's Sportsman of the Week is probably the front runner for NFL MVP among other sure-to-come honors.  Adrian Peterson hit his eight straight week of 100 yards (six of those over 150 yards) in running for 212 yards on 24 carries (8.8 YPC).  His 82-yard TD scamper was his second of that distance in three weeks. But most importantly, the Vikings, won a virtual Wild Card elimination game on the road against the St. Louis Rams 36-22, putting him in position to wreak havoc for defenses in the playoffs should the Vikings claim the Wild Card spot.  Tough schedule down the stretch at Houston and vs. Green Bay, but for this week, AP is a deserving Longhorndave Sportsman of the Week!