FIBA Americas

I haven't paid much attention to the FIBA tourney, more interested in US Open Tennis, Euro Basket and the return of NCAA football. I was surprised that Brazil crashed out in group play without much effort considering the beatdown they just laid on everyone in the Pan Am Games; why show up for that competition and sandbag this one? With no USA, no Brazil, it feels like Canada is ready to curb stomp the remaining competitors.

Canada plays Venezuela on one side and Argentina plays Mexico on the other. I just don't see how Venezuela hangs with Canada nor how the winner of the other semi could hang with Canada. But the games still have to be played and Argentina has plenty of veteran savvy (re: old guys). Hang a Maple Leaf on it, this tourney looks done to me.

NFL Predictions

Ahhh, football is back.  Time to predict the future.

AFC
X Pats (2) X Bengals (4) X Colts (1) X Broncos (3)
Y Dolphins (5) Y Steelers (6) Texans Chiefs
Bills Ravens Titans Chargers
Jets Browns Jags Raiders

Steelers over Broncos, Bengals over Dolphins
Steelers over Colts, Pats over Bengals
Pats over Steelers

Colts ready to bust out, Pats are still better than everybody, Broncos'll be gassed by playoffs, I like the Bengals to win a playoff game, Dolphins will have a good D, I like the Steelers to go deep.

NFC
X Cowboys (3) X Packers (1) X Falcons (4) X Seahawks (2)
Y Eagles (5) Vikings Panthers Y Cards (6)
Redskins Lions Bucs Rams
Giants Bears Saints Niners

Cowboys over Cards, Eagles over Falcons
Packers over Eagles, Cowboys over Seahawks
Packers over Cowboys
Packers over Patriots

Packers still the best, Seahawks fade in the playoffs, Cowboys have another year of overachieving, Falcons offense should be pretty awesome, Eagles will be interesting to watch and will pose problems in the post-season, Cards are stout enough to make the playoffs.

(Got a feeling Eli, Brees, Cutler, Peyton and Rivers all fall off this year while Roethlisberger, Luck and Romo dominate)