The latest AWIR is coming down your chimney
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by JB82
Yes, just like Santa Claus his own self, Santa JB82 is here with loads of goodies for sports fans the world over. So, let's dish out the gifts...
NFL Week 16
- The New England Patriots found all sorts of history in their stocking on Sunday; the Pats became the first team in NFL history to go 15-0 in the regular season, and set the regular season record for team touchdowns (71) in a 28-7 win over the Miami Dolphins. Tom Brady got to within spitting distance of Peyton Manning's single-season TD record with three touchdowns from his arm, two of which found Randy Moss.
- The Cleveland Browns came into their twice-annual Battle of the Buckeye State knowing that beating their in-state rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, would give them a playoff berth. Derek Anderson tried to make up for four interceptions with a fourth-quarter rally, but his end zone shot didn't find anyone (it was almost picked off, though) and the Browns will have to wait for next week to get in to the playoff party thanks to a 19-14 loss in Porkopolis.
- The Tennessee Titans didn't help the Browns' cause, either. Their 10-6 win over the New York Jets also gave the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had already played on Thursday, the AFC North title.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars continued their hot streak with a 49-11 rout of the Oakland Raiders.
- Just in time for Christmas and the holiday season, Buffalo Bills fans got to see Kevin Everett return to Ralph Wilson Stadium, where he was injured just over three months ago and initially rent a paraplegic. Now walking under his own power, Everett initially was a good luck charm in the quest to keep the New York Giants out of the NFC playoff picture. However, Big Blue overcame a sluggish start and rode an Ahmad Bradshaw touchdown and two interception returns to a 38-21 comeback clincher.
- It was good that the Giants were able to get in, as the New Orleans Saints lost their game with the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-23.
- Tony Romo threw for 257 yards and were able to overcome Terrell Owens' high ankle sprain in the Dallas Cowboys' 29-22 win on Saturday over the Carolina Panthers. The Pokes were able to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with the Green Bay Packers' 35-7 loss against the Chicago Bears, where the Windy City truly lived up to its moniker.
- The Washington Redskins also got into the playoffs with a 32-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings, whom they kept from clinching, on Sunday night.
CFB Bowl Madness
- If you've never heard of Rusty Smith, here's your introduction to him. The Florida Atlantic quarterback threw for five touchdowns in the Owls' 44-27 rout of Memphis in the New Orleans Bowl on Friday.
- Saturday saw three bowl games, the first of which saw Cincinnati edge Southern Miss, 31-21, in the PapaJohns.com Bowl. Ben Mauk threw for four scores, two of which got to Dominick Goodman's hands.
- The inaugural New Mexico Bowl went to the hosts (New Mexico – EDITOR'S NOTE: DUH!) 23-0 over Nevada.
- BYU blocked a last-second field goal attempt as the Cougars defeated UCLA (under the temporary aegis of DeWayne Walker), 17-16 in the Las Vegas Bowl.
- Sunday's Aloha Bowl, on the other hand, saw East Carolina get its first bowl win since 2000 with a Ben Hartman field goal, 41-38, over Boise State.
Across the Pond
- While Chelsea scored a 1-0 win away at Blackburn, the Lions were concerned for goalkeeper Petr Cech. Cech suffered an injury to one of his sides in a collision with Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz. Though he played hurt for over 10 minutes, Cech eventually had to leave. Henrique Hilario will start the next match on Boxing Day (the day after Xmas, for the uninitiated), as Chelsea also have backup Carlo Cudicini on the shelf.
- Arsenal defeated Tottenham 2-1, while Manchester United stayed one point behind the Gunners with the same tally against Everton thanks to two goals by Cristiano Ronaldo, the last of which was a penalty kick.
- Another double came from Francisco Torres in Liverpool's 4-1 rout of Portsmouth. A third example is Nicolas Anelka's double shot in Bolton's 3-0 blanking of Birmingham City.
- Three clubs could be relegated at season's end in what is known as the "Curse of Christmas": Sunderland, Wigan and Derby County.
Driving the lane
- Just like the Patriots, Kobe Bryant also made history on Sunday. The Los Angeles Lakers guard became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 20,000 career points, doing so in a 95-90 win over the New York Knicks. Bryant also got 39 points and 11 rebounds, too.
- As if their 94-82 loss to the Detroit Pistons wasn't bad enough, the Houston Rockets also lost Tracy McGrady to an aggravated knee injury in the second half. How long he'll be out remains to be seen...
- Chris Douglas-Roberts got 24 points and eight boards as undefeated Memphis upset Georgetown, 85-71.
Some more Mitchell fallout
- A week after Andy Pettite apologized for his HGH usage, fellow teammate Roger Clemens denied that he ever took it. In fact, Clemens went so far as to put a video out on YouTube (and his website).
He's made his list, he's checked it twice
Time to find out who's been naughty and nice...
This dude's getting a big present under the tree
Florida Atlantic coach Howard Schnellenberger: In six years, he has seen the Owls go from Division I-AA (Football Championship Subdivision these days) to a win on Friday in the New Orleans Bowl on Friday. They've come a long way, folks...
This dope's getting a lump of coal in his stocking
Remember when Florida State football was one of the dominating programs in the country? Well, the Seminoles reached a new low when it was announced on Friday that there will by a total of 36 players – 36 PLAYERS, JERRY!!! – who will miss the Music City Bowl on New Year's Eve.
Some final words
The Armchair Year in Review will be published next weekend, along with next week's AWIR. So, if you've got time during this holiday week, vote in the polls, which close this coming Saturday (12.29).
From all of us here at AWIR World Headquarters, we wish you many blessings this Christmas and holiday season. Oh, and let's all be good sports...
