Who Will Play in the 2012 Winter Classic?

Who will play in the 2012 Winter Classic? All signs are pointing to the New York Rangers having one of the slots and it is about time the Classic comes to New York. Let’s look at the prerequisites to host a Winter Classic.

First, it should be an American city. Canada now has their Heritage Classic, which is played on the Sunday before Family Day in Canada, which is also the day before President’s Day in the United States. With a major television network carrying the event in the U.S., the game has to have a decidedly American flavor. New York, last time I checked, was in the lower 48.

Second, the city should be a cold-weather city. The NHL’s refrigeration truck is a marvel, but I do not think the technology is there to withstand 70 degree temperatures. If you looked at the ice in Pittsburgh last Sunday night, the rain and the above freezing temperatures made for a watery mess for some of the third period. The backdrop of palm trees would be nice, but it would not be practical.

Next, the game should involve a big market team to maximize viewership. There is no bigger market than New York. Three of the four American teams that comprise the Original Six have already been represented in the game: Chicago, Detroit, and Boston. Two of those three – Chicago and Boston – have hosted the game.

Who would the Rangers play? Regional rivalries may not play as well to a national audience. For all of the talk about ratings and big markets, the NHL has done very well with Washington-Pittsburgh, Philadelphia-Boston, Detroit-Chicago, and Pittsburgh-Buffalo, which can all be termed regional rivalries in the Northeast or the Great Lakes areas. So, maybe we shouldn’t discount a Rangers-Devils or Rangers-Islanders game on the grand stage. If not, the Rangers could go up against just about any other team. How about an Original Six-Next Six East-West matchup with the Rangers and Kings? The idea of the two biggest media markets coming together to help a sports league that could use all of the press it can get could push this matchup over the top.

Since the Canadiens are in this year’s Heritage Classic, the only Original Six team that has not played outside or booked to play outside would be the Toronto Maple Leafs. So, would a Leafs-Rangers game be that far-fetched? The Leafs were so hard up for the outdoor experience, the Leafs held a practice outside in a city park. The Bruins played in last year’s Winter Classic, but that has not stopped the NHL from tapping the Penguins twice. Then again, Zdeno Chara and Tyler Seguin do not quite have the same cachet as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. But, the Bruins and Rangers are rivals for the better part of a century.

Whether the game would be in the friendly confines of Citi Field or, more likely, the vast expanse of the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, the New York area would be a perfect host for next year’s Winter Classic.

Week 17 NFL Picks and Predictions

Happy New Year everyone! Week 17 normally has a preseason feel to some of the games before the most important ones of the NFL season start up next weekend.

SEASON RESULTS
(Week 16 results in parentheses)

• Picks - Straight Up: 151-89 (.629) (10-6 in Week 16)
• Picks - Against The Spread: 120-112-8 (.517) (11-5 in Week 16)
• Knockout Pool - Out in Round 6 after Week 16 (10-6, Teams Used: Wins - NYG, PHL, SDG, BAL, KCY, IND, NO, PIT, ATL, JAX; Losses - WSH, CHI, NO, NE, TBY, DAL)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play (Start listed first) - 28-17-3 (.615) (2-1 in Week 16: QB (W, 12-4): T. Tebow DEN 24, E. Manning NYG 23; RB (L, 8-6-2): B. Green-Ellis NE 10, M. Forte CHI 22; WR (W, 8-7-1): M. Williams TBY 14, C. Ochocinco CIN 0)

WEEK 17 PICKS
Straight up (win/loss)

• Locals: NYG (W at WSH), NYJ (W vs. BUF), PHL (W vs. DAL), NE (W vs. MIA)
• Big Game Winners: STL (at SEA), IND (vs. TEN), GBY (vs. CHI)
• Other Winners: PIT (at CLE), BAL (vs. CIN), NO (vs. TBY), ATL (vs. CAR), DET (vs. MIN), OAK (at KCY), HOU (vs. JAX), SFO (vs. ARZ), SDG (at DEN)

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: NYG (-3.5 at WSH), NYJ (-1 vs. BUF), DAL (+10 at PHL), NE (-4 vs. MIA)
• Big Game Covers: STL (-2.5 at SEA), TEN (+9.5 at IND), GBY (-10 vs. CHI)
• Other Covers: CLE (+6 vs. PIT), CIN (+9.5 at BAL), TBY (+8 at NO), CAR (+14.5 at ATL), DET (-3 vs. MIN), OAK (+3.5 at KCY), HOU (-3 vs. JAX), ARZ (+6 at SFO), SDG (-3.5 at DEN)

Knockout Pool

• Round 7: Green Bay (vs. Chicago)

PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Kevin Kolb PHL (vs. DAL), Sit Tim Tebow DEN (vs. SDG)
• RB: Start Ryan Mathews SDG (at DEN), Sit Knowshon Moreno DEN (vs. SDG)
• WR: Start Jason Avant PHL (vs. DAL), Sit Johnny Knox CHI (at GBY)

***

Join us for our next Sports With The StatMan (#93) for our first show of 2011 on Wednesday night, January 5th, at 9pm ET. We gear up for the NFL Playoffs with a recap of Week 17 and a preview of Wild Card Weekend. We know the Eagles and Jets will be in action and the Patriots will get a week off to rest up, but will the Giants be in action or watch the playoffs from their couches? We also chat about hockey and baseball.

Show page: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-StatMan
Twitter: http://twitter.com/gstatman
Random Musings blog: http://gstatman.blogspot.com
iTunes: Search "Sports With The StatMan"
Extra audio available at: http://www.cinchcast.com/gstatman

Week 16 NFL Picks and Predictions

Merry Christmas everybody! Here are the picks and predictions for Week 16 in the NFL:

SEASON RESULTS
(Week 15 results in parentheses)

• Picks - Straight Up: 141-83 (.631) (9-7 in Week 15)
• Picks - Against The Spread: 109-107-8 (.504) (10-6 in Week 15)
• Knockout Pool - Out in Round 5 after Week 15 (10-5, Teams Used: Wins - NYG, PHL, SDG, BAL, KCY, IND, NO, PIT, ATL, JAX; Losses - WSH, CHI, NO, NE, TBY)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play (Start listed first) - 26-16-3 (.611) (2-1 in Week 15: QB (W, 11-4): K. Collins TEN 15, R. Fitzpatrick BUF 19; RB (W, 8-5-2): D. McFadden OAK 13, L. McCoy PHL 7; WR (W, 7-7-1): S. Moss WSH 17, M. Sims-Walker JAX 12)

WEEK 16 PICKS
Straight up (win/loss)

• Locals: NYG (W at GBY), NYJ (L at CHI), PHL (W vs. MIN), NE (W at BUF)
• Big Game Winners: NO (at ATL), SFO (at STL), IND (at OAK)
• Other Winners: PIT (vs. CAR), DAL (at ARZ), DET (at MIA), BAL (at CLE), JAX (vs. WSH), KCY (vs. TEN), TBY (vs. SEA), DEN (vs. HOU), SDG (at CIN)

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: NYG (+3 at GBY), CHI (-1 vs. NYJ), PHL (-14 vs. MIN), NE (-8 at BUF)
• Big Game Covers: NO (+2 at ATL), SFO (+2 at STL), IND (-2.5 at OAK)
• Other Covers: PIT (-14 vs. CAR), ARZ (+6.5 vs. DAL), DET (+3 at MIA), BAL (-3 at CLE), WSH (+7 at JAX), KCY (-4.5 vs. TEN), SEA (+6 at TBY), DEN (+3 vs. HOU), SDG (-7.5 at CIN)

Knockout Pool

• Round 6: Dallas (at Arizona)

PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Tim Tebow DEN (vs. HOU), Sit Eli Manning NYG (at GBY)
• RB: Start BenJarvis Green-Ellis NE (at BUF), Sit Matt Forte CHI (vs. NYJ)
• WR: Start Mike Williams TBY (vs. SEA), Sit Chad Ochocinco CIN (vs. SDG)

***

Join us for our next Sports With The StatMan (#92) for our last show of 2010 on Thursday night, December 30th, at 9pm ET. We will give out our 1st Annual StatMan Awards, recognizing the top performances, teams, and moves for the local teams in the New York, Boston, and Philadelphia areas, as well as the best of the year in fantasy sports and more. We will also recap Week 16 in the NFL and the round-robin of NHL games between the Rangers, Devils, and Islanders.

Show page: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-StatMan
Twitter: http://twitter.com/gstatman
Random Musings blog: http://gstatman.blogspot.com
iTunes: Search "Sports With The StatMan"
Extra audio available at: http://www.cinchcast.com/gstatman

Week 15 NFL Picks and Predictions

SEASON RESULTS
(Week 14 results in parentheses)

• Picks - Straight Up: 132-76 (.635) (12-4 in Week 14)
• Picks - Against The Spread: 99-101-8 (.495) (5-10-1 in Week 14)
• Knockout Pool - Alive in Round 5 after Week 14 (10-4, Teams Used: Wins - NYG, PHL, SDG, BAL, KCY, IND, NO, PIT, ATL, JAX; Losses - WSH, CHI, NO, NE, TBY)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play (Start listed first) - 24-15-3 (.607) (2-1 in Week 14: QB (W, 11-3): A. Smith SFO 37, D. Stanton DET 10; RB (W, 7-5-2): K. Moreno DEN 15, T. Choice DAL 2; WR (L, 6-7-1): A. Boldin BAL 4, C. Johnson DET 5)

WEEK 15 PICKS
Straight up (win/loss)

• Locals: NYG (L vs. PHL), NYJ (L at PIT), PHL (W at NYG), NE (W vs. GBY)
• Big Game Winners: BAL (vs. NO), IND (vs. JAX), STL (vs. KCY)
• Other Winners: SDG (vs. SFO), MIA (vs. BUF), DAL (vs. WSH), HOU (at TEN), CLE (at CIN), ARZ (at CAR), TBY (vs. DET), ATL (at SEA), OAK (vs. DEN), CHI (at MIN)

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: PHL (+3 at NYG), NYJ (+5.5 at PIT), NE (-9 vs. GBY)
• Big Game Covers: BAL (-1.5 vs. NO), IND (-5 vs. JAX), STL (+1 vs. KCY)
• Other Covers: SDG (-9.5 vs. SFO), BUF (+6 at MIA), DAL (-6.5 vs. WSH), HOU (+1 at TEN), CLE (+1 at CIN), ARZ (+2.5 at CAR), DET (+5.5 at TBY), ATL (-6.5 at SEA), OAK (-6.5 vs. DEN), CHI (+1.5 at MIN)

Knockout Pool

• Round 5: Tampa Bay (vs. Detroit)

PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Kerry Collins TEN (vs. HOU), Sit Ryan Fitzpatrick BUF (at MIA)
• RB: Start Darren McFadden (vs. DEN), Sit LeSean McCoy PHL (at NYG)
• WR: Start Santana Moss (at DAL), Sit Mike Sims-Walker JAX (at IND)

***

Join us for our next Sports With The StatMan (#91) on Tuesday night, December 21st, at 9pm ET. We will recap the Eagles-Giants slugfest, as Michael Vick and the Eagles will try to win their sixth straight against Eli Manning and the Giants. The Jets are in the middle of the roughest stretch of Mark Sanchez's tenure as quarterback, with a tough schedule and unending scrutiny. Is he able to right the ship? In hockey, Christmas Week will bring about a round-robin for the three New York metro area teams. We'll also take a look at the latest news and rumors in baseball.

Show page: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-StatMan
Twitter: http://twitter.com/gstatman
Random Musings blog: http://gstatman.blogspot.com
iTunes: Search "Sports With The StatMan"
Extra audio available at: http://www.cinchcast.com/gstatman

Week 14 NFL Picks and Predictions

SEASON RESULTS
(Week 13 results in parentheses)

• Picks - Straight Up: 120-72 (.625) (11-5 in Week 13)
• Picks - Against The Spread: 94-91-7 (.508) (8-8 in Week 13)
• Knockout Pool - Alive in Round 5 after Week 13 (9-4, Teams Used: Wins - NYG, PHL, SDG, BAL, KCY, IND, NO, PIT, ATL; Losses - WSH, CHI, NO, NE)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play (Start listed first) - 22-14-3 (.603) (2-1 in Week 13: QB (W, 10-3): J. Flacco BAL 16, M. Sanchez NYJ 2; RB (W, 6-5-2): D. Woodhead NE 11, S. Greene NYJ 6; WR (L, 6-6-1): J. Ford OAK 4, D. Branch NE 14)

WEEK 14 PICKS
Straight up (win/loss)

• Locals: NYG (W at MIN), NYJ (W vs. MIA), PHL (W at DAL), NE (W at CHI)
• Big Game Winners: JAX (vs. OAK), NO (vs. STL), SDG (vs. KCY)
• Other Winners: IND (at TEN), PIT (vs. CIN), GBY (at DET), CLE (at BUF), TBY (at WSH), ATL (at CAR), SFO (vs. SEA), DEN (at ARZ), BAL (at HOU)

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: NYG (-3 at MIN), NYJ (-5.5 vs. MIA), PHL (-3 at DAL), CHI (+3 vs. NE)
• Big Game Covers: JAX (-4.5 vs. OAK), STL (+9.5 at NO), KCY (+7 at SDG)
• Other Covers: IND (-3 at TEN), PIT (-9 vs. CIN), GBY (-6.5 at DET), CLE (+1.5 at BUF), TBY (-1.5 at WSH), ATL (-7 at CAR), SEA (+5 at SFO), DEN (-3 at ARZ), BAL (-3 at HOU)

Knockout Pool

• Round 5: Jacksonville (vs. Oakland)

PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Alex Smith SFO (vs. SEA), Sit Drew Stanton DET (vs. GBY)
• RB: Start Knowshon Moreno DEN (at ARZ), Sit Tashard Choice DAL (vs. PHL)
• WR: Start Anquan Boldin BAL (at HOU), Sit Calvin Johnson DET (vs. GBY)

***

Join us for our next Sports With The StatMan (#90) on Wednesday night, December 15th, at 9pm ET. We will preview the pivotal Eagles-Giants matchup, as well as the rest of the matchups in Week 15. In hockey, how will the Rangers do against some of the best in the NHL and what is with the Flyers and overtime? Plus, will Cliff Lee sign by Wednesday and which team will he pick?

Show page: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-StatMan
Twitter: http://twitter.com/gstatman
Random Musings blog: http://gstatman.blogspot.com
iTunes: Search "Sports With The StatMan"
Extra audio available at: http://www.cinchcast.com/gstatman

Week 13 NFL Picks and Predictions

SEASON RESULTS
(Week 12 results in parentheses)

• Picks - Straight Up: 109-67 (.619) (11-5 in Week 12)
• Picks - Against The Spread: 86-83-7 (.509) (7-9 in Week 12)
• Knockout Pool - Alive in Round 5 after Week 12 (8-4, Teams Used: Wins - NYG, PHL, SDG, BAL, KCY, IND, NO, PIT; Losses - WSH, CHI, NO, NE)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play (Start listed first) - 20-13-3 (.597) (1-1-1 in Week 12: QB (W, 9-3): E. Manning NYG 25, D. Garrard JAX 13; RB (L, 5-5-2): M. Lynch SEA 3, F. Jackson BUF 27; WR (P, 6-5-1): S. Rice MIN 2, D. Jackson PHL 2)

WEEK 13 PICKS
Straight up (win/loss)

• Locals: NYG (W vs. WSH), NYJ (W at NE), PHL (W vs. HOU), NE (L vs. NYJ)
• Big Game Winners: ATL (at TBY), PIT (at BAL), TEN (vs. JAX)
• Other Winners: MIN (vs. BUF), NO (at CIN), GBY (vs. SFO), KCY (vs. DEN), CLE (at MIA), DET (vs. CHI), SDG (vs. OAK), SEA (vs. CAR), IND (vs. DAL), STL (at ARZ)

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: NYG (-7 vs. WSH), NYJ (+3 at NE), PHL (-8 vs. HOU)
• Big Game Covers: ATL (-3 at TBY), PIT (+3 at BAL), TEN (-3 vs. JAX)
• Other Covers: BUF (+5.5 at MIN), NO (-6.5 at CIN), SFO (+9.5 at GBY), DEN (+9 at KCY), CLE (+5 at MIA), DET (+4.5 vs. CHI), SDG (-12.5 vs. OAK), SEA (-6 vs. CAR), IND (-5 vs. DAL), STL (-3 at ARZ)

Knockout Pool

• Round 5: Atlanta (at Tampa Bay)

PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Joe Flacco BAL (vs. PIT), Sit Mark Sanchez NYJ (at NE)
• RB: Start Danny Woodhead NE (vs. NYJ), Sit Shonn Greene NYJ (at NE)
• WR: Start Jacoby Ford OAK (at SDG), Sit Deion Branch NE (vs. NYJ)

***

Join us for our next Sports With The StatMan (#89) on Wednesday night, December 8th, at 9pm ET. We will recap the Jets-Patriots in their fight for the upper hand in the AFCE East and preview Week 14 around the NFL. In hockey, we will look at the All-Pro injured list. And, we will have the latest updates on free agent movement in baseball.

Show page: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-StatMan
Twitter: http://twitter.com/gstatman
Random Musings blog: http://gstatman.blogspot.com
iTunes: Search "Sports With The StatMan"
Extra audio available at: http://www.cinchcast.com/gstatman

Week 12 NFL Picks and Predictions

SEASON RESULTS
(Week 11 results in parentheses)

• Picks - Straight Up: 98-62 (.616) (10-6 in Week 11)
• Picks - Against The Spread: 79-74-7 (.516) (7-9 in Week 11)
• Knockout Pool - Alive in Round 5 after Week 11 (7-4, Teams Used: Wins - NYG, PHL, SDG, BAL, KCY, IND, NO; Losses - WSH, CHI, NO, NE)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play (Start listed first) - 19-12-2 (.606) (2-1 in Week 11: QB (W, 8-3): M. Sanchez NYJ 30, M. Cassel KCY 18; RB (L, 5-4-2): C. Benson CIN 17, A. Foster HOU 20; WR (W, 6-5): N. Washington TEN 11, A. Boldin BAL 1)

WEEK 12 PICKS
Straight up (win/loss)

• Locals: NYG (W vs. JAX), NYJ (vs. CIN), PHL (W at CHI), NE (W at DET)
• Big Game Winners: GBY (at ATL), BAL (vs. TBY), SDG (at IND)
• Other Winners: NO (at DAL), MIN (at WSH), HOU (vs. TEN), CLE (vs. CAR), PIT (at BUF), SEA (vs. KCY), OAK (vs. MIA), DEN (vs. STL), SFO (at ARZ)

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: JAX (+7 at NYG), NYJ (-8.5 vs. CIN), PHL (-3 at CHI), NE (-6.5 at DET)
• Big Game Covers: GBY (+1.5 at ATL), TBY (+7.5 at BAL), SDG (+3 at IND)
• Other Covers: NO (-3.5 at DAL), MIN (+1 at WSH), TEN (+6.5 at HOU), CLE (-10 vs. CAR), PIT (-6.5 at BUF), SEA (+2 vs. KCY), OAK (+0.5 vs. MIA), DEN (-4 vs. STL), SFO (-1 at BUF)

Knockout Pool

• Round 5: Pittsburgh (at Buffalo)

PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Eli Manning NYG (vs. JAX), Sit David Garrard JAX (at NYG)
• RB: Start Marshawn Lynch SEA (vs. KCY), Sit Fred Jackson BUF (vs. PIT)
• WR: Start Sidney Rice MIN (at WSH), Sit DeSean Jackson PHL (at CHI)

***

Join us for our next Sports With The StatMan (#88) on Wednesday night, December 1st, at 9pm ET. We will preview the upcoming Jets-Patriots clash in Foxboro, review Week 12, and preview Week 13 around the NFL. In hockey, we will preview all of the local matchups in December. Plus, we will keep the Hot Stove fires burning with news and views on the baseball offseason.

Show page: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-StatMan
Twitter: http://twitter.com/gstatman
Random Musings blog: http://gstatman.blogspot.com
iTunes: Search "Sports With The StatMan"
Extra audio available at: http://www.cinchcast.com/gstatman