Laura's Fantasy

It might be hard to top this year’s opening round which featured a record 17 overtime contests, three Game 7s (including a heartbreaker for the Leafs) and plenty of upsets (see ya later two and three seeds). But Round 2 doesn’t look too shabby either with two Original 6 match-ups, a lone Canadian representative plus the defending Stanley Cup champs all alive and kicking.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs (7) OTTAWA SENATORS
The Pens and Sens experienced very different opening rounds. While Ottawa is brimming with confidence after upsetting Montreal in five games, Pittsburgh got more than it bargained for with the upstart New York Islanders. The Sens advanced thanks to their two strengths – goaltending and defence. Craig Anderson continued his hot play from the regular season posting a 1.80 GAA while not allowing a single third period goal to the Canadiens. He will definitely have his hands full though against Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Co. (three of the top four scorers this postseason are Pens) and a power play unit that went 7-for-21 in the opening round. But Ottawa allowed just nine goals in its first series and the team’s set of big and mobile defensemen (Jared Cowen, Chris Phillips, Marc Methot and Eric Gryba) will look to wear down Pittsburgh’s skill players. We know the Pens can score but they’ll only go as far as their goaltending will take them. After a shutout in Game 1, it appeared Marc-Andre Fleury’s playoff struggles from a year ago were behind him but then the 28-year old allowed 14 goals over the next three contests. Tomas Vokoun stepped in and helped the Pens close out the Islanders by giving up just three goals the rest of the way. But will this goalie carousel become a distraction the entire series? Pittsburgh looked lackadaisical at times against New York and it won’t be able to get away with that against a determined Ottawa team. But the Pens may have just needed a series to get their mojo flowing, which is bad news for the rest of the league.
PENS IN 6

(4) BOSTON BRUINS vs (6) NEW YORK RANGERS
Luckily for the Bruins, there was no 2010 déjà vu as they completed a historic Game 7 comeback over the Leafs setting up this Original 6 postseason match-up for the first time in 40 years. It was almost a case of too little too late for Boston, but maybe this is exactly what the team needed to ramp up the intensity. Despite looking tired and listless for long stretches, the Bruins used their size, skill and experience to advance getting contributions from Milan Lucic, David Krejci (the playoffs leading scorer) and Patrice Bergeron (scored the tying and winning goals in Game 7). And while Boston ran into a hot goalie in the opening round in James Reimer, there’s a large possibility that could happen again in Round 2. Facing elimination in both Games 6 and 7, Henrik Lundqvist posted back-to-back shutouts while allowing just eight goals over the final five games. New York’s offence though was far less effective scoring one goal or less four times against Washington before exploding for five in the decisive Game 7. If the Rangers are to advance they’ll need to get more out of Rick Nash (two assists), Brad Richards (one goal) and Ryan Callahan (one goal) as well as their anemic power play which went just 2-for-28. But most impressive was the play of the New York defence which shut down Alex Ovechkin keeping this year’s Rocket Richard Trophy winner off the scoresheet in each of the final five games. In what should be a tightly contested series, the Rangers advantage in net gives them the edge. RANGERS IN 7 

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS vs (7) DETROIT RED WINGS
After a wild opening round series that saw the Red Wings win three overtime games over the second seeded Ducks, things don’t get any easier as Detroit must now prepare for this year’s Presidents’ Trophy winners. Pavel Datsyuk (two goals, five assists) and Henrik Zetterberg (seven points in the final three games) further distinguished themselves among the game’s elite while the young defensive corps did make some mistakes, but buckled down when it mattered most. Jimmy Howard though will have to bring his A-game against one of the most explosive offences in the league. While Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews didn’t score a goal against Minnesota, lesser known players like Bryan Bickell, Marcus Kruger and Michael Frolik all stepped up as 11 forwards recorded at least a point for Chicago (Patrick Sharp led the way with five goals). The Blackhawks special teams were lights out (the Wild power play went a dismal 0-for-17 in the series) while Corey Crawford was solid allowing just seven goals en route to his first career playoff series win. Detroit’s offence will create more problems for Chicago than Minnesota’s, but it will be interesting to see how much the Red Wings have left in the tank after their thrilling opening round victory that not only needed seven games, but also required travelling back and forth through multiple time zones. This is the 16th time these storied franchises have met in the postseason and while Detroit has a good blend of youth and experience, it won’t be enough to beat a Chicago club that’s clicking on all cylinders. BLACKHAWKS IN 6

(5) LOS ANGELES KINGS vs (6) SAN JOSE SHARKS
Goaltending will be front and centre in this Battle of California. On one side stands Jonathan Quick who just got better as the opening round progressed (the reigning Conn Smythe winner allowed only six goals over the final four games) while on the other is Antti Niemi and his 1.86 first round GAA (the Vezina Trophy finalist faced an average of 29.5 shots per game against Vancouver). Goals may be hard to come by, yet both teams have the fire power to apply the pressure. The Sharks boast three strong lines (led by Logan Couture, Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau) presenting a defensive challenge for the Kings. San Jose exhibited few weaknesses in the opening round getting solid contributions from the defence (all six d-men recorded at least a point) and special teams as the club trailed for just 20:38 the entire series. Throw in the fact the Sharks haven’t played since sweeping the Canucks on May 7, and they enter this match-up with some momentum. But so do the Kings who survived a physical tilt with the Blues, winning the final four games to advance. With the likes of Jeff Carter, Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards and Dustin Brown, Los Angeles does have the means to match San Jose goal for goal plus the team has home ice advantage for the first time since 1992 (winners of 11 straight at the Staples Center). But this series will come down to the netminders and while Niemi has been fantastic, Quick is starting to resemble the goalie that led the Kings to the Cup a year ago. KINGS IN 7

The opening round was ripe with storylines. The Warriors became the darlings of the postseason, both LA-based teams suffered disappointments while some major injuries (David Lee and Russell Westbrook) shifted the playoff landscape. And with all this drama, the Heat and Spurs watched from the sidelines after cruising to easy victories. So what’s in store for the second round?

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) MIAMI HEAT vs (5) CHICAGO BULLS
Miami easily rolled through the opening round dispatching Milwaukee in a tidy four game sweep, winning each contest by double digits. For stretches LeBron James (recently named MVP for the fourth time in his career) never seemed to break a sweat and the Bulls are all too familiar with what he can do on the court. The week off has made the best team in the league even better now that Dwyane Wade has had time to rest his lingering knee injury which forced him to miss the clinching game against the Bucks. It’s a case of pick your poison with the Heat – load up on LBJ and that opens up the wings for Miami’s sharpshooters (Ray Allen, Shane Battier and Mike Miller) but put more men on Wade and that only fuels Chris Bosh’s game. And unfortunately for the Bulls, they come into this series severely undermanned (Derrick Rose will not play in the second round). Despite all the injuries (Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich and a hobbled Joakim Noah) and a weakened defence, Chicago overcame those shortcomings to beat Brooklyn in seven games. And that’s the thing with the Bulls – thanks to their grit and tenacity (and the play of Nate Robinson), the team keeps defying expectations. Chicago put an end to Miami’s impressive 27-game winning streak back in March because of its physical style that made things uncomfortable for the defending champs. But this time around, the Bulls are too battered (especially if Deng remains out) to present much of a challenge. HEAT IN 5

(2) NEW YORK KNICKS vs (3) INDIANA PACERS
The Knicks are fresh off their first postseason series win since 2000 and they did it after getting a so-so performance from this year’s scoring champ, Carmelo Anthony. Bothered by a shoulder injury, Melo shot just 38% against the Celtics (as did Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith) but New York advanced because of its improved defensive play (Boston averaged just 82 points in the series). Health could prove to be pivotal in this match-up against the Pacers – how hurt is Anthony and will Amar’e Stoudemire make an appearance (targeting a Game 3 return after undergoing knee surgery in March)? New York’s offence has struggled against Indiana however scoring almost 14 fewer points than its average (from 100 to 86) in four matchups this year. The Knicks also won’t be able to rely on the three versus a Pacers group that was the best at defending beyond the arc in the regular season (32.7% opponent success rate). Indiana was plagued by inconsistencies in its opening round win over Atlanta, especially on the road where it lost two games by a combined 32 points (although it won the deciding Game 6 at Philips Arena). But the Pacers gained a lot of confidence in that series as Paul George continues to blossom (18.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5 assists) while his supporting cast provided solid contributions (Roy Hibbert, David West and George Hill all averaged over 14 points per game). Now if Indiana can maintain that scoring balance and continue to play shut down defence, New York is in big trouble. PACERS IN 7

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER vs (5) MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The whole dynamic of this Thunder team was greatly altered after Russell Westbrook suffered a season-ending knee injury during the opening round. But the reality is OKC still has the best player on either team in its lineup and the offence goes as Kevin Durant goes. But KD won’t be able to do it alone so Kevin Martin, Derek Fisher and Reggie Jackson will have to pick up the slack. Tony Allen and that smothering Grizzlies defence will be there every step of the way however to make life as difficult for Durant as possible. Memphis may have allowed the fewest points in the regular season (89.3 per game) but defence wasn’t the main reason why this team advanced to the second round. The Grizzlies are by no means an offensive juggernaut but they have turned it up a notch this postseason. Mike Conley (17.3 points and 8.3 assists, both above his season averages) elevated his play against the Clippers creating more opportunities for Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph to do what they do best in the post. After scoring just 93 points per game in the regular season, the team averaged 100 against a pretty good Los Angeles defence. The Thunder’s D will have to play better this series than it did against the Rockets and hope that Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins can win the battle inside. Momentum is definitely with the Grizzlies after winning four straight over the Clippers (all by double digits no less) and they’ll ride that into the next round. GRIZZLIES IN 6

(2) SAN ANTONIO SPURS vs (6) GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
With the Thunder shorthanded and both the Nuggets and Clippers eliminated, the Spurs are now the favourites to win the West. The week off was equally good for the ailing (Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Tiago Splitter) as well as the aging (Tim Duncan) making San Antonio that much more dangerous. But after sweeping an injury riddled Lakers team, the Spurs must now contend with an entirely different opponent. The youthful Warriors looked nothing but against the Nuggets using their accurate shooting to become the postseason’s most entertaining team (regrets to the Heat). With his catch and shoot abilities, Stephen Curry is a defensive nightmare and along with Jarrett Jack, Klay Thompson and the effective Andrew Bogut, Golden State has the weapons to put up points in a hurry. And if David Lee is able to return (he played 1:27 in Game 6 after suffering what was believed to be a season ending hip injury in the series opener), the Warriors offence will be locked and loaded. But San Antonio’s defence is much better than Denver’s and points won’t come as easy with Parker, Danny Green and Cory Joseph on the prowl. Even though the Warriors are riding high, the Spurs are just too good at executing their system top to bottom. Throw in the fact Golden State hasn’t won in San Antonio since 1997 (a span of 29 games), and the Cinderella story will come to an end. SPURS IN 5

As those playoff beards start to grow, so begins the quest to raise Lord Stanley’s Mug. There are some new faces in the mix (the Leafs and Islanders) and some grizzled vets (the Red Wings and Bruins) plus all of the Original 6 teams are in. And that adds up to a sizzling opening round in the NHL playoffs.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs (8) NEW YORK ISLANDERS
After qualifying for the postseason for the first time in six years, the Islanders have their hands full drawing arguably the best team in the entire league in the first round. The Penguins have had a remarkable season not only because of their impressive points total (72), but they managed to do so without some key playmakers for long stretches most notably Sidney Crosby who hasn’t played since breaking his jaw back on March 30. But Pittsburgh is close to full strength now (James Neal, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang have all returned) while the team also brought in reinforcements at the deadline (Jussi Jokinen, Jarome Iginla and Brenden Morrow). The Penguins are an incredibly deep and confident club and the Islanders sure are hoping they won’t have to see #87 on the ice this series (Crosby has 20 goals and 55 assists in 41 career games against New York). The Islanders have some weapons to keep up with Pittsburgh’s top ranked offence (John Tavares had 28 goals while Matt Moulson added 44 points) but more than anything this will be a good learning experience for a young New York team that’s definitely on the rise. PENGUINS IN 4

(2) MONTREAL CANADIENS vs (7) OTTAWA SENATORS
Ignore the seedings for this series because on paper the Habs and Sens are quite evenly matched. Surprisingly, 2013 marks the first time these two division rivals have met in the postseason. Could this be the start of a new rivalry? Both teams boast young, game changing defencemen (P.K. Subban and the Wolverine-like Erik Karlsson) and solid netminders (Carey Price and Craig Anderson). But while Ottawa heads into the playoffs with some confidence (winners of six of the last nine), which Montreal team will we see? Will it be the one that stumbled and lost five of six mid-month or the one that finished with convincing wins over the Jets and the playoff-bound Leafs (outscoring them 8-3 in the process)? One of Montreal’s biggest strengths is its balanced offensive attack (eight players finished with double digit goals) but scoring won’t be easy against an Ottawa club that prides itself on its defence and goaltending (Anderson had a 1.69 GAA). The fact the Sens made the postseason to begin with is quite an achievement considering all the injuries (Jason Spezza remains out following back surgery) but their postseason ride won’t end in the first round. SENATORS IN 7

(3) WASHINGTON CAPITALS vs (6) NEW YORK RANGERS
For the fourth time in five years, the Capitals and Rangers are playoff opponents and offence will be front and centre. After being left for dead after a dreadful 2-8-1 start, Washington won an impressive 15 of its remaining 19 games to shoot up the standings and capture yet another Southeast division title. Not surprisingly, the team’s resurgence coincided with Alexander Ovechkin’s elevated play as the Russian scored 22 goals over the final 21 contests. Along with The Great 8’s offensive ability, the Capitals also boast the league’s top scoring defenceman in Mike Green (12 goals) along with compliments Mike Ribeiro and Nicklas Backstrom. Now the Rangers may not have taken the hockey world by storm in 2013 like many expected, but they may be hitting their stride at just the right time. New York not only finished with a 10-3-1 record down the stretch, but the club averaged an 3.6 goals per game since the deadline, the highest clip in the NHL over that span. Henrik Lundqvist was equally solid allowing two or fewer goals in 16 of his last 20 appearances. This could be the best series of the opening round. CAPITALS IN 6

(4) BOSTON BRUINS vs (5) TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
There’s plenty more to this series than just the obvious story lines (the Leafs are in the postseason after a nine year absence and Phil Kessel is playing against his former team). But whether Kessel likes it or not, the spotlight will be firmly placed on the 25-year old. How will he respond? With the playoffs approaching, Kessel went on quite a tear recording 18 points in 12 April games, but he isn’t the only Leaf who can put pucks in the net (along with Joffrey Lupul, Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk, Toronto finished sixth in goals scored). Depth may not be an issue but Toronto has hardly played inspired hockey lately and where Boston holds a definite advantage is experience. This is a team that knows what it takes to win (captured the Cup in 2011) but hasn’t shown much of that recently either. Boston lost a chance at the Northeast by dropping seven of its last nine and desperately needs to find that “on” switch now that the postseason has arrived. But the reality is, the Leafs haven’t had much luck against the Bruins (losing nine of 10 to their division rivals) and that should continue in this series. BRUINS IN 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS vs (8) MINNESOTA WILD
The Blackhawks shot out of the gates beginning the season on an NHL record 24-game point streak and never looked back finishing the campaign with just seven regulation losses and the Presidents’ Trophy. Much like Pittsburgh in the East, Chicago is one of the deepest teams in the league with few weaknesses as the club led the conference in goals scored (149) while allowing the fewest (97) in the entire NHL. With Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews leading the attack (both scored 23 goals) along with Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith and youngster Brandon Saad, the Hawks have four dangerous lines at their disposal which doesn’t bode well for the Wild. Minnesota ranked 22nd in goals scored during the regular season so a lot of the pressure will fall on the shoulders of goalie Niklas Backstrom to keep this series competitive. The Finnish netminder tied for most wins in the NHL (24) but struggled to close out the season giving up three or more goals in five of his last seven starts. After making 42 appearances already, Backstrom might not have enough left in the tank to keep the Wild around for long. BLACKHAWKS IN 4

(2) ANAHEIM DUCKS vs (7) DETROIT RED WINGS
The Red Wings may have needed all 48 games, but they finally clinched a playoff berth in their regular season finale to qualify for the postseason for a 22nd straight time. But this Detroit team looks different from previous ones. Beginning with the absence of the now retired Nicklas Lidstrom, these Wings are more about grinding out wins than blowing out opponents (although they won their final four contests by a 15-3 margin). Detroit still has the personnel to put points on the board (namely Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg) but the focus has definitely shifted. Anaheim on the other hand was second in the West in scoring thanks to a platoon of weapons such as Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu Selanne and Bobby Ryan. Despite finishing with the NHL’s third best record, the Ducks are still flying under the radar. Along with that scoring depth, the Pacific champs were a force at home (won 13 straight at the Honda Center this year) as well as the road (14 wins) while boasting an effective two headed monster in net (Jonas Hiller and Viktor Fasth both had 15 wins). People won’t be overlooking this team much longer. DUCKS IN 6

(3) VANCOUVER CANUCKS vs (6) SAN JOSE SHARKS
Goalie questions in Vancouver during the playoffs? You don’t say! Well this time it’s regarding the health of Cory Schneider who missed the final two games of the regular season with an “unknown injury”. If he isn’t able to go (or is limited), Roberto Luongo is waiting in the wings. But perhaps the netminder that deserves the attention this series is San Jose’s Antii Niemi. Overuse could be an issue (Niemi started 43 games and posted a 2.16 GAA and a .924 save percentage) but the Sharks will continue to ride the horse that got them here. And make no mistake, Niemi will have to be at his best against a Canucks team that may have rediscovered its mojo at the best time possible. Ryan Kesler could be the x-factor for Vancouver as his energy and scoring ability will get defenders to focus on other players not named Sedin. But if San Jose can steal a win in Vancouver, the Canucks could be in trouble. Not only did the Sharks win all three head-to-head meetings this season, they also suffered just two regulation losses at HP Pavilion. Home ice will be crucial. SHARKS IN 7

(4) ST. LOUIS BLUES vs (5) LOS ANGELES KINGS
This isn’t the sexiest first round match-up, but for hockey purists it might be the most rewarding. The Blues compiled a sizzling 12-3 record to end the season that propelled them to home-ice advantage in this series. From the balanced scoring (Chris Stewart and Patrik Berglund were two of five players to score 25 points or more) to the defence (which underwent a makeover with the mid-season additions of Jay Bouwmeester and Jordan Leopold), St. Louis has the blueprint for successful. The biggest question mark though could be Brian Elliott who has experienced a little bit of everything this campaign. But the 28-year old ended on a high note posting a 1.28 GAA and .948 save percentage in the month of April. Elliott will have to maintain that stinginess against a Kings team that looks eerily similar. Los Angeles can score (six players had 25 points or more), has a proven netminder (Jonathan Quick claimed the Conn Smythe a year ago) and has won eight straight against St. Louis. These teams are evenly matched which should result in a physical and low scoring series.  But this time the Blues will have the last laugh. BLUES IN 6

The grind of the regular season is now just a distant memory as 16 teams set their sights on the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Will there be a new champion this year or will LeBron and company make it two in a row? One thing’s for sure, the opening round serves up some delicious match-ups for NBA fans. 

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) MIAMI HEAT vs (8) MILWAUKEE BUCKS
In what is the biggest mismatch of the opening round, the Bucks will try and do the seemingly impossible and knock off the NBA’s best team. The Heat won a franchise record 66 games (including 37 of the last 39) and didn’t really face much adversity all season. When one of the Big 3 was unable to play, the supporting cast picked up the slack while LeBron James (unbelievably so) is having perhaps the best all-around season of his career (26.8 points, 8 rebounds and 7.2 assists). Miami can turn on the intensity when it has to offensively or defensively and Milwaukee simply doesn’t have the personnel to keep up. The Bucks are the only playoff team with a sub-500 record as they stumbled down the stretch winning just four of their remaining 16 games. Yes the Bucks have two explosive guards in Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings plus shot block specialist Larry Sanders who could steal them a game, but don’t bet on it. HEAT IN 4  

(2) NEW YORK KNICKS vs (7) BOSTON CELTICS
With Carmelo Anthony having a career year (the NBA’s scoring champ with 28.7 points per game), a strong bench (led by J.R. Smith) plus a lethal 3-point attack (Smith, Steve Novak, Chris Copeland and Jason Kidd), the Knicks won their first division title in 19 years and have the pieces to go far this postseason. But first they’ll have to go through the Celtics, who have lost a bit of their punch without point guard Rajon Rondo. Boston still poses a formidable challenge however because of its rugged defence, which will look to get Anthony out of his rhythm. This is likely the final go for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett with the Celtics and those two alone can change the outcome of a game. And while we know what to expect from The Truth and KG (how healthy is he?), it’s the rest of the team that’s more of a question mark. Jeff Green is the X-factor and if he can perform like he did for stretches this season (averaged almost 18 points over the last 12 contests), the Celtics could force the Knicks to the limit.
KNICKS IN 7  

(3) INDIANA PACERS vs (6) ATLANTA HAWKS
Despite their struggles at the end of the season (losers of five of six), top to bottom the Pacers boast one of the NBA’s best defences. With the likes of Paul George, David West, Lance Stephenson and Roy Hibbert, this is a big and physical group that held opponents to the lowest field goal (42) and three point (32.7) percentage during the regular season. The defence forces teams into uncomfortable shots which could actually work in Atlanta’s favour. If the Hawks can sink some of those difficult buckets (it’s possible with Josh Smith, Kyle Korver, Al Horford and Jeff Teague), they could give the Pacers a run for their money. On the flip side, Indiana’s offence has lacked firepower (averaging almost 95 points per game) and while the club has been able to overcome the absence of Danny Granger for most of the season, his scoring will be sorely missed in the playoffs. But even though Atlanta will have some extra motivation since the current roster is likely to be dismantled in the offseason, Indiana’s D will be too hard to break through. PACERS IN 5

(4) BROOKLYN NETS vs (5) CHICAGO BULLS
After losing Derrick Rose to a torn ACL, few expected the Bulls to have this successful a season. But you can also say the same of the Nets, who made the move to Brooklyn and are back in the playoffs just three years removed from a 70 loss campaign. The strength of this Chicago club lies in its defence with the ball hawking and energetic Joakim Noah leading the charge. But how much will that lingering plantar fasciitis issue limit his production (only three games played in the last 15)? Like the Pacers, the Bulls have a streaky offence that doesn’t have a consistent go-to scorer. But that might not necessarily be a bad thing, especially in the postseason where a different player could step up on any given night (Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng or Nate Robinson). As for Brooklyn, the offence has benefited from the resurgence of Deron Williams (almost 25 points per game in April) but will need contributions from Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson against that tough Chicago D. Lopez, Reggie Evans and Gerald Wallace will make life difficult for the Bulls inside which will result in another physical and tightly contested series. BULLS IN 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE 

(1) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER vs (8) HOUSTON ROCKETS
With two of the top three offences squaring off, defence will be an afterthought in this series. James Harden, who surprised many finishing fifth in the league in scoring (25.9), was a difference maker for Oklahoma City in last year’s postseason and he will look to fill that role again with his new team. The Rockets will have their issues defending the Thunder (Omer Asik is the only player to average double figures in rebounds), but they will be able to keep up scoring-wise, especially if they get hot from downtown (the club tied an NBA record with 23 3-pointers in a game back in February). But Oklahoma City has been getting along just fine scoring more points (105.7 per contest) and winning more games (60) without The Beard on the roster. As Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook continue to blossom and mature, this Thunder squad becomes that much more dangerous and coming so close to winning an NBA championship only fuels the competitive spirit. This will be a good learning experience for the up-and-coming Rockets. THUNDER IN 5  

(2) SAN ANTONIO SPURS vs (7) LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Their season resembled a soap opera and now the Lakers will have to go for championship #18 without Kobe Bryant (Achilles). LA won eight of its final nine games to make the playoffs (beating San Antonio sans Kobe in the process), but this team has been plagued by wild inconsistencies especially on defence. The Lakers still have some big name playmakers (Dwight Howard, Steve Nash and Pau Gasol) but it’s next to impossible to replace a player of Kobe’s caliber. And while injuries are a major concern for LA (Nash hasn’t played since March 30), they could also cause issues for San Antonio. For stretches during the regular season, the Spurs were missing one of their Big 3 but there was a silver lining as players such as Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, Tiago Splitter and Gary Neal saw extended playing time. But if the Spurs are to have success this postseason it’s imperative Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili remain healthy. And with the way Tim Duncan has been playing (17.8 points and 9.9 rebounds), it should continue to be business as usual for San Antonio. SPURS IN 5 

(3) DENVER NUGGETS vs (6) GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Thanks to an effective run and gun style plus a sizzling home record, the Nuggets captured the three seed in the West. But health will determine how far this team advances. Danilo Gallinari (ACL) has already been lost for the postseason while Ty Lawson (foot) and Kenneth Faried (ankle) are not 100%. Their depth will be tested. But if Lawson is back to his old self and able to run Denver’s high-paced offence (along with Andre Iguodala, Wilson Chandler and Corey Brewer), the Nuggets will be hard to beat especially at the Pepsi Center where they finished an NBA-best 38-3. But the Warriors have a special point guard of their own in Stephen Curry who is more than capable of taking over a game. Golden State was the best 3-point shooting team this year (Curry set the record for most in a single season) and along with Klay Thompson, Jarrett Jack and the human double-double machine David Lee, the Warriors possess a dangerous offence. But can they win in the high elevation? The Nuggets struggled to defend the three during the season, but home court will save them this round. NUGGETS IN 7 

(4) LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS vs (5) MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
For a second straight postseason, the Clippers and Grizzlies meet in the opening round as the four/five seeds. LA is coming off the best regular season in franchise history after capturing its first Pacific division title while surpassing the 50-win plateau. The Clippers pride themselves on their fast break ability and athleticism as everything flows through All-Star point guard Chris Paul. But don’t be surprised if Lob City is less explosive this series because the Grizzlies have the personnel to disrupt that high-octane offence. Memphis gave up the fewest points during the regular season (89.3) and Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Tony Allen will do all they can to slow things down. There is some concern regarding the offence (ranked 26th) and outside of Gasol, Randolph and Mike Conley, the Grizzlies secondary scoring is rather suspect. Where the Clippers have improved the most from a year ago is their depth as eight players averaged eight or more points during the regular season. If Blake Griffin can step up against the tough Memphis D, it will be déjà vu for LA. CLIPPERS IN 7

The weather might not scream “baseball” right now, but a brand new season is literally just around the corner. On Sunday night, the Houston Astros will make their American League debut when they host their division rivals, the Texas Rangers, at Minute Maid Park. Optimism may be alive and well throughout the league, but many questions remain as we prepare for Opening Night. My colleague Kristian Jack (@KristianJack) and I tackle the 20 biggest questions of the upcoming 2013 MLB season.

Without question, the Jays were the most active team this offseason. Will they finally win the AL East?
KJ: With the Yankees in trouble and the Red Sox in transition, the Jays may well have been a contender even without one of the two major moves they made this offseason but with R.A. Dickey and the truck the Marlins drove over the border they are favorites to win the division for a reason. I do not think they’ll be as great as some people but I think they will end up winning the division, yes.

LD: Since 1994, every team in the East has won the division at least once – well everyone except the Jays. They don’t have many holes in their lineup or rotation and with the Yankees and Red Sox seemingly on the decline, the division is very much up for grabs. It won’t be easy (the Rays present the most formidable challenge), but the Jays should take care of business.

What needs to happen for them to have a successful season?
KJ: Jose Bautista’s wrist and Josh Johnson’s arm are two body parts that will play a huge part in whether they win the division or not. Wrist injuries are the hardest to bounce back from in the game. I have no doubt in Bautista’s talent and eye at the plate but the strength of that wrist could be the difference between 25 and 45 homers. Everyone’s talking about Dickey, Morrow, Romero but Johnson’s the key for me. He could be great, in what I expect to be his only year in Toronto. His control is excellent and I think he may turn out to be their ace.

LD: The pitching staff (especially the starting rotation) needs to do what it’s capable of doing. Last season the Jays had only one starter win 10 or more games (Brandon Morrow) but with R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle in the mix, that shouldn’t be the case in 2013. As for the bats, the Jays go as Jose Bautista goes and he’ll need to bounce back after undergoing season-ending wrist surgery.

An unsuccessful season?
KJ: Baseball has a beautiful way of humbling teams quickly. Expectations are very high on the Jays and if they play .500 ball for the first two months – which many playoff teams of the past have done – the city could turn on them fast. As long as Bautista’s wrist and Johnson’s arm are ok, I wouldn’t worry if the team is hovering around .500 through May but many people will.

LD: Staying healthy is crucial. Despite their depth, a major injury to one of their premier pitchers or hitters could be disastrous for the Jays. But if the rotation falters (Dickey had a 22-28 record with a 7.55 ERA while pitching in the AL from 2001-2009) and the bats go silent (primarily Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion), it could be a long season in Toronto.

How many games will the Jays end up winning? 
KJ: 91

LD: 92

Are they legitimate World Series contenders?
KJ: I do not understand why they are 7/1 favorites with the bookies but any team that is seen as the best on paper in their division should be considered contenders. We’ve seen too many examples lately of what teams can accomplish in the post season. You just have to get in.

LD: Absolutely – but big offseason spending doesn’t always translate into wins. Many of these players have never played with one another before and it will be interesting to see how they coexist and respond to having a bulls-eye on their back. A lot of things have to go right for the Jays to make the World Series, but they do have the talent to be right in the mix.

Between Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira, the Yankees have been ravaged by injuries. How much will that impact them early on?
KJ: This is going to be a great story to follow. It can go one of two ways. Either the New York media and vocal fan base quickly wake up to the realization that the team isn’t very good, which subsequently lowers expectations or (which few are predicting) the team performs much better. Look, clearly they are not the Yankees of the past but Granderson and Jeter will be back for sure by May, add them to a team with Cano, Gardner, Sabathia, Rivera and this is not a AAA team that many are making them out to be. They are weaker but so is the division. The Red Sox spent a bunch of money on good players but no stars, the Rays lost Shields and Upton and the Orioles and Jays are far from the finished articles so there are wins there for this team.

LD: It will have a gigantic impact. These aren’t role players who are injured but some of the key pieces in the organization. How can you possibly replace all of those bats (and no, Vernon Wells and Lyle Overbay aren’t the answer)? The Yankees have a knack for coming through when everyone counts them out, but their backs are definitely wedged right against the wall – and unlike ever before.

How many games will they end up winning?  
KJ: 88

LD: 85

Both the Dodgers and Angels made major roster moves this offseason becoming immediate favourites in their respective divisions. But which LA based team has the better chance of winning the World Series?
KJ: Dodgers. With Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke they have two pitchers on a different level to anything the Angels can throw out there. And I know they have Jered Weaver. Having Kershaw there is perfect for Greinke, a player who can get lost in the shadows of the other stars on that club. This Dodgers team is also not done while I get the feeling the Angels are close to maxing out on what they want to spend. Trout, Pujols & Hamilton make it an incredible line-up but there rotation isn’t that good at all and will get battered IF they make the playoffs. They’ll wish they gave Greinke Hamilton’s money come next winter.

LD: The Angels may have the firepower advantage (Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton) but the Dodgers have the better pitching staff, especially the starting rotation led by Clayton Kershaw and newly acquired Zack Greinke. Both teams are World Series contenders, but when it comes to October baseball, pitching wins championships and that’s where the Dodgers have the upper hand.

Last season, a pair of rookies – Mike Trout and Bryce Harper – took the league by storm. Will either suffer a sophomore slump?
KJ: Have to admit I am not a huge fan of that phrase. I think there is some merit to it but we are going to hear this year that Trout is suffering from it just because he is simply not going to produce another season close to what he did last season. He may never do that again the rest of his career and you know what? That is ok. It was one of the greatest individual seasons in the history of the game (think about that) and this year he will be a good baseball player again but just not one like we saw in 2012. As for Harper, the sky is the limit. I think he’ll have a far better season this year than last, there is so much to admire about his game and overall baseball maturity (which gets lost in some lazy journalistic pieces) and I think he will get serious consideration for MVP in 2013.

LD: Unlikely. After hitting .326 with 30 homers, 83 RBI and 49 stolen bases, it wouldn’t be a shock if Trout finished with lower numbers in 2013 – the bar has been set that high. And if he stumbles at any point, the spotlight could be suffocating. Harper on the other hand experienced a slump in his rookie campaign (hit just .171 in 18 games immediately following the All-Star Break) but powered through. These weren’t your typical rookies to begin with so it’s difficult to imagine them suffering a major setback.

The Nationals and Braves have separated themselves from the pack in the NL East. Is the battle for the division crown just a two team race?
KJ: Absolutely. Both teams will win 94+ games again. The Marlins could lose to the Buffalo Bisons (providing Giancarlo Stanton gets walked four times), the Mets have some nice young arms but are two years from contending and I think the Phillies are in massive trouble. A lot has been made of the games Chase Utley and Ryan Howard missed last season but did you see what they did when they did play? Howard hit .219 with nearly 300 AB’s while Utley hit a career low .256 in just over 300 AB’s. Add that to the most overrated player in the game, Jimmy Rollins, and I think they fall out of it early. Don’t be surprised to see Cliff Lee and even Roy Halladay (if he allows it) dealt as GM Ruben Amaro is not one to sit around doing nothing.

LD: The biggest wild card in the NL East is the Phillies. They still have some arms (Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee) as well as some bats (Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley) but age and health continue to work against them. If Philly’s offence performs like it did a year ago, the team will have little chance of keeping up with both the Nationals and Braves, by far the class of the division.

It’s been 20 years since the Pirates finished with a winning record. Will the streak finally come to an end in 2013?
KJ: I sure hope so. I have been to the beautiful PNC Park numerous times and that is one fantastic baseball town. They all wear the gear, the kids are really into it and they are begging for a winning team. On August 7th, 2012 they were 62-46 and in real contention for the Wild Card before collapsing for the second season in a row, going 17-37 down the stretch. Clint Hurdle will have learned a lot about his players in that time and I think they are ready to be better and compete, so yes.

LD: After sitting as many as 16 games over .500 last season, it looked like the losing was finally over in Pittsburgh. But then the Pirates went on an epic collapse and finished with 79 wins. This is a team right on the cusp and there may be plenty of uncertainties (especially on the mound) but led by NL MVP candidate Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates will finally get over the hump.

In a season full of surprises, a couple of small market teams –  the A’s and Orioles – qualified for the playoffs a year ago. Can they contend again or was that just a fluke?
KJ: First of all it was absolutely wonderful to see these teams do what they did last season. Seeing their ballparks full late in September was what sport is about, the unscripted drama, teams doing something no one imagined. That being said, both teams did very little to get better this offseason and I think that may have frustrated some of the senior players on those teams. They deserved a bit more talent. I like both managers but I think both fall short but stay in contention for a while.

LD: A lot of things went right for these teams last year. The Orioles were 29-9 in one-run games and won 16 straight extra-inning contests while the A’s had 14 walk-off victories and got big performances from a handful of rookies (Yoenis Cespedes, Tommy Milone and Jarrod Parker). Luck could be on their side again in 2013, but it’s hard to see either making the playoffs this time around.

The Giants enter the season as reigning World Series champs. What are their chances of repeating?
KJ: Very slim. I have nothing but respect for their manager, Bruce Bochy, and their entire upper management staff. How they draft, develop players and recruit is fantastic but I just don’t see them winning it all this year. They have two magnificent starters in Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner but offensively questions remain and it is so difficult to repeat in Major League Baseball. Only the Yankees and Blue Jays have done it in the last 33 seasons.

LD: Winning back-to-back titles is no easy feat (the Yankees were the last to do so when they won three straight from 1998-2000), but the Giants have the personnel to do it. They return this year with their championship roster largely intact, a group who knows how to win. Sure there are concerns (will the old Tim Lincecum resurface?) but the strength of this team is it’s experience and pitching staff – two things that come in handy in October.

With the Astros moving to the AL this season, interleague games will now be played year round. Do you like the new format?
KJ: I don’t mind it at all. It is far from perfect because there remains a real imbalance in the schedule and division battles could be decided by teams you end up playing. However, what often gets forgotten in these arguments is the fans. Fans – and by which I mean actual fans who will travel to watch their teams – love to see their team in different cities. Media members will sarcastically rip a Marlins-Twins series in June but for a Braves fan like myself, for example, I no longer just have to travel to Pittsburgh (5hrs away) to see them as I can go to Detroit and Toronto this season.

LD: There are some positives like the fact both leagues (and individual divisions) now have an even number of teams. But unlike the old system, this season each squad will play 20 interleague games (bad news for teams like the Jays who struggled against the NL) and there is always the question of the role of the DH. It will be interesting to see how the new format plays out in its first year.

Who will win AL and NL MVP?
KJ: Big players in big markets, Robinson Cano and Matt Kemp.

LD: Going with a couple of players coming off injury-plagued seasons – Evan Longoria and Joey Votto.

Who will win the AL and NL Cy Young?
KJ: I am going for a pair of dynamic lefties, Chris Sale in the AL and Clayton Kershaw in the NL.

LD: Justin Verlander is always in the Cy Young conversation while Matt Cain will build off last year’s fantastic campaign.

Who will win the AL and NL Rookie of Year?
KJ: Jurickson Profar in the AL (Texas need to get him on the team now) & Braves pitcher Julio Teheran in the NL.

LD: Dylan Bundy should make an impact once he gets called up and thanks to some injuries, it looks like Jedd Gyorko will begin the season at third base with the Padres.

Who are your six division winners?
KJ: Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers in AL and Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds and LA Dodgers in NL

LD: Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, LA Angels in AL and Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants in NL

Who are your four wild card teams?
KJ: Kansas City Royals over New York Yankees in AL, Atlanta Braves over Pittsburgh Pirates in NL

LD: Tampa Bay Rays over Texas Rangers in AL, Atlanta Braves over LA Dodgers in NL

What is your World Series prediction?
KJ: Braves over the Tigers in 6. Yes please. 

LD: In a match-up featuring two teams with unfinished business from a year ago, the Reds will beat the Tigers in 6 to win their first World Series since 1990.

That’s a wrap on the 2012 regular season. DeAngelo Williams, Michael Crabtree, Eli Manning and the Titans (who scored 28 unanswered points without running a single offensive play) finished the year on a high note while Black Monday claimed its first victims (Chan Gailey, Lovie Smith, Pat Shurmur, Romeo Crennel and Andy Reid). With their 14th loss of the season, the Chiefs “won” the first overall pick in the 2013 draft while the Niners are NFC West champs once again. The Saints put their names in the record books for all the wrong reasons (allowed the most yards in a single season) while Calvin Johnson got oh so close to more history (36 yards short of becoming the only receiver to finish with 2,000). And with the Giants eliminated from the postseason, a new Super Bowl champ will be crowned in February.

The battle for the NFC East turned out to be not much of a battle after all. The Redskins kept to their strength (running the football) and thanks to the play of a couple of rookies, the team finished the season on a seven game winning streak capturing its first division crown since 1999. Because of the effective rushing attack (Washington had 274 yards), Robert Griffin III didn’t have to throw the ball often (9-of-18 for 100 yards) letting Alfred Morris (200 yards and three touchdowns) run wild on a battered Cowboys defence missing its five best run stoppers. This was a statement game not only for RG3 (who passed with flying colours) but also for Tony Romo and his “can’t win the big one” label. It looked as if the Dallas QB had finally turned the corner (over 1,300 passing yards with 10 touchdowns and one interception in the last four games) but on Sunday, he cost his team again. When it comes to elimination games, Romo can’t get the job done (he threw three interceptions against the Redskins, the same number he had the previous eight weeks combined). The Cowboys have won just two Week 17 games since 2000 (worst in the NFL), an inexplicable stat for such a talented club. Is that more a knock on Romo and the locker room leadership or the coaching staff and management? And while it’s just the same old story for Dallas, Washington is brimming with confidence as it prepares to host its first postseason game in 12 years.

Like the Redskins and Cowboys, the Vikings were also facing a win and you’re in situation in Week 17. Both quarterbacks impressed (Aaron Rodgers threw for 365 yards and four touchdowns while Christian Ponder was just as effective tossing three touchdowns and 234 yards) but all eyes were on one man. Exactly one year after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery, Adrian Peterson had a career-high 34 carries for 199 yards finishing just nine shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single season record. Disappointing yes, but AD’s performance was instrumental in the Vikings beating the Packers for the first time in six games and securing a playoff spot. For a team that went just 9-23 over the previous two seasons, it’s been a dramatic turnaround in Minnesota with Peterson at the forefront. The Vikings got a valuable victory (putting them at 10-6) but the Packers on the other hand, let a golden opportunity slip away. With the loss, Green Bay missed out on the two seed (and a first round bye) and will instead open its postseason schedule at home next week to (you guessed it) Minnesota. But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A season ago the 15-1 Packers won the NFC’s top overall seed only to be bounced in the divisional round by the Giants. Sometimes having a week off is more of a detriment than a benefit.

But the Packers weren’t the only team denied a first round bye. The Texans completed their regular season with another inconsistent effort and were swallowed up by the emotional wave surrounding Chuck Pagano’s return. The Colts head coach was back on the sidelines for the first time since revealing his leukemia diagnosis back in Week 3 and his troops celebrated by handing Houston a costly loss. The Texans went from being a lock for first overall in the AFC to missing out on the top two seeds altogether. Having already claimed the five spot, the Colts may have had little to play for but on Sunday they picked up their 11th victory capping the second greatest single season improvement (nine more wins than a year ago). Indy has the momentum heading into the playoffs but the opposite is true for Houston. The Texans have a tough wild card match-up (the Bengals won seven of eight to end their season) and have little time to get both the sputtering offence and defence on the same page. In such a competitive conference, Sunday’s loss could mark the beginning of the end for Houston.

With Week 17 victories, both Denver and New England were able to take advantage of Houston’s misstep to secure the top two seeds in the AFC. Peyton Manning’s return to the NFL has been nothing short of perfect – the Broncos have home field advantage throughout the playoffs as they finished the year riding an 11-game winning streak. The 36-year old quarterback put up some of the best numbers of his career (4,659 yards with 37 touchdowns) and against the Chiefs on Sunday he passed for 304 yards, his ninth 300-yard game of the year. Denver is the only team to sit in the top five in both total offence and defence (fourth and second respectively), but if there’s any knock on this club it’s the fact it hasn’t faced any stiff competition (beat only two teams with winning records in the last 11 contests). Regardless, the Broncos won the games they were supposed to win and now the road to the Super Bowl must go through the Mile High City. And the dream is still very much alive for another Peyton Manning/Tom Brady showdown in the AFC championship game in late January.

As the NFL enters its final week of the regular season, there’s plenty to keep an eye on Sunday from record setting performances (Adrian Peterson closing in on the all-time rushing record, Calvin Johnson poised to become the first receiver to top 2,000 yards) to playoff spots (it’s win and you’re in for the Vikings, Redskins and Cowboys). Could this be the last game as head coach for Andy Reid, Norv Turner, Pat Shurmur and Ken Whisenhunt of their respective teams? And will the Chiefs (at 2-13) “win” the first overall pick in next year’s draft? The season has flown by, but it’s not over just yet.

The NFC East has come down to one game, a scenario that has not been kind to Dallas in the past. The Cowboys faced similar circumstances last year but ended up losing to the Giants while suffering the same fate in 2008 against the Eagles. Will the third time be the charm? Tony Romo won’t get the blame if Dallas falls short of the playoffs again – he’s thrown for 1,328 yards with 10 touchdowns and just one interception in the last four games as the Cowboys have averaged 29 points over that span. The real concern is on defence where the injuries continue to mount (DeMarcus Ware will play Sunday with a hyperextended elbow). The D couldn’t make the critical stop against the Saints last week, will things be any different this time? The Redskins have been one of the season’s biggest surprises having undergone a transformation with rookie Robert Griffin III in the fold. Washington is in the midst of its longest win streak in 16 years (six straight) and boasts the league’s top rushing attack (averaging over 162 yards per contest). And with RG3 on the mend after suffering a right knee sprain in Week 14 (he was limited to just four yards on the ground last week) the offence should continue to keep Dallas on its toes. This Week 17 match-up could resemble the Thanksgiving Day game where the teams combined for 69 points and 895 yards of offence. The Redskins did just enough to hang on that night and home field advantage will tip the balance in their favour once again.

The Vikings also control their own playoff destiny after their convincing win over the Texans in Week 16. If Minnesota can knock off Green Bay, the club would secure the final NFC wild card spot. But it won’t be an easy task since the Packers have lots to play for as well (a chance to lock up the two seed and a first round bye) and just put up 55 points on the Titans a week ago. But the Vikings have something the Packers wish they did – a star running back. Adrian Peterson is 102 yards away from becoming just the seventh player to rush for 2,000 and 208 shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single season record. And with the way AD played back in Week 13 against Green Bay (210 yards), he might just become the Rushing King. It could be a big day all around for the Vikings.

Even though all six AFC postseason spots have been accounted for, the top seed is still up for grabs. The Texans are in the driver’s seat needing to beat the Colts to claim home field throughout the playoffs, but their division rivals will have a huge emotional lift in Week 17. After taking a leave of absence following his leukemia diagnosis after Week 3, Chuck Pagano will be back on the sidelines this Sunday (the team went 9-3 under Bruce Arians and locked up fifth in the AFC). The Colts could use a boost – the offence has sputtered (less than 290 total yards in each of the previous three games) while the defence just coughed up 352 rushing yards to the Chiefs. Will Arian Foster (good to go despite leaving last week with an irregular heartbeat) take advantage? Houston has been inconsistent lately to say the least – the AFC South champs did beat Indy two weeks ago, but that win was surrounded by two blowout losses (45 combined points to New England and Minnesota). The Texans know what’s at stake on Sunday and despite the return of Pagano and an 0-10 record in Indianapolis, they’ll get the victory.

But waiting in the wings for the Texans to stumble are both the Broncos and Patriots. Denver has won 10 straight (six by double digits) and can grab the two seed with a win over Kansas City. But the team has eyes on a bigger prize. The Broncos offence may rank second in points per game (29.5) but the club has had issues against the Chiefs scoring only 43 points total in the last four match-ups, including 17 earlier this season. The top spot scenario is simple for Denver (win and a Houston loss) but New England needs help if it hopes to get a first round bye (a win over Miami plus losses by Houston and Denver). The Patriots aren’t exactly charging into the playoffs after a close loss to the Niners in Week 15 and a less than impressive win over the Jaguars last Sunday. But this is the time of year where Tom Brady and Bill Belichick shine so expect New England to get back on track.

It may not be as dramatic as the situation surrounding the NFC East, but there’s competition for the West title as well. The Seahawks are one of the most complete teams in football with an offence that’s scored 150 points over the last three weeks and a defence ranked fourth overall, but they must beat an improving Rams squad to keep their division hopes alive. Seattle has been unbeatable at home (7-0) but the St. Louis D (coming off a five sack, four interception performance against Tampa) could pose some problems. Yet many thought the same about the Niners before they were humbled by the Seahawks last week. Arizona though could be the perfect recipe for what ails San Francisco, whose defence was exposed in Week 16 while the offence lost a couple of key contributors (Vernon Davis likely won’t play after suffering a concussion and Mario Manningham is out for the season). If the Niners beat the Cardinals (losers of 10 of their last 11) the division crown will remain in the Bay Area.

Sixteen weeks down, one more to go. All the playoff spots in the AFC have been accounted for but things are a lot more uncertain in the NFC where two division crowns are still up for grabs. The Broncos continue to cruise right along (winners of 10 in a row) while for a third straight week, a team surpassed the 50-point plateau (the Packers scored 55 on the Titans). But there was a six-pack of games with major playoff implications that did not disappoint.

In Week 16 the Saints seemingly handed the Cowboys a devastating loss after eking out a victory in overtime. Close games have become the norm for Dallas (the last four contests have been decided by a combined 12 points), but this time it didn’t come away with the win. Both Drew Brees (446 yards, three touchdowns) and Tony Romo (416 yards, four touchdowns) played exceptionally well, yet the Cowboys couldn’t get a defensive stop (or a lucky bounce) when they needed one. Even though Dallas suffered more injuries on defence (DeMarcus Ware and Ernie Sims), the team staged another impressive comeback (down 14 points with less than four minutes to go). The Cowboys still trail the Redskins in the NFC East (Washington won its sixth straight buoyed by the return of Robert Griffin III) but thanks to the Giants loss to the Ravens, Dallas once again controls its playoff destiny.

Yes New York laid another egg on Sunday as Baltimore finally ended its three game losing streak to win the AFC North. The Ravens offence took flight amassing a season-high 533 yards (and scoring 33 points) in its second game with Jim Caldwell at offensive coordinator. Has Baltimore turned the corner or was this just a one-time thing? As for the Giants, for a second straight week they had major issues on both sides of the ball as the offence accumulated 186 total yards while the defence didn’t force a turnover or record a single sack. Just a few weeks ago, New York was one of the top teams in the NFC poised for a long playoff run. But now it’s lost five of seven (outscored 67-14 in the last two) and can only qualify for the postseason as a wild card (and with a lot of help). Looks like we’ll have a new Super Bowl champ this year.

So the NFC East has yet to be decided and the same is true of the NFC West. The Seahawks secured a playoff berth and kept their division hopes alive after another tremendous effort in front of their home crowd. Seattle improved to 7-0 at CenturyLink Field as Russell Wilson threw four touchdowns (giving him 25 on the season, one shy of Peyton Manning’s rookie record), Marshawn Lynch rushed for 111 yards while Richard Sherman returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown. It was a complete effort against a Niners club that’s starting to show some cracks. San Francisco entered the weekend allowing just shy of 16 points per game (tops in the league) but didn’t have any answers for Seattle’s explosive offence, which has outscored the last three opponents 150-30. The Niners gave up 42 points on Sunday (their most since 2009) while quarterback Colin Kaepernick showed his inexperience at times in an unforgiving environment. Has the QB experiment in San Francisco run its course?

The showdown between the Bengals and Steelers was a statement game for Cincinnati, a good young team that’s been playing like the best in the AFC North for some time. The Bengals though have had issues beating the division heavyweights (losers of nine straight to both Baltimore and Pittsburgh), but that changed in Week 16 as Josh Brown’s field goal got Cincinnati into the postseason for a second straight year, something the franchise has done just once before in 1981-82. The defence was the difference (has allowed 13 points or less in six of the last seven games) as the Bengals not only beat the Steelers for the first time in three years, they also eliminated them from playoff contention. It was another uncharacteristic miscue by Ben Roethlisberger that cost the team as Big Ben’s interception in the final moments set up Cincinnati’s winning field goal. And unfortunately for the Steelers, that ended their season.

Sunday’s game against the Chiefs was by no means easy, yet the Colts got the win and punched their ticket to the playoffs. The first year without Peyton Manning wasn’t supposed to be this successful for Indy, but after winning just two games a season ago the team has renewed confidence with quarterback Andrew Luck (who broke Cam Newton’s single season rookie passing record). Luck may not be perfect (an NFL-worst 18 interceptions), but he’s shown he can be mistake-free when it matters most – late in games. On Sunday, the rookie engineered his record seventh fourth-quarter comeback as the Colts overcame 352 rushing yards by the Chiefs to win their 10th game of the season. Perhaps even more important, after battling leukemia for the last several months head coach Chuck Pagano was back with the team on Monday. Indy has used his illness as a rallying point all season creating one of the most inspirational stories in football history.

The Colts may be this year’s biggest surprise, but the Vikings deserve some consideration as well. With Adrian Peterson chasing history (after Sunday’s 86 yards, AD is 208 away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s single season record), Minnesota proved in Week 16 this team isn’t all about its running back. Christian Ponder was surprisingly effective (174 passing yards) as the offence put up 345 yards and the defence made life difficult for the suddenly struggling Texans. Having now won three in a row, the Vikings face a win and you’re in situation next week as they cling to that final NFC playoff spot. Houston may already be in the postseason but the club hasn’t exactly been playing inspired football lately. The team finished with 187 total yards (34 rushing) and was held without a touchdown for the first time in six years. So Houston, do we have a problem? The Texans are in danger of missing out on a first round bye altogether (they must beat the Colts next week to secure the top overall seed), which would be crippling in the ultra-competitive AFC.

History was made on Saturday night as Calvin Johnson set the record for most receiving yards in a single season surpassing the great Jerry Rice (sitting at 1,892 after his 11 reception, 225 yard performance). Unfortunately for the Lions, the milestone came in a losing effort as the Falcons clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs. In Week 16 the Colts can punch their ticket to the postseason with a win over the lowly Chiefs, the Broncos will look to extend their winning streak to 10 games while the Jets finally showed Mark Sanchez the bench (after a five turnover game last week) so rookie Greg McElroy gets the start. But there’s plenty more on the line this weekend.

The NFC West is still very much up for grabs especially with the way the Seahawks have been playing. Seattle has scored 108 points in the last two games and will put its perfect home record on the line when San Francisco pays a visit in Week 16. The strength of this Seahawks squad has been its defence (averaging just over 14 points allowed in the last six weeks) but more recently, the offence has taken centre stage. Rookie Russell Wilson has been instrumental in leading Seattle to wins in five of the last six contests (11 touchdowns and just one interception) while the team has averaged 35 points overall. But can the offence keep up that torrid pace against a Niners D allowing less than 16 points a game? San Francisco survived a late New England rally in Week 15 to pick up a huge victory as Colin Kaepernick continues to do all the right things (four passing touchdowns and one turnover). These teams are very similar (strong running games, young quarterbacks, suffocating defences) and have shown they can win games in a variety of ways. But will we see a defensive battle or an offensive explosion Sunday night?

Oh how the mighty have fallen. Both the Ravens and Giants are coming off horrible Week 15 losses as Baltimore was embarrassed at home by Denver and New York was shutout in Atlanta. The Ravens have been ravaged by injuries on defence (Ray Lewis, Lardarius Webb) and offence (most recently Torrey Smith) and consequently the club has never really found its identity. The offensive coordinator switch to Jim Caldwell had very little effect last week (scored 17 points), will we see more of an improvement this week? Baltimore has seemingly abandoned its running game with Ray Rice becoming more of an on-field decoy (only 12 carries a week ago). But this might be the time to get Rice more involved considering how the Giants defence has been playing. New York’s pass rushers were neutralized against Atlanta while Eli Manning had another poor outing (held without a touchdown pass for the fourth time in the last seven games). The inconsistencies on both sides of the ball may just keep the reigning Super Bowl champs from defending their title.

Thanks to their recent swoon, the Giants find themselves trailing the Redskins and Cowboys in the NFC East standings (thanks to the tiebreakers) with just two games remaining. Washington currently leads the division and will get a boost this weekend with the return of quarterback Robert Griffin III (sprained right knee). The Redskins won their fifth in a row last week with fellow rookie Kirk Cousins under centre (329 yards, two touchdowns and an interception) and they should have little trouble dispatching the Eagles in Week 16, especially with RG3 back. But Philly would like nothing more than to derail its division rivals’ playoff hopes. The Eagles should be playing with plenty of emotion as Sunday could mark the final home game for both head coach Andy Reid as well as quarterback Michael Vick. But will it be enough to topple one of football’s hottest teams?

The Cowboys sure hope so. Like Washington, Dallas controls its own playoff destiny needing to win its final two games to capture the NFC East crown. The Cowboys are heating up at just the right time (winners of three in a row), but this week’s match-up is hardly a walk in the park. The Saints may (for all intents and purposes) be eliminated from the postseason race, but this is a dangerous club that can put points on the board in a hurry. Drew Brees leads the league in both passing yards and touchdowns creating a match-up nightmare, but Dallas should take advantage of a New Orleans defence ranked dead last in the league (allowing over 433 yards per game). The Cowboys offence has flourished thanks to a rejuvenated rushing attack (DeMarco Murray has scored a touchdown in all three games since returning from injury) plus the impressive play of Tony Romo (912 yards with six touchdowns and one interception during the winning streak). It could be a good ole fashioned shootout on Sunday and whichever defence can make the big play, will get the victory. The Cowboys have the better defensive group (ranked 14th overall) and will be playing for their playoff lives, giving them the slight edge.

All eyes will also be on this week’s AFC North battle between the Bengals and Steelers and it’s hard to bet against Cincinnati these days. Not only do they possess a capable offence, but the Bengals (not the Steelers) will field the better defence on Sunday (allowing less than 13 points while forcing 15 turnovers over the past six games). Pittsburgh on the other hand, is a shell of its former self having lost four of its last five due in large part to an ineffective running game and a knack for turning the ball over in key situations. The road to the playoffs is much steeper for Pittsburgh who will be officially eliminated with a loss in Week 16. This is a big statement game for the Bengals, and not just because a postseason berth is on the line. Cincinnati has made major strides but the group still hasn’t been able to topple the big brothers of the division (losers of nine straight to Baltimore and Pittsburgh combined). The Bengals have been playing like the best team in the North for weeks, and now it’s time for them to take the next step.

It’s been a season full of surprises for the Vikings who not only hold the NFC’s final wild card spot, but running back Adrian Peterson is closing in on history. Just a year removed from major knee surgery, AD has rushed for a career-best 1,812 yards putting Eric Dickerson’s single season record within reach (293 yards shy). Peterson has passed the 100-yard plateau in each of his last eight games (averaging an incredible 164 yards over that span), but this Sunday he’ll line up against one of the better run stopping teams in the league. The Texans (who can lock up home field in the AFC with a victory) are ranked fifth against the run (93 yards per game) and have allowed an NFL-low three rushing touchdowns. The Vikings won’t stand much of a chance in Week 16 if Peterson can’t get going.

You won’t see big names like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Calvin Johnson or Arian Foster here, but instead these posts are meant to offer up some fringe/flex options for your fantasy team. Which lower ranked player could have a big game? And which higher profile player should you keep on the bench? Read away.

Quarterbacks 

IN: Tony Romo, Cowboys
Romo has gone on an impressive stretch averaging 304 passing yards with six touchdowns in his last three games while turning the ball over just once. This week the Cowboys have a great match-up with the Saints who are not only one of the worst teams defending the pass (ranked 31st), but New Orleans has also given up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks on the road this season.

OUT: Josh Freeman, Bucs
Fantasy owners were frustrated by Freeman last week. Despite a favourable opponent (the Saints), the Bucs QB didn’t throw a touchdown for just the second time all season and turned the ball over five times (four interceptions and a lost fumble). The Rams secondary has been effective (two passing touchdowns allowed in the last five games), so it could be another tough afternoon for Freeman.

Running Backs

IN: Vick Ballard, Colts
The Colts coaching staff has shown confidence in Ballard as the running back has carried the ball 37 times while rushing for more than 90 yards in each of the last two contests (one came against the Texans and their 5th ranked run D). Ballard has picked a great time to turn on the jets and he’s worth another start Sunday against a Kansas City club allowing 136 rushing yards per game.

OUT: Shonn Greene, Jets
Greene hasn’t been the most reliable back this year (has rushed for more than 100 yards just once in the last eight games) and has also been losing touches to Bilal Powell. With rookie Greg McElroy getting the nod at QB this week, the Jets may rely on the running game but is that enough of a reason to put him in your lineup?

Wide Receivers

IN: Danny Amendola, Rams
Amendola scored a touchdown in his return after missing a pair of games and don’t be surprised if he finds the end zone again in Week 16. The Bucs have given up the most fantasy points to wideouts and are the only team allowing more than 300 passing yards per game (almost 311). Sam Bradford will continue to look Amendola’s way (targeted 12 times last week), so play him with confidence.

OUT: Danario Alexander, Chargers
Alexander put up a big fat goose egg for fantasy owners last week, a surprising result considering he was averaging almost 100 yards in his previous five games (with five touchdowns). This week Alexander will have shutdown corner Antonio Cromartie to contend with when the Chargers face the Jets, so yards might be hard to come by once again.

Tight Ends

IN: Greg Olsen, Panthers
Olsen has really benefited from Cam Newton’s mid-season resurgence. The tight end has posted double digit fantasy points in two of the last three games while the Raiders have had issues defending the position all year (four touchdowns to opposing tight ends in the previous six contests). The odds are stacked in Olsen’s favour in Week 16.

OUT: Vernon Davis, Niners
It’s been a disappointing season overall for Davis but his production has really suffered ever since Colin Kaepernick took over at quarterback for the Niners (29 combined yards over the last four games and no touchdowns since Week 11). Things won’t get any easier this week against Seattle who is allowing the fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season.

Kickers

IN: Blair Walsh, Vikings
After not kicking a field goal in each of the previous two games, Walsh showed off his leg strength in Week 15 connecting on three field goals of 50 yards or more and finishing with 18 points. While a repeat performance is unlikely, Walsh is still a good option against a Texans D that’s hardly been playing its best.

OUT: David Akers, Niners
From a fantasy perspective, Akers has been one of the top kicking options the last few years. Well not anymore. The 38-year old did put up double digit points against New England in Week 15, but he’s hardly been accurate (25-of-35) and will now face a Seattle team that’s given up the fewest fantasy points to the position.

Defences

IN: Patriots
Even though New England’s D has forced just four turnovers over the last three weeks (and no defensive touchdowns), the unit still ranks near the top of the league in terms of fantasy points. Despite giving up 41 points to the Niners a week ago, the Patriots have a chance to get back on track against a Jaguars team averaging just over 15 points per game.

OUT: Falcons
The Falcons did embarrass the defending Super Bowl champs last week, but temper your expectations for this weekend. Atlanta shutout New York in Week 15 holding the club to just 10 first downs while forcing three turnovers. But can the D do it again? Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and the league’s top passing offence present a formidable challenge.