Nati Sports Report

Throwup: Ravens vs. Steelers

2009-01-16T20:32:00.000-08:00

This weekend, we will see the two best defenses in the NFL take the field. They will be playing for the ultimate goal. A chance to play on the final Sunday of the season. The Super bowl. The finale. No room for error.

It fits, that these 2 teams are AFC North Rivals. These two teams are more than familiar with each other, facing off twice in the regular season. The Steelers won both game, but won both games by a total of 7 points.

In their first matchup, Pittsburg won 23-20 off a late Jeff Reed field goal, and the second game was won by a late Ben Rothlisberger touchdown pass.

For their final matchup of the season, defense looms huge. The Steelers totaled 20 interceptions, and 51.0 sacks during the regular season, while the Ravens totaled 26 interceptions and 34.0 sacks.

The Ravens are led by linebacker Ray Lewis, and Safety Ed Reed, who has multiple interceptions this postseason.

The Steelers are led bye linebackers James Farrior, James Harrison, and LaMar Woodley, who had a combined for 31.0 sacks this season.

On the other side of the ball, we have the Steelers, who's quarterback Ben Rothlisberger just keeps going and going and going, no matter how many times he gets plastered to the ground by oncoming pass rushers, and Ravens rookie QB just keeps showing that he can be the man in Baltimore for the years to come.

Both teams have amazing defense's and the team that forces the most turnovers, will win this game.

Tony Dungy: The End of an Era

2009-01-12T15:54:00.000-08:00

Tony Dungy. 10 years, 10 playoff appearences, and 1 super bowl. An MVP Quarterback(twice), and the love of a nation. Tony Dungy did it the right way. He changed the football world by being the first African-American Coach to win a super bowl.

He started his NFL coaching career as an assistant coach of the Steelers in 1981. From popularizing the "Tampa 2" defense, to rebuilding the Tampa franchise itself, and Bringing the Colts to the top of the league, and reaching the pinnacle in 2007 vs. the Bears, Tony Dungy has made the football world a better place. He is the first Coach to beat every one of the 32 NFL teams.

Tony Dungy brought more than talent to the game of football. He brought character, and along with that, pride and the will to win. Dungy believed that their was more to sports than meets the eye, and he proved it.

We will always miss Tony Dungy, and what he did for the game of football.

Steelers and Eagles pull off Convincing wins, and we will see a new champion of the NFL

2009-01-11T18:04:00.000-08:00

With the score being 7-5 with time winding down in the first half, the New York football Giants sent out kicker John Carney to kick a 34 yard field goal. He split the uprights and gave what the G-Men thought would be an 8-7 lead going into halftime. They trusted their defense to hold a struggling Donovan McNabb untill the half ended. They were far from right. McNabb was able to drive his offense to New York's 7 yard line, and David Akers was able to kick a chip-shot 25 yard field goal to take the lead going into halftime.

The Eagles must have came out in the second half with a new life, because the Eagles went on to win, 23-11 getting 2 more Carney field goals, and a one yard TD pass from McNabb. McNabb did not have an outstanding day by any means going 22/40 for 217 yards and a pick, but got helped out by his defense, who scooped up a fumble and intercepted Eli Manning twice.

What this means? There will be a new champion of the NFL this year. The Giants put up a good run, but its all for not, because another team will get a chance to Heist the Lombardi trophey on Super Bowl Sunday.

Guess what? I was wrong. The Chargers were knocked out of Super Bowl contention, as the Steelers beat down on them 35-24. Phillip Rivers threw for 308 yards, and 3 touchdowns. His counterpart, Ben Rothlisberger, threw for 181 yards and a touchdown, but was helped out by RB Willie Parker, who ran for 146 yards and 2 scores, and widout Santonio Holmes, who returned a punt for a touchdown. With ailing LT on the sidelines, My Boy Darren Sproles lined up at Half Back for the Chargers, and was stuffed by the #1 defense in the NFL, rushing for only 15 yards on 11 carries. Sporles was not completely contained though. Returning kickoffs and punts, he racked up 274 yards, and the most all purpose yards in two games in NFL playoff history.

With all that said, we have our Conference championshps set. The Steelers will be playing the Ravens, and the Eagles will be matching up against the Cardinals.

Thats all for now, until next time, Im Bennett Kaplan. Have a good night.

Birds are Victorious: Ravens and Cardinals Fly away

2009-01-10T21:30:00.000-08:00

Saturday afternoon, and the Tennessee Titans go out to play some ball against the streaking Ravens. The Ravens pulled out a win, and a convincing one at that, winning 13-10, off a late Matt Stover 43 yard field goal. The Baltimore defense collected 3 more turnovers, and proved to be one of the best defenses in the league. Who says they cant win the AFC championship game. With a decent QB in Rookie Joe Flacco and of course their Pro-Bowl defense, their are no limits to what they can do.

Later that night, the Cardinals took the field against Carolina, a week after winning their first home playoff game in over 50 years. Jake Delhome just had an awful day, throwing 5 interceptions to a run of the mill at best defense in the Arizona Cardinals. The key factor in this game you ask? Star wide recievers of course; Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald reeled in 8 receptions for 166 yards and a score, while Carolina playmaker Steve Smith, touching the ball twice for 43 yards. If the Panthers had wanted any chance at winning tonight, they would have had to given the ball to their star wide reciever. How can you make plays if your most dangerous player has 2 receptions for 41 yards? YOU CANT. If they had thrown to him more, you would think that Carolina would have at least put up more of a fight, but all is for not, because the Cardinals have advanced.

Thats all for now, and untill next time, Im Bennett Kaplan and have a good night.

Im Dissapointed

2009-01-09T19:15:00.000-08:00

As most of us have probably guessed, Utah was not voted number 1 in the final pole. This angers me. Utah is the most deserving team. Enough of that, we still have NFL playoffs to worry about. Im pickin the Chargers to run the table, solely because of one man. Darren Sproles. Sproles is the most dangerous person in the NFL, and will prove it this weekend.

Thats all for now, until next time, Im Bennett Kaplan. Have a good Day.

Utah is my #1

2009-01-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

Report for Thursday January 8.

Today, the Reds resigned speedy utility man Jerry Hairston for 2009. He is a great defensive player, with significant speed, and fielding abilities. He will for sure be a great help to the Reds trying to catch that ever evasive National League Central title in 2009.

In Bengals news Dale Livingston, the Bengals first ever kicker, passed away early this week. Our hearts are with all his friends and Family.

The whole sports world today is spinning with talk about college football BCS National Championship Game. Frankly to me, the game will be a pointless, exciting game. What I mean by this, is that it will defiantly be a good game. Two of the best quarterbacks, Tim Tebow, and Sam Bradford, dueling it out for the crystal ball. But the winner, will not be the national championship in my heart. The true national champion is Utah. Utah finished a perfect season with a 31-17 stomping of former #1 Alabama.They were the only team this year to go undefeated, and therefore they are the national champions in my heart.

Thats all for now, until next time, Im Bennett Kaplan. Have a good day.