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Gigantic SOX & Dawgs 2014 MLB Preview – Day 1 – NL West

Welcome to the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2014 MLB preview. Over the next few days you will get a team by team look at its key players, new faces, their potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, their possible starting lineup and rotation as well as a quick summary.

We will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

Also added this year is some home stadium information along with dates the teams will play against the Boston Red Sox. The red shaded games are at Fenway; the blue shaded games are road games.

This preview was sculpted over the off season with some mild tweaking as we went along prior to publication. It comes from a culmination of reading many hours of baseball research.

I hope you enjoy this look at the upcoming season.

It was a lot of work but a lot of fun compiling this preview and starting today we will take a look at the National League West. The rest of the schedule follows with a different division being profiled each day and the final day will bring you the winners, award selections and a list of managers who have a lot to prove in 2014 if they want to be on the bench in 2015.

Tomorrow you will get the American League West preview followed by the NL Central, AL Central, NL East and AL East.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

National League West

Last year it looked like the Dodgers were drowning in their money then Yasiel Puig happened both for the good and the bad. No matter what he did on or off the field it impacted and seemingly motivated his teammates who played the best baseball in a 50 game stretch in MLB history and it led them to NL West title. While the Dodgers roared the rest of the division cowered. The Diamondbacks were the only team that was even close, while the Giants, Padres and Rockies were non-factors. Look for the Dodgers to repeat, the Giants to make a comeback and the Diamondbacks to contend in 2014.

1. Los Angeles – Manager Don Mattingly (4th year)

Off to a subpar start with talk of the manager being relieved of his duties things had to change in LA. On June 22 they were 9.5 GB and 11 games under .500. They brought in RF Yasiel Puig who energized the team and fans and in one month they were in 1st place by a 0.5 game and were 4 games over .500. At the All-Star break they were 47-47 from that point on they played .662 ball and ran away with the NL West even though they were sub .500 against the division. The streak saved Don Mattingly’s job and kept a lot of players in LA who may have been shipped elsewhere. This offseason they locked up defending NL CYA SP Clayton Kershaw (7/214) and brought in RP Jamey Wright and RP Chris Perez for bullpen depth and SP’s Paul Maholm and Dan Haren to round out the rotation. This team is loaded and if they play anywhere near like 2013 they will run away and hide.

Home Field: Dodger Stadium; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 1962; Capacity: 56,000

2013 Attendance: 3,743,527 (1st in NL)

Key Players: 1B Adrian Gonzalez; SS Hanley Ramirez; CF Matt Kemp; SP Clayton Kershaw; SP Zack Greinke

MVP Candidate: 1B Adrian Gonzalez

Cy Young Candidate: SP Clayton Kershaw

ROY Candidate: 2B Alexander Guerrero

Key Additions: SP Paul Maholm; RP Chris Perez; RP Jamey Wright; 2B Alexander Guerrero; SP Dan Haren; OF Mike Baxter; IF Chone Figgins; OF Jeremy Hazelbaker; SS Erisbel Arruebarrena

Possible lineup: Crawford LF; Puig RF; Gonzalez 1B; Ramirez SS; Kemp CF; Uribe 3B; Ellis C; Guerrero 2B

Possible rotation: Kershaw; Greinke; Ryu; Haren; Maholm

Games against Red Sox in 2014: None

2. San Francisco – Manager Bruce Bochy (8th year/20th overall)

2013 started out okay in San Francisco the Giants got out to a small division lead only to have the wheels come off by mid-May. They ended up 10 games below .500 and 16 GB of the Los Angeles Dodgers. So what have the Giants done to correct this downward spiral of ’13? They signed FA SP Tim Hudson and FA IF/OF Michael Morse and didn’t bring back Andres Torres, Chad Gaudin and Barry Zito. Other than that they’ve kind of stood pat hoping last season was an aberration and not a trend.

Home Field: AT&T Park; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 2000; Capacity: 41,915

2013 Attendance: 3,369,106 (3rd in NL)

Key Players: C Buster Posey; RF Hunter Pence; SS Brandon Crawford; SP Matt Cain; RP Sergio Romo

MVP Candidate: C Buster Posey

Cy Young Candidate: SP Matt Cain

ROY Candidate: RP Heath Hembree

Key Additions: SP Tim Hudson; LF Michael Morse; C Guillermo Quiroz; INF Brandon Hicks; RP David Huff

Possible lineup: Pagan CF; Scutaro 2B; Belt 1B; Posey C; Pence RF; Sandoval 3B; Morse LF; Crawford SS

Possible rotation: Bumgarner; Cain; Lincecum; Hudson; Volgelsong

Games against Red Sox in 2014: None

3. Arizona – Manager Kirk Gibson (5th year)

The Diamondbacks need to make the post season or Kirk Gibson’s run could be over in the desert. Since taking over the team has finished 5th, 1st, 3rd and 2nd in NL West and had one playoff series, a 5-game loss to Milwaukee in 2011. Gone are young hopefuls SP Tyler Skaggs and CF Adam Eaton both dealt as part of a 3-way trade for LF Mark Trumbo. This could be a good team and will challenge for a playoff spot along with Dodgers and the Giants. It’s up to Gibson to mold them and get them on a playoff run.

Home Field: Chase Field Playing Surface: natural grass/retractable roof; Opened: 1998; Capacity: 48,633

2013 Attendance: 2,134,795 (14th in NL)

Key Players: 3B Martin Prado; 1B Paul Goldschmidt; LF Mark Trumbo; CF Gerardo Parra; SP Patrick Corbin

MVP Candidate: 1B Paul Goldschmidt

Cy Young Candidate: SP Patrick Corbin

ROY Candidate: SP Archie Bradley; SS Didi Gregorius

Key Additions: LF Mark Trumbo; SP Bronson Arroyo; C Henry Blanco; IF/OF Matt Tuiasosopo; RP Addison Reed; SP Alex Sanabia; SS Didi Gregorius; RP Oliver Perez

Possible lineup: Parra CF; Hill 2B; M. Montero C; Goldschmidt 1B; Trumbo LF; Ross RF; Prado 3B; Gregorius SS

Possible rotation: Corbin; McCarthy; Arroyo; Cahill; Delgado

Games against Red Sox in 2014: None

4. San Diego – Manager Bud Black (8th year)

It’s a known fact that the Padres struggle to score runs and working half your time in a pitchers park doesn’t help matter much. Even with a winning record at Petco in 2013 they were still outscored in their own park. With the exception of September they were outscored every month of the season and as the season progressed the differential got worse. Then in September they came around. They were actually 34-32 after the All-Star break despite being outscored. They were expecting SP Corey Luebke back but he suffered another injury in February and will have his second Tommy John surgery. The injury could help top prospect Casey Kelly get into the five-man rotation out of camp.

Home Field: Petco Park; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 2004 Capacity: 42,524

2013 Attendance: 2,166,691 (12th in NL)

Key Players: 3B Chase Headley; 1B Yonder Alonso; SP Ian Kennedy; RP Huston Street; LF Carlos Quentin

MVP Candidate: 3B Chase Headley

Cy Young Candidate: SP Ian Kennedy

ROY Candidate: SP Casey Kelly

Key Additions: SP Josh Johnson; RF Seth Smith; RP Alex Torres; RP Jesse Hahn; RP Joaquin Benoit; IF/OF Xavier Nady

Possible lineup: Cabrera SS; Venable CF; Headley 3B; Quentin LF; Alonso 1B; Gyorko 2B; Smith RF; Hunley C

Possible rotation: Kennedy; Cashner; Johnson; Ross; Kelly

Games against Red Sox in 2014: None

5. Colorado – Manager Walt Weiss (2nd year)

Inconsistency lead to a last place finish for Colorado in 2013 after a 13-4 start they struggled to get near .500 at the break. They were 28-38 from there on out and finished 20 GB the Dodgers in Walt Weiss’ first season as bench boss. They need to improve on the road where they had a nearly MINUS 100 run differential and were 23 games under .500. Gone is Todd Helton who retired and now this is Troy Tulowitzki’s team as he assumes the mantle as face of the franchise. They’ve added 1B Justin Morneau, 2 starting pitchers to the rotation and strengthened the bullpen in an attempt to upgrade.

Home Field: Coors Field; Playing Surface: natural grass; Opened: 1995; Capacity: 50,480

2013 Attendance: 2,793,828 (5th in NL)

Key Players: LF Carlos Gonzalez; SS Troy Tulowitzki; RF Michael Cuddyer; 1B Justin Morneau; SP Jorge De La Rosa

MVP Candidate: LF Carlos Gonzalez

Cy Young Candidate: SP Jorge De La Rosa

ROY Candidate: SP Jonathan Gray; SP Eddie Butler

Key Additions: 1B Justin Morneau; OF Drew Stubbs; OF Brandon Barnes; SP Brett Anderson; SP Franklin Morales; RP LaTroy Hawkins; RP Boone Logan; C Michael McKenry; IF Paul Janish

Possible lineup: Dickerson CF; Arenado 3B; Gonzalez LF; Tulowitzki SS; Cuddyer RF; Morneau 1B; Rosario C; Rutledge 2B

Possible rotation: De La Rosa; Chacin; Anderson; Chatwood; Morales

Games against Red Sox in 2014: None

Tomorrow: The American League West

photo credits: getty images; getty images; getty images, getty images, getty images

The Year Yaz Walked on Water

With spring training upon us a lot of the talk in social media has turned to baseball. So far in the beginning of MLB camps we’ve found out that Derek Jeter is retiring, Ryan Dempster is taking the year off and David Ortiz wants an extension among other things around the leagues.

In my interactions with other Red Sox fans it’s clear how we feel about Ortiz. I wrote about him earlier this offseason and many feel he deserves the extension, he should be a Hall of Fame inductee and the immortalized at Fenway Park with a statue. I say yes to all of this, as while being wildly revered he has been grossly underpaid.

When we talk of Ortiz you can’t help but mention the post seasons he has had and we were talking about where he fits in the pantheon of Red Sox legends and lore. I said while Ortiz is great, Yaz resurrected baseball in Boston in 1967. He walked on water. One of my twitter followers @notwallygm made this comment that rings very true, “Yaz resurrected baseball, Ortiz erased 1918.” Fair enough.

I just feel like Carl Yastrzemski at times is forgotten in all the hoopla and hullabaloo surrounding Ortiz, much like Bill Russell is forgotten all too wrongly in NBA circles. The problem is many are too young to have either seen 1967 or even Yaz in his prime at all. Face it there isn’t a lot of video.

In 1967 Carl Yastrzemski played in 161 of 162 games with 158 starts. The team in his 158 games started was 90-68. He had a 13 game hit streak and reached base in 56 consecutive games. He had 21 go ahead hits with the team either tied or behind in the 7th inning or later. He drove in 121 runs in 680 plate appearances (579 AB’s) the MLB average in 1967 for RBI with 680 plate appearances was 62 runs driven in.

In 1967 Yaz had 5 multi-homerun games, 48 games with 2+ hits including 12 with 3 hits, 4 games with 4 hits and 5 hits in one glorious 18 inning April game at Yankee Stadium.

In that 18-inning game Yaz was 5 for 8 with a walk, he scored two runs, had a double, 2 triples and 1 RBI in a 7-6 loss.

His 1967 as a whole Yaz hit .326 with 44 HR and 121 RBI. He had 189 hits, 31 were doubles and 4 were triples. He scored 112 runs in 579 official at bats. He walked 91 times, was intentionally walked another 11, was hit by 4 pitches and struck out just 69 times and hit into only 5 double plays. His slash line was .326/.418/.622/1.040 and he was named the American League MVP and he put asses in the seats at Fenway. Oh and he won the Triple Crown and was the last player to do so until Miguel Cabrera in 2012.

In the 1967 World Series he hit .400 he was 10 for 25 with 2 doubles, 3 homeruns and 5 RBI. He also scored two runs, had 4 walks and struck out just one time. His World Series slashline was .400/.500/.840/1.340. If the Red Sox had beaten the Cardinals he would have been the MVP of the Series.

He also won a Gold Glove in ’67 playing all of his innings but 6 in left field. Those other 6 innings came in CF for 1 game. He made just 7 errors, threw out 13 runners and had a .977 fielding percentage.

The 1967 Red Sox were much like their 2013 brethren in that they weren’t expected to do much of anything much less compete. Like last year they faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series but unlike 2013 the Red Sox weren’t able to get to Cardinal pitching in key times and the great Bob Gibson shut them down with 3 complete game wins and a 1.00 ERA in 27 innings.

In ’67 the Red Sox were only in first place for 21 games. Their largest lead was just 1.5 games on August 30th; the biggest deficit was 7 games back on July 8. Until July they were just an average team being just 3 games over .500 going into July.

Starting with July 8 until the season’s end Yaz had 315 AB, scored 65 runs, had 104 hits of which 16 were doubles, 1 triple and 26 homeruns. He drove in 64 runs, walked 44 times, was intentionally walked 6 times, struck out 35 times and was hit by 3 pitches. His slashline from July 8 to October 1 was .330/.426/.635/1.061. In those 84 games the team went 52-32 to claim the American League pennant on the season’s last day when Minnesota lost.

Yaz was positively deadly down the stretch. In the last two weeks of the season (13 games) he had 48 at bats and 24 hits for you math majors the dude hit .500 over a two-week period in crunch time. He had 5 doubles and 5 homeruns and drove in 18 runs. Once again that’s in the last 13 games of the season when they absolutely needed every win. His slashline in those 13 games was absolutely ridiculous .500/.647/.916/1.564.

In those last 13 games he had hits in all but 1 game, he finished with a 10-game hitting streak and in those final two weeks he had 6 multi-hit games (2 games with 2 hits, 2 games with 3 hits and 2 games with 4 hits). In the last two games in which the Red Sox HAD TO WIN, Yaz was 7 for 8 with a double, a homer and 6 RBI along with a walk and only 1 strike out.

In 2004, 2007 and 2013 David Ortiz helped us erase 1918 and longing for a title to come to Fenway to becoming a three-time champion. But without 1967 and Carl Yastrzemski resurrecting a fan base I am not sure we can say what would have happened to Boston baseball. Would they be what they are today? Would those loses in ’67, ’75 and ’86 as well as ’78 and ’03 meant as much and hurt as much? Or would they have been a version of say the Texas Rangers or Cleveland Indians? Baseball is king in Boston, even with the recent sustained success of the Bruins and Patriots and the selective runs by the Celtics in the last 25 years. Would that be the case without ’67?

My contention isn’t that Ortiz is better than Yaz or Yaz is better than Ortiz but that they both walk hand in hand with what they mean to Boston baseball and history. 1967 laid the foundation for the next generations of baseball fans in Boston and there’s no doubt we have Carl Yastrzemski to thank for it.

In The Red Zone – January 21

In The Red Zone - Patriots

It is what it is.

We all saw it there’s not much sense in rehashing it. The better team won Sunday end of story. Denver 26, New England, 16 and it wasn’t even as close as the final score looks.

They were better on offense. They ran the ball better, they passed better, they blocked better, they protected their quarterback better, they had more first downs, they were better on 3rd down, they were better on big plays, they had the ball more and scored more points.

They were better on defense. They tackled better, they defended better, they rushed the quarterback better, they stopped the pass and the run better, and they didn’t give up big plays or first downs.

In all my years as a Patriots fan I have never used injuries as an excuse and I won’t start now and I go back to Chuck Fairbanks bolting to Colorado. Every team suffers injuries; the remaining teams at this time of year look like a mash unit it wasn’t just the Patriots.

In recent years we have played significant time without guys like Tom Brady, Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo, Rob Gronkowski, Stephen Gostkowski, Danny Amendola, Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi and many others. It will happen again and like he always has Bill Belichick will ask for the next player to step forward and produce.

I don’t have a full list of Patriots free agents but off the top of my head they include CB Aqib Talib, LB Brandon Spikes, DT Tommy Kelly, DE Andre Carter, RB LeGarrette Blount, WR Julian Edelman and I am sure a host of others. Players will come and go but the upper leadership and the colors remain the same and regardless of who is on the roster Week 1 of the 2014 season you know this franchise will compete. It’s instilled in their DNA now.

Now longer will we ever see a 1-15, 3-13 or even a 5-11, I hope we never see another 8-8 or 7-9 but you never know. A few times in the last handful of seasons the team could have turned one of those 7-9 seasons out but pride and the way they play and who they play for wouldn’t allow them to phone it in.

This year could have been an 8-8 or 7-9 season but thankfully it wasn’t and this team went so much farther than I ever thought they would. I was very afraid of both a late season collapse or getting the wrong playoff matchup and going 1 and done.

This team fought all season long, they won 12 games, were the second seed in the AFC, earned a playoff bye week and a home game then the wheels finally fell off in Denver.

It has now been 9 seasons since the last Super Bowl Championship and there are only two players left from any of those wins. Sure they’ve been to two more Super Bowls since, and 5 AFC Championship games but the games they won 10, 12 years ago are the games they are losing today.

I truly trust Belichick and the Kraft family will keep this team competitive for seasons to come and change the big game losses. As Patriots fans we have been blessed with some great teams and it’s because of a handful of people. Robert Kraft, his late wife Myra, their kids especially team President Jonathan Kraft, Belichick, the scouting staff and those who did their jobs in Foxboro helping build this franchise and then moved on to other places.

If you look at the last few NFL Dynasties Patriots of the 2000’s, Cowboys of the 1990’s, 49ers of the 1980’s and the Steelers of the 1970’s a couple of things should jump out at you.

First New England managed to do this in the free agency, salary cap era that is truly staggering. To have such great cap management is a huge part of what the team does that puts them in this position year after year.

Second is the Patriots have not had the down years. Since winning 3 Super Bowls in four seasons New England has not had a season in the last 9 worse than 10-6, which they did twice in 2005 and 2009. Looking at those other dynasties 9 years removed is much different.

Pittsburgh in the 9-year post dynasty period put out an 8-8, a 7-9, a 6-10 and a 5-11 that’s 4 seasons of .500 or below. San Francisco meanwhile in their 9 years post dynasty had a 6-10 season and a 4-12 and in subsequent years beyond the initial 9-year period they really started to unravel and had 8 consecutive seasons or .500 or worse football. Dallas meanwhile since their last title has become the poster child for mediocrity. In the 9-year period after the last championship the Cowboys put up an 8-8, a 6-10 and three 5-11 seasons.

So while we as a fan base are hurting today and feeling disappointed with the end of our season I can pretty safely say we’ve been damn lucky.

Thanks for reading as always. It’s been fun even though every year it becomes harder and harder to find the time and the drive to do the research for the weekly game previews and to write them.

Hopefully after some time off I will be ready for next season.

Game Notes

The spread was Patriots PLUS 6 and the teams were UNDER the under/over line of 56. I took the points (Patriots) and took the over. I missed on both.

I finished 6-12 vs. the spread in 2013 and 9 for 18 on calling the under/over.

The Broncos lead the playoff series with the Patriots, 3-1. Overall they lead the series 28-20 including the postseason.

The loss snaps New England’s four game win streak against Denver.

Patriots are 9-19 in Denver all-time including 0-3 in the post season.

The Patriots are now 25-18 all-time in the playoffs.

They are 7-3 in the Conference Championship Game and they are 3-2 as the road team in the Conference Championship.

They are 6-10 in playoff games as the road team.

Bill Belichick is 7-11 vs. the Broncos overall in his career. He is 7-7 as the head coach in New England including 1-2 in the playoffs.

Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 199-105 in his 19th NFL season as a head coach. He is 163-61 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland. He is 19-9 in the playoffs, 18-8 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season.

Belichick’s 19 postseason wins tie him for 2nd all-time with Don Shula (19) and he is one away from career leader Tom Landry (20).

Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 218-114. The 218 wins are good for 5th all-time in NFL history.

This is John Fox’s third season as the head coach in Denver he is 34-14 in the regular season and 3-2 in the playoffs for an overall record of 37-16. Prior to that Fox was the head coach of the Carolina Panthers for 9 seasons and had a record of 73-71 in the regular season and 8-5 in the playoffs. Combined between Denver and Carolina he is 107-85 in the regular season and 11-7 in the playoffs for an overall mark of 118-92.

Fox is 2-6 vs. New England as a head coach including 1-2 in the post season combined between Denver and Carolina.

This is Tom Brady’s 14th NFL season he is 5-7 vs. the Broncos in his career including 1-2 in the playoffs. He is 65-30 on the road in his career and 3-3 on the road in the playoffs for an overall road record of 68-33.

Denver is the only team Brady has a losing record against.

Overall he is 148-43 as a starting QB and is 18-8 in the playoffs for an overall record of 166-51.

He made his 26th career playoff start most in NFL history.

His 18 postseason wins are most in NFL history.

The Patriots Inactives were: WR Kenbrell Thompkins; TE D. Williams, LB Steve Beauharnais; OL Chris Barker; DT Isaac Sopoaga; DE Jake Bequette and DB Justin Green.

RB Shane Vereen led the Patriots running backs with 34-yards on 4 carries.

WR Julian Edelman had 10 catches and 89-yards receiving to lead the Patriots.

New England was 6 for 12 for 50% on 3rd down conversions. They were 1 for 2 on 4th down.

The Pats were 2 for 3 in the red zone and 1 for 1 on goal to goal efficiency.

Denver won the time of possession having the ball for 35:44.

Patriots had 19 first downs to 27 for the Broncos.

S Devin McCourty had 9 tackles to lead the team.

The New England defense allowed Denver 507 yards of total offense. The Patriots had 320 yards for the game.

The Patriots had 0 sacks and 0 QB hits.

Denver QB Peyton Manning played 14 years in Indianapolis and was 141-67 in the regular season and 9-10 in the post season for an overall record of 150-77.

In his second season in Denver he is 26-6 and 2-1 in the post season for an overall record of 28-7.

For his career he is 167-73 in the regular season and 11-11 in the post season for an overall record of 178-84.

In his career he is 8-14 vs. New England including 2-2 in the playoffs.

The Broncos were 7 for 13 for 54% on 3rd down conversions and 1 for 1 on fourth down.

Denver was 2 for 3 in the red zone and 2 for 4 on goal to go.

Tony Corrente was the referee for the game.

77,110 attended the game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver CO. It was sunny and 63 degrees.

Offensive Player of the Game: Broncos QB Peyton Manning was 32 of 43 for 400 yards, 0 INT and he was not sacked or hit.

Defensive Player of the Game: Broncos DT Terrance Knighton of Windsor CT had 4 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss and 1 QB hit.

Next Week

End of Season.

In The Red Zone: New England Patriots at Denver Broncos Preview – AFC Championship Game

This Week

The New England Patriots visit the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO on Sunday January 19 at 3 p.m. in the AFC Championship Game.

The Patriots		–	The Broncos
Record	13-4		Overall Record	14-3
Road Record	4-4		Home Record	7-1
Playoff Teams	5-2		Playoff Teams	5-3
AFC	10-3		AFC	10-3

Tony Corrente is the referee for the game.

Honorary Captains are Willie McGinest (Patriots) and Rod Smith (Broncos).

The Line/Prediction

As of Thursday the line on the game from Sports Betting via Yahoo Sports has the Patriots at PLUS 6. The over/under is 56.

My Prediction is Broncos 34, Patriots, 30. Take the points (Patriots) and take the over. I am 5-11 against the spread and 9 of 16 on calling the over/under in 2013.

Tickets

Broncos have sold out every home game since the 1970 season. With regular season and postseason combined Denver has sold out 360 consecutive games.

Tickets to the game, if available, can be purchased through Ticketmaster. You can check the availability here.

After market tickets are available through the Official Patriots Ticket Exchange where season ticket holders can sell their unused seats to fans on the season ticket waiting list.

Getting to the Game

If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Denver make sure you check out the links.

Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Denver CO.

Click for all the game day information including stadium directions, parking information and map and a Mile High Stadium seating chart.

Tailgating

Here’s a bunch of different tailgating recipes from Tailgating.com. There’s something there for everyone and every type of meal or snack. I’ve tried some of the recipes and they’re very good.

And with tailgating many people enjoy some adult beverages. With that in mind check out Drink Nation for how to make all sorts of great drinks. You can look things up by name, ingredient(s) or theme.

Whether it’s at the game, a bar or a friend’s house moderation is always the key to a great time. Please don’t drink and drive and designate a sober driver. Remember drive sober or get pulled over.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television

CBS is televising the game nationally Jim Nantz will do play by play while Phil Simms will provide the game analysis and Tracy Wolfson will work the sidelines. You can look here for your local affiliate.

CBS is also streaming the game via your computer, laptop or tablet. Cell phone streaming rights belong to Verizon.

There is no DirecTV designation.

Here are all the rules on NFL TV broadcasts including explaining the blackout rules; flex scheduling and commercial breaks.

Radio

The Patriots Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBZ-FM, 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston. Bob Socci handles the play-by-play and former Patriots QB Scott Zolak will do game analysis. It all starts with Gary Tanguay and Andy Gresh with the pregame show at 12 p.m. on the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.

The Patriots Radio Network game call is available on Sirius Channel 92, XM Channel 225 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 818.

The Broncos Radio Network has former Broncos players Dave Logan calling the play by play and Ed McCaffrey does the color via their flagship station 850 KOA AM and KRFX 103.5 FM.

Their game call is available on Sirius Channel 86, XM Channel 86 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 809.

The game will be carried nationally by Westwood One with Kevin Harlan doing play by play, Dan Fouts provides the game analysis and Tim Ryan covers the sidelines.

Their game call is available on Sirius Channel 88, XM Channel 88 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 88.

Patriots All Access

Patriots All-Access features behind the scenes looks, interviews and breakdowns with head coach Bill Belichick and in depth features on the team. It’s hosted by Steve Burton of WBZ-TV (Boston) and airs weekly in most New England television markets.

Boston MA on TV 38 Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
Providence RI on WNAC Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
Manchester NH on WMUR Saturday at midnight
Portland ME on WMTW Saturday at 5 a.m.
Hartford CT on WCTX Saturday at 5 p.m.
Springfield MA on WFXQ Saturday at 7 p.m.
Bangor ME on WVII Sunday at 11 a.m.

You can also watch it anytime on the team website in the media section.

Last Week

Patriots beat the Colts at home in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game, 43-22. Broncos beat the Chargers at home in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game, 24-17.

History

This is the 48th meeting between the two teams.
Denver leads the regular season series 25-19.
Broncos also hold the post season series lead, 2-1 for an overall record vs. New England of 27-20.
This is the fifth meeting since December 2011 and the Patriots have won all those previous games.
Patriots won the last meeting Week 12 in Foxboro when they staged the largest comeback in franchise history, 34-31 when Stephen Gostkowski kicked a field goal in OT.

Patriots Team Notes

Here is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2013 Patriots Schedule/Results

The Patriots overall franchise record is 438-373-9. They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in seven appearances. Overall they are 25-17 in the post season.

They last appeared in the playoffs in 2012 when they beat Houston in the AFC Divisional Round 41-28 and lost to Baltimore 28-13 in the AFC Championship Game.

They are 1-0 in the playoffs in 2013.

Patriots are 7-2 in the Conference Championship Game. They are 3-1 as the road team.

Date Opponent W/L Score

01/12/86 at Miami W 31-14

01/12/97 Jacksonville W 20-6

01/27/02 at Pittsburgh W 24-17

01/18/04 Indianapolis W 24-14

01/23/05 at Pittsburgh W 41-27

01/21/07 at Indianapolis L 34-38

01/20/08 San Diego W 21-12

01/22/12 Baltimore W 23-20

01/20/13 Baltimore L 13-28

They have won the division 11 times and the conference 5 times since 2000.

The Patriots are the five time defending AFC East Champions (2009-13).

New England is first team to have earned 9 first round byes and first AFC team with 4 consecutive byes in the playoffs since this playoff format was established in 1990.

They are 6-9 as the road team in the playoffs.

Since 2000 the Patriots have a winning regular season record against all 31 teams in the NFL. The Patriots are 6-5 vs. the Broncos in that time span.

Patriots have 5th best postseason winning percentage (.585) for teams with 15 or more games played.

New England is tied with the Oakland Raiders for the 5th most playoff wins in NFL history with 25.

New England is the only NFL team to finish .500 or better in each of the last 13 seasons. Green Bay is 2nd with 5 seasons and then Cincinnati and San Francisco have 3 seasons in a row.

They have 11 consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins.

They are the first team in the free agency era (1993) to win more than half their games in a 13-season span.

In 2013 the Patriots have played in 7 games decided by 3 points or less and are 6-1.

Since the 1970 merger the Patriots are 4th all time with 28 winning seasons behind Dallas and Miami (29 each) and Pittsburgh (31).

New England was 3-0 against common opponents with Denver in 2013 (Baltimore, Indianapolis and Houston) including playoffs.

In Patriots first two wins under Bill Belichick at Denver (10/1/00 and 11/3/03), he took intentional safeties in the second half to help secure the win.

Patriots are 9-18 in Denver all-time including 0-2 in the post season.

Patriots and the 49ers are first teams since 2001-04 Eagles to advance to three consecutive conference championship games.

Patriots led the AFC in rushing TD’s in 2013 with 19 that was tied for 2nd in the NFL.

They were second in NFL in fewest penalties (69) and 3rd in fewest penalty yards (625).

Their 444 points was third highest in NFL in 2013 and 5th highest in franchise history.

New England was PLUS 9 in turnover differential good for 8th in the NFL. They had 17 INT’s and recovered 12 fumbles while they threw 11 INT’s and lost 9 fumbles.

In the playoffs the Patriots are PLUS 4 in turnover differential. They have 4 INT’s and 0 fumble recoveries while they have thrown 0 INT’s and lost 0 fumbles.

The Patriots were 3rd in points scored averaging 27.8 points per game and 10th in fewest points allowed with 21.1 points per game.

This is the 20th season of Patriots ownership by the Kraft family. Since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 they:

Have the most Super Bowl wins, 3.
Have the most regular season wins, 217.
Have the most wins including playoffs, 238.
Have the most conference titles, 6.
Have the most division titles, 13.
Have the most playoff wins, 21
Have played the most playoff games, 32.
Are tied for the most playoff seasons, 15.
The fewest head coaches within the division, 3.
Have drafted the most Pro Bowl players, 20.

From 1960 to 1993 the New England/Boston Patriots won a total of 225 games.

The Patriots have 7 players who have never played in the postseason.

Patriots Staff Notes

This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Denver Broncos.

Bill Belichick is 7-10 vs. the Broncos overall in his career. He is 7-6 as the head coach in New England including 1-1 in the playoffs.

Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 199-105 in his 19th NFL season as a head coach. He is 163-61 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland. He is 19-8 in the playoffs, 18-7 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season. When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 218-113.

Belichick’s 19 postseason wins tie him for 2nd all-time with Don Shula (19) and he is one away from career leader Tom Landry (20).

He has won 5 conference titles; he needs one more to tied Don Shula’s record of 6.

Belichick is one of just four coaches to win three Super Bowls, joining Chuck Noll (4), Joe Gibbs (3) and Bill Walsh (3). Those men are all in the Hall of Fame.

He is the only coach in NFL history to win three championship titles in four seasons.

No coach either as the head coach or an assistant has appeared in more Super Bowls than Belichick who has been to 8 (five as a head coach).

Belichick spent one season in Denver as an assistant special teams coach in 1978 under Red Miller.

Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels was the Broncos head coach in 2009 and 2010 and compiled an 11-17 record.

Special Teams Coach Scott O’Brien was the Denver Special Teams Coordinator in 2007 and 2008.

Patriots Possible Starters

Offense:

LT: Solder
LG: Mankins
C: Wendell
RG: Connolly
RT: Cannon
TE: Hoomanawanui
WR: Edelman
WR: Amendola
QB: Brady
RB: Blount
FB: Develin

Defense:

DE: Ninkovich
DT: Siliga
DT: Chr. Jones
DE: Cha. Jones
LB: Collins
LB: Fletcher
LB: Hightower
LCB: Dennard
RCB: Talib
S: Gregory
S: Harmon

Patriots Players Notes

Tom Brady Notes:

This is his 14th NFL season he is 5-6 vs. the Broncos in his career including 1-1 in the playoffs. He is 65-30 on the road in his career and 3-2 on the road in the playoffs for an overall road record of 68-32.

Denver is the only team Brady has a losing record against.

Is making his 26th career playoff start most in NFL history for a quarterback.

This is Brady’s 7th game in Denver in his career. He is 2-4 vs. Broncos on the road with 11 TD’s and 7 INT’s. He is 131 for 222 a 59% completion rate and is 1-3 in Mile High during the day.

Overall he is 148-43 as a starting QB and is 18-7 in the playoffs for an overall record of 166-50. He is a 9 time Pro Bowl QB; 3 time All-Pro selection; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP.

Has 7 comeback wins in the post season including three in Super Bowls. Two of those Super Bowl comebacks were completed with 1:21 or less left on the clock.

His 18 post season wins are the most by any quarterback.

His three Super Bowl wins ties him with Troy Aikman for second behind Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana who have four each.

Along with Bart Starr, Eli Manning and Bradshaw, his two Super Bowl MVP awards are second only to Joe Montana who has three.

Is tied for the second most 300-yard games in the postseason with Kurt Warner and Montana with 6. Peyton Manning has the most, 8.

All-time NFL leader in post season completions (566) and passing yards (6,147).

Third all-time in post season TD passes (42) behind Brett Favre (44) and Montana (45).

Shares the record for most TD passes in a playoff game (6) with Steve Young and Daryle Lamonica.

Danny Amendola notes:

Will play in his third career playoff game, second as a Patriot.

In 2 career games vs. Denver has 7 catches for 58 yards.

Had his first post season receptions vs. Indianapolis in AFC Division game with 3 catches for 77-yards.

Finished season with 54 catches for 633 yards and 2 TD’s.

Set career high for yards per catch (11.7) and longest catch (57-yards).

Has 3 100-yard games as a Patriot at Miami Week 15, vs. Pittsburgh in Week 9 and in Week 1 at Buffalo.

Missed 4 games in 2014 due to injuries (groin, 3 and concussion, 1).

Julian Edelman notes:

Will play in his 7th playoff game. Missed the post season last year due to a foot injury that put him on IR after Week 12.

Has 14 career catches vs. Denver for 143 yards and 2 TD’s in 4 games including playoffs.

Led team with 6 catches for 84-yards vs. Indianapolis in AFC Division game.

Had his first 100-catch, 1000-yard season in his career and just the third Patriot behind Troy Brown and Wes Welker.

His previous career high was 37 receptions for 357 yards in 2009.

Has 4 of his 5 career 100-yard games this year, at Miami Week 15, at Houston Week 13, Week 12 vs. Denver and Week 4 at Atlanta.

Set career high with 13 catches and 139-yards at Miami Week 15.

Lead the team with 105 catches for 1,056 yards. He also had 6 TD catches. He had just 21 catches in 2012.

He was 5th in NFL in catches for 2013.

Had 9 games with 7 or more catches in 2013.

Has never thrown a pass in the NFL he was a QB at Kent State.

Stevan Ridley notes:

Will play in his 5th career playoff game.

In four career games including playoffs vs. Denver he has 47 carries for 241 yards and 1 TD.

Had 52 yards and 2 TD runs vs. Indianapolis in AFC Division game.

Had his 5th 2-TD game of his career against Colts in AFC Division game.

Second season in a row with 4 fumbles

Leads the team with 773 rushing yards in 14 games

Lead team in TD’s with 7 with LeGarrette Blount.

Has 14 runs of 20 or more yards in his career most for franchise since 2000.

Shane Vereen notes:

Will play in his 4th career playoff game.

In 2 career games vs. Denver he has 32 yards on 11 carries with 1 TD also has 8 catches for 60 yards.

Set franchise record with receptions (12) and receiving yards (153) by a running back in a single-game Week 14 vs. Cleveland.

Became just fourth NFL running back to post 150 receiving yards in a single-game in the last 10 seasons.

Finished with 47 catches for 417 yards and 3 TD’s and 205 yards rushing with 1 TD.

LeGarrette Blount notes:

Will play in his 2nd career playoff game.

Has played in 1 game vs. Denver has 2 carries for 13 yards.

Set franchise record for most rushing TD’s in a game with 4 vs. Indianapolis in AFC Division game.

Tied franchise record with 166-yards rushing in a playoff game.

Became first NFL running back to have over 125-yards rushing and 4 TD’s in a playoff game.

Was AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 17.

Had first 2 TD game as a Patriot week 16 at Baltimore. It was the third of his career.

Set franchise record with 334 total yards Week 17 vs. Buffalo (189 rushing; 145 KOR)

Set career high with 189 rushing yards Week 17 vs. Buffalo. Previous high was 164 vs. Seattle Week 15 in 2010 while with Tampa Bay.

Lead team in TD’s with 7 (career high) with Stevan Ridley.

Second in rushing yards with 772, one yard behind Ridley.

Stephen Gostkowski notes:

Will play in his 14th career playoff game.

Needs two more postseason field goals to become 11th player with 20 or more.

Needs 5 more postseason points to become 7th player ever with 100 or more.

Has not missed an extra point since Week 17 2006 at Tennessee in his rookie season. He has made 360 consecutive extra points. He is 399 for 400 in his career for 99.8%.

The 360 XPA converted in a row is fourth longest streak in NFL history.

He is also 41 for 41 in extra points in the post season.

Lead NFL in scoring with 158 points.

Set franchise record for points in a season and field goals made (38) tied franchise record for field goal attempts (41).

He is the most accurate kicker by percentage in team history at 86.3% (208 0f 241).

Has scored at least 1 point in 108 consecutive games a franchise record.

He is 3rd in team history in points with 1,028 trailing only Gino Cappelletti (1,130) and Adam Vinatieri (1,158).

Has team record of 12 career field goals of 50+ yards.

Has made 16 field goals of 40 or more yards in 2013, a franchise record.

Has three game winning field goals in 2013 Week 1 at Buffalo, Week 12 vs. Denver and Week 13 at Houston he now has 4 regular season game winners in his career.

The 54-yard field goal against New Orleans set a new career long.

Rob Ninkovich notes:

Will play in his 8th career playoff game.

In 5 seasons with New England has only missed one game.

Forced 2 fumbles this season and tied for team lead with DB Kyle Arrington and S Devin McCourty.

Has 12 fumble recoveries since 2010 the most in the NFL in that span.

Lead the team with 2 fumble recoveries.

Tied for 2nd on team in sacks with 8 and QB hits with 18.

Had back to back 8 sack seasons.

Had sacks in three consecutive games vs. Miami, vs. Pittsburgh and at Carolina.

Jamie Collins notes:

Will play in his 2nd NFL playoff game.

Had 6 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackle for loss, 3 QB hits, 1 INT and 1 pass defensed in his first NFL playoff game vs. Indianapolis in the AFC Division game.

Dont'a Hightower notes:

Will play in his 4th career playoff game.

Had 8 tackles, 1 INT and 1 pass defensed vs. Indianapolis in the AFC Division game.

Joe Vellano notes:

Will play in his 2nd playoff game.

Had 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss and 1 QB hit in his first NFL playoff game vs. Indianapolis in the AFC Division game.

Rookie made his first NFL start Week 5 at Cincinnati.

Had 49 tackles (28 solo), 2 sacks, 4 QB hits, 1 pass defensed and 1 fumble recovery as a rookie.

Chris Jones notes:

Will play in his 2nd playoff game.

Had 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss and 1 QB hit in his first NFL playoff game vs. Indianapolis in the AFC Division game.

Had 56 tackles, 6 sacks and 8 QB hits as a rookie.

Was second in NFL for sacks by a rookie.

Made first NFL start Week 6 vs. New Orleans and had 3 tackles.

Has three games with multiple sacks in 2013.

Chandler Jones notes:

Will play in his 4th career playoff game.

Scored his first NFL TD Week 16 at Baltimore on a fumble recovery.

Leads the team in sacks with 11.5 and QB hits with 21.

Was 7th in sacks in NFL and had 4th highest total in franchise history.

First player since Chris Slade to start career with two 5+ sack seasons.

Blocked his first NFL field goal attempt Week 8 vs. Miami.

Logan Ryan notes:

Will play in his 2nd NFL playoff game.

Had 4 tackles in his first NFL playoff game vs. Indianapolis in the AFC Division game.

Had his first NFL 2 INT game week 16 at Baltimore.

Led NFL rookies, the team and the AFC with 5 INT’s. Was 3rd overall in NFL.

Had his first NFL INT at New York in Week 7 and returned it 79-yards for a touchdown. He was the 11th Patriots player to return his first INT for a TD.

Forced a fumble on his first NFL sack Week 8 vs. Miami.

Aqib Talib notes:

Will play in his 4th career playoff game.

Had 4 tackles vs. Indianapolis in the AFC Division game.

Named to his first Pro Bowl team.

Lead the team with 13 passes defensed.

Second in INT’s with 4.

Had career high 4 passes defensed Week 4 at Atlanta including one in end zone to seal the win.

Sealver Siliga notes:

Will play in his 2nd NFL playoff game.

Had 3 tackles and 1 QB hit in his first NFL playoff game vs. Indianapolis in the AFC Division game.

Had 9 tackles (career high), 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hit Week 17 vs. Buffalo.

Had his first NFL sack at Miami in Week 15.

Had 3 sacks and 3 QB hits as a rookie.

Kyle Arrington notes:

Will play in his 9th career playoff game.

Had first two sacks of his NFL career at Miami in Week 15 and at Baltimore Week 16.

Recovered the onside kick Week 14 vs. Cleveland. Was first Patriots since 1994 (AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Cleveland) to recover an onside kick.

2nd on team in passes defensed with 11.

Forced two fumbles Week 1 at Buffalo.

There are only two players on the team who played on at least one of the Super Bowl championship teams, Brady (3) and Wilfork (on IR) (1).

Roster moves this week:

none

Patriots named to Pro Bowl for 2013 season:

QB Tom Brady 9th selection
G Logan Mankins 6th selection
ST Matthew Slater 3rd selection
CB Aqib Talib 1st selection

Patriots team captains for 2013:

QB Tom Brady
G Logan Mankins
S Devin McCourty
DE Rob Ninkovich
WR Matthew Slater (special teams)
DT Vince Wilfork (IR)
LB Jerod Mayo (IR)

Former Broncos on the Patriots:

DT Sealver Siliga

Players with New England roots:

WR Mark Harrison (IR) – Stratford CT
TE Matthew Mulligan – Enfield ME

Players with Colorado roots:

T Nate Solder – Buena Vista CO

Players from New England based colleges and universities:

RB James Develin – Brown
TE Matthew Mulligan – Maine

Players from Colorado based colleges and universities:

T Nate Solder – Colorado

The Patriots have 6 retired numbers:

20 – Gino Cappelletti
40 – Mike Haynes
73 – John Hannah
78 – Bruce Armstrong
79 – Jim Lee Hunt
89 – Bob Dee

Broncos Team Notes

Here is the Broncos roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2013 Broncos Schedule/Results

The Broncos all-time record is 432-378-10 and they are 19-17 in the playoffs with their last playoff appearance coming in 2012. That season the Broncos lost at home to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Division game.

Denver has won two Super Bowls (XXXII and XXXIII) in 6 appearances.

The Broncos last appeared in a Super Bowl following the 1998 season and beat the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII, 34-19.

The Broncos are 1-0 in the 2013 NFL Playoffs after beating the San Diego Chargers at home last Sunday, 24-17.

Denver has 13 AFC West Division titles one more than Oakland.

Broncos have a 14-4 record at home in the playoffs all-time.

Broncos are 6-2 in the AFC Championship Game. They are 4-1 as the home team.

Date Opponent W/L Score

01/01/78 Oakland W 20-17

01/11/87 @ Cleveland W 23-20 (OT)

01/17/88 Cleveland W 38-33

01/14/90 Cleveland W 37-21

01/12/92 @ Buffalo L 7-10

01/11/98 @ Pittsburgh W 24-21

01/17/99 NY Jets W 23-10

01/22/06 Pittsburgh L 17-34

Broncos are 18-9 as the home team in the series including the playoffs.

Their six Super Bowl appearances are only behind New England (7), Dallas (8) and Pittsburgh (8).

Since 1984 the Broncos are 3rd in overall wins in the NFL with 306 behind New England (308) and San Francisco (319).

Since 1984 Denver has the most seasons at .500 or better with 25.

One of just three franchises to record 90+ wins in three decades since 1960 and only one to do it in last three decades.

Denver has not been shutout since 1992 a streak that has gone 335 games.

Allowed only 20 sacks this season a league low including 6 games in which they didn’t give up a sack at all.

Denver was EVEN in turnover differential tied for 14th in the NFL. They had 17 INT and recovered 9 fumbles while they threw 10 INT’s and lost 16 fumbles.

In the postseason Denver is MINUS 2 in turnover differential. They have 0 INT and have recovered 0 fumbles while they have thrown 1 INT and lost 1 fumble.

The Broncos were 1st in points scored averaging 37.9 points per game and were 22nd in fewest points allowed with 24.9 points per game.

Denver had 3 games in 2013 in which they topped 50 points.

Broncos Staff Notes

Read what Denver Broncos head coach John Fox had to say to the New England media about the match up.

This is Fox’s third season as the head coach in Denver he is 34-14 in the regular season and 2-2 in the playoffs for an overall record of 36-16. Prior to that Fox was the head coach of the Carolina Panthers for 9 seasons and had a record of 73-71 in the regular season and 8-5 in the playoffs. Combined between Denver and Carolina he is 107-85 in the regular season and 10-7 in the playoffs for an overall mark of 117-92.

Fox is 1-6 vs. New England as a head coach including 0-2 in the post season combined between Denver and Carolina.

His 114 career wins are 5th among active head coaches.

Fox missed several games midseason due to health reasons and was replaced by defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. Fox missed the Week 12 games vs. the Patriots at Foxboro.

Fox is already 4th all-time in wins for Denver (36) he trails Red Miller (42), Dan Reeves (117) and Mike Shanahan (146).

Just 5th head coach in NFL history to win division titles in his first three seasons with a team. Norv Turner (3 – San Diego), Barry Switzer (3 – Dallas), Ted Marchibroda (3 – Baltimore) and Chuck Knox (5 – Los Angeles) are the others.

Pat Bowlen is in his 30th year of team ownership and along with New York Giants founder Tim Mara as the only three-decade principal owners in professional football history to post a 60-percent career winning percentage.

Under Bowlen’s ownership the Broncos have won their two Super Bowls and have been to the big game four times.

Director of Player Personnel Matt Russell served as a pro scout for the Patriots from 2000-01 and an area scout from 2003-2005, winning three Super Bowls during his time in New England in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

Defensive Backs coach Cory Undin was a Patriots defensive assistant in 2004.

Offensive Line Coach Dave Magazu is a native of Taunton MA and attended Taunton High School before graduating from Springfield College, where he was a four-year starter as a defensive tackle on the football team. Magazu also served as the offensive line coach at Boston College from 1999-2002.

Broncos Possible Starters

Offense:

LT: Clark
LG: Beadles
C: Ramirez
RG: Vasquez
RT: Franklin
TE: J. Thomas
WR: D. Thomas
WR: Decker
WR: Welker
QB: P. Manning
RB: Moreno

Defense:

DE: Jackson
DT: Williams
DT: Knighton
DE: Phillips
LB: Irving
LB: Lenon
LB: Trevathan
LCB: Jammer
RCB: Rodgers-Cromartie
S: Adams
S: Ihenacho

Broncos Players Notes

Peyton Manning notes:

Was first overall pick of the Indianapolis Colts in the 1998 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. He is a 13 time Pro Bowl selection and has been named to 7 All-Pro teams. Manning is a 4 time NFL MVP and has won one Super Bowl MVP Award.

In his career he is 7-14 vs. New England including 1-2 in the playoffs.

Against the Patriots in three playoff games Manning is 77 for 136 for 824 yards with 2 TD’s and 6 INT’s. His passer ratings in those three games were 35.5 (loss), 69.3 (loss) and 79.1 (win).

In 14 years in Indianapolis was 141-67 in the regular season and 9-10 in the post season for an overall record of 150-77.

In his second season in Denver he is 26-6 and 1-1 in the post season for an overall record of 27-7.

For his career he is 167-73 in the regular season and 10-11 in the post season for an overall record of 177-84. He has won one Super Bowl (XLI) in two appearances.

He is 90-30 at home in his career in the regular season and he is 7-5 at home in the playoffs.

His 167 wins are second all-time behind only Brett Favre.

Wears number 18 after Frank Tripucka made the gesture to let him wear the retired number.

Son of former NFL QB Archie Manning and brother of New York Giants QB Eli Manning.

In NFL History he is 2nd in passes completed, passing yards, passing TD’s and passer rating. He is 3rd in passes attempted and passing yards per game. He is first in comebacks and game winning drives.

Along with Brady and Hall of Famer Joe Montana are considered the Holy Trinity among NFL quarterbacks.

After starting every game of his NFL career he missed the entire 2011 season with a neck injury.

Set NFL record with 55 TD passes this season and 5,477 passing yards.

Had only 10 INT’s that is the second fewest in a season in his career.

Had 7 TD pass game Week 1 vs. Baltimore.

Twice this season has had back-to-back 4 TD pass games. Week 4 vs. Philadelphia, Week 5 at Dallas, Week 8 vs. Washington and Week 9 at San Diego.

Had 3 INT game Week 8 vs. Washington.

Wes Welker notes:

Played six seasons in New England (2007-12).

In 7 career games vs. Patriots he has 18 catches for 196 yards and 0 INT’s.

Had 778 receiving yards in his first season in Denver.

Has 9 TD’s just one shy of his career high set in 2011.

Has 829 career catches and trails only former Bronco Rod Smith (849) for most catches in NFL history by an undrafted player.

Only player in NFL History with 5 100-catch seasons.

In his 6 years in New England had the most prolific 6-year period for any NFL receiver with 672 regular season catches.

Patriots all-time receptions leader with 725 catches.

Made five Pro Bowls as a Patriot.

Is 7th in NFL history for most postseason catches with 75.

His 841 career receptions are second only to Rod Smith (849) for most receptions by an undrafted player in NFL history.

Knowshon Moreno notes:

6th in Broncos history in rushing yards with 3,468.

In 2 career games vs. Patriots he has 58 carries for 312 yards and 1 TD and 5 catches for 42 yards.

Rushed for a career high 224 yards at New England in Week 12.

Led team in rushing yards with 1,038.

First Bronco with 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a season.

Had 10 TD’s in 2013 4th most in NFL.

Eric Decker notes:

In 3 games vs. Patriots has 6 catches for 48 yards and 1 TD.

Has 33 TD’s in first four seasons most in franchise history by a player in first 4 years.

One of three players in franchise history with 8 TD’s in back-to-back seasons.

Had 1,288 receiving yards in 2013.

Demaryius Thomas notes:

Has 26 catches for 430 yards and 1 TD vs. Patriots in 4 games including playoffs.

Was 2nd in NFL with 14 TD catches and 4th with 1,430 receiving yards.

Had back-to-back 1,000 receiving yard seasons.

Danny Trevathan notes:

Led team in tackles with 124 in 2013.

Had 12 tackles, 1 fumble recovery and a special teams tackle at New England Week 12.

Champ Bailey notes:

Has 52 interceptions in his career. With 34 as a Bronco needs 1 more to be 4th on Denver’s all-time INT list.

12 Pro Bowls are most ever by a defensive back and 6th most all-time.

Wesley Woodyard notes:

Just 12th player since 1982 to post a 100 tackle, 5 sacks and 3 INT season.

Had 83 tackles in 2013.

Had 15 tackles and a forced fumble at New England Week 12.

Broncos All-Pro’s for 2013:

QB Peyton Manning
K Matt Prater
WR Demaryius Thomas
G Louis Vasquez

Broncos selected to the Pro Bowl:

QB Peyton Manning
K Matt Prater
WR Demaryius Thomas
G Louis Vasquez
TE Julius Thomas

Former Patriots on the Broncos:

WR Wes Welker
C Dan Koppen (IR)
CB Tony Carter
CB Marquice Cole
LB Paris Lenon

Players with New England ties:

DT Terrance Knighton – Windsor CT

Players who attended New England based colleges or universities:

C Dan Koppen (IR) – Boston College

Denver team captains for 2013 are:

QB Peyton Manning
T Ryan Clady
LB Leslie Woodyard
CB Champ Bailey
S David Bruton (special teams)

Denver has 3 retired numbers:

7 – John Elway
18 – Frank Tripucka
44 – Floyd Little

Next Week

Up next: With a win will face either San Francisco 49ers or Seattle Seahawks

Location: MetLife Stadium, Meadowlands NJ

Date/Time: Sunday February 2 at 6 p.m.

TV Network: FOX

In the Red Zone – January 14

In 2004, the New England Patriots went out and got a running back in a trade. They gave up a second round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for Corey Dillon the Bengals franchise leader in rushing yards. In three seasons in Foxboro, Dillon rushed for over 3,100 yards and had 39 TD’s (37 rushing, 2 receiving). Dillon gave the Patriots something they lacked a big, bruising, clock killing running back.

Dillon had never played in a playoff game before coming to New England. In three seasons of post season play he added 4 TD’s and 508 rushing yards in helping the Patriots win their third Super Bowl and brought them to another AFC Championship game.

In 2013 the Patriots went out and got a running back in a trade. They swapped a 7th round pick and RB/KR Jeff Demps with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for LeGarrette Blount. They got something they lacked a big, bruising, clock killing running back.

While not nearly as accomplished as Dillon was when he came to the Patriots, Blount fits the same mold. In the season finale and the AFC Divisional Game this past Saturday you saw why people thought Blount would be a serious Heisman candidate in his senior season at Oregon.

For those who don’t know, Blount turned into a disciplinary problem of the highest magnitude. After a tough game a 19-8 loss in which he was held to negative rushing yards he punched a defenseless Boise State player on the field after the game and then went at it with the Broncos students in their own stadium. Oregon suspended him for the season.

He went from 1,002 rushing yards and 17 TD’s in 2008 in 13 games to just 3 games played as a senior in 2009 with 82 rushing yards and 2 TD’s. Quite the fall for a Heisman hopeful but after being given a second chance by Oregon coach Chip Kelley he was able to play in the final regular season game against Oregon State and in the Rose Bowl against Ohio State.

After three seasons in Tampa Bay in which he ran for over 1,900 yards and 13 TD’s he became expendable with the emergence of Doug Martin and was dealt to the Patriots. And such a minor move by Bill Belichick has proven to be the defining force of this team after injuries have taken down most of the teams proven players.

In his first career playoff game Blount was absolutely amazing. In the 43-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts he rushed for 166 yards on 24 carries with 4 TD’s and he topped it off with a back breaking, dagger to the heart 73-yard TD on the Patriots first offensive play in the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter alone he rushed for 114-yards and a TD. He had 103 of those yards on just two carries, he set a franchise record for most rushing TD’s in any game, regular or post season and tied the franchise record for most rushing yards in a playoff game (Curtis Martin, vs. Pittsburgh January 5, 1997).

Blount is sure to be a force once again against Denver in the AFC Championship Game. The Broncos defense gave up 399 points this season and 5,700 yards (4,000 in the air, 1,700 on the ground) and hopefully it bodes well for Blount to continue on this tremendous roll.

Another impact player from Saturday was rookie linebacker Jamie Collins who was taken in the second round of the draft from Southern Mississippi. While in school Collins played linebacker and defensive back his first two seasons and then in his junior and senior years was primarily a defensive lineman.

We saw first hand those DB cover skills on Saturday a few times he first made a nice play along the sideline to bat away a pass from Indianapolis TE Coby Fleener. Then late in the game when the Patriots rushed three and dropped eight Collins came up with a pick. His first NFL interception came in a playoff game and once again he was on Fleener this time over the middle and he ended a drive before it even gained momentum.

The INT was huge, there was nearly 13 minutes to play and it was still a two score game at that point and it occurred on the first play after the 73-yard Blount TD. The turnover also gave the Patriots great field position, which they turned into a Stevan Ridley TD. In a two minute span the game went from 7 points to 21 points because of two huge plays.

The end of the Colts season happened that fast.

Game Notes

The spread was Patriots MINUS 7.5 and the teams were OVER the under/over line of 53. I gave the points (Patriots) and took the under. I missed on the under and hit on the cover.

I am now 6-11 vs. the spread in 2013 and 9 for 17 on calling the under/over.

The Patriots lead the playoff series with the Colts, 3-1. Overall they lead the series 46-28 including the postseason.

New England has won the last four games against Indianapolis all at Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots are now 25-17 all-time in the playoffs.

They are 11-6 in the Divisional Round of the playoffs and they are 8-2 as the home team in the Divisional Round including 6-1 at Gillette Stadium.

They are 11-3 in playoff games at Gillette Stadium they are 15-4 at home overall.

They have a home winning percentage in the postseason of .789 that is second best behind Oakland’s .792 among teams with at least 10 home playoff games

With the win they tied the Oakland Raiders for the 5th most playoff wins in NFL history with 25.

Patriots are first team since 2001-04 Eagles to advance to three consecutive conference championship games.

Set franchise record with 6 rushing TD’s most in any game, regular season or playoffs.

Tied franchise record with 4 INT’s in a playoff game.

Bill Belichick coached teams are 14-8 vs. the Colts. He is 12-6 with New England and 2-2 with Cleveland including playoffs.

Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 218-113. The 218 wins are good for 5th all-time in NFL history.

Chuck Pagano is in his 2nd year as head coach of the Colts and he has a record of 22-10 in the regular season and he is 1-2 in the post season for an overall record of 23-12.

Pagano is 0-2 vs. New England in his career including postseason.

This is Tom Brady’s 14th NFL season he is 11-4 vs. the Colts in his career including playoffs. He is 83-13 at home in his career in the regular season and 12-3 in the post season for a combined record of 95-16.

Overall he is 148-43 as a starting QB and is 18-7 in the playoffs for an overall record of 166-50.

He made his 25th career playoff start most in NFL history.

His 18 postseason wins are most in NFL history.

Had streak of throwing a TD pass in 18 consecutive postseason games broken.

Patriots are 4-0 all-time in postseason when Brady has no TD passes.

The Patriots Inactives were: WR Aaron Dobson; LB Steve Beauharnais; OL Chris Barker; DT Isaac Sopoaga; DE Jake Bequette and DB Justin Green.

RB LeGarrette Blount led the Patriots running backs with 166-yards on 24 carries and he had 4 TD’s.

WR Julian Edelman had 6 catches and 84-yards receiving to lead the Patriots.

New England was 11 for 18 for 61% on 3rd down conversions. They were 0 for 1 on 4th down.

The Pats were 5 for 6 in the red zone and 5 for 5 on goal to goal efficiency.

New England won the time of possession having the ball for 35:00.

Patriots had 23 first downs to 16 for the Colts.

LB Dont’a Hightower had 8 tackles to lead the team.

The New England defense allowed Indianapolis 386 yards of total offense. The Patriots had 419 yards for the game.

The Patriots had 3 sacks and 10 QB hits.

Indianapolis QB Andrew Luck is 22-10 in his 2nd NFL season he is 1-2 in the playoffs for an overall record of 23-12.

He is 0-2 vs. New England in his career including playoffs.

The Colts were 6 for 15 for 40% on 3rd down conversions and 1 for 1 on fourth down.

Indianapolis was 0 for 2 in the red zone and 0 for 1 on goal to go.

Pete Morelli was the referee for the game.

68,756 attended the game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA. It was cloudy, raining, windy and 57 degrees.

Offensive Player of the Game: Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount had 166-yards on 24 carries with 4 TD’s. Set franchise record with 4 rushing TD’s in a game and tied franchise record for 166-yards rushing in a playoff game.

Defensive Player of the Game: Patriots LB Jamie Collins had 6 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, 3 QB hits, 1 INT and 1 pass defensed.

Next Week

Up next: Denver Broncos

Location: Mile High Stadium at Sports Authority Field, Denver CO

Date/Time: Sunday January 19 at 3 p.m.

TV Network: CBS

In The Red Zone: Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots Preview – AFC Divisional Playoff Game

In The Red Zone

This Week

Indianapolis Colts @ New England Patriots

The New England Patriots host Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on Saturday January 11 at 8:15 p.m. in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game.

The Colts		–	The Patriots
Regular Season	11-5		Regular Season	12-4
Road Record	5-3		Home Record	8-0
Playoff Teams	4-2		Playoff Teams	2-2
AFC	9-3		AFC	9-3

Pete Morelli is the referee for the game.

The Line/Prediction

As of Thursday the line on the game from Sports Betting via Yahoo Sports has the Patriots at MINUS 7.5. The over/under is 53.

My Prediction is Patriots 31, Colts, 20. Give the points (Patriots) and take the under. I am 5-11 against the spread and 9 of 16 on calling the over/under in 2013.

Tickets

The Patriots are reporting the game as a sell out. It is the 216th consecutive sell out dating back to the 1994 season opener. The record includes preseason, regular season and playoff games.

Tickets to the game, if available, can be purchased through Ticketmaster. You can check the availability here.

After market tickets are available through the Official Patriots Ticket Exchange where season ticket holders can sell their unused seats to fans on the season ticket waiting list.

Getting to the Game

If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Foxboro make sure you check out the links.

Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Foxboro MA.

Click for all the game day information including stadium directions, parking information and map and a Gillette Stadium seating chart.

Tailgating

Here’s a bunch of different tailgating recipes from Tailgating.com. There’s something there for everyone and every type of meal or snack. I’ve tried some of the recipes and they’re very good.

And with tailgating many people enjoy some adult beverages. With that in mind check out Drink Nation for how to make all sorts of great drinks. You can look things up by name, ingredient(s) or theme.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television

CBS in televising the game nationally Greg Gumbel will do play by play while Dan Dierdorf will provide the game analysis and Allie LaForce will work the sidelines. You can look here for your local affiliate.

CBS is also streaming the game via your computer, laptop or tablet. Cell phone streaming rights belong to Verizon.

There is no DirecTV designation.

Here are all the rules on NFL TV broadcasts including explaining the blackout rules; flex scheduling and commercial breaks.

Radio

The Patriots Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBZ-FM, 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston. Bob Socci handles the play-by-play and former Patriots QB Scott Zolak will do game analysis. It all starts with Gary Tanguay and Andy Gresh with the pregame show at 5 p.m. on the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.

The Patriots Radio Network game call is available on Sirius Channel 86, XM Channel 86 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 818.

The Colts Radio Network will carry the game with Bob Lamey calling the play-by-play and former Colts QB Jim Sorgi doing the analysis from their flagship stations, WFNI-AM 1070 and WLHK-FM 107.5.

Their game call is available on Sirius Channel 225, XM Channel 92 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 813.

The game will be carried nationally by Westwood One with Ian Eagle doing play by play, Trent Green provides the game analysis and Tony Boselli covers the sidelines.

Their game call is available on Sirius Channel 88, XM Channel 88 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 88.

Patriots All Access

Boston MA on TV 38 Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
Providence RI on WNAC Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
Manchester NH on WMUR Saturday at midnight
Portland ME on WMTW Saturday at 5 a.m.
Hartford CT on WCTX Saturday at 5 p.m.
Springfield MA on WFXQ Saturday at 7 p.m.
Bangor ME on WVII Sunday at 11 a.m.

You can also watch it anytime on the team website in the media section.

Last Week

Patriots had a bye after closing the season with a home win over the Bills, 34-20. The Colts with the second largest post season comeback in NFL history beat the Chiefs 45-44 at home in the AFC Wild Card Game.

History

This is the 74th meeting between the clubs since the 1970 merger.
At one time the teams were rivals in the AFC East and faced each other twice a year from 1970-2001.
Patriots hold a 45-28 series advantage in the regular season and 2-1 in the playoffs for an overall series record of 47-29.
Patriots have won the last three games all were played at Gillette Stadium.
They last played each other in 2012 and the Patriots won 59-24.
The teams last played against each other in the post season in the 2006 AFC Championship game won by the Colts, 38-34 in Indianapolis.

Patriots Team Notes

Here is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2013 Patriots Schedule/Results

The Patriots overall franchise record is 437-373-9. They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in seven appearances. Overall they are 24-17 in the post season.

They last appeared in the playoffs in 2012 when they beat Houston in the AFC Divisional Round 41-28 and lost to Baltimore 28-13 in the AFC Championship Game.

Patriots are 10-6 in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs. They are 7-2 at home and 5-1 at Gillette Stadium.

Date Opponent W/L Score

01/13/13 Houston Texans W 41-28

01/14/12 Denver Broncos W 45-10

01/16/11 New York Jets L 21-28

01/12/08 Jacksonville W 31-20

01/14/07 at San Diego W 24-21

01/14/06 at Denver L 13-27

01/16/05 Indianapolis W 20-3

01/10/04 Tennessee W 17-14

01/19/02 Oakland W 16-13 (OT)

01/03/98 at Pittsburgh L 6-7

01/05/97 Pittsburgh W 28-3

01/04/87 at Denver L 17-22

01/05/86 at LA Raiders W 27-20

12/31/78 Houston L 14-31

12/18/76 at Oakland L 21-24

12/28/63 at Buffalo W 26-8

They have won the division 11 times and the conference 5 times since 2000.

The Patriots are the five time defending AFC East Champions (2009-13).

New England is first team to have earned 9 first round byes and first AFC team with 4 consecutive byes in the playoffs since this playoff format was established in 1990.

They are 10-3 in playoff games at Gillette Stadium they are 14-4 at home overall.

They have a home winning percentage in the postseason of .778 that is second best behind Oakland’s .792 among teams with at least 10 home playoff games

Patriots have 5th best postseason winning percentage (.585) for teams with 15 or more games played.

With a win Sunday they will tie the Oakland Raiders for the 5th most playoff wins in NFL history with 25.

New England is the only NFL team to finish .500 or better in each of the last 13 seasons. Green Bay is 2nd with 5 seasons and then Cincinnati and San Francisco have 3 seasons in a row.

They have 11 consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins.

They are the first team in the free agency era (1993) to win more than half their games in a 13-season span.

In 2013 the Patriots have played in 7 games decided by 3 points or less and are 6-1.

Since the 1970 merger the Patriots are 4th all time with 28 winning seasons behind Dallas and Miami (29 each) and Pittsburgh (31).

New England was 3-2 against common opponents with Indianapolis in 2013 (Miami, Denver, Houston and Cincinnati).

With a win Patriots will be first team since 2001-04 Eagles to advance to three consecutive conference championship games.

Patriots lead the AFC in rushing TD’s in 2013 with 19 that was tied for 2nd in the NFL.

They were second in NFL in fewest penalties (69) and 3rd in fewest penalty yards (625) behind Indianapolis.

Their 444 points was third highest in NFL in 2013 and 5th highest in franchise history.

New England is PLUS 9 in turnover differential good for 8th in the NFL. They have 17 INT’s and have recovered 12 fumbles while they have thrown 11 INT’s and lost 9 fumbles.

The Patriots are 3rd in points scored averaging 27.8 points per game and are 10th in fewest points allowed with 21.1 points per game.

This is the 20th season of Patriots ownership by the Kraft family. Since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 they:

Have the most Super Bowl wins, 3.
Have the most regular season wins, 217.
Have the most wins including playoffs, 237.
Have the most conference titles, 6.
Have the most division titles, 13.
Have the most playoff wins, 20
Have played the most playoff games, 32.
Are tied for the most playoff seasons, 15.
The fewest head coaches within the division, 3.
Have drafted the most Pro Bowl players, 20.

From 1960 to 1993 the New England/Boston Patriots won a total of 225 games.

The Patriots have 21 players who have never played in the postseason.

Patriots Staff Notes

This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Indianapolis Colts.

Bill Belichick coached teams are 13-8 Vs the Colts. He is 11-6 with New England and 2-2 with Cleveland including playoffs.

Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 199-105 in his 19th NFL season as a head coach. He is 163-61 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland. He is 18-8 in the playoffs, 17-7 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season. When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 217-113.

Belichick’s 18 postseason wins are good for 3rd all-time behind Don Shula (19) and Tom Landry (20).

He has won 5 conference titles; he needs one more to tied Don Shula’s record of 6.

Belichick is one of just four coaches to win three Super Bowls, joining Chuck Noll (4), Joe Gibbs (3) and Bill Walsh (3). Those men are all in the Hall of Fame.

He is the only coach in NFL history to win three championship titles in four seasons.

No coach either as the head coach or an assistant has appeared in more Super Bowls than Belichick who has been to 8 (five as a head coach).

Belichick started his coaching career in 1975 with the Colts on Ted Marchibroda’s staff.
Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach Dante Scarnecchia was the Colts offensive line coach in 1990-91.

Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels was interviewed on January 5th by the Cleveland Browns for their head coaching vacancy. On January 8th he withdrew his name for consideration.

Patriots Possible Starters

Offense:

LT: Solder
LG: Mankins
C: Wendell
RG: Connolly
RT: Cannon
TE: Hoomanawanui
WR: Edelman
WR: Amendola
QB: Brady
RB: Blount
FB: Develin

Defense:

DE: Ninkovich
DT: Siliga
DT: Chr. Jones
DE: Cha. Jones
LB: Collins
LB: Fletcher
LB: Hightower
LCB: Ryan
RCB: Talib
S: Gregory
S: Harmon

Patriots Players Notes

Tom Brady Notes:

In his 14th NFL season he is 10-4 vs. the Colts in his career including playoffs. He is 83-13 at home in his career in the regular season and 11-3 in the post season for a combined record of 94-16.

Is making his 25th career playoff start, most in NFL history.

He made his first NFL start vs. Indianapolis on September 30, 2001 and won 44-13 at Foxboro Stadium.

Overall he is 148-43 as a starting QB and is 17-7 in the playoffs for an overall record of 165-50. He is a 9 time Pro Bowl QB; 3 time All-Pro selection; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP. He is also listed as the 21^st Greatest Player in the History of the NFL according to the NFL Network.

Has 7 comeback wins in the post season including three in Super Bowls. Two of those Super Bowl comebacks were completed with 1:21 or less left on the clock.

His 17 post season wins are the most by any quarterback.

His three Super Bowl wins ties him with Troy Aikman for second behind Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana who have four each.

Along with Bart Starr, Eli Manning and Bradshaw, his two Super Bowl MVP awards are second only to Joe Montana who has three.

Is tied for the second most 300-yard games in the postseason with Kurt Warner and Montana with 6. Peyton Manning has the most, 8.

All-time NFL leader in post season completions (553) and passing yards (5,949).

Third all-time in post season TD passes (42) behind Brett Favre (44) and Montana (45).

Has a TD pass thrown in 18 consecutive postseason games.

Shares the record for most TD passes in a playoff game (6) with Steve Young and Daryle Lamonica.

Danny Amendola notes:

Will play in his second career playoff game, first as a Patriot.

Finished season with 54 catches for 633 yards and 2 TD’s.

Set career high for yards per catch (11.7) and longest catch (57-yards).

Has 3 100-yard games as a Patriot at Miami Week 15, vs. Pittsburgh in Week 9 and in Week 1 at Buffalo.

Missed 4 games in 2014 due to injuries (groin, 3 and concussion, 1).

Julian Edelman notes:

Will play in his 6th playoff game. Missed the post season last year due to a foot injury that put him on IR after Week 12.

Had his first 100-catch, 1000-yard season in his career and just the third Patriot behind Troy Brown and Wes Welker.

His previous career high was 37 receptions for 357 yards in 2009.

Has 4 of his 5 career 100-yard games this year, at Miami Week 15, at Houston Week 13, Week 12 vs. Denver and Week 4 at Atlanta.

Set career high with 13 catches and 139-yards at Miami Week 15.

Lead the team with 105 catches for 1,056 yards. He also had 6 TD catches. He had just 21 catches in 2012.

He was 5th in NFL in catches for 2013.

Has had 9 games with 7 or more catches in 2013.

Stevan Ridley notes:

Will play in his 4th career playoff game.

Had his 4th 2-TD game of his career against Pittsburgh in Week 9.

Second season in a row with 4 fumbles

Leads the team with 773 rushing yards in 14 games

Lead team in TD’s with 7 with LeGarrette Blount.

Has 14 runs of 20 or more yards in his career most for franchise since 2000.

Shane Vereen notes:

Will play in his 3rd career playoff game.

Set franchise record with receptions (12) and receiving yards (153) by a running back in a single-game Week 14 vs. Cleveland.

Became just fourth NFL running back to post 150 receiving yards in a single-game in the last 10 seasons.

Finished with 47 catches for 417 yards and 3 TD’s and 205 yards rushing with 1 TD.

LeGarrette Blount notes:

Will play in his first career playoff game.

Was AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 17.

Had first 2 TD game as a Patriot week 16 at Baltimore. It was the third of his career.

Set franchise record with 334 total yards Week 17 vs. Buffalo (189 rushing; 145 KOR)

Set career high with 189 rushing yards Week 17 vs. Buffalo. Previous high was 164 vs. Seattle Week 15 in 2010 while with Tampa Bay.

Lead team in TD’s with 7 (career high) with Stevan Ridley.

Second in rushing yards with 772, one yard behind Ridley.

Stephen Gostkowski notes:

Will play in his 13th career playoff game.

Needs two more postseason field goals to become 11th player with 20 or more.

Needs 10 more postseason points to become 7th player ever with 100 or more.

Has not missed an extra point since Week 17 2006 at Tennessee in his rookie season. He has made 360 consecutive extra points. He is 399 for 400 in his career for 99.8%.

The 360 XPA converted in a row is fourth longest streak in NFL history.

He is also 36 for 36 in extra points in the post season.

Lead NFL in scoring with 158 points.

Set franchise record for points in a season and field goals made (38) tied franchise record for field goal attempts (41).

He is the most accurate kicker by percentage in team history at 86.3% (208 0f 241).

Has scored at least 1 point in 107 consecutive games a franchise record.

He is 3rd in team history in points with 1,023 trailing only Gino Cappelletti (1,130) and Adam Vinatieri (1,158).

Has team record of 12 career field goals of 50+ yards.

Has made 16 field goals of 40 or more yards in 2013, a franchise record.

Has three game winning field goals in 2013 Week 1 at Buffalo, Week 12 vs. Denver and Week 13 at Houston he now has 4 regular season game winners in his career.

The 54-yard field goal against New Orleans set a new career long.

Rob Ninkovich notes:

Will play in his 7th career playoff game.

In 5 seasons with New England has only missed one game.

Forced 2 fumbles this season and tied for team lead with DB Kyle Arrington and S Devin McCourty.

Has 12 fumble recoveries since 2010 the most in the NFL in that span.

Lead the team with 2 fumble recoveries.

Tied for 2nd on team in sacks with 8 and QB hits with 18.

Had back to back 8 sack seasons.

Had sacks in three consecutive games vs. Miami, vs. Pittsburgh and at Carolina.

Joe Vellano notes:

Will play in his first playoff game.

Rookie made his first NFL start Week 5 at Cincinnati.

Had 49 tackles (28 solo), 2 sacks, 4 QB hits, 1 pass defensed and 1 fumble recovery as a rookie.

Chris Jones notes:

Will play in his first playoff game.

Had 56 tackles, 6 sacks and 8 QB hits as a rookie.

Was second in NFL for sacks by a rookie.

Made first NFL start Week 6 vs. New Orleans and had 3 tackles.

Has three games with multiple sacks in 2013.

Brandon Spikes notes:

Placed on IR prior to Divisional Game with Indianapolis with knee injury.

2013 was first season in which he played all 16 games.

2nd on the team in tackles made with 134 (78 solo).

He has 6 games with 10 plus tackles in 2013.

Had team high 22 tackles against Cincinnati. It was a career high for Spikes.

Broke his career high of 128 tackles in Week 16 at Baltimore.

Has back-to-back 100 tackle seasons.

Chandler Jones notes:

Will play in his 3rd career playoff game.

Scored his first NFL TD Week 16 at Baltimore on a fumble recovery.

Leads the team in sacks with 11.5 and QB hits with 21.

Was 7th in sacks in NFL and had 4th highest total in franchise history.

First player since Chris Slade to start career with two 5+ sack seasons.

Blocked his first NFL field goal attempt Week 8 vs. Miami.

Logan Ryan notes:

Will play in his first NFL playoff game.

Had his first NFL 2 INT game week 16 at Baltimore.

Led NFL rookies, the team and the AFC with 5 INT’s. Was 3rd overall in NFL.

Had his first NFL INT at New York in Week 7 and returned it 79-yards for a touchdown. He was the 11th Patriots player to return his first INT for a TD.

Forced a fumble on his first NFL sack Week 8 vs. Miami.

Aqib Talib notes:

Will play in his 3rd career playoff game.

Named to his first Pro Bowl team.

Lead the team with 13 passes defensed.

Second in INT’s with 4.

Had career high 4 passes defensed Week 4 at Atlanta including one in end zone to seal the win.

Sealver Siliga notes:

Will play in his first NFL playoff game.

Had 9 tackles (career high), 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hit Week 17 vs. Buffalo.

Had his first NFL sack at Miami in Week 15.

Had 3 sacks and 3 QB hits as a rookie.

Kyle Arrington notes:

Will play in his 8th career playoff game.

Had first two sacks of his NFL career at Miami in Week 15 and at Baltimore Week 16.

Recovered the onside kick Week 14 vs. Cleveland. Was first Patriots since 1994 (AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Cleveland) to recover an onside kick.

2nd on team in passes defensed with 11.

Forced two fumbles Week 1 at Buffalo.

There are only two players on the team who played on at least one of the Super Bowl championship teams, Brady (3) and Wilfork (on IR) (1).

NFL announced that three Patriots were named Second Team All-Pro’s they are:

G Logan Mankins
CB Aqib Talib
S Devin McCourty

Roster moves this week:

Re-signed WR Austin Collie to 53-man roster.
Placed WR Josh Boyce on IR.
Placed LB Brandon Spikes on IR.
Signed WR Reggie Dunn to practice squad.
Promoted LB Ja’Gared Davis to 53-man roster.

Patriots named to Pro Bowl for 2013 season:

QB Tom Brady 9th selection
G Logan Mankins 6th selection
ST Matthew Slater 3rd selection
CB Aqib Talib 1st selection

Patriots team captains for 2013:

QB Tom Brady
G Logan Mankins
S Devin McCourty
DE Rob Ninkovich
WR Matthew Slater (special teams)
DT Vince Wilfork (IR)
LB Jerod Mayo (IR)

Former Colts on the Patriots:

WR Austin Collie

Players with New England roots:

WR Mark Harrison (IR) – Stratford CT
TE Matthew Mulligan – Enfield ME

Players with Indiana roots:

DT Chris Jones – Brownsburg IN
OL Braxton Cave (PS) – Mishawaka IN

Players from New England based colleges and universities:

RB James Develin – Brown
TE Matthew Mulligan – Maine

Players from Indiana based colleges and universities:

LB Rob Ninkovich – Purdue
WR Greg Orton (PS) – Purdue
OL Braxton Cave (PS) – Notre Dame

The Patriots have 6 retired numbers:

20 – Gino Cappelletti
40 – Mike Haynes
73 – John Hannah
78 – Bruce Armstrong
79 – Jim Lee Hunt
89 – Bob Dee

Colts Team Notes

Here is the Colts roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2013 Colts Schedule/Results

Indianapolis’ all-time record is 475-420-7 they are 20-21 in the post season with their last post season appearance coming in 2012 when they lost to Baltimore in the AFC Wild Card game.

They last played in a Super Bowl in 2009 when they lost to the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV, 31-17. They have won 2 Super Bowl titles (IV, XLI) in four appearances.

As the Baltimore Colts they won three NFL Championships in 1958, 1959 and 1968.

The Colts are 1-0 in the 2013 NFL Playoffs after beating the Kansas City Chiefs at home last Saturday 45-44 with the second largest comeback in NFL post season history (28 points).

Colts are 7-9 in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs. They are 4-4 as the road team.

Date Opponent W/L Score

01/16/10 Baltimore W 20-3

01/13/08 San Diego L 24-28

01/13/07 @ Baltimore W 15-6

01/15/06 Pittsburgh L 18-21

01/16/05 @ New England L 3-20

01/11/04 @ Kansas City W 38-31

01/16/00 Tennessee L 16-19

01/07/96 @ Kansas City W 10-7

01/09/88 @ Cleveland L 21-38

12/24/77 Oakland L 31-37 (OT)

12/19/76 Pittsburgh L 14-40

12/27/75 @ Pittsburgh L 10-28

12/26/71 @ Cleveland W 20-3

12/26/70 Cincinnati W 17-0

12/22/68 Minnesota W 24-14

12/26/65 @ Green Bay L 10-13

This is the Colts 30th season in Indianapolis. Since moving for the 1984 season they are 253-226, have 18 winning seasons, 16 playoff appearances and 13 10-win seasons.

Since 2002 the Colts have won 8 AFC South division titles.

The Colts have never won a playoff game in Foxboro they are 0-2. They lost the Patriots in the 2003 AFC Championship Game, 24-14 and in the 2004 AFC Divisional Game, 20-3.

Indianapolis is 2-6 at Gillette Stadium including playoffs. They last won at the Razor in 2006, 27-20 when WR Marvin Harrison caught two TD passes from Peyton Manning and former Patriots K Adam Vinatieri kicked two field goals.

Overall the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts are 12-27 as the road team against the Patriots. They are 5-21 as Indianapolis and 7-6 as Baltimore.

The Colts were 3-2 against common opponents with the Patriots in 2013 (Miami, Denver, Houston and Cincinnati).

Had 536 net yards in AFC Wild Card Game win over Kansas City setting a franchise record.

The 28-point comeback against the Chiefs was the second largest comeback in NFL postseason history only the Bills 32-point comeback over the Houston Oilers in January 1993 was greater.

Had fewest penalties in NFL with 66 for 576 yards.

Indianapolis was 6-1 in one possession games in 2013.

Team set franchise record for fewest turnovers in a season with 14.

Indianapolis is PLUS 13 in turnover differential good for 3rd in the NFL. They have 15 INT’s and have recovered 12 fumbles while they have thrown 10 INT’s and lost 4 fumbles.

They had 4 giveaways (3 INT’s and 1 fumble) and 1 takeaway (fumble) in the AFC Wild Card Game vs. Kansas City.

The Colts are 14th in points scored averaging 24.2 points per game and are 9th in fewest points allowed with 21.0 points per game.

Colts Staff Notes

Hear what Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano had to say to the New England media about the match up.

Chuck Pagano is in his 2nd year as head coach of the Colts and he has a record of 22-10 in the regular season and he is 1-1 in the post season for an overall record of 23-11.

Pagano is 0-1 vs. New England in his career.

Pagano missed 12 weeks of the 2012 season due to a leukemia diagnosis. Then Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians took over in his absence and led the team to a 9-3 record in Pagano’s absence. Elias Sports Bureau credits the teams record to Pagano and not Arians, who has since become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

Defensive Line Coach Gary Emanuel is a native of New London CT and earned his bachelor’s degree from Plymouth State in Plymouth NH.

Quarterbacks Coach Clyde Christensen spent two seasons as a position coach and offensive coordinator at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester from 1989-90.

Offensive Line Coach Joe Gilbert held assistant coaching positions at Northeastern University for three seasons (1991-93) and the University of Maine for six seasons (1994-99).

Colts Possible Starters

Offense:

LT: Costanzo
LG: Thornton
C: Satele
RG: Linkenbach
RT: Cherilus
TE: Fleenor
WR: Hilton
WR: Branch
WR: Heyward-Bey
QB: Luck
RB: D. Brown

Defense:

DE: Redding
NT: Franklin
DT: Jean Francois
LB: Walden
LB: Sheppard
LB: Freeman
LB: Mathis
LCB: Toler
RCB: Davis
S: Bethea
S: Landry

Colts Players Notes

Andrew Luck notes:

Is 22-10 in his 2nd NFL season he is 1-1 in the playoffs for an overall record of 23-11.

He was the first overall pick in the first round choice out of Stanford University in the 2012 NFL Draft.

He is 0-1 vs. New England in his career.

This is his 3rd career playoff game.

Got his first playoff win last week vs. Kansas City in the AFC Wild Card Game.

Threw for 443 yards and 4 TD’s in AFC Wild Card Game both were 2nd most in Colt’s postseason history.

The 443 yards passing was fifth highest in NFL postseason history.

Has back-to-back seasons with 23 TD passes.

Cut his INT’s from 18 in 2012 to just 9 in 2013.

Has 11 game winning drives in just two seasons (10 in regular season, 1 post season).

T.Y. Hilton notes:

This is his 3rd career playoff game.

Set Colts receiving record with 224-yards and 2 TD’s vs. Kansas City in AFC Wild Card Game.

Had 13 catches in AFC Wild Card Game, 2nd most in NFL postseason history.

With 74 yards receiving with move into 5th place in franchise history in receiving yards.

Has 10 100-yard games in his first two seasons.

Has 132 catches and 1,944 receiving yards in his first two seasons.

Has 5 career TD’s of 50-yards or more.

Had 6 catches for 100-yards and 2 TD’s vs. New England in 2012.

Adam Vinatieri notes:

This is his 17th career postseason game.

AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 11 and Week 17.

Has 205 postseason points most in NFL history.

49 postseason field goals most in NFL history.

58 PAT’s are tied for most in NFL post season history with David Akers.

Has scored in 26 consecutive postseason games, most in NFL history.

Has won 4 Super Bowls, two with last drive field goals. One with no time remaining and the other with 4 seconds left.

Two-time Pro Bowl selection (2002 and 2004 with New England).

Only kicker in NFL history with field goals in four Super Bowls and only kicker to play in five Super Bowls.

His 2,006 career points are 5th all-time in NFL history.

Made career high 35 field goals in 2013.

Robert Mathis notes:

This is his 18th career postseason game.

Second in Colts history in postseason sacks with 5.5

Franchise leader in sacks with 111.0

Set team record with 19.5 sacks this season.

Has had 27 career multi-sack games.

Has five seasons with 10-sacks or more.

Has five career sacks vs. New England.

Named to his 6th consecutive Pro Bowl.

Named first team 2013 All-Pro

Deacon Jones Award winner for 2013.

Antoine Bethea notes:

This is his 13th career postseason game.

Has 4 postseason INT’s 3rd most in franchise history.

Needs 1 INT to tie for most in Colts postseason history.

Has started every game he has played in his career (123).

Has started 96 consecutive games since returning from ACL surgery.

Has 6 consecutive 100-tackle seasons.

Donald Brown notes:

This is his 5th career playoff game.

Needs just 61 yards for 8th place and 91 yards for 7th most rushing yards in franchise history.

Finished 2013 with 5.3 yards per carry second highest season total in franchise history.

Darius Butler notes:

Played college ball at UConn

Drafted by Patriots in 2nd round of 2009 NFL Draft.

Played for New England from 2009-2010.

Led Colts with 4 INT’s in 2013.

Was 8th on team in tackles with 52 (43 solo).

Colts team captains for 2013 are:

WR Reggie Wayne (IR)
QB Andrew Luck
DE Cory Redding
LB Robert Mathis
P Pat McAfee

Players who attended New England based universities or colleges:

RB Donald Brown – UConn
G Donald Thomas (IR) – UConn
CB Darius Butler – UConn
LB Scott Lutrus (IR) – UConn
QB Matt Hasselbeck – Boston College
T Gosder Cherilus – Boston College
OL Anthony Castonzo – Boston College

Players with New England roots:

G Donald Thomas (IR) – West Haven CT
QB Matt Hasselbeck – Westwood MA
LB Bjoern Werner – Salisbury CT
LB Scott Lutrus (IR) – Brookfield CT
T Gosder Cherilus – Somerville MA

Former Patriots with the Colts:

K Adam Vinatieri
CB Darius Butler
G Donald Thomas
S Sergio Brown
WR Deion Branch

The Colts have 8 retired numbers:

18 – Peyton Manning
19 – Johnny Unitas
22 – Buddy Young
24 – Lenny Moore
70 – Art Donovan
77 – Jim Parker
82 – Raymond Berry
89 – Gino Marchetti

Next Week

AFC Championship Up next: With a win will play at Denver or host San Diego

Location: Denver CO or Foxboro MA

Date/Time: Sunday January 19, 2014 at TBA

TV Network: CBS

Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2013 MLB Preview – Day 5 – NL East

Welcome to the Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2013 MLB preview. Over the next few days you will get a team by team look at its key players, new faces, their potential MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year candidates, their possible starting lineup and rotation as well as a quick summary.

2013 SOX & Dawgs NL East Preview We will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

This preview was sculpted over the off season with some mild tweaking as we went along prior to publication. It comes from a culmination of reading many hours of baseball research.

I hope you enjoy this look at the upcoming season. I know everyone will not agree with me and that’s fine put it in the comments or hit me up on Twitter or via email. I can assure you I'll most likely have an argument for each and every objection that you could possibly raise.

Yesterday we looked at the AL Central, Sunday was the NL West, Monday was the AL West, Tuesday we previewed the NL Central and today it’s the NL East.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

National League East

In what could possibly be an epic battle for the division, the NL East will see the Braves and Nationals go toe to toe all season with the outcome not being decided until the last weekend. Both teams are deep in all phases and this will be baseball's best race. The Phillies are getting old and will not be a factor at the end while the Mets and the Marlins could both lose 100 games.

1. Atlanta – Manager Fredi Gonzalez (3rd year/7th overall)

The Braves will not only challenge for the division but for a World Series appearance in 2013. In the off season they added the Upton Brothers, B.J. via free agency and Justin via trade, to their outfield to compliment RF Jason Heyward and become a formidable trio for years to come. The pitching should be more than solid with veteran Tim Hudson leading a young group of starters that feature Mike Minor and Julio Teheran and will only get better upon the return of Brandon Beachy. The bullpen with Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters and now Jordan Walden on the back end are top notch. The one concern the team has is 2B Dan Uggla and C Brian McCann need to put 2012 behind them and return to the form of previous seasons. McCann may have a delayed start due to off season surgery.

Brian McCann #16 of the Atlanta Braves runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on July 21, 2012 in Washington, DC. Home Field: Turner Field

Key Players: CF B.J. Upton; LF Justin Upton; RF Jason Heyward; P Tim Hudson; RP Craig Kimbrel

MVP Candidate: RF Jason Heyward

Cy Young Candidate: P Kris Medlen

ROY Candidate: P Julio Teheran

Key Additions: C Gerald Laird; 3B/1B Chris Johnson; CF B.J. Upton; LF Justin Upton; RP Jordan Walden; OF Jordan Schafer

Possible lineup: Simmons SS; B. Upton CF; Heyward RF; McCann* C; J. Upton LF; Freeman 1B; Uggla 2B; Francisco 3B

*McCann may miss start of season due to injury.

*Alternate lineup: Simmons SS; B. Upton CF; Freeman 1B; J. Upton LF; Heyward RF; Uggla 2B; Francisco 3B; Laird C

Possible rotation: Hudson; Medlin; Minor; Maholm*; Teheran

*Beachy will miss part of the season recovering from TJS

*Possible rotation: Hudson; Medlin; Minor; Beachy; Teheran

2. Washington – Manager Davey Johnson (3rd year/17th overall)

This will be Davey Johnson’s last ride and he will get the full Stephen Strasburg experience as the reigns have been taken off the young starter and Cy Young Candidate. The starting rotation is solid top to bottom although the bullpen could be a bit deeper the pitching is first rate. Although they could probably use a veteran bat off the bench they may have the best overall roster in the majors.

National League All-Star Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals pithces in the fourth inning during the 83rd MLB All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium on July 10, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri. Home Field: Nationals Park

Key Players: RF Bryce Harper; LF Jayson Werth; 3B Ryan Zimmerman SP Stephen Strasburg; RP Rafael Soriano

MVP Candidate: RF Bryce Harper

Cy Young Candidate: P Stephen Strasburg

ROY Candidate: 3B Anthony Rendon

Key Additions: CF Denard Span; SP Dan Haren; RP Rafael Soriano; RP A.J. Cole

Possible lineup: Span CF; Harper RF; Zimmerman 3B; LaRoche 1B; Werth LF; Desmond SS; Espinosa 2B; Ramos C

Possible rotation: Strasburg; G. Gonzalez; Zimmermann; Haren; Detwiler

3. Philadelphia – Manager Charlie Manuel (9th year/12th overall)

Phillies fans are going to be looking at an older team this season and one that is lacking in the outfield. P Roy Halladay (36); P Cliff Lee (34) and new 3B Michael Young (35) aren’t so much so any longer as the Phils start to get a bit long in the tooth. The starting pitching has to carry the team and get it to closer Jonathan Papelbon because the rest of the pen is very inconsistent. The team is weak on the corners in the outfield and they will pay for that defensively. C Carlos Ruiz is gone for 25 games for a PED suspension.

Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies doubles to right field during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 4, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Home Field: Citizens Bank Park

Key Players: SS Jimmy Rollins; 2B Chase Utley; 3B Michael Young; P Cliff Lee; RP Jonathan Papelbon

MVP Candidate: 1B Ryan Howard

Cy Young Candidate: P Cliff Lee

ROY Candidate: P Jonathan Pettibone

Key Additions: 3B Michael Young; CF Ben Revere; RF Delmon Young; RP Mike Adams; RP Chad Durbin; SP John Lannan

Possible lineup: Rollins SS; Revere CF; Utley 2B; Howard 1B; M. Young 3B; D. Young RF; Brown LF; Kratz* C

*Ruiz suspended for 25 games

*Alternate lineup: Rollins SS; Revere CF; Utley 2B; Howard 1B; Ruiz C; M. Young 3B; D. Young RF; Brown LF

Possible rotation: Lee; Hamels; Halladay; Kendrick; Lannan

4. New York – Manager: Terry Collins (3rd year/ 9th overall)

I have heard one Mets fan say this may be the worst Mets team in his lifetime and that’s roughly 40 years going back to the glory season of 1973 when they lost in the World Series to Oakland. They plan on building around 3B David Wright; RF Lucas Duda and 1B Ike Davis along with SP Matt Harvey. The pitching is mostly young and inexperienced, the bullpen is wide open and there is a lot of room for improvement. They are not a good “up the middle” team as they have holes in CF and C and the middle infield is non-descript.

David Wright #5 of the New York Mets runs to third base against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field on September 26, 2012 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Home Field: Citi Field

Key Players: 3B David Wright; 1B Ike Davis; RF Lucas Duda; SP Matt Harvey SP Zack Wheeler

MVP Candidate: 3B David Wright

Cy Young Candidate: P Johan Santana

ROY Candidate: P Zack Wheeler

Key Additions: C John Buck; C Travis d'Arnaud; C Anthony Recker; SP Zack Wheeler; CF Collin Cowgill; RP Brandon Lyon; SP Shaun Marcum

Possible lineup: Tejada SS; Murphy 2B; Wright 3B; Davis 1B; Duda LF; Baxter RF; Buck C; Cowgill CF

Possible rotation: Santana, Neise, Harvey; Marcum; Wheeler

5. Miami – Manager Mike Redmond (1^st year)

Well one season of going all out and going for it was enough for owner Jeff Loria and he had his baseball op’s people blow up the team. It was quite the explosion as fans, media and the local politicians feel they were fleeced. The pitching is nearly non-existent both in the rotation and the bullpen and there will be a lot of players coming in and out through the year but look for Marlins to compete with the Mets for the cellar. The only thing good about this team is 1B Logan Morrison and RF Giancarlo Stanton and don’t look now Marlins fans but they won’t be there much longer.

Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins hits a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers at Marlins Park on September 4, 2012 in Miami, Florida. Home Field: Marlins Park

Key Players: RF Giancarlo Stanton; 1B Logan Morrison;3B Placido Polanco;

MVP Candidate: RF Giancarlo Stanton

Cy Young Candidate: P Ricky Nolasco

ROY Candidate: C Rob Brantly; SS Adeiny Hechavarria

Key Additions: Mgr Mike Redmond; LF Juan Pierre; 3B Placido Polanco; SS Adeiny Hechavarria; C Rob Brantly; C Jeff Mathis: RP Jon Rauch; RP Scott Maine

Possible lineup: Pierre LF; Polanco 3B; Morrison 1B; Stanton RF; Ruggiano CF; Brantly C; Solano 2B; Hechavarria SS

Possible rotation: Nolasco; Alvarez; LeBlanc; Eovaldi; Turner

Tomorrow, in Day 6, we will preview the AL East.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII

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Carl Everett’s Crazy Hall of Fame, the Class of 2013

Carl Everett's Crazy Hall of Fame

SOX & Dawgs established Carl Everett’s Crazy Hall of Fame in 2007 and its members are, like any Hall of Fame, in rarified air. Only this air lacks a lot of common sense and is full of batshit crazy. In fact that along with the incident happening on or in relation to the field of play is the only way to get into this Hall. We don’t induct folks based on off the field incidents like spousal abuse, DUI, dog fighting, etc.

In the five years since the Hall was established it has 14 Charter Members and now 50 Regular Members.

To see the Carl Everett’s Crazy Hall of Fame Class of 2013, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

It is with great humility that we present to you Carl Everett’s Crazy Hall of Fame, the Class of 2013.

Here is year’s class:

Bobby Valentine

While managing the Boston Red Sox in 2012 he had a weekly radio interview with local Boston sports talk station WEEI. While on the air during an awful season with Glen Ordway, Valentine was asked if he had checked out and quit on the season and the team.

He then told Ordway if I was there I’d punch you in the face right now and laughed sarcastically. He later said he was kidding. He then went on a rant about how he was late because he had to pick up his son at the airport during a road trip in Oakland.

The incident launch another meeting with Valentine and the team’s ownership and general manager and it may have been the deciding incident in letting him go after just one season as manager.

Valentine also had another incident as manager of the New York Mets when after being ejected from a game at Shea Stadium he returned to the bench area wearing a Groucho Marx style mustache and glasses. He was later fined for the incident.

Ozzie Guillen

2012 was not a good year for Ozzie Guillen. After being hired by the Miami Marlins in the off season with the team just a few games into an important season for the franchise Guillen got suspended for making comments about Fidel Castro to the media prior to a game in April.

Then in September he got mad at ESPN’s Buster Olney who intimated that the team could possibly fire Guillen because they didn’t make estimated attendance projections and they could blame it on the post-Castro fall out. Olney also added that the Marlins had quit on Guillen.

Ozzie got on Twitter and only as Ozzie can in two Tweets he said “buster olney u so full a shit whit u stupidcomments about the miami team we still play hard we yes no wingames I think u no watch” And he followed that with “I think u no watch our games if u say iam bad manager is ok but u never say my team give up”.

Shortly after the season ended Guillen was indeed fired by the Miami Marlins.

Joseph Cordes

A Massachusetts father, Joseph Cordes, was ejected from a girls high school hockey game after trying to blind the oppositions goalie with a laser pointer in March 2012.

The losing team, Medway-Ashland, tried to get its playoff loss to Winthrop overturned based on the accusation but was denied.

With the score tied 1-1 Cordes was caught pointing the laser pointer at the goalie and was ordered from arena by the Winthrop assistant superintendent. He was also barred from future Winthrop High School athletic events.

Cordes was given a summons and faced charges of disordely conduct.

New Orleans Saints Bounty Gate 2009-11

Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams allegedly created and carried on a bounty reward system for his defensive players injuring and knocking opposing players from games. According the NFL the Saints Head Coach Sean Payton, their GM as well as another assistant coach all knew of and let the bounty continue.

The alledged bounty system took place over 3 seasons, 2009-2011, and included New Orleans Super Bowl Championship season (2009).

Williams was suspended indefinitely in 2012, Payton got a year suspension, Assistant Coach Joe Vitt got six games, the GM was suspended and the team was fined by the NFL. Several other players were suspended for various games through the 2012 NFL season for taking part in the bounties.

Gary Bettman

And our final inductee into the CECHOF is NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Bettman has long been a villian to fans of the NHL and this past year was no different as he had his third work stoppage in his watch as the first commissioner in NHL history.

Bettman, who came to the NHL from the NBA, subscribes to the David Stern School of Management and both men would have been awesome slave labor owners if they had lived in a different time.

Bettman, who has been commissioner since 1993, has lost nearly two full seasons worth of games in 20 years due to those league mandated lockouts including being the first professional sports team to cancel it’s entire season in 2004-05.

In the eyes of NHL fans Bettman has done more harm then good as he has allowed teams in solid hockey markets like Winnipeg, Quebec, Hartford and Minneapolis to lose their NHL teams to relocation, although Winnnipeg and Minneapolis have since regained teams.

It’s time for Bettman to go and for all the damage he has done to the game he is now a member of the CECHOF.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII

Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2013 MLB Preview – Day 4 – AL Central

2013 SOX & Dawgs AL Central Preview We will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

This preview was sculpted over the off season with some mild tweaking as we went along prior to publication. It comes from a culmination of reading many hours of baseball research.

Yesterday we looked at the NL Central, Sunday was the NL West, Monday was the AL West and today it’s the AL Central.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

American League Central

Detroit is the class of the division and has been the last couple years and will be again in 2013. But as Minnesota flounders and Chicago isn’t what it once was, we should start to see the resurgence in Kansas City and Cleveland. There is no time like the present for the Royals to make a jump and contend this season.

1. Detroit – Manager Jim Leyland (8th year/22nd overall)

The Tigers are on a mission and that is to get to the World Series and win. The Lineup 2-3-4-5 is absolutely terrifying with the return of DH Victor Martinez and addition of Torii Hunter to go along with Prince Fielder and Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera. The starting pitching and offense are solid and will make up for the lack of depth in the bullpen and the average defense. Looks like Leyland is looking at rookie Bruce Rondon to close and he will be an important piece in solidifying the back end of the pen.

Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers looks on against the San Francisco Giants during Game One of the Major League Baseball World Series at AT&T Park on October 24, 2012 in San Francisco, California. Home Field: Comerica Park

Key Players: 1B Prince Fielder; 3B Miguel Cabrera; C Alex Avila; P Justin Verlander; RP Bruce Rondon

MVP Candidate: 1B Prince Fielder and 3B Miguel Cabrera

Cy Young Candidate: P Justin Verlander

ROY Candidate: RP Bruce Rondon

Key Additions: OF Torii Hunter; P Kyle Lobstein; 2B Jeff Kobernus; C Ramon Cabrera

Possible lineup: Jackson CF; Hunter RF; Cabrera 3B; Fielder 1B; V. Martinez DH; Dirks LF; Peralta SS; Avila C; Infante 2B

Possible rotation: Verlander; Fister; Scherzer; Sanchez; Porcello

2. Kansas City – Manager Ned Yost (4th year/10th overall)

The Royals are making another jump and if the rest of the division isn’t careful this could be a team that will sneak up on you. Feeling like they had a good lineup but needed pitching they made a deal with Tampa Bay for starters Wade Davis and James Shields to improve in this area. They are on a win now mission with young stars and budding pitching staff but the arms need to not only hold up but produce results.

Eric Hosmer #35 of the Kansas City Royals rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the 7th inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Kauffman Stadium on September 6, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri. Home Field: Kauffman Stadium

Key Players: 1B Eric Hosmer; 3B Mike Moustakas; DH Billy Butler; P James Shields; P Wade Davis

MVP Candidate: 1B Eric Hosmer

Cy Young Candidate: P James Shields

ROY Candidate: P Yordano Ventura

Key Additions: SP James Shields; SP Wade Davis; C George Kottaras; RP Guillermo Moscoso; SP Ervin Santana; RP Chris Volstad

Possible lineup: Cain CF; Escobar SS; Gordon LF; Butler DH; Moustakas 3B; Perez C; Hosmer 1B; Francouer RF; Getz 2B

Possible Rotation: Shields; Guthrie; Davis; Santana; Chen

3. Cleveland – Manager Terry Francona (1^st year/13^th overall)

The Indians made a dugout change bringing in former Red Sox and Phillies skipper Terry Francona as the new pilot. Francona doesn’t need to win now but he needs to see improvement. He has a team that is strong up the middle with C Carlos Santana, 2B Jason Kipnis, SS Asdrubal Cabrera and newly acquired CF Michael Bourn, but lacks pitching depth especially in the rotation. He could also use some offensive help and hopes that bringing in Bourn, Nick Swisher and Mark Reynolds will help in that department.

Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates after hitting a walk-off solo home run in the ninth inning to defeat the Minnesota Twins 6-5 at Progressive Field on September 23, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. Home Field: Progressive Field

Key Players: C Carlos Santana; SS Asdrubal Cabrera; CF Michael Bourn; 2B Jason Kipnis; P Justin Masterson

MVP Candidate: C Carlos Santana

Cy Young Candidate: P Justin Masterson

ROY Candidate: SP Trevor Bauer

Key Additions: Mgr Terry Francona; RF Nick Swisher; 1B Mark Reynolds INF/DH Mike Aviles; OF Drew Stubbs; SP Trevor Bauer; SP Brett Myers; RP Matt Albers; OF Ben Francisco; P Scott Kazmir; DH Jason Giambi; SP Daisuke Matsuzaka; CF Michael Bourn

Possible lineup: Bourn CF; Brantley LF; Cabrera SS; Swisher 1B; Santana C; Kipnis 2B; Reynolds DH; Chisenhall 3B; Stubbs RF

Possible rotation: Masterson; Jimenez; Myers; McAllister; Bauer

4. Chicago – Manager Robin Ventura (2nd year)

The biggest thing for the White Sox to overcome is the fact the have a lot of aging players in key spots. Jake Peavy (32); Paul Konerko (37); Alex Rios (32) and Adam Dunn (33) are among them and last year this team faded horribly down the stretch. The good part of this team is the emergence of Dayan Viciedo and Alejandro De Aza plus that good bullpen.

Paul Konerko #14 of the Chicago White Sox bats against the New York Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field on August 22, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois Home Field: U.S. Cellular Field

Key Players: LF Dayan Viciedo; SS Alexei Ramirez, 1B Paul Konerko; DH Adam Dunn; P Chris Sale

MVP Candidate: LF Dayan Viciedo

Cy Young Candidate: P Chris Sale

ROY Candidate: OF Trayce Thompson

Key Additions: 3B Jeff Keppinger; 1B Lars Anderson; RP Matt Lindstrom; RP Zach Stewart

Possible lineup: De Aza CF; Keppinger 3B; Dunn DH; Konerko 1B; Rios RF; Viciedo LF; Ramirez SS; Flowers C; Beckham 2B

Possible rotation: Sale; Peavy; Danks; Floyd; Quintana

5. Minnesota – Manager Ron Gardenhire (12th year)

They had a healthy return of 1B Justin Morneau and C Joe Mauer in 2012 and they need to have that repeated. The pair also need to rediscover their power as Morneau last hit 20+ HR in 2009 and Mauer has only 22 HRs in last 3 years after hitting 28 in ’09. This team is against it because the pitching will really decide their fate and it doesn’t look good from here. In 2012 the starting pitching was the worst in baseball and there looks to be very little recovery there and the bullpen is just weak from top to bottom. They need a lot of help but it’s not coming this season.

Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning on September 16, 2012 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Home Field: Target Field

Key Players: C Joe Mauer; 1B Justin Morneau; DH Ryan Doumit; P Vance Worley; RF Josh Willingham

MVP Candidate: C Joe Mauer and 1B Justin Morneau

Cy Young Candidate: P Vance Worley

ROY Candidate: P Kyle Gibson; OF Aaron Hicks

Key Additions: P Kevin Correia; P Vance Worley: P Mike Pelfrey*; IF Tommy Field

Possible lineup: Mastroianni CF; Carroll 2B; Mauer C; Willingham LF; Morneau 1B; Doumit DH; Parmelee RF; Plouffe; Flourimon SS

Possible rotation: Worley; Correia; Hendriks; Duensing; Blackburn*

* Pelfrey had Tommy John surgery in May 2012 and will most likely miss start of the season and Nick Blackburn is a candidate to replace him until his return.

Tomorrow, in Day 5, we will preview the NL East.

Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII

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Gigantic Sox and Dawgs 2013 MLB Preview – Day 3 – NL Central

2013 SOX & Dawgs NL Central Preview We will also select a MVP candidate and Cy Young candidate for each team no matter what their predicted team outcome is.

This preview was sculpted over the off season with some mild tweaking as we went along prior to publication. It comes from a culmination of reading many hours of baseball research.

Yesterday we looked at the AL West and we started on Sunday with the NL West, today it’s the NL Central.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

National League Central

The NL Central after many years of belonging to St. Louis with an occasional take over by Milwaukee or Chicago looks to be going Cincinnati’s the next few years. St. Louis will always compete for the top of the division as well as a wild card spot and now Pittsburgh is trying to take the next step and move up some as Milwaukee starts to slide. It may be a few years yet before the Cubs once again return to playoff baseball and fans on the South Side will need to remain patient and believe in the process.

1. Cincinnati – Manager: Dusty Baker (6th year/20th overall)

The Reds are ready to be a team that is at or near the top of the NL Central every year for the next several years. They have a solid core of young players, good veteran’s and a staff that has a style that fits well with the make up of the club. They do have a big bullpen change in that the plan is to move Aroldis Chapman from the closer spot into the rotation and former Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton will handle the back end of games. They have a strong lineup especially 1-6, deep rotation and are solid defensively with no noticeable weaknesses other than they could use an additional utility infielder and a lefty reliever.

Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds singles to center field during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park on September 21, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Home Field: Great American Ball Park

Key Players: 1B Joey Votto; 2B Brandon Phillips; RF Jay Bruce; P Johnny Cueto; RP Jonathan Broxton

MVP Candidate: 1B Joey Votto

Cy Young Candidate: P Johnny Cueto

ROY Candidate: OF Billy Hamilton

Key Additions: CF Shin-Soo Choo; 3B/1B Jack Hannahan; IF Jason Donald

Possible lineup: Choo CF; Phillips 2B; Votto 1B; Bruce RF; Ludwick LF; Frazier 3B; Hannigan C; Cozart SS

Possible rotation: Cueto; Latos; Arroyo; Bailey; Chapman

2. St. Louis – Manager: Mike Matheny (2nd year)

The Cardinals got back to the post season in 2012 as a wildcard and then dispatched Atlanta and Washington before losing to San Francisco in the NLCS. It was probably more than they could have asked for after getting a new manager and losing 1B Albert Pujols in free agency. This year the Cards will have a chance to get back to the post season again but are a bit weak in the middle infield as Rafael Furcal is aging and Daniel Descalso plays better as a utility infield not a starter, Pete Kozma could see sometime at short. OF Carlos Beltran who replaced Pujols is older and has knee issues that could hurt his production. But the pitching staff throws strikes and the entire staff has a good BB:K ratio.

Pitcher Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after the end of the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Busch Stadium on October 18, 2012 in St Louis, Missouri. Home Field: Busch Stadium

Key Players: RF Carlos Beltran; LF Matt Holliday; 3B David Freese; P Adam Wainwright; P Chris Carpenter

MVP Candidate: LF Matt Holliday

Cy Young Candidate: P Adam Wainright

ROY Candidate: OF Oscar Tavares; P Joe Kelly

Key Additions: 2B/SS Ronny Cedeno; IF/OF Ty Wiggington; RP Randy Choate

Possible lineup: Furcal SS*; Jay CF; Holliday LF; Beltran RF; Molina C; Freese 3B; Craig 1B; Descalso 2B

*Furcal may miss start of season with injury.

Alternate lineup: Jay CF; Descalso 2B; Holliday LF; Beltran RF; Molina C; Freese 3B; Craig 1B; Kozma SS

Possible rotation: Wainwright; Lynn; Garcia*; Westbrook; Miller

*Garcia is questionable for start of season with shoulder injury. Joe Kelly could take the spot in the rotation.

3. Pittsburgh – Manager: Clint Hurdle (3rd year/11th overall)

For the second season in a row Pittsburgh had a baseball resurgence and played good baseball for most of the season only to fade at the end. They had their 20th losing season in a row. I see more of the same this year for the Buco’s as they compete before falling out of contention for a playoff spot but the may climb as high as 3rd in the Central. They have a good 1-2 veteran combo in the rotation and one of the stars of the game in Andrew McCutchen but they need more offense, to play better defensively and be stronger come August and September where they are 38-77 the last two seasons.

Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates makes a sliding catch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the game on August 29, 2012 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Home Field: PNC Park

Key Players: CF Andrew McCutchen; 1B Garrett Jones; C Russell Martin; P A.J. Burnett; RP Jason Grilli

MVP Candidate: CF Andrew McCutchen

Cy Young Candidate: P A.J. Burnett

ROY Candidate: P Gerrit Cole

Key Additions: C Russell Martin; RP Mark Melancon; RP Zach Thornton; P Francisco Liriano; P Vin Mazzaro

Possible lineup: Marte LF; Walker 2B; McCutcheon CF; Jones 1B; Alvarez 3B; Martin C; Snyder RF; Barmes SS

Possible rotation: Burnett; W. Rodriguez; McDonald; Karstens; Liriano

4. Milwaukee – Manager: Ron Roenicke (3rd year)

The Brewers are rebuilding and will most likely find themselves in a battle for 3rd in the Central with the up and coming Pirates. It will be hard for the Brew Crew as they will miss 1B Corey Hart for at least four months as well as his replacement Mat Gamel who tore his ACL and is out for the season. Also starter Chris Narveson may not be ready to start the season after shoulder surgery. The pitching lacks depth behind Yovani Gallardo and John Axford and the less experienced pitchers will need to assume larger roles if they are to compete.

Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates after a 6-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 18, 2012 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Home Field: Miller Park

Key Players: LF Ryan Braun; 3B Aramis Ramirez; CF Carlos Gomez; P Yovani Gallardo

MVP Candidate: LF Ryan Braun

Cy Young Candidate: P Yovani Gallardo

ROY Candidate: P Wily Peralta; 1B Hunter Morris

Key Additions: RP Burke Badenhop; P Shaun Marcum; RP Mike Gonzalez; RP Tom Gorzelanny; 1B Hunter Morris

Possible lineup: Aoki RF; Weeks 2B; Braun LF; Ramirez 3B; Lucroy C; Gomez CF; Morris 1B; Segura SS

Possible rotation: Gallardo; Estrada; Fiers; Narveson*; Peralta

*Narveson had shoulder surgery in May 2012 and may miss start of season. Mark Rogers and Josh Stinson are candidates for the rotation spot.

5. Chicago – Manager: Dale Sveum (2nd year)

Year Two of the “Theo Epstein Project” (that should be the name of his band) and now without Houston in the division any longer there is no one but themselves to keep the Cubs out of the basement. Epstein along with GM Jed Hoyer are working feverishly to build the farm system as they both know that is what will help them down the road. They hope that the road will eventually take them to the franchise’s first World Series title since 1908. They’ve stopped handing out crazy money and bad free agent contracts. While the farm system still lacks premium prospects they have a good MLB core of P Jeff Samardzija, 1B Anthony Rizzo, 2B Darwin Barney and SS Starlin Castro. The bullpen is shaky especially with Carlos Marmol as the closer, the rotation is inconsistent and they lack a true CF.

Shortstop Starlin Castro #13 of the Chicago Cubs throws to first on a ground ball out against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a MLB game at Chase Field on September 30, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. Home Field: Wrigley Field

Key Players: SS Starlin Castro; 1B Anthony Rizzo; 2B Darwin Barney; SP Jeff Samardzija; SP Matt Garza

MVP Candidate: SS Starlin Castro

Cy Young Candidate: P Matt Garza

ROY Candidate: RP Kyuji Fujikawa

Key Additions: SP Edwin Jackson; SP Scott Baker; C Dioner Navarro; OF Nate Schierholtz; SP Scott Feldman; RP Kyuji Fujikawa

Possible lineup: DeJesus CF; Scheirholz RF; Rizzo 1B; Soriano LF; Castro SS; Stewart 3B; Castillo C; Barney 2B

Possible rotation: Samardzija; Garza; Jackson; Feldman; Baker

Tomorrow: the AL Central.

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