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New York Giants – Back to Super Bowl Form
For pretty much the first half of the season, the New York Giants looked like the same team that won the Super Bowl last year; great defense and an Eli Manning who steps up in the fourth quarter each and every time. Then came a slide, and the usual doubts. Now, it seems the Giants have found the right formula to put them back on track.
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Chicago Bears – Jay Cutler Finally Gets Some Protection
It’s not that Jay Cutler was so great upon his return after taking a week and two quarters off after a concussion. Still, the quarterback is better than anything else the Chicago Bears can field instead of him, and with the usual help of the best defense in the NFL, the losing streak ended and the playoffs are once again a very short distance away.
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2012 College Football Season – Week 13 BCS Standings
Well, no surprises, and no actual change. Notre Dame are number one in the polls and the computers, meaning they rule the BCS standings and won’t be moved, regardless of the results of the conference championship games next week. Alabama or Georgia have somewhat of a semifinal on their hands heading into the SEC title game, with the rest of the fog mostly regarding BCS bowl slots.
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Real Madrid – Jose Mourinho Blaming Everyone Else
Same routine that’s been happening for the past three seasons: Jose Mourinho finds himself under tons of pressure and in the need to explain why Real Madrid aren’t doing as well as expected. The result? Blaming the referee, his players and Barcelona for everything that’s wrong in his life.
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FC Barcelona – Andres Iniesta Making Lionel Messi the Best
Quite a few eyebrows were raised when it was Andres Iniesta, not Lionel Messi, who won the UEFA award for best player of last season. Another Barcelona demolition, and couple of goals for Messi to inch closer towards an incredible record, but it’s probably Iniesta he has most to thank for this time around.
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Chelsea FC – Fernando Torres Doesn’t Change for Benitez
If anyone expected Rafa Benitez to suddenly turn Fernando Torres to the man who scored in nearly every match for him in their previous job together, they ended up feeling disappointing. It was all about disappointment for Chelsea in their fifth consecutive league match without a win.
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Liverpool FC – Luis Suarez Still Waiting for Help
While not losing an away match in such a season is somewhat of an achievement, this isn’t what Liverpool are about, or should be at least. The problem for Brendan Rodgers is not having anyone but Luis Suarez to trust; to know he’s going to show up on gameday with a chance to score a goal. The tune is getting old, but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be addressed.
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2012 College Football Season – Week 13 Rankings
No real change at the top 25 of the AP Poll, as Notre Dame passed the biggest test of their weekend, a visit to USC, with another impressive defensive stand. The other two claimants to the BCS national championship game, Alabama and Georgia, had no problem beating their in-state nemesis on rivalry week.
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Duke Blue Devils – Quinn Cook’s Turn to Shine
Duke aren’t a team filled with stars, but there is a clear hierarchy, with Mason Plumlee and Seth Curry taking the higher spots. Still, Quinn Cook was the one who shined during the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, winning the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award while surprisingly taking over a game between two top five teams.
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Los Angeles Lakers – Finally Not Just Kobe Bryant
In an attempt to find a balanced offense, the Los Angeles Lakers began the season 0-4 on the road, with the same tune playing again: Kobe Bryant taking up the bulk of the shots and the offense, leading the NBA in scoring with 26.9 points per game so far. Maybe that trend is finally changing for the better.