AFC B3TZ

Cincinnati vs. San Diego

After giving up a conversion on 4th and 29 in their game against Baltimore last week I'm not sure how much the Chargers have left in the tank.  Conversely the Bengals have won 3 straight and are currently tied for the last wild card spot.  They need this game to keep pace so look for Andy Dalton and AJ Green to have big days.

Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore

Charlie Batch is ma master at reading defenses.  From the sideline.  Now that he's in live action it's plain to see the game is too fast for him and he's a shell of his former self.  Baltimore is flying high on the news their spiritual and emotional leader Ray Lewis will be back in a few weeks.  I expect this game to be a blowout.

Does The Hall Of Fame Need Bonds, Clemens, And Sosa?

The 2013 hall of fame ballot is the first time major league baseball will have to deal with the results of the steroid era head on.  Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, and Sammy Sosa are all eligible to join Cooperstown, but all three players are suspected of using performance enhancing drugs during their careers.  None of the players in question were found guilty in a court of law, but the court of popular opinion has already rendered its verdict.  They all took something and it had an impact on the video game like numbers they were able to put up.  Does that mean they should be excluded from baseball's most prestigious club?

Of course not.  The substances they allegedly took weren't illegal by MLB standards at the time and there's no way to determine who else was taking performance enhancing drugs back then.  For all we know half the league could have been on something.  The fact these athletes made history during that era shouldn't deter voters from recognizing their accomplishments.

Of course baseball purists will label them as cheaters and administer their own brand of justice by not voting for them, but where do you draw the line?  Do you banish every player you suspect of taking performance enhancing drugs?  Do you exclude every player that played before the current drug testing policy was in place?  Do you deny the fact Bonds and Clemens were hall of fame players with or without taking the alleged substances?

Barry Bonds has the record for most home runs all time (762), home runs in a season (73), 7 MVP titles (should have 8)  10 gold gloves, and 500 stolen bases.  Roger Clemens is the all time leader in strikeouts (4,672) has 7 Cy Young awards, 2 World Series titles, and an AL MVP.  From 1998-2003 Sammy Sosa hit 332 home runs including 3 seasons where he hit 63, 64, and 66 home runs.  THOSE ARE HALL OF FAME NUMBERS!

  Regardless of what you think of them as people or if you think they were on the clear or the cream there was nothing illegal about what they did and they weren't the only ones doing it.  The media needs to get off their high horse and take responsibility for the culture that existed in the early 90's and 2000's.  Don't blame the players, blame the game.

Rookie QB B3TZ

Seattle vs. Chicago

If the Seahawks want to make the playoffs they will eventually have to win a game on the road.  Quarterback Russell Wilson has played well in his last 3 games validating coach Pete Carroll's decision to start him at the beginning of the season.  Look for the Seahawks to establish the run game at Chicago then take some shots down the field.  I think Wilson will have a big day.

Indianapolis vs. Detroit

The Detroit Lions let their playoff hopes slip away on Thanksgiving and now they are reduced to playing the role of spoiler.  Indianapolis is the first team they get a chance to make things difficult for.  We'll see if Andrew Luck can out duel Pro Bowler Matt Stafford to get the win.

Miami vs. New England

After a surprise win last week the Miami Dolphins are back in the playoff hunt.  Ryan Tannehill has looked composed and confident as of late and Brian Hartline has proven to be a nice security blanket.  The Dolphins are tough to beat at home and this game will be closer than you think.

NCAA B3TZ

Duke vs. Ohio St.

Duke will face their 2nd top ten opponent this season when the Blue Devils face off against Ohio St.  No one can accuse coach K of scheduling creme puffs to start the year.  Ohio St. is looking for someone to step up and replace the production of Jared Sullinger while Duke is relying heavily on Seth Curry to provide offense and senior leadership.  Look for Curry to have a big game against the Buckeyes.

Arizona vs. Northern Arizona

Arizona is coming off a disappointing season, but the Wildcats are currently ranked #9 in the country.  Like most schools Arizona schedules road kill to start the year off to boost their confidence and add up wins for the NCAA selection committee.  The Arizona Wildcats will face the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks tonight.  this game should be a blowout. 

NBA B3TZ

Minnesota vs. Sacramento

The Timberwolves are happy to have Kevin Love back in the line up, but so far it hasn't translated into more wins.  The Wolves have lost 5 straight, but tonight they play the lowly Sacramento Kings.  Unless DeMarcus Cousins has a monster game the Wolves should snap their losing streak.

Indiana vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The D'Antoni era in LA has gotten off to a shaky start.  You almost wonder if the team wasn't better off with Bernie Bickestaff as the coach.  Now that the Lakers passed on Phil Jackson every game they lose will be second guessed.  Tonight however they play the Indiana Pacers without all star Danny Granger so they should win with ease.

Why The San Francisco 49ers Won't Win The Super Bowl

The San Francisco 49ers have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.  They sit atop their division by 3 games and have the 2nd best record in the NFC.  In two seasons coach Jim Harbaugh has completely changed the culture of the organization with his winning attitude and his competitive spirit.

The 49ers have a dominant running game, a stingy defense, and a pro bowl kicker to bail them out when their offense sputters.  On paper this seems like the perfect blueprint for success, but there is a fatal flaw that will ultimately lead to the team's demise.  They have a full blown QB controversy that won't go away.

A few weeks ago Alex Smith was nearly perfect against the Arizona Cardinals completing 18 out of 19 passes for 232 yards and 3 touchdowns.  His starting job was not in jeopardy and the team looked impressive.  A few weeks later Smith suffered a concussion and was forced to miss a game vs. Chicago.

Back up Colin Kaepernick got the nod and made the most of his opportunity going 16 for 22 with 3 touchdowns as the Niners cruised to victory.  When Alex Smith was finally cleared to play coach Harbaugh decided to stay with the "hot hand" and Kaepernick remained the starter.

It's never a good idea to play musical chairs with your starting quarterback.  It divides the locker room and manipulates the emotions of the players in question.  Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick will stop trusting their teammates, the coaching staff, and each other the longer this controversy persists.  in addition, it's hard for the team to find a rhythm.  As soon as they get used to one style of play calling and formations the offense changes to accommodate a different quarterback.  Getting reps with the 1st team is an essential part of preparation during the week.

If this was September the benching of Alex Smith wouldn't be as significant, but in late November it's a distraction that undermines the team's ultimate goal.  At this time of the year a team needs a definitive answer at the most important position on the field.  If there is uncertainty or doubt the players won't know who to follow.  By sticking with the "hot hand" coach Harbaugh has opened up a can of worms that he can't close and the 49ers will pay the price by missing the Super Bowl.

Monday Night Football B3TZ

Philadelphia vs. Carolina

Facing the Philadelphia Eagles without Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy is just what Carolina needs to get back on the winning track.  Cam Newton hasn't shown the play making ability of his rookie season, but you have to think it's still in there somewhere.  The Eagles will start rookie quarterback Nick Foles and to be perfectly honest he still looks a little wet behind the ears.  Look for big turnovers from the Eagles offense that lead to short fields for the Carolina Panthers.