As the US prepares to say goodbye to one commander-in-chief and hello to another, SNL continues poking fun.
In the sports world, the NFL comes closer to crowning its champ while the NBA provided a likely preview of its Finals matchup.
National Football League (NFL)
The NFL conference semifinals delivered mixed results with two gems and a couple duds.
The Good…In one of the best games in recent NFL playoff history, the Green Bay Packers took to the road to defeat the Dallas Cowboys 34-31. The late-game drama heated up when the Pack hit a field goal with 1:33 remaining to take the lead but the Boys tied the game with 35 seconds left. All-world Packers QB Aaron Rodgers ended the suspense when he drove his team to a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Source: USA Today
Enough space on the DVR…Because of ice storms, the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers game was moved to 8:20pm ET (from 1:00pm), putting it up against new Madame Secretary and The Simpsons episodes, and the Homeland premiere. The Chiefs fell at home 18-16 despite Melissa Etheridge showing her love for Chiefs QB Alex Smith, who “Might be the only man I want to write a love song to.” Le’Veon Bell was the Steelers’ star breaking his own team record for rushing yards in a playoff game, which he set just last week.
The Bad…The New England Patriots flexed their muscle over the outmatched Houston Texans 34-16. Running Back Dion Lewis set an NFL record scoring a rushing, passing and kick return touchdown in the same game. The Pats are headed to their record 6th straight AFC championship game.
The Atlanta Falcons dropped the Seattle Seahawks 30-16 and will host the Packers in the NFC Championship game Sunday.
The AFC and NFC championship games, for the right to meet in the Super Bowl on February 5th:
Atlanta Falcons vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday 3:05pm ET)
New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday 6:40pm ET)
National Basketball Association (NBA)
Hola and Hiya…The NBA is trying to get its international groove on having brought games to London and Mexico City last week. The best of them was a nail-biter between the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs, highlighting a league MVP candidate in Spurs’ Kawhai Leonard and a rising star in Suns’ Devin Booker.
The NBA had its usual strong collection of MLK day matchups. The Marquee game was the second contest between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, the last two NBA champions. The Warriors exacted revenge for an earlier loss in Cleveland with a blowout home victory 126-91. Want more? Everyone from Vegas to the playground to the barber shop believes these two squads will meet again in the NBA finals in June.
Source: YouTube
Maybe next year. That’s what New York Knicks fans are saying once again. New Yorkers got their hopes up over the summer with several additions but the season is flaming out. The team lost Monday to the Atlanta Hawks, and has now dropped 11 or their last 13 games forcing fans to think about the upcoming baseball season.
Tennis
As many dread winter’s arrival, the first tennis Major, the Australian Open, kicked off Monday in balmy Melbourne. Scotland’s Andy Murray, last year’s runner up, is the Men’s #1 seed while German Angelique Kerber, the defending champ, sits atop the Women’s draw.
Living legends…This is the first time since 2013 that #2 Serena Williams was not the top ranked woman entering a Major. Serena is seeking her record 23rd Major title. Also keep an eye out for Roger Federer who is seeking his 18th Major, and is back after a six-month layoff due to a knee injury.
College Basketball
Does November 17, 2014 stand out? That’s the last time the UConn Women’s basketball team lost a game. The Lady Huskies won their record-breaking 91st straight game over the weekend. Whose record did they break, you ask? UConn’s own 2008-2011winning streak.
That was quick…After reaching #1 for the first time in school history, the Baylor Men’s basketball team lost their next game and dropped to #6.
This men’s AP top-5 teams are:
#1 Villanova
#2 Kansas
#3 UCLA
#4 Gonzaga
#5 Kentucky
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