Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
Eleven shots separated Phil and Tiger Sunday at Pebble Beach as Lefty secured his 40th Tour win. Jason Sobel had hole-by-hole reports.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
APNFC
Dallas: The Cowboys have the best roster in the NFC and should make it to the Super Bowl. Of course, they should have made it to Arizona this time. The Cowboys have to learn to win the big game, but this roster is loaded. Odds: 3-1.
New York: You can’t sleep on the Giants anymore. This team will remain good next season and it could be better if quarterback Eli Manning continues to develop. This is a confident, close team that will win a lot of games in 2008. Odds: 4-1.
Seattle: Mike Holmgren set the tone by saying next season will be his last as head coach. Holmgren’s players will want to send him out the right way, and it could happen. The Seahawks have a very balanced roster and it will be inspired. This team has a real shot. Odds: 5-1
New Orleans: It all depends on third-year coach Sean Payton. He has to get his team on the right track. The Saints were off kilter all season. If they can get some defense and find a consistency, the Saints will challenge for double digit wins. Odds: 7-1.
Green Bay: The Packers could slide a tad next season. They will rue blowing the NFC championship game at home last month for a long, long time. Quarterback Brett Favre will likely come back, but he’ll be 39 and he looked old against the Giants in the title game. The Packers could slip. Odds: 8-1.
Philadelphia: The Eagles are a weird team, but this is a weird conference. If quarterback Donovan McNabb stays in Philly and he stays healthy, the team has a chance to be a playoff team. Odds: 12-1.
Tampa Bay: The Buccaneers are a solid team, but they don’t seem special. The offense needs to find a playmaker if the Buccaneers have a chance of hosting the Super Bowl. Odds: 15-1.
Minnesota: If the Vikings can get some decent play form their quarterback they can make a difference in the NFC. Running back Adrian Peterson is a stud and the Vikings are outstanding on both the offensive and defensive lines. They might wins some games. Odds: 20-1
Washington: Who knows who the coach will be and who knows if the team can continue to play inspired next season after the emotions following Sean Taylor’s death. Yes, lots of questions, but there is some talent here. Odds: 20-1
Arizona: If Matt Leinart can play and the Cardinals don’t trade receiver Larry Fitzgerald, there is a chance for a playoff run. But, again, these are the Cardinals, so don’t expect much. Odds: 24-1.
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Detroit: What Lions team will we see? The good team from the first half of 2007 season, or the disaster that ended the season? There are some decent pieces here, but not enough to expect a quality team. Odds: 25-1.
Slideshow
The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.
St. Louis: Scott Linehan is a lot like Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati. He needs to worry about his job, not the Super Bowl. Odds: 35-1.
Chicago: The Bears fell hard in 2007 after going to the Super Bowl the year before. Will they rebound? Well, if they can get a stud quarterback maybe, but the defense is no longer great. This team can take another fall before things get better. Odds: 38-1.
Carolina: John Fox is a fine coach and he’ll need to be. This team will still struggle in 2008. Odds: 45-1.
San Francisco: Not going to get burned by this team again even though there is some good talent. Quarterback Alex Smith appears to be a professional mess and so are the 49ers. Odds: 55-1.
Atlanta: New coach Mike Smith’s only job is to right the ship after a horrendous 2007 in Atlanta. Odds: 75-1.
Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
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Super Bowl XLII Take a visual tour of the scene before, during and after the New York Giants' Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots. more photos |
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 | Super Bowl XLVI shots See the best moments before, during and after the Giants' win over the Patriots more photos |
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Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
After leading by 18 points in the first half, the Los Angeles Lakers were staring at a four-point deficit with less than two minutes to play.