No team would be complete without an exuberant sixth man off the bench to provide energy when they need it most. The Sixth Man of the Year Award is given every season, and this year we have a handful of interesting candidates. Here are our rankings of who’s leading the pack so far.

5. Carmelo Anthony

He was once one of the best players in the league, and now he’s learned how to evolve into a role player. Carmelo Anthony is finding all kinds of ways to contribute off the bench, and the Portland Trailblazers thriving as a result.

4. Tyler Herro

When the season started, our last memory of Tyler Herro was his incredible performance for the Miami Heat in the 2020 playoffs. He hasn’t slowed down in the slightest, making him a huge threat to win this award.

3. Tim Hardaway Jr.

The Dallas Mavericks have immensely benefited from having Tim Hardaway Jr. on their squad. When he started coming off the bench, they started winning games rapidly. It’s almost like he was built to attack other teams’ reserve squads.

2. Montrezl Harrell

Montrezl Harrell has already won this award, but he just might do it again. He’s serving as a major piece in the Los Angeles Lakers reserve squad, and he’s putting up double-doubles like they’re nothing.

1. Jordan Clarkson

One of the main reasons for the Utah Jazz’s success has been Jordan Clarkson. He’s been averaging a career-high 18.2 points a game and is right now a lock to win this award. As long as he keeps it up, it’ll be hard for someone else to catch him.

The post Ranking the Candidates for NBA 6th Man of the Year appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After a four-month-long regular season, three rounds of playoffs, and one rest week before the fireworks begin, Super Bowl LV between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers is coming up on Sunday with a chance to win one of the biggest titles in sports on the line.

The Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions led by legendary coach Andy Reid and the biggest current star in the league in quarterback Patrick Mahomes, will have a tough task if they want to repeat as champs.

Quarterback Tom Brady shocked the football world by leaving the New England Patriots after twenty seasons, six Super Bowl titles, and three NFL MVP Awards and heading to the upstart Tampa Bay Buccaneers to revitalize the franchise, which hadn’t made the playoffs since 2007.

So, who will win the big game? Let’s break it down and choose a winner.

Offense

The biggest draw of this matchup is the incredible duel that should take place between Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady, arguably the league’s best two quarterbacks.

Not only this, but both teams have elite receiving weapons. Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Sammy Watkins have been a nightmare for opposing secondaries on the Chiefs’ end, while the Buccaneers’ group including recently un-retired Rob Gronkowski and star receiver Mike Evans don’t fall far behind.

The two teams’ running games might not have much of an impact on the game, but the Chiefs are more of a threat to use their backs both on the ground.

Advantage: Slightly Chiefs

Defense

One of the reasons that so many people are choosing a shootout in this game is because neither the Chiefs nor the Buccaneers are quite known for having an elite defense.

Just ask the Tampa Bay secondary about how much it struggled in their first meeting against Kansas City. Tyreek Hill was able to total 269 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, and Mahomes put up 462 in a 27-24 win.

While neither team has a great secondary, though we do think the Chiefs’ is slightly better, the Bucs do at least have one elite group: its run defense. They allowed fewer yards than any other team in the league, but will it matter against a pass-heavy Chiefs offense?

Advantage: Draw

Special Teams/Coaching

When it comes to kickers and punters, there is virtually nothing separating these two teams. Both Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and Bucs kicker Ryan Succop made more than 90% of their field goals this season, while KC punter Tommy Townsend and Tampa punter Bradley Pinion both averaged just over 45 yards per punt.

Both teams are mediocre at returning punts, but KC has had more kickoff return success, averaging 25.8 yards per return and even racking up a touchdown thanks to Tyreek Hill’s work here.

Andy Reid and Bruce Arians are both excellent coaches in their own regard, but we have to give the Chiefs the edge, as Reid has won this level magnitude of game before and has decades of experience while Arians has been a head coach for less than a decade.

Advantage: Chiefs

Prediction

This could end up being a Super Bowl for the ages as two of the best offenses in recent league history duel.

It is difficult to pick against a player of Tom Brady’s pedigree, but the Chiefs are a more complete team and come into the game with the confidence of having done this before.

I predict that Kansas City will win a 34-30 shootout.

The post Predicting Super Bowl LV: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs appeared first on SportzBonanza.

We’ve officially passed the one-month mark in the regular season, and it’s now time to follow up on how our favorite NBA teams are doing. Which teams have surpassed our expectations, and which teams are disappointing us? Here’s are the top five teams in the NBA so far.

5. Boston Celtics

This young powerhouse has been getting better every season, and with Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum at the helm, we’re not surprised at how strong they look so far.

4. Philadelphia 76ers

This team has been a huge question mark over the last few seasons, showing strong spurts of potential and then failing to come through in the big moments. But now they’re leading the entire Eastern Conference, which is giving us optimism for their playoff hopes.

3. Utah Jazz

It may seem crazy to rank the Utah Jazz so high, but they’ve earned it. At second place in the tough Western Conference, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert are holding down a strong fort.

2. Los Angeles Clippers

After last season’s unfortunate playoff defeat, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are coming back this season with a vengeance and something to prove. So far, they’re looking pretty darn impressive with a 13-5 record.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

After winning the championship, the Lakers revamped their roster a tad, which made people wonder how well they’d fare. With the best record in the entire league so far, we’d say they’re faring pretty well.

The post NBA Power Rankings After One Month appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After a weekend that saw four teams advance after winning their respective divisional playoff games, the Conference Championship games are now set with two tickets to the Super Bowl on the line.

The Packers and Buccaneers will face off at Lambeau Field in Green Bay to kick off Championship Sunday, and the nightcap will see the Bills visit Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs.

Let’s break down both of the games and make a prediction as we set our eyes on the two teams which will face off to try to take home football’s biggest prize.

AFC Championship Game: Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The conference’s best two regular-season teams will match up as the Chiefs host the Bills. This will be a matchup between the reigning champions and a team that hasn’t been to a Super Bowl in nearly three decades.

The Chiefs are still unsure if star quarterback and reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes will play after suffering a concussion in their win over the Browns last Sunday, but it appears he will play.

Kansas City has not been tested like this so far this season, and the Bills have a “nothing to lose” attitude. Much of their success will hinge on how much of an impact Josh Allen’s arm can make and if they can slow down KC’s deadly offense.

While they might be able to do so partially, the Chiefs are once again the strongest overall team in the league and we expect them to survive a close battle on Sunday and advance to their second consecutive Super Bowl.

Prediction: Chiefs 24, Bills 20

NFC Championship Game: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Green Bay Packers

Tom Brady left the New England Patriots in what was considered the riskiest move of his career, but after leading a once-mediocre franchise to the NFC Championship Game, he proved that he continues to be one of the league’s elite.

Aaron Rodgers’ Packers will have their hands full at Lambeau Field, and their secondary will get quite a workout against Brady and his top-notch pack of wide receivers.

The Packers, however, will not miss out on their chance to claim the title at their home field and we expect them to win a nail-biter.

Prediction: Packers 35, Buccaneers 34

The post Predicting the 2021 NFL Conference Championship Games appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The 2021 NFL Playoffs got off to a thrilling start in the Wild Card Round with a few upsets that have led us to some surprising Divisional Round matchups as eight teams continue to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.

Four games await in this weekend’s divisional rounds, and there is plenty to analyze. Let’s take a look at the games and pick a winner for each one!

Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills

The Ravens avenged their early playoff exit at the hands of the Tennessee Titans with a 20-13 win at Nissan Field last weekend, and they will look to advance even further on Saturday against a very tough Bills team.

Buffalo has been a magical story this year, but Lamar Jackson and the Ravens appear to be on a revenge tour and they proved to have defensive meddle last week that could help them slow down Bills quarterback Josh Allen. We like them in a road upset.

Pick: Ravens 27, Bills 21

Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs

No one expected the Cleveland Browns to walk out of Heinz Field alive last weekend after facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they made easy work of their opposition. Their reward? A date against the reigning Super Bowl champions and this season’s presumptive favorites.

The Chiefs went 14-2 in the regular season for a reason, as they have the game’s deadliest offense led by superstar QB Patrick Mahomes. They’ll use this to exploit the Browns’ shaky secondary and cruise to a win, ending the Cinderella story.

Pick: Chiefs 41, Browns 24

Los Angeles Rams vs. Green Bay Packers

The Packers had a first round bye after finishing first in the NFC during the regular season, and they watched as the Rams upset the Seahawks despite their team’s injury problems and lack of a healthy starting quarterback.

The Rams have a great defense, but will they and cornerback Jalen Ramsey be able to do enough to slow down Aaron Rodgers and the conference’s best passing offense? We think they will put up a valiant fight but fall short at a frigid Lambeau Field.

Pick: Packers 30, Rams 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints

The Sunday night special pits Tom Brady’s Buccaneers against Drew Brees’s Saints in a matchup of two of this generation’s best signal-callers. So, who will come out on top?

The Saints handled Tampa Bay in each of their two regular-season matchups, including a 38-3 home win in early November. The Bucs’ offense is doing better now, but we think they will come up just short in a bid to advance to the NFC Championship Game.

Pick: Saints 38, Buccaneers 34

The post Predicting the 2021 NFL Divisional Round Games appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The draw for the Champions League Round of 16 matchups was held in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday, setting up a string of fun matchups that will be held in late February and early March.

Choosing winners for most of these matchups is a tough proposition, but let’s try to do so! And let us know if you agree with our predictions!

Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Manchester City

Manchester City has been one of the unluckiest teams in the Champions League in recent memory. Despite being the team of the decade of the 2010s in the Premier League, they still haven’t managed to take home the big prize. Unfortunately for them, we think that a brilliantly inventive Borussia Monchengladbach squad will surprise and eliminate City in this year’s round of 16.

Lazio vs. Bayern Munich

The 2020 Champions League winners face a tough test in Lazio and striker Ciro Immobile in the first knockout round of the competition. Nevertheless, we still think that Bayern continues to be the favorite to win the competition once again, and they should advance without much problem.

Atletico Madrid vs. Chelsea

One of the most fascinating Round of 16 matchups pits La Liga favorites Atletico Madrid against Chelsea, a team that has begun to click under Frank Lampard. Atletico looks like a reenergized animal with Joao Felix starring this season, and we believe he’ll be the piece that pushes the Colchoneros past a Chelsea team that will put up a fight.

RB Leipzig vs. Liverpool

Another intriguing matchup in this round features RB Leipzig and Liverpool, a clash of the 2019 CL winners against one of Europe’s upstart teams. Jurgen Klopp’s side hasn’t had the best start to the 2020-21 season thanks in large part to a number of injury problems. Provided they’re relatively healthy, Liverpool should win this one.

Porto vs. Juventus

The biggest mismatch in the Round of 16 might be this matchup between a Porto team that advanced to the knockout round in clumsy fashion, and a Juventus squad which might have the most talented roster on the planet. Cristiano Ronaldo and his Juventus side should advance pretty easily here.

FC Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain

FC Barcelona faces off against ex-Cule Neymar and his PSG squad at the worst possible time with the club in a sporting and financial crisis. Nothing is going right for Barca under Ronald Koeman, and PSG is simply too deadly to not take advantage of their opportunity to take down a giant, especially now that we know that the Brazilian star should be available for the tie.

Sevilla vs. Borussia Dortmund

Reigning Europa League winners Sevilla impressed in the group stage of the competition, but their foes in the Round of 16 are nothing to sneeze at despite a bad run of recent matches. While Borussia Dortmund has the more talented squad, Julen Lopetegui is one of the best coaches in the world and we expect Sevilla to advance here due to their tactical edge.

Atalanta vs. Real Madrid

Real Madrid snuck into the final 16 of the competition after spending most of the knockout round in the bottom two of their group stage. They actually ended up winning their group and will face off against Atalanta, whose high-flying offensive style should present a challenge to Los Blancos. Nonetheless, we expect Real Madrid to get the job done.

The post Picking the Winners of the Champions League Round of 16 Matchups appeared first on SportzBonanza.

FC Barcelona’s woeful 2-1 loss to Cadiz on Saturday was yet another chink in their long chain of disappointments this season.

Notably absent from the score sheet in the loss was star forward Lionel Messi, whose open war with the club came to a head this summer as he publicly requested a transfer away from the only club he has ever known.

Despite Messi’s request, the legendary player was unable to secure a move away from FC Barcelona, after former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu refused to let him leave.

However, this has kept Messi disgruntled and unhappy, making Barcelona’s supposed “rebuilding” stage without much clear direction. In order to keep the peace and maintain a positive atmosphere, the front office has some serious questions to consider.

Should they try and convince him to stay longer at Barça, or should they look to move on and find other options?

If the club is serious about being financially healthy and not overdependent on one player going forward, it may be good to move on from Messi next summer as his contract expires.

Financially, it would probably have made even more sense to let Messi go last summer while the club still could have made money on a transfer fee. But that ship has sailed.

Things haven’t been working with Messi, from Champions League humiliation to bad transfer deals. FC Barcelona has been reduced to a shell of its former self, and therefore it may be time to think of other options.

Instead of continuing to try to tailor the squad to fit Messi’s needs, the club would be better served to let the 33-year-old legend walk. This will enable them to keep an eye on the future, instead of continuing to cater to the aging star.

It’s a hard reality for the club and its fans to accept, but when a marriage isn’t happy and the club isn’t succeeding, there is no point in trying to force a fit.

Next summer would be the perfect time for FC Barcelona to push the reset button and begin its post-Messi era.

The post FC Barcelona’s Best Option Next Summer? Letting Messi Go appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The 2020 NFL season has been full of surprises, COVID-19 related chaos, and tight races that have put some of the league’s playoff berths completely up in the air with just one month of regular season action left.

Five regular season games remain for most teams, and plenty of the league’s coveted playoff berths are still yet to be decided.

Which ones should you be paying attention to over the final weeks of the season? Here are some of the most unsettled and potentially volatile races that you should be watching in December.

AFC Wild Card

Everything is up for grabs in the AFC’s wild card race, as a handful of three-loss teams and four-loss teams will jockey for the three Wild Card spots the conference has to offer.

The Browns (8-3), Dolphins (7-4), and Colts (7-4) currently hold the three spots, but the Ravens (6-4) and Raiders (6-5) are hot on their tails and a hot streak or a cold run for any of these teams could seal their fate.

Keep in mind that the Dolphins and Colts are both still very much alive in their respective division races, trailing the Bills and Titans by one game, respectively.

NFC West

In a division that many expected to be won by the San Francisco 49ers on the heels of their Super Bowl berth last season, it is instead the division’s other three teams which will be fighting to take home the division title and a guaranteed top-three seed.

The Seahawks (8-3) currently lead the Rams (7-4) and the Cardinals (6-5) for the division crown, and with the league’s most lethal offense, they look to be the best bet to win the division, leaving L.A. and Arizona to fight for Wild Card berths.

However, with the Rams holding a potential tiebreaker over Seattle and a hot Arizona team looking like a candidate to win every week, nothing is certain at this point.

NFC East

The NFL’s saddest division in 2020 has been the NFC East, where a foursome of sub-500 teams are battling it out to try to sneak into the playoffs as one of the weakest postseason teams in the league’s history.

The 4-7 Giants are currently tied with Washington for the division lead, and would win it if the season ended today based on a tiebreaker.

However, the arguably more-talented Eagles (3-7-1) and Cowboys (3-8) could both still easily sneak ahead and claim a playoff spot which would feel like a miracle to any of the four teams involved.

Which teams do you think will make the playoffs?

The post NFL Playoff Races to Watch in the Season’s Last Month appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Over the past few seasons, the use of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) has become almost universal in soccer. While some people think more highly of this system than others, the undeniable reality is that it has transformed how the game is played.

VAR corrects some egregious decisions but also leads to baffling results at times. Much has been said about how VAR could be improved, but with little changes so far.

So, how could this system be improved in a few short steps by leagues which want to improve the results of this revolutionary system? Here are some suggestions.

Take Decisions Out of the Hands of On-Field Refs

One of the biggest problems of VAR in many leagues is that while its officials are able to call the attention of the on-field ref to a possible mistake, they leave the call and the revision up to that same on-field ref.

This leads to a problem where referees do not want their interpretations of what has happened on a play to be questioned, and it is far too often for clear errors not to be rectified because of stubbornness on the referee’s part. These calls should be made by unbiased VAR officials who aren’t caught up in the on-field emotions of the game.

Move to a “Challenge” System

Is anyone else tired of seeing play stopped several times per match due to VAR usage? Instead of it coming into play at every possible opportunity, giving teams a limited number of VAR “challenges” could be worth a shot in order to improve the on-field pace of play.

Leaving the decision to review a play up to coaches would lead to only the most important (and probably the most obvious) mistakes being looked at instead of trivial ones that are almost never changed.

Apply Goal Line and Offside Technology

Unfortunately, many leagues are still using VAR when it comes to goal line and offside calls. This leads to referees making incorrect decisions at times, something which could be eliminated by the use of something as simple as a computer program.

Allowing refs to wear a watch that indicates whether or not a ball crossed the goal line or a player was offside before scoring a goal would do a lot to prevent a lot of the VAR controversy that we have seen in recent years on the biggest of stages.

The post 3 Steps Towards Improving VAR in Soccer appeared first on SportzBonanza.

MLB’s free agency period has begun and the league is beginning to see some minor deals made as some of the less notable names in the league begin to sign deals with new teams.

The big fish are yet to find a new home, however, as all five of our top free agents of the 2020-21 offseason are still out in the market.

What teams would be the best fits for these players? Let’s select a destination for this offseason’s cream of the crop.

JT Realmuto

Realmuto is arguably the most attractive free agent on the market this offseason, a true five-tool player who is among the best hitters at the catcher position in the entire league.

At the age of only 29 and with many productive years left to come, he’s in line for a big deal. Who can afford him and has needs at the catcher position? While the Phillies might want to retain him, the Mets under new ownership and with big plans can offer him an attractive proposal that would see him leave for an NL East rival.

Prediction: New York Mets

Trevor Bauer

The 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner previously stated that he would prefer to exclusively sign one-year deals as a free agent, but backtracked on his word earlier this year.

The Southern California native has spent most of his time playing in Ohio, and a return to his home with the pitching-starved and big-budget Angels makes an awful lot of sense. New GM Perry Minasian has stated that believes the team is on the verge of contention and Bauer could be the missing ingredient.

Prediction: Los Angeles Angels

George Springer

George Springer silenced many of his doubters after the Astros cheating scandal broke last offseason, having another successful season while manning center field for Houston. He shook off a slow start to hit .265 with 14 home runs and played typically good defense in center.

Houston would be awfully short on outfield depth if they don’t re-sign Springer, and let’s be honest–they have the money to do so, and Springer feels at home there. A return to the Astros makes the most sense for all parties involved.

Prediction: Houston Astros

Marcell Ozuna

Marcell Ozuna was one of the sensations of the 2020 season, coming within striking distance of the NL Triple Crown after an outstanding season on a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.

Both the Braves and Ozuna seemed happy with their marriage, but will the contending Braves shell out big for a free agent for the first time over the past decade? With uncertainty over the DH next season in the National League, a team that’s looking to contend like the White Sox with both outfield and DH openings makes more sense for the slugger.

Prediction: Chicago White Sox

DJ LeMahieu

While DJ LeMahieu might technically be a free agent, it sure would seem odd for him to do anything but stay in the Bronx.

After joining the Yankees from the Rockies in 2019, the versatile infielder has become a fan favorite and taken his hitting ability to a new level. Yankee Stadium is the perfect place for LeMahieu to hit and the big-money team would be left with a huge hole on its roster were the Louisiana native to leave. Expect him to stick around.

Prediction: New York Yankees

The post Picking a Destination for MLB’s Top Free Agents appeared first on SportzBonanza.

No team would be complete without an exuberant sixth man off the bench to provide energy when they need it most. The Sixth Man of the Year Award is given every season, and this year we have a handful of interesting candidates. Here are our rankings of who’s leading the pack so far.

5. Carmelo Anthony

He was once one of the best players in the league, and now he’s learned how to evolve into a role player. Carmelo Anthony is finding all kinds of ways to contribute off the bench, and the Portland Trailblazers thriving as a result.

4. Tyler Herro

When the season started, our last memory of Tyler Herro was his incredible performance for the Miami Heat in the 2020 playoffs. He hasn’t slowed down in the slightest, making him a huge threat to win this award.

3. Tim Hardaway Jr.

The Dallas Mavericks have immensely benefited from having Tim Hardaway Jr. on their squad. When he started coming off the bench, they started winning games rapidly. It’s almost like he was built to attack other teams’ reserve squads.

2. Montrezl Harrell

Montrezl Harrell has already won this award, but he just might do it again. He’s serving as a major piece in the Los Angeles Lakers reserve squad, and he’s putting up double-doubles like they’re nothing.

1. Jordan Clarkson

One of the main reasons for the Utah Jazz’s success has been Jordan Clarkson. He’s been averaging a career-high 18.2 points a game and is right now a lock to win this award. As long as he keeps it up, it’ll be hard for someone else to catch him.

The post Ranking the Candidates for NBA 6th Man of the Year appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After a four-month-long regular season, three rounds of playoffs, and one rest week before the fireworks begin, Super Bowl LV between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers is coming up on Sunday with a chance to win one of the biggest titles in sports on the line.

The Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions led by legendary coach Andy Reid and the biggest current star in the league in quarterback Patrick Mahomes, will have a tough task if they want to repeat as champs.

Quarterback Tom Brady shocked the football world by leaving the New England Patriots after twenty seasons, six Super Bowl titles, and three NFL MVP Awards and heading to the upstart Tampa Bay Buccaneers to revitalize the franchise, which hadn’t made the playoffs since 2007.

So, who will win the big game? Let’s break it down and choose a winner.

Offense

The biggest draw of this matchup is the incredible duel that should take place between Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady, arguably the league’s best two quarterbacks.

Not only this, but both teams have elite receiving weapons. Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Sammy Watkins have been a nightmare for opposing secondaries on the Chiefs’ end, while the Buccaneers’ group including recently un-retired Rob Gronkowski and star receiver Mike Evans don’t fall far behind.

The two teams’ running games might not have much of an impact on the game, but the Chiefs are more of a threat to use their backs both on the ground.

Advantage: Slightly Chiefs

Defense

One of the reasons that so many people are choosing a shootout in this game is because neither the Chiefs nor the Buccaneers are quite known for having an elite defense.

Just ask the Tampa Bay secondary about how much it struggled in their first meeting against Kansas City. Tyreek Hill was able to total 269 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, and Mahomes put up 462 in a 27-24 win.

While neither team has a great secondary, though we do think the Chiefs’ is slightly better, the Bucs do at least have one elite group: its run defense. They allowed fewer yards than any other team in the league, but will it matter against a pass-heavy Chiefs offense?

Advantage: Draw

Special Teams/Coaching

When it comes to kickers and punters, there is virtually nothing separating these two teams. Both Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and Bucs kicker Ryan Succop made more than 90% of their field goals this season, while KC punter Tommy Townsend and Tampa punter Bradley Pinion both averaged just over 45 yards per punt.

Both teams are mediocre at returning punts, but KC has had more kickoff return success, averaging 25.8 yards per return and even racking up a touchdown thanks to Tyreek Hill’s work here.

Andy Reid and Bruce Arians are both excellent coaches in their own regard, but we have to give the Chiefs the edge, as Reid has won this level magnitude of game before and has decades of experience while Arians has been a head coach for less than a decade.

Advantage: Chiefs

Prediction

This could end up being a Super Bowl for the ages as two of the best offenses in recent league history duel.

It is difficult to pick against a player of Tom Brady’s pedigree, but the Chiefs are a more complete team and come into the game with the confidence of having done this before.

I predict that Kansas City will win a 34-30 shootout.

The post Predicting Super Bowl LV: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs appeared first on SportzBonanza.

We’ve officially passed the one-month mark in the regular season, and it’s now time to follow up on how our favorite NBA teams are doing. Which teams have surpassed our expectations, and which teams are disappointing us? Here’s are the top five teams in the NBA so far.

5. Boston Celtics

This young powerhouse has been getting better every season, and with Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum at the helm, we’re not surprised at how strong they look so far.

4. Philadelphia 76ers

This team has been a huge question mark over the last few seasons, showing strong spurts of potential and then failing to come through in the big moments. But now they’re leading the entire Eastern Conference, which is giving us optimism for their playoff hopes.

3. Utah Jazz

It may seem crazy to rank the Utah Jazz so high, but they’ve earned it. At second place in the tough Western Conference, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert are holding down a strong fort.

2. Los Angeles Clippers

After last season’s unfortunate playoff defeat, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are coming back this season with a vengeance and something to prove. So far, they’re looking pretty darn impressive with a 13-5 record.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

After winning the championship, the Lakers revamped their roster a tad, which made people wonder how well they’d fare. With the best record in the entire league so far, we’d say they’re faring pretty well.

The post NBA Power Rankings After One Month appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After a weekend that saw four teams advance after winning their respective divisional playoff games, the Conference Championship games are now set with two tickets to the Super Bowl on the line.

The Packers and Buccaneers will face off at Lambeau Field in Green Bay to kick off Championship Sunday, and the nightcap will see the Bills visit Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs.

Let’s break down both of the games and make a prediction as we set our eyes on the two teams which will face off to try to take home football’s biggest prize.

AFC Championship Game: Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The conference’s best two regular-season teams will match up as the Chiefs host the Bills. This will be a matchup between the reigning champions and a team that hasn’t been to a Super Bowl in nearly three decades.

The Chiefs are still unsure if star quarterback and reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes will play after suffering a concussion in their win over the Browns last Sunday, but it appears he will play.

Kansas City has not been tested like this so far this season, and the Bills have a “nothing to lose” attitude. Much of their success will hinge on how much of an impact Josh Allen’s arm can make and if they can slow down KC’s deadly offense.

While they might be able to do so partially, the Chiefs are once again the strongest overall team in the league and we expect them to survive a close battle on Sunday and advance to their second consecutive Super Bowl.

Prediction: Chiefs 24, Bills 20

NFC Championship Game: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Green Bay Packers

Tom Brady left the New England Patriots in what was considered the riskiest move of his career, but after leading a once-mediocre franchise to the NFC Championship Game, he proved that he continues to be one of the league’s elite.

Aaron Rodgers’ Packers will have their hands full at Lambeau Field, and their secondary will get quite a workout against Brady and his top-notch pack of wide receivers.

The Packers, however, will not miss out on their chance to claim the title at their home field and we expect them to win a nail-biter.

Prediction: Packers 35, Buccaneers 34

The post Predicting the 2021 NFL Conference Championship Games appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The 2021 NFL Playoffs got off to a thrilling start in the Wild Card Round with a few upsets that have led us to some surprising Divisional Round matchups as eight teams continue to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.

Four games await in this weekend’s divisional rounds, and there is plenty to analyze. Let’s take a look at the games and pick a winner for each one!

Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills

The Ravens avenged their early playoff exit at the hands of the Tennessee Titans with a 20-13 win at Nissan Field last weekend, and they will look to advance even further on Saturday against a very tough Bills team.

Buffalo has been a magical story this year, but Lamar Jackson and the Ravens appear to be on a revenge tour and they proved to have defensive meddle last week that could help them slow down Bills quarterback Josh Allen. We like them in a road upset.

Pick: Ravens 27, Bills 21

Cleveland Browns vs. Kansas City Chiefs

No one expected the Cleveland Browns to walk out of Heinz Field alive last weekend after facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they made easy work of their opposition. Their reward? A date against the reigning Super Bowl champions and this season’s presumptive favorites.

The Chiefs went 14-2 in the regular season for a reason, as they have the game’s deadliest offense led by superstar QB Patrick Mahomes. They’ll use this to exploit the Browns’ shaky secondary and cruise to a win, ending the Cinderella story.

Pick: Chiefs 41, Browns 24

Los Angeles Rams vs. Green Bay Packers

The Packers had a first round bye after finishing first in the NFC during the regular season, and they watched as the Rams upset the Seahawks despite their team’s injury problems and lack of a healthy starting quarterback.

The Rams have a great defense, but will they and cornerback Jalen Ramsey be able to do enough to slow down Aaron Rodgers and the conference’s best passing offense? We think they will put up a valiant fight but fall short at a frigid Lambeau Field.

Pick: Packers 30, Rams 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints

The Sunday night special pits Tom Brady’s Buccaneers against Drew Brees’s Saints in a matchup of two of this generation’s best signal-callers. So, who will come out on top?

The Saints handled Tampa Bay in each of their two regular-season matchups, including a 38-3 home win in early November. The Bucs’ offense is doing better now, but we think they will come up just short in a bid to advance to the NFC Championship Game.

Pick: Saints 38, Buccaneers 34

The post Predicting the 2021 NFL Divisional Round Games appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The draw for the Champions League Round of 16 matchups was held in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday, setting up a string of fun matchups that will be held in late February and early March.

Choosing winners for most of these matchups is a tough proposition, but let’s try to do so! And let us know if you agree with our predictions!

Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Manchester City

Manchester City has been one of the unluckiest teams in the Champions League in recent memory. Despite being the team of the decade of the 2010s in the Premier League, they still haven’t managed to take home the big prize. Unfortunately for them, we think that a brilliantly inventive Borussia Monchengladbach squad will surprise and eliminate City in this year’s round of 16.

Lazio vs. Bayern Munich

The 2020 Champions League winners face a tough test in Lazio and striker Ciro Immobile in the first knockout round of the competition. Nevertheless, we still think that Bayern continues to be the favorite to win the competition once again, and they should advance without much problem.

Atletico Madrid vs. Chelsea

One of the most fascinating Round of 16 matchups pits La Liga favorites Atletico Madrid against Chelsea, a team that has begun to click under Frank Lampard. Atletico looks like a reenergized animal with Joao Felix starring this season, and we believe he’ll be the piece that pushes the Colchoneros past a Chelsea team that will put up a fight.

RB Leipzig vs. Liverpool

Another intriguing matchup in this round features RB Leipzig and Liverpool, a clash of the 2019 CL winners against one of Europe’s upstart teams. Jurgen Klopp’s side hasn’t had the best start to the 2020-21 season thanks in large part to a number of injury problems. Provided they’re relatively healthy, Liverpool should win this one.

Porto vs. Juventus

The biggest mismatch in the Round of 16 might be this matchup between a Porto team that advanced to the knockout round in clumsy fashion, and a Juventus squad which might have the most talented roster on the planet. Cristiano Ronaldo and his Juventus side should advance pretty easily here.

FC Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain

FC Barcelona faces off against ex-Cule Neymar and his PSG squad at the worst possible time with the club in a sporting and financial crisis. Nothing is going right for Barca under Ronald Koeman, and PSG is simply too deadly to not take advantage of their opportunity to take down a giant, especially now that we know that the Brazilian star should be available for the tie.

Sevilla vs. Borussia Dortmund

Reigning Europa League winners Sevilla impressed in the group stage of the competition, but their foes in the Round of 16 are nothing to sneeze at despite a bad run of recent matches. While Borussia Dortmund has the more talented squad, Julen Lopetegui is one of the best coaches in the world and we expect Sevilla to advance here due to their tactical edge.

Atalanta vs. Real Madrid

Real Madrid snuck into the final 16 of the competition after spending most of the knockout round in the bottom two of their group stage. They actually ended up winning their group and will face off against Atalanta, whose high-flying offensive style should present a challenge to Los Blancos. Nonetheless, we expect Real Madrid to get the job done.

The post Picking the Winners of the Champions League Round of 16 Matchups appeared first on SportzBonanza.

FC Barcelona’s woeful 2-1 loss to Cadiz on Saturday was yet another chink in their long chain of disappointments this season.

Notably absent from the score sheet in the loss was star forward Lionel Messi, whose open war with the club came to a head this summer as he publicly requested a transfer away from the only club he has ever known.

Despite Messi’s request, the legendary player was unable to secure a move away from FC Barcelona, after former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu refused to let him leave.

However, this has kept Messi disgruntled and unhappy, making Barcelona’s supposed “rebuilding” stage without much clear direction. In order to keep the peace and maintain a positive atmosphere, the front office has some serious questions to consider.

Should they try and convince him to stay longer at Barça, or should they look to move on and find other options?

If the club is serious about being financially healthy and not overdependent on one player going forward, it may be good to move on from Messi next summer as his contract expires.

Financially, it would probably have made even more sense to let Messi go last summer while the club still could have made money on a transfer fee. But that ship has sailed.

Things haven’t been working with Messi, from Champions League humiliation to bad transfer deals. FC Barcelona has been reduced to a shell of its former self, and therefore it may be time to think of other options.

Instead of continuing to try to tailor the squad to fit Messi’s needs, the club would be better served to let the 33-year-old legend walk. This will enable them to keep an eye on the future, instead of continuing to cater to the aging star.

It’s a hard reality for the club and its fans to accept, but when a marriage isn’t happy and the club isn’t succeeding, there is no point in trying to force a fit.

Next summer would be the perfect time for FC Barcelona to push the reset button and begin its post-Messi era.

The post FC Barcelona’s Best Option Next Summer? Letting Messi Go appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The 2020 NFL season has been full of surprises, COVID-19 related chaos, and tight races that have put some of the league’s playoff berths completely up in the air with just one month of regular season action left.

Five regular season games remain for most teams, and plenty of the league’s coveted playoff berths are still yet to be decided.

Which ones should you be paying attention to over the final weeks of the season? Here are some of the most unsettled and potentially volatile races that you should be watching in December.

AFC Wild Card

Everything is up for grabs in the AFC’s wild card race, as a handful of three-loss teams and four-loss teams will jockey for the three Wild Card spots the conference has to offer.

The Browns (8-3), Dolphins (7-4), and Colts (7-4) currently hold the three spots, but the Ravens (6-4) and Raiders (6-5) are hot on their tails and a hot streak or a cold run for any of these teams could seal their fate.

Keep in mind that the Dolphins and Colts are both still very much alive in their respective division races, trailing the Bills and Titans by one game, respectively.

NFC West

In a division that many expected to be won by the San Francisco 49ers on the heels of their Super Bowl berth last season, it is instead the division’s other three teams which will be fighting to take home the division title and a guaranteed top-three seed.

The Seahawks (8-3) currently lead the Rams (7-4) and the Cardinals (6-5) for the division crown, and with the league’s most lethal offense, they look to be the best bet to win the division, leaving L.A. and Arizona to fight for Wild Card berths.

However, with the Rams holding a potential tiebreaker over Seattle and a hot Arizona team looking like a candidate to win every week, nothing is certain at this point.

NFC East

The NFL’s saddest division in 2020 has been the NFC East, where a foursome of sub-500 teams are battling it out to try to sneak into the playoffs as one of the weakest postseason teams in the league’s history.

The 4-7 Giants are currently tied with Washington for the division lead, and would win it if the season ended today based on a tiebreaker.

However, the arguably more-talented Eagles (3-7-1) and Cowboys (3-8) could both still easily sneak ahead and claim a playoff spot which would feel like a miracle to any of the four teams involved.

Which teams do you think will make the playoffs?

The post NFL Playoff Races to Watch in the Season’s Last Month appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Over the past few seasons, the use of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) has become almost universal in soccer. While some people think more highly of this system than others, the undeniable reality is that it has transformed how the game is played.

VAR corrects some egregious decisions but also leads to baffling results at times. Much has been said about how VAR could be improved, but with little changes so far.

So, how could this system be improved in a few short steps by leagues which want to improve the results of this revolutionary system? Here are some suggestions.

Take Decisions Out of the Hands of On-Field Refs

One of the biggest problems of VAR in many leagues is that while its officials are able to call the attention of the on-field ref to a possible mistake, they leave the call and the revision up to that same on-field ref.

This leads to a problem where referees do not want their interpretations of what has happened on a play to be questioned, and it is far too often for clear errors not to be rectified because of stubbornness on the referee’s part. These calls should be made by unbiased VAR officials who aren’t caught up in the on-field emotions of the game.

Move to a “Challenge” System

Is anyone else tired of seeing play stopped several times per match due to VAR usage? Instead of it coming into play at every possible opportunity, giving teams a limited number of VAR “challenges” could be worth a shot in order to improve the on-field pace of play.

Leaving the decision to review a play up to coaches would lead to only the most important (and probably the most obvious) mistakes being looked at instead of trivial ones that are almost never changed.

Apply Goal Line and Offside Technology

Unfortunately, many leagues are still using VAR when it comes to goal line and offside calls. This leads to referees making incorrect decisions at times, something which could be eliminated by the use of something as simple as a computer program.

Allowing refs to wear a watch that indicates whether or not a ball crossed the goal line or a player was offside before scoring a goal would do a lot to prevent a lot of the VAR controversy that we have seen in recent years on the biggest of stages.

The post 3 Steps Towards Improving VAR in Soccer appeared first on SportzBonanza.

MLB’s free agency period has begun and the league is beginning to see some minor deals made as some of the less notable names in the league begin to sign deals with new teams.

The big fish are yet to find a new home, however, as all five of our top free agents of the 2020-21 offseason are still out in the market.

What teams would be the best fits for these players? Let’s select a destination for this offseason’s cream of the crop.

JT Realmuto

Realmuto is arguably the most attractive free agent on the market this offseason, a true five-tool player who is among the best hitters at the catcher position in the entire league.

At the age of only 29 and with many productive years left to come, he’s in line for a big deal. Who can afford him and has needs at the catcher position? While the Phillies might want to retain him, the Mets under new ownership and with big plans can offer him an attractive proposal that would see him leave for an NL East rival.

Prediction: New York Mets

Trevor Bauer

The 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner previously stated that he would prefer to exclusively sign one-year deals as a free agent, but backtracked on his word earlier this year.

The Southern California native has spent most of his time playing in Ohio, and a return to his home with the pitching-starved and big-budget Angels makes an awful lot of sense. New GM Perry Minasian has stated that believes the team is on the verge of contention and Bauer could be the missing ingredient.

Prediction: Los Angeles Angels

George Springer

George Springer silenced many of his doubters after the Astros cheating scandal broke last offseason, having another successful season while manning center field for Houston. He shook off a slow start to hit .265 with 14 home runs and played typically good defense in center.

Houston would be awfully short on outfield depth if they don’t re-sign Springer, and let’s be honest–they have the money to do so, and Springer feels at home there. A return to the Astros makes the most sense for all parties involved.

Prediction: Houston Astros

Marcell Ozuna

Marcell Ozuna was one of the sensations of the 2020 season, coming within striking distance of the NL Triple Crown after an outstanding season on a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.

Both the Braves and Ozuna seemed happy with their marriage, but will the contending Braves shell out big for a free agent for the first time over the past decade? With uncertainty over the DH next season in the National League, a team that’s looking to contend like the White Sox with both outfield and DH openings makes more sense for the slugger.

Prediction: Chicago White Sox

DJ LeMahieu

While DJ LeMahieu might technically be a free agent, it sure would seem odd for him to do anything but stay in the Bronx.

After joining the Yankees from the Rockies in 2019, the versatile infielder has become a fan favorite and taken his hitting ability to a new level. Yankee Stadium is the perfect place for LeMahieu to hit and the big-money team would be left with a huge hole on its roster were the Louisiana native to leave. Expect him to stick around.

Prediction: New York Yankees

The post Picking a Destination for MLB’s Top Free Agents appeared first on SportzBonanza.